The Billionaire's Forgotten Wife
Chapter 28: To feel closer to her

Chapter 28: To feel closer to her

Gianna raised an eyebrow. "You’ve got a lot of nerve asking about my love life, Salvador. How about you? Found someone new yet?"

Zeke leaned back in his chair with an exaggerated sigh. "Why is everyone so invested in who I’m dating?"

She laughed. "Because you’re Ezekiel Salvador. Billionaire. Charismatic. Divorced. A magnet for gossip. People want to know if you’re still on the market."

He rolled his eyes. "I should start charging for updates."

Just then, the door opened with a soft knock, and one of Zeke’s female assistants stepped in, carrying a small tray.

"Here’s your water, Ms. Hill," she said politely, setting down a sleek glass of chilled mineral water in front of Gianna and Zeke.

"Thank you," Gianna replied with a slight smile.

The assistant glanced briefly at Zeke, gave a respectful nod, then turned and left the room quietly, closing the door behind her.

Gianna picked up her glass and took a sip. "You really have everyone trained around here."

Zeke smirked. "They’re efficient. I like things running smoothly."

She tilted her head playfully. "Still avoiding the question, though."

Zeke chuckled. "That’s because the answer’s boring. No one worth mentioning."

Gianna gave him a look that said she didn’t believe a word. "Uh-huh. Sure."

Gianna then sat up straighter, her tone suddenly thoughtful. "Well... you’re still single, right? And so am I." She tilted her head, watching him with a glint of playfulness in her eyes. "On paper, we’d make the perfect power couple."

Zeke narrowed his eyes, unsure if she was serious. "Wait, what are you trying to say?"

She gave a casual shrug. "I’m just saying... since neither of us seems to have much luck in love, maybe we should just cut the chase and marry each other."

Zeke let out a dry laugh, almost choked. "You’re joking."

Gianna gave him a slow, teasing smile. "Maybe I am. Maybe I’m not." Then she added, "Think about it—we both have influence, we understand the pressure of legacy, and we wouldn’t get in each other’s way. It would be a logical arrangement."

Zeke raised a brow, then leaned back with a sigh. "That’s the least romantic proposal I’ve ever heard."

She chuckled. "Relax, Salvador. I’m kidding. I just wanted to see your reaction."

Zeke exhaled in relief and shook his head, a wry smile tugging at his lips. "Don’t joke like that. For a second, I thought you lost your mind."

Gianna laughed, clearly enjoying herself. "Please. If I ever do decide to settle down, it won’t be with someone whose ego rivals mine. We’d kill each other before the honeymoon."

Zeke smirked. "Glad to know I’m off the hook."

Gianna took a sip of her water, the gleam in her eyes softening slightly. "Don’t worry. You’re better suited as my business partner, and occasional sparring partner. Nothing more."

Zeke raised his glass slightly in a mock toast. "To that, I can agree."

***

As the door closed behind Gianna, Andrew stepped into the office, holding a tablet in one hand.

"What was Gianna Hill doing here?" he asked, raising an eyebrow as he walked toward Zeke’s desk.

Zeke leaned back in his chair, stretching slightly. "She’s organizing a charity gala next Saturday. Black-tie, high-profile auction. She asked if our company would partner as a sponsor."

Andrew nodded thoughtfully. "Makes sense. Her events always make headlines."

Zeke glanced at him. "Yeah. The money’s going to various charities and pediatric hospitals."

Andrew hummed in approval. "Well, it’s a good cause. I’ll get the PR team to coordinate with her side."

Then, after a beat, Andrew added with a sly smile, "By the way, the company group chat’s blowing up."

Zeke groaned. "Let me guess. Gossip?"

Andrew chuckled. "Full-blown speculation. Apparently, you and Gianna are now the next power couple. Some even said it’s about time."

Zeke scoffed. "My employees are way too free."

He narrowed his eyes at the glass walls of his office and muttered, "Should I make them all work overtime today?"

Andrew grinned. "If you want chaos and tears in accounting, go ahead."

Zeke shook his head with an exasperated smile, already regretting ever letting Gianna into the building.

Andrew leaned casually against the edge of the desk, arms crossed and smirking. "I mean, I kind of agree with what they’re saying."

Zeke looked up from his tablet, brows raised. "About what?"

"You and Gianna," Andrew replied, shrugging. "You’d make a pretty powerful couple. Stylish, rich, both terrifyingly competent... It kinda works."

Zeke scoffed, dropping the tablet with a thud onto his desk. "Andrew."

Andrew straightened up.

Zeke’s voice was low and dangerously calm. "Do you want your salary and bonus cut this month?"

Andrew blinked. "No, sir."

"Or do you prefer being transferred to our branch office in central Africa?"

