Make Me Yours

Chapter 13

Some disappointments could be blessings in disguise, so they say. That was how Zoey thought of that lunch with Xen’s mother whenever she considered how much their relationship had blossomed since that night.

Kim Li had kept to her word and returned to Singapore that weekend, but not before sending her a written apology. Of course, Zoey had written back, telling her that all was forgiven and no grudges were ever held. Then, she had finally told her parents and friends who had been proud of the way Xen had handled it.

It was for this reason that when she had taken him to her parents’ home for the traditional Sunday dinners, her parents had welcomed him with open arms. Okay, her father had been a little resistant but before the dinner ended, he had come to see Xen for the man Zoey knew he was.

Afterwards, things had simply fallen into place. They had finally decided to go public with the Belmont project which they had coined ‘Belmont 2.0’. Ever since the public announcement that there was indeed another billionaire in town and details of what they were up to, Xen had easily been welcomed into the club of Colorado elite.

He received invitations to every fundraiser, luncheon, and auction; he attended all of them with her by his side. Their relationship had become common knowledge and Yun had called to say that they were even in papers in Singapore. The spotlight was something that was taking some getting used to, but Xen’s solid presence, support and how well he handled it made it easier for her.

When they were not working separately or attending social functions, they were cooking together, playing poker, laughing, talking about nothing and everything, trying out every restaurant in Colorado and having tons of fantastic s*x. It only kept getting better and better.

Zoey glowed like a woman in love. Her heart was filled and there was an ever present smile on her face. Who would have thought that her thirties would bring her such profound love, just when she was almost giving up?

Surreal. That was the right word for all of this. And as weeks turned into months, she let herself bask in all the goodness and bliss her new life brought her.

Sadly, only three months later, life was quick to remind her that nothing lasts forever. Bad… or good.

*****

She caught herself staring at her phone again. It was beginning to happen a lot these days. No matter how hard she willed herself to look away, it always seemed futile.

What could have gone wrong?

“Zoey… Zoey… Miss Martins!”

Shaking her head, she snapped out of her hollow thoughts and came back to life. Christ! What was happening to her?

“What? Yes? The Rogads warehouse. Where were we?”

Kelly blinked once, twice, and for the third time before finding her voice.

“You did not hear a word of the things I just said, did you? We stopped talking about the Rogads case about ten minutes ago.”

Goodness… she couldn’t keep losing it this way. She feared she would soon lose her senses.

“I’m sorry, Kelly. I was just gone for a while there, lost in thoughts.”

“Have you tried seeing a doctor? You can’t keep blanking out like that.”

She would have responded, but a wave of dizziness came over her then, and she had to take a moment. It was gone as quickly as it came.

“Don’t sound too worried, Kelly. It’s just- there is too much to think about these days. We haven’t had this many clients in ever. It’s overwhelming.”

“Uh-huh. Sure, it has nothing to do with you-know-who who has been AWOL for the past three weeks.”

“He is a very busy man, Kelly. I understand. He will call when he needs to call.”

“And his friends are busy too?”

“Kelly… let it go. Xen is the least of my problems, believe me.”

“Huh.” Her assistant didn’t sound convinced at all. Zoey couldn’t blame her. She wouldn’t have been convinced herself.

It was quite obvious that this loud silence from Xen was getting to her more than she cared to admit. How could he have suddenly gone quiet for three weeks? He had been called to Singapore a month ago on an urgent matter. And they had been in communication after he left. Then suddenly, nothing. Nothing at all. She couldn’t get through to him, his friends weren’t saying anything… all that they told her was that he was fine and would call her when he could.

Well, just when was that? She was this close to getting on a plane and hunting him down.

“Well, I think you can afford to take the rest of the day off. If you wouldn’t visit the doctor, then at the very least, you should have some rest. You really do not look too good.”

She would have argued, but she stopped herself. Kelly was right. For the past three days, Zoey had been unable to recognize herself in the mirror. She had dark circles, she seemed to have drastically lost weight and she was always so tired these days.

“You know what? I just might do that. I have been working too hard lately. The stress must be getting to me.”

“That’s right. So, with the power conferred on me as your assistant, I declare three days leave for you. Take the rest of the week off. Don’t come back until you’re glowing again and those holes in your neck have been filled up. And don’t even think of working at home. Carrie has already agreed to come babysit you.”

“Ugh… not Carrie. She’s going to mother me.”

“Which is exactly what you need. Or would you rather I called your mother instead?”

Zoey settled into a frown. “Oh. You are mean. What I don’t understand is why I listen to you, anyway? I am older by four years and I am your employer.”

“Yeah, yeah. The earth is round and life isn’t fair, blah blah blah. You may be all those things but as your assistant and friend, it is my duty to make sure that you are okay. As a part of this company, it is also my duty to ensure that everyone functions in their best capacities to take us forward. You are not in your best. To solve that, I declare that you take some time to rest, recuperate and refuel. Don’t argue with me, Miss Martins. Or I will call your mother.”

She would have picked Mariah or Jenny if she had to have a babysitter. But Carrie was better than her mother, who would hoard her like a mother hen, so she got on her feet.

“Okay… okay. I’ll be gone. Goodness! You’re such a woodpecker. What would I do with my life if I don’t have to work?”

“Netflix and chill.”