Who is the real jerk?

"We brought your favorite food." Kate grinned and showed the bag. Pushing her aside, she walked inside while Ziana stared at her favorite person.

"Why are you here?" She asked crossing her arms.

"Why are you standing there?" Kate asked turning around as Ziana blocked him at the entrance. "Come in, Zay." She smiled at him.

Zay? Eww! What was wrong with her best friend?

"Coming," Zayden replied and stepped inside. He almost crashed into Ziana, causing her to stumble back.

"And Zia, why didn't you ever mention Zayden?" Kate asked placing the paper bags on the dining table as Zayden walked to her.

"I never expected you'd have such a sweet childhood friend." Kate joked taking out the boxes and Zayden helped her with a smile.

Childhood friend? Wait, did she just say sweet? That word made Ziana scoff out loud.

"Let me arrange it. Can you get the plates for me?" Zayden asked taking the bags and Kate nodded.

Ziana frowned as they arranged the table, smiling at each other. Her face grimaced as Kate laughed at his joke. What did this jerk do to her bestie?

"You and your brother really creeped me out." Kate mumbled with a chuckle."If not for your mother's clarification, I would have almost put you behind bars haha."

"I was teasing Ziana earlier in the morning." Zayden confessed looking in Ziana's direction. And turning to Kate, he joked, "I hope that isn't considered a crime."

"No, hahaha! I am glad you decided to visit her during your business trip."

"I missed her very much and wanted to check if she was doing well." Zayden answered and smiled at Ziana who felt like a third wheel.

Ziana stared at him and tried to understand the situation. So he manipulated her? Now that was bizarre!

"Zayden, can we talk separately? Kate will set the table." She demanded crossing her arms. How dare this useless piece of shit play with Katie's mind? She needed to talk about it.

"Sure." Zayden nodded and they both walked to her room.

Ziana turned around and crossed her arms as they walked inside. Zayden imitated her actions and crossed his arms. She stared at him and he smiled back at her. They looked at each other for exactly three seconds before Ziana gave up. Seriously, this guy was becoming a cringe button for her!

"What did you do to her?"

"I just covered up the morning incident."

"What did you say?"

"We were childhood sweethearts and I was here to visit you. You were so happy to see me and forced me to stay for breakfast. But since I had a long flight, I wanted to take a quick nap so you took me to your room." He explained with a smile.

In fact, it was his mother who compelled Kate and narrated this story. But he wanted all the credit.

"And she believed you?" Ziana asked raising a brow.

"I made her believe it." Zayden replied with a proud smile.

"And what else did you cook up?" She asked crossing her arms. His humble personality would have prompted him to exaggerate more.

"Nothing else." Zayden answered but his smirk made her anxious.

"But I said you had a huge crush on me."

Ziana's eyes widened in shock. And his next statement curled up her fists.

"And you even cried clinging to me when we changed cities."

"I hid our relationship very well. So you don't need to worry about it." He added with a pleasing smile but her face stiffened.

This jerk! How could he say such things?

"You know what?" Crossing her arms, she yelled, "You suck!"

"Thank you." Zayden smiled and made her feel terrible. This guy was really sucking the peace out of her life!

"If you are done, shall we go out? I think Kate has a lot of questions for us." Zayden smirked and turned around to leave. He wasn't asking for her permission but warning her to welcome more torture.

Kate was completely manipulated by his mother. She even liked him thanks to their lovely chat about Ziana and that would burn his little wife with fury.

Oh, he would love it! He smirked and walked out.

"Oh, you guys are here." Kate mumbled as she finished setting up the table. "I was about to call you." She smiled and placed the water jar.

Kate and Zayden sat on opposite chairs, while Ziana stood like a stone. No, she wasn't ready to be on their barbecue!

"Come, sit." Zayden turned around and smiled at her. Even Kate looked at her and she dragged herself to the table.

She sat beside Kate, her eyes glaring at the cunning man.

Even if she politely asked him to get lost, he wouldn't budge. Would he? She sighed and decided to endure it. Once this lunch was over, she would definitely throw him out.

