Chapter 4

" While you are still in this good mood, I have to tell you something about Marcus" said John with a serious expression on his face.

What now? Why can't I catch a fucking break?

" Please don't be mad" calmly said Zuri.

What could possibly make me mad? And why are they stringing this along?

" Can someone tell me what is happening?" I pleaded

" Before Marcus came to the country, he contacted me" John paused to look at my expression.

Do I have to beat the words out of him? What doesn't he want to say?

" Go on" I sounded irritated waiting for something, absolutely anything to be said.

" We talked for a while but the most important thing is he wants me to be in his legal counsel. I will be representing him as well as his business" he finished nervously.

How is that bad ? Did he think I would get mad if he accepted the job? What kind of a friend would that make me? Did my friends see me as selfish prick?

" Did you take the job?" I asked looking straight at him while fidgeted leaning from one leg to another.

" No, of course not! I wanted to talk to you first. If you are not comfortable with it ,I can always say no"

" Why would you say no?" I asked confused

" Because you and him are not in good terms" he looked at me like that was not news. Like I should have known where his loyalties lies.

Of course his loyalty would be with me simply because he was engaged to my best friend. But I didn't want him to miss out on a great paying opportunity because of my relationship drama. I wouldn't want his family to go hungry because of me. Loyalty or not.

" John please the take the job"

" And you are okay with it?" He asked not convinced by my tone.

Obviously I was not okay with it. He was going to work with my ex and now because of their new relationship, I might find myself in the same circles as him. But now was not the time to be selfish. They needed this. I would sacrifice anything to make them happy, a little discomfort was welcomed because I knew I would survive.

They have helped me for far too long ,dealt with my bullshit and held me when I cried. This was a small price to pay for their happiness. They have a kid to think of now and I was not going to stand in the way for him or her to get the best life had to offer.

" John you have to provide for your growing family and I won't stand in the way for that."

"Your feelings do matter Zee, we don't want you to feel pressured to agree if you don't" argued Zuri.

" Zuri ,what happened was beyond my control and I have come to terms with that" I insisted. This people seriously need to start listening to me.

" John please take the job because otherwise I will start feeling guilty and I don't want that" I pleaded.

" Okay if you insist" he finally accepted.

Finally! What were they thinking not accepting the job? I know they wanted to protect me but not at the expense of their daily bread .

" We will keep you updated on everything that happens okay" said Zuri " Will you be okay on your own?"

" I will be okay. Please take care of yourselves and don't worry about me"

I mustered all the energy I had left and forced a smile on my face. They would not leave until they were convinced that I was going to be fine. So I had to result to lying. Anything to make them feel better.

" If you are sure you are okay, we are going to drive back. But call us if you need anything Zee, anything at all" Zuri stretched her arms and engulfed me in a warm hug.

" I will" I said tears crowding my eyes.

They both got in the car and started the drive back home. Zuri got one of her hands out of the window and waved to me one last time before they were too far away. I will miss her.

I opened the gate slowly and locked it before I let out a loud sigh. I was finally home. I walked to my door, unlocked the padlock and opened the door. The house looked exactly how I left it. It was funny how I was expecting something different, things to be moved around but I lived alone.

Not bothering to do anything else, I left for bed. Sleep was all I needed now.

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Marcus POV

The tusker event brought me back to the country as I wanted to see it happen with no hitches . They were a huge client that I wanted to keep happy and satisfied. A satisfied client meant more work and positive reviews for me. I had to oversee it personally and make sure everything was perfect.

I know I was micromanaging but who wants their business to fail. So far hotel Royale has been booked and busy. I didn't expect it to pick up as fast as it did, but it did. And now we have private events every single weekend as well as a lot bookings. I checked our calendar and we were completely booked for the next six months.

This was a very good investment. This country has been good to me so far and I didn't mind sticking around for a while and enjoying the sunny days. I haven't had a vacation since I went back home. I immersed myself in work and work alone. I didn't want to be distracted again. Money was everything and most importantly money cannot screw you over.

Before I left this country I was a billionaire but after all the sacrifices and good strategies, I was now a zillionaire. I know you don't know what that means but I will elaborate for you. A zillionaire is an extremely rich person, I can feed a whole country for years if I wished to but I won't.

As you have probably heard I am selfish. All my exes have called me that, selfish, self-absorbed, self obsessed, whatever you want to call it. I focus solely on myself. I always get what I want, be it lands, companies or even people. I have proven time and time again that I can do whatever I want.

After working hard and getting a bunch of more money ,I got really bored and I needed something thrilling to do. So I had a different woman in my bed every single night, just because I could. Women are very desperate out here, a fancy dinner and they can't wait to open their legs fast enough.

Thinking they can trap me into falling in love with them. They don't know me very well. I take what I want and leave. They might be a little broken afterwards but I didn't force anyone to dance with the devil. They come to me ,even when I try to warn them that it wouldn't amount to anything . Except this creatures don't care, they think that I can be saved.

Who said I wanted to be saved? I am perfect the way I am. A cold blooded machine that takes what it wants, when it wants it. No one can save me, absolutely no one. However this doesn't stop this bitches from trying so damn hard. Some think being good in bed will keep me, darling ,I have seen and had better.

I have tried every size, shape, race and ethnicity. They all feel the same to me. They all represent the same thing, manipulation. Yes I said it. I believe women can be manipulative ,very very manipulative. They always find a way to make you do what they want without even realizing it.

After Zawadi I swore I would never be manipulated again. Zawadi, my little manipulative angel. I sighed loudly and sat upright on my chair. I was in the office doing some work while I awaited John's decision, today was his last day. She was a good one but she was as vile and manipulative as the rest of them. She was the ultimate con woman, no one could have ever suspected her, not even me.

I was played like a fool. I was like a goat being taken to the slaughter house, the only difference was, I was the one driving. Taking myself there. She was someone who made a huge impact in my life. She taught me a very important lesson, to never trust women.

After she left I was in a very bad place. I didn't trust anyone. I had trust issues before her but after what happened , the trust issues were on another new level. Like I was unlocking a new level in a game. I went through women, friends and even employees. Fired everyone I was suspicious of and brought in a new group of employees on all my managerial positions.

Everyone I employed had their background checked to ensure that they could be trusted. I know it seems a bit extreme but it had to happen. I couldn't work with people I didn't trust. Never again.

I was not prepared to see Zawadi in the event. I thought I had more time before I get to see her. I had no idea she would be there. What was she even doing here? Didn't she hate me or something? Or did she just wants to get back to my good graces? Good luck with that.

The buzzing of my phone broke my chain of thought. I picked the call without checking who was calling, a terrible habit I had acquired.

" I will take the job"