MR. CEO, ON YOUR KNEES

ZORA

I paid the cab driver and hurried into the compound. I rushed to prepare dinner for my husband because it was our anniversary and his birthday.

I had decided to cook his special meal as part of his birthday gift. I wanted to show him how much I loved him and how happy I was that he married me.

Zayn, a famous billionaire who ran the multimillion-dollar firm he inherited from his father, and I had been married for three years. We married a year after graduating from college.

Although Zayn hadn't been the best husband over the past three years, I kept hoping for his change.

The lack of a child contributed to his sudden change. We had visited many medical places, but it seemed we weren't doing something right. However, today I felt excited because I had a special surprise: a hospital report showing I was one month pregnant!

We lived in a sophisticated villa in Southampton City, surrounded by servants and luxury. Despite that, I always preferred to cook his meals myself because I wanted to please him and see him happy.

Today, I left work early to return home for the meal.

Lost in reverie, I smiled as I imagined the happy moment when I would present him with the gifts.

I held a wrapped gift I had saved months for. "Can't wait to see his reaction when I hand him the test result and this gift," I muttered, a smile spreading across my lips.

To my surprise, as I entered the compound, I saw his car parked in the garage.

"Didn't he leave for work this morning? Why is his car here?" I wondered, perplexed.

"Well, maybe it broke down and he towed it back with a van and went to work with a cab," I concluded, shaking off the confusion.

I opened the door to the sitting room, ignoring the servants' greetings, and went straight to the kitchen to drop off the items I purchased for the meal.

As I arranged the food items, I heard the door open and quickly turned to see who it was.

"Oh, Zayn. You're home. You freaked me out when I heard the door. I thought you left for work this morning," I said, sighing and approaching him with a baby-like expression.

I leaned in, ready to greet him with a tender kiss, but he wasn't having it. I saw it on his face. He raised his hand and gently but firmly pushed my head away.

"Erm, Zora, we need to talk. Meet me in my study room," he said.

"Is there a problem, darling?" Before I could finish, he had already left the kitchen.

The rejection stung like a scorpion. My eyes faltered, confusion and hurt flickering across my face.

"What happened? Did I do something wrong? Why isn't he happy?" I wondered, confused and startled.

I gulped hard and followed him.

I asked a maid to arrange the cooking items because some were perishable and needed to be stored in the freezer, sensing this meeting might be long.

I adjusted my long, wavy blonde hair in the hallway mirror. My almond-shaped hazel eyes matched my fair skin, and the dress I wore highlighted my hourglass figure. I was moderately attractive.

I should have smiled at my reflection, but my husband's abrupt request and treatment made me visibly anxious.

He had never rejected my kiss. He would just accept it, even if his face showed disinterest.

At his study door, I took a deep breath and prayed inwardly before grabbing the doorknob and yanking the door open.

"I hope everything is alright, darling," I said as I walked in.

He sighed deeply and leaned back in his chair, facing me. "I'll say it's fine because every problem has a solution, which is why I called you here. Anyway, sit down," he said, pointing to a chair.

"Is there a problem? Is this why you came back from work? I remember you left for work this morning," I asked as I sat down.

He took a deep breath and swallowed hard, preparing to speak.

I couldn't wait any longer. "Do you want to discuss your birthday and our anniversary? Don't worry; I've been preparing. There's plenty of merriment for anyone you invited," I said, my fists clenched and an innocent look on my face.

"This has nothing to do with my birthday. I hadn't planned to celebrate it or invite anyone," he replied, picking up a white envelope and handing it to me.

"Go through it, and sign where needed," he added.

"Have we agreed to sell the house and move to a bigger city?" I asked, but he didn't respond.

"Go through the document and find out," he said, crossing his legs and sipping from a wine cup.

I opened the envelope, nervous about what it contained. I pulled out the small stack of papers and read:

"DIVORCE AGREEMENT BETWEEN MR. ZAYN EZRAH AND ZORA EZRAH."

I gasped in shock. "What happened? This must be the wrong document." My voice cracked with emotional distress.

He uncrossed his legs, adjusted his posture, and gently placed the wine cup on the table. "It is what it is, Zora. I'm sorry if I disappointed you, but I have to do this. If you look through it, you'll find a slot for your signature."

Doubtful, I stared at the papers and saw that his signature was already on them. Mine was the only thing delaying the divorce.

"Tell me this is a prank, Zayn. Why divorce? Not now."

