/Zane's POV/
"Please tell me you're calling with some good news," I said into the phone the moment I picked up.
Even before I mentioned the missing phone to Madison, I'd already had Noah tracking it. Madison's genuine response had instantly cleared my doubts about her—she had no reason to steal the phone—but doubt reared its head again after Noah's update.
"Okay, I've got both bad news and good news. Which do you want first?" His voice had me pinching the bridge of my nose in exasperation.
"The good news first… I suppose." I just wanted to get this over with.
"The good news is, we found the phone. Turns out, it never left your house."
I blinked, confusion bleeding into my features with a frown. "What?"
"The phone's still in your house. It never left," Noah reiterated while I wondered how that's even possible, considering I've practically combed through my whole room looking for it.
"And what's the bad news?" I sighed.
"Away from your smile, Director—Specter Jones wants to terminate Allison's contract."
My frown deepened. "Even though we just announced she's awake?"
"Afraid so," he hummed.
"Make me an appointment with him. I'll talk to him," I decided, and Noah nodded in response.
Something's off. Jones wasn't the type to backtrack. After our last meeting, he'd been willing to give Allison time to recover before jumping back into her project—but now he suddenly wanted her gone, right after the public announcement that she'd regained consciousness.
Just as I ended my call with Noah, planning to recheck the house for the missing phone, Ayanna's message popped up on my screen.
"Emergency! Madison needs tampons. Over."
I blinked, hoping to recover from the shock of Ayanna's blunt message. If it wasn't meant for me, Madison's name wouldn't be in it. Meaning Ayanna had done that on purpose. Her playful nature could be infuriating.
"Hello, did you forget to mention something?" Noah said as soon as I called him back.
"Um, about that… I need you to get me something. It's an emergency, and you've got—let's say—seven minutes tops."
"What?" I could imagine the look of shock on his face. "With all due respect, sir, I'm at the company. It takes fifteen minutes to get from here to your house—I can't possibly—"
"I don't really care how you do it, Noah, just get it done. Fast." I cut him off. "I need those… lady things."
"Excuse me?" Confusion soured his tone.
"Y'know, those lady things… I mean, for the monthly… whatever." God, this was humiliating. Ayanna definitely knew this would happen. She lived to see me uncomfortable—said it added some 'colour' to my stiff, smug face.
"You mean pads?" Noah guessed.
"Yeah, something like that—but the other ones, the one with the T—" I mumbled, glad he couldn't see the look on my face. I'd never bought anything like that for Allison. She was always so composed, so perfect, she'd made me forget she even had a human side.
"Tampons?" Tampons?" Noah asked, half-laughing.
My expression hardened. "My fiancée needs it. Be here in five."
"But—" I ended the call before he got the chance to finish.
I spent the next seven minutes packing the files I needed him to process—contract details, legal documents, the usual stack that couldn't leave the office without my signature. When he finally arrived, right on the dot, I smirked. I knew he could do it—he just needed the right push.
"See? I knew you could make it." I grinned.
Noah stood at my door, panting, clutching a shopping bag, sweat dripping down his temple. His forced smile said, The only reason I'm not punching you right now is because you sign my paychecks.
"Alright, those are the files that need to go back to the office," I said, pointing to the stack on the table. "Also, call a meeting with the managerial department. I need briefings on the new contractors."
He started packing the documents. "Wait, you've already gone through all these? Even the legal ones?" Noah's eyes widened with awe.
"You don't need to tell me I'm awesome, Noah—I know. Just get started on the tasks I gave you. Oh, and resume Allison's social handles. Push promotions for her upcoming projects." I exhaled. "As much as I hate it, this accident is a huge promotion opportunity. Have the team pair the news of her recovery with her projects. Then schedule that meeting with Jones once the story's out."
Noah nodded, still impressed, before asking, "So… found the phone yet?"
"No, but I'm working on it," I replied through a clenched jaw.
Noah had barely left when Ayanna came striding out of the hallway into the sitting room and by the dining area where I was waiting.
"I was just on my way to you… I've got that thing you asked for." I lifted the bag toward her, but she didn't take it.
