Hollow

Twenty | Shame

As the jet takes off, I take out my laptop and work on a few things I left undone. The flight is about 3 hours so I might as well do something productive. Just as I scroll through my emails, I notice there are several concerns and complaints from HR.

I reach for my phone to call the HR Head but and luckily, for she picks up instantly.

"Hello, Zahra."

"Hey, Heather. I hope I'm not catching you at a bad time."

"Not all. What's up?"

"I'm currently going through the report you sent and I'm a bit concerned with the number of complaints you guys have received."

"It's been a rough couple of days."

"Is everything okay?"

"Zahra, all the complaints are about Mr. Pierce, your brother." Heather replies, hesitantly. "His staff are complaining about his harsh behavior. Most people came to me to ask to be affected to another department."

"I see." I let out a sigh. "I'll handle my brother but in the mean time, do all you can to get this improved within the next 24 hours. No limit."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Thank you." I reply before cutting the call.

<<·>> <<·>> <<·>>

Marcus parks the car in the driveway of my house and turns the engine off. I step out of the car and quickly run upstairs to get changed before heading to the gym room where I find Sean, my trainer already here, setting a playlist on the sound system.

I greet him and start working out on my own first. I start off with just mild running on the treadmill followed by crunches, push-ups, sit ups, pull ups, weights and finally boxing.

"Sean, I'm tired."

"That's what happens when you miss a whole month of training." He says, giving me with a disappointed look as I whack the punching bag. "See how weak your punches are?"

"I know, I'm sorry."

"You need to focus."

"Can we take a break?" I ask, attempting a puppy face.

"5 minutes."

I chuck some water down my throat and use a towel to wipe all the sweat off my neck and hands. After 5 minutes, Sean resumes the session and corrects several postures while I'm punching or kicking.

<<·>> <<·>> <<·>>

The doorbell rings and I march to the front door, opening it to find Killian staring back at me. Stepping aside to let him in, I gesture for him to make himself comfortable as I run upstairs to fetch my phone to order Chinese.

Moments later, the order's here. I grab the food and walk to the living room, placing the food on the table and running back to the kitchen. I take a bottle of wine, pouring the contents into two glasses before proceeding to the living room where I find Killian on his phone. I place the glasses on the table next to the food and walk toward him before snatching his phone away.

He opens his mouth to protest but I sit on his lap, waving his phone in front of him. After several attempts, he manages to snatch it back from my hands, still not bothering to look up at me as he focuses back on his phone. I stand up from his lap and sit on the couch opposite to him, grabbing a sushi box.

"If you're going to ignore me, you might as well leave." I mutter as I munch on my food.

He gasps, accidentally dropping his glass, wine splattering on the floor. He glances over before coming to sit next to me. "I'm sorry."

"You're lucky it didn't spill on my carpet."

To my surprise, there's a smile on his face. "Wait, you're not mad?"

"Why would I be mad? You'd get me a new one." I reply, running my hand along his arm.

"Of course." He chuckles.

I'm about to reply when his lips crush with mine. I grab his face in my hands, deepening the kiss, his tongue moves against mine as I feel my body leaving the couch; hands make their way at the back of my thighs, lifting me up.

<<·>> <<·>> <<·>>

Unknown POV

Crouching down, I find a gun strapped to the calf of the man, his wallet and a disposable phone. This man works as a supplier for Pierce Industries and Viktor just shot him dead.

"I swear the moment we get out of this mess, I better have Zahra's head on a platter."

"You look hot; a breath of fresh air dare I say." Viktor states sheepishly. "Although, you have to admit she'll kill you as soon as she finds out."

Nova raises a brow at him and picks up a glass from the table and throws it at him with all her might. He moves out of its way and it shatters against the wall. I stop her before she reaches toward him.

"You know what will happen if you try anything you shouldn't." I warn.

"Do all Russians have a bottle of vodka shoved up their asses?" She rolls her eyes.

"Watch it." Viktor growls.

I look to Nova shaking my head in disapproval and then to him. He gets the message and nods. I grab Nova's hand to get in the car.

"Boss!" A voice calls and I avert my gaze to one of my men.

"What is it?"

"We've found Ramirez."