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CHAPTER 16
~Zara's POV~
I nodded, feeling the weight of the day catch up with me. "You have no idea. It's like… I don't know how to explain it, Ella. There's just this tension between us and Astrid is no help. She's practically begging to be near him."
Ella's grin widened. "And how is that a problem? You're married to the guy."
"It's not that simple," I protested, feeling a blush creep up my neck. "This marriage is one of convenience and he's just—ugh, he's impossible to read. One minute, he's teasing me like we're in some kind of game and the next… it feels like there's something more."
"Something more," Ella repeated in a teasing tone. "Like, maybe he's falling for you?"
I snorted, shaking my head. "Snow Zephyr doesn't fall for anyone."
Ella smirked all of a sudden. "Uh-huh. Sounds like someone else is into him too," she said and stood up to get us glass cups.
When she returned I shot her a look that told her to be careful but she disregarded it.
Sighing, I tried defending myself, "It's not like that, Ella."
"Right," she said, grinning as she poured us a glass of wine. "Not like that, sure. But, you're wedded and from the look on your face, I'm guessing this is about to get a whole lot more interesting with you riding his big dick."
My eyes flew open. "Ella!" Ella chuckled at my reaction. "Gee girl! How did you even know the size of his…"
I pressed my lips together.
"Tsk… I have eyes. I can tell he's got a good package. One that can make any girl squirm and you, my friend are in luck."
I face-palmed. "Ella, I am not interested in that, you know. After Ivan I just…"
Ella lifted her palm, stopping me right in my tracks. "Say any name aside that scoundrel's." Her expression turned grim. "I can't believe you want to put a halt on your good years of life just for that scum. Live life and enjoy yourself. Let things get interesting and tricky with Snow. He's a big catch, bae."
I sighed, taking the wine but if I was truthful to myself, even I worried about that. "That's what I'm afraid of."
"Afraid?" Ella shrugged before I could explain. "Maybe you're underestimating your charm, babe."
I took a sip of my drink, rolling my eyes. "Or maybe he's just enjoying watching me squirm?"
"Maybe," Ella agreed, clinking her glass against mine with a smirk. "But whatever it is, it sounds like this story is just getting started."
I didn't say anything and groaned after about a minute, burying my face in my hands. "Why does it feel like with him I'm constantly two steps behind?"
Ella leaned back, sipping her wine thoughtfully. "Because you probably are. But hey, at least it's entertaining, right? I mean Alpha Snow is giving you his time. I gotta admit, it wasn't what I expected."
I didn't know what to say. It was entertaining but I knew I could get burnt if I played too much. Snow was an uncalculated equation my third life wasn't prepared for.
And right now, he was like a distraction I could use to get Ivan off my back and build a path to a good future for me.
Ella refilled and raised her glass, her grin widening.
"Hmm?"
"Here's to you, Mrs. Zephyr. Buckle up, because it sounds like this is just the beginning."
We clinked our glasses, but as I took a sip, a familiar feeling of dread settled in the pit of my stomach.
Before I could respond, my phone buzzed in my bag. I fished it out, expecting it to be a work message or something from Snow, but my heart dropped when I glanced at the screen.
It was a text from an unknown number.
Meet me at the old park tomorrow at 7 p.m. We need to talk. I know who you are.
I stared at the message. Ella noticed my sudden change in demeanour and raised an eyebrow. "Who is it?"
I shook my head slowly, my mind racing. "I don't know… but something tells me this isn't good."
"Then ignore it," Ella advised. Her tone was light but her eyes were serious. "You don't need any more drama in your life, Zara."
But I couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that settled over me, like a dark cloud.
My instincts were screaming at me to be cautious, but another part of me, the part that had already dealt with too many secrets, was telling me I needed to go.
"I don't think I can ignore this," I muttered, setting my glass down.
Ella frowned, sensing the tension in my voice. "You think it's that serious?"
"Yes and…"
"And would Snow allow you to meet up with this stranger?" Ella voiced the one thought I had silenced. "Because I highly doubt that."
I bit my lip, considering it. It was now close to seven.
"Zar," I whipped my head in her direction. "It's late. It is not safe. Besides, what if your ex wants to make trouble for you?"
El was right, as always. I hadn't considered the possibility that it was Ivan, but the message gave me an eerie feeling.
I tried to ignore the thoughts and instead focused on spending time with Ella. But when it was 7:10 p.m., I realised how hard that was.
Instead, I decided to bring on a more interesting topic… Ella's new bf.
"So, mind telling me who that hottie is to you?"
Ella's smile broadened as her blush deepened. "I knew you couldn't resist asking." She fluttered her eyelashes like a teenage girl and I shook my head.
"Just hit it already. Who is he? Your new bf?"
"No."
"No?"
"Yes."
"Yes?" I questioned. She was already confusing me. "Ella!"
Her giggle eased the worry in my heart and for the first time since I got that message, I relaxed. I didn't know how much I missed my friend until now.
In the past, she had met a guy who she fell deeply for but things had taken a drastic turn and later, led to her death a few months before mine.
In this life though, I planned on not letting that happen.
Although I never knew his face but his name, she mentioned it once in her text.
"Yes?"
"He's my friendly neighbour."
"Ah, I see. Friends with benefits then?"
"No and yes but.. Zar, it's complicated a bit. I don't want anything serious and he doesn't as well. We are just helping each other satisfy…"
"Basically friends with benefits, El." What could I say? It was better since he was younger I guess and then he wasn't who I expected.
"What's his name?" I asked just to make sure.
Ella's grin told me she was already liking this one. "His name's Styles."
"Styles," I repeated. Thankfully it wasn't Kent Wayne, the man she must absolutely not meet. Just as I parted my lips to ask her more about him, a knock on Ella's door froze us in place.
"Relax," Ella said a second later. "It must be Styles. I bet he thinks you are gone already."
She giggled, placed her glass cup down and headed for the door. However, when she opened it, her gasp and the tensed feeling I got, told me it was no Styles.
As if on cue, I turned my head to the side to see who had made my friend speechless when my eyes locked on him.
"Hello, wifey."