Chapter 12: Chapter 12

I almost stumbled on the floor when, with full force, Zachary shoved me inside his unit. His eyes were dark and screaming danger. He rushed up to me and recklessly slammed me against the wall. My back ached along with my shoulders as he gripped them tightly, but I didn't really care for it.

"What the fvck are you doing, Atasha?" he said emphatically.

I merely made a silly grin at him. "Saving myself?" I uttered. "Come on, Zachary. We've both been caught; why should I put myself in harm's way, right?"

"Don't fool me, Atasha. The first time we did it, there were only the two of us in my condo."

I bit my lower lip because he tightened his grip on me, furious.

"You know how hard I worked to earn my name and how much effort I put into my profession. How fvcking dare you ruin me?" His teeth were gritting as he said those lines.

I couldn't help but laugh. I met his eyes and looked at him without emotion. I slightly tilted my head to show the criticism on his face.

"I was not informed that that's what ruin looks like." A small smile plastered on my lips. "Too shallow," I snapped.

Zachary's neck veins almost burst. He carelessly let go of me and then cursed one after the other. He was not satisfied with that, and in a quick and strong gesture, his fist went through the side of my head. He punched the wall.

His shoulders were rising and falling as his head bowed in front of me. His hand stayed on the side of my head. I didn't move or even flinch when he punched the wall. I already expected the worst from him. I'm even more surprised that his fist didn't land on my face.

"Why did you come back, Atasha? What do you want from me?" Gradually, he lifted his head, and his bloodshot eyes met mine. "Did you really have to do this?" he said in almost a whisper.

For a moment, he looked lost and tired. Still not enough to satisfy me.

My side lip rose. "Zachary, stop acting like I'm the only one who's evil here. You might get a halo on your head, and the Lord will suddenly take you, you should take care," I said with a laugh. "Oh, wait. I was a little wrong about the part where the Lord will take you. You might assume."

He didn't speak immediately and just kept his eyes on me. As if he couldn't believe that I could still laugh this moment.

"Is this all about your sister? Are you doing this because of our marriage?" he asked with a hint of accusation.

I chuckled. "You're a bit offensive, Zachary. Though, at some point, yes." I nodded my head. "Your faces are too thick to want a fairytale love story," I casually said, despite the rage that was slowly building up in my chest.

His jaw set again. He took a deep breath before walking away from me. Temperance.

"Do you want me to call off the wedding?" He said it as if he were pointing out that's what I want him to do.

The corner of my mouth turned up. I didn't answer him; I just walked slowly towards his living area and sat on the couch. I crossed my legs and tapped my fingers on my knee, acting like I was thinking.

"Even if you don't do it, your marriage won't really work." I smiled at him. "So, basically, I don't need you to do that."

His dark aura didn't change at all. He walked closer to me and stopped in front, between us was a center table.

"Then what do you want from me? What do you want me to do to stop your bullshit?" he said directly, his patience running out.

I giggled and stared at him. For the second time, I tilted my head while looking at him, letting him know that what I heard was a joke for me. Gradually, I stood up without breaking my eyes from him.

My hand crossed the distance between us. My finger slowly ran down his cheek. He didn't move or flinch away from my touch. The serious and cold gaze that had resisted me remained.

My lips flashed a grin. "Zachary, Zachary," I uttered. "What exactly do I need from you?" I repeated his question and laughed slightly despite my serious face.

I locked my eyes on him again as my fingers slowly dug into his chin. "Let me tell you this, Zachary, since you asked for it." I moved his head to face me more. "What I want from you is... your downfall. I want you to be miserable. I want you to beg, professor. I want you begging desperately as you serve my wrath, Zachary Villarreal."

I could feel my hand slightly trembling in rage. My grip tightened even more as I continued sending him my death glares. Anger was slowly consuming me.

He didn't leave my grip. Just like ealier, he just stared at me while resisting my cold treatment. I was stunned when my nail dug into his skin and caused bleeding. My eyes widened in shock as my body started trembling, this time not in rage but in fear.

My chest tightened. My eyes gradually swelled as his blood flowed on my nail. I let go of his face. I clutched my chest as I sat down somewhere. I was hardly catching my breath. My body started going numb as I lost touch with reality.

Blood.

"Atasha."

Images flashed in front of me. My child. My body was full of blood. Hugging my blooded robe.

"Atasha!  Fvck!"  I heard an echo from somewhere.

My baby.

Tears were streaming down my cheeks. My hands were shaking violently. I couldn't even breathe a little bit.

"Hey. Atasha, do you hear me?" I heard the voice again, but my vision was still in a haze.

I lost it. I lost my baby . . .

"Atasha. It's me, Zachary. I'm holding your hand, okay? Feel it. Put your attention to my touch."

I felt something brushing against my skin, but I couldn't feel it entirely as my senses stayed numb. Images of blood were still in front of me. Undulating, spinning.

"Come on, Atasha. You can do it."

The voice was gentle and soothing. I tried hard to feel his touch again, but I did not succeed. Memories of the past kept haunting me.

I'm sorry, baby. I was not able to protect you.

"Listen to me, Atasha. Keep feeling my touch."

Once again, I felt something on my skin. I just don't know where. I still see nothing but blood in front of me. Myself. My lost baby.

I stopped when I heard a soft voice singing. I tried to focus my attention there. I kept hearing the voice, but I couldn't see from where it was coming. I felt something on my skin again, but this time it was more sensible.

The voice continued echoing. I eventually followed the song's melody. I also now understand which part of myself was experiencing the touch.

I continued to feel and listen until my vision gradually cleared. It was like I was in a dream being gently pulled back to reality. A blurry image began to form in front of me.

I was stunned to see Zachary. Kneeling while holding my cheek and singing. He was softly looking at me.

I slowly blinked as exhaustion and weakness consumed me. "Zachary..." I faintly gasped before being sent into the darkness.