“IF ONLY you’re not my sister, I will not give a damn,” Apollo’s words echoed inside their living room one afternoon.
Isla smiled widely. “Thank you so much, my brother,” she replied, more of a tease.
When they’re done eating lunch, Zero drops her at their house before going back to his company, and it happens that she sees her brother.
At first, she doesn’t know why he’s home but when she heard it’s because of Zero, an idea suddenly popped inside her head.
She remembered that she asked Zero earlier to do something, and of course, to make it convincing, she also added drama. She knew it was a bad thing, but she used her situation to let Apollo fetch Becca at the airport.
“If you’re trying to be cupid. Mind you, I will not ever like your best friend,” Apollo asserted while staring at her.
She formed a snide. “Yeah, because you love her, right?”
At this moment, she could see the invisible smoke that was coming out of her brother’s nose.
Apollo frowned. “Not a chance—”
“Oh, stop that, Apollo. Don’t fool the hell out of me. And it’s fine if you’re going to court my best friend. If not, you can just make love—fuck each other deep and hard,” she teased.
Apollo stood up and grabbed his keys. “I’m enjoying my bachelor life, so don’t you dare lure me—”
“Geez, you’re saying that Zero is a coward, and so are you. Whatever. Just hurry up, and Becca will be at the airport…” she glanced at her wristwatch, “—in fifteen minutes,” she added.
Apollo left and didn’t bother to give glance at her.
Isla shook her head. “In denial,” she whispered and grabbed the book that she put down on the table and started rereading it.
After a few moments, she couldn’t understand what she was reading, so she decided to chat with Becca. However, she remembers that she’s on the plane at this moment. So, she dialed Zero’s number instead.
In just three rings, Zero answered. “Baby…”
His deep yet calm voice evaded her ear, making her feel relaxed. She really loves to hear Zero’s voice.
“Uhm. What are you doing?” she asked as she looked at her nails and bit her lower lip.
“Sorting and signing some documents. Why was my baby called?”
She pressed her lips and was trying to find her words.
“You should take a nap, baby,” Zero asserted.
“You’ll be home early?” she asked suddenly.
She heard Zero sigh. “I’ll be home a little late. I need to finish—”
“It’s okay,” she replied and pouted her lips.
Zero let out a soft short chuckle. “Are you mad?”
She heaved a deep sigh. As much as possible, she doesn’t want to act childishly. However, her pregnancy hormones are triggering her. “Nope. Just be sure you’re here before dinner.”
“Of course, baby. That’s no-fail,” Zero replied, and she could picture Zero’s smiling face.
“All right. Gonna hang up now. Anyway, thank you. Apollo was the one who will fetch your cousin,” she said.
“Great,” Zero replied cheerfully. “Uhm, do you need anything, baby? I mean food or—”
“No, just be home safe, and also, I saw three men in black in front of the gate. They’re yours, right?”
“Yes, baby. I need to keep you safe. If you want to go outside, call me, okay?”
She smiled widely. At the moment, she can’t feel but get amazed by Zero. And even wished to see him fight with guns—geez, self, stop imagining, she thought.
“Aye.”
“Good. Bye, baby. I love you,” Zero asserted, making Isla’s eyes widen and were stunned. After a few moments, she smiled.
“Bye, baby…” she replied and ended the call.
At this moment, she could feel her cheeks burning. When will you say those three words back to him? she asked herself.
Every time Apollo says it, she’s answering with an endearment. It’s just that she wanted how Zero pushed through his love.
“I want you out of my life, Tilda. And stop bugging me. My wife will—”
“Wife?!” Tilda yelled and stood up. She looked sternly at him. “You have a wife?!”
Zero pressed his lips and didn’t say a word.
Tilda let out a chuckle. She scoffed. “If you’re doing this to shoo me—”
“You’re not special for me to exert effort with things that will stop you. Whatever you have heard at this moment, it’s true,” Zero asserted.
Tilda’s eyes pierced into his. And suddenly, Zero didn’t expect what Tilda did next. She swiftly pulled down the straps of her dress and pushed it down, and it showed her breasts.
Zero smirked. “What are you doing?”
“If you’re telling the truth, then touch me. After that, I will not bug you, never again,” Tilda said.
Zero’s forehead creased as he clenched his fist. “Are you out of your mind? Fix yourself and get out!” he exclaimed.
Tilda was surprised about it. How could a sex monster like Zero Cohen resist her charms? Zero used to be addicted to her body. And now… he even had a wife?
But she didn’t know and heard any news about it. Tilda bet that Zero is just pretending.
“Get out! Don’t make me repeat my words,” he warned.
Tilda scoffed. “You’re really something—”
“One…”
“Well, I don’t see any ring, so I know that you’re just lying,” Tilda asserted and put back the straps of her dress. “Anyway, I will see you again,” she stated before she walked her way out of his office.
Zero pinched the bridge of his nose to control his temper.
He wanted to give Isla a normal and peaceful life as much as possible. No paparazzi, no issues. But if Tilda keeps on bugging him, he’s afraid he will state his relationship with Isla Peterson.
Or might as well plan for a wedding.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: The Playboy’s Downfall