Chapter :25
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"Nala"
A Fragile Truce
I woke up to the delicious smell of coffee and bacon, wafting from the kitchen. My stomach growled, and I got out of bed, stretching my arms above my head. Zayden was already up, standing by the kitchen counter, his back to me.
"Breakfast is ready," he said, not looking at me.
I walked over to the counter, my bare feet making barely a sound on the tile floor. Zayden handed me a plate with scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, and toast.
"Thanks," I said, looking up at Zayden.
We ate in silence, the only sound the clinking of utensils on plates.
Later, Zayden turned to me with a serious face. "Where is your father, Nala?" he asked.
I felt a surge of fear, mixed with a dash of anxiety. I hated my father, and the thought of Zayden finding him made me sick to my stomach.
"I…I don't think that's a good idea, Zayden," I said, trying to sound calm.
"Why not?" Zayden asked, his eyes narrowing.
I took a deep breath. "Because he's a bad person, Zayden. He's hurt me, and he'll hurt you too."
Zayden's face darkened, his jaw clenched. "Tell me, Nala."
I shook my head. "No, Zayden. I won't tell you."
Zayden's anger was palpable, but I stood my ground. Then I told him the truth.
"My father was going to shoot you, Zayden. I was trying to protect you."
Zayden's eyes narrowed. "And you did the same. You shot me."
I shook my head, feeling tears prick at the corners of my eyes. "No, Zayden. It's not the same. My father was going to shoot you in the head. I saw his posture, I know him quite well. Please believe me."
Zayden's face twisted in anger and disbelief. "Why should I believe you?"
I felt a surge of desperation. "Because it's the truth, Zayden. I was trying to protect you."
Zayden turned away, and I felt a pang of sadness.
Days went by, and we barely spoke. Zayden was always busy, locked away in his office. I was left alone, wandering the empty halls of the mansion.
One day, I went downstairs to get water. I saw Zayden sleeping on the couch, his chest rising and falling with each breath. I felt a surge of tenderness, mixed with a dash of guilt. I walked over to him, my bare feet making barely a sound on the tile floor. I covered him with a blanket, tucking it gently around his shoulders. As I stood there, watching him sleep, I felt a pang of longing. I wanted to reach out, touch his face, feel his warmth. But I didn't. I just stood there, frozen in time. I looked around the room, taking in the familiar surroundings. The fireplace, the bookshelves, the piano. It was a beautiful room, one that I had grown to love. But it was also a room that held many painful memories. Memories of Zayden's anger, of his hurt. Memories of my own fear, my own desperation.
I pushed those thoughts aside, focusing on the present. Zayden was sleeping, peaceful. I could watch him, enjoy the quiet moment. I stood there for a few more minutes, watching Zayden sleep. Then I turned and walked away, leaving him to his rest.
Later, Zayden was watching a funny movie. I sat down beside him, and we watched together. We didn't talk, but we laughed together, our shoulders touching. The movie was a Korean comedy, one that I had seen before. But watching it with Zayden made it feel new, fresh. I glanced over at him, seeing the laughter in his eyes. He was relaxed, happy.
I felt a pang of happiness myself, a sense of connection to Zayden. We were watching a movie together, laughing together. It was a small moment, but it felt big. As the movie ended, Zayden turned to me, a smile on his face. "Thanks for watching with me," he said. I smiled back, feeling a sense of Warmth. "No problem," I said. We sat there for a moment, looking at each other. Then Zayden stood up, stretching his arms above his head. "I'm going to get some work done," he said. I nodded, watching him walk away. As I sat there, I felt a sense of hope.
Maybe, just maybe, we could find a way to be happy together. Maybe we could find a way to heal, to move forward.
As the days went by, things got a little better between us. We still fought, but there were moments when we were kind to each other. We would catch each other's eye, and for a moment, everything would be okay.
I asked Zayden about Khai again, and he told me that his men were still looking for him. I felt a surge of gratitude towards Zayden, and I knew that I could trust him to do everything he could to find Khai.
One night, I fell asleep on the couch, exhausted. Zayden stayed up, watching over me. I woke up to find him sitting beside me, his eyes fixed on my face.
"Hey," he said, smiling.
I smiled back, feeling a sense of warmth. "Hey."
We sat there for a moment, looking at each other. Then Zayden stood up, holding out his hand.
"Let's go to bed," he said.
I took his hand, feeling a spark of electricity. We walked upstairs together, our hands touching.
As we got ready for bed, I felt a sense of hope. Maybe, just maybe, we could find a way to be happy together. Maybe we could find a way to heal, to move forward.
I got into bed, feeling Zayden's warmth beside me. We didn't talk, but we didn't need to. We just lay there, together, our bodies touching.
It was a fragile truce, but it was a start.
Zayden is already sleep but my heart .I'm feeling strange. Zayden still doesn't believe me but still I have to tell him I have to protect him .
In the morning when I wake
I knew I had to make Zayden believe me. I had to make him understand that I had shot him to save him, not to hurt him.
I have waited whole day to tell him the truth but didn't get cahnce and enough courage.
In the night . It's raining everything is quite zayden is still in his library and I'm here alone . I fell strange I turn back and saw zayden . He walk forward and sit next to me .
He says " its been many days . I'm kind enoughto let you live for these days now please Nala I ask you to tell about kaiden . I will even forgive you for shooting me"
"Zayden, please listen to me," I said, grabbing his arm. "I'm telling the truth. I shot you to save you."
