Until he lost his sense again, crawling back to Dad’s schemes. Though I knew Zaeem would never—still, not knowing what went on in his head… it gnawed at me.
I scoffed, dragged my hands down my face. “Fuck that.”
A sharp pain stabbed at my forehead, as if nails were piercing into it, and I massaged my temples. My eyes shut tight before I opened them again when Tsabinu’s hand suddenly pressed on my shoulder, making me look at him. His eyes were steady, searching mine, and his voice came softer this time. The same calm I once knew in him.
“They’ll be here soon,” he said low. “Calm yourself.” His grip on my shoulder tightened before he stepped back with a nod, ready to leave. “For now, that’s all I can tell you, sir.”
“Why?” The word left me strained, my eyes heavy as I watched his back. He stopped, silent for a beat, then glanced at me over his shoulder.
“Why do you help me, Tsabinu?”
He turned. His gaze was piercing, speaking more through his eyes than his lips. “For defending my sister. Andi told me what happened, and she’d cried herself sick that day. Thank you, Zioh.”
With that, he left, leaving me alone with the storm.
My gaze faltered on the closed door. “If you knew what I did to her, you wouldn’t be doing this or even saying those words,” I whispered.
My vision blurred. “I hurt her, more than them…”
Even if I can’t stay by your side all the time, no matter how much I want to, remember that I’m always holding your hand, Zioh.Orange. 25.
“I hurt our Tshabina, Golden…”
37
Zioh
When the press conference ended, I texted my eldest brother, Zaeem. My fingers trembled as I asked him to meet me in the back room, where I’d spoken with Tsabinu earlier. I moved fast, pushing through the crowd, ignoring the noise around me.
I couldn’t stop myself from glancing over my shoulder. People. Tables. Chairs. More people. Faces everywhere.
Shit.
By the time I burst into the back room, the darkness consumed me, pulsing through every vein. I shoved the door open, slammed it against the wall, and stormed inside.
Zaeem was on the sofa, surprise flickering at my entrance. He started to rise, but I was already upon him. “What the hell are you thinking?!” I snapped, my breath ragged. “What the fuck is this, Mas?!”
“Zioh—”
I dragged my hands over my face, cursing under my breath. “So this is why you came home suddenly, isn’t it?!” I accused, my voice high and sharp. “Because of this?!”
Zaeem blew a shaky breath, trying to reach for my shoulder. “Calm down, Dek.”
I slapped his hand away.Calm?!
“Calm down?!” I barked. “You knew! You understood more than anyone, and now I find out you’re working with that old bastard—”
“Hey!” Zaeem cut in. “He’s still our father.”
My muscles tautened like a bowstring. “I don’t care about your or his bloody company, Mas!” My voice cracked with its force. “You bloody know that! I only came here because you asked me, politely.” My breath came quick and shallow. “Cooperation, investors, joint ventures—I don’t give a fuck!” My words tumbled out. “But you knew Dad was trying to drag me in and you just stood there?!”
Zaeem pressed his lips together. He held my gaze, gripping my shoulders. “Dek, listen carefully.” His voice fell low. “This has nothing to do with forcing you here, or any of the negative things you’ve made up in your head.” His fingers on my shoulders tightened. “I swear.This is me, Zioh. I wouldn’t do that to you.”
Shaking his head, he lookedatme. “All I need is for you to help me a little while we sort things out in the UK. Once that’s resolved, you can leave whenever you want. No one, not even Dad, will stop you, alright?”
His eyes searched mine, and his voice dug deeper, “I just need you here until we fix what’s happening. Until I find a way to keep you safe there. Do you understand me?”
His words came through, but they floated around me.
