Chapter 6 A Shower Together
The moment Zachary left, chaos erupted among the women.
"Ms. Parker!" Alicia collapsed into Sylvia's arms, sobbing uncontrollably.
Sylvia comforted her, gently patting her back. "I promise you, Alicia—if Zachary marries anyone, it will be you."
These words were meant for Alicia, but equally directed at Quinley.
Sylvia was making her position clear, attempting to extinguish any misplaced hopes Quinley might harbor.
The message was unmistakable: only someone of Alicia's noble birth was worthy of Zachary.
Recognizing her cue, Quinley rose and poured Alicia a cup of hot tea.
"Ms. Davis, you and Mr. Jennings make a perfect match. I'm certain things will work out between you," she said with appropriate deference.
"Mr. Jennings has been under considerable work pressure lately and is taking it out on you. Please don't take it personally."
Her words were perfectly calibrated to her position as a secretary.
Alicia stopped crying and accepted the tea, though she didn't drink it. "Ms. Elikin, I apologize for my rudeness earlier. Please don't take offense."
"None taken," Quinley replied with the confidence of someone with nothing to hide.
After wiping away her tears, Alicia turned to Sylvia. "Ms. Parker, I should head home. I'll visit you another day." She said her goodbyes.
Quinley also prepared to leave, but Sylvia stopped her. "Ms. Elikin, please stay."
"Of course, Ms. Parker."
Once the door closed behind Alicia, Sylvia sat regally at the head of the table, saying nothing. The atmosphere grew heavy with Sylvia seated and Quinley standing.
Quinley understood that Sylvia's displeasure stemmed from Zachary's behavior.
Now merely a discarded pawn, Quinley knew she couldn't afford to become an obstacle.
"Quinley, do you know what I've always appreciated most about you?" Sylvia asked without looking at her.
"My intelligence," Quinley answered dutifully.
Sylvia turned her gaze toward her, eyes sharp with reproach. "But I fear your intelligence may be your downfall."
Her voice carried unmistakable weight and pressure.
Quinley understood perfectly. Taking a deep breath, she responded, "Ms. Parker, Mr. Jennings and I have already parted ways. We won't be involved again."
She had already initiated the separation and submitted her resignation. From now on, their paths would diverge like railway tracks that never meet again.
She had fulfilled her purpose as Sylvia's pawn and accepted her fate as a discarded piece.
"And if he doesn't let go?" Sylvia countered.
Quinley faltered momentarily. "Mr. Jennings isn't that kind of person. Besides, I'm not worth it."
She knew her place.
Still unconvinced, Sylvia pulled an envelope from her purse and handed it to Quinley. Inside were a card and a plane ticket.
"You're a smart woman, Quinley. I shouldn't need to spell everything out," Sylvia said, her voice softening.
"Zachary didn't grow up with me, but he's my only son—of course I want what's best for him. Though I left the Jennings family, Zachary remains part of it. Do you have any idea what he sacrificed to reach his current position?"
Sylvia's voice caught with emotion.
When Zachary was three, Sylvia had been expelled from the Jennings family amid scandal—a major event in Rosewood City at the time.
Within a year, Zachary's father William Jennings had remarried, and his new wife had given birth to two more sons.
As the eldest son, Zachary had lost his favored position due to his mother's disgrace.
These old wounds were stories Zachary had never shared with Quinley.
Though she couldn't fully empathize with the complexities of elite family feuds, Quinley understood suffering—it was universal.
"Ms. Parker, I assure you I'll leave Rosewood City as soon as possible."
Her words visibly calmed Sylvia.
"You're a sensible girl. Meeting you was Zachary's good fortune, but he has his own path to follow. As his mother, there's only so much I can do for him. Alicia, with the Davis family behind her, can help him reach greater heights and go further. You want what's best for Zachary, don't you?"
"Of course, Ms. Parker. Mr. Jennings will certainly fulfill your wishes."
Sylvia stood and took Quinley's hand, patting it gently. "You're still young—go see more of the world. I've made arrangements with a school. Leave the country quickly, and remember—Zachary will not know."
"I understand."
Leaving The Ivy Manor, Quinley wandered aimlessly down the brightly lit streets. The road stretched endlessly, the lights blazed, yet she couldn't see her future clearly.
Where was she headed?
The plane ticket in her hand felt impossibly heavy.
"Quinny, when are you coming home? Your father's falling asleep on the sofa. He refuses to go to bed until you're back," Marlee called again, her voice urgent.
Quinley's throat tightened as the lights before her blurred into halos. "Mom, go ahead and sleep. I'm working late—I won't be home tonight."
It was late when she finally returned to her small apartment. She entered, switched on the lights, kicked off her shoes, and headed straight for the bathroom.
Halfway through her shower, the door opened.
Zachary stood there in his white shirt and black pants, leaning against the doorframe, gazing appreciatively at Quinley's smooth back.
With her eyes closed, washing her hair, she bent forward, the vertebrae of her slender back prominent. His gaze traveled from her back to her waist and chest.
Her skin glowed with a translucent quality, flushed peach in the steamy air. Though slender, she had curves in all the right places.
As Zachary was enjoying the view, Quinley suddenly opened her eyes.
"Mr. Jennings? What are you doing here?"
She crossed her arms frantically over her chest, unable to cover herself completely.
Zachary folded his arms and shrugged. "Don't bother hiding. It's nothing I haven't seen before."
Before she could protest, he had shed his clothes and joined her. "Let's shower together."
Quinley's heart raced in confusion. Zachary's behavior was atypical, and she wasn't sure how to respond. But one thing was certain—she needed to establish clear boundaries.
"Mr. Jennings, we've already—"
Before she could say "ended things," Zachary's lips captured hers in a domineering, forceful kiss that left her mind blank.
He'd been drinking, and with alcohol fueling his passion, he trapped her beneath the shower spray. Water cascaded from above as his kisses moved downward.
If Quinley hadn't stopped him, he would have taken her right there in the bathroom.
Instead, he carried her to the bedroom, impatiently pressing her into the mattress.
He had been her first and only lover. Having decoded all her secrets, he knew precisely how to stimulate the sensitive areas he had discovered.
Desire consumed them both as Quinley melted like cotton. He took her relentlessly until exhaustion finally claimed her.
When she awoke, daylight had arrived. She found herself still cradled in Zachary's arms—once her most cherished fantasy, now a dangerous indulgence she couldn't afford.
As she struggled to rise, he pulled her back. "Stay a little longer."
His hand pressed against her neck, keeping her close against his chest.
"Mr. Jennings, please don't come here anymore."
Even in private, she preferred calling him "Mr. Jennings."
Her request reflected her resolve.
Zachary remained silent, eyes closed as if asleep.
It was nearly noon when he finally stirred. His driver arrived, and he quickly dressed.
"I've gathered your things. I'll send them over later," Quinley said, preferring a clean break to prolonged uncertainty.
"Fine," Zachary replied coolly.
As always, he opened the door and left without looking back.
But less than five minutes after his departure, Alicia arrived.