Two weeks go by, work is amazing and am excited about the latest product developments. So far I see the year ending in splendor. Its lunch and am neck deep in my work for the day. I hear knock a at my door.
"come in" I say.
Meg pops her head in from behind the door. "lunch?"
'hmmmmm, just order me something Meg, I wanna get this done before 5pm" I respond
"yes ma'am" she says.
10 minutes later I have my lunch, chicken rap, greek salad and a green tea smoothie from Starbucks. After eating I get back to work and finish by 5:15pm. Not too bad for a days' work. Let's see if Hailey wants to have dinner later. Just as am about to dial her number I get a call from my father.
"hi Papa" I say
Calvin "Darling, how are you?"
"I'm alright, how are you doing? How's mum" Zaya replies
"we're both great" Calvin says "we haven't spoken in a while sweetie, are you okay".
"I am, I've just been so caught up with work. Am sorry papa" I say
Calvin "it's okay sweetie, I just wanna make sure you're okay that's all. It's good to hear your voice". I can hear the happiness in his voice.
"you too, am glad you called" says Zaya with a smile on her face. "how's Arizona?"
"oh, you know, same old same old. We just miss you"
Zaya "I miss you too. I promise to visit as soon as I get some time off."
After talking for a couple more minutes we hang up. I can visit my parents anytime, but they want a man hooked to my arm as soon as possible and those conversations are a little far-fetched at the moment. I was in love before, his name was Jason, he was everything I ever dreamed of, so loving and caring, he had a gentleness about him I still don't understand because it was beyond belief. I invested two years of my life with him, sadly it was all for nothing. Everything was perfect, I thought we'd be together forever, I thought we would get married. Obviously, I snuck in the marriage conversation in a couple of times but he'd always brush it off. I didn't pester him because I didn't want to lose him but I did anyway. One weekend away was all it took. Coming home early and finding the man you love in bed with someone else is just horrible. To make things worse he was cheating on me with her for two months. They got married a month after we broke up. Life right. I was devastated for weeks, months. I still am and it's been a year. No wonder Hailey is dragging me out into the world of men.
"Hailey, we doing dinner tonight?" I ask over the phone
"Sorry girl, I've got a date" she replies shyly
Zaya "really, with whom might I ask?"
"weelllll....."
"Don't tell me", "mystery man?" I exclaim in excitement
"yes" she says shyly "and his name is Chad"
"look at that, she's trapped folks" Zaya says sarcastically
Hailey "oh shut up"
"hahahaha, its only true, you might be out there more than I am but you're a tough one Anderson" I say.
"very funny Reese. It's just a date, didn't say I was changing my last name" she says giggling
"yet" I add "okay, let me leave you to it, but I want details in the morning, everything"
"okay mum" she says and hangs up.
"take out it is".
It's now a couple of minutes after 6pm and I start to pack up my things and getting ready to leave. Just as I'm about to go Mr Powell steps into my office
"oh good, you're still here" Mr Powell says
Zaya "yes sir, do you need my help with something?"
"yes, remember the project we talked about earlier this week, we need a draft of the proposal by Wednesday morning. Some investors are interested in working with us" he says
"that's great, I'll get right on it as soon as I get home" I reply
"perfect, don't disappoint me" Mr Powell says while exiting my office.
At least that'll keep me busy for the night. It's almost 7pm when I get home, I have my take out and laptop set for the evenings' work.
After working for a couple of hours I've done at least 78% percent of what's needed. I'll finish up tomorrow. With that I'm off to bed.
Regular mornings am up at 5:30am. Do some yoga and workout then shower. 7:00am I'm out the door, driving to work is a drag on most mornings because of traffic. I get to the office at 7:40 most of the time. Grab coffee and maybe a muffin and settle down for the days' work.
There, all done. I head over to Mr Powell's office to review the presentation for tomorrow. Just as I'm about to knock on the door it swings open and what I see is appalling. It's him, the Greek god, in the flesh. My mouth goes dry and my legs go weak, I can barely stand in my 6-inch stilettos. I let out a desperate breath I didn't know I was holding.
"ahh, Zaya, I was just about to call you" says Mr Powell as he steps out after this beautiful man.
"well I'm here" I say in a voice a little too high pitched. I can hear my heart beating in my ears and I feel the heat in my cheeks, get a grip Zaya, damnit.
"this is Mr Zachary Coleman", "he's the investor I told you about. Mr Coleman this is Zaya Reese, assistant Manager of advertising"
Zaya!!! My subconscious screams at me knocking me out of my trance.
"it's a pleasure to meet you Mr Coleman" I manage to say sticking out my hand
Zach "likewise" he says placing his hand in mine, a shock of electricity runs up my spine.
