Zayde walked into the cold room and was handed a furry coat. Walking further in, he met Borris who had his face down in remorse, trying to beat the cold. His teeth were chattering violently.
The men were chained to the wall with metal chains which had spikelets around the tight collar. A slight movement would pierce the wearer deeply. There were frozen blood stains on their necks and their faces had been bloated from the cold.
When they saw Zayde they all had sorry faces, but then, they couldn't move - at their own risk. They would have been all over him, begging for mercy.
Zayde simply walked to the window, not sparing them the slightest glance.
Borris rushed over to Zayde who already stood by the window, his gaze travelling outside. He failed to keep her in check and he knew he was at fault.
Zayde wasn't quite sure of what he was looking for, but then he saw her.
The girl.
Jove's lips were moving but she seemed uninterested. He watched as she shoved Jove aside and walked into the car, mouthing something that seemed more of an order to him. He thought he heard Jove's distant giggles before the latter walked into the car and zoomed off.
Borris was still. He knew something was off. His boss's gaze usually was random, but this time, it seemed stuck at a place. Tracing his gaze with Zayde's, he stared at the departing car with confusion. What was in there?
Sensing his mistake, he quickly shut his thoughts. He had absolutely no rights to question his Boss.
Instead, he backed away and waited till Zayde was done staring. Zayde watched the car leave and when he eventually realized he'd been staring, he moved his gaze elsewhere.
Walking away from the window, he headed over to his cigar pack and lighted one. Twirling the cigar between his fingers, he sat on a sofa, still not sparing the men the tiniest glance even.
His silence was strangling them. They would beg for him to even talk if they could.
One of the men, unable to endure the slow-killing silence spoke immediately, the spikelets piercing deep into his throat. At least it was better than Zayde's heart wrenching silence.
"I'm truly sorry, Boss. She tricked us. She said she'd play once. She said she was bored. We believed her. We..." The man kept spluttering till he'd confessed everything.
Zayde still held his words.
Borris knelt before him. "It's entirely my fault, Boss. I'd gone to answer a call when it all happened. Had it been..."
"The blame isn't yours, Borris..." He ultimately spoke, letting his words hang deliberately.
Finally taking his revered gaze to the men, he stared at their bloodied necks. "Who freed her?" He asked, and as expected, he noticed them flinch.
Tears of regret rolled down their cheeks.
Zayde could make a man cry!
"I did. I swear, Boss, I did. She...she..." A glance from Zayde shut him up.
Zayde rose to his feet, dropping his cigar on the ash tray. Turning to Borris, "I'm not letting you all go because you're worth it. I'm only doing it for the sake of the loyalty you've shown. But then, you've exhausted your mercies. There'll be no next time. Release them." He ordered and made to walk out but halted at the door. "Get me her details, Borris." He said, finally walking out.
Taking a glance at his wristwatch, he headed for his car, dialling Carmella's number.
She picked at the first ring.
"I'll pick you up at seven-thirty." He spoke quickly and ended the call, not even sparing a chance for her to utter a word.
He threw the car keys at one of his men and walked into the passenger's seat. The man hurried into the car immediately and drove out.
🕳️🕳️🕳️
His gaze inadvertently went to his phone again and this time, he stared longer than usual.
First time being apprehensive and he hated it. Why the hell was he worried?
He'd long arrived home and his father was gone. Now he sat at his bed's edge, his gaze on his phone which laid on the side stool. Why hasn't Jove called yet?
He took a cigar to his lips and inhaled deeply, puffing out his uneasiness with the smokes. He despised himself right now.
His door suddenly flew open and Jove walked in leisurely, plopping himself on his bed. It was eventually closed by one of his men who stood by the door.
"Who's she really?" Jove threw the question, now laying on his side with his palm holding his head, his scrutinizing gaze on Zayde.
Zayde's mien was the least affected. He laid on his back, dropping his cigar. "You didn't ask her?" He asked, sounding the least interested.
"So she's really not one of your mistresses?"
Zayde shut his eyes. "My last mistress was three years ago, Jove. What makes you think I'ld get another after I'd killed the last one?"
Jove got up and took Zayde's lighted cigar from the ash tray. "I was only asking. 'Cause I like her."
Zayde sat up calmly. He reached for his laptop and opened it, lighting yet another cigar. The silence in the room was chilling.
"Another f**ckmate?" Zayde asked easily, his fingers moving smoothly over the keyboard.
"I'm done with the player's attitude and I'm pretty serious this time. She's really cute."
Zayde coughed like he'd choked on something, surprising Jove. "You and I have different definition for that word." He said, his face still completely phlegmatic. Jove cracked up. "You don't even know what that word means, Zay." He said admist laughter.
Zayde was silent. "I really do like her. But I need to work on a whole lot to win her. Her eyes are something else. You'll end up staring longer than normal." Jove said dreamily.
Zayde shut his laptop a bit too noisily. He got to his feet and headed for his wardrobe. "I have a business date with Miss. Lanwood."
