Chapter 12 - Agreement

Before I could say anything, the lift dinged, and my two favorite people walked out.
The sight of their faces brought joy into my heart. Sam was holding a dry cleaning bag with my uniform in her hand, while Crystal had a duffel bag in hers.
“Sorry I forgot to tell you. I called Sam last night and told her what had happened. I wasn’t sure if you had made contact, but you mentioned asking them to bring you your uniform, so I called them for you.” Zach explained, his face still strained from our interrupted conversation.
I quickly got off my seat and ran toward the girls.
Sam was the first to pull me into a hug.
“Bitch, why didn’t you call us?” she muttered, hugging me tightly.
Another set of arms encircled me from behind, sandwiching me in the middle. Crystal’s skinny arms squeezed me just as tightly as Sam’s arms were.
“Are you okay? We’ve been so worried.” Crystal mumbled.
“I’m okay. Thankfully I wasn’t home when it happened.” I sighed, relieved to be able to see the girls again.
“Wait, is that normal?” another male voice rang through the house.
The girls and I pulled away to find a fully dressed Keiran coming down the stairs.
*Did he come back after I went to bed last night?*
“Yeah, I’m normally home by 6 pm and in bed by 9 pm. Why?” I asked.
“Because someone knew your schedule. They knew you’d be accessible. However, your dinner with Zach ruined the intruder’s plans. They must have trashed your place out of frustration.” Keiran stated. He walked over and stood next to Zach.
A shiver ran down my spine. Keiran was right. The only time I was out of the apartment after 6 pm was if I went out with Crystal and Samantha. Otherwise, I was definitely home. Zach’s insistence on dinner was spontaneous, and there was no way the intruders would have known because the only people that knew about it were standing in this room.
“They must have been watching Stacey’s movements. Tracking her steps, so they knew exactly when to strike. Lord knows what their intentions were.” Zach theorized. He clenched his jaws.
I felt dizzy and nauseated.
*How long had they been watching me?*
Derek said he had a surveillance team outside my apartment. They surely would have noticed if someone was keeping tabs on me.
Goosebumps spread through my body as realization dawned on me. They wanted me. Instead of taking any of my valuables, they destroyed them because they only wanted me.
“Keiran, go down to the station and let Clint know about this. Maybe they can find CCTVs around the area to show movement outside Stacey’s apartment. If someone was keeping an eye on her, there would be footage of them.” Zach ordered.
Keiran nodded and headed for the lift.
“Ladies, why don’t you have a seat? Can I get anyone anything?” Zach asked.
“Yeah, maybe a bottle of water for Stace. She’s as white as a ghost.” Crystal replied, eyeing me out.
Zach turned to the fridge while the girls pulled me towards the couch.
“Stace, breathe. You’re freaking me out. What the hell is going on?” Crystal questioned, rubbing my back.
“I-... I don’t know.” I lied. I knew exactly what was happening.
All I wanted to do right now was talk to Derek. He was the only one that could give me a definite answer.
Zach placed a bottle of water on the coffee and sat across from the couch the girls and I were occupying.
“Firstly, I’m sorry about my appearance. It’s been a long night, and I didn’t get a chance to change before you guys got here. But umm, I have a reason for asking you to come and hope we can come up with some sort of agreement,” Zach started.
“Of course, Mr. Masters. You have always helped us, and we would love to return the favor,” Sam spoke. She was the one that dealt with the admin side of things while Crystal handled the groundwork.
“Normally, Terence comes to make freezer meals for me and clean up around the penthouse, but recently he has been complaining about the traveling and has mentioned a few times that I should hire someone here in the city to mind my place. Given Stacey’s situation, I think she needs a safe and secure place to stay. As I explained to Stacey last night, my penthouse is the safest place for her right now, and I have plenty of room. So, my proposal is simple. I need a maid, and Stacey needs a roof over her head. Instead of working for the entire building, I would like her to become my live-in maid. I will obviously pay for this, but you guys have to decide how this would work. Would you keep Stacey under the Twin Clean umbrella or let her venture out on her own? I know this is happening very suddenly, but if there is someone out there targeting Stacey, we need to keep her safe, and I think this is the best way, and it benefits us both.” Zach looked between the sisters.
Live-in maid? After spending one night here, I was so anxious and on edge; how would I survive living here permanently. Plus, there was still the case of Zach’s crazy possessive behavior. The words echoed through my head like it was the only thing I could remember.
“Mr. Master, with all due respect, I don’t think this is a good idea. If there is someone after me, you keeping me here makes you liable, and I don’t think I wouldn’t forgive myself if something happened to you because of me.” I quickly objected.
“Stacey, nothing will happen to me. I am involved with classified projects with the US Military, the FBI, and the CIA. Because of the confidentiality of my work, I have around-the-clock protection from all the agencies as well as personal security and bodyguards. Trust me when I say this; nothing will happen. You are very safe here, and so am I.” Zach reassured me.
My anxiety was rising by the minute. I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to calm my racing heart.
“Stacey, as much I understand your hesitation, Zach is making a valid point. Your safety is very important, and staying here with Zach will provide you with that security. Besides, you’ll be working, so it’s not like you are a burden to Zach.” Crystal smiled at me, trying to convince me.
“And once the police finish their investigation and we have more answers, Crystal and I will help you find a much safer place,” Samantha added.
“What say, Stace?” Zach asked, tilting his head to one side. Uncertainty lingered on his handsome features.
My heart did a little flip. Why was this man making me feel like this?! He did understand that if I stayed, he would have to explain to me about the conversation I overheard. Although, Zach’s reaction earlier told me he wasn’t pleased about my eavesdroppings.
“C-... Could I please have a think about it?” I stuttered.
I had to buy time so that I could talk to Derek and find out what was happening. There was no point in me agreeing to this arrangement with Zach if I had to uproot my life once again. Right now, Derek was the only person that had the information I needed.
“Yes, of course. Please have a chat with the twins and see what makes you comfortable. You are welcome to stay here regardless of what you decide. I just figured if you worked for me, you would feel less obliged.”
Zach was right. Working for him while staying here would make me feel better. I didn’t want to be a burden on him, and I knew he would keep using the “You saved my life” excuse to brush things off.
I gave Zach a tight smile and thanked him for understanding.
My gut was telling me this was just the beginning. The storm I had successfully eluded was back with a vengeance, and I wasn’t sure I could outrun it this time.
Zach and Sam struck up a different conversation giving me the perfect opportunity to excuse myself.
I had to call Derek. Until he confirmed or denied my suspicion, I wouldn’t be able to move forward.
I quickly walked over to the room I was staying in and shut the door behind me. Grabbing my phone off the nightstand, I punched in Derek’s number. But before I could press the call button, my phone vibrated.
Derek had messaged me.
With shaky hands, I tapped the screen to open the message.
*#Usual diner at 11. It’s urgent.#*
I sat down on the edge of the bed staring at the text.
My heart hammered against my chest, panic surging through me.
It was time to get answers…