The ride to Zayn’s office was one of the longest she’d ever been on, as her mind kept reeling, wondering if she was making the right decision if she wasn’t letting her feelings for Zayn get in the way of her rationality. She remembered the way she had spoken to Finn, coupled with the fact that he still had videos of her from when they were still married, and it made her stomach churn in disgust and her blood roar in anger. The driver looked at her from the rearview mirror as Rina sighed for the umpteenth time. “Ma’am,” he started with concern laced in his tone. “Are you alright? Is there something bothering you? Talking about it helps.”
Rina resisted the urge to snort as she knew very well what happened when Kayla weaved those lies about her on the media. That was all it took for anyone to get back at her for some unbiased anger they felt. All she had to do was to open up to someone about how she really felt and what had been going on, and there was a really high chance it was going to make that evening’s news. Rina was not totally in the clear right now, even though the rumors about her had stopped spreading, and people were instead beginning to see once again the light inside of her.
When the taxi stopped in front of Graham Conglomerate, the driver looked at Rina as she alighted the car, and for a moment, she thought he could see through the way she had made herself look. But his eyes moved from the building and back to her twice before mumbling, “I don’t know if I should say this, but if you are going to apply for a job there, you have to be the best of the best. Zayn Graham is everyone’s favorite in the country, but at the same time, with the power he wields, everyone gets scared of him too. Just in case you get the job you are searching for, don’t forget not to get on his bad side.”
Rina blinked, confusion etched in her features. “And why are you telling me this?” At the least, she was grateful he hadn’t recognized her because there was no explanation in her head for why she was at that shabby restaurant at that time of the day, storming out and hailing him down.
“I guessed you are a foreigner to the country, so someone has to welcome you.” Nodding stiffly, Rina paid for the ride and thanked him for his hospitality before bounding her way in the direction of the lobby. As she went, she discarded the hat and packed her pink hair up into a messy bun, not wanting to give anyone the wrong impression. Her dark shades went into her purse, and she took a deep breath before crossing the lobby unstopped and heading towards Zayn’s office.
The elevators dinged to announce her arrival, and Rina’s heart thudded in her chest along with the sound. Although armed with the knowledge that Zayn would deny it, Rina knew she had hurt him with her words and actions. There was an unmistakable shadow of hurt that crossed his features back at the restaurant outside town where she had been meeting with Finn, and it hurt Rina, too, more than she was letting on. That moment made her realize how much she had fallen for Zayn, as it was one thing to admit that she had feelings for her husband-to-be, and it was another to discover that she could sacrifice her reputation in the media just to ensure they were on good terms.
The seconds ticked so loudly with every step Rina took, and she tried not to think of the implication. Yet, it came to her, hitting her square in the chest with the reality that was threatening to become hers. Rina couldn’t tell how infuriated she had made Finn and what he would do with all of that pent-up anger and frustration in him. One thing was sure. The man was very rash and uncertain about his decisions, and it just might affect Rina.
Shoving her fears into a locked box, Rina stepped out into the hallway and headed straight down for the single office on the floor. She met Mia’s desk just outside, a familiar smile gracing her face as she realized who it was. But there was something else in those eyes. It faltered and darted between the door leading to Zayn’s office and Rina as if uncertain she should be there.
“Hi, Ms. Power,” Mia started, getting on her feet. “I didn’t know you were going to be coming in today.”
“Hey,” she beamed at her, an easy smile gracing her face immediately, trying to push her distress away. “How are you doing? I wasn’t going to, but there’s something important I need to discuss with Zayn. Is he in?”
“Err…” Mia seemed to take more than a few seconds to think of the answer to that question. “He came in a few minutes ago, but there is a guest in there.”
“Oh! Business wise? I could wait out here till he wraps up with it.”
Mia shook her head, then made a decision in that split second. “You can go in, ma’am. With the way he looked, I think he would appreciate it if you were in there.”
Rina wasn’t expecting that response, and despite how worried she was, her head shot back in surprise, and then she wondered. “Is it Nathan?”
“No, ma’am,” Mia shook her head. “But it is someone he doesn’t exactly like, too. He has told me not to let her in again, but for some reason, she was allowed to walk into the office.”
“Thank you for telling me this. I will go see what is up.”
Rina sauntered towards the door and cleared her throat before pushing it open. But the sight that greeted her made her gasp echo around the walls, too loud for it not to be heard.
“Rina!”