"I'm serious, Zora. Sign the papers so we can end this meeting," he insisted. It was clear he was serious.

"Why, Zayn? Why divorce? Last time we discussed our marriage, we promised to change. How did we end up here?" I was confused and angry.

"Well, you're right. We did discuss that, but I want a divorce now."

"But I don't. You can't just catch me off guard like this. Even if we're divorcing, you should have told me beforehand, not like this."

"Zora, just sign the damn papers and end this," he yelled, slamming his hand on the desk.

"And what if I don't?" I yelled back, standing and tearing the papers into pieces.

A deadpan smile crept onto his lips as he watched me. Determination was in his eyes. He stood up, went to the window, and looked out over the city, thinking about his next move.

I sighed weakly and followed him. "Zayn, if I've done something wrong that made you think this, please tell me. I'm ready to do better," I pleaded, grabbing his hand and rubbing it gently.

Zayn's expression was conflicted but soon hardened with determination. "I don't think the fault is yours," he said, gently withdrawing his hand.

"Then who? Or is it because of Nora, your assistant manager? I've heard you've been close with her."

Zayn hesitated before responding, "You could say that."

"Is there something special about her you want me to cultivate?" I asked, willing to improve and be the woman he wanted.

"Damn it, Zora. I'm tired of this marriage. Can't you understand that? And I never said it was because of Nora," he said, turning and brushing past me to the table.

"Whatever or whoever is causing this will never succeed," I fumed and turned to leave.

"You think tearing up the papers will change anything? I have five to ten copies because I knew you'd do this," he said, arranging documents into his briefcase.

"I'm leaving. Dorcas must have arranged my luggage as I instructed. You'll need to request the divorce papers when you don't see me for weeks, months, or even years," he said, heading to the exit.

Halfway to the door, he stopped and turned. "Lest I forget, you can only contact me through my lawyers. I'm switching to another line," he finalized and left the room, leaving me feeling like I'd been punched in the gut.

His words spread a stinging sensation through my chest, as if my heart were shattering. Tears pricked at my eyes, threatening to spill over as I struggled to process his words.

My breath caught, and I felt like I was drowning in despair. My legs trembled, threatening to collapse beneath me.

A sob welled up inside me, but I forced it back, trying to maintain control.

Just then, my phone pinged.

Zora

I tried to hold myself together so I wouldn't pass out from heartbreak, but the more I tried to stay calm and forget the situation, the more I remembered everything about Zayn that caused me even more pain.

I went to my room and reached for my phone, disregarding the buzz it had made earlier. I turned on the mobile connection and opened my favorite social media platform, where I watched funny reels and memes. I wanted to keep myself busy with that so I could more easily forget the heart-wrenching betrayal.

However, with each video I scrolled through, regardless of how funny and interesting it was, the only thing I could see and visualize was the scene of what had just transpired between me and Zayn a few minutes earlier.

After struggling for almost twenty minutes on the platform, trying to engage with those videos, I finally logged out and flung my phone back on the couch, unable to stop the thoughts of my husband.

The fact that he had just left without telling me his whereabouts and even threatened to switch lines hurt me even more because this was my rightful husband.

I quickly went to my wardrobe and changed my dress. I was going to spend the rest of the day at my friend's house because I knew staying alone in the house would be very risky.

With the way I was feeling, I might at some point consider taking my own life.

After dressing up, I reached for my phone and strolled out of the building. I wouldn't drive because I wasn't in the right frame of mind.

I walked down the road and boarded a cab.

"I'm going to Bevois Valley district," I told the driver as I hopped into the car.

He started the engine and drove off to the location.

The drive took less time than I expected, and we arrived quickly. Perhaps it was because I was consumed with thoughts throughout the drive that I didn't notice when we arrived.

I paid him and headed to my friend's building address.

I powered on my phone and looked at the screen, only to notice it was already eight o'clock p.m.

Gently, I knocked on the gate several times, but no one responded. After standing at the gate for about ten minutes, I decided to dial Daisy's phone number.

I wondered why her security hadn't opened the gate for me despite my mentioning my name several times as I knocked.

"Hello, Daisy, please come to my rescue. I've been standing outside the gate for almost ten minutes now. Your security guard has refused to respond, let alone let me in."

"Oh my God, Zora. I'm so sorry for this. I hope everything is okay with this surprise visit," she said, her tone filled with curiosity.

