Chapter 4
Her second day would be better. Positivity was the key, Zoe told herself. And to make that happen, she rose extra early, feeling refreshed, and put on a very fine red dress she had bought online that fitted her like a glove, a miracle in itself. She decided to wear flats and bring her high heels in her bag. That way, she would be able to walk to that nice bakery she had seen a few blocks away, sit down and have a nice pastry and coffee, like normal people in this city.
Zoe couldn’t remember the last time she’d done that. Even in D.C., her small apartment was in the middle of nowhere, and as the coffee at the office was decent enough, she didn’t bother buying any from cafés.
Warm weather was well on its way in Chicago, so why not take advantage of it. No way her boss would call her so early, and she could finally think about Archer Blackwood in a calm and logical manner.
The bakery was on a busy street, and there was a row of stools facing the wide window that were still empty. Perfect.
A large coffee and a strawberry muffin in hand, she hitched herself up, and started to enjoy her sugary treat. The sun was still low over the horizon, the buildings still blocking most of its rays, but on the tallest buildings, it made the glass shine like sky jewels.
From her view point she imagined Archer Blackwood already at work in his room, in one of those high towers. His papers around him, a phone in his hand. Immediately, Zoe dismissed the image. Too messy for the type of man he was. The most probable image was him jumping out of bed already clothed, going to his personal office and making two conference calls, before having his first cup of coffee.
Zoe smirked at the image but realized how lonely it was. The depth of his sorrow, he never really got out of. Instead, he buried himself even deeper in it, his outer focus only on his company. And a very successful one indeed. Not only had he become one of the youngest to accumulate such a fortune, but he had an innovative approach to it. Zoe had read a few articles on how Blackwood decided to slowly change from fossil fuels to new energies, focusing impressive amounts of money in research, and hiring specialists from all over the world to focus on attacking the problem. Chicago had been an obvious choice for the sale as it was where he intended to build the new headquarters of Blackwood Energies that he said himself were his pride and joy. The end and beginning of a chapter in the same place. How the office seemed so functional already made sense, if he was preparing the entire floor for his new American venture.
Eating her muffin, Zoe hummed in delight as strawberry jam melted on her tongue. Too often she had suffered or been confronted with the ugly and even death not to decide to live life to its fullest. It was hard not to wallow in pain and not get stuck there. It was something she understood too well. However, she had someone who was her will to live, her motivation to keep going and to fight. But not Archer. He was alone with everybody against him. Still today, he fought the entire world, expecting the worst from it.
Zoe sighed and took another sip of coffee. In other circumstances, she would have liked to shake his cage, make him see that people weren’t all bad. There must be a way of getting through his thick armor. Maybe she would have the opportunity. At least, she would keep an eye open for one.
Time to go.She grabbed her bag to leave when she saw a man walking past the bakery with a dog on a leash. A scraggly brown dog, with his head low, limping slightly. Zoe pitied the poor beast when she saw the man pulling harshly on the leash before kicking him in the ribs when the mutt didn’t follow. Even from inside, she heard the dog’s whimper of pain. It was an out of body experience, and she was out the store before realizing it.
“Are you insane? Why are you kicking him, moron?”
At her shout, the man turned, not looking better than the dog.
“What the shit do you want, fatty?”
The insult stung, but the way the dog cowered at his owner’s voice fueled her rage. “You have no right beating that dog.”
The man sneered and his filthy breath reeking of alcohol made her want to heave. “I do what I fucking please. Mind your own business.” And to make his point, he kicked the poor pup even harder. Reacting, Zoe swung her bag and caught him straight in his ugly, smirking face. The force was such that he stumbled a few steps back. Behind, she heard someone cheering, but preferred to keep her attention on the ass before her.
Shaking his head, the dog beater’s mocking tone turned into spitting rage. He let go of the leash and charged her. Booze must still have been high in his system because his aim was off. He must have wanted to put his hands on her, but he was a little bit too much to the left, and his foot caught an invisible crack in the pavement, making him pitch right into the building’s brick wall.
Unsure if she should start kicking him in the gut as he’d done to his poor dog, or call for an ambulance, she decided on the latter. A quick look around told Zoe a small crowd had gathered. The poor dog came to lean on her leg, a show of support or thankfulness. It was decided. Zoe would make sure the dog was safe, and away from that awful man.
Too bad the dummy didn’t stay down. Blood trickling from a gash near his temple, it took a moment for him to get his bearings, but when he saw her, his intent was clear.
He gargled some sort of curse and charged Zoe. Instinct kicked in, and she evaded him again, pushing the dog out of his path. Once more, the dumb man fell and rolled into the street. This was going nowhere, and worse, it was obvious the man was going to badly hurt himself if he continued. Zoe wondered what to do when she saw a police car approaching. Obviously, the small crowd drew suspicion, and two uniformed officers came out.
This didn’t bother the dog owner who simply charged at her again. This time, the cops intervened. Many struggles and screams ensued.
“It’s that bitch’s fault! She attacked me! She’s stealing my dog! She’s the one you should arrest. I was minding my own business, officers!”
It took quite some time, but they were finally able to sit him in the police car. By that time, another police team had arrived on site. One of the first officers came over to her, and the dog cowered between her legs. The poor thing was probably scared of all men.
“Miss, would you mind coming to the station to do a report? It’s not the first time this man has been arrested due to trouble on the street, but this time, he’s become more violent than usual. A report would help us give him the help he needs. Most likely, going to rehab, or us forcing him to do so.”
Zoe sighed, this would take longer than she wanted, making her late for work. On her second day. But it couldn’t be helped, if there was something she could do to help the man, even if he didn’t deserve it, she had to do it.
Nodding, she followed the office to his car, and made a call to Ellen explaining the situation. The dog followed her, and despite the officer’s frown, he didn’t say anything about it.
She also sent a text Gabrielle to give her a ‘heads up’ but didn’t wait for a reply. No doubt she would hear from Blackwood first. And it would be done in a more condescending, annoyed tone.
The dog put his muzzle on her knees, shaking like a leaf. He was filthy and mangy, but Zoe couldn’t help but pet his head, trying to reassure the poor pup. When they arrived at the precinct, Zoe grabbed the leash and was ushered into an office where they took her statement. The officer told her that the man wanted to press charges against her. Zoe was outraged.
“I didn’t do anything wrong! He was beating that poor dog. What was I expected to do?”
The dog sensing her mounting anger, pushed his wet nose against her hand. The officer sighed and asked her to stay put as he went out. Zoe looked down at the dog, his big brown eyes so worried it broke her heart.