"Fine, I'll leave. When would you return?"
"It won't take long."
"Okay. I'll be waiting. See you then."
Zayde paused, staring at Jove's face. "You might want to clean the drool off your mouth. " He spoke dryly. Jove hit his shoulders with feigned annoyance and left. He took out a suit from his wardrobe and headed for his bathroom. This date had better be quick.
🕳️🕳️🕳️
Arlene's face held a tight smile. The crowd around her wouldn't let her be after she got back. Delaney's attempt to wade them off was fruitless as they kept throwing questions at her.
"What did he do to you?"
"He's perfect in bed, right?"
"How did you attract him?"
"Why did Jove drop you off?"
"That's one of Zayde's car, you know."
"You really must be feeling like a princess."
Admist the admirations, some of the girls still felt bittered. Why was it always the new girl? "There really isn't anything. I..." Arlene tried to explain, but then she suddenly halted. It would be wrong to say she was abducted. Obviously, she could be attacked by his 'loyal' fans. "I was just dropped off by him."
"We saw you reject the gifts!"
"Yeah. Why?!"
"You didn't like it? You wanted more?"
Arlene shut her eyes in frustration. These people were really giving her the cramps. She was still on the passageway that led to her room. She opened her eyes, seriousness replacing the half smile. "I'd really want to be left alone."
"Yeah. Anyone who has an opportunity to grace Zayde's bed would really be stressed out."
"It's his first time taking a girl from our school."
"Carmella has a new rival."
"Let's leave the lucky girl to have some rest."
"You really haven't given us the gist we want!"
"Yes. And we are definitely returning!"
Arlene ran halfway to her room once she found the chance and on entering, shut it. There was a loud bang on her door. "Arlene! It's Delaney!" With a loud heave, she left the door and walked to her bed, plopping herself on it. Delaney walked into her room and shut the door. She jumped on Arlene's bed, a wide grin on her face.
Arlene gave an eyeroll. "Not now, Del. Besides, I'm still mad at you. You left me for him, remember?"
Delaney chuckled. "Was that some sort of payback?" "I don't have such time for that." Arlene stood and headed for her bathroom. "Could you at least tell me something?" "No!" "Please, Arly!" "If only you let me have a shower!" "Sure! Sure. Now hurry."
🕳️🕳️🕳️
Arlene and Delaney sat still, shock written over Delaney's face. Her crush was a killer?
Arlene had told her everything; not even sparing any detail. But then, what if Arlene was only trying to paint him black 'cause he took her? "I still don't think he's that bad. I mean, if he were, he wouldn't have taken you home to let you recover. He would've just left you on the hallway." Arlene huffed. "You're just protecting your crush, Del." Delaney pulled closer, a look of mischief in her eyes. "He's drop dead handsome, don't you think?" "With an annoying character? No thanks."
"Leave the character behind." Delaney added.
Arlene laid on her bed, tucking herself in properly. "I do not wish to discuss that Devil again. Let me be. My throat still hurts."
Delaney pouted. "Fine. I'll go to my room and cry. My best friend doesn't want to support my crush." She said, rushing out of the room. She bumped into Greg but kept running. "You forgot to shut my door!" Arlene yelled after her, but she was gone already. "Such a big baby." With a loud huff, she got out of her bed and stomped to her door.
Greg stood by the door, a bit nervous. He wasn't planning on coming when he'd asked of her room number; simply coincidence. Arlene stared at him, a bit confused. "You lost or something?"
"May I come in?" He asked, finally finding his words. Arlene hesitated for a while. She finally left the door and headed back for her bed. She watched him walk in cautiously, his gaze roaming her room like he was searching for something.
Arlene cracked up. "If it's the wheelchair, then it's yet to come. Feel free...for some time." She couldn't believe he actually bought her story. Greg gazed up at Arlene. Seeing she was only joking, he gave an eyeroll, finally walking in. "Why're you here?" Arlene asked, her gaze travelling down to the bag he held in his hands. "Came to check on my friend."
"Well, I'm not dead yet."
"It's totally my fault." He spoke up, a look of remorse in his eyes. Arlene chuckled. "Would you do anything if you were there, huh?" Greg stiffened. That was true. But he certainly wasn't gonna watch her being taken away. His eyes roamed her body, searching for injuries. "You could use your words, Greg." With a small smile, he dropped the bag on her bed. She knew him. He got to his feet, tucking his hands in his pockets. "I'll let you have some rest." Arlene simply nodded and went after him, her hand on the door handle already. "Sorry I can't see you off."
"That's no biggie. Good night."
She watched him walk away and finally locked her door. Rushing to her bed, she hopped on it and searched the bag. He got her gifts? Seriously.
Finally laying on her bed, she stared at the ceiling. Events from earlier flashed through her mind. What if she wasn't destined for the school? Getting involved with the Power Couple in barely two days of her stay here? Who does that?! Could her days here get a little less complex?
Maybe.
If only she'd stay on her own.