A Couple of Plans
ZAIA. “Zaia, is everything ok?” I look up at Mom from where I’m slicing the
potatoes for the evening meal.
“Of course, why do you ask?” I smile. Mom looks concerned from where she’s
braiding Sia’s hair at the kitchen table.
“You don’t cook unless you have a lot on your mind.” She says with a knowing
look of understanding in her eyes.
I returned yesterday morning and although I filled her in on everything with
Valerie; I refrained from telling her what went down between Sebastian and me.
I don’t know why, but I know how she would have disapproved of me spending
the night with him, and that would only make me feel worse…
My heart clenches as I remember that morning….
(FLASHBACK)
My eyes flutter open and I find myself cocooned in warmth. I snuggle back
against the hard wall of muscle behind me when I tense. Wall of muscle?
Sebastian!
I’m about to pull away when I realise that my head is on his arm, his hand
clamped around my breast, his other arm firmly around my hips, holding me
tightly against him…
He’s asleep, I can tell from his steady heartbeat…
“Sleep Foxie…” He murmurs, burying his face into my neck. “You smell good…”
He used to always hold me like this…
I don’t want to get up. For a fleeting moment, I want to enjoy the warmth and
comfort that his embrace offers me…
Irritation at my weak resolve makes me glare at the wall, and I slowly free myself
from his hold. I have to make sure I never get into this predicament ever again! I
need to leave…
(END OF FLASHBACK)
“Zaia darling, please answer me,” Mom says, making me look over my shoulder
at her.
“Valerie.” I lie, well it isn’t a complete lie. Valerie has been on my mind, and I
have been doing some research. “Oh, you are thinking about the therapy,
correct?”
I smile. “Yes, you can call it that. I know in this day and age the practices of our
ancestors aren’t implemented at all, but I truly feel I’m onto something.”
“Oh, I have no doubt. So is Jai going to ask Sebastian to allow Valerie to be
brought here? You know how he is so stubborn!”
Mom says with distaste. “I know, but hopefully for Jai, he listens,” I say shortly. I
have made it clear we will not discuss Sebastian in front of the kids, especially
not in a negative light.
I close my eyes, hoping she didn’t catch my tone, and if she did, that she plays it
off to my irritation with Sebastian.
I look at my reflection in the kitchen window, wondering who would want us
apart? Who is so hellbent on hurting us?
“Don’t let it get to you Zaia, it isn’t your fault you didn’t know about Valerie,” Mom
says as Sia slides off the stool and walks over to me.
“Look Mama, I made the moon.” She says, giving me an adorable smile as she
holds her paper up to me. I crouch down and take it from her. “Oh, it’s beautiful!
Should we hang this somewhere?”
I ask. She tilts her head, thinking deeply. “We hang it near Aunty Valerie, then the
moon will heal her.” She says in her adorable little voice. I look at her sharply, my
heart skipping a beat. The theory I’ve been discussing with Mom…
I wrap my arms around my little princess and hug her tightly. “That is the perfect
plan,” I say, stroking her hair.
“Well, since Sia agrees, we have to!” Mom says. I nod as I stand up, carrying Sia.
“Yes, deep down, I feel that this will help. We are werewolves, Mom. When I was
there, there was brain movement. She’s in there.”
“And we will save her, right Mommy?” Sia asks. I nod. I told them a little about
Valerie when they asked where I went, and both had been very curious.
When I explained to them, they had been understanding, and of course, asked
many questions. They may be three years old, but they are bright. I’m just waiting
for the day that they ask about their father…
“What is the meaning of this, Zaia?” Dad asks. We’re in my new office, one floor
up, at the Toussaint Headquarters, and he has just placed a file down in front of
me. I glance up at him curiously before looking down at the first printed page in
the file.
“New CEO Zaia Toussaint of Toussaint Empires turns down Business Tycoon
Atticus Payne’s proposal.” I read aloud before I cock my brow. “I don’t want to
lose focus on what I am doing, Father. I have come so far, and I plan to focus
everything I have on my career, not on me.”
I push aside the file and cross my legs as I look across at him. He’s agitated,
almost as if he just wants to blow.
“Is something else the matter, Father?” I ask, frowning slightly. “No, aside from
someone else stepping in on the Zero project, there’s a high chance we might
lose that deal.” He grunts. “If we had Atticus’s backup, I think we could have
secured the position and proved we have the capacity to handle the project.”
Marry him for a business deal?
“The one by the mountains… look, Dad, don’t worry, I’m flying out there for the
meeting and I’m extremely confident I’ll get the deal. What company has joined
the race?” I ask, tapping my pen on the file.
“Sebastian King’s.” Dad almost snarls. My heart skips a beat at the mention of
Sebastian. Why would he do that? Everyone knows that our company is
interested in that project. Why now?
You’re messing with my mind again, Sebastian…
“And it’s why I don’t think you should go. I’ll go.”
“No,” I say, standing up. “I worked on this project for so long, I will not let anyone
take it from me, not you Dad, or Sebastian. If he wants to compete for it, then I’m
up for the competition, but I am not taking a back seat!” I say, my eyes flashing.
