Chapter 56 I will jump off the rooftop
Chapter 56 I will jump off the rooftop
Without thinking, Adrian walked straight to Zara’s room. He hesitated at her door, took a deep breath, and knocked.
When she opened, her face was unreadable, blank, emotionless.
“Do you need anything?” she asked coldly, as though the sight of him disgusted her.
“I… uh…” Adrian stammered, struggling to find words. “I wanted to say I’m sorry. For for hurting your arms the other day.”
The apology came out stiff, almost mechanical.
Zara gave a short, humorless smirk. “Don’t be,” she said. “My place in this house is to be tormented and tolerated, remember? Besides, it’s not the first time you’ve done this. So I don’t see why you’re mentioning it now.”
Her tone was calm, but her eyes her eyes burned with hurt.
“If that’s all,” she added, “I’ll close the door now.”
Before he could respond, she slammed the door right in his face.
Adrian stood there in silence, the sound echoing through his chest. For the first time, he truly understood this time, he had really hurt her.
The next day at the office, Zara was sorting reports when Claire, her colleague, approached timidly.
“Zara,” she said, holding out a small sticky note.
“What’s this?” Zara asked curiously.
“I’m not sure. One of the employees said I should give it to you.”
Zara took the note. The handwriting was rushed, uneven but the words made her heart stop
.
I’m standing on the rooftop of this building. If you don’t come to talk to me, I’ll jump. I don’t know how you’ll explain it to everyone or to my family.
Voss
Her breath hitched. Without thinking, she bolted for the stairs. Claire shouted her name, but Zara didn’t stop.
When she reached the rooftop, her heart pounded wildly and there he was.
Adrian stood on the edge of the building, the wind tossing his hair, his hands in his pockets as if he’d accepted his fate.
“Adrian!” Zara cried out, fear rising in her chest.
He turned, a faint, weary smile on his lips. “I thought you wouldn’t come,” he said softly. “So… are you willing to talk to me now? Or should I jump?”
Her voice trembled. “Don’t say that. Please, don’t.”
He tilted his head, eyes unreadable. “Then talk to me, Zara.”
She stepped closer, cautiously. “Just just come down first. Please. Take my hand.”
For a moment, he hesitated, staring at her outstretched arm. Then slowly, he reached for it. His fingers brushed hers warm, trembling.
“See?” Zara whispered shakily. “You don’t have to do this.”
Adrian let her pull him back to safety, his feet finally stepping off the edge. Relief flooded her but before she could breathe, he smiled faintly.
“I couldn’t jump, Zara,” he said softly. “I just wanted to get your attention. And now I know you care for me.”
Zara froze. Then her relief twisted into fury.
“Are you serious?” she snapped, her voice rising. “Are you that heartless, Adrian? Do you think everything is a joke?”
Her voice cracked, raw with anger. “Do you even realize how scared I was? I can’t even look at you anymore. Just stay away from me! Don’t make this harder than it already is.”
Adrian stared at her, stunned. He hadn’t expected that reaction, not fear, not rage.
Zara turned sharply and stormed off, her heels clattering against the rooftop floor.
He stood there, rooted to the spot, guilt crashing through him like a wave.” I thought this would help “ he muttered to himself, confused .
When Zara returned to her office, her heart was still pounding. Claire jumped up. “Why did you run off like that? What happened?”
Zara forced a bitter smile. “It was a prank.”
Claire’s eyes widened. “A prank? He he what?”
Zara didn’t answer. She sank into her chair, anger boiling beneath her calm expression. Adrian had been playing games with her emotions, and she hated that he’d succeeded in making her care.
Moments later, Rosey entered their department . “Everyone, meeting in ten minutes,” she announced crisply. Then, turning to Claire, she added, “You. Go outside and buy a bottle of sprinkled water.”
Claire looked startled. “Right now?”
“Yes, right now,” Rosey said sharply.
But before Claire could move, Zara’s voice cut through the air.
“She’s not going anywhere.”
The entire department fell silent. Rosey blinked. “Excuse me?”
Zara stood up, her expression firm. “You heard me. You can get it yourself. She’s not your maid.”
“I wasn’t talking to you,” Rosey snapped, her cheeks flushing.
“That’s true,” Zara said, her tone calm but fierce. “But I hope I was clear when I said she’s not going anywhere. And while we’re at it y’all stop treating her like some errand girl just because she’s an intern and younger than you.”
The office grew still. Every employee turned to look at her.
“If you were in her position, would you want to be treated that way?” Zara continued. “The rules about interns are clear and none of them say we should treat them like trash. And we all know what happens if we violate company policy.”
No one said a word.
“As for you,” she added, staring straight at Rosey, “you’re not the boss of this company. So stop acting like it.”
Zara grabbed her note and walked out, the door closing sharply behind her .
The office buzzed with murmurs, but none dared to speak loudly. Claire stood frozen for a moment, then hurried after her.
“Zara!” she called softly.
Zara turned, her anger still visible in her eyes.
Claire threw her arms around her in a quick hug. “Thank you,” she whispered. “For standing up for me.”
Zara smiled faintly, patting her shoulder. “Don’t thank me. I just don’t like seeing people treated like they don’t matter.” Let's go to the meeting room!
Because in truth, she saw a reflection of herself in Claire, a woman underestimated, silenced, and constantly having to remind the world that she deserved to be heard.