Chapter 1
I let out a sigh as I peered out of the plane. Tears brimmed in my eyes and if I was being truthful, I really didn't know what made me want to cry.
Was it the hand that held mine, that assured me that no matter what he would be by my side? Or was it the fact that, even as our hands locked, I still felt desolate?
I wasn't sure, and I looked away before he could see the tears that threatened to spill. My second hand rubbed over my bump and I wondered just for a second before I forced my mind off him, how the father of my baby was doing.
It would be nighttime in New York so he probably was in bed with her…
I gulped, shutting my eyes as I held onto my man's hand tightly.
"You will be fine, Zora," Derek whispered in my ears and I knew he must have noticed the tears in my eyes. "I promise, you will be fine. We will."
And I believed him. Because I had to. For the sake of my unborn child and maybe a part of me was hoping it was for the sake of us. For the sake of the tiny bit of love, I had for Derek. I had to love him or more appropriately, I had to learn to love him.
Like I had with Elliot Gerratt…
***
I shuffled out of the supermarket, the groceries in one hand as I held the phone with my shoulder.
"I'm not sure, Kathy," I grunted, passing some guys. "I can't go back just to get your favorite chocolate. I'm certainly not doing that."
There are some times my best friend irritated the hell out of me and this was one of those. It was worse she wasn't helping me but going back there to just get a pack of that shit. I certainly am not doing that!
"I'm outside the supermarket already, Kathy. I will get a taxi." I cussed out slowly as one of the bags slipped out of my hands. "I will call you later, babe. I have to get these."
And without waiting for a reply from her, I ended the call.
"You should be more careful." A voice said as I pulled the shopping bags in my hands. "Or better still, have someone help you?"
I raised my head with a deep sigh and my eyes clashed with brown ones. It was funny when a week ago, I was giddy about seeing them, but now, I wanted them out of my sight.
My eyes shifted to his side and I blinked when I saw the lady beside him. "Thank you," I said. "I got this."
"Of course," Marcus replied with a smile I had learned just days ago was fake. "Meet my girlfriend, Kira."
I nodded at the lady and her grin made me want to puke. "I'm sorry, I have to go. I'm in a hurry."
I wasn't in the mood to talk to anyone, not when I had to think of where to get my brother's fees, and conversing with my ex was certainly not something I desire to do.
"Are you not with someone?"
I raised an eyebrow in confusion. "Sorry?"
"I mean, your boyfriend, Zora." He clarified and I didn't miss the mischievous glint in his eyes. His eyes widened a bit. "Don't tell me you are still waiting for me."
Marcus was an asshole. I never knew that until days ago, when I caught him having sex with someone else, and even so, I cursed myself as tears fought their way up to my eyes. He was my boyfriend for two years!
"If you will excuse me-" I saw him pull the Kira girl closer to him and I fought my dignity not to break down in front of him. My eyes drifted to a guy alighting from a car, and beside him were two more guys. "My man is waiting, and he hates being kept waiting."
It shocked him, that much was obvious. I walked away from him and towards the guy I just claimed to be mine, my heart beating in trepidation.
The bags were still with me as my face broadened with a grin. "Honey," I called.
Thankfully, they were walking towards my side and I could see the looks of shock as the three guys turned around in confusion. They were all wearing hoodies that covered their faces.
I threw the bags on the floor, as I dashed towards them and pulled the guy closer. "I'm sorry. Please help me with this. I will pay you back, I promise." I whispered into his ears which I was certain Marcus saw as a lovely gesture.
"Who are you?" The man stepped back in confusion, as he pushed my hands away. "What in the world are you doing?"
I took a deep breath as I watched Marcus move closer to us, my hands still latched on the man's, and to my utmost delight, the guy didn't move away.
"Please…" I trailed off with a tight smile as Marcus narrowed his eyes at me.
"Zora, you-"
"Baby, meet my friend, Marcus." I grinned, as the man glared at me. "Marcus meet my boyfriend…"
Thankfully, Marcus didn't notice the way I failed to say his name as he seemed dumbstruck about seeing me with a man.
I heard chuckles behind us and noticed the two guys staring at us with amusement-filled eyes. The hoodies were off their heads now and I could see their faces well enough, they were handsome.
"Zora, this man is your boyfriend?"
