Chapter 9 9

Zara's eyes remained fixed on the closed bathroom door, her mind replaying the kiss like a broken record. Her fingers brushed against her lips as if trying to recapture the sensation. "It felt... incredible," she whispered. "The spark, the connection, the rush of emotions – it had been so long since I'd experienced anything like it."

A warm, fuzzy feeling spread through her chest, and she couldn't help but smile. But as the reality of the situation hit her, Zara's face flushed with embarrassment. Her eyes widened in horror. "Oh my God. What was I thinking?" she said, her hands flying to her hair. "This is Xavier, my... whatever he is. I shouldn't have kissed him."

Meanwhile, Xavier walked into the bedroom, a subtle, knowing smile playing on his lips. "It felt good," he thought. "Really good. The way Zara's lips softened beneath mine, the way her body leaned into mine..." He decided to push the thought aside, not wanting to overanalyze it.

Zara emerged from the bathroom, fresh clothes wrapping her slender frame. She made her way to the couch, just as Mike burst in through the front door, his arms laden with food. "Food's here!" he announced, and Zara's face lit up with a smile. She clapped her hands in excitement.

Mike rushed to set the food down on the table, while Xavier strolled out of the bedroom, his eyes never leaving Zara's face. But Zara avoided his gaze, her eyes darting everywhere but at him.

As they sat down to eat, Xavier turned to Mike and said, "We have work to do." Mike nodded, his mouth full of food.

After the meal, Mike cleared the table, and Zara continued to avoid Xavier's gaze. Xavier finally called her out on it, his voice tinged with amusement. "Why are you avoiding looking at me, Zara?"

Zara's response was immediate. "Nothing."

Xavier crossed his legs, his eyes never leaving hers. "Are you sure?"

Zara nodded again, her eyes flashing with irritation. Xavier laughed, the sound low and husky. "What you're doing is only making it obvious, Zara. You should stop being stupid."

Zara's gaze drifted away from him, and her eyes landed on the photo frame she'd seen before. This time, she saw it more clearly – a little boy smiling up at the camera, a woman by his side.

Zara's curiosity got the better of her. "Who's that?" she asked, her voice softer now.

Xavier followed her gaze, a smile spreading across his face. "Oh, that's the younger me. Handsome, right?"

Zara rolled her eyes, a small smile playing on her lips. "Yeah, he's."

She asked again, her voice a little more insistent. "Who's beside you?"

Xavier's smile faltered for a brief moment before he regained his composure. "That's my mom."

Zara's eyes met Xavier's, her gaze searching. "Where's she?"

Xavier's smile fell again, and this time, it didn't come back. "She's fine," he said, his voice a little too bright. He smiled again. "She's doing great where she is."

Zara saw the fleeting sadness in Xavier's eyes and decided not to push the issue further.

An awkward silence filled the room until Mike broke it. "So, what's up? What are we doing?" he asked Xavier.

Xavier nodded. "Grab a seat, Mike."

Mike sat down, and Xavier took a deep breath before launching into the story. "It's about Zara. He began to tell Mike about her past and how she has been doing Patricia's dirty work to clear the debt."

Mike's face darkened. "That's messed up. Patricia's a heartless woman."

Zara, who had been quiet until now, spoke up, laughing. "Yeah, Mike, she is. I had to find a way to scam different rich men just to get money from them"

Xavier continued, "Zara's target was Williams and she was trying to use her marriage to Williams as a way to escape Patricia. But... things didn't go as planned." He paused, then continued, " Since he was murdered at the wedding."

Mike's eyes widened. "Wait, your husband was killed at your wedding?" he asked Zara.

Zara nodded sadly. "Yeah, he was."

Mike's expression softened. "Oh, no wonder you showed up here in a stained wedding dress. I'm so sorry, Zara."

Zara smiled weakly.

Xavier picked up the story again. "Now, Zara needs to check in with her husband's family, but she's scared. She doesn't know if she's free from Patricia."

Mike nodded understandingly. "Of course, you're free, Zara. You've done enough already."

He turned to Xavier. "So, what's the plan?"

Xavier leaned in, his voice low. "We need to find a way to get Zara to see her husband's family home without drawing too much attention. Patricia's probably looking for her too."

Mike nodded. "Okay, that shouldn't be a problem."

He walked over to the computer and turned to Zara. "What's your husband's name?"

"Williams Brown," Zara replied.

Mike's eyes widened. "Williams Brown was your husband? Damn, Patricia's one hell of a smart thief!"

Zara laughed.

Mike's fingers flew across the keyboard. After a few minutes, he turned to Zara and Xavier. "They're holding his funeral in two days."

Zara's eyes widened in surprise, then sadness.

Xavier nodded. "Okay, Mike, survey the area around their house. Zara, go get ready."

Zara stood up, but stopped and turned to Xavier. "I don't have anything to wear."

Just then, the doorbell rang. Xavier smiled. "That should be it."

Zara looked confused as Xavier got up to answer the door. It was a delivery. He thanked the delivery guy and shut the door.

Xavier walked over to Zara and handed her a bag. "Open it."

Zara took the bag, still confused, and opened it. Her eyes widened in shock. Inside, she found a beautiful gown with a shoe.

Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes as she hugged Xavier tightly. "Thank you so much!" she exclaimed, her voice sincere.

Xavier laughed. "It's okay. Go get ready."

Zara rushed off to change.

As soon as she was gone, Mike spoke up. "I got it. I found a way..."

Meanwhile, unaware of Patricia's growing fury, "26 hours!" Patricia shouted, her voice echoing through the room. "26 hours since I last saw or heard from Zara."

Rachel, one of her employees, stepped forward, a calming hand raised. "Patricia, calm down. Henry's been out looking for her. We'll find her."

Rachel's gaze snapped to the other employee. "Isn't that right, Felicia?"

Felicia nodded hastily. "Y-yes, we're nervous already."

Just then, Henry walked in, his massive frame filling the doorway. Patricia pounced on him. "Any update?"

Henry shook his head. "Nothing new yet."

Patricia's face twisted in rage. "What if Zara planned this all along? What if she's trying to escape me?"

Rachel snorted. "Zara? That girl's a scaredy-cat. I'm surprised she was successful with those rich men."

Patricia nodded in agreement. "Yes, Zara's a scared girl. She doesn't have the balls to plan any of this."

With a frustrated groan, Patricia slammed her fist on the table. "Where the hell is this bitch?"

Felicia spoke up, her voice timid. "Can't we just let her go? Besides, she's done paying off her father's debt."

Patricia's eyes flashed with fury. "Who told you she's done? She's done when I say so!"

Patricia turned to Sam, her voice icy. "Check thoroughly. I want to know where she is."

Just then, her phone chimed. She read the text, her face darkening. "It's Zara's so-called husband's family. They're holding his funeral in two days."

Rachel murmured, "Oh, poor guy. Wonder what happened to him."

Sam chimed in, "Probably had too many enemies."

They nodded in agreement, and the room fell silent until Patricia clapped her hands together, a wicked glint in her eye. "Zara will definitely be there. She wouldn't want to miss her husband's funeral."

Felicia and Rachel nodded in agreement. Patricia's smirk grew wider. "We'll get her there. She's been hiding, but she'll show up that day."

As she spoke, Patricia's eyes seemed to gleam with anticipation, her voice dripping with malice. "See you soon, Zara."