Recessive Gifts Page 10

  “Holy shit!” Zena’s eyes nearly popped out of her head. She never saw that much money in her wallet ever. She looked over at Que stunned, then back at the wallet. Quickly, she pulled her phone to her face. When she pressed her thumb on it, the screen lit up with a notice on her phone, telling her about an excessive amount of money added to her account. Zena ran her hand through her hair, as she quickly stepped back, screaming and freaking out. “How the fuck…What the fuck! I…. What part of….” She waved her hand around frantically with her phone in her hand.

  “Zena, what’s wrong?” Que placed her hand on Zena’s shoulder as she looked concerned. When Zena showed Que her phone to her, Que’s mouth dropped when she saw the amount. “Wow.”

  “I told him I didn’t want his money!” Zena shouted as she continued to freak out. “I know people would be jumping in joy for this amount of money, but I don’t want to go down the road of looking like I was trying to get money from him! The last thing I am is a gold-digger! I damn sure don’t want to make it seem like I slept with someone to get money and did things with them for it. This is way too much. I don’t want this!!!” She threw her phone in her jeep like it was on fire. She was so glad that she didn’t have anyone to brag about this. If she did, she would be looked at as a person who snuck her way into a rich man’s pockets. Someone probably would ask her for some share of the money or if they had a friend so they could get the same. Zena knew even though they wouldn’t admit it out loud, she was trying to gold dig.

  Zena pulled on her hair. “Fuuuucccccckkkkkk! This amount of money can send red flags. The IRS is going to want to know how the hell did I get nearly ten extra fucking thousand dollars in my account! They might even think it's dirty money.”

  Que gripped tightly on to Zena and shook her. “Zena, calm down! Everything is going to be ok. Don’t worry about it. No one is going to think you're a gold digger. And if anyone questions you about the money, just say it was a gift. You’re overreacting.”

  Zena started to breathe heavily, as her mind was all over the place. She wanted to know how the hell Yuri even put that much money into her account in the first place and how did he find what bank she used. Also, her last name. She never told Liam or Yuri her last name. Que was right. She needed to calm down and stop freaking out about it. The damage is already done, though she could do something about the money. “I’m giving the money back,” She declared. “I have no idea where I can find him, but I will take the money out and give it back to him.”

  “If that’s what you want to do to make yourself feel better about the situation, then go ahead,” Que said supportively.

  Zena plopped in her jeep and looked through her phone for messages and notifications. Que jumped in the back seat and read the note that was given to Zena. As Zena went through her phone, she noticed she had a text message from Yuri. What was more shocking was that his number and name were inputted into her cellphone?

  The text read:

  If something happens, you can reach me on my personal number.

  Don’t even try to give me back the money. It is a gift.

  Zena gritted her teeth, as she stared at her phone. Everything was way beyond out of line for a person to do something like this. Matter of fact, it was borderline creepy stalker territory or more like a crazy controlling boyfriend. Zena debated if she should worry about Yuri and delete the number. Yet, something in her told her not to. She should save the money and hope she will never speak to or see Yuri again. As she went through her contacts, she noticed that Liam’s number was inputted into her phone as well. Liam was a wonderful guy, but should she associate with him again? He was a close friend with Yuri, and that meant Yuri could pop up out of nowhere. Then again, she could ask Liam not to have Yuri tag along or show up. She can explain to him how she felt about his friend and didn’t want to cause trouble for her dislike for him. Liam seemed like a person who was understanding enough to respect her wishes and would work things out not to ruin or throw away his friendship with Yuri.

  Just for laughs, Zena changed Yuri's caller id to ‘Wannabe master.’ She giggled when she pressed save. Looking at what happened for the last couple of days, Zena had one hell of a ride. Everything that happened was going to be an outstanding story to tell people.

  “Well,” Zena pulled back her seat so she could be in Que’s sight. “Looks like I have nothing else to do. Want to get something to eat and play some casino games before I hop out of town?”

