Hollow

Twelve | Care

I pull my phone out my pocket to text Paris that I'm already here when I hear the scrapping of a chair. I look up to find a young man staring down at me.

"Uhm, can I help you?"

"Do you like football?"

I lock my phone and place it on the table. "I guess. My daddy was a sports person so it kinda rubbed on me."

"Daddy as in boyfriend?"

"How old are you?" I ask out of curiosity.

"I'm 20."

I bite my lip to stop myself from laughing. At last, he commits to his failure and stands up, walking away. I'm pretty sure he's not coming back; a guy can only take so much blows to the ego. After that embarrassing experience and an eternity later, twenty minutes to be exact, Paris finally decided to show up.

"So, I heard you're graduating soon. That's big!" She replies squashing my side.

I hum in agreement.

"Why aren't you excited?"

"I had different plans in mind after graduation." I reply, diverting my gaze from my food. "I thought I'd just hand the corporation over and move on with my life but I can't."

She pauses her eating. "Your parents trusted you with Pierce Industries, Z. You can't just give it away."

"I know. Anyways, enough about me. What are you doing over the next few days?"

"I have a Balmain show then I'll probably just tour around the city." She replies popping a fry in her mouth.

"I'm flying to Barcelona to meet a client. Why don't you and Jas come with me? It could help you decompress after your show."

"Okay, let's do it!" She exclaims excitedly.

I chuckle shaking my head. "I just hope our livers recover from this."

"Not a chance."

<<·>> <<·>> <<·>>

Arriving at my house, I quickly remove my seat belt and reach out for my bag and groceries in the passenger's seat. I walk inside the house and place the groceries on the kitchen counter. Turning around, I notice Luca's reflection in the mirror on the wall next to me; he looks deeply engrossed into the football game on TV.

I wash my hands and I grab the box of pizza before strolling into the living room. I place to the box on the table and Luca sits, grabbing himself a slice.

"What's up?"

He shrugs. "You know, the usual."

"That was a fantastic hat trick!" I comment, pointing to the TV to annoy him.

"You don't even know what a hat trick is." He laughs.

"Yes, I do."

He shakes his head but I saw a a small smile stray on his lips.

I roll my eyes and we shift our focus to the match.

<<·>> <<·>> <<·>>

Unknown POV

If Zahra finds out what we were planning behind her back, there's no doubt she'll have us killed. In fact, I think she puts the ass in badass and if I don't want to end up like Roman, I'm going to have to make sure I'm careful around her.

"She's beginning to suspect something." I state, locking my gaze with hers as shits on the couch with grace and fluidity.

She smirks. "Are you always this worried?"

"Worried or careful?"

"Didn't you say you had everything under control yesterday?" She asks folding her arms across her chest.

"Unfortunately, your boss is so fucking self-centered that she broke up with me over a minor disagreement."

"You fucking piece of shit! We could lose everything because of you!" She snaps earning an eye roll from me. "We all have our asses on the line and you're out here acting reckless."

Well, darling, that's your loss. I have other plans and once the big boss pulls out his final move, you'll be all alone and at Zahra's mercy.