“What was that about?” Zayn asked as he fought the urge to take Rina into his arms. If he was being truthful to himself, it was the reason he had come over to her room that afternoon and not the justification he had cooked up in his head. But upon seeing her face, so breathtaking and stunning, Zayn thought he should probably keep his arms to himself. He still didn’t believe in love and he doubted anything could change that. And from what he knew about Rina, she was the child who dreamt of Prince Charming coming to sweep her off her feet.
He wasn’t what she needed, and Zayn didn’t want to hurt her. He couldn’t bear to.
“I think my socials have been quiet for too long. It’s time I own the narrative.” She danced away from him like a bird escaping its cage, plopping back onto the ground and gazing out into the city.
“I figured,” Zayn mouthed. “But that wasn’t what I was asking. You wouldn’t have introduced her to me before. I dare say that you are being a tad careless.”
“There’s nothing to be careful about,” Rina answered, shrugging. “I have been doing some thinking, and I have come to the conclusion that maybe you were right. Everyone knows how hard I worked to get to the point I am at right now, so if they end up thinking I got here with your influence, then they have themselves to blame for their mindsets. I have done my part in getting to this point. All I know is that I am still going to exact my revenge on Kayla and there is nothing she would be able to do about it.”
Zayn watched her from behind, his mind reeling with all the many sides of Rina. “And Regina? That’s her name, right?”
“Oh! It was a test. I wanted to know if she would keep to her words and not ask personal questions. But she could still say something about seeing you in my hotel room so I guess we’re going to have to wait till the end of the day.”
He nodded and dropped to the floor beside her. “Are you ready for tonight? There’s going to be a lot of people present a combination of people who love you and those that don’t. You are one of the strongest persons I know and I’m not trying to patronize you because there’s no reason to. But I need to be a hundred percent sure that you can take every bit of what will come after this. There’s going to be a lot more attention on you because you are dating the most powerful person in the country. Will you be able to handle it?”
“Yes,” Rina answered without a doubt. “I can. Every decision I have made has been leading up to this point. And honestly, I didn’t want to agree to marry you because of all the complications I knew would come with it. But this setback has brought growth to me, and I believe in myself.”
“I agree,” Zayn mused. “There’s something different about you from the Rina I met months ago. It is not overwhelming, but it is there, subtle until poked. I like it.”
Rina was grateful she was staring out through the windows. She wouldn’t be able to tell if he saw the blush on her face, or the fact that she was trying to hide it and terribly failing. “Congratulations on your launch.”
“Thank you, Rina. I have to get going now, but before 4 pm, the make-up artist and the hair stylist will be here to get you ready. I got a jumble of Claire’s dinner dress collection for you to work something out. You will be the most stunning woman in the room. I am sure of it.”
She looked up at him then, the sincerity in his eyes tugging her heart. “Thank you for saying that, Zayn.”
He nodded and lingered for a few minutes, torn between walking to the door and staying put, enjoying the view with Rina. Zayn had always enjoyed watching nature and getting immersed in it, but he never knew it was much better doing it with someone else. With Rina beside him, he felt the noise and stress of getting the branch set up melt away, and he wished he could stay there longer. But duty called and he had to oblige.
Half-heartedly pulling himself up from the ground, he walked to the door and pulled it open, stepping out into the hallway before he could change his mind. Getting into the elevator, he sent a quick text to Mia before stepping out into the lobby, catching William waiting for him.
“Good morning, Sir,” he nodded and fell into step with him. “I have contacted your sister, Mago, but she insisted on getting ready from her apartment rather than the hotel.”
“Of course. I didn’t expect any different. It’s Mago.”
William swallowed before proceeding. “And the hall is ready for the launch. Guests have confirmed availability, so all that’s left is the last thing we have to do. I have gotten it all set up in your office back at the new space.”
“Well done, William. How about my father?”
“His flight should be landing any minute from now. As for your brother, I have strong reasons to believe he is in Hong Kong already.”
“Did you send his invite like I asked you to?”
“I did,” William nodded. “But the strange thing is that he was already in Hong Kong before I sent it in. He arrived here on the same day as you.”
Zayn’s stride didn’t falter. He’d expected it. “I want to ask you to find the hotel he lodged at, but then again, I have a huge feeling there will be no need for that since we will get the information soon enough.”
A scowl worked its way to his face as he got out of the hotel and into his car, William walking around to the driver’s seat. Nathan still hadn’t learned his lesson, and Zayn wondered if he should push harder.