Chapter:24
"Zayden"
( A painful meeting ).
As the helicopter's rotors whirred to a stop, I gazed out at the rooftop, my eyes locking onto the giant "H" sign in the distance. That's when I saw her – a girl standing alone, dressed in a sleek black outfit that seemed to blend with the shadows. My curiosity piqued, I wondered who she was and what she was doing here.
As we disembarked, Khai sprinted toward the mysterious girl, enveloping her in a tight hug. "I missed you so much!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with emotion. The girl hugged him back, her face hidden from view.
As they separated, I finally caught a glimpse of her face. My heart skipped a beat. Those piercing eyes – I'd admired them before, in a past life. The gIrl who'd wanted to run away to the jungle... the one who'd shot me. It was Nala, Kaiden's daughter.
I stumbled backward, my mind reeling. "So, you… what are you doing here?" I demanded, trying to keep my tone even. "Don't tell me it was all her plan."
Nala's expression turned cautious. "Hey, listen, let's talk later, okay?" She glanced at Khai, who was still clinging to her.
A surge of anger coursed through me. Why was I reacting this way? I should be furious with Nala, not feeling… possessive.
"How could you, Nala?" I spat, my emotions boiling over. "You shot me, left me for dead. And now you're just… standing here, like nothing's wrong?"
Nala's eyes flashed with pain. "Zayden, I—"
"Don't," I cut her off, my voice cold. "You don't get to explain. Not now."
Khai hugged Nala again, and I felt a pang in my chest. Who was this boy to her? Her boyfriend? Someone she loved?
"Khai, back off," I growled, trying to keep my cool.
Nala shot me a warning glance. "Zayden, don't."
Suddenly, I remembered the pain in my palm. I looked down, and my eyes widened. "Is this your handiwork, Nala?" I asked, my voice dripping with accusation.
Nala's expression turned sheepish. "I can explain—"
But I wasn't listening. I turned to leave, but Khai and Nala rushed after me.
"Zayden, wait!" Khai called out.
Nala grabbed my arm. "Please, just listen—"
I shook her off. "I don't want to hear it."
As I strode away, Nala's voice echoed behind me. "Zayden, don't go! Please, don't hate me!"
I didn't look back. I couldn't. The emotions swirling inside me were too raw, too painful.
As I vanished into the night, I couldn't shake the feeling that I'd just made a huge mistake.
I strode through the streets, my mind reeling with thoughts of Nala and Khai. The city lights blurred together as I walked, my eyes fixed on some distant point. I didn't know where to go, so I ended up at my company, a towering skyscraper that seemed to touch the clouds.
As I entered the building, everything seemed eerily normal. The lobby was spotless, the receptionist smiling brightly behind her desk. I was still in shock that Kaiden hadn't attacked it. Nala must have told him to spare it, but why?
I walked through the lobby, my footsteps echoing off the marble floor. One of the guards spotted me, his eyes widening in surprise. "Sir! Boss is back!" he shouted, rushing to inform the others.
Aidyn, my trusted friend and colleague, burst out of his office, followed by Harper. Harper rushed to hug me, tears of joy streaming down her face. "Zayden, where have you been?" she exclaimed, her voice trembling.
Aidyn's eyes were filled with concern. "We've been searching for you everywhere," he said, his voice low and serious.
I hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. "I… I've been on a mission," I said vaguely, trying to brush off their questions.
Harper's eyes widened. "A mission? For two years? Zayden, what happened to you?" she asked, her voice filled with worry.
I shook my head. "I'll explain later. Right now, I have an important meeting to attend to."
Just then, my phone buzzed with an incoming text. I glanced at the screen, and my heart skipped a beat. It was from Nala.
"Hey, I know what I've done is bad, but let me explain everything. Meet me at Weak One Café, 2 tables, tomorrow afternoon, 12 o'clock."
I felt a surge of emotions: anger, curiosity, and a hint of longing. I pushed the feelings aside, focusing on the task at hand.
"Aidyn, Harper, I need your help," I said, my voice low and urgent. "Get the team ready. We have a mission tomorrow."
The next day, I arrived at Weak One Café, my eyes scanning the room for Nala and Khai. The café was bustling with activity, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filling the air. I spotted them sitting at a table, and my heart quickened.
I strode over, my eyes locked on Nala. "Let's get this over with," I said, my tone cold.
Nala tried to explain, but Khai interrupted. "Let's order something first. I love their deserts!" he exclaimed, his eyes shining with excitement.
