HIM.

Chapter 4

*****

ZANE:

“…Zane, are you listening to me at all?”

My father’s voice cut through the room sharper than a blade. I blinked, realising I’d been staring at the same spot on my desk for way too long. He stood across from me, his arms folded over his chest, his expression clearly one of disappointment.

“I raised you to be a better man, Zane. Mirabelle came to me this morning; she was wrecked, and it’s all thanks to you. You are her husband-to-be. When are you going to understand that?”

I just stared at him as he spoke, not really giving a damn about him and Mirabelle. Those two could go to hell for all I care. I didn’t answer him. I was already used to this. I just waited for him to finish ranting and use the door.

I leaned back in my chair, my palms tapping rhythmically onto the polished desk as I watched his mouth move. My mind drifted miles and miles away.

“Zane,” he snapped again, this time louder. “Look at me when I’m speaking to you.”

I didn’t.

Suddenly, the anger in his face drained. He stepped closer, his demeanour calmer now, more calculating. He took my hand in his.

“My son,” he said, my hand still in his. I just stared at him awkwardly. “You need to understand marrying Mirabelle is the best thing for you.”

My body went stiff, but I didn’t pull my hand away immediately.

“You are a Blaster,” he continued. “Our name commands power, and you need a woman by your side.”

I finally stared at him, my expression cold. “And what if I don’t want her?”

He sighed, moving his hand from mine as if I’d disappointed him once again. But I didn’t care. He was never going to see me as anything more than a disappointment anyway.

“Zane, let me guess, you are still fixated on the one from when you were fourteen. You really should forget about him, because you are never going to find him. And you were fourteen. What you felt couldn’t have been love.”

Those words snapped something in me. I laughed bitterly, shaking my head. “And how do you know, Father? How do you know what I feel isn’t real?”

“Because I gave you time, Zane,” he yelled, furious. That was the beast I knew. Him trying to act soft, it was pathetic. “I gave you time, and you found nothing.”

I stood up so quickly it felt like my chair was about to tumble over. “And that doesn’t mean he’s not still existing.”

“And what gives you the impression that you’ll find him now when you couldn’t in the past?”

“Father, I want to make something very clear to you. This is my life, and I would spend the rest of it searching for him if I have to.” My tone was cold, calm, and dangerous.

“You are being irrational and unreasonable.”

“And you are being controlling,” I fired back. “You don’t get to control my life.”

“This is for your own good.”

I sat back down, my expression still dangerously calm.

“No,” I spoke gently. “This is for you. I don’t know what the end game behind this whole sham is, but you have to be benefiting from this somehow,” I said curiously, and he immediately became tense.

“What… What the hell are you talking about? There is no end game. Mirabelle comes from a reputable family. This is for your own good.”

“You see, that’s the thing, Father. You are way too selfish to want something good for me. But I want you to be rest assured,” I said, leaning forward on my desk. “I will figure it out.” I shot him half a smile.

He didn’t say a word. The air between us was so tense. He just stared at me like he was seeing me for the first time, and before he could get the chance to say another word, the office doors opened.

Mirabelle stepped inside.

And she looked… perfect. Beautiful dark curly hair, calm eyes, sweet smile. She was composed, but when I looked closer, her eyes looked puffy, like she’d been crying.

“Zane,” she said. “I didn’t know you were busy. I’ll leave–”

My father scoffed under his breath, then turned and smiled at Mirabelle. “We’re done here,” he said sharply, shooting me one last warning look before turning and storming out of the door.

He slammed the door so hard it made her flinch a little.

Mirabelle turned to me, a small apologetic smile on her face. “I told him to go soft on you. I’m sorry if he did more than that,” she said, stepping closer. “I know work has been a lot on you. That’s why you snapped at me. I know you didn’t mean to.”

I didn’t respond.

“I… I thought maybe we could have lunch together, or probably an early dinner somewhere quiet and romantic,” she smiled sweetly at me.

Mirabelle was the kind of woman men would kill for… but not me. I didn’t hate her.

But I didn’t like her either.

“I’m tired,” I said honestly. “You should go.”

Her smile disappeared for a split moment. “Of course,” she said. “Another time then.”

She turned and was about to leave the office when I spoke.

“Why are you doing this?”

She paused, then slowly turned to look at me. “What?” she asked, looking genuinely confused.

“Why do you want to get married to me? Someone you don’t love.”

She was silent for a moment. “And what gives you the impression that I don’t love you?” she said with a wide smile.

Her answer took me by surprise. This… was weird. I just stared at her, confused.

When she was gone, I just sat there staring at the ceiling. Whenever I closed my eyes, I saw him, and it felt like he was right next to me. It had been so long, and I couldn’t get him out of my mind.

My phone rang instantly, dragging me out of my thoughts.

“Please tell me you have good news on how to find him,” I said.

“Yes, sir. I think we found something,” the voice from the other end replied.