The white bright light of day streamed through the thin fabric of the hospital curtains.
Zara woke up in a bed white as snow. Her wedding gown had been changed to a medical dress and she had a white bandage taped to her forehead.
Her head swirled with thoughts as she fought to remember what had just happened.
She remembered the wedding, and her father's renouncement, and….
"You're awake."
Zara was startled at the deep husky voice that seemingly came from the door. There was a shadow, so she hadn't noticed him there before.
"I'm Kai, Kai Frost." He extended an arm for a handshake.
Zara looked at him with a sneer. He was undoubtedly gorgeous, with sleek auburn hair and glossy brown eyes.
His sharp cheekbones were accentuated with wispy sideburns that ran all the way down to his chin and ended in a neatly trimmed stubble.
He had a tall build. Zara would've guessed a solid 6'5", and was dressed in a pristine navy blue suit and a gold Rolex watch that Zara believed to cost a fortune.
As modest as Kai tried to look, the man stank of wealth. Zara had met enough rich people to know that this one was among the elites.
But yet, she was not impressed.
The man had a dangerous aura about him. It was probably in the way he gazed intensely at her. It also didn't help that he was the one who rammed her off the road. And now he's asking for a handshake like they were business partners?
"You almost killed me."
"And yet, here you are, very much alive. You're welcome, by the way."
Kai replied almost immediately. Zara had already dismissed him as those filthy rich hooligans that felt they were doing the world a favour just by existing.
He didn't even feel the need to at least give her an apology. The bastard.
"I believe this belongs to you." Kai said as he brought out a sheet of yellow paper.
Zara had almost already forgotten about her earlier failed marriage. Waves of emotions crashed down on her as she took the certificate from Kai.
Kai noticed her change in mood and raised an eyebrow.
"Failed marriage?" He asked out of curiousity.
"None of your business."
Kai was taken aback by her clapback.
Unsurprisingly, the Mafia boss knew everything he needed to know about Zara already. He had profiled her from the moment of that accident.
And yet, it didn't seem like he knew her at all, even as she lay in front of him on a hospital bed.
His summary from his findings had made him to believe that she brought her demise on herself, cheating on her arranged suitor with some cheap hooligan, a mistake that most rich families of Imperial City could not afford to make.
Doing such was considered highly scandalous, and with the paparazzi and reporters hovering around, one would expect huge mishaps such as that to be publicly revealed, bringing huge disgrace to the family involved.
Apparently, she was already betrothed to a person from the neighbouring town, Bayford County.
Although, he had not managed to pinpoint the identity of the "Diego Vasquez" specified in the certificate, Zara's supposed husband.
He had to admit that there was fishy business going on about that certificate. It was very likely that "Diego Vasquez" didn't even exist. Kai already had his suspicions that it was a fake identity.
But he had already come to the conclusion that this matter was none of his business.
He may have disclosed some of this information to the disgraced heiress, give her a bit of hope and help her resolve some of her family matters, but this whole charade was none of his business, and Zara had made it clear to him.
"Alright. If that's how it's going to be, you have a visitor."
Kai up and left the hospital room, leaving Zara to her thoughts. Just as he was exiting the door, Zara caught a glimpse of something that made her question just exactly who her rescuer really was.
A 50mm pistol, nestled within the lapels of his expensive tuxedo.
She understood that rich people needed protection, but the nobles of Imperial City always had assistants and bodyguards to get their hands dirty when they needed to.
They wouldn't be brandishing such a weapon themselves.
And all the men she had seen so far were in black suits, still having that dangerous aura about them.
Moments later, Bertha hurried in. Worry was etched on her face, her makeup ruined by the rain, yet Zara felt relief at the sight of her friend.
"I was so worried, Zara. What happened?"
Zara filled her in.
"After I saw the blood, and that gremlin Collins driving out with that public toilet called Ariana, I was at a loss, Zara."
Bertha explained with tears welling up in her eyes.
"It's fine, Bertha. I'm fine." Zara said as she gave her bestie a hug. Bertha was always so emotional when it came to her safety.
"Luckily, I was found by one of his men, and they brought me here. I'm glad you're safe."
"Speaking of. Do you know who they are?" Zara asked Bertha, her tone becoming more serious.
"I'm not sure, but I know it's some shady stuff. All of them have guns, Zara, neatly tucked away in their suits. It's giving Men in Black for real."
"Or Mafia." Zara concluded.
It only made sense. Their confidence, aesthetic, and coordinated manner of doing things had to point to that.
Before they could go on, the door swung open, and Kai stepped through with a group of men in similar black suits.
This time, they weren't even trying to hide the guns.
"You will be discharged from this hospital tonight, and not a word of this would be uttered anywhere".
Kai paused, allowing the confused duo that sat before him to take it all in.
"Understood?"
Bertha opened her mouth to speak, but Zara stopped her before she could say anything.
"Why wait till tonight? I feel fine now. Bertha, let's go."
At Zara's signal, Bertha helped her pack her things. Soon enough they were ready to leave.
"I believe you're in possession of my wedding dress."
Kai snapped his fingers, and one of his men brought a freshly laundered wedding dress in plastic wrapping.
Zara took it wordlessly. Her cold gaze fixed on the intensity of Kai's stare.
For a moment, both stared at each other, the world fading into the background.
But then, she quickly walked towards the exit, lightly brushing past him. His earthy cologne drew her in like a moth would draw to light, but she ignored it.
"I don't expect a thank you, but stay safe out there. And maybe don't go running in front of cars."
Zara paused at the door. She was fuming, and Bertha must have sensed it, because this time she was the one who dragged her friend out of the hospital.
Kai watched like a cat playing with his meal as Zara's emotions surged at his words. He enjoyed toying with her.
She seemed to be the emotional type. Had it not been for her friend, he was sure she would've exchanged words with him in anger, maybe thrown a punch or two. He could tell she was very feisty.
Deep down, he felt for her situation. He knew she was being framed for something she had no idea about, but he couldn't get directly involved unless she allowed him to. And she didn't.
Truthfully, this new girl piqued his curiosity. He was mesmerised and intrigued by her, and he wanted to know more.
He wanted to interact with her on some grounds, but he knew that if she left the hospital this way, he wouldn't get a chance.
And he couldn't be direct with his intentions obviously. He had a reputation which didn't involve him chasing girls.
They were the ones chasing him.
Which was why his calculative mind quickly devised a plan.
"If you want to know more about your fake partner situation, just give me a call."
Zara paused again. How had he known about the details of the certificate? The bastard must've looked into it, and maybe found out a thing or two about the perpetrator.
It was even more likely that he didn't know anything about him and was just bluffing to toy with her.
She was already planning on finding out who "Diego Vasquez" was, but she had no leads or idea as to who he was, or where he could be, and now this man claims to know all about him?
Even if he did, Zara knew too well the kind of games people like him played.
They always wanted something in return, and having a rough idea of the kind of man he was, Zara had already made up her mind that she didn't want to be associated with him.
She took the business card from the goon who presented it to her, knowing she may never need it.
If there was one thing her father taught her, at least before he decided to betray her trust and publicly disgrace her in front of her enemies.
It was to keep your options open.