9. Zola

Chapter 9

Zola

“ W hat?”

I gazed at my boss, hoping the words she was saying to me were not true.

“Paid leave?”

She sighed. “You need some time to recuperate, Zola.”

“And what I’m … that’s what I’m trying to do right now.”

“Zola … I’m already being quite generous. I truly don’t know what else you want me to do. I’m so sorry, but this is the best for everyone. There is still so much attention on you and the case and … I really have to think of the wellbeing of the other employees here.”

I could now clearly understand what she meant and what she was trying to do.

I couldn’t complain. I lowered my head and mumbled that I understood her situation.

A short silence passed between us before she added with forced brightness, “You can still handle your workload during your leave. You can work virtually, and we can hold meetings since most of your work, as you build your client list, now will be scouting out deserving writers. I think this time at home will allow you to carefully sort through your pile of submissions and find unique talents and stories. Either way, I see it as a win-win. Plus …”

She leaned over, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “I didn’t know you were very well acquainted with Mr. Moretti. So, if you’re able to talk him into a book deal for us, we would immensely appreciate it and you will be celebrated here. Your first client possibly? That will be a massive win for you.”

I was so struck by her words that for a few moments, all I could do was stare blankly at her. Unable to believe what she was telling me at first, but then it all made sense and my eyes widened with understanding.

“Ah, non-fiction.”

“It would be riveting,” she said to me, but must have realized she was speaking to one of the victims of her non-fiction story so she changed her opportunistic expression.

“I mean … it would be incredibly moving. This whole case and events are almost unreal and there are so many sides to it we would never get to know all of them, but I do believe if we were able to, then it would really help a lot of people. You have experience with being an editor and agent plus due to your … association with Dante Moretti. I have no doubt you will be the perfect person for this.”

I managed to work up a smile. “You know what? You’re right. What I need is rest so I will take that personal paid leave. I’ll let you know when I’ve healed and recovered enough from my father’s murder to work again. I truly appreciate all your advice and assistance so far. Thank you.”

All the enthusiasm seemed to drain out of her face as she stared at me, but she didn’t dare say anything else.

At first, I felt nothing as I cleared my things and emptied out the desk I’d only set out for the first time that morning. My very own office. Inside I was cold and numb, just like I had been over the last few days. I thought of how it had been coming in this morning and drinking coffee with my other coworkers. They had shown only sincere kindness for me and it had made me feel a little warm inside.

But then that bastard had to come in and ruin it all. I could feel the chill slowly seeping into my bones again.

Great anger swept over me. Had he not done enough damage to me? I wanted to hurt him.

When all my things were in my box, I marched out of my office building and tossed the box into the backseat of my car. I didn’t even give a damn when all those things that I had lovingly collected fell and spilled out and rolled onto the floor. I got into my seat and pulled out my phone. I didn’t know how to reach him, but a quick Google search for his investment company later, I was able to get to his office.

“Dante Moretti’s office,” a crisp voice answered.

“Tell him Zola Leone is on the phone,” I growled.

She went silent for a few seconds.

“I’m afraid Mr. Moretti is occupied at the moment. Would you like to leave a message?”

“Tell him if he doesn’t call me back in the next five minutes I’m coming to his office with a loaded gun and I’m going to kill him. I swear to God I will.”

And with that, I ended the call and tried to calm down, but there was no possible hope of me calming down. I was so fired up it felt as if sparks of electricity were shooting out of my skin.

How dare he? How freaking dare he? The audacity!

I started the ignition and zoomed out of the parking lot.

I decided I really wanted to give Dante a piece of my mind, the angrier the better. I drove to his office building and parked in a reserved parking bay. Slamming the car door, I marched up to the entrance.