"Daisy, just get me in first. We can discuss that later. It's really a long story," I responded, tears evident in my voice.

"Okay. He will let you in shortly. I'm really sorry that he ignored you. It's our new policy not to let anyone in after eight o'clock p.m."

"It's okay. I understand it's for security reasons."

The call ended shortly, and about two minutes later, the security guard opened the small entry gate, and I walked in. I headed straight to the main building where Daisy and her husband lived.

With how I was feeling, I didn't want to talk to anyone except Daisy, who understood me. Even a little something could provoke me to unleash my frustration on the person.

Daisy, on the other hand, had already come downstairs and was waiting for me in the corridor to lead me in.

"Welcome, dear," she said. "You look so troubled and sad. What happened?" she asked as she embraced me with a hug.

I parted my lips to speak but couldn't; instead, tears welled up, and I burst into tears.

"Talk to me, Zora. What's the problem? How's your husband, Zayn? Please stop crying," she continued, already worried.

I breathed out a heavy sigh and gulped hard. "Let's go in first," I said, taking a deep breath.

"Okay. Let's go in."

Inside Daisy's bedroom, I sat on the small couch while she sat next to me.

"Zora, I really can't believe Zayn did this to you. How could he? Oh my God, I feel so sad for you," she exclaimed after I had recounted my story to her.

She wrapped her arms around her chest, feeling chills down her spine.

"I've never seen someone divorce his wife on their wedding anniversary and also his birthday. What really transpired between you both to lead to this?"

"I remember we talked on the phone yesterday, and you told me how you both had discussed your family issues and agreed to work on your flaws. How did we end up here?" she couldn't stop exclaiming and asking.

A few minutes later, she sighed and cleared her throat to speak. "Well, you shouldn't worry about this, Amanda. I'll talk to my husband when he's back from his trip tomorrow so he can talk some sense into him."

"How could that help, Daisy? Zayn didn't listen to my plea, and you think he'd listen to your husband?" I said through my sobs.

"Trust me, Amanda, it will help. Have you forgotten they're business partners? Lately, there's a huge contract Zayn is trying to secure with the help of my husband."

"Really? And he never told me," I said, shocked.

Zayn had been telling me that his business wasn't doing well, which made me stop asking him for money for food or other basic needs.

For the past two months, I had been the one catering to our needs.

"Don't worry. He will certainly listen to him because he wouldn't want to lose the contract," Daisy assured me, cupping my cheeks so I could stop crying.

"Thank you so much, Daisy. I would really be grateful if this works out. I want to save my marriage," I sobbed and hugged her in appreciation.

Just then, her phone buzzed, and she unlocked it to check the reason.

What happened, Daisy?" I asked her as she stared at the phone screen for a while after answering the call.

"Oh, it's my husband. He said he's returning tonight," Daisy replied and forced a smile at me.

"Alright. Let's wait for him then," I replied, sitting up so I wouldn't fall asleep.

"No, dear. You should sleep. He'll come late because their flight hasn't even taken off. He would have to call me when he's back," she replied.

"Alright then. Hopefully, he comes back safely. Goodnight," I responded and went to bed. A few minutes later, after going through her phone, Daisy went to their marital bedroom to sleep as well.

I woke up after hearing some noise, and it was coming from the kitchen. I reached for my phone and powered it on. It was then that it dawned on me that it was already morning and that it was Daisy's maids who were making the sound in the kitchen as they were cooking.

I rose from the bed and walked into the restroom to wash my face before strolling out to meet Daisy and her husband in the sitting room where they were discussing.

As I walked in and saw them, I couldn't help but feel emotional about how happy and playful the couple's duo is to each other. Daisy was resting her head on her husband while he was busy cupping her cheeks and styling her hair while they discussed.

Words couldn't tell exactly how I felt because this was exactly how I wished I and Zayn could be to each other, but in reality, it was vice versa. He hardly creates time for me to discuss; talk more of sitting together and treating me like a baby.

"Good morning, Mr. Blake," I greeted him and smiled at Daisy.

"Good morning, Zora," he replied, excusing himself from his wife Daisy so he could give me attention. "How are you?"

"I'm fine, sir. Welcome back from your trip."

"Glad you're looking better now than last night," Daisy chipped in, and I chuckled, pretending as if I'd healed from the incident. "Thankfully," I said.

"Zora, Daisy had told me everything that happened. I'm really so sorry that you're experiencing this from my friend," Blake said and took in a deep breath.