Zayden's face twisted in anger. "You expect me to believe you? After everything you've done?"
I felt a pang of desperation. I knew I had to do something to make him believe me.
"Zayden, I'm sorry. I know I hurt you, but I was trying to protect you. Please forgive me," I said, my voice shaking.
Zayden's expression didn't change. "You want me to forgive you? You want me to believe you? Then prove it."
I nodded, eager to prove my sincerity. "What do I need to do?"
Zayden's eyes narrowed. "If you stay up all night in the rain, maybe then I'll believe you."
I didn't hesitate. I nodded, and Zayden led me outside to the garden. The rain was pouring down, soaking us to the bone.
"Stay here all night," Zayden said, his voice cold. "If you're still here in the morning, maybe I'll believe you."
I nodded, determination in my heart. I would do whatever it took to make Zayden believe me.
As the night wore on, the rain showed no signs of letting up. I shivered, my teeth chattering with cold. But I didn't move. I stood there, frozen in place, as the rain poured down around me.
Just when I thought I couldn't take it anymore, Zayden appeared beside me. "You're still here," he said, his voice surprised.
I nodded, my eyes locked on his. "I told you I would stay."
Zayden's expression softened slightly. "You're crazy, you know that?" he said, a small smile playing on his lips.
I smiled back, feeling a sense of hope. "Maybe I am."
But then, Zayden's expression changed. His eyes narrowed, and his voice turned cold. "Don't think this means I trust you," he said. "I don't."
I felt a pang of disappointment. I had thought that maybe, just maybe, Zayden was starting to believe me.
But then, he surprised me again. He reached out and gently brushed a strand of hair out of my face. "You're shivering," he said, his voice soft. "Let's get you inside."
I nodded, feeling a sense of confusion. Why was Zayden being so kind to me one minute, and then so cruel the next?
As we walked back inside, Zayden's mood changed again. He became distant, his eyes cold.
"I don't know what you're trying to do, Nala," he said, his voice harsh. "But it's not going to work."
I felt a pang of frustration. Why couldn't Zayden just believe me?
But then, I remembered something. I remembered the scars on my arms, the scars that my father had given me.
"Zayden, I have something to show you," I said, my voice shaking.
Zayden's eyes narrowed. "What is it?"
I took a deep breath, and then I rolled up my sleeves, revealing the scars on my arms.
Zayden's eyes widened in shock as he took in the sight of my scars. "Oh my god, Nala," he whispered.
I nodded, feeling a sense of relief. "I told you, Zayden. My father sent me to hell."
Zayden's eyes locked on mine. "I believe you, Nala. I'm so sorry."
I smiled, feeling a sense of peace. "Thank you, Zayden. That means everything to me."
Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months. Zayden and I had settled into a comfortable routine. We would spend our days together, watching movies, playing games, and just enjoying each other's company. I had started to think that maybe Zayden had forgotten about my father, about the secrets I had kept from him. Maybe he had decided to move on, to focus on our relationship instead.
But then, one day, I received a text message from an unknown number. "Nala, I've got the secret. I have all the CCTV footage and evidence. I've prepared everything. But are you sure you want this? I mean, for real." My heart skipped a beat as I read the message. I knew exactly what this person was talking about. I took a deep breath and replied, "Yes." I felt a surge of adrenaline as I waited for a response. But I knew I had to be careful. I couldn't let Zayden find out what I was planning.
I walked into the living room, where Zayden was sitting on the couch. "Hey, I have some work to finish. Can I go somewhere?" I asked, trying to sound casual. Zayden looked up at me, his eyes narrowing. "No, you can't. You forget that you're still a prisoner here." I felt a pang of frustration. Why couldn't he just trust me?
"Zayden, it's important. I have to go somewhere, or else I'll be too late," I said, trying to reason with him. But Zayden just shook his head. "No, Nala. You're not going anywhere." I felt a surge of desperation. I had to make him understand.
"Zayden, please. My friend is on the edge of dying. She's in the hospital, and I need to see her," I said, trying to sound convincing. Zayden looked at me, his eyes searching. For a moment, I thought he wouldn't believe me. But then, something in his expression changed.
"Okay, Nala. You can go," he said slowly. I felt a surge of relief as I grabbed my bag and headed out the door. "But be careful, okay? And don't think about trying to escape," Zayden added, his eyes narrowing. I smiled, feeling a pang of guilt. "I won't, Zayden. I promise."
As I walked out the door, I felt a sense of freedom that I hadn't felt in months. I knew I had to be careful, that Zayden could change his mind at any moment. But for now, I was free to do what I needed to do.
I pulled out my phone and dialed a number. "It's me," I said, when the person answered. "I'm ready. Let's do this." There was a pause on the other end of the line. "We're ready too, Nala. We have all the evidence we need. We've also got all our men in position. We're just waiting for your signal."
I took a deep breath, feeling a sense of determination. "Let's do it," I said, my voice firm. "Let's bring my father down."
There was a pause on the other end of the line. "Are you sure, Nala? This is a big risk. Are you sure you're ready for this?" I hesitated for a moment, feeling a pang of doubt. But then I remembered everything my father had done to me, everything he had taken from me. I remembered Zayden, and how he had helped me. I knew I had to do this.
"Yes, I'm sure," I said, my voice firm. "Let's do it."