CHAPTER 63
**WINTER**
I slumped down on my bed, finally holding the key I’d found in the keyhole—likely left there by the asshole himself.
I can’t shake the way Zion looked at me earlier. I’ve never felt so ugly and hated in my life.
My mom, despite having very little, always made sure I knew to present myself at my best, to be the most beautiful in the room. Even as an awkward teen, I always felt like the prettiest girl in my class… until now.
Zion’s look of distaste was as if simply looking at me was a chore, as though he found me repulsive. It unsettles me. I glanced at myself in the mirror, puzzled. What was wrong with what I was wearing? It was just a simple night suit, nothing to justify him calling me a slut. Cindy had worn far less than I did last night.
I rested my head on my knees, squeezing my eyes shut, wishing I could just disappear. Everything about this place felt wrong and hostile, and all I wanted was to go back to the life I had with my mom. But that was impossible now. The tension was suffocating, and the constant hostility from Zion made me regret every second I spent here.
Lost in my thoughts, I suddenly heard someone clear their throat. My head shot up, and my heart sank when I saw Zion standing in the doorway. His eyes bore into mine as if he was daring me to say something. My stomach twisted in knots.
“Get out,” I spat, hating how vulnerable I felt under his gaze. My voice came out sharper than I intended, but I didn’t care.
“Not happening, Snowflake,” he shot back, his tone cold and unyielding. “I’m here to tell you to get your ass up, showered, and ready in five minutes. You’re riding with me to your new job.”
“No,” I refused, barely managing to keep my voice steady. The last thing I wanted was to be stuck in a car with him.
“Yes.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
“No!” My voice rose, frustration bubbling over. I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of controlling me.
“Stop being so damn stubborn,” he growled.
“Look, I don’t want you in my car any more than you do, but Mom called and insisted, and I can’t say no to her. So get moving.”
I wanted to scream, to tell him exactly what I thought of him and this entire situation, but the words stuck in my throat.
Zion stood there, staring me down, and I glared back, determined not to show how much his presence rattled me. But then, an idea hit me, and I couldn’t help the small smirk that tugged at my lips.
“Your car. As in, the pretty Porsche 911 Turbo?” I asked, feigning innocence to hide the sarcasm in my tone.
His eyes narrowed, and I could tell I’d hit a nerve.
“What the fuck? My car isn’t pretty!” he snapped, his voice low and menacing. Insulted, he added, “It’s a fucking masculine car—get it through your head!” he roared, his voice seething with fury as if I’d just spat on it.
“Get your ass in the shower, now, or so help me, I’ll drag you in there myself,” he snarled, his eyes narrowing with barely contained rage.
“I’m not letting you make me late for my lunch date with Cindy, and trust me, you don’t want to find out what happens if you do.”
I stiffened at the mention of her name, irritation flickering in my chest. Of course, he was seeing Cindy. I should’ve known. But I kept my face neutral, refusing to let him see how much it bothered me.
When I didn’t move, his patience snapped.
“So, what’s it going to be, Snowflake? Get up, or shall I bathe you myself?”
His threat sent a shiver down my spine, but I couldn’t let him see that. I narrowed my eyes at him, calling his bluff.
“You wouldn’t dare.”
Zion’s lips twisted into a cold, humourless smile.
“Try me.”
Before I could react, he took a step forward, his eyes locked on mine, daring me to push him further.
My heart skipped a beat, and a wave of panic surged through me. Without thinking, I squealed and jumped off the bed, sprinting towards the bathroom as fast as my legs could carry me. I barely managed to slam the door behind me before he could follow through on his threat.
I leaned against the door, breathing hard, trying to calm the frantic beating of my heart. My hands trembled slightly as I turned on the shower, the sound of the water drowning out the chaos in my mind. I wasn’t about to let Zion win, but I knew I had to be smarter about this. The war was just beginning, and I couldn’t afford to lose.
............
I leisurely brushed my hair, fixed my makeup, and picked out the perfect outfit—not because I cared what Zion thought, but because I wanted to look good on my first day.
I still had twenty five minutes before I had to be at the office, so there was no need to rush.
Zion could wait.
By the time I finally made my way outside, I spotted Ronald and Clark near their cars, ready to head out themselves.
And there was Zion, leaning against his car, staring right at me with that trademark scowl of his. I wondered if he ever smiled or if he was just born with that permanently pissed-off expression.
“Good luck on your first day, Winter!” Clark called out with a grin, loud enough for Zion to hear. Ronald nodded in agreement, adding, “Yeah, good luck. You’ll do great.”
I looked over at Zion, jaw clenched so tight I thought it might snap.
“Winter, get in the fucking car, now. I don’t have all day, and I need to get back to get ready for my date,” he barked, his voice laced with irritation as he stood by the car, glaring at me with his arms crossed, fingers tapping impatiently against his bicep.
“Date?” Ronald and Clark said in unison, exchanging confused glances. Zion’s frustration flared, his jaw tightening as he snapped,
“Yes, a date, you morons!”
I didn’t even look at him. “Wait. I’m saying goodbye,” I shouted back.
Then, just to piss him off more, I threw up my middle finger and wrapped my arms around Ronald, then Clark, savouring the way Zion’s eyes narrowed with every second I delayed.
When Clark’s arms circled my waist and he leaned down to kiss the top of my head, I could almost see the steam coming out of Zion’s ears.
Before I could react, Zion stormed toward me, fury radiating off him like a storm. In an instant, his hands were on me, yanking me away from Clark with a force that left me breathless. Before I could even protest, he hoisted me over his shoulder like I was nothing more than a sack of potatoes.
“What the ...Put me down, right now!” I screeched, pounding my fists against his back, but it was like hitting a brick wall. I could hear Clark’s laughter echoing behind us, and I wanted to kick Zion for making me look so helpless in front of them.
Zion didn’t say a word. He just marched to the car, opened the door with one hand, and dumped me unceremoniously into the passenger seat. The door slammed shut before I could even think about escaping, and then he was in the driver’s seat, the engine roaring to life as he glared at me with pure fury.
"What the fuck are you trying to pull?" he growled, his voice laced with rage. His eyes burned with a fury that was barely held in check as he shot a glare my way, his knuckles turning pale from the death grip he had on the steering wheel, as if he could crush it. Every muscle in his face was tense with irritation, the anger practically oozing off him.
I locked eyes with him, standing my ground. “What do you mean, ‘playing at’? I was just saying goodbye to your friends. Do you have an issue with that as well?” I kept my voice steady, though inside I was boiling, resolute not to let him see how deeply his outburst had unsettled me.
For a moment, we just stared at each other, the tension in the car so thick you could cut it with a knife. But I knew one thing for sure—if Zion thought he could intimidate me into submission, he was sorely mistaken.
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