I sighed in grief and gulped down the lump in my throat. "That's what yesterday brought to me," I snapped, forcing out a smile.

"Don't worry, Zora. I had called him this morning. He promised to be back in the city so we could discuss the issue."

Upon hearing this, my knees instantly went down. "Thank you so much, Mr. Blake. I really want my marriage to work, and I will really be grateful to you if Zayn changes his mind," I remarked, tears of joy streaming down my cheeks.

"It's okay, stand up." He held me up to my feet and cuddled me, wiping the tears in my eyes.

A few minutes later, I left them for the visitor's room where I stayed. I took my phone and decided to call Zayn. At least hear his voice.

As I dialed his number, it rang for some while and wasn't picked up. I sighed. My old self would have given up calling after the first one, but since it was about Zayn, I couldn't bring myself to do so. I eagerly wanted to hear his voice and know if he had changed his mind to accept me back.

However, as I dialed the number for the second time, it rang for some time before it was finally picked up.

"Hello, who's on the line?" A feminine female voice sounded from the other end of the call.

My body shivered as I heard the question, and the phone nearly fell out of my grip. Zayn never allowed me to touch his phone, not to mention answering his phone calls, but this woman did so.

Her melodious voice made me feel less of a woman. Should I worry about the fact that my call was picked up by a woman, or the question?

The fact she was asking who it was broke my heart more. It means Zayn had deleted my number as he threatened. Hence, the lady couldn't identify who it was.

"Uhm," I took a deep breath, trying to hold myself in order. I didn't want to act silly because it wasn't her fault after all.

"This is Zora calling," I managed to reply, gulping hard the saliva that nearly choked me.

"Oh, Zayn is in the restroom. I'll let him know he received a call when he's done bathing," she added.

My hand quivered, but I managed to firm my grip so my phone doesn't fall. My heart is in pain. I couldn't believe what she had just said.

"Zayn abandoned me in the house to lodge with a different woman because I'm sure that voice isn't even that of Nora, his assistant manager," I whimpered.

"Erm, I'm sorry, but who are you?" I asked, expecting her reply. To my greatest surprise, she ended the call.

I was startled that I didn't know when the phone fell out of my hand and shattered on the floor.

"Oh God, why always me? What have I done to deserve this?" I cried, curling my hands on my bosom as I tried not to cry out loud so Daisy and her husband wouldn't hear it.

In the afternoon, Daisy and her husband were at my place, as it was the time Zayn promised Mr. Blake to show up so we could sort out our marriage issue according to Blake.

We sat at the outdoor lounge of the house, sipping from the drinks my servants had just served us.

I returned here in the morning to make sure there was merriment for this event because, to me, it's going to be a reunion party since Blake assured me that he'd work it out.

I made sure there were drinks of all kinds and enough food to serve to everyone after the peace talk. Only if I knew what awaited me in the future.

A few minutes later, a car's honk was heard at the gate, and the security man didn't waste time opening the gate upon verifying it was Zayn.

Slowly, he drove in and steered to the parking lot.

With anticipation and excitement, I stood up and watched, waiting for him to alight from the car and then walk over to us in the lounge so we could proceed to the reason for this gathering.

I was confused when Zayn walked out, headed to the passenger's seat, and opened the door.

"What does this mean? Is Zayn opening a door for someone? In his own car?" I was baffled. Zayn isn't working for someone or under anyone to say he came with his boss, so what's the meaning of this?

Just then, a female shoe clad appeared on the floor, and swiftly, a tall, slim lady walked out of the car. She curled her hair in a ponytail and glared around with uneasiness on her face.

"Welcome to my home, sweety?" I could hear Zayn say to her. He was looking radiant. Not sad at all. His expression could be explained as someone who had just won a million-dollar lottery.

Majestically, they started walking towards us at the outdoor lounge.

I sighed in grief and didn't know when I fell back on the chair I was sitting in. I was utterly embarrassed.

My friend Daisy noticed my emotions, and she gently stroked my shoulder. "Don't worry, Zora. She might just be his business partner," she whispered to me.

Before I could turn and stare at them for the second time, the lady had clutched her hand with Zayn, and she had a confident smile.

As they approached us, Zayn breathed a happy sigh and greeted Mr. Blake, his friend, throwing his face completely off me as if I wasn't there.

He then cleared his throat and said, "Y'all meet my bride and fiancée, Paige McCarthy."