Andrew paled. "Absolutely not, sir."

Zeke narrowed his eyes. "Then stop talking nonsense."

"Yes, sir," Andrew answered, hands up in surrender, though the corner of his mouth still twitched with amusement.

Zeke leaned back again and sighed. "For the record, Gianna has someone in her heart. And as for me, she’s just a friend. That’s it."

Andrew gave a slow nod, finally serious. "Understood."

***

That evening, the villa was quiet, bathed in the golden glow of its warm interior lights. But outside, in the backyard garden, a cool breeze rustled the leaves gently as Zeke stepped out, one hand tucked into the pocket of his trousers, the other holding a glass of water.

He sighed, tilting his head slightly to gaze up at the dark sky, scattered with stars.

Then—"Woof!"

Before he could react, a blur of white fur came charging from behind the hedges and leapt straight into him.

"Rocco!" Zeke stumbled back a step, managing to catch the oversized, snow-colored Samoyed as it jumped into his chest, tail wagging furiously.

The dog barked happily, licking at his chin with no shame.

Zeke groaned but couldn’t help the small laugh that escaped him. "You’re supposed to be trained, you maniac." He gently pushed the dog back a little and crouched down, ruffling its thick, fluffy coat. "What am I going to do with you, huh?"

Rocco barked again in response, tongue hanging out like a grinning fool.

It had been almost a year since Zeke brought Rocco home. The villa was far too quiet most days, and despite being a man surrounded by people at work, at night, in this sprawling house, the silence became too loud.

So, on a random afternoon, he’d visited a breeder, more out of curiosity than intent, and the moment he saw Rocco as a pup, all white fluff and eyes full of mischief, he’d made the decision. No hesitation. There was something about the little creature that tugged at his heart.

But truthfully, it wasn’t just the puppy’s charm.

Before the divorce, back when Cassidy still sat across the breakfast table every morning, she once told him about a dog she used to have. A Samoyed. She had named it Snow, and it had been her companion throughout college until it passed away from illness. Cassidy had spoken of that dog with so much love, her eyes turning soft with the kind of nostalgia that couldn’t be faked.

Zeke remembered that moment clearly.

And maybe, just maybe, when he chose Rocco... a part of him had wanted to feel closer to her again. To understand her better. To love what she once loved. To imagine, even for a moment, what she must’ve felt.

That’s why, when he saw the snow-white pup, he didn’t think twice.

Rocco wasn’t just a pet. He was a quiet tether to something Zeke had lost, and perhaps was still hoping to find again.

Zeke chuckled, patting the dog’s side. "You were supposed to be low maintenance. Look at you now, spoiled as hell."

Rocco let out a content sigh and flopped onto the grass beside Zeke, resting his head on the man’s shoe like a pillow.

Zeke stood there in the quiet, looking out at the night sky while his loyal companion rested beside him. For a brief moment, the ache in his chest eased.

Zeke lingered a little longer in the back garden, the evening air cool against his skin. Rocco, his snow-white Samoyed, sat beside him, tail lazily thumping the ground. Zeke reached down and stroked the thick fur behind Rocco’s ears.

"You’re good company, you know that?" Zeke murmured with a soft smile. "Some days, you’re the only one I talk to who doesn’t want anything in return."

Rocco looked up at him with warm eyes, his tongue lolling out in contentment.

Zeke chuckled quietly. "You’ve made this house feel less...empty. Less quiet."

He stood up, brushing his hands on his pants, and Rocco immediately rose to follow, trotting beside him as they walked back inside the villa. The lights were dim, casting a warm glow over the high-ceilinged halls as they made their way toward Zeke’s room.

When they reached the bedroom, Rocco made no hesitation, he plopped down on the rug near the bed as if it was his usual spot.

Zeke shook his head gently, voice low. "It’s not the weekend yet, Rocco."

He walked over and crouched beside the dog, patting his head affectionately. "I’ve got an early flight Tuesday morning. If I don’t sleep well tonight, I’ll be snapping at my subordinates all day tomorrow, and you know I hate doing that."

Rocco responded with a soft grunt, clearly unmoved.

Zeke smiled faintly and pressed the small intercom button near the nightstand. "Mr. Nelson?"

The door opened shortly after, revealing the butler’s composed figure. "Yes, sir?"

Zeke stood and nodded toward Rocco. "Would you mind taking him downstairs?"

"Of course, sir." Mr. Nelson stepped inside and called Rocco softly. The big dog rose with a reluctant sigh, trotting toward the door with one last glance back at Zeke.

Zeke gave him a quiet nod. "Sleep well, buddy."

As the door closed, Zeke moved to the edge of his bed and sat in silence for a moment, hands resting loosely on his knees. The stillness wrapped around him, but it no longer felt as heavy.

***

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