Catastrophically Yours

Chapter 1

"You have to help me out, Zara." Robbie says in his pleading voice again for umpteenth time today. I was tired of his excuses. It was always same pattern. He gambled what he had and knee deep in debt, he would come crawling back, asking for money. Money that I didn't have and had to work two jobs to pay bills.

"I can't help you, Robbie." I tell him firmly.

Things have been hard for me and I was struggling to keep up with the bills as it is. I had to look after my mother ailing from cancer. To top all this shit, my boyfriend Robbie was an asshole.

"It's not like you haven't done it before. Just hack one more time and it's good money. I promise this would be a last time."

"No." Before I could comprehend, his hand connects with the side of my face, making it sting. This wasn't anything new. It was his pattern. First, he would butter up and if it didn't work, he would use brute force which ended up bad for me if I disagreed with him and the next day, he would pretend like there was nothing wrong. I didn't ever get an apology from him.

We had been dating for six months and I don't have a clue why I was still with him. He was full of crap. In the last few months of dating, he had moved in with me without my consent as he needed place to stay. He constantly crash at the bar I work in, and every time I end up paying bill for the drinks he orders for himself and his friends.

"Don't forget that me and my friends are coming by the bar later. I hope the drinks are on you."

With that, he leaves me in tears and a fingerprint on my face. I get up, get dressed and get ready for my evening shift. I hated makeup, but today I had to apply it in order to cover the fingerprint that highlighted my face.

I receive the text message and assuming it might be from Mama, I open it. "Impressed by your work. I have a job offer if you are interested - Shadow

Shadow? Texting me? It was highly unlikely. It was probably someone impersonating as him. I've been fan of his work since I discovered my passion for programming.

So instead of replying, I try to trace the source of message and fail, yet again. There is no servers I cannot get into. Well, except for Shadow's because I've tried multiple times and have failed miserably.

Yet, I don't trust this source. How can I believe him? If it was indeed Shadow, how did I manage to get his attention?

Did he found out about my recent heist? It was twenty-five thousand dollars from some billionaire's account. I know I was very careful about it. I did a little dabbling every now and then if the things were really tight. I know it was wrong. No one ever noticed when little money is gone, but I know I stole much more than couple of bucks this time. Not many billionaires noticed with the little money gone and it was almost two months since then. I didn't want to steal. It was a quick pay for medical bills that were piling up.

After contemplating for couple of seconds on how to respond to the text, I politely decline his offer. That was safe play. "I appreciate the offer, but I cannot possibly believe you are Shadow, and I am not interested in any hacking job."

I wanted the job and I wanted an honest work. But it was hard to find job when there is a lot of competition and the companies required certificates and not the talent.

I was a hacker with morals. Robbie hated that about me. He wanted me to do it more often and he didn't want to stop with only money. I didn't tell him about the latest heist. If I did, he would take the money I needed so much and use it to party with his friends. He didn't give rat's ass about anything but himself.

This was my place. It was something I could afford to live on my own. Robbie moved in with me without even considering how I felt about this level of intimacy.

I am drawn out of my bitter sour taste of life when I receive another text from Shadow. "What if I offer you an interview? No certificates required."

Well. That's interesting. I wonder which company it is. This was dangerous waters and I remind myself to tread cautiously. "What company is it?" I ask him.

"KC Industries. Tomorrow at 10.00 am sharp." I get response from Shadow. Where did I know that name from? That name was too familiar. I immediately google it and the screen pops up with the company details and founder information. There were few articles and interviews which read - The youngest successful Business tycoon Kevin Cooper and very few pictures were available.

I didn't have the clarity to view the pictures as my laptop screen was scrambling again. I know it was that time to purchase the new one. Unfortunately, I couldn't afford it.

I also realize that I stole from him. This job offer was probably a trick to lure me in. Should I confront Shadow? I decide against confronting him and try to decide if I should take up the offer for interview or not.

This may turn out to be the greatest decision or turn out to be one of the nightmares and I may end up in jail. But I was willing to take the offer because I'm tired of doing these odd jobs and I cannot keep up anymore. And I wanted to breakup with Robbie too. Enough is enough. I cannot put up with his bullshit anymore.

