What if I was nothing?

"How I spend my money and what I think someone is worth are not really your concern," Zora said but not unkindly, "However, I will lower your salary if that makes you feel better," she said reasonably, glad to an extent that he was a least open to the idea of staying on.

"You could stay on as a security advisor, I know it's not the same thing, but you'd be around, I'd feel better knowing you were there, and I could still consult with you, ask you for your advice..." Zora said as she went to sit back on the edge of the bed.

"Pity? No, that's not why," she said as she looked back at him lying on the bed, and then looked forward at herself in the mirror in front of the bed, thinking for some reasons hotels always had mirrors in front the beds. "It's more of a personal reason, and has nothing to do with pity," Zora said, really not wanting to say more.

"Thank you for staying on, I appreciate it," Zora told him with a small smile, relieved that he had accepted. She had actually expected to have to fight him on it, had been prepared for more of a discussion.

"I enjoy having you around, I like your company that's all, those are the reasons," Zora said as she looked at Broen laying on the bed in the mirror in front of her, hoping he didn't push her for more than that.

Zora did not look at Broen, could not look at him and would not look at him. "It simply means I enjoy having you around," she said very softly. "Take that as you want it to mean, don't look any deeper than that. It's fine, really it is." Zora said as she got up from the bed.

Looking at Broen for a second when he turned her around, Zora then lowered her gaze, she knew she had promised him she'd be honest with him, but she had never considered having to confess something like this, "Fine, if you really want to know... I care for you, I have for a little while now," she admitted softly.

"I don't know how or when or even why. I saw your face in the reflecting pool too," she said looking up at him. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean for it to happen, it just did," she said quietly, fearing now that he'd probably walk out the door now and out of her life for good.

Zora narrowed her gaze at him, "And this is exactly why I didn't say anything before now..." she murmured when he laughed at her, not exactly sure she found the humour behind all this -yet.

"Broen, I know you were a jerk like 24 hours ago... Do you think I really wanted to fall in love with a bloody sociopathic asshole who barely liked or respected me," she stated a bit indignantly. "I am still not even close to accepting it either, so don't lecture me on being a.. a ninny..." she opted frustrated a little at herself and wishing partly that she could just take everything back and pretend it didn't happen.