Sweet Jesus take me now, I say a silent prayer.
He lets go of my hand and turns to Mr Powell. Zach "I'll see you tomorrow morning Mr Powell and hopefully we can do business together".
Mr Powell "certainly" says with a grin on his face.
"good day to you both" he says nodding in my direction with a smug look on his face.
I flash him my million-dollar smile "good day" I respond. His voice is soft but has a certain boldness to it that is authoritative and deep. As it leaves my soul stirring and uneasy. My palms are now sweaty and my body feels like its directly under the sun.
I stare after him for a moment as he walks away.
"Zaya?" says Mr Powell
I turn to Mr Powell who's been calling me for the past 30seconds
"yes sir" I answer almost alarmingly
"are you coming into my office?" he asks
I reply "yes, of course, sorry"
"are you alright?" he asks
Zaya "I am fine" I smile reassuringly
We sit down for couple of minutes and go over the proposal and presentation, after making a few changes here and there I head back to my office.
I shut the door and lean my back against it for over a minute to gather my remaining strength. Bloody hell, how is this even possible. Out of all the places to be, out of all the investors him, it had to be him? This can't be a coincidence, but it is, isn't it? I keep going back and forth in my head. This is almost impossible. My buzzing phone brings me back to earth.
"I'm here" Hailey says
Confused "what do you mean here?"
She replies "your office, for lunch remember"
"oh right" I say "come on up"
Hailey walks in with a KFC pack. Am obsessed with their chicken wrap.
"thank God, I don't have the strength to leave this office right now" I exclaim with gratitude
"you're welcome" she says "thought we should eat here to save us time"
I devour half of the wrap before I can say anything.
"what happened to you" she asks
"he's here" I say and keep eating
Hailey looks at me confused "who's here?"
"Paris man"
At this point I breathe in deep and exhale.
"well damn" she exclaims "no wonder you're all messed up"
"I have a presentation tomorrow and he's the investor" I say distressed
Hailey "that's just.... Wow.... That's a lot to deal with babe"
"I'm freaking out Hailey, am fucking wrecked" I say
"Wait, why am I panicking? I don't even know this guy. He means nothing to me. For all I know he doesn't even remember me. Yeah, there's nothing to worry about"
"Zaya come on its obvious you've got the hots for the guy" Hailey says "who wouldn't remember you anyway".
"Didn't seem like he knew me so I guess him", "it's not like we had a grand old time in Paris for him to remember anyway." I respond
Hailey "well if that's the case you should be fine tomorrow, just make sure you dress for it" she says with a devious smile.
"don't gotta tell me twice" I answer.
"I have to go, but I'll call you later" Hailey says.
"alrightie then, laters " I respond
holy shit balls. I can't do this, I just can't" Zaya says pacing back and forth outside the conference room.
"what if I mess up, or trip as I walk in, he'll think you're a joke Zay" she says to herself. Get yourself together, he doesn't remember you so just go in there and boss the fuck up, says my subconscious to me as she taps her foot on the floor impatiently. Taking a deep breath, I walk in 'didn't trip, phew'. He's looking at me as I walk round to the front of the room, staring right at me. I can feel the heat rush all over my body. Damn him, why does he do this to me? Just when I thought it couldn't get worse he smirks at me, nothing too noticeable, but it's no ordinary smirk. It's like he knows what he's doing to me. Ok ok ok, time to focus.
Zaya "Good morning everyone...."
"so, any clarifications?" Zaya asks at the end of the presentation. I sneak a peek at him but he says nothing, he's stroking his jawline as though he's trying figure something out.
"okay then, Mr Powell ....." I continue but he cuts me off
Zach "I would like to discuss a couple of things about the presentation"
"I am sure Mr Powell will be happy to clear up any inquiries you may have on the project" says Zaya
"are you incapable of making any clarifications?" asks Zach
"you are free to ask me anything here" zaya responds
Zach "why don't we have dinner?"
"Dinner ?" I ask caught a little off guard
"A business dinner" he adds
"Alright" I answer
Zach "great, here's my card. Give me a call later today to set the time and place"
I accept the card.
Zach "good day to you all" he says as he leaves the conference room.
Just then I notice that everyone was staring at us during the exchange. I gather my things and head straight to my office. Finally, I can breathe, what was that all about. I'm having dinner with him. Holy shit I'm having dinner with him. Lord take me now.....
Thought you deserved another chapter my lovelies. Dinner, what could go wrong right...lol
What's with all the stares Mr Greek god, let a girl breathe. Anyway I hope you like this chapter. Don't forget to Vote, comment and share. Xoxo.😘😘