Dad’s hatred for Sebastian has only grown over the past years. Whilst he came
to accept. and approve of Atticus, his resentment for Sebastian and his company
only increased tenfold.
“He might pull something. I don’t want you going alone. I will come with you.” Dad
says firmly, knowing I won’t back down.’
I shake my head. “No. You need to be here with the children.”
“Then we take the children with us. Your… your Mother can come along too and
mind them. I think the trip will do them good too and Sia can enjoy the fresh air.”
Dad suggests, sounding uncomfortable at the mention of Mom.
1 tilt my head, trying to think I dislike long trips and knowing that my babies are
near would be good. “And will your wife be alright with that?” I ask weed to
know,” Dad says curtly.
“She doesn’t “Security-“
“The very best for my grandchildren. No one and I mean no one will touch those
children, here or abroad.” He says firmly. “No one, not even Sebastian King, will
know they’re there.”
I sit back and nod appreciatively. The protection that Dad provides for me is the
one thing that I appreciate the most and I won’t ever forget it, no matter what the
future holds. “Thank you. I think we can do that.” I say, agreeing.
“Or perhaps Atticus-“
“No, I think I’d prefer you over Atticus if it has to be someone. Besides, I don’t
think it’s smart for me to go with him when the rumours are already spread all
over the media.” I say, picking up the file and flipping through the different
printouts of different news outlets.
There are a few photographs. Me and Atticus. at the party, a blurred image at the
fountain, me and him out for coffee. Atticus knew about Valerie…
“He is still a good prospective partner, Zaia. I mean, he’s good with the kids and
from what I can see, you two get on well.”
“Hmm… like I said, I’m not interested,” I say quietly, staring at Atticus’s picture.
Remembering the way he had made out that we were together back then. The
way he had said the kids were his… those red flags I had forgotten about now
itch at my mind. He did things when I didn’t ask him to…
“Father.” I suddenly look up.
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I “oa
Yes?” “I heard from someone that
Valerie, my old friend, is in a coma,
and I diligently got into contact with
0 P
her family and support system. Don’t
yo : )
worry, they aren’t in Sebastian’s
» “
pack.” I reassure Father. “Oh, I see…
I~ “
so she’s in a coma? Was she hurt?
he asks, lightly concerned. Visit
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I
Yes, and I have requested her to be
brought here. Her family is planning
to pull the plug, but before they do
that, I want to try some. natural
healing from the old books. I know
p BY)
they aren’t very trustworthy but it’s
” :
worth a try.” I say, masking my
emotions as I tell him this. Visit
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He frowns deeply and looks at me keenly. ” She is still part of Sebastian’s pack
despite not being at his pack?”
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“ :
Correct, but Jai has agreed to talk to
Sebastian. It has nothing to do with
»
me.” I say. Oh, what father would
think if he knew that we had spent
: “
the night together? “Well, as long as
you have nothing to do with him, I am
A 3 ha)
fine with it.” He says curtly. I nod.
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“Absolutely.”
“Very well then. I think I can’t stop you. That woman helped you and it’s only right
that we return the favour. She will be given every possible care she needs here
at our pack. Rest assured.”
“Thank you, Father,” I say, truly grateful. He slaps his knees. “Well, I better get
back to work. I might not be at the office for the next few days. I need to handle
pack matters. There’s been an increase of robberies around the borders.”
I nod in understanding. “Of course… one more thing…” I hesitate as he stands
up and pauses, waiting patiently. “Since she left this pack, and went to
Sebastian, have you heard from Annalise?”
I’ve never asked. I pretend she doesn’t exist. I focus on myself… but now, now
the burning question I should have asked Sebastian has been playing on my
mind since I returned. His mood instantly darkens.
“Occasionally. What makes you ask about her today, Zaia?” He asks sharply, as
he looks me dead in the eye. I shake my head. “Remembering Valerie…
made me think of the others in that pack. Annalise should have been Luna by
now. They may even have pups, but we hear nothing.”
Dad doesn’t reply, frowning deeply. “No, their relationship didn’t last, and I heard
that Sebastian King may be getting engaged to Cara Montero.”
My heart thuds when I hear that, and it takes everything to remain impassive.
“I see,” I say. He nods and takes his leave, and for a moment I look down,
remembering when they were together when I saw him that night of the dinner.
Did he lie? Is he trying to hide the truth?
I place my head in my hands. It doesn’t matter, it’s not like we are anything. Then
why does it hurt inside? I sit back and pick up my phone, seeing the two
messages from Atticus.
Unlocking it, I stare down at them. ATTICUS: Good Morning, Red. ATTICUS: So
how about a catch-up tonight, dinner and drinks?
I tilt my head. Well, why not and I can take the chance to ask him why he never
told me about Valerie.
ZAIA: Perfect, pick me up at 9pm tonight.
ATTICUS: No Good Morning back? I forgive you since you accepted. Can’t wait
until tonight. I’m sure if you knew what’s coming you wouldn’t be so excited…
I need those answers, and I plan to get them. Now, to message Jai about having
Valerie brought here…