Alex sat down in the chair across from Zunnie and brushed his hand over hers as he settled in. She raised her head and smiled at him. Her deep blue eyes lit up when she saw him, but he could see they had a tired look in them.
"Darling you're here." She said happily as she put away the documents that were on the table.
"Mhm… still working I see."
"Yeah, I just needed to get this done before the weekend. I ordered dinner for you. I hope it's okay."
"Hmm, I trust your taste. I like how you know so much about me, seeing we haven't known each other that long." Alex replied proudly.
Zunnie blushed and said, "Are you praising me or reminding me I shouldn't treat you like my patients?"
"Both; You can't treat me like your patients. I'm always in need of special treatment." Alex said with a smirk.
Noticing the naughty look in his eyes she ignored him and thought; 'Such a pervert.'
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Just as he was about to mention the party at the company next weekend, the waiter walked up with their dinner.
They were eating at a cozy Japanese restaurant Alex had chosen. The restaurant had a homey feeling to it and was one of Alex's favorite places to dine. When his dad was alive, he would always eat there with him. Alex only dined at that Japanese restaurant with people who were important to him. Sitting there with his love Zunnie Bai filled the void he often felt when he dined alone. He would come to the restaurant when he missed his dad who had passed away from lung disease while he was studying in America.
The waiter placed the dishes on the table and Alex could feel his stomach rumbling. Seeing Zunnie hurriedly eating, he couldn't help telling her to slow down. She was eating like someone who had been starved for days. Alex was glad she was eating and placed more food on her plate.
"Honey our company is having a party next week and I was asked to invite you," Alex said as he drank from the miso soup.
"Really, and whose idea was it to invite me?" Zunnie asked amusingly.
No one had the audacity to invite her out unless they knew who she was. Her brother had taken care of the media and very little information had been published about her after the Bai Entertainment Corp gala.
"Carson Maule..." Alex had an indifferent expression when he replied.
"I don't know who that is. Does he work for you?"
"He's my cousin. Their family owns M Tech. Says he went to the same high school as you." Alex told Zunnie and left out the part about Carson being interested in her. He wanted Zunnie to come to the party only to show her off. Yet his gut was telling him letting her come would not end well. Thinking about it, he hurriedly added;
"You don't have to come. You have no idea who he is, and you don't like these gatherings."
"Don't worry darling. It's not like I don't enjoy partying. I just can't stand being around spoilt rich people who only brag about themselves and compare their wealth to look better than the other. If you want me to be there, I will go. If not, I will wait till you come back to me. Sanua probably will be there since she's back from Beijing."
Alex felt better hearing that Sanua may be there. He knew Sanua would protect Zunnie no matter what.
"Okay honey. We still have time to decide. Did you drive?"
"Mhm, I did."
"Let me drive us back. Will have my Secretary get my car tomorrow."
"What are you planning?" Zunnie asked suspiciously.
Alex chuckled. Zunnie could read him like a book. He loved how she always seems to figure out what was on his mind. She was very attentive and he loved that about her. He rubbed her head and held her warm hand in his as they walked to her car.
"I'm just driving my tired wife home. You may not notice but you look worn-out. Is that anything to be skeptical about?"
"Fine, you win Mr. Zi." She smiled.
"Good girl. Tell me about the visit you had today." Alex inquired of her, remembering what Carson said when he was leaving the office.
Zunnie recalled everything as it occurred in her office to Alex. He remained quiet even though he was angry. He had no idea how vicious Victoria could be but he had some knowledge of her attitude towards women he spoke with.
During college, he had only been dating her for two weeks when he found out she ruined the life of a girl in his marketing class.
"Don't worry honey, we only dated for two weeks. If she bothers you again, tell me and I will take care of it." Alex squeezed Zunnie's hand and continued driving toward Lake-view condos.