Chapter 42 Battle Of Oscars
Zita
Kian has been missing for almost a week now. He wasn't answering his calls, his texts, and now, my soon-to-be in-laws who thought that he was only being rebellious were now forced to believe he was missing.
I removed a handful of paper towels, offering them to Kian’s mum, Jana who wouldn't stop crying since she couldn't reach her son. “I keep having nightmares about Kian” She sniffled, collected the towels from me, and blew into them.
The sound of her whimper broke me apart and I didn't know when a tear dropped from my eyes. No mother should have to feel this way.
She turned swollen eyes to me. “And, there is you. Pregnant and alone. I can't even fathom the kind of thoughts that would be running through your mind,”
“I am holding on fine—” A wistful smile tugged at my lips.
She dropped the paper towel on the bedside table, reached for my face, and cradled it. “I know you aren't. I see the sadness and unshed tears in your eyes. It is okay to cry, Zita. It is” Her voice cracked and she broke down again.
And the emotions that radiated off her managed to break through me and now, tears started to gather in my eyes.
The door creaked open and Kian’s dad, Neil, came in with Kian’s secretary—Jaden. Those deep brown eyes that met mine briefly, almost sent me rolling my eyes back.
I knew he was only doing his job but we were literally sworn enemies for life! How I wish he knew the secret animosity that I held towards him.
I would never forget the humiliation Kian and his accomplice of a secretary made me go through. And that receptionist too!
“Oh, Jana…” Neil’s shoulder sagged as he sat next to his wife on the bed and pulled her into his embrace while she sobbed into his shirt.
A weird type of awkwardness stretched in the room. And I didn't even know if it was because of the sobbing couple or because of someone’s burning gaze.
Jaden.
My eyes swept to his with a glare—
No, I shouldn't glare at him. That wouldn't fit the image of a partner heartbroken by her fiancè’s disappearance. I forced a weak smile onto my face, casually pushing my hair behind my ear. “Do you need water?”
His voice was sharp. “Mr Kian didn't tell you his whereabouts?”
I shook my head. “He didn't,”
His jaw tightened as he acknowledged me with a nod and fixed his eyes back on Kian’s parents. “I will keep looking into his disappearance and will check where he could be,”
“Please do. The last thing I want is for the media to get wind of his disappearance. Stocks will drop—”
Before he could finish, Jana snapped and pushed Neil off her. “I can't believe that you care more about the company’s stocks than your own son,”
“Jana, you know I care about Kian but…”
“I don't want to hear it. I am so disappointed in you. Leave, I don't want to see you” she shouted, turned to the side with her hands crossed over her chest.
“Jana,” Neil called softly.
“Leave!”
He heaved an exasperated sigh, his eyes meeting mine as a small smile slipped through his face. “We should leave”
I nodded until—
Jana shouted. “She is not leaving. You can leave with Kian’s secretary”
Jaden lowered his head, his eyes briefly locking with mine and this time I couldn't help but scoff—silently. With him, it was on sight!
The moment they left, I glanced at Jana whose chest rose and fell steadily with each shallow breath. “I can't believe him!”
I shifted closer to her. “I know that emotions are rising and I am still struggling to grapple with the whole situation. But, you need to be fine. What if Kian returns and finds you in the worst condition?”
She groaned, buried her face in her palm, and cried. “I can't imagine what my baby is going through right now. If he has eaten. If he is still alive”
My chest tightened. “Please don't say that”
“You haven't slept in a while. I would have the chef make something light for you before returning home—”
Before I could stand, she caught my wrist, confusion in her eyes. “Why do you have to leave? I can just come with you,”
“Since Kian isn't there to look after you, I should stay with you”
I smiled painfully, shaking my head. “No, I can look after myself, I promise”
“I won't allow that, Zita and you know it. What if you harm yourself by overthinking his disappearance? You are pregnant for crying out loud”
I quickly slipped back into character, rubbing my hand on my stomach. “I am pregnant—” I repeated as if declaring it would make it real.
“You are so sweet, Zita. I know things are awry between Kian and his uncle because of that woman, Verena!” Anger flashed through her eyes as she clicked her tongue. “But, Daxton would break down mountains just to find his nephew. I am going to involve him whether Neil likes it or not”
“What do you think?”
I reached for her hands and squeezed them gently. “You are Kian’s mum and you know best. I will be right back. I have to meet the chef—” I patted the back of her hand and moved from the bed.
“You don't have to. Zita!
Halfway through the door, I spun, poking my head back inside. “I am also bringing a variety of fruits and I am forcing you to eat them!” I winked at her.
The moment the door slammed shut behind me, I let out a breath that I didn't realize I had held for long as I leaned against the door.
Sucking in a deep breath, I pushed away from the door and with every step I took down the hallway, a smile slowly crept through the corner of my mouth as my mind drifted back to the rest of the phone call I had with Uncle Daxton.
“Can you at least tell me what you want me to give whoever you are sending over?” I held my heart in one hand, leaving the room while Kian showered.
“The divorce papers,”
My heart slammed so hard that I feared it could bruise my ribs. “Oh okay—” I responded even though different questions coursed through my mind but I knew not to ask him.
“And, I would be taking him away from you for a while. Someone needs to be taught a lesson before he signs those papers”
I had exhaled out of relief. “Thank you”
“I am not doing this for you. I am doing this for Verena”
As much as I disliked Verena, this benefited me and I was in for it!
Maybe I was the one who deserved to have a shelf full of Oscars—not Kian. Just the thought of what Kian could be facing in the hands of his uncle brought me so much joy.
After the humiliation he caused me, he deserved it!
So Kian needed that torture. Daxton was his uncle and he was free to discipline him. As long as Kian didn't return home dead, I was fine with it.