Chapter 3 #2
Our eyes lock, and something passes between us, something neither of us are ready to explore. Sometimes you meet someone you feel a strong connection with, and you just know it would be amazing, but if the saying “right person, wrong place” were real, then I would say it applied here.
Nikko and I will never be compatible, nor will I ever betray the promise I made when I agreed to be Faiz’s, but as Nikko’s eyes trace my lips, I wish I were just a bit of a worse person so I could kiss him.
“Zia.” The way he rolls my name over his tongue sounds like a threat and a promise, and I desperately want to find out which.
My heart pounds and desire courses through me as I think about his plump lips, when a loud knock sounds on the door, interrupting us.
Nikko clears his throat as I stand, putting distance between us. “That will be my assistant.”
“Go ahead.” He nods at the door as he grabs the plates and heads into the kitchen, but I swear I see his ears turning red.
My cheeks feel hot, and I take a moment to breathe before I walk over and open the door.
Yuki stands on the other side, dressed in his three-piece suit, his black hair perfectly styled even at this hour.
“Sir.” He bows his head respectfully, something I have never been able to break him from. “The car is downstairs.”
“Ah, thank you. Wait here for a moment,” I tell him, and he nods again and steps back as I shut the door, but I see his eyes go to Nikko.
“Don’t worry, there won’t be anyone downstairs yet, so you’re fine,” Nikko says from the kitchen. He’s watching me with a closed expression.
“I wasn’t worried,” I reply. Maybe I should be, but I’m not. I hesitate before marching over and grabbing my keys. “Thank you for, well, everything.”
He rolls his lips in and nods, and we stare at each other again, both unsure what to say. I’d offer to see him again, but it would be a lie, and I don’t wish to lie to this man.
There is no place for him in my world, and there is no place for me in his. We can’t be friends, and we definitely can’t be lovers.
We will go back to being strangers, and that thought almost pains me.
“Get home safe,” he croaks, filling the silence.
“I will. Good luck with training.” I turn and head to the door once more. There is nothing else left to say. We both knew this wouldn’t last past this morning.
“Zia,” he calls, and I turn to see him walking around the counter, as if he were worried I would ignore him. “You deserve better. I mean that. I hope you find something or someone that makes you happy.”
I can’t stop the smile that curls my lips as I stare at his sincere expression. “Thank you. So do I. Win that championship. I’ll be cheering for you.”
Opening the door before I do something stupid, I stride past Yuki, who bows his head to me and Nikko, and descend the stairs to the town car idling at the bottom.
Just like Nikko promised, nobody is around, and when Yuki slides in after me, we pull onto the city street, leaving Nikko, Nexus, and the whole night behind.
If only it were as simple as leaving the memory of his eyes, his lips, his laughter, and his kindness as well.
They stick with me in a way nothing else has.
“Are you okay, sir?” Yuki asks as he hands over a coffee, no doubt my perfect order. When I take it, he opens his iPad, updating my schedule and emails for me. He’s never not working, and I make a mental reminder to force him to take some time off soon before he burns out.
“How’s your mother?” I ask, staring out of the window. I’m sure he senses the tension I feel, but he doesn’t call me out on it.
“She’s fine, sir, thanks to you. She’s healing well,” he answers with warmth in his voice.
I nod, happy to hear it. He was worried about her after she fell last month. I referred her to the best care I could find, but Yuki hasn’t stopped thanking me.
“Sir, are you really okay?” I glance back at him, searching his gaze, and his frown deepens. “I hate seeing you like this.”
“Like what?” I ask curiously.
“Cut off. Alone. Hurting. I’ve been with you for a long time, sir. You are like a brother to me, and I may be overstepping—”
“It’s never bothered you before,” I tease, and he grins.
“But you should find some happiness. There is more to life than work and your family’s expectations. You do everything for everyone else, but I never see you do anything for you.” He pauses as he looks at me. “As your employee—no, as your friend, I want to see you happy. Are you happy?”
I consider his words, and just like last night, I know the truth.
I’m not, and I haven’t been for a long time.
I don’t respond, and he nods, knowing without me answering.
Yuki doesn’t get hung up on my lack of speaking.
He’s used to it, and instead, he continues forward.
My father hired him for me, and I originally thought it was to spy on me, but all I want to do now is thank him for bringing a friend like Yuki to me.
Along the way, he’s become vital to me. He’s my right-hand man in every sense of the word, and he makes life less lonely, but he’s right. I’m not happy.
It’s not enough anymore.
“It was very out of character for you to stay out,” he comments carefully, dancing around the question. “It might not have been safe, sir. You could have asked to call—”
“I didn’t want to,” I interrupt, and his eyes widen briefly. “You are right. I need something for myself. I’m tired of living for others. Things are going to change, Yuki.”
