Chapter 220: His Sad Truth
Skyla left the bed and proceeded to his wardrobe, taking out a slate grey three-piece suit with a satin blue tie she turned. Zyair only had a towel around his waist while he slowly rubbed his hair with a hand towel, looking grim.
Placing his suit on the bed, Skyla stood in front of him and quietly took the hand towel from his shaking hand. He bent his head and she gently began to dry his hair while he leaned his forehead on her shoulder.
"This time will pass, Zy. It will only tell us who is sincere and who is fake. The people who love you will remain standing by your side." His hair ruffled under her touch as the moisture was soaked by the towel in her hand while her assuring words soaked in his heart. fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com
"You will keep your head up, you have done nothing wrong and if people can’t see the goodness you hold then they don’t deserve to be in your life." Skyla placed the towel aside and sliding her hand under his chin elevated it up so he could gaze at her.
Raw pain was carved on his handsome face but his eyes held determination to see through this. Her soft hands lovingly held his face as she bent down, pressed her lips to his forehead and whispered.
"You are the bravest man I know, Zy. I won’t let you fall, I promise. Come let me dress you up today." He thankfully nodded.
Just like he had done so many times, today she returned the favour and properly suited him up, knotted his tie, placed cufflinks in his cuffs and the lapel pin on his notched lapel.
He quietly watched her, his silence was deafening. She had never seen him so quiet and vulnerable before.
"All set, why don’t you go and have breakfast with your mom and I will join you once I change," she suggested, straightening his lapel. Their eyes met and she could see how his very slightly tinged with fear of the unknown. fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com
"Thank you for being amazing, Skyla. I appreciate you." He tightly embraced her for a few minutes and quietly walked out of the room.
As the door closed, Skyla slumped on the floor. All the energy and that bold facade she was trying to keep for his sake, left her.
Self-blame returned in full force. She indeed was the root cause of all of his problems, if she hadn’t stepped into his life, all this wouldn’t be happening to him.
But, she had to keep going. Getting up Skyla also freshened up, changed into her office attire and stepped outside the room.
She joined Zyair and Meena for breakfast, they were waiting for her. Meena was calmly talking to Zyair and he was listening with his eyes focused on his mother and hands on the table. She couldn’t read his expressions, his face was void of emotions as if he had masked it without his mask.
"Good morning, Skyla. Come join us for breakfast." Meena turned her focus to Skyla and invited her over.
"Good morning!" Zyair dragged the chair beside him back so Skyla could sit down. She did with an appreciative nod.
"If Mithias hears of all this which I am sure he will, he will come knocking on our door again," Zyair spoke with visible distaste for the man.
"You leave Mithias to me, I will handle that loathsome man. Focus on taking care of the situation at hand. We are all with you in this, Zyair. Don’t ever think you are alone." Meena’s resolve was unwavering. Skyla was in awe of this woman, she was like a mother should be.
She filled Zyair’s plate with waffles and urged him to take a bite.
"Eat my son, we will face the world together."
Breakfast went quietly after that although Zyair didn’t eat much. They were ready to leave after. Zyair went outside first, leaving Meena with Skyla. The older woman took Skyla’s hands in hers.
"Take care of him, Skyla. He desperately needs you. I am sure he has told you what he has been through. That’s a big burden to bear and now everything he has built is at stake."
"Don’t worry, I will not leave his side. We will handle the situation." Skyla offered Meena a pained smile and tried to assuage her fears a bit.
Zyair and Skyla left the mansion after that and headed to Kincaid International. Zyair was constantly on the call as Skyla drove the car.
He checked up on Dan, who was still unconscious but the bullet had been removed from his gut. He then called Lawrence, Kail, Gairo and his team to gather up for the meeting.
Kail returned from his leave early per his boss’s call.
They reached there soon and headed towards the meeting room. Tension rippled through Zyair, he was about to reveal what could make them all hate him. The people he had known for years could become strangers in seconds.
Before they could enter the meeting room, Skyla slowly whispered to him.
"Believe in yourself, Zyair. Like you did in me."
He paused and appreciatively nodded at her before turning the doorknob and entering.
Everyone he had requested was there. Lawrence, Kail, Gairo and their media management team.
"Good morning," they chorused seeing Skyla and Zyair enter and take their respective seats. Tension was palpable in the air as some confused looks were worn by a few of the members.
"Good morning!" Zyair greeted in his gruff voice, "I know all of you are wondering why I called an emergency meeting so early in the morning." He knotted his hands on the table.
Heads nodded as all eyes focused on him. Tablets, smartphones and laptops were open in front of them as most of them were tech-savvy. He cast a deep look at all of them and wondered how many would stick around after hearing his truth. Lawrence’s deeply concerned hazel eyes were focused on Zyair and he pondered if the younger boy would feel disgusted by him.
And then his eyes wavered to his brave fiancée. She had a warm smile going for him, a nod she gave filled with courage.
Taking in a deep breath Zyair began.
"It’s related to my identity. The privacy of my home was breached and my picture was stolen. It’s expected that the thief plans to post it on the social media and reveal what I had hidden for so long."
Angry outrageous murmurs followed Zyair’s words, glances were passed here and there. Zyair continued.
"There is a reason I have always worn a mask and not revealed my identity but since it’s inevitable to do that anymore. I would need cooperation from all of you. But before I say what I want to say, hearing my truth, if any one of you wants to walk out of here and is not comfortable working under me anymore then they can without any consequences. I would only want people with me who are sincere."
Silence followed as all eyes remained on him but people slightly fidgeted.
"Boss we are with you, no matter what the truth is," Kail broke the heavy silence and Zyair slowly smiled under his mask, a broken smile before speaking.
"I was sold at the age of nine and was groomed to become a call boy, stripper, male prostitute, gigolo or whatever fancy name you want to give it. I only could get out of that life about ten years ago."