Chapter 41: Chapter 41

Vega POV.

Getting a good night's sleep was not an option after Zach just showed up again in my life, because just some days before I'd been thinking that he was dead, so I was not surprised when I woke up from my attempt at sleeping with a riotous headache.

I was so out of it that I didn't even ask about how Andrianna's parent visit turned out. I hated to make everything about me but with the way the past kept catching up to me, it couldn't be helped. I had Maya go through all the documents Zach's company had provided in case I missed any clause in the contract that could be detrimental to me. Zach knew I owned the company, so he, trying to help me after everything, felt very suspicious and even Andrianna's reassuring words couldn't take that feeling away.

What could he possibly be plotting after all the time that had elapsed? He still seemed mad and I noticed that because I'd hopelessly obsessed over my memories of him and memorized all his facial expressions by heart that I could tell he was raging even with his perfect smile in place.

It was also unfair that he even looked hotter and sexier than he did before. He had also gotten bigger, his muscles more defined, and he looked more mature. Five years really changed him. The pain that had always lurked within his expressive green eyes had also intensified and I wondered if it was because of me. Fuck! This had to stop already. I should be freaking mad, mad for what he said to me five years ago. I didn't have to worry about his feelings when he never gave mine a chance.

No, I won't be petty. What was past was past. I was going to be professional about this. Zach and I were over and I'd already decided to move on so that is what I'm going to do. That didn't stop me from being curious about where he'd been all these years tho.

Andrianna left the house before I did and I wondered where she was off to because she rarely went to work, and that was because she was a silent partner.

I guess I could deal with her when I got back from work. I wasn't going to take any chances with Zach. I'll plan his inauguration, and be right by his side all the way, monitoring everything he did.

*******

"I feel comfortable in this office. I believe you wouldn't mind using the one that you arranged for me Miss Vega" Zach said, as he came around the desk that used to be mine to face me. Was this guy serious?

"This has been my workspace for three years, all my work files are here, and I'm used to this office, Mr. Zach. I assure you that the office we've provided for you is a lot more comfortable than this one".

"Then I'm positive you'd be happy occupying that space yourself, besides I already had all your stuff moved there".

My eyes widened as my mouth opened, but I shut it since I didn't know what to say to that.

"Also, my team will take care of the inauguration" Zach announced I stared at him, then blinked as I tried to understand his statement.

"What do you mean your team? The company already has a team in place for all those activities" I explained In a neutral voice even though I felt like screaming.

"What it means is that you have to fire those people, and replace them with the workers that I would be providing. Do you have a problem with that Miss Vega Romeo" he asked, raising one of his eyebrows cockily and my stomach dropped in anger, frustration, and fear. Was this his plan? Was he really going to destroy my company even though he was investing in it, or maybe he planned to take over?

"You can't just fire the workers at your will especially since they do their job very well".

He waved off my words as if they meant nothing to him.

"They might do their job well in your eyes but not in mine so I'll be replacing them with people who are more competent. You might settle for mediocrity miss Vega Romeo but I don't".

It was a cleverly crafted insult and I wanted to gorge out his eyes, or his tongue just to shock and shut him up. "Well this is my company and I decide who goes and who stays. Those workers are not getting laid off just because of baseless assumptions that they're incompetent. You haven't even seen their work".

Zach's frown darkened and he looked like he wanted to murder me. The feeling was freaking mutual.

"This is your company?" He asked, then smiled darkly as if he knew a secret that I wasn't in on. "Fine, you can say that," he said, then paused dramatically. "For now".

He was giving me a migraine. "Please, can we just get past the inauguration without any misunderstanding"?

He stepped closer to me all of a sudden and my breath hitched in my throat because I hadn't expected it, I also didn't expect my heart to flutter widely either or for my skin to burn like it had been set on fire.

"You're the one misunderstanding the situation Miss Vega Romeo, but you'll understand in the end that I always get what I want" he whispered, his voice ice cold as he pinned me with his stare, then he stepped back, a smug smirk forming on his perfect lips. Lips that I remembered how soft they had been pressed against mine. Snap the fuck out of it.

"I know you are the CEO now," I said, hating how shaky my voice sounded. "But if a majority of the board members do not agree to any decision you make then you can't implement it".

Zach tucked his hands into his pants pocket, then smiled cockily. "Is that so, Miss Vega. I'm sure I can convince them that I always make the right decisions".

I'd heard enough. "Why the hell are you doing this Zach? Why are you trying to ruin my life after all these years of you hiding like a fucking coward and keeping quiet huh?" I snapped and his brows furrowed in anger as he pushed away from my desk, which he had now made his.

"I don't think I appreciate that tone miss Vega, maybe you forgot because you tend to do only stuff that benefits you, but I'm the one saving your company and you should be freaking happy about that, as, for our issues, I will not be discussing that with you at work because I separate all matters unrelated to my job for the walls outside the company, and you know why I do that because I'm a professional".

I stared right at him. "I don't care about what you are Zach, and I'd never have let you invest in my company if I knew it was you in the first place. I never needed you then, and I don't need you now" I snapped, hating the fact that nothing I said seemed to faze him.

"You never needed me?" He said with a scoff. "I guess you started this business from scratch then, or dare I say, from the money you won off me from the bet" he taunted, his gaze boring into mine, daring me to oppose his accusations but I couldn't because he was right.

"Is that why you're back, to take back your pound of flesh? That is really petty Zach. I didn't think you would stoop so low"

"And what do you know about morals? Maybe you'd like to teach me." He said, then frowned as if I was derailing him." I won't have this conversation with you during work hours Miss Vega so I suggest you leave so I can get to work" he dismissed and I felt like screaming at him, at the world, at everything that moved or breath because he was so condescending to me. I turned to leave. "Also, I don't recall asking you to call me by my first name, so please address me formally since we're not that close. Will that be a problem for you miss Vega".

I forced a smile on my face as I turned to face him. "Not at all Mr. Zach Sergio Dante," I said and saw him wince. It served him right. I wanted to do nothing more than to hurt him just like he did to me daily even when he wasn't there.  "And my team will handle the inauguration. I hope you enjoy the office and make the best of your time in it because, in five months, you'll have no choice but to vacate it"

I walked out of the office, not giving him a chance to reply because judging from the smug smile that was curving his lips, it was something that was guaranteed to make me mad, and I was already seething. I inhaled and exhaled repeatedly until I calmed down then I turned to look at the office that was once mine and the anger came rushing back.

"If this is how you want to play it, Zach Dante, then game on. You're never going to have your way. I'll never let you take away my company".