HIS SECRETARY

39

K E N D R A

When I saw Zachary by the park near Aunt Emerald's house, I didn't know what to react. Although I asked him in an upset way, I wasn't totally upset. There were too much emotions going on and the first one that came was my upset side. I was happy when I saw him, I was angry when I saw him, I was feeling almost all the emotion I could feel. They came rushing nonstop.

I crossed my arms across my chest while looking at Zachary. His mouth was left open but there weren't any words coming out. He seemed taken aback by my sudden appearance. Of course he would be taken aback, he was hiding from me all along.

I know that assuming is not really a good thing but I have this impression that he was avoiding me. Thinking back, we had so many moments where he should really be ashamed of. But probably not to the point of hiding even from hos secretary.

"I'm sorry if I didn't informed you about my whereabouts. I admit my fault in that area." he started off and I looked at him.

He looked stressed and haggard.

"Aside from helping Kendrick find her sister---"

"You still haven't found her?" I cut him off and he sadly shooked his head.

I'm sure that he didn't find me yet because I was still here as Violet. I just wanted to make sure if they were getting any closer. As much as possible, I should be updated with their move. I didn't really want to use Zachary as my way in acquiring an update but I had no choice. He's my only key in unlocking several information about Kendrick's actions in finding me. Being updated is an important thing for me.

"We still haven't found her Violet. The reason why I wasn't at work for the past few days is because I was in Barcelona." he informed me and my mouth almost released a gasp.

Barcelona? Oh my God. Don't tell me that he checked the place if I was there?

"What did you do in Barcelona?" I asked to make sure that my speculation wasn't false.

"Kendrick said that Barcelona is where their grandmother lived. It was their grandmother's hometown and he thought maybe her sister went there. That's the reason why I flew all the way from New York to Barcelona."

Goodness gracious. I was freaking right. My brother might have told Zachary that there is a chance that I'll go to Barcelona. I made the right decision to stay nearby.

First of all, I am aware that if I ran away, which I did now, they would look for me in Barcelona first. It's a common knowledge if they take into consideration of how attach I am to Barcelona due its connection to my grandmother. But I was smart enough to not fly all the way to Spain just to get caught by my family. I had them good there.

"You went all the way to Barcelona to find your special someone?" I played along even if I know everything.

"I wasn't expecting to find her there. Her name wasn't listed on the people who took a flight to Barcelona. It's already a hopeless case but we still wanted to at least make sure." he answered.

I couldn't help but falter. Now I'm confused whether what I did was right or wrong. There are so many people who were affected by that one single action I made. But what can I do, I already did it. I already ran away from home. And my heart is still not in a state to go back to the house. I don't want to be tied into something that was forced by my father.

"Why are you here in Brooklyn Heights?" I asked again because it wasn't a normal sight for Zachary to be here.

I know where he lives. Kendrick once told me where Zachary lives. And he lives in the same town as my parents' house.

"I suggested to look nearby. We would never know if she's here if we don't find out." he answered my question..

I swallowed the lump that formed in my throat. So Zachary also has the same kind of mindset as what I have. I was impressed that he thought of the idea of me being nearby but I don't want to acknowledge it. The more Zachary thinks like me, the higher the chance of them finding me. And I can't afford it to be caught right at this moment.

"Why do you do all the hard work? You also have a company, Sir. Shouldn't you worry about that first than this?" I pointed out because I literally had so many frustrations regarding his absence.

"I volunteered to do the tiring work. I was also desperate in finding her." he said and I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed.

He was going through so much just to find me. There was this small tiny voice that tells me to just go back but I know it wasn't time. It wasn't the right time.

"But that's not the only reason why I volunteered to go to Barcelona." that made me looked at him again.

"Not the only reason? What do you mean by that, Sir?" I asked and he looked at me in a way that made my heart leap. It was the first time for me to see this side of Zachary.

He looked... vulnerable.

"I wanted to think." he stated and I couldn't help but ask. "You were thinking for one whole week?"

"I had too much turmoil in my mind. There were too many knots that I had to untie. I needed a hefty amount of time to think, Violet." he told me.

I couldn't help but stare at him. I know how every person in this world is silently fighting a battle within themselves. And Zachary isn't an exception to that. What in the world is his problem? What is he fighting with to look so lost and so...broken?

Is he having some problem with his family? Taking inti consideration his history with his father, it is not unlikely for him to have some issues with his family. But the look on his eyes tells me that it is not about his family. That it was about something more. Something deep. Something he wants me know.

"Hefty amount to think of what?" I asked and his answer to my question made me stop. "To think of how I should treat you. I'm lost, Violet. So darned lost."