Page 12 of Sinful Lies

Suddenly, I’m hit with an idea that might solve not only Zara’s problem, but my own.

It’s insane, and it’ll no doubt piss Alexei off, but if I can get Zara to agree, then it might just put us both in the clear.

The only issue is that I don’t think Zara will come around to it easily.

I guess I’ll just have to do my best to convince her, not just for her sake but for mine too.

4

ZARA

I had hoped talkingto Bianca about my situation with Giovanni would help ease my anxiety about the whole thing, but it only seemed to make things worse.

I know she thinks the obvious solution is to quit my job, but she doesn’t understand that it would make no difference. I quit once before, and he still managed to find me.

But she doesn’t need to know that. She has enough to worry about already with a five-month-old baby, so I need to stop complaining and learn to deal with this on my own.

I had hoped that having Dimitri pretend to be my boyfriend would at least get Giovanni off my back for a couple of weeks, but it’s only seemed to spur him on more.

By taking myself off the market, I’ve made myself into even bigger challenge.

He’s relentless, calling me into his office multiple times a day just to have an excuse to watch me fulfill the most mundane tasks. Tasks that I could easily complete from the safety of my own cubicle, away from his wandering eyes.

But I can’t say no. As a paralegal, I’m required to attend all of Giovanni’s meetings, organize his calendar, and fileall of his case reports. I’m his go-to for all of his admin tasks, for which there is a never-ending list, so I’m practically glued to the man all day, every day, much to his delight.

This past week has been even worse than I imagined.

I knew it would be difficult being around Giovanni given our history, but seeing him in the flesh every day has triggered a lot of feelings that I thought I had worked through. It seems those feelings of guilt and shame have been lying dormant all this time, waiting for the right moment to resurface.

I can’t stop looking over my shoulder. Every time I go into the break room to make coffee, I keep feeling eyes on me. If someone gets too close to me in the elevator, my heart starts to race, and sweat breaks out on the back of my neck.

It doesn’t help that I’ve barely slept either. Every time I lay my head down on the pillow, he’s there, whispering in my ear as he reaches up my skirt.

I wake every night drenched in sweat, my throat hoarse as if I’ve been screaming.

I can’t live like this, but I don’t know a solution that doesn’t involve me ruining my career.

Bianca will likely call me tomorrow to discuss it further, but right now I just want to head home and crawl into bed to watch reality shows and order some takeout for dinner.

I’m exhausted, physically and mentally, so I’m hoping I’ll have a rare night of dreamless sleep.

I jog down the front steps of Bianca’s house and head across the gravel toward my car. I’ve had it since I was old enough to get my learner’s permit, and it shows.

The thing is covered in scratches and dents, but it’s gotten me through some tough times, so I will continue driving it until it gives out.

“Zara, wait!”

I groan at the sound of Dimitri’s voice.

“Not now, Dimitri.” I unlock my door.

His footsteps crunch against the gravel behind me.

“Can we talk?”

“I have nothing to say.” I open my door. “Please, I’m tired, and I want to go home?—”

Dimitri slams my car door shut, and I whirl around, furious that he’s refusing to take no for an answer.

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