He wouldn't have believed it, yeah. I looked up at the man and his blue eyes locked on mine as I swallowed. Pissed would be an understatement of his glare and I squeezed his hand again.
"He is," I confirmed with a smile. I took my eyes away from him and turned around to look at Marcus.
He was staring at me, wide-eyed, his mouth slacked open as he stared at me.
I got on my tip toes, my eyes searching his eyes as he stood fixated.
"Uhm, I'm sorry-"
"What are you doing?" He whispered back, aggressively.
"I just have to do this. I promise to rep-"
"What in the world are you-"
My lips closed on his and my heart thundered in anticipation. He tasted like coffee, and chills ran through me. I hoped a big part of me hoped, this gesture was enough to convince my ex that I really am over him.
He didn't move his lips and I sucked on his lips softly before I pulled away. My pupils dilated as I struggled to stay put.
"Wow…"
Suddenly, lights blinded me and I wobbled back, falling into the man as he pulled me up. He just stared at me, like he couldn't process everything that just happened and when I looked behind him, I didn't only see his two guys, with their mouths agape. There were more than a hundred people as flashes came around me.
"Mr. Garrett, please tell us about your relationship with this lady?"
"Who are you, gurl?"
"Is she your girlfriend, Mr. Garrett?"
"How long have you been together?"
"We have never seen her with you, is she your new fling?"
I couldn't see Marcus anywhere among the reporters that surrounded us and I felt lost.
Where in the world did they appear? And girlfriend? I was certain what happened just now might be mistaken as a lover's thingy, but in no way was I a fling to this young man.
He didn't say anything as he pulled me closer to himself, his guards trying to pave the way in between the paparazzi. I swallowed as I stuck beside him as we pushed our way between them.
I was so done for!!! Where was Kathy when I needed her the most?
Chapter 2Since I was little, I always wanted to become a celebrity. A very popular person. Dad always said my face was for the public to see. I had always dreamt of showing it on TV. The thought of being surrounded by reporters and them shoving their mics down my throat always brought a thrill through me. But as I watched the TV a few hours after I got home, I couldn't help but shiver from whatever emotion I was feeling. I cringed as I looked away from the TV and grabbed the remote from Katherine."Why did you off it, Zora?" Kathy glared, her lips curled up into a smirk. "I was literally watching an erotic scene."I glared at her, standing up to dump my coffee cup in the basin. "Don't you dare put it that way? You caused this mess."My friend chuckled as she got up from the couch. "I wasn't the one that kissed a total stranger who by the way is the youngest billionaire in the country to make her ex feel jealous." "Kathy-" I groaned. She raised her hands in surrender. "But for rea
Chapter 3 I did my stuff at the very last minute. I never met up with time and getting out of my cozy bed was something I always did with difficulty. I was lazy, I knew that much and it was funny because I worked as a waitress in a restaurant. "It's 12:30, Zora," Kathy shouted as she strolled into the room. "Don't keep your Prince Charming waiting." She threw me a wink and I glared at her. "Aren't you supposed to be at work, Kat?" I groaned, slipping into baggy pants, and a purple crop top. "I could do without your presence." "I love you too." She laughed, as her eyes wandered over me. "What are you wearing?" I rolled my eyes, grabbing my phone from the table. "Whatever it looks like," I replied with a grin pulling the hoodie over my head. "I'm off." When I called in sick at my workplace, I was granted permission immediately which surprised me because not only were we short on waitresses these days, the manager wasn't someone that approved shitty excuses to skip work. "Get s
Chapter 4Elliot Garrett wasn't just a popular figure. Apart from him being the CEO of Garrett Corporation, he was one of the hottest billionaires in history. There were no magazines that wouldn't have his picture, even though I rarely read them. No news that wouldn't have Elliot Garrett's name on it. He never announced anyone as his girlfriend not to talk of his fiancee. He wasn't known to have any girlfriend so more often than not, he had his things with ladies. He didn't spend more than one week with any of them, and after he was done with them, he paid them off. The only lady that stayed with him for almost three months now was Sharon Myles.These were things Kathy had recounted to me yesterday when I found out who Elliot Garrett really was.My mouth slacked off as I stared at the guy. He held this nonchalant face that made me question his sanity. His grin didn't waver as he shifted them back to me."Baby, are you okay?" I blinked rapidly, my eyes fixed on the guy before me. I c