  “Sounds fun.” Que smiled. “Oh, before we do anything, I want to take a selfie with you so I can post it on my Instagram of our new friendship. Also, I want to see your photos.”

  “Sure.”

  Zena and Que held on to each other as they posed for a picture with Que’s phone. Zena friended Que on Instagram, Facebook, and other social media accounts she had. Zena’s account was secluded since she had made new ones and had no one on her friend's list. Zena quarried into her bag to grab her camera. She forgot about it when she fell in the cave. She wondered if it was still ok. Checking on it, the camera looked semi ok. The lens was a little cracked, and something was rattling around. The digital screen even functioned fine. She was still able to view the photos she had taken. Having a warranty was the best buy she ever made. She could find a place to get it fixed and wouldn’t have to pay for anything.

  Que grabbed Zena’s camera, amazed by the photos she had taken. “Oh, wow, you should be a professional photographer Zena. These pictures are amazing. How long have you been doing this?”

  Zena shrugged, “I haven’t done this that long. I have no idea what I’m doing. I just see something I find that would be a good picture, and I take the shot. I painted some before I left home.” Zena got out her phone and showed Que some of her paintings and drawings.

  “Wow, you are terrific and creative.”

  Zena sat bac,k as she looked through the pictures on her phone. “Yeah, I have been told that. I was going to go to school for art and filming, but I was talked out of it by my Aunt. She said if I left for a college where I didn’t have family there, it wouldn’t be safe for me. Also, if anything happened to me, then there would be no one there to help me. Thinking about it now, I should have told her that people go off to college all the time and can make it on their own. Hell, people move to different states and sometimes don’t have anyone they know in that state.”

  “Well, sometimes you don’t need college for talent. You just need to know the right people to get your foot in the door. I’m pretty sure you’ll find the right people who can help get your foot in the door for an amazing job opportunity. Matter of fact, I’ll help you get the foot in that door. If I know anyone who wants splendid photos or paintings, I’ll send them your way.”

  “Cool, that would be great to keep some money flowing so I can continue to do my freelance traveling,” Zena started up her jeep. “Welp, let us just go drop my camera off at a shop and then go have some fun.”

  *******

  After Zena dropped off her camera at a repair shop, Que and Zena went to a casino and tried their luck with casino games, which Zena got a little lucky and won extra spending money. The two went to a few Vegas shows and witnessed the fantastic sights on the strip. They saw everything, from the Bellagio Fountains down to the Stratosphere Tower. Along the way, they took many memorable pictures together to remember all the fun they were having.

  While Que was having the time of her life with Zena, she couldn’t stop thinking about the rose and the note that was given to Zena. It was like she knew something was going to happen and was conflicted by it. Whatever it was, she had her resolve and accepted it.

  Chapter 7

  Almost three weeks passed when Zena found her way to L.A. She stopped at different places that seemed exciting and new to her and stayed at each location for a couple of days. The one thing she liked the most was driving a dune buggy in the desert. She saw people on TV and in movies doing cool stuff in the desert and had always wanted to do something like that. Finally, sh
e was able to get the chance to do it. She also worked a couple of easy temporary jobs to get some more money. Stuff like cleaning and picking up trash after specific events or delivering food to businesspeople.

  Que and Zena texted and face-timed with each other nearly every day. When Zena left, Que demanded that Zena facetime with her as soon as she could. Zena couldn't help but think in the back of her mind that her magic with Que would vanish once they parted ways. The night Zena didn’t reach out to Que, Que was the one who reached out to Zena and scolded her for not calling. Since then, Que, as promised, always reached out to Zena, even if it was to say goodnight or good morning. After the third day, Zena made sure she did the same. So, once she reached L.A., she informed her new official bestie of her safe yet annoying arrival.