'What if you end up in jail?' my mind screams. 'Who will take care of mama?' If this offer for an interview turned out to be bait, I would be screwed. I cannot gamble my life. Can I? What other choice did I have?

I finally respond back to Shadow. "I appreciate the offer. But I am not interested. Thank you."

Working on servers and computing programs for a living had been my lifelong dream. I was really good at it. But I was messy, and I was never on time. No matter how hard I tried.

I put away my phone inside my purse as I take a walk to my work place – Black Swan bar. It was few blocks away. Once I get there, I get inside counter and start serving drinks to the regulars. I see my boss come and I know he's about to give me a lecture about Robbie. He was aware Robbie never paid for drinks and I ended up paying with my pay check every single time. My boss was a nice man and he didn't like Robbie taking advantage of me. "Hey, Zara."

"Hello Boss. Need a drink?" I ask him.

"Your boyfriend is here."

"Already? Oh God! I don't have a strength to deal with him right now."

"Do you want guards to send him away?"

"No. I'll take care of it. Besides, if you do that, I'll have to bear the consequences later."

"Zara. You're a nice kid. He's an asshole. Why are you with that loser in first place is beyond me. You deserve so much better. Dump his ass already." I know he is right. I need to break up with Robbie and I think I should do it now. It's safe in public place.

I walk up to where Robbie and his friends are seated. He has never introduced me to his friends in the last six months we dated.

I see him making out with someone, his tongue down the throat of a bitch. As much mad as I wanna be, I am not getting angry. Why? I'm pissed that he thinks he can treat me like the way he does and expects me to pay for his drinks.

"Robbie. We need to talk. Could you care to remove your tongue out from the whore's mouth for long enough so we can have a chat?" I ask him.

"We will take our usuals." He replies back.

"I ain't your fucking server. I came here to tell you that I am not paying for your drinks." That grabs his attention and he looks up at me.

"We will talk later Zara. Stop embarrassing me in front of my friends."

"Also, I'm breaking up with you, Robbie. I want you gone by the time I finish my shift." I see him panic stricken.

"You are fucking crazy. Guys excuse us! I'll be back. Order drinks on me." He gets up and drags me out, behind the alley.

"What the fuck Robbie?"

"You can't break up with me. You know what I can do.

"Watch me! I already broke up with you. I should have never dragged this for months. Going out with you in the first place was a biggest mistake."

That earns me a tight slap on same cheek he slapped before, making it sting more. I push him away with all my might. "What the fuck, Robbie? You were making out with that bitch. And don't you fucking dare tell me that you were doing it for us. That's your fucking excuse for everything."

"I don't have to explain anything to you. You fucking bitch. You are such a tease. We have been dating for half a year now and we are living together and yet, you wouldn't let me get close to you."

I know I might get beaten up pretty badly, but I have this strange urge to not give a fuck and fight back tonight. I'm breaking up with him and that's it.

"So you will cheat on me and go sleeping around? And let's not forget, you never introduced me to your friends. Not even a single one of them."

"I'm a model and I have an image to maintain. Let's not forget how fat you were." He bites back.

Is he fucking kidding me? I didn't beg him to date me. Image my ass!

"Some fucking loser model who needs to sleep his way up. And don't forget, without me there wouldn't be roof over your head. You didn't even bother to ask me before you moved in. It was supposed to be only for few days. That's what you said right? And yet, you've crashing at my place for almost four months now. I want you gone by the time I am done with my shift, Robbie."

He knew I was serious. The moment those words were out of my mouth, I see Robbie turning red with anger and slams me against the wall before punching me in my face. I blink back the tears before I feel myself pass out and I hear some sort of muffled voices.

"Ms. Ali? Zara?" I can hear a deep voice. The voice felt like a melting honey, smooth as silk. I feel him lift me in his arms and I wanted to open my eyes and take a look at him. I feel hot and cold at the same time. The weather is cold, but I am pressed against his hard chest and he smells so manly, the mixture of his scent was an assault on my senses. His woodsy scent surrounded me and consumed by entire being.

