Mr Stuart, is there a problem here?
Tim asked politely as he looked from Lucian to Summer
Lucian's gaze darkened dangerously seeing the man who interrupted him
"And who are you?
**********
Tim coughed awkwardly at the question thrown at him
He looked up slightly to see Lucian glaring at him hard
Oh boy'
He thought in his mind
"I'm Timothy, Summer works with me, is there a problem?
Tim asked with all the confidence he could muster and Summer nearly applauded him openly for that
"What's wrong Lucian?
Susanne asked, the feeling of Lucian's gaze on the woman didn't sit very well with her
Summer adamantly refused to look up, she fought hard for her eyes not to meet those dark ones, she could feel his eyes boring holes, and if those eyes were lasers, there would definitely be two holes on her forehead
People were starting to throw curious glances at them
Just when Summer couldn't take it anymore, Lucian made a move, he rigidly turned around and got into the car before his anger plateaus, Susanne threw one last look at Summer before hurriedly joining Lucian in the car
Tim and Summer stood and watched the car speed off
Tim was about asking Summer if she was in any sort of trouble for the tycoon to drag her out like that but Summer beat him to it
"Let's go Manger Tim, we've wasted enough time than necessary"
She said and walked forward first
Tim swallowed his question, he understood quite well that she wasn't ready to tell him anything, even if he asked
....
Throughout the drive back to the company, Lucian had been dead silent
His face as hard as a rock and dark as night
Susanne wasn't any better, she kept on replaying the scene at the restaurant in her head, yet couldn't analyze it understand
It seems only Lucian's explanation would work
"Who was that Lucian?
She asked
"Who was who?
He asked back
Susanne rolled her eyes
"The girl back there at Richie Bites, Lucian your actions got me flabbergasted, I still can't understand why you did that, do you know her from somewhere? tell me did she do anything bad?
They had arrived the company and the car came to a stop
Unbuckling the seatbelt, Lucian grabbed his phone from the shotgun seat
"Nothing for you to worry about Susanne"
With that said, Lucian got out of the car and walked decisively into the building
Susanne bit on her lower lip as she too, got out of the car
....
"I wanna come over tonight babe, how's that?
Lilian asked enthusiastically over the phone
"Ummm...I got lot of work babe, don't think that's a very good idea"
Andrew replied, his voice laced with lack of excitement
Lilian frowned
"What are you saying? come on babe, it's your off day"
Andrew ruffled his hair as the thought stroke him. He clearly forgot, Lilian knew most of his schedule as they have been dating for six years now, so he quickly came up with a lie to cover up his lie
"Ahhh so sorry babe, the work stress has been too much that I clearly forgot it's my off today, ummm....sure you can come over, when will you be here?
He asked
Lilian smiled with glee, she had missed Andrew so much and couldn't wait to spend time with him
"I'll be there tonight"
she replied
"Okay, see you"
Andrew spoke and hung up the call even though he wasn't the one who called
Lilian was awestruck with the sudden disconnection, her mouth wasn't properly shut, clearly she was about saying something to him but he cut the line before she could
She quietly swallowed down the ' I love you '
"He must be tired since his job barely gives him leisure"
Lilian consoled herself with the thought but deep within her, there was a sprouting feeling that something's changed
Something wasn't just right.
After the call, Lilian browsed through her contacts and stopped at a name, the ID made her heart sting and a deep sense of longing found it's way into her marrow, piercing her eyes, making it sting
If only, just if only this ID calls her without any selfish motive, she would be the happiest person but no, this person never calls her, not untill she wants something from her, to use her to achieve her goals.
Lilian painstakingly dropped her phone back into her apron pocket while she continued what she was doing.
She just hopes the person so dear to her. that she is hurting would forgive her.
....
On the highway, the black Sports Universal Van sped through, total silence embedded the car
Lucian relentlessly punched on the keyboard of his laptop with a straight and cold face
Assistant Michael observed his boss's face that game off the 'do-not-disturb-me' look from the side mirror and he knew too well not to utter a single word nor a sound. Obviously the tycoon is displeased, to what? Michael couldn't tell
He just sat there beside Gabriel, the driver and rather preferred flipping the files on his lap, they have a business lunch after all
Gabriel carefully and skillfully drove to Rossi's Restaurant
As the car came to a halt, Lucian didn't even make a move, all his attention was on his laptop
James glanced at the side mirror and nervously looked at Michael with a 'say-something' look
Taking a deep breath, Michael cleared his throat
"We're here boss"
Lucian's brows furrowed slightly as he looked up, he only replied with a "hmm" before highlighting from the car
Michael turned to Gabriel
"Do not wait for us to finish, it's gonna be a long meeting, so you go and I'll give you a call when we're about rounding up"
He said before moving out to join Lucian.
Three minutes after Lucian and Andrew settled down, the Japanese investors arrived and they rose up at once to greet them
"Mr. Yang"
"Mr. Stuart"
Lucian and the Japanese man acknowledged almost simultaneously as they shook hands briefly.
"This is my PA, Michael"
Michael bowed politely as Lucian introduced him to one of the world's best fashion house owner in the world
"Nice meeting you Michael" Mr Yang said with smiles, surprisingly he did not come with his assistant but rather, two bulky men, obviously body guards.
"My pleasure Sir"
They all settled down after the courtesy
Two waitresses immediately came over to their table to take their order.
"What would you love to have sir?
One of them asked Mr Yang
The other waitress set her eyes on Lucian subconsciously without realizing she was drooling.
She had just been employed and it was just her first day at work. Who would have thought that she would be lucky enough to serve the legendary Mr Stuart, the dream of every woman in LA.
Fortunately for her, Lucian was focused on browsing through the menu and so did not notice her idiotic stare but others noticed
Seeing her colleague moping shamelessly at Mr Stuart, the other waitress tried to signal her but to no avail.