  L.A. looked much better in person than on-screen but damn the horrible traffic. Zena decided to pull over to waste some time at a small restaurant till she figured out what and where she wanted to go next. She scrolled through her phone to see what she could visit or do some activities.

  Almost spitting out her soda, Zena choked, as she gawked at her phone. She was shocked by what she found; Zuila’s office was in the area. Of all the places that she could have ended up, she was not that far from one of Yuri’s many offices, which was a great coincidence. She had a nice big stack of money stashed in her jeep so she could give it back to Yuri if she ever saw his arrogant ass again. She was taking a risk having that much money on her person. The sooner she could get rid of it, the better.

  Zena: Hey what are you up to?

  Zena texted Liam. She and Liam had been texting each other since she found his number in her phone. Que wasn’t the only person Zena had been keeping in touch with. She wondered how long things would continue with them.

  Liam: Work. What are you doing?

  Zena: I just arrived in L.A. I’m trying to figure out what I want to do first. Are you by some sort of cosmic magic here too lol?

  Liam: No sorry. I’m not there; I’m in a different state on business. I wish I were, though. I would love to go out on a lunch date. Maybe when I’m done, we can try to meet up somewhere to hang. Also, I’m glad you made it there safe.

  Zena: That sounds fun. And I would love to go out on a date.

  Liam: Have you been having any other problems?

  Zena: Nope. No interesting life or death situations have happened. Just me going around taking pictures and visiting places. If something ‘wow’ comes up, I’ll be sure to let you know.

  Liam: Lol. I have to get back to work. You stay safe beautiful.

  Zena blushed, as she looked at her phone. She liked the back and forth she had been having with Liam. He was funny and sweet. He also liked most of the same stuff she liked as well. So, whenever she wanted to nerd out about something or share something she saw on the internet, she had someone to nerd out with. Along with Que, of course. Zena hoped things would go well enough that he asks her to be his girlfriend. Que already announced herself as a sexual best friend with Zena and was open to an open relationship. So, it didn’t feel like the two were dating. Zena adored the relationship they built together. Que’s personality with the situation screamed, ‘we’re best friends, but we also have sex with each other and go on romantic dates at times just because we fucking can.’ It also went along with ‘we can date other people and continue what we have sexual or non-sexual. So, suck it.’

  A few hours went by before Zena went on her way to the devil’s office. Why was traffic such a pain in the ass in all major cities?

  *******

  Yuri sat at his office desk, communicating on the phone with someone. The room was a typical office for someone who manages a company. Like always, Yuri didn’t have any emotions on his face, so he always looked serious. Recently, he’d been thinking about Zena nonstop and was wondering why she kept coming up in his mind. The CEO yearned to hear her voice again, but after what happened, it probably wouldn’t be a good idea to contact her. He didn’t even know if he could make amends for what he had done. Yet, he didn’t want her to slip away from him.

  “We have to come up with a way for her to be willing to live with us, Yu,” Liam's voice came from the phone. “Also, get her to see how great of a person you are.”

  “Don’t you think I know that?!” Yuri snapped. “We can’t just say ‘hey live with us so we can have you as our pet. You can live there rent-free; all you must do is give us your time and body’.”

  “Um yeah, that seems like on the borderline of prostitution if anyone said that to a person. She would most definitely be crabby if we asked her bluntly. How about we hire her on as our assistant? We can tell her she can run our errands and take our phone calls. You know, the stuff people do when they work for a person. Anything else that happens jus’ happens. It would be a great opportunity for our affections to grow for each other.”

  “That maybe could work. But-”

  “Aye, I know, she is pissed off at you. Which leads us back to square one.”

  “Don’t worry about that. You keep doing what you’re doing, and I’ll figure out the rest from there. We need to gain her affections and trust before we can do anything. It might as well be you to do it.”

  “So how goes your little research?”

  “I haven’t found anything yet, but I’m not going to stop looking at it. There is something about her I will find out that she wouldn’t even know herself.” Yuri paused for a couple of seconds. “Que told me the other day she had seen some pictures Zena had taken. She was in the Caverns.”

