I EMPLOYED MY RIVAL'S DAUGHTER.

CHAPTER 9: "I sprained my ankle"

Declan Voss

I gazed down at my wristwatch for the umpteenth time. I'm supposed to be at the airport now.

Zara. Where the hell is she? She is gradually trying to keep a record as a latecomer.

I paced to and fro in my office. I took the telephone from my office desk and made a call to my receptionist.

“Have you seen, Zara?”

“Yes sir, she is coming towards your office now… she should be there in 2… “I hung up before she could complete her words.

And almost immediately, the door burst open.

Zara froze immediately and she saw my standing figure. Her eyes darted to her wristwatch, she exhaled.

“Good morning sir” she greeted, clutching her tablet closer to her chest with some files in her other hand.

I looked at her from the hair on her head to her feet.

My eyes paused on her feet. A red killer stilettos. The under is thinner and longer than the previous one.

Is she f*****g kidding me right now?

Appearing on stilettoes that are far thinner than yesterday's.

Didn't she get my texts last night? Yet she appeared with these heels from hell.

I turned around. Picked up my phone brushing her aside and walking out of the office.

I had other plans about those heels… but right now, getting to the airport is the main aim.

I heard her scoff. And then the click-click-click sounds of her stilettoes on the marble floor. She strutted after me.

I walked over to the elevator and she followed suit.

I pressed my back against the far end of the wall. Zara stood a few inches ahead.

My mind began drifting to the incident that happened in this very elevator yesterday.

I quickly shifted the thoughts to a business deal that will ruin Victor for a few weeks.

He definitely won't know what hit him. And I will let his daughter be the brain behind it.

The elevator door opened with a click, and we walked out.

I walked toward the receptionist who was typing away on the computer in front of her.

“I don't condone the use of a nose ring in my company” I warned my voice sharper than razor blades.

I didn't wait for a reply. I walked out, going towards the exit.

Outside, Zara walked to a guy who was unloading her luggage from her car.

I paused.

Wait. All these bags for a three-day trip?

One, two, and three.

Did she pack her whole wardrobe? Three suitcases.

A limousine was already waiting outside in the parking lot. The driver rushed out to where Zara was, helping with the bags.

I shook my head. Walked into the car without sparing them another glance.

The driver arranged the suitcase into the boot. Zara got in, making sure to avoid my eyes at all costs.

The driver rushed into the car, and he started the car. He stared at me from the rear mirror.

I nodded. “Make sure to floor it”

He reversed the car and drove off… Stepping on the gas and speeding directly to the airport.

★★★★ Airport★★★★

I pulled out a Nose mask from my suit pocket. Putting it on smoothly. My eyes gazed at Zara, who was already sleeping soundly.

She'd been sleeping since the entire ride to the airport, head against the window. Like she didn't sleep a wink last night.

Not like I care. I'm paying her, and taking a nap wasn't part of the deal.

I gave Zara a tap on the shoulder. She jolted awake. She rubbed her eyes. Her eyes went to her wrist watch while mumbling something below her breath.

“You are not being paid to nap, instead of keeping tabs on how to actually sign this deal” I sneered picking up my phone.

“I beg your pardon…. I only fell asleep for a few minutes” she retorted, her eyes daring me to say anything more.

“I beg your pardon too… You are being paid for the hours awake while working in my company and not for the hours you take a nap” I snapped back… my voice barely above a whisper, but cold enough that I saw her shudder.

She stared at me like I was the last thing she ever wanted to see. I turned around to the already-opened door.

“Disguise yourself” I walked out of the car without waiting for a reply.

The freaking audacity of her talking back. She will have to learn the hard way.

I'm not her imbecile of a brother… or her incompetent Father.

I took slow strides towards one of my private jets. I was trying not to draw attention to myself, but the f*****g clicking sounds of Zara's heels announced our presence.

Shit!

Heads turned towards our direction. The reporters who have been interviewing other celebrities and influential people paused and focused their eyes on me.

Oh no! I need to act fast. In no time they will figure it out. Figure it's the prince of New York.

I turned behind me. Zara, was walking like someone counting her steps. The stilettoes she was putting on were slowing her down.

The damn killer heels. My blood boils at the thought of that, why put on heels when you can't even run with it?

Everyone was trying to have a closer look… but they dared not come closer to where I am. It's a restricted area.

“It's him!… It's Mr. Voss, everyone!… It's really him!”

Flashes of cameras went violent. A woman with a camera around her neck tried pushing through the crowd.

Camera flashes went off. Phones lifted.

Great. In no time, they will burst into the restricted area. My head turned instinctively to Zara.

“Find a solution… so incompetent, if you had appeared earlier…”

I was cut off as questions started flying from everywhere in the airport. The mob tried forcing their way to cross the restricted area but were held back by the security.

I pinched the bridge of my nose and one thing crossed my mind.

Run!

But I can't do that! I'm not known for running away.

I kept walking towards my jet, jaw tight. But the thud of something falling to the ground stopped me in my tracks.

Gasp filled the air. More questions charged into the air. This time it was demanding.

I spun around only to see my personal assistant sitting on her ass on the airport floor.

Fuck!!! My mind went blank for a minute.

I knew she wouldn't last an hour walking in these killer heels. Just what would appear in the headlines in a few minutes…

Declan Voss's mystery woman fell on her ass while trying to flee from the paparazzi with her boss in a face mask.

I look down at Zara.

Zara's face was flushed. She stared at the floor avoiding the prying eyes staring at her. And then suddenly, she looked up, meeting my eyes.

She hesitated. “I think… I..My bone got… I sprained my ankle.”

Perfect! Awesome!

Her bones got dislocated? Is she for real right now?

On her first business trip… she is already drawing attention to herself at the airport.

My hands curled up in a tight fist.

Gosh! This is so embarrassing!

I turned to the crowd tugging violently at the barrier trying to overtake the security, and back at Zara.

I did the next thing that came to my mind without minding the thousands of eyes staring at me.

Fuck them! I have a business deal in four hours. And I can't afford to be late.

I crouched. Unbuckled both stilettos from Zara's leg, pressing them into her hands.

“Stay still” I instructed attempting to pick her off the floor. She held out her hand.

Her eyes widened. “What are you trying to do?”She asked, her eyes glaring at me as if I'd totally lost it.

Maybe I have really lost it.

“And what does it look like I'm trying to do?”I returned her question with a question.

“You can't carry me, people are watching… just help me up and I'll t….”

Fuck the paparazzi!

I tilted my head to the side. Giving her a firm look, enough to shut her up.

I cut her off ”then watch me do that!”