Zane:
"What the hell are you doing here, Gia?" I yell, yanking the sheets to cover the only piece of my dignity left.
"I could ask you the same, Zane," she says, sitting up with the duvet across her chest. "Aren't you supposed to be in the city, running my father's business like you're the actual firstborn son of this family and not Yusuf?"
Her words sting, but I don't hold on to them because I hurt her, and I'm truly sorry.
I feel twice as terrible as I did initially because dreaming of sex with Kiara is much better than actually doing it with Gia. She's my sister, and even though we aren't related by blood, I hate the fact I'm betraying my father.
"Did Kiara throw you out of the house? You've been quite a pussy lately, and I can't believe someone like her has so much power over you," she says, and I curl my hand into a fist. "I can't believe I was in love with you," she scoffs.
"Gia, what is wrong with you? You know I was drunk and…"
"Don't come at me with that, Zane. This was a consensual act, and the better you come to terms with it, the easier it will be for both of us."
I sigh when she says this.
The desperation in her voice is alarming, and as I stare at her, it's as though I can't tell who she is. The Gia I knew growing up is gone, and I'm left with whoever this is.
I take a deep breath.
"What happened today was a mistake, and I would like us to act like it never happened," I say, attempting to walk into the shower.
Just like you've always done. Sometimes I ask God why you walked into my life because, honestly, Daddy could have left you to die," she says, standing up from the bed. "You think sending me away would hurt? Yes, it does, but not as much as you wanting someone who probably wouldn't want you back. Kiara is only enslaved, and the slightest opportunity she gets, she'll come after you, and I will be sure to watch."
"You know nothing about my relationship with Kiara!" I shoot back, and she chuckles.
"Yes, but I know you spent the entire night professing your love for her and fucking me because you thought I was her." She says, and I stare at her, swallowing hard. "That is something that will never happen in a million years, Zane. Grow the fuck up! You already lost Natalie, and you might…"
"Enough!" I slam my hand on the bathroom door, startling her.
She shuts her mouth at once, and I turn to face her with heavy breaths. I walk towards her while she takes a step back until she's cornered against the wall.
"Get the fuck off me," she says in a low tone, throwing her face away.
I stare blankly at her for a while, and then I slam my hand above her.
"The line between wanting to deal with you and letting you go because you are my sister is very thin, so please, Gia, do not try my patience, and behave," I say quietly, pulling away from her.
She scoffs and rushes to the bed, grabbing her clothes, which are littered around.
"When I said men were animals, I thought you were an exception, but you are an even bigger animal than I thought. Fuck you, Zane, and for this which you have done, you have gained an enemy! I hate you!" she yells, opening the door and slamming it hard.
After she leaves, I sink into my bed, staring blankly at the wall. I have gotten myself into a terrible mess, and I'm not leaving this one soon. First it was Yusuf, and now Gia. Who knows, my father may be next.
My phone goes off almost immediately, and I sigh, reaching for it on the bed. It's the doctor. The fact I don't have the cure for Kiara is worse.
"I'm calling to inform you that Mrs. Kiara is doing better, and you may take her home if you wish. She just needs…"
"Do you have a permanent cure yet?" I cut him off, and he keeps mute. "That's what I thought. You stay right where you are with what I asked for, and I'll be right there," I say, tossing the phone away.
The plan is to take her home after she recovers a bit, but then I do not have the actual cure, and I don't know how long I can keep stringing her.
Hurriedly, I get dressed and rush back to the cottage where she is receiving treatment.
**
When I pull up in front of the cottage, I spot Ariana sweeping the front yard with two of my men standing at the entrance to guard the place. She stops as soon as I step out of the car, giving a little bow. The men greet me, and I ignore everyone, walking inside to see the doctor who is sitting in the small living space.
"Good day, Mr. Malibu. I will take my leave now, if you do not mind," he says, and I shake my head.
"Not so fast. You still owe me a spell, and a cure." I say to him, and he takes out a black bracelet from his briefcase and hands it over to me.
"This will keep her in the house as long as you want, and I am sorry the only cure for argentum doesn't exist anymore," he says, and I grab it with a smile on my lips.
"Now that is done, I may…"
"Not so fast, doc," I snap my fingers, and the men outside walk in. "I still have to treat you to a delightful meal, and you need a roof over your head. Your city is destroyed, and I am sorry I cannot let you go easy," I say, and my men grab him.
"Wait, what's going on? This wasn't part of the deal, Mr. Malibu. I did what you asked, and you promised to free me, please!" he pleads.
"Take him away, and I'll be right there," I say to them.
As they move towards the door and the doctor struggles, I walk towards the room Kiara is in.
"Take Ariana to the car, too. Everyone is leaving," I say, walking into the room.
When I see Kiara fast asleep, I close the door gently, then sit on the bed close to her. I take her hand, and the feeling I get makes me feel safe. I pause for a while to admire her beautiful and peaceful smile as she sleeps.
'What are you doing?' I question myself, shaking off the feeling I am getting. Then I clip the bangle on her wrist, causing her to flick her eyes open.
"What the hell are you doing to me?" she yells, grabbing her chest.
"Simple, locking you up here until you have learned your lesson," I say with a smirk on my face.