While we're on his veranda watching the stars, his phone rang. It was Megs.
“Where are you?! Is Zainea with you?!” I heard her say.
“Yeah, she's with me.”
“Man. Are you sure she is Zainea?”
“What do you mean by that? Of course she is Zainea.”
“I guess they switched then. Anyway, Constello mansion is probably in chaos right now! Tell her to go home! Zayden might be on his way to you guys! What on earth are you thinking that you meet each other during this critical time?! They just got married!”
“Let me talk to her, baby.” I take the phone on Zerro's hand.
“Megs, you have a lot of explanation to do.”
“You have a lot of explanation to do to your husband, too. Don't worry, I have the rest of the days to explain everything to you. For now, get the hell out of Zerro's place and go home before those two brothers see each other and create a scene. But if you don't know how to handle that monstrous Zayden, get Calais out and let her take care of your situation,” she recommended.
I think it's better to let Calais take care of Zayden.
“How?”
“Let yourself see a fresh blood.”
Blood? Is that why I have a cut on my finger?
“Okay. I get it. Gotta go, Megs. See you this weekend.” I hung up the phone and returned it to Zerro.
“Zerro, I need to go. I'm sorry. It was really not my intention to leak your address to Zayden.”
“It's okay. I will just find another place to stay in. Let's go, I'll accompany you down.”
“No. No. I'm fine. I don't want you to meet him. He might hurt you, baby. I can handle myself.” I gave a peck on his lips.
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah. I love you, baby.”
“I love you, too. Just wait for my call—no, I'll just call Megan. Remember not to act rashly, alright? Your safety is the most important to me.”
I nodded. He hugged me for the last time before he send me off to the elevator.
I don't know what to say if Zayden asks me why I am here. Maybe I should let Calais face him.
I removed the bandaid on my finger and forced it to bleed.
---------------
As soon as the elevator opened, I saw Zayden's face.
Oh no. Why is he here? Why is Zainea here? Are they done talking?
“Hi?” Is he angry? Of course he is!
He dragged me out of the elevator and without a word, he pulled me to his car.
“Uhm, what are you doing here?”
He didn't respond.
“How did you find me? Hey, did you put a tracking device on me?! How could you?”
“You defied one of my terms.”
“What term?!”
“You escaped just to meet Zerro. Why? You—!” He sighed. “Wait for the consequences.”
“I escaped not primarily for him, okay?! If you didn't go back on your words and take me with you to meet Caileigh Ruscitti, I wouldn't have escaped.”
“You're telling you met Zerro with mere coincidence?”
“Yes!”
“Liar. How will you meet Caileigh Ruscitti in that place then? Did she inform you that she's staying in that place? How did you even know that she's there? Hmm?”
“Well... Uhm... I did some research. I found out that she stayed at that penthouse last month, so...”
Just fall for it. I'm out of excuses.
“Why are you so eager to meet her?”
I want to strangle her to death!
“I told you. I admire her and I won't miss the chance to meet her. But thanks to you, I already did.”
“You're two months grounded.”
“What?! Two months?! Are you serious?! You—!! Are you my dad?! I'm not a kid! How dare you ground me? You're depriving me of my right of freedom! That's a deduction of 30% from your shares!”
My dad won't even ground me! I'm your wife, not your kid!
“Then don't do the things I don't like!”
I was startled when he shouted. Like, oh my gosh. Calais, you did a new achievement. You made him angry.
“What's with that smirk?” He scowled at me.
“Smirk? Me? I'm not smirking. Why would I? You're just seeing things. Just drive.”
“Caileigh Ruscitti will stay here for a month.”
“Really?! That's good! Where is she staying?”
“How would I know that?”
“Psh. You're capable of finding people, aren't you? You even spotted me. Just tell me, hm? Where is she?”
“Beg.”
If only I could kick him.
“Fine. I beg you. One more thing, can you give me my freedom back? I promise, I won't drink again.”
“Alright.”
“Alright? Alright what? You'll let me go? For real? No lies?”
What is he thinking? Is he plotting something? I should be careful. I might fell into his trap.
“You're not grounded, but you have to do some soul-searching for three days.”
“Okay! I'm fine with that!” I can do that. Compared to two months, three days are nothing.
When we got home, I almost want to collapse as to what he said.
“Serve me for three days, do the cleaning, and everything that needs to be done.”
“I am not your maid. Why...?” The heck with his mind?!
“I've fired all the maids, so you, my wife will do all the work inside the mansion. It's time for you to do your responsibilities as my wife.”
No... He's a real devil. He even implicated those innocent maids.
“Since you're doing things against my rights, where is that 30 percent-share I asked?! Give me that now!”
If I'm to be locked here for three days serving him, I'll get the payment I deserve! How dare you let me, Calais Ruscitti, work as your maid?!
“Hey! Did you hear me?!”
He's talking to someone on his phone.
“Transfer 30% of my money to Zainea's account.” That's the last statement I heard before he entered in his study room.
Is that true?! Is he serious about that? How much money will I get from that then?
I was startled when the telephone rang.
Seriously? Who has the guts to call this late at night?
“Are you home? Can you buy yourself a cellphone?! How can I reach you out? Calais, right?”
“Megan! My ears! And yes, it's me.”
“Oh, sorry. Good. By the way, you have a new project. I'll just update you when. Get ready, for now.”
“What project?”
“A new drama. I'll send you the script tomorrow morning. Read it while the crew is preparing the setting. Your manager can't reach you, so she called me. That's all. Hey, anyway, did they fight?”
“Why don't you work as a reporter since you're that gossipy?”
“Come on, Calais! Cut the crap and tell me.”
This Megan. How did Zainea end up having a friend like her? She's too noisy.
“No. They didn't. So, stop being a curious cat. Goodnight, Megan. Have a good night sleep.”
“Hey—” I ended the call. Geez, I want to sleep already.
Hope she won't be there even in my dream. Just please, don't.