“Not now, Zer,” I cut him off, shooting him a glare. My eyes turned back to Tsabinu, sharper now. My palms were damp. “What is it this time, Tsabinu?”
“Still a bloody workaholic,” Zeraiah sneered, rolling his eyes. “C’mon, can’t I just talk to my old mate after all these years?”
I didn’t budge.
“Boring,” he muttered, giving up and retreating to the sofa where Natasha stood. His words faltered as he noticed the change in her expression. Her usual disdain had melted away into something bright. “What’s wrong with your face—”
Zeraiah followed her gaze, then grimaced. “Hell no. Seriously? Him?” he hissed enough for me to hear.
Natasha flushed, stomping Zeraiah’s foot before walking over to me. “Akh! What was that for?” he yelped.
Pinching the bridge of my nose, I turned back to Tsabinu. He was still silent, staring at the scene before him like a statue,or a broken robot, as if weighing every word. For once, he was… unfocused.
“Explain, Tsabinu,” I demanded, my voice clipped. Tsabinu never lost focus, but now his composure had finally cracked. I didn’t know where the man’s gaze was fixed.
He straightened, finally speaking. “Mr. Zaeem called and asked me to meet you. Then, just a few minutes ago, Mr. Bakti summoned me here as well.”
“To the point,” I pressed.
He exhaled. “The Artamain party has requested that the press conference for their new office project with INDTV Group be postponed. The issue between Mr. Bakti and the young woman has resurfaced. The girl’s mother has filed charges.”
I cursed under my breath, clutching my temples. I was seconds away from screaming, but I clamped it down and raked my fingers through my hair instead.I should never have come back.
White, marble, tunnel, Tsabinu—
I clenched my hands, nails biting into my palms.
Hold, press it, breathe.
Zeraiah tilted his head, scrutinising both of us. His eyes narrowed as he began to register how tense I was. “Wow… easy guys,” he murmured. His gaze darted between us. “Am I missing something here?” he said in a confused tone, raising his hands.
When we stayed silent, he snapped his fingers and raised his voice even more. “Hello? Are you guys deaf? Am I invisible?” He turned to Natasha and asked, “I’m visible, aren’t I?” he said, annoyed.
“It’s about your father,” Natasha whispered, silencing him.
Zeraiah turned towards me, locking our eyes. For a long moment, we said nothing until realisation dawned across his face. His jaw tightened, breath hissing through his teeth, and then his laugh broke out, bitter and raw.
Closing my eyes tight, I squeezed my fingers until the pain faded into a dull numbness. “I’m going to kill Mas Zaeem for dragging me into this,” I muttered under my breath.
Zeraiah tugged his hair, still laughing. “Seriously. After all this time?”
Yes, Zer. After all this fucking time.
It made me want to remove that old man’s brain.
This was endless.
The memory of what hehaddone, the reality of what hewasdoing, and the terror of what hecouldstill do... it was enough to make me see red.
His presence made my eyes water, and my stomach twisted each time.
And yet… a small, hidden part of me was almost relieved to be here. At least I could keep watch over that old man, and his brain rotting with mould.
Zeraiah caught my gaze again, then looked away, focusing on Tsabinu. “Hey, Bibu,” he murmured, scanning him from head to toe. “Interesting. Haven’t changed a bit, have you?”
Zeraiah shot me a look for validation, but I was too tired, my mind spinning with scenarios.
“I heard you’re joining our company,” he added, calm but cold. Then his eyes narrowed. “Didn’t know you’d become Mas Zaeem’s little minion. And that old man’s too.”
