Chapter 401

Before Miley could say a word, Zaire snatched the phone from her.

She didn't try to stop him; she just raised an eyebrow and watched him quietly.

"Who is this?" Zaire asked, his voice cold.

There was a brief pause on the other end, followed by a polite laugh. "Hi, I'm Billy Hill. Are you Mr. Jose?"

Zaire's eyes narrowed. "You know who I am?"

Billy replied, "Miley said you were her ex."

Zaire let out a bitter laugh. "You got it wrong. We weren't really together. It was more of a business arrangement."

Billy went silent for a moment.

Feeling a bit smug, Zaire twisted the knife. "So, are you her new boyfriend?"

"Yeah," Billy's laugh was awkward. "Can you put Miley back on? I need to talk to her."

It was clear he didn't want to deal with Zaire anymore.

Zaire gripped the phone so hard his knuckles turned white. "She's in the shower."

Without waiting for a response, Zaire hung up and tossed the phone onto the bed.

He then wrapped his arm around Miley's waist, pulling her against the door. His face was angry, eyes blazing. "Already found someone new, huh?"

"Yep." Miley kept smiling. "I've told you, Mr. Jose, I'm in high demand."

Zaire gritted his teeth, pressing his body against hers. "Break up with him."

Miley asked, "Why should I?"

Zaire replied, "Because I want to renew our contract."

Miley laughed. "Mr. Jose, I'm not selling myself."

She pushed him away and turned to open the door.

But as soon as she cracked it open, Zaire slammed it shut again with his hand.

He pinned her against the door, his teeth grazing her earlobe. "Miley, whatever you want, I'll try to give it to you. Stay with me; I really need you."

Miley knew Zaire's need was purely physical. But her needs were different.

After a moment of silence, Miley smiled. "Mr. Jose, I want to be Mrs. Jose. Can you give me that?"

Zaire's breath hitched. "Anything but that."

Miley lifted her head. "But that's the only thing I want."

Zaire gritted his teeth. "Are you sure?"

Miley nodded. "Yes. I'm sure."

After a moment, Zaire finally let go.

Miley turned back and saw him opening the window, pulling out a pack of cigarettes, and lighting one.

She opened the door, paused, and said, "Smoke less; it's bad for your health."

There was no response. Zaire didn't even turn his head. The smoke scratched his throat, leaving a faint bitterness.

He furrowed his brow, exhaled the smoke, and impatiently said, "Get out."

"Goodbye," Miley said softly, disappointment flashing in her eyes, then she turned to leave.

Downstairs, Miley realized the place was pretty remote. The quiet road was as deserted as a wasteland; there was no way to get a cab.

She stood in the yard for a moment, looked back at the third floor, and saw Zaire's silhouette in the window.

There was some distance between them, and with the dim night, she couldn't see Zaire's expression clearly. But she had a feeling he was looking at her with impatience.

Sure enough, a few seconds later, Zaire stubbed out his cigarette and disappeared from the window.

She decided not to ask him for help. Miley pressed her lips together, dragging her suitcase along the path.

Just as Miley was about to contact Isabella, she heard the sound of a car behind her.

Miley turned around, squinting against the car's headlights, raising a hand to shield her eyes until the car slowly stopped beside her.

Inside, Zaire sat expressionless, looking straight ahead, his tone cold. "Get in."

Miley didn't bother being polite with Zaire. In this situation, being polite would be asking for trouble.

She didn't think that after angering Zaire, he would have the patience to coax her.

So Miley obediently walked to the back of the car, opened the trunk, and put her suitcase inside. Then she opened the back door and got in.

Zaire's brow furrowed slightly for a moment. But he said nothing, started the car, and drove off.

After dropping Miley off at Isabella's house, Zaire didn't even get out of the car. He just turned around and left.

Miley dragged her suitcase up the steps when Billy's call came in again.

Miley pressed the answer button. "Hello."

"Miley, are you okay?" Billy asked, not even sure why he was asking. He hadn't called again since then. This call came an hour after the last one.

During that hour, Billy had been restless, his mind filled with Zaire's words. "She's in the shower."

Finally, Billy couldn't stand it anymore and mustered the courage to call Miley again.

Hearing Miley's voice, for some reason, Billy's heart settled.

Miley indeed understood what Billy said. "Yes. I'm fine. Billy, thank you for calling me tonight."

Actually, Billy wasn't Miley's boyfriend. Itt boyfriend was just a lie she made up to fool Zaire.

Billy was Miley's classmate. They hadn't seen each other in years. After Miley got into college, she left her hometown and worked in Lakina. Billy, after graduating, followed his family's wishes and stayed in his hometown to work.

Billy was honest and decent, with a good family background. He was doing well at work and even had a small leadership role.

This time, Miley went back for a blind date and ran into Billy at a restaurant. They had a few meals together; Billy was very attentive to her during this time.

Miley had worked in the red-light district before, so she knew exactly what Billy thought of her.

After their last meal, Miley confessed to Billy, "I have someone I like. Because he won't marry me, I came back for a blind date."

She still remembered Billy's embarrassed expression at that time.

Miley said, "Billy, you're a good person. I don't want to lie to you."

"It's okay." Billy smiled, trying hard to appear relaxed, but he still looked a bit awkward.

Then they went their separate ways.

Miley thought that was the end of it.