Chapter 7 Ch Seven

• In the hushed ambiance of the standard luxurious suite where soft rays of blocked sunlight filtered through the deluxe curtains into the room, Zoe lay in a peaceful repose on the plush bed, sprawled tiredly on every part of the bed.
• The soft sheets cradled her body into a gentle sensation of warmth and comfort, with her head buried into the huge pillows that decorated the bed in an opulent decor. And for hours since dawn, her eyes had been wide open and staring at the white ceiling. She couldn't sleep further no matter how she tried.
• The distant hum of the air conditioner was the only thing that she could hear in the deep silence that settled in her room, and it wasn't like the way she had lived her life in the past two years with constant buzziness. She tossed endlessly to the other side of her bed and shut her eyes tightly to find some sleep, but nothing was helping matters even if she tried and wished.
• Her sleeping pattern had become haphazard ever since she got married to Malcolm.
• Reluctantly, she sprang up from the bed when she realized that it was not possible to sleep again even if she still felt tired, and made her way to the kitchen to find something to drink. It had been her routine to take coffee or tea ever since she left the Meyers home, because it was hard for her to eat breakfast due to her dysfunctional eating habits in their home which was caused by endlessly working. Most times, dinner was usually the only thing she had every day.
• With a cup of coffee placed upon a saucer and sizzling hot into the atmosphere, Zoe sauntered to the huge floor-to-ceiling window in the living room and pushed a chair from the one in the dining room to the spot she liked. The drapes were raised by a switch from a remote and washed away every darkness in the room, as her eyes beheld the beautiful sight of the ocean that was staring right before her eyes from where she sat.
• Her features relaxed and a faint smile graced her lips with peace, as if she were privy to a secret joy that was found in sharing her own space and not being suffocated under pressure. The luxurious suite with its lavish furnishings and serene ambiance, provided the perfect tranquility for her weary soul.
• 'When last was it that she would wake up in the morning and just find peace by herself without having to work out her bones?' she wondered in her mind. It made her think of how intensely she had lost her true self and slaved away.
• After taking her time to savour the coffee and find peace, she stood up and walked into the bathroom instantly to take her bath.
• She had a lot to change and take care of before her official job as the heiress of the corporation started fully.
• Sitting in the warm jacuzzi that soothed her body and massaged her skin softly, Zoe's eyes found the callus that had formed on her hands, and the several cuts she had sustained from working endlessly in the kitchen. Though she had been using an expensive hand cream since she got out of the Meyers, the marks seemed recalcitrant and were difficult to get rid of.
• Her eyes suddenly got wet at the thought of how difficult things had been for her, and how much she had given herself out to suffering and pain. It made her so weary to know that her life had been too miserable to the extent of piercing her soul. She had been too broken to even find the pieces to herself.
• "I guess it's time to explore my life to the fullest," she muttered as soon as she came out of the bathroom with all her hair dripping with water, and she walked to the front of the huge dresser in the room to gaze intently at her beautiful reflection. And especially, her beautiful eyes that everyone around her had made her feel so guilty about.
• Dressed in a yellow armless corset dress, Zoe found the right heels of purple colour that complemented her look. From the endless tutorials she had watched in the past days, she had found the right way to do her makeup and style her hair to look so gorgeous. And at the last moment before stepping out, she basked in the redundant scent of her feminine cologne.
• "To the spa, please," she told her chauffeur as soon as took her seat at the back of the car, and put on one of the shades that came in with the endless accessories which were sent to her by the stylist that was hired by her grandfather's assistant.
• The past weeks have been filled with pieces of training on how she was meant to live her life as a billionaire heiress, and what was expected of her by the people that would be secretly watching her moves.
• "They are all waiting to bring you down in one way or another, so be alert. Do not give anyone a reason to find your weakness!" She remembered the old man's stern words, as she slouched comfortably on the seat of the car and allowed herself to enjoy the soft blues that played.
• The spa the chauffeur drove to was one of the best in the city, and Zoe was amazed by the endless beauty of the huge building which, exuded an air of elegance and opulence.
• It was the first time in her life that she was going to a place like that to get treated, and see the beauty of having people stretch out every cramped part of her body and skin.
• She strutted to the reception desk and was respectfully welcomed by the staff all dressed in similar uniforms, as she booked the services she wanted which was the highest and top one available. Afterward, she was ushered to the room where she was to place her clothes in top security, and changed into a comfortable luxurious robe.
• "Welcome, Ms. Oliver. Please lie on the table," a young lady with a warm smile greeted her and ushered her in.
• ~`•`~^°•°^^°•°^~`•`~
• "If I don't get this treatment today, I might lose all my hair by the end of the day due to stress," Ivy lamented heavily as she and Audrey made their way into the elevator when it dinged open, and they went up to the floor where they were going to get their clothes changed.
• "Same here. Thinking about how yesterday played still gives me goosebumps at the thought of it," Audrey shivered at the thought of it, and rubbed her arms so hard like she could feel the actual cold on her skin.
• "The craziest thing of all is that my brother isn't saying anything. Malcolm isn't saying anything, and he left home earlier than usual this morning," Ivy stated in her observation as they both changed into their robes.
• "He was probably shocked too, right? Or do you think he knew already?" Audrey asked curiously as they came out of the changing room.
• "Knew? Malcolm would have that information and divorce her like that? I bet we would all be dead by now if we had treated her that same way when he probably had great use of her," Ivy frowned at the blunt truth that escaped her lips, knowing that everyone in her family was still restless with Zoe's newly attained position. It was still a shock that was hard to process.
• "Do you think Mum-in-law is going to be fine? She looked so enraged yesterday. Maybe we should have brought her with us," Audrey suggested thinking how hard it was the previous night, for the maids that worked for Irina.
• "Mum? She will be fine one way or another, because her favorite daughter is going to be with her. I bet she still cannot get over the shock," Ivy mouthed and rolled her eyes, as they both made their way into the hallway that led to the room where they were supposed to get their spa treatment.
• The two ladies proceeded to lay on the soft, plush massage tables draped with sumptuous linens beside one another, as the spa attendants began to rub into their skin, a delicate blend of aromatic essential oils with a subtle fragrance that wafted through the air.
• "But don't you think she might come for us? She looked so fierce on that stage, and I sensed something different when our eyes met," Audrey pointed out, without mentioning names so that the ladies working the oil into their skin would not get a hint of what they were talking about.
• "Please, don't jinx it. I could barely sleep last night due to anxiety and instant depression. My brother wouldn't let any harm come to us. I'm sure of that. She knows better than to mess with a man like him," Ivy interrupted.
• "I bet I will suffer less if she truly comes for us. I didn't take part in all that you guys did," Audrey quickly added.
• "What? You want to save yourself now? You'll suffer for Aaron's sins. He is the worst kid ever you know?" Ivy said with a tone that was laced with mockery which made Audrey frown instantly. She hated that Ivy knew how to make her shut up.
• "Can you apply extra oil to my neck, please? It aches from scrubbing too many floors," the voice came from the other side of the room and that was when they realized that some lady was getting her treatment done on the other side of the large, deluxe room.
• "Okay ma'am," the assistant answered.
• Audrey and Ivy froze immediately when they heard the voice that spoke, and their eyes darted instantly to the other side of the room as they raised their bodies. Their jaws dropped as their eyes widened in disbelief, as if a jolt of electricity had coursed through their veins leaving them breathless.
• "Zoe?!" Ivy muttered with great shock as her eyes came face to face with her worst nightmare.
• Their nightmare was staring at them.