  “The Caverns? Fuck’en hell! How would a human be able to get into it? Let alone see it?”

  “I don’t know. No human has ever wandered willing or by accident into the Caverns. And from what Que told me, Zena saw the path and went to it. She even sent me the pictures to show proof of it.”

  “Bloody hell, I guess you are right that there is something about her. Could she have something that became extinct and is now resurfacing?”

  “I don’t know, Liam. I’m having my men investigating into it. Whatever it is, it’s still un-awakened, and somehow without knowing it, she is using a little of it.”

  “That’s possibly why men were trying to kidnap her secretly. She’s not safe to be traveling alone!”

  “I’m already one step ahead of that. I have some bodyguards watching her from afar. I gave instructions never to let her be aware of them or approach her in any way. Their only objective is to watch her and make sure no one tries to do anything to her.”

  “That’s braw to know. If anything happened to her, I would hunt down whoever dares to harm her to the end of the fucking earth.”

  “I feel the same. We need to make sure we stop all this trafficking and kidnappings. People are starting to get aware of it all over the country, and we can’t let that happen.” When Yuri utter the words out of his mouth, he pondered why did he speak like he was genuinely fond of this woman?

  “Roger that. I’m heading on to one of Apep’s possible hideouts right now. I’ll call back to report again on the progress.”

  Yuri hung up the phone and stared at his computer, typing as he worked. Before he could fully get into his work, he got a page that someone was there to see him.

  “I’m busy,” Yuri muttered with irritation.

  “I told them that, sir, but the person insisted that she see you right away.” His secretary responded. “She said she needs to return some money to you?”

  “Well, tell her she can go to processing to do a damn return!”

  “She urges to give it to you personally.” She went silent for a second. “Uhhhh, she said that she won’t take no for an answer and that she will not leave until you see her.” She whispered, “Want me to call security?”

  Yuri sighed as he rubbed his temple. He realized who it was that wanted to see him. “Let her in. Also, cancel my meetings.”

  Zena stormed into Yuri’s office with the look of determination. Yuri couldn’t help but gawk at her as for the first ti
me, a woman made his heart skip a beat, and he didn’t like the feeling. It was a feeling he never wanted to feel ever again. Yuri closed off his emotions and wanted it to stay that way. He would do whatever it takes to keep it that way while at the same time, make Zena want him. From the way she was glaring at him, he felt he might not win this battle for once.

  “I told you-” Before Yuri could even finish his sentence, he was cut off.

  “And I told you I don’t want your fucking money.” Zena threw a paper envelope at Yuri's face. The money escaped the envelope scattering a few pieces of green paper around. Some of it splashed in Yuri’s face. “Just because you give me money doesn’t mean I will kiss your ass and fuck you down the road. I’m not a fucking whore. I’m a person with morals. And when someone says they don’t need your help, then you don’t fucking do what the fuck you want anyway!”

  Yuri sat in silence as Zena yelled at him. He could see the burning fire in her eyes. She wasn’t like any woman he had ever met. There couldn’t be another one of her. Yuri had been with many different women from all walks of life over the years he had lived, and he had never come across anyone like Zena, ever.

  “And you should accept kind gestures from people and not assume that they want something in return,” Yuri finally spoke as he stood up. He grabbed the money and held it back out to Zena. “This is yours; take it. There are no strings attached. Also, for someone who has this much fire in them, you should stop making yourself feel bad and thinking negative things will happen to you wherever you step. You act fragile, but you’re not.”

  Zena jerked her head, appalled from Yuri’s comment. “Don’t act like you fucking know me just by reactions or looking at me!” She became loud with rage. “What the fuck do you think this is, some fucking fifty shades of gray shit!? Don’t expect me to be like ‘ok I’ll take the money, and I will fall for you’!”