Chapter 5 I wasn't sure what I expected when I got down from Elliot Garrett's car, but the chilly breeze that hit me was not it. I shivered, my body getting used to the cold as I flagged down a taxi. I hugged myself tight as I rushed into the car. "Chicken and Co, Restaurant." Five minutes later, I was in front of my workplace. The cars were more than thirty, something that hasn't happened in a long while, and people were scurrying in and out of the restaurant. Snickering to myself, I pulled my hoodie over my face as I ambled towards the entrance. "Move." I blinked, turning around to see a pregnant woman with a boy struggling to get into the restaurant. For a second, I wondered if the Manager put up a promo but then, I would have known about it. I hurried towards the kitchen, nodding at some staff as I walked past them. "Hey, Bella," I whispered to one of my colleagues. "Is something wrong?" "Zora…" She screamed. I narrowed my eyes at her, swiftly clamping my hand over her mouth
Chapter 6 I swallowed, the lump in my throat getting bigger. My chest tightened and my hand shook as I struggled to hold the phone to my ear. "Is there no other way?" I whispered slowly, and the sigh I heard from the other end made a tear slip down my cheek and I wiped it off. "Doctor, say something." I held my breath. "No, there's not, Zora." He replied. "The other way is for him to live on medicines and I won't recommend that because even his medicines are expensive." "The cons of the surgery?" I scrolled through my laptop, my eyes searching for companies that might need a part-timer. "Is it assured that he will make it?" He must. There would be no essence of my living if he doesn't. He has to! "It's not 100%, Zora." Doctor Kim explained and I shut my eyes. "Mr. Walter is getting worse by the day. Even if the surgery won't go well, the least I could do for the poor man is let him rest in peace." "No." My voice was sharp as I shook my head vigorously, even though the man
Chapter 7 "Zora." I threw off my sneakers, as I walked into the room, ignoring Kathy's call. "Zora." She yelled again and I knew if I didn't reply this time, my best friend might just murder me. I turned around, letting out a sigh as I stared at Kathy, raising my eyebrows. "What?" I rolled my eyes at her. She was smiling at me which made me narrow my eyes. "Did Fredrik propose to you or something?" Fredrik was her boyfriend and even though they have been together for just two months, Kathy was head over heels for the guy. And the guy was cool so I had not a single problem with their relationship. She rolled my eyes at me, her eyes holding this glint to them. "I wish." She huffed. "But that's not it, Zora. Tell me, how did the meeting with Elliot Garrett go?" I hopped on the bed and pushed my hair into the pillow. "Bad. He is a jerk." I felt the bed dip beside me and the next second, my best friend smacked me on my butt. "Elliot Garrett? Who are you to call Elliot Garrett a j
Chapter 8 "Shitty alarm," I grumbled as I moved my left hand around the table. With my eyes still closed tightly, my fingers brushed against the alarm clock and immediately switched it off. I opened my eyes slowly, and just like I had expected, Kathy was on her bed, her body sprawled out on the small bed. I walked to the wardrobe and picked blue jeans and a purple top with a purple bandana. I threw it on the bed and shuffled into the bathroom. Thirty minutes later, I was out and I pushed Kathy off the bed. She fell with a thud and I burst out laughing as she scrambled up, glaring daggers at me. "Get your shitty ass off the bed. You will be late for work." She rubbed her eyes and stood up. I watched as she staggered into the bathroom and shook my head. Kathy wasn't a morning person. I made some pancakes and scrambled eggs and by 7:30 am, we were all done. I grabbed my bag as Kathy wobbled down her meal. I sent a message to Aaron and the next second, he replied. "Hey, sis. I'm
Chapter 9 It was one thing to be in one of the most affluent companies in the country but to stand in the CEO's office with a dashing young man staring right at you, was something I could have fainted from. Averting my gaze from his, my eyes scanned through his office, taking in the beautiful decor. Starting from the small parlor on the left side of the office with a long sofa and small glass table in front of it, a 60-inch flat-screen tv, a refrigerator to the left, a water heater, and back to the main dish. Seated at the center of the office was a big glass table with two black leather chairs situated in front of him. To his side were a telephone, a notepad, a stack of beautifully designed pens, and an award frame with his laptop situated directly in front of him. I let out a short breath as I brought my eyes back to him, letting them hold the god-like being before me. I had seen him before but the way his black hair smoothed backward, and how professional he looked suited up