Nodding, I took the file from him and flipped it open to scan the contents. “Good. Keep an eye on them.” I turned to him, fixing him with a firm look. “If anyone else bothers her, report it to me immediately.”
“Yes, sir.”
I handed the file back. “Nothing suspicious, is there?” My eyes flicked about the room. “I saw something in the hall earlier.” I pressed my AirPods. “Someone. Two, maybe three. Watching me.” I swallowed. “Did my dad send them? Do you know anything?”
Dave pursed his lips, and I studied him. He seemed to hesitate. “There seem to be some changes today, sir. I saw Mr Bakti meeting with a few men not long ago.”
My gaze sharpened, though he still looked reluctant. Of course, he was Zaeem’s man, first and foremost. My voice grew harsher, impatient. “Zaeem told you to help me while I’m here. He and I are on the same side. So what is it?”
Dave swallowed hard, looking at me for a second before answering. “All I know is, there’s something tied to his cooperation…” He paused. “The gist is Mr Bakti and some of INDTV Group’s and Artamain’s executives have been discussing matters these past weeks.”
See? He’d always been.
My phone buzzed, cutting me off mid-thought. Instantly, I pulled it from my pocket, and my eyes scanned the text on the screen. My pulse spiked; I glanced at Dave before striding toward the door.
“Follow me,” I ordered. He obeyed at once, trailing behind as I left the room.
I walked with measured, deliberate steps, forcing myself to remain composed. I kept glancing about, convinced I’d seen eyes fixed on me, whispers forming in the corners. I shook my head and pressed my AirPods, whispering words hard and fast.
Someone was here.
My breath shallowed. Sweat dampened my skin.
Fucking calm down.Take a breath. Hold it.
Tables. People. Chairs. Drinks. And—
Tshabina.
Those warm hazel eyes, meeting mine once more. My heart, which had been racing madly, began to steady. Even across the distance, her warmth reached me, wrapping me like a thick blanket against a storm.
Only because of her eyes.
I’d believed it was gone. But she’d always had it—maybe even always would.
Shaking my head, I clenched my fists as the urge to flee rose again. I tore my gaze away, and a voice reached me.
Tsabinu. He had arrived, standing beside me with a stack of files in his arms. He met my eyes with a steady gaze; I returned the look, and he gave me a slight, knowing nod. I let out a heavy breath before turning away, leading us both into the room behind the hall.
I told Dave to stay outside and kept watching, then it was just Tsabinu and me. My chest heaved, as though a dark cloud was gathering inside me, waiting to break into a storm.
With my hands jammed deep into my pockets, I faced him. Beneath me, my feet wouldn’t stop shifting against the floor. “What do you want to talk about? And explain what that message meant earlier, Tsabinu.” My voice was edged. His text spurred me into motion before I could process it, dragging me from the room like a man possessed.
“The terms of the partnership have changed,” he said, his eyes locked with mine. “This is common in business,” he went on, his voice hushed as if he feared someone might overhear. “But the decision shifted after Mr Bakti struck a deal with Mr Hendrik.” His gaze hardened. “And that agreement has to do with you, sir—Zioh.”
I scrubbed my face. My tie suddenly felt like a noose, prompting a desperate tug. Then, the storm burst free, fierce and unrestrained.Of course.Even before speaking to Zaeem that day,Dad was already plotting.
I clenched my fists tight. “Zaeem?”
“He knows.”
My head roared.Calm,for fuck’s sake,breathe!Press it down.
Shaking my head, I tugged at my hair. “So now you’re telling me it’s not just my father, but my brother as well?”
Tsabinu narrowed his eyes, studying me. “Zioh, this is Zaeem,” he said. “He’ll support it if he believes it’s the right decision. But the first person he’ll always support is you. You know that.”
Of course.
