Chapter 16
Zioh
I ignored Zeraiah’s biting sarcasm and stepped towards Tsabinu. “Why are you here?” My thoughts wandered back and forth. Tsabinu never came without reason. He always appeared when something was wrong.
What now?
Zeraiah scoffed. “Don’t tell me you miss—”
“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 he had done, the reality of what he was doing, and the terror of what he could still 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.”
Tsabinu didn’t flinch. His reply was calm and polite. “I’m more than willing to carry out my duties well, including assisting you during your time here.”
Zeraiah scoffed, mocking. “Huh. Even after everything, still obedient like a dog, huh?”
For the first time, Tsabinu’s face hardened. His eyes sharpened, though he said nothing. As Zeraiah was about to continue whatever he was going to say, the lift chimed again.
Our father stepped out.
His gaze swept the room, settling on Zeraiah. He approached, studying him as though trying to decide if his youngest son was still capable of disgracing him.
“Zeraiah—”
“Long time no see, Dad.” Zeraiah cut in, cold as ice.
Dad exhaled, giving a faint nod. “Yes, son. How have—”
“Looks like you’ve got yourself into trouble again,” Zeraiah spat, his voice venomous.
“Which girl this time, hm?” Crimson burned across Zeraiah’s face; his short breaths signalled that even the air had turned heavy.
He snorted. “Let me guess… Judging by how frustrated they look—” He pointed at me and Tsabinu, “An artist’s daughter?
An actress? Young starlet? Underage girl? ”
I growled when Zeraiah said that.
“Shit, am I right?” Zeraiah laughed at our father, which was enough to ignite Dad’s rage.
“Watch your mouth, Zeraiah!” Dad growled.
“You’re getting more and more disrespectful,” our dad said, looking at his youngest son firmly.
“I already know the company you keep over there is disgusting!” He scanned him from head to toe.
“Just look at how you and your brother have become arseholes now.”
Zeraiah lunged, his fists clenched. “Oh, yeah? You have no idea what we went through—”
“Enough.”
My voice was low, but sharp enough to cut through his rage. His body locked up, glaring at me. “I don’t have time for this.” My jaw ached from the tension. “Mas Zaeem called him,” I jabbed a finger towards Tsabinu, and my gaze shifted to our father. “Because something’s happened again.”
“And I swear, if we don’t get to it, I’ll drag Mas Zaeem back myself and dump this bloody mess in his lap. I’ve postponed far too much important work for this project. If it’s not worth it, I’m done.”
I looked away from my father as fast as I could.
He was a wrecker.
Dad drew a deep breath and looked past me at Tsabinu. “Come with me, Tsabinu. We’ll talk in my study.” He turned back, glancing at Zeraiah. “And you, join us for dinner.”
Zeraiah ignored him and glanced at me, then at Tsabinu. “Sorry, you guys, I’m so fed up that I’d rather gut myself than fill myself up.” He left and went downstairs. “I’m out,” Zeraiah added.
But before disappearing, he turned back, looking at me. “Call and text Grandma and Grandpa more often, will you?” His eyes snapped towards Dad, sharp and cutting. “Don’t make our only parents worry.”
And then he was gone.