Chapter 9: Chapter 9

I was lost when Zachary brought me to his condo unit. At first, I thought he was going to ask for it—the thing that we'd been doing for the past few days—but I was shocked when he carelessly shoved me in his room, then left.

"Stay here."

It was the only thing he said before leaving. I couldn't move or even speak because of the shock and surprise. Who wouldn't? He was so irritated, and then just like this?

He didn't abduct me, right?

To be sure, I stood up and checked the door lock. That's not locked. My forehead furrowed even more. I also tried to check the main door, but even that was not locked.

"What the hell is he thinking?" I murmured unconsciously.

I went blank for a moment, confused. I went over what happened again and again, but I couldn't get an answer to what he was doing now. It would have been more acceptable if he had brought me here to fvck me, but he just left me.

I let out a sigh before walking into the kitchen, opening the fridge, and taking a pitcher from there. I was in the middle of pouring water into the glass when I remembered what Zachary had said earlier at school.

He's going to our house?

That makes sense, I suppose. He may have brought me here in order to protect their precious family time together. I couldn't help but smirk before taking a sip of water.

I walked back to his room after putting my used glass in the sink. I lay on the bed for a while while staring at the ceiling with a smile. Different kinds of scenes came into my mind.

Should I go?

I shrugged and then got up. I briefly looked around Zachary's room. I remember this place. Two years ago, we went here to inquire about a unit. We had planned to live together in the same house. I can't help but cringe now as I remember how silly I was back then. I can easily be twisted; I can easily believe.

Love.

It's funny to think how easy that is to fake. As I thought about our past, I couldn't help but think that what Zachary gave me was a love bomb. The effort, the fake cares, everything. He gave me all of that so he could hurt me without feeling guilty.

I heaved a deep breath and cut my thoughts about our past relationship. I took my bag, and then I took out my cell phone. I fiddled with it until I ended up in the gallery. I smirked when I saw bunches of photos there—destructive images.

Well, I don't need him to f*ck me anymore. I got what I wanted.

Thinking about that made me leave his condo unit. I didn't even bother to lock it. As I strode my way out, I called Aireen to inform her of something.

"Tomorrow morning.  I want an issue for breakfast," I said when she answered the line.

She didn't answer immediately. I know she knows that this is not the time for that plan of mine.

"What if it's not successful? You can't go back to your plan," she reminded.

I smiled involuntarily and gently ran my fingers through my hair. "Believe me, I know him and his... you know." I chuckled.

"As you say so. Copied. What you'll eat is not only for breakfast but also lunch, snack, dinner, and a midnight snack," she said in a line that made me laugh.

"Make sure I'm full, Aireen. I don't want to hang on to food."

She tsked. "Are you coming home?" She changed the subject while I could also hear her typing on her laptop on the line.

"Yeah. I'm just going to visit someone. He might have missed my beauty."

"Thankfully, it's summer now, and I can tolerate your air." We both laughed afterwards, and I wordlessly hung up the call line.

Just like I had planned, I got into the car and headed to my destination—hell.

My sister's chuckle was the one that greeted me when I entered the mansion; it was like I wanted to throw up at this time. The maids are busy; maybe they are busy in the kitchen for the supposed dinner.

"It's not pretty, sis." I got everyone's attention while dramatically walking towards them.

Their previously happy faces were now replaced by seriousness and annoyance. They are all here in the living area of the house. Zachary and Eunice are sitting side by side on the long sofa, while my stepmother and my good father are on both one-seat couches.

"Hello, Daddy," I said sarcastically and smiled sweetly. "Did you miss me?"

I saw the tension in his jaw; he obviously didn't like me interrupting their conversation.

"What are you doing here?" Just by his tone, I knew that my hitching family members had reported me.

Oh, I'm the one in this house.

I let out a short laugh and walked towards Zachary's side, where I sat down. I noticed the sharp look that Eunice's mother gave me. If only she could have trpped me earlier when I passed in front of her, she would have. I ignored her.

"Why? Is it bad to go home to this house? I plan to stay here for tonight," I said.

"Your face is really thick," said Eunice on the other side of Zachary.

I ignored her and turned to Zachary, who was looking at me without emotion. "Hi, prof," I said. "You're here," I continued innocently.

His jaw clenched. He let out a deep breath before looking back at my father.

