Rina had a million and one question as they got off the red carpet, with Zayn still holding her waist. He had sounded so genuine in there, and she found herself believing those words. There was a very blurry line between their act and the reality of things at that point, as far as both of them were concerned, and Rina grappled with which was which.
They met one of the prospective clients as they strolled in, and had to stop to say hi. He was a familiar face as the man was into entertainment and Rina had been on a few productions with him. But as the conversation grew more intricate, with details about share purchase and catalog, Rina leaned in to whisper into Zayn’s ears. “I have to use the bathroom.”
He nodded and pecked her before Rina sauntered back into the hall. Turning right, she moved to the ladies, relieved to find it empty. She was too laden with different emotions to take on an anti-fan right then, and even if she wasn’t, it was her engagement night. Rina deserved one drama-free day.
Stopping by the sink, she stared at the mirror, impressed with the reflection of herself. Her makeup was still intact, not one hair out of place, which was a great thing because she hadn’t thought about the need to retouch before leaving the hotel, and had made the journey without as much as a lipstick. Rina took a deep breath and held the sides of the sink, waiting for the bout of emotions to pass.
“All of this isn’t real,” she whispered to herself. “At least, the words that come out of his lips aren’t and he has made that clear. He told you, Rina. Zayn doesn’t believe in love. That has not changed and will not in the near future. He is just trying to put up a believable front and you should do the same if you want the world to believe in your union.”
“If it isn’t the great Rina Powers,” a voice leered suddenly, breaking into Rina’s thoughts. She sighed and rolled her eyes at the irony of the situation, spanning from the fact that a few seconds ago, she’d been grateful that she didn’t have to face any of her anti-fans. Yet, one was right here, waiting for her.
“Jada,” Rina murmured, not surprised that she turned out to be the one. She’d always known, since their encounter back at Zayn’s office, that the chords that brought them together had no intention of loosening up just yet because Jada kept twisting them.
“Oh! Now you know my name. You can take back those words you said to me in Zayn’s office.”
“The only reason I know your name is because Zayn detests you and sees you as a pest. You’ve heard of that saying, haven’t you? Keep your enemies closer than your foes.”
Jada scoffed. “So because you managed to hook Zayn up in that seductive web of yours, you think you can have him all to yourself? He can take that ring back as easily as he put it on you, so I don’t think you should be this confident yet.”
Rina smiled sweetly and edged slowly towards Jada. “You see, the difference between what I share with Zayn and what you both had, is that this one is built on intense love and understanding, while I don’t think you even know a thing about love. If not, why were you not able to make him believe in the concept of love?”
“He would have gotten married to me still!” she snapped. “I would have been the one wearing that ring.”
“You might be right,” Rina shrugged. “But then again, we would never know because you had to go and ruin it all by sleeping with his older brother. I still don’t get it how you still have the effrontery to approach me after everything you’ve done.”
“Zayn is going to forgive me,” Jada cut in. “I know it because nobody cares for him more than I do. I was with him for a while, so only I know what ticks him, what he enjoys, how he loves being satisfied. I bet you don’t know a thing about that.”
“At least, you can finally admit to yourself that I am not a slut or a seductress.”
Jada was caught up in her own words and she struggled to get out of it. Rina sighed dramatically and shook her head. “I understand, though. If I was in your place, I probably would have reacted the same way. I mean, who wouldn’t give up everything to be with the most powerful man in the country?”
“Is that what you are doing right now? Is that what this is all about?”
“Maybe,” Rina shrugged. “You might be wrong too, but you would never find out if you don’t let it play out its own course.”
“I am not letting you get away with this, you slut!”
“The only slut here is you. The label is on your head. You slept with his brother for crying out loud.”
Jada whipped out a hand to hit Rina across the face, but Rina saw it the moment she made the decision, reaching out to block her immediately. Her hands wrapped tightly around Jada’s wrists as she squeezed before tossing her hand back to her side. “Don’t you dare think about doing that!” Rina said into her face. “I am not one of those girls you can bully into submission, Jada.”
Mago walked inside at that moment, amusement stretching in her eyes when she saw Rina and Jada. The stance was well played out, with Rina appearing to be dominating the confrontation with her air of authority and laid-back calm, while Jada on the other hand, only had her tongue, which was fast losing its powers.
“Zayn wanted me to check up on you,” she finally said, the humor finding its way into her tone. “But I can tell him that you are safe the only safe person in the room. I’m sure he will not bother about Jada, though. You can devour her for all we care.”
“She’s not even worth a second of my time,” Rina murmured, rolling her eyes before walking out with Mago.