Zenith

Zyxhiaxy

That feeling that you thought you were already okay, but it was only temporary. That's when you realise that things won't stay like that forever. Even if you feel happiness and are free, it will also come to a point where you will return to everything when all you have to feel is sadness and emptiness. Even pleasure is short-lived.

"You said that she's in Florida." I gritted my teeth while my fists were clenched. I shed a few tears that pooled in my eyes before I looked at him.

"You said she's not currently staying here?" I asked, full of reproach. He shifted his weight uncomfortably and looked straight at me.

"I thought she was in Florida, too, Zy." I laughed sarcastically while trying to hide the pain that I felt inside me. I looked around the four corners of my office as if I could find the answer to the hundreds of questions running through my mind.

When did she get home?

And why the hell did she come back?

I don't know why, but recalling what happened in the department store earlier immediately clenched my heart.

"Honestly, Zy, don't be mad at me. I have no control over when she will go back," he said, full of sarcasm, causing me to glare at him.

"I hate her so much," I mumbled.

"Yes, you do," he replied, unleashing himself from being uncomfortable around me. He took a deep breath and held my hands. I looked at him blankly.

"You have to compose yourself every time you see her. It's not necessary to fake yourself, but don't let them see that you're still affected. Zy, do you understand?" He's like a Dad scolding me, so I pouted.

"Don't pout; I might kiss you here," he said, laughing.

I rolled my eyes when I felt my cheeks heat up.

"I told you, you have a crush on me," I said, full of pride.

He ruffled my hair. "Dream on."

"Why? Am I not tempting?" I asked bravely.

"Maybe in another aspect."

"In what aspect?" I tried to stifle a smile and played with his hand. He had a long set of fingers, and his nails were so clean.

"I dunno." He laughed when I hit his hand.

"Tsk. I have to go now." He stood up to prepare for leaving.

I arched a brow. "Where are you going?"

"Heaven." I bit my lower lip when he playfully winked at me and exited my office.

Crazy asshole.

All day, I took care of all the papers that needed to be signed for the project in Zambales. I also talked to the legal team for the negotiations and the construction team that will handle the project.

The next day, I did the same thing again. I talked with the head of finance and had a meeting with the team again to finalise the proposal and proceed with the project. It was a tiring day, and I'm thankful that Styx had so many papers to do that I didn't see his handsome face.

"Shot?"

I ignored Deux's words and continued tapping my fingers on my desk.

Boring.

That's my mood right now because I haven't seen any trace of Styx for the past three days.

Annoying! I thought he still loved me. Why didn't he pay me a visit at least once? Busy?! He obviously can't make time for me.

And plus, why am I annoyed?

I should be happy, right? Because no one will bother my day, but, grrr. I couldn't proceed with the plan knowing that he wasn't showing up.

"Zy," Duex called, but I ignored him, and my jaw clenched as I looked into the void.

I already know why. The last time I saw him, he was with my mother. Did she stop Styx from seeing me? Tss.

"Jesus!" I shouted after someone slapped my forehead. I almost cried while holding my forehead and giving Duex a bad look.

"What is your problem?" I hit his hand, and my office immediately filled with his laughter.

"I've been talking to you for a while now; you're just not being yourself. What happened? Are you thinking about Styx again? Can't you focus on yourself first? I think you need to visit your doctor again. I bet there's a problem in your heart." His sarcasm in the last word did not escape from my ears.

"So, don't you know how to shut up?" I threatened him with a blow.

He laughed. "Yeah. So you could come back to your senses."

"Get out!" I shouted and picked up the white folder from the table. I hit him on the arm with it. He was not hurt and just kept laughing.

"Will you leave or will I feed it to you?" I said, ready to hit him again.

"Easy!" He raised his two hands as if surrendering. "I'm just kidding you. Anyway, I'm going to New York this Thursday. You want some souvenirs, babe?"

I raised an eyebrow at him and said, "I have something in my house. Get it before flying and give it to him." I smiled and bit my finger.

"What is it again? Maybe it's not a life-size teddy bear like the one you sent last month, right?" I chuckled.

"It's not life-size, but it's a teddy bear." I heard him groan. I couldn't stop myself from closing our gaps and pinching his nose. I sat next to the swivel chair he was sitting on for the visitor and took out my cell phone.

"Do you think he missed me?" I asked softly. He smiled a bit.

"He always missed you. Zenith is a kind person; he will understand why you have to leave," he assured me.

I shook my head and gulped as I tried to fight my tears.