"I heard you were very fond of him. Is it true?" Kate asked while filling their glasses. Zayden had chatted a lot about their childhood days and she was pretty much convinced that young Ziana was in love with him. Alas, that was all a lie!

"Yes. I liked him very much." Ziana mumbled glaring at Zayden. Cutting the steak, she added, "To the point that I once choked him."

And when Kate blinked in confusion, she faked a laugh, "It was so funny hahaha."

"And sometimes I wish I could recreate that moment again." She faked a smile and Zayden smirked. He expected nothing less from her.

"You guys must have fought a lot." Kate commented seeing them staring at each other.

"Was she an oddball during her childhood as well?" She asked while slicing her steak. She had never heard any childhood stories from Ziana and now that her old friend was here, she was curious about everything.

"No," Zayden shook his head. Bringing his fork to his mouth, he added, "But she sometimes acted like a wild raccoon."

He smirked while enjoying the steak. Ziana's expression made the food more delicious.

"Hahah, she is still a wild raccoon. You should see her when she is drunk." Kate joked making Ziana clutch her fork. Yes, they were really lowkey roasting her now!

"Wait, should we grab a drink tonight?" Kate suggested excitedly and Ziana put her fork down. It was her time to disappear.

"Sure!"

"That's great! Let me book a private room." Kate happily took out her phone but Ziana held her hand.

"He has some important meetings with clients." Ziana gritted her teeth and stared at Zayden. He better not spoil her quality sleep tonight!

"I can cancel it for you." Zayden replied with a smile. And his words melted Ziana's heart. Oh my god, he was so sweet that she wanted to puke at him.

"You need to rest. You haven't slept a wink since last night." Ziana came up with another reason making Kate sigh. Snatching her phone, she placed it aside and smiled at Zayden, "And you don't need to cancel it for me."

"But,"

"Eat." Ziana cut Kate's excitement and stabbed her steak with the knife. Only if this steak was Zayden! She wanted to tear him apart.

"Did you book a hotel? No, right?" Taking her phone, she added, "Let me search for you. It's better if we find one near your office."

And far away from her house. Ziana thought with a fake smile as she searched for hotels. She wanted to get rid of him asap.

"No, that's not necessary." Sipping his coke, Zayden smiled, "My assistant is looking for a house since we have to stay here for a few months."

"Until then, I will stay here." He declared only to aggravate her rage. Smiling at Kate, he mumbled, "Hope you don't mind it."

"Of course not! You can stay here as long as you want. I would love to hear her childhood stories." Kate replied with a smile. They even clinked their glasses, causing Ziana to frown deeper.

Excuse me, this was her house! She would decide how long he could stay here.

"And I would love to hear more about her college days." Zayden sipped his wine and smiled at Kate. He smiled seeing Ziana fume with frustration

"Oh let's not talk about those horrific days." Kate mumbled and shook her head. She even sighed disappointedly that Ziana's eyes popped out.

No, don't you dare! She glared at Kate who wasn't intimidated by her warning.

"Why?"

"She was in love with a jerk for 4 damn years!"

And Ziana stopped eating. She glared at her in anger. No, she would not talk about that jerk in front of this jerk!

"And guess what?" Kate ignored her reaction and continued, "He broke up because she couldn't crack the civil exam. Can you believe it?"

Zayden shook his head and took another sip of his drink. Oh, he was loving this conversation.

"You never said you wanted to join the civil forces." He asked looking at Ziana. And smirked when she glared at him. Why would he care about her life?

"Oh, she wants to join the detective unit. It's her second attempt and I am pretty confident she will qualify this time." Kate mumbled and smiled turning to Ziana.

"She will also get into a higher position and slap that jerk's face." Kate said much to Ziana's displeasure. No, she was not allowed to talk about that jerk in front of this big jerk!

"I am rooting for you." Zayden raised his glass and smiled at Ziana.

"But, choose wisely next time." He commented, sipping his wine. "It looks like you have poor taste in men."

"Yes!" Ziana nodded and glaring at him, she glowered, "That's why I married a jerk like you."

Oops! That was unnecessary.