"Like I said, sir. I have an important convention to go to, so the wedding might be postponed for two weeks," he said; maybe that's what they were talking about earlier.

Now I know why my sister's laughter was making me sick.

"That's fine, hijo. If it's really important, go. The wedding will still go ahead," my evil stepmother's groin was full of confidence.

I smirked. I purposely showed it to everyone, then took a glass that was ready on the center table. I poured the juice in front of me and drank it.

"What?"  I asked as everyone's attention turned to me.

"You seem very happy with what you heard, ah? Sorry to burst your bubble, Atasha. The wedding is still going to happen," said Eunice.

I chuckled and put down the glass. "You're such a thinker, Eunice. Is that how you think of me?" I acted sullen.

She rolled her eyes and held Zachary's hand.

Okay, I shouldn't drink the juice; I'm getting sicker by what I see.

"Said by the woman who lured my fiance," she murmured.

"That's enough," Daddy said flatly, and then he gave me a sharp look. "You. Follow me," he ordered, then stood up from his seat.

My eyes followed him as he walked towards the stairs. He's going to his mini-office for sure. I just shrugged my shoulders and slowly stood up. I smiled at my sister for a moment before turning my gaze to Zachary.

"I'm sorry.  I forgot to lock your house," I said, acting sincere before leaving them completely.

I laughed when I heard Eunice's annoyed question as I climbed the stairs. While walking down the hallway on the 2nd floor, I couldn't help but be serious; everything that happened came back to mind while seeing each room on the floor. My feet stopped when I reached the front of Eunice's room. My palms automatically clenched.

The next time I visit here, I should remind myself to bring a gas.

I let out a deep breath and continued walking. When I reached the door of my father's office, I opened it without saying anything. Respect? I don't have any of that anymore. Especially with the people in this household.

I caught him drinking alcohol while sitting on his swivel chair. Our eyes immediately met as I walked in. He aged a lot. The wrinkles on his face are more drawn, and his hair is also starting to turn white.

"I heard what you did to your sister," he said when I sat in the chair in front of his table.

I leaned forward and crossed my thighs in front of me. "What do you want to hear from me?"

I wasn't surprised when he tossed the glass he was holding and pointed at me. "You are truly a disgrace to this family! You have never done anything good!"

I burst out laughing. "Oh, come on, Dad. When is there anything? There's always nothing, isn't it?"

He massaged his temples. "Aren't you ashamed of your mother, Atasha? Oh, God! Are you really going to destroy everything? My reputation, this family's, and your own self. Even just for your mother who's at peace, be ashamed—not with me anymore," he said directly.

The emotions quickly disappeared from my face, and I let out a sarcastic laugh. "The way you talk, Dad, you would say you were good to Mama. As far as I know, you treated her like trash after marrying your mistress."

"Atasha!"  His voice roared.

"What? Come on, Dad. Are we still going to pronounce the name here? Isn't it true? You've been scorned Mama ever since you married your wife. You didn't even attend her funeral, so in the two of us, you're the one who should be ashamed of her!"

"Don't talk to me like that, Atasha. You don't know anything!" He looked at me intently.

I scoffed.  "I know enough that you chose your woman to rise in politics," I spat.

His palm quickly landed on my cheek. Instead of being hurt, I let out a smile.

"Are we done? Maybe the people below are waiting for us. It's a shame," I said sarcastically.

His shoulders moved up and down with deep breaths. "Stop pestering your sister, Atasha. Let them go."

I held my stomach as I burst out laughing again. "Chill. I'm not doing anything. Didn't your wife and daughter say that the marriage would continue?Funny, you seem to have always been against my relationship with Zachary before, but with one of your children, it's okay for you to get them married. What? Is this what they call favoritism?"

"Why? Do you want him? Didn't you abort your child before, so you wouldn't be tied to him?" he stated.

I was dumbfounded and then looked at him coldly. "You are really a worthless father," I spat, and I stood up from my seat.

There is a trace of shock on his face at my words. "You never listened to me. You never believed me. You just took care of me and raised me so that other people can't say anything about your political reputation." I smirked. "Really? Telling that shit in front of me? Where did you fvcking get the nerve?" I glared at him.

"If I'm going to hear that lie again, I will never hesitate to burn this house down while you all sleep," I said, and finally left the room as my fingernail dug into my fisted palm.

Try me; you'll see hell in an instant.