Chapter Thirty-Eight

Zella Mills - Guest House

Zella yawned, patting her wet body with the plain white towel. She hadn’t had a smidge of sleep. The bed was lumpy and unfamiliar, unlike her bed, with the memory foam mattress back at their base. They had rented a small beach house to stay in during the festival. The new surroundings had her on edge. But the prime reason for Zella’s lack of slumber was the embitterment she felt at her actions the night before.

She stared into the mirror, watching her naked body, wishing she could take it all back. Now she had no choice but to live through the consequences. She had yet to face Khloe and apologize for the kiss, but it was only a matter of time before they crossed paths.

Today, they were to retrieve the EnigmaCore prototype from Chi. Zella would meet with Chi alone, but Joe and Khloe planned to be nearby. They’d suggested being on standby near the meeting, but that was before Zella had acted on impulse, foolishly kissing Joe on the pier.

She pulled her tank top down her chest, feeling stiff from laying on the worn-down mattress.

“I’ve made breakfast!” Lola called from the dining room. “Help yourselves.”

Breakfast was the furthest thing from her mind. Zella knew she needed to have the talk with Khloe before they left for the meeting with Chi. They couldn’t undergo such a serious endeavor with tensions so high. Zella had heard Khloe and Joe arguing during the night. Only a few points of the argument had made it to her clearly through the walls. Joe had brought up Khloe’s friend Niel, which had further enraged her. Khloe responded with: “I’m not making out with Niel behind your back like you are with Zel! God only knows what you two get up to every time you’re alone.”

Zella put on the rest of her clothes: underwear, cargo pants, and ankle socks. She thought through what she’d say to Khloe. Words didn’t come to her so easily during conversations like these. She had to soul-search and establish the points she needed to get across. One thing was for certain: she had to let Khloe know she was accepting all the blame, and that Joe was not at fault. It had to be clear that this was the only time it had happened.

Marina, why won’t you answer me? She thought. This morning she’d once again tried to call Marina, seeking her advice as an older woman. It seemed that Marina was away on another of her trips. Zella breathed in deeply for a minute before deciding it was time to face the music.

*

Khloe was sitting at the dining table buttering her bagel when Zella arrived downstairs. Sensing what was about to happen, Lola and Elias got up from the table, carrying their plates. “Morning, Z,” Lola called. “We’re going to go eat by the pool.”

This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.

Zella was silent, her eyes set on Khloe, watching her clutch the knife handle tightly. She did not know where Joe was, but it didn’t matter. It was between her and Khloe now.

“Khloe, I—” she said, her planned apology speech escaping her. “I’m not good with words, but I want you to know that I’m sorry.”

The butter knife clanged on the table. The chair scraped the imitation wood floor panel. Khloe was on her feet now, turning to face her. “I put my faith in you, Z. Even after you screwed up and went against our plans.”

“Khloe, listen to me—”

“You’re the whole reason we’re viewed as terrorists. I was furious about it. But I trusted that you’d help us fight against COG and turn things around. After our day in Costaluna, I thought maybe we could be friends. Now, I know that’s not the case.”

“Khloe…”

“All this time, you’ve had eyes for Joe behind my back. You two have probably had a nice little fling.”

“It’s not like that, Khloe,” Zella pleaded. “What you saw last night was the only time it has happened. And it’s all my fault. Joe deserves no blame.”

Khloe stared back with her chin high, her nostrils flared. “He should have pushed you away sooner.”

“Khloe. Please understand. Most of my life, I have been sheltered. I’ve never kissed a guy. Never had any kind of sexual encounter. My body longs for it. I have cravings. Joe and I got a little close and I couldn’t help myself. I’m sorry if that’s not appropriate to say.”

Khloe made her way over. Zella felt it coming and could have moved, but she accepted the full brunt of the slap; the impact pushing her face to the side. Her cheek stung relentlessly. “Find your own man next time,” she said. Khloe retrieved her plate, forking a few slices of bacon onto it before heading for her room on the opposite side of the house. She paused once more to speak, not bothering to turn around and face her. “You can find your own way to Chi. Joe and I have some fixing to do.”

Khloe disappeared into her bedroom, where Joe was likely waiting for her. Zella remained where she was. Racing thoughts impaired her ability to move. She was suddenly aware that Lola and Elias may have been watching her from the other side of the large pool-facing windows. It took two minutes before she could act, deciding she didn’t want to be in the house. She’d make her way to the meeting location early. The alone time would give her space to think. She retreated to her room to grab a suitable firearm and holster before leaving.

*

On her way out of the house, she encountered Niel, Khloe’s EIA buddy, and an ex-boyfriend. He watched her intensely from the dining table as she made her way across the room. Zella didn’t know whether to acknowledge him or ignore him completely.

“It’s Zella, right?” he asked.

Zella stopped in her tracks. “That’s right. And you’re Niel?”

“That’s right,” he said, chewing on eggs.

“Are you staying with us now?”

“Yeah. I’m having a bit of a crisis, so Khloe suggested I stick with you guys for a while.”

“Great,” Zella said. Niel had witnessed last night’s kiss. It wasn’t the greatest first impression. She decided she’d be better off avoiding him as much as she could. “I need to head out.”

“I’ll see you later,” he said.

Only now did Zella realize how happy she was for a reason to get out of the house and get away from everyone. They all knew what she had done and were likely talking behind her back. The more time she spent around them, the more anxious she’d feel about what was being said. As always, social situations were the bane of her existence.