Zara closed her eyes tightly and clenched her fist as hard as possible.
Her heart throbbed rapidly and wildly, as if it were about to explode.
Zayden smirked as he saw her part her lips, waiting for his kiss to ignite the passion between them.
He had only five months for his father to decide who would inherit the company, yet he couldn't help but want to see that lasting impression on Zara's face. He thought it would be so satisfying if he teased her.
He was tempted to pleasure her, to make her scream his name as she begged for mercy, but he also wanted to see her reaction when he didn't give in to her wish.
"I didn't know you were this naughty, little pumpkin," Zayden said, lying beside Zara after releasing her hand with a smile.
Zara felt embarrassed, her face turning slightly red as she opened her eyes. She turned away from him to calm her racing heart.
She moved toward the edge of the bed and curled up. If she shifted even an inch, she was sure she would end up falling onto the hard floor.
Zayden watched her, the teasing aura slowly fading as sadness etched onto his face.
"I'm not a beast, Zane, and I won't do anything against your wishes," he said, turning his back to her.
He hadn't expected her to react that way, and he hadn't intended to push her away. He smiled as he felt her adjust to a more comfortable position.
Soon, the room was filled with the sound of Zara's light, gentle snores. Judging by her steady breathing, he knew she had already fallen asleep.
He sighed again and reached for his phone in the drawer. He quickly opened Google and searched for "blobfish."
As he scrolled through the images, he was shocked by what he saw, his mouth falling open. The shock was soon replaced by anger.
The blobfish had a gelatinous, pinkish-brown, soft body. Its bead-like eyes stared right back at Zayden.
He also noticed its flat head and tiny mouth. It looked nothing like him. Well, maybe apart from its fierce expression.
He closed the browser and opened the camera on his phone. His face appeared on the screen, and he couldn't help but touch his features, staring at his reflection.
The image of the blobfish wasn't even that impressive.
Wasn't he more handsome than the blobfish? he thought to himself.
Damn it! He couldn't believe he was doubting his looks when so many women threw themselves at him, and yet here she was, calling him a blobfish. He gritted his teeth in frustration.
She should count herself lucky, he thought.
His gaze then shifted to the "meaning of blobfish," and when he clicked it, a smile crept onto his lips for the umpteenth time that day.
The image didn't look appealing, but the meaning behind it was far more intriguing.
He stared at the phrase "unlikely beauty," repeating it to himself as if trying to convince himself.
He kept thinking about the blobfish until he finally fell asleep with a smile under the starry moonlight.
Zayden's thick eyebrows creased as he slowly opened his eyes. The warm sunlight streamed through the window toward the fluttering curtain, dancing across his face and casting a gentle glow on his sparkling features.
His eyelids were heavy with the remains of sleep. Gradually, he lifted them, revealing a pair of ocean-blue eyes that sparkled like dew-kissed morning stars.
His gaze drifted to Zara's sleeping face. She looked gentle and peaceful, and he suddenly felt an odd sense of familiarity just from watching her.
A flash of memory crossed his mind as he stared at Zara. The image of a dead person formed in his memory, and he immediately jolted out of his thoughts, breathing heavily as he sat up.
He knew she seemed familiar, but he couldn't allow himself to mistake her for someone he once knew. She could never be the one he wished he could see.
Even though her scent felt familiar and allowed him to sleep for the first time in what felt like forever—even though she seemed like someone trapped in a life that wasn't hers—he still refused to believe she was the one.
Zayden stood up and checked the time: 6:30. He took a bath and prepared for work.
Zayden's butler was surprised to see him up and dressed for work so early. Although he was known for arriving early, this was unusually early.
The butler noticed that he seemed happier than usual, possibly because of the young lady they had brought in.
Zayden ate salmon, roasted vegetables, and berries for breakfast before leaving for work. Before heading out, he asked the butler to show Zara around the house when she woke up.
Zara woke up around 9 a.m, feeling comfortable and well-rested. She stretched and yawned, her chestnut hair spilling across the pillow.
As she sat up, the soft white sheets slid down, revealing her sleepy, delicate face. She smiled gently, feeling content and ready for the day.
Before she could get out of bed, it dawned on her that she had been fired from her job.
Nevertheless, she happily entered the luxurious bathroom, thankful for the chance to be unemployed and enjoy her remaining days.
She didn't have to prepare for work as she always did. Instead, she had the entire day to herself.
Despite her dreams of owning a bakery, she believed everything happened for a reason and kept her usual optimistic smile.
She looked around and admired the exquisite and well-organized environment surrounding her.
After a comfortable bath, she found clothes provided for her in the wardrobe and dressed in a long-sleeve purple shirt and blue jeans.
After dressing, she removed the torn cloth she had tied around her hand and stared at it for a few seconds.
She sighed and tossed the cloth into the laundry basket before heading out.
When she went downstairs, she was surprised to find a variety of foods laid out: hamburgers, hot dogs, grilled cheese sandwiches, apple pie, and hot fried chicken.
The aroma filled her nose, and she couldn't help but embrace the sweet scent. Her stomach grumbled at the sight of the delicious meal.
"Good morning, Miss Zane," the butler greeted politely.
He was dressed in a white shirt and black trousers, with a white handkerchief draped over his arm.
Zara looked at him curiously, unsure of who he was. The butler instantly noticed her curious expression. "I am the butler," he explained.
Zara made an "oh" sound, understanding now.
"Where is Mr. Zay... Zayden?" she asked with a smile.
"He's at work," he replied grinning from ear to ear, realizing that she had actually called his boss by his name.
She was about to ask what Zayden's job was when her stomach growled again.
The butler chuckled and pulled out a chair for her. Zara sat down and began eating like never before.
The butler watched her intently, a smile on his face. He knew that she was the surrogate, but he had a feeling this young woman was going to captivate his boss's heart and become more than that.
As soon as Zara finished eating, he began showing her around the house, as Zayden had instructed.
"Let's start with the master's bedroom, Miss Zane," the butler said, pointing to a nearby door.
"Just call me Zane..."
"Mr. Robert," he corrected, noticing Zane's confusion about his name.
"We can skip that. I've already been to his room, Robert," she said shyly, playing with her fingers as she admitted she had been in Zayden's room.
Not only that, she had slept there and almost had a baby with him.
"Sure, how about we start with the g-" he began, but was interrupted by Zara.
"What's that room?" she asked, her gaze fixed on a door, instantly noticing Robert's anxious and sorrowful look.
The room had captured her attention, drawing her in with an air of mystery, as if it held a deep secret within.
"That... that is Mr. Zayden's ex-wife's room," he said with a somber expression, his eyes fixed on the door.
What? Zayden had a wife?