Nala rolled her eyes. "I hate deserts."
They ordered coffee and a dessert, and just as Nala was about to explain, my men attacked. The café erupted into chaos, with people screaming and running for cover.
Nala and Khai tried to flee, but I gave chase. I shot at them, but they dodged and weaved, avoiding the bullets.
As they ran, I shot again, this time hitting Khai in the back. He stumbled, his eyes wide with pain.
"Nala, run!" he shouted, his voice weak. "Run for your life!"
Nala hesitated, tears streaming down her face. "Khai, no!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling.
But Khai's eyes locked onto hers, and he mouthed, "Go."
Nala turned and sprinted away, leaving Khai behind. I followed her, my heart pounding with anger and determination.
I searched for her all day, finally tracking her down to an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of town.
As I entered the warehouse, I spotted Nala, her eyes wild with fear.
"You're not going anywhere," I growled, my gun trained on her.
Nala's eyes flashed with defiance. "You'll never take me alive."
I sneered. "We'll see about that."
I pounced, grabbing her by the wrist and twisting it behind her back. She struggled, but I held her firm, my grip like a vice.
As I dragged her out of the warehouse, she stumbled, her feet scraping against the concrete floor. I pulled her upright, my eyes blazing with anger.
We arrived at my mansion, the guards parting to let us through. I barked at them, "Leave us."
They nodded and dispersed, leaving Nala and me alone.
I held her by the wrist, my fingers digging into her skin. "Come," I growled, pulling her toward the stairs.
Nala struggled, her eyes wild with fear. "What have you done to Khai?" she shouted. "He's been shot! Let me help him, then do whatever you want! Please, let me help him!"
My anger surged at the mention of Khai's name. I pulled Nala into my bedroom, slamming the door shut behind us.
I pushed her onto the bed, my eyes blazing with fury. "You still have the confidence to tell me what to do?" I spat. "When you've made my life more hell than your father ever did?"
Nala scrambled to her knees, her hands clasped together. "Listen, Zayden, it was all for you!" she exclaimed. "I wanted to save you!"
I laughed, the sound bitter. "Save me?" I repeated. "By shooting me? By betraying me? I thought I'd found someone who was some kind of human in this world, but it's not true."
Nala's eyes pleaded with me. "I know you're sad, Zayden, but believe me, it was all a drama. I wanted to save you, to protect you. That's why I even risked Khai's life to help you, to train you, to make you stronger."
I sneered. "Stronger? You call this stronger?" I shouted, my anger boiling over.
Nala flinched, her eyes wide with fear. "Zayden, please—"
But I wasn't listening. I was beyond reason.
I grabbed Nala's shoulders, my fingers digging into her skin. "You're going to pay for what you've done," I hissed, my eyes blazing with fury.
I wanted to hurt her . I wanted to do something to her .I wanted to give her the pain she give me even after this pain I was kind enough to let her live but she still care about others . This girl have promised to God to make me go beyond my limit .
" zayden . Please don'tdo anything that you will regret" as she says this I remember Aidyn lines .
Yes Aidyn was right . I should not do anything even Nala is right but it's hurt .
"you know you get me so much . I'm giving you the taste of medicine and you are lecturing me".
She says " zayden please. I promise I will anything you say . But please let me help Khai first he was in danger ⚡ I have to help him . Please if something happens to him . I ..I"
"You .. you what" he cut and added
"I really only have him now please . I beg you please " she's begging me to save other boy . Yeah I know he save me help me but still he is one of kaiden man to .
" I know you want to take revenge on kaiden . I promise I will help you .Khai is not one of us . He's innocent. He doesn't even know what kind of man kaide is . Please please let him live." I hate it .
I really hate it she begging me .now she begging me to save the killers .
" fine , I will tell my mans to search for him and take him to hospital but remember what you says .Now you are only mine. Get this in your head I will do what I want with you and I will kill your father you will help me with it." I says hoping something maybe a different answer .
But all she says was "okay, but please save him and then help him to return to his country" .
Her words are like salt to my wounds . She worried over a man who … Who doesn't e deserve her .
Wait .. what am I thinking if he did not deseeve her then who . Oh me maybe I deserve her and she says so that she is mine . Only mine .
Wjat am I thinking. I must be out of my mind . I need to get away from her and relax myself . But I can't help to think of her . She's l a drug I'm addicted to poisonous but still relaxing .
YeaHhh zayden put yourself together.
Then I walk away and open the door of my room and went outside .