Chapter 10

Chapter Ten

Xnaurl

I raise my fist to knock on Zana's hotel room door, pausing for a moment to straighten my shirt. With a deep breath, I rap my knuckles against the wood.

"Caro, I told you I'd talk to you later!" Zana's muffled voice calls out from inside.

"It's not Caro," I reply, my gravelly tone unmistakable.

An anguished squeal pierces the air, and I can't help but chuckle. Poor thing sounds like a startled chipmunk.

"How the hell did you find me?" she demands, panic evident in her voice. "Never mind, don't answer that!"

I hear frantic rustling inside the room, no doubt Zana scrambling to make herself presentable. Or perhaps searching for an escape route. The mental image amuses me further.

"Zana, open up," I say, leaning closer to the door. "We need to talk."

"Please go away," she pleads, her voice closer now. She must be right on the other side.

I consider my options for a moment before casually remarking, "You know, I could always take this door down. Wouldn't be the first time I've had to break into a room."

There's a beat of silence, then the sound of the lock clicking open. The door swings inward, revealing a disheveled Zana. Her long black hair is piled atop her head, and her cheeks are flushed a charming shade of pink.

"Fine," she says with a sigh of resignation. "Come in before someone sees you lurking out here."

I scan the room, taking in the details as if it's my first time here. The bed is neatly made, the scattered clothes from our previous encounter nowhere in sight. My gaze lingers on the sturdy wooden table near the window, then shifts to the headboard of the bed. Impressive craftsmanship, I muse. Built to withstand...vigorous activity.

Clearing my throat, I turn back to Zana. "So, one of my managers mentioned that a certain CJAmora requested a transfer from the HR division. Care to explain why?"

Zana's eyes widen, and she fidgets with the hem of her shirt. "I... well... It's just that I can't possibly work for you now. It would be inappropriate, wouldn't it?"

I arch an eyebrow. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but haven't you stated several times, as CJ, that you don't technically work for the company?"

She opens her mouth, then closes it again, looking like a confused goldfish. It's oddly endearing.

"Also," I continue, a thought suddenly striking me, "what does CJ stand for, anyway?"

Zana's cheeks flush an even deeper shade of pink. "Oh, um...Corazana Joelle. Corazana Joelle Amora Estrada is my full name."

The name rolls off her tongue like a melody, and I find myself captivated. "Corazana Joelle Amora Estrada," I repeat softly. "It's the most beautiful name in the world. It suits you perfectly."

She blinks, clearly caught off guard by the compliment. I press on, "Regardless, workplace relations such as ours aren't even accounted for in Vormugh Enterprises' policies. So, your concerns are unfounded."

I watch as she processes this information, her brow furrowing in that adorable way it does when she's deep in thought. I resist the urge to smooth it out with my thumb.

As I watch Zana's face, a flicker of uncertainty crosses her features. I can almost see the gears turning in her head, and suddenly, I'm struck by a realization that makes my stomach clench. Perhaps she, too, will reject me.

"X," she blurts out, her voice wavering, "I don't want to be just a scratching pole for you."

I blink, taken aback by her outburst. "A scratching pole?" I repeat, my brow furrowing.

Zana's cheeks flush an even deeper shade of red. "You know," she mumbles, avoiding my gaze, "like an itch you need to scratch. I've heard that orcs are...very free with their sexual relations. And maybe that's all I am to you."

I can't help it. A deep, rumbling laugh escapes me, and Zana's head snaps up, her eyes wide with surprise and a hint of hurt.

"Oh, Zana," I say, trying to contain my mirth, "you're so much more than that to me." I pause for dramatic effect, then add with a perfectly straight face, "For one, you're also an ample cock warmer."

Her jaw drops, and for a moment, I worry I've gone too far. But then I see the corners of her mouth twitching, fighting a smile.

"You... you..." Zana sputters, her face a delightful mix of outrage and amusement. She grabs a pillow from the nearby couch and hurls it at my head. "You insufferable orc!"

I catch the pillow easily, chuckling. Her reaction is even more entertaining than I'd hoped. "Now, now," I say, holding up my hands in mock surrender. "Is that any way to treat your dinner date?"

Zana pauses mid-reach for another projectile. "Dinner date?" she echoes, confusion replacing her anger.

I nod, feeling a sudden surge of nervousness that I quickly squash. "You did win that charity auction, remember? I believe I owe you a dinner." I take a step closer, my voice softening. "Besides, I'd like to prove that you mean more to me than just a...what was it? A back scratcher?"

Gently, I cup her face in my hand, marveling at how small and delicate she feels compared to my large, calloused palm. Her skin is soft, warm, and I have to resist the urge to stroke her cheek with my thumb.

"Let me prove it to you, Zana," I murmur, my eyes locked on hers. "Give me a chance to show you what you really mean to me."

I watch as a myriad of emotions flicker across her face—doubt, hope, fear, and something else I can't quite name. My heart pounds as I wait for her response, realizing just how much I want her to say yes.