"Sorry, but you'll have to hand it to her yourself. I'm on my way to the clothing store. Have you forgotten?" She asked after disbelief had my jaw hanging open. "You wanted me to get Madison her own… y'know, everything—clothes, shoes, bags." She stated. "Although I'd have done it since she can't comfortably fit into any of Allison's things, I know the real reason you're not letting her use Allison's massive closets isn't because you wanted to give her the courtesy of having things of her own. It's more than that, and you know it."
"What are you talking about, Aya?" I frowned.
She sighed, slinging her purse over her shoulder and walked ahead. "I get it, Zane. Allison's death is still fresh, and I wish you'd take all the time you need—but you've gotta face it. Holding onto her things, her memories… it's just going to keep hurting you."
Her words hit hard. I don't say it, but I try very hard not to think of Allison because the thought of her makes me go feral.
My helplessness that day makes me hate myself. I shoved the thoughts away, straightened my shoulders, and told myself what I always did—the only way to find peace is to finish what I started.
"Maddy?" I knocked gently on her door, hoping to drop off what Ayanna had sent me for. I didn't think it'd be this awkward.
"In here," her voice came back, soft and distant, When I stepped inside, her hand stretched out from the bathroom, palm open, waiting. I handed her the bag, deliberately keeping my eyes off the small gap in the door.
"Maddy, we tracked the phone," I said, mostly to fill the silence and distract myself from the sound of running water.
"You have?" she asked.
"Yeah—and the thing is…" The water stopped. "It hasn't left the house."
Telling her was partly a strategy. I wanted to gauge her reaction, feel her out—to know for sure she wasn't involved. Deep down, I didn't believe she was. I wanted to trust her.
It'd be quite the headache if I found out she has something to do with this.
"I didn't want to tell you this before, but—"
The bathroom door opened. Madison stepped out in an oversized white T-shirt and pink tennis shorts, her hair still dripping wet.
For a second, I forgot what I was about to say. She was towelling her hair dry, damp strands sticking to her cheeks and neck. The wet fabric clung slightly to her collarbone, outlining the faint red of her bra beneath.
"But you might have to start questioning your security team," Madison concluded.
"What? No, that's impossible. They'd never—"
"Don't be so sure what people will or won't do when money's involved. Just… check, alright? It won't hurt to make sure."
She moved toward the nearly empty walk-in closet. A few of her things were already there. Watching them settle into the space left an ache in my chest I couldn't quite explain.
It's not like she's gonna replace Allison or something. This is all just temporary, I assured myself.
A text from Ben immediately put a frown back on my face.
"Um… I've gotta go," I said before she could come back with the hairdryer.
I rushed into the sitting room—at least the smaller one, since the main one, together with the entertainment area and bar, was downstairs—and I wished I'd caught Elias before he made his way into my personal space.
"What are you doing here?" I demanded the moment I saw him.
"I heard Allison's awake."
I scoffed. "Really?" My tone dripped sarcasm.
He looked irritated but tried to play it off. "Dude, I just wanted to make sure you're both okay."
"Right," I muttered. "We're fine. She's still recovering, but she's awake."
"That's great. Is she here? Can I talk to her?"
I pretended to think about it, tapping my jaw. "No."
"Zane." His voice sharpened, annoyance leaking through. He wasn't even hiding it anymore.
What the hell was their relationship?
I'd introduced Elias to Allison four years ago. They'd always been just acquaintances—showing up at the same events, polite smiles, nothing more.
Had something changed when he invested in that film she'd worked on?
"She's a friend, Zane. I just want to make sure she's okay. That's it."
His voice cracked slightly, the hurt obvious on his face—yet all it stirred in me was rage. A slow, boiling rage.
I could feel it — Elias was hiding something from me. And it wasn't even about the stalking; I wanted to believe he had nothing to do with that.
I was going to respond, but nothing came to mind. The silence stretched, heavy and deafening, until Vikram's call sliced through it. I answered without thinking —and the news he brought made that rage finally spill over.
"You son of a bitch!" The words tore out of me before I could stop them.
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