"I miss him so much."

"Where's Mr. Styx?"

I raised an eyebrow at Styx's secretary when I saw how she ran through my clothes before meeting my eyes. I want to roll my eyes because I don't like what she did, but what can I do? People will dislike you even if you haven't done anything wrong to them.

"Do you have an appointment, ma'am?" She faked a smile.

I tsked and clenched my fist. How dare she ask if I have an appointment with Styx? After all, they didn't know that I was the new chairman. Not yet.

"Can you tell him that Xhia is here? I have something to tell him, so call your boss." I kept my voice as polite as possible but didn't give her a smile.

"Ma'am, he's currently talking to someone. If that's really urgent, set an appointment with Mr. Styx."

"Who's that someone?" I felt a pinch in my chest when the image of him talking to a girl flashed in my mind. He was probably talking to someone in his office, just like his secretary said, but to whom?

The lady just smiled at me; the twinkle in her eyes didn't escape my eyes, as if there was a beautiful woman inside Styx's office. I rolled my eyes and walked towards Styx's office. The annoying secretary called me, but I ignored her and opened the door.

As soon as I opened the door, I heard the voices of the people inside. I don't know if what I'm doing is still right, but I want to make sure he's okay.

How could I proceed with my plans if we weren't fine at all? He should be the one who asked for my attention, but I'm fucking here in his office like a dog looking for its owner.

"Xia..." Styx said in disbelief when he saw me entering his office. I looked around inside; his office was so pleasant and clean. White, brown, and grey. As usual, it's his favourite colour.

"Am I bothering you?" I asked after realising that he was in the middle of talking to someone. I want to march outside because he's not talking to a woman!

Annoyed, I turned around to go out, but before I could leave, an arm wrapped around my waist and leaned me against his chest.

My heart pounded hard, and I wasn't able to move when his body touched mine. I could feel my knees weakening when he softly moved his hand around my waist in a circular motion.

"I said, what are you doing here?" he asked, his voice husky.

I clenched my hand and turned my face towards him.

I couldn't find any words to say.

"Did you miss me?" I closed my eyes when he squeezed my waist as his breath was released in my ear. My grip tightened when he playfully bit my ear, causing me to stifle a moan.

"Styx," I threatened, because someone was watching us.

I was annoyed enough to walk away from him when he suddenly laughed. I feel like my face is crimson red!

I looked at the man sitting on the couch when I felt his gaze, and I wasn't wrong! He was looking at us while smiling teasingly.

I could see that he has a handsome face; you can also compare him to male models, but his long dark-brown hair was giving him a bad boy look.

"Who are you?" I asked boldly, crossing my arms.

Am I too grumpy? Eh, I'm annoyed, eh! His look was too irritating, and I was uncomfortable with the way he looked.

The sides of his lips rose. "I'm Syriel, his cousin," he introduced himself, holding out his hand, but I didn't accept it and just turned my gaze to Styx.

I heard that Syriel guy laugh in amusement, which irritated me a bit. Just a bit.

"Why didn't you show up for me?" I asked Styx, full of annoyance. I saw his eyes grow slightly and his mouth open.

I have seen him, and he seems fine. He was wearing his usual black formal attire, and there's no trace of anything bad that happened to him. I'm just being paranoid.

"I'm... uhm, a bit busy these past few days." He scratched the back of his head. I don't know if this is because he was shy or if he's lying.

"And you can't make time for me?" I bravely said, and his mouth hung open again. Amusement was evident in his pair of black eyes.

"I can. Of course I can. It's just..." I scoffed when he tried to hold my hand, but I shoved it away.

Annoying!

He didn't even call me for three days, and then I'll see him like this? Acting as if he was completely fine? I'm busy too, huh? But I can always make time for someone.

Wtf, Zy?

I didn't like what I was thinking, so I decided to leave, but he held my hand back again.

"Styx, what?!

"Oh god." I heard what his cousin said, but we both ignored his remark.

"Where are you going, Ms. Xedler?" I tried to push him away. His body is too strong, so it's easy for him to hold me even though it's not that tight. Did he really hold my hands tightly, or was I just enjoying the warmth of his hand, so I didn't use my full strength?

"It's Xhia, fucking asshole." I tiptoed and kissed his left cheek. I felt his grip loosen a bit, and I didn't waste any seconds trying to escape. I left his office while grinning after seeing his stupid face. I heard his cousin scream loudly, so I couldn't help but be ashamed of what I did.

That's your punishment for not showing up, asshole.