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Chapter 127
~Zara’s POV~
It was Sunday morning. It was a beautiful day but the mansion felt oddly quiet. Snow had left early for a meeting, and I decided to take a breather with Tempest and Aira still navigating the emotional wreckage from the night before.
Grabbing one of the keys to Snow’s car, I slipped into a comfortable sundress and sandals. It had been too long since I’d had a moment to myself, and today felt like the perfect time as a simple plan formed in my mind—ice cream.
The idea of strolling down the quaint streets of town and savouring a cone of something sweet was strangely appealing.
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The drive into town was smooth, the rhythmic hum of the car engine keeping me and my thoughts company. The vibrant stores and bustling sidewalks came into view, and I pulled into a small parking lot near an ice cream shop I’d passed by a few times before.
The smell of freshly baked waffle cones filled the air as I stepped inside, and the cheerful hum of people chatting made me feel at ease.
After ordering a scoop of salted caramel, I stepped outside to enjoy the treat in the crisp morning air.
I hadn’t taken more than a few steps down the street when I heard a familiar voice.
"Zara?"
I turned, my heart skipping a beat as I saw Andrew Blake standing a few feet away, dressed casually but still exuding that effortless charm. Beside him was Zade, his piercing blue eyes locking onto mine almost instantly.
"Andrew," I greeted, smiling. "And Zade. Fancy seeing you both here."
Andrew grinned, holding up a small bag. "Business errands. But we couldn’t resist grabbing a bite from that bakery over there."
"And you?" Zade asked, his deep voice warm yet slightly teasing.
"Ice cream," I replied, lifting my cone. "Simple pleasures."
Andrew chuckled. "Well, it’s a good day for it. Mind if we join you?"
I nodded, and the three of us began strolling down the street. Andrew fell into step beside me, while Zade walked just slightly behind, keeping a low but firm presence.
We talked about nothing in particular—Andrew’s business ventures, the quaint charm of the city—but the dynamic was easy.
Still, I couldn’t ignore the occasional glance Zade would shoot my way as if he were trying to decipher something about me.
Just as Andrew was about to comment on the city’s architecture, his phone buzzed. He pulled it out, his expression turning serious as he checked the screen.
"Sorry," he said, holding up the phone. "I need to take this."
He stepped away, leaving me and Zade alone. The sudden quiet between us felt charged but not uncomfortable.
"Do you come here often?" Zade asked after a moment, his voice breaking the silence.
I shook my head. "No, but I needed a break from... everything."
He nodded, keeping a thoughtful expression before muttering something. "Last night was a lot."
"It was," I admitted. "But it seems like it wasn’t just me dealing with surprises."
He chuckled softly, a sound that felt oddly soothing. "Fair enough. Although I’d argue you had the heavier weight to carry."
I smiled faintly, taking another lick of my ice cream. "You know, you and Andrew are close, aren’t you?"
His gaze softened, and he nodded. "We’ve been through a lot together. He’s family in every way that matters."
The way he said it carried a weight, a depth that hinted at stories I wasn’t privy to.
"Andrew’s a good man," I said. "Though he seems... calculated, sometimes."
Zade smirked. "That’s Andrew. Always thinking ten steps ahead. But his heart’s in the right place."
We turned, waiting for Andrew, when he mouthed something I couldn’t quite place but Zade seemed to have understood as Andrew walked away.
"Come, let’s be on our way. He needs to take care of something regent."
"Sure."
As we walked, the conversation flowed more easily. Zade had a way of speaking that made me feel at ease like I could lower my guard without fear of judgment.
We turned down a quieter street, the noise of the main thoroughfare fading behind us. A gentle breeze rustled through the trees, carrying with it the faint scent of blooming flowers.
"So," Zade said, glancing at me. "What do you do when you’re not being the wife of an overprotective Alpha?"
I laughed, the sound surprising even me. "I work. Or at least, I used to before Snow decided I needed ’rest.’"
He raised an eyebrow. "You don’t seem like someone who enjoys being told what to do."
"You’d be right about that," I said, my tone lighter. "But sometimes, it’s easier to pick your battles."
He nodded, his gaze thoughtful. "Smart. But I imagine it’s not easy being married to someone like Snow."
"It has its moments," I admitted, choosing my words carefully. "He’s... complicated. Protective to a fault, but he means well."
Zade’s expression shifted and something flickered through his eyes. "He’s lucky to have you."
The sincerity in his voice caught me off guard, and for a moment, I didn’t know how to respond.
We stopped at a small bench overlooking a park, and I gestured for us to sit. The sun filtered through the trees, casting dappled shadows on the ground.
"I feel like I should know more about you," I said, turning to him. "You’ve been around Snow for years, yet I barely know anything about you."
He chuckled, leaning back against the bench. "What do you want to know?"
"Anything," I said with a shrug. "Start with the basics."
"Well," he began, a small smile playing on his lips. "I’ve been working alongside Snow for a long time, mostly in ventures that require discretion. I prefer to stay behind the scenes, but Andrew has a way of pulling me into the spotlight."
"Sounds intriguing," I said, genuinely curious. "Do you enjoy it?"
"Sometimes," he admitted. "But I’ve always been more interested in... deeper things."
"Deeper things?"
He paused as if considering his words. "Connections. Understanding people. Figuring out what makes them tick."
His gaze met mine, and for a moment, it felt like he was trying to figure me out.
"What about you?" he asked, his tone shifting slightly. "What makes you tick, Zara?"
This content is taken from (f)reewe(b)novel.𝗰𝗼𝐦