My head hurts and I'm still unable to open my eyes. I feel him lift me again and carry me somewhere and in my mind, even though I should be panicking, I feel safe in a way.

I wake up on the soft mattress and the fluffiest sheets. I realize that I am still in last night's clothes. So whoever helped me last night, didn't do anything immoral with me. I'm relieved. As I adjust my eyes to the darkness, I feel my stomach growl with hunger and my head feels like it is going to explode and I'm not sure if it is because Robbie hitting me or I'm starving.

I always get headaches when I don't eat. I get up from bed and go out in search of kitchen. I look inside fridge to find some Kale and broccoli. Who in hell eats that stuff?

Yucky!! As I raid the fridge, I hear someone clear their throat from behind and it makes me jump. I get the same familiar scent around me, and the energy in the room has shifted. "Hey"

"Hello. T-thank... thank you for saving me last... last night." I hated my stutter. It came out in the worst of times. I feel my eyes blurring with tears and I try to hold them back. The stranger was so handsome. Even in the soft dim lit atmosphere, he was sex on the stick. I have never come across any man this forbidding, masculine or dangerous and oh boy, he looked so dangerous. That chiseled face and the sharp nose and a jaw... I am getting aroused in places I wasn't aware of. That 5'o clock shadow beard didn't help either.

"It's alright. You don't have to thank me. How are you feeling now?" His energy was strong. I can hear my heart hammer in my chest and in my ears. Probably he can too.

Six months of dating Robbie and I was never this excited. "I... I feel like my h-head is go...going to explode." Great. This is the time my stutter decides to stick with me. I hated that I'm stuttering in front of him. He smiles at me warmly before he speaks again.

"Don't be scared sweetheart. Why don't we start by introducing ourselves? I'm Kevin. Kevin Cooper."

Why does that name rings a bell? Kevin Cooper.. Kevin Cooper.. Oh God! Kill me now! Kevin Cooper as in the person I stole from. I gulp and feel my throat dry. Seven fucking billion people on this earth and he had to be the one to come for my rescue. Great!

In the dimly lit kitchen, I couldn't see much of his sharp feature. He was tall. If we were in close proximity and not across from each other, with the kitchen aisle in between, I bet he can easily tower over me. My mind was calculating ways to get the hell out of here, and my heart was racing million miles per second. Why was he even at Black Swan? That wasn't a decent enough place for Billionaires.

Why does this all feel not so much of a coincidence? First, Shadow tracks me down offering interview in KC Industries and now the man I stole from was at my work place.

I see that he was still waiting for me to answer him. "I... um.. I'm Zara."

"How are you feeling Zara? Should I call a doctor?"

He sounds so caring and considerate. Apart from Mama, I haven't had anyone speak to me that nicely. And Mama.. Allah knows how long I have with her. I didn't want to drag my luck and wanted to get the hell out of here.

"I must leave. Thank you again." Finally, I succeed in framing few words.

"What's the rush?" I hear him say, stopping in my steps abruptly. "You have something that belongs to me, sweetheart."

Vahe guru! He was surely referring to the money I stole from him. He knew. He knew! I slowly turn around to face him. I couldn't comprehend his tone. He sounded warm, with just an edge of threat and danger in his voice. My gaze moves from his stubble to lips and finally settle on those eyes. They were Grey – Stormy and calculating and cold shiver runs down my spine. There was something about him that screamed danger.

He closes the distance between us, causing my heart to race wildly and I wasn't sure if it was excitement of being within this close proximity to him or if it was from the fear of getting caught and being handed over to the authorities. "What's the hurry Miss. Ali? Do you not remember that you stole from me?"

My entire body was trembling, and I knew I was close to hyperventilation. A panic shot through my chest. Mama. Who will take care of her if I am handed over to the authorities.

"Please." I whisper. My head was still pounding from the migraine and I was worried about mama. I know she didn't have much time left, no matter how hard I denied it. I know I couldn't accept the fact that mama may not survive, and we didn't have money to pay bills.'

"What is it you propose, Zara?" He asks.

"Anything. Please just don't hand me over to the authorities." I plead.

I see that devilish glint in those eyes again. I may have just signed my death warrant with the most ruthless Business mogul there is.

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