“Yes, sir,” he responds as he sits up straighter. I look out the window again as we head into downtown, the skyscrapers popping up as we drive to the house Faiz and I share.
“Call my realtor.”
He’s on the phone before I finish, and while it rings, I glance at him. “I wish to tour some places that are suitable for my lifestyle as soon as possible.”
“Yes, sir. Shall I contact Mr. Faiz and add him to the viewings?”
“No. He won’t be joining us. I want someplace available today,” I instruct, leaving no room for questions.
He knows what I am saying.
“Yes, sir.” This time, a smile accompanies his response, and then he speaks rapidly into the phone. Within minutes, he is scrolling through his emails before he turns to me. “I have five options available, all ready to be viewed.”
“Then let’s go now.” His eyes widen, and I can’t help but tease him. “No time like the present, eh?”
“Yes, sir.” He directs the driver as I sit back, the silence stretching on. “Sir . . . shall I expect some changes in the next few days?”
“Yes,” I answer with a glance. “We are changing everything.”
“Very good, sir.” I hear pride in his voice, and it makes me sit up taller. How long has Yuki watched and judged how I just accept this life?
Too long is my guess, but he’s too good of a friend to say so.
The first four places are a no. Yuki vetoes the first two for various safety reasons, and I trust his opinion.
The third wasn’t my style, and the fourth isn’t available swiftly enough.
I’m losing hope when we head toward the fifth.
I’m so determined to change things that I know I need to do it today or it will never happen.
I’ll fall back into my routine because it’s easier, and I don’t want that.
“Don’t lose hope, sir. I have our realtor searching for more places just in case. I will find you the perfect home,” Yuki promises.
“Tell me about this one,” I mutter, feeling grumpy even though it’s not his fault.
“It’s not a penthouse, which I know you prefer, but a house, sir. I know that is not the norm—”
“The norm is not good. Change, Yuki, change,” I encourage.
“Yes, sir. Ten bedrooms, eight baths, a private pool, a four-car garage, private gym, and tennis court. It also has a rooftop terrace with a sauna, steam room, another pool, and a hot tub. Security is decent, but I will need to check it over further. It’s walled all the way around with a biometric gate and door.
I would make the windows bulletproof, and I would want more cameras installed, but it seems like a good fit if you like it.
It was recently built, very modern, and the owner is moving overseas for work. ”
“It sounds good.” Just then, we pull into a private area of Pine Valley.
The house is at the very end, set back from everything, and I see Yuki making notes as the gate opens and we are admitted.
Climbing from the car as soon as we stop, I pull down my shades and stare at the towering mansion before me.
Yuki was right. It’s modern but unexpected, with wood and glass, black trim everywhere, and a giant wooden front door that opens as I march over the gravel driveway.
“Mr. Xander, please come in,” the nervous realtor says.
I nod and walk past her, pulling off my shades as I glance around the entry hall.
The marble floors are spotless, and the house has an open-floor plan, with stairs to the left, a lower living room leading to a kitchen to the right, and full glass back doors that open to a terrace and the back garden.
“There is a guest bathroom here, Mr. Xander,” she explains as we meander deeper. “The kitchen is equipped with top-of-the-line appliances, and surround sound and security systems are already installed. The bedrooms—” She stops as I walk away then turn back.
“Tell Yuki.” I nod at him. “I’m going to look around.”
I hear them talking as I wander to the back door before going upstairs.
Everything is sleek and modern with a wooden twist I really like.
The second floor contains most of the bedrooms and bathrooms, and the third has two more rooms with a walk-in dressing room, office, and the biggest bathroom I have ever seen.
It’s all finished in the same modern style, and I find lots of architecture books in the office, which makes sense.
This place is beautiful, but when I head up the final set of stairs and push out of the door, I arrive in another world.
All the modern lighting fades into a paradise.
There’s an infinity pool, the water shining brightly in the sun, and a sauna and steam room.
The last two are usually boxy rooms disguised by wildflowers and nature, but this is something more.
I head over to a green, flower-covered arch that leads into a beautifully kept garden with benches and string lights.
It’s like a tiny oasis in the middle of the city, an escape, and I breathe easier.
I don’t know how long I linger, but my heart feels like it’s at peace here, like I was always supposed to stand in this grass.
I stare at the river beyond, realizing we are opposite of Nexus, yet I have the same feeling I had there.
Sanctuary.
“Sir?” Yuki calls behind me. “Your thoughts?”
“Buy it,” I command as I spare him a glance, “and prepare movers and our team. We will be in before nightfall.”
I turn back to the view, wondering where Nikko is and if he’s thinking of me like I am him.