Seizing my hand, Zioh yanked me into the lift. The moment the doors sealed us in, he shoved me back against the wall, his hands trembling on my shoulders. “Didn’t I tell you? After the press conference, straight to the parking lot.”
My pulse thundered. “Zioh—” I began, breathless.
“I’m having a bloody bad day because of that arsehole,” he cut in, his jaw tight. “And I don’t want you to do the same, Tshabina.”
My limbs felt heavy. As though an approaching storm tightened my chest, forcing it inward in preparation.
“You hate the rumours linking you with him, don’t you?” His voice rose, anger spilling over. “So why the fuck did you let him get near you?!”
His grip on my shoulders shook, his breath harsh and ragged. A violent shake of his head sent a jolt of fear through me. Not of him but of the familiar black phase I had been waiting for—of not recognizing him when he was likethis.
My throat tightened, my voice cracking. “I didn’t let him! I had no choice! He’s myboss—”
“Oh yeah?” His lips curled in a sneer. “Then wait until I ruin that title too.” Finally, he released my shoulders to rub his face, muttering, “Bloody bastard.”
“Zioh!” I snapped, my voice sharp with warning.
“What?” His gaze burned into me, trembling, “Are you defending him?”
“No! But if someone hears—”
“Who?” He glanced around, gesturing at the empty lift.“Who?”
“Zioh.” I met his eyes, refusing to back down. “There is nothing between Aditya and me,” I said, clear and steady.
His eyes darkened, searching mine. Then his whisper came low. “You’d better be.No—” His voice dropped, colder—“you must be.”
Shaking his head hard, he blew out a long breath. I searched his eyes, trying to penetrate, to find out what happened in his head. “But you need to know this,” I said, reaching for his hand, his fingers still curled into a tight fist. “You don’t have the right to be angry. You don’t get to control—”
The words died in my throat.
Zioh crushed his lips against mine, silencing me with a sudden kiss. His hand shot behind him, pressing the button repeatedly to keep the lift doors closed as we descended.
36
Zioh
Before the press conference
I walked into the hall hours before the conference was set to begin. Last night’s text from Tsabinu weighed heavily on me; he’d asked to meet beforehand to reveal something, and I didn’t sleep all night. My mind wouldn’t stop running in circles. Shit. What was it this time?
I’d barely been around for a few weeks, yet all I’d run into was trouble after trouble. And then, Dad’s evil schemes. He’d planned something—he always did.
The threat from before still echoed in my head, louder and louder. It felt as if my dad were breathing against my neck, making the air around me grow thick. Somehow, I’d always caught people watching me, whispering about me.His people.Even in this hall, I could feel eyes on me.
Did Dad truly believe that Zeraiah and I were such a significant threat? So bloody dangerous that we could ruin his name or his company’s name?!
But every thought that had been clinging to my mind vanished at once. Like sunlight breaking through after a violent storm, the moment Tshabina stood there, right in front of the lift.
It made me want to stay close to her. Just like in the past, those old feelings, long buried, rose again from the depths.
Moving deeper into the hall, I found a room tucked behind it. Stepping inside, I scanned the space, even the ceiling above. It was empty—no people, no cameras, only a few large sofas circling the room. As I went to sit, the door handle clicked behind me. My body stiffened as I turned to see who entered.
Dave. He was one of Zaeem’s most trusted men, always working in the shadows for him. And now Zaeem had lent him to me.
He walked towards me, posture firm, holding a file.
“These are the documents Ribka and Manda have signed, sir. If they trouble Miss Sophia again, you can be sure they’ll be transferred out,” Dave said, his voice low and heavy.