Michael coughed slightly and luckily the waitress came out of her reverie
"Seems the lady has a death wish'
Michael thought.
Mr Yang dropped the menu
"Mr Stuart, why not order mine? I'm not used to Italian Cuisines"
Lucian nodded with a slight smile and then turned to face the waitress who almost fainted when Lucian met her eyes
"We'll have Fiorentina Steak, Risotto and Truffles as a side dish"
"Y-Yes Sir, right away Sir"
The waitress bowed slightly and districtly pinched the waist of her daydreaming colleague as they moved away to get the order
They came back not quite long after, carefully placing the dishes side by side skillfully
"Enjoy your meal"
With that being said, they left.
"Mr Yang, it is quite a shocker that your PA is absent"
Lucian uttered, taking a sip of the red wine, his long fingers around the glass stem, elegant and palely White
Mr Yang smiled at the question
"Dorris is having lunch with Fashionista as we speak, they were so desperate in clashing this meeting by setting up one with me but I chose to stick with you and let my assistant handle theirs"
He spoke with a cunning look as he cut into the steak.
Michael who had food in his mouth nearly choked
What did Mr Yang just say?!
His eyes immediately darted over to his boss and sure enough, Lucian gaze darkened
"Mr Yang also set up a meeting with Fashionista?
Michael asked getting irritated but did well not to showcase it, at least not until his boss reacts first.
Mr Yang's actions clearly showed hypocrisy, setting up a meeting with them and also with another at the same time
Even though his assistant attended the other, that doesn't make it less important.
In the business world, a personal assistant is more or less like the boss.
Mr Yang had shown disrespect to them by sending his assistant off to another
"Michael let's go"
Lucian said as he calmly stood up straightening his suit without glancing at the Japanese man
Michael was taken off guard immediately, out of all the reactions he thought of, he never expected this one from his boss. Leaving?
Seeing his hesitation, Lucian raised a brow
"Would you rather continue the lunch with him?
Lucian asked and that was enough to make Michael stand.
"You're leaving? are you backing out? Mr Yang asked with furrowed brows. He didn't believe that Lucian would back away from a multi billion investment he had to offer him
"Mr Yang sent his assistant to try another company, clearly you do not trust our work, so why should I work with you?
Lucian said icily and walked out with Michael closely behind.
Michael didn't know what to say to his boss
To top it all, he had told Gabriel to not wait as it was going to be a long meeting!!!
I'm finished!
But maybe he did a lot of good deeds in his past life cause Gabriel drove the SUV into the premises
Michael nearly hugged Gabriel
Whatever prompted him to come now, it deserves to be thanked and adored
...
"Easy Jay, I know you've been discharged but you ain't strong yet"
Summer reprimanded as she gently led Jacob into their apartment.
"What am I now? A kid? Jacob asked.
"For now, you are" Summer smiled
She was the happiest person on earth at the moment, her joy knew no limits, her Jay is finally alright!
Now she had to figure out what to tell him and Lilian about what she had gotten herself into.
They walked into Summer's room and Jacob sat on the bed softly. The doctor had warned fervently to not strain Jacob, hence the wound opens up and causes harm.
"I'll go make dinner"
Announcing that, Summer got up to leave but Jacob held her back
"What's wrong Jay?
She patiently asked
Jacob pursed his lips, there was a glint of hesitation in his eyes before he opened his mouth to speak
"How did you afford to pay the bills for my surgery? I know it was no minor surgery and we even owed for my drugs and medications, so how? I got discharged, that only meant we owe nothing?
The last statement was more like a question to himself.
Summer smiled awkwardly while nodding her head in affirmation.
"Um, Jay we owe nothing, you're right but I took a loan from the bank"
She lied smoothly with a straight face.
...
"Two fish please, and more vegetables"
Summer half yelled for the man to hear her
Luckily Jacob bought the lie, after which she left for the kitchen to prepare fish soup, they lacked few things and so Summer had to rush to the market to get them
"Were you perhaps, vegetable starved in your past life?
The store boy who was in his late twenties asked, handing the vegetables to her
Summer always comes to buy food stuffs from him and wouldn't miss to buy plenty vegetables each time
"aww!!!! what was that for you hooligan?!
He yelled when Summer smacked him
"I won't be gentle next time"
Summer grinned and left with the package
About to hail a cab, her arm was gripped
"Summer?
That voice.....
It was so familiar...
Followed by a jab in her heart, a painful one, as if her heart was ripped off by an invisible palm.
Slowly she faced the person and something in her head exploded.
The world, time seemly seized for her
"Chris"
Summer whispered, the name was even hurting and so was the face.
if love was a person, then it would be Chris to Summer, her childhood sweetheart and her lover
They were inseparable and the two perfect duo, soulmates meant for each other but now they aren't. What went wrong? Summer couldn't pinpoint
"Summer it's you"
Chris said again, his eyes on hers.
That was when Summer got herself and immediately pulled her arms from his.
She turned around immediately, wanting to hail a cab, to runaway from this man but Chris stopped her yet again.
"What are you doing?!! Summer barked, taking Chris aback a little
"I just want to talk, I didn't expect to see you here Summer, I've looked for you everywhere, you just disappeared"
Chris explained
Summer scoffed. 'Yeah I disappeared from your life' she thought mockingly
"Why look for me? Do I mean anything to you worth searching for?
She asked bitterly
"Summer I-I really wanted to tell you about it, trust me I didn't mean to hurt you, and you mean something to me okay but then I..."
"found someone else and that being Diane"
Summer completed with misty eyes
Chris sighed
"Summer, Diane is a good girl, she's sweet and you are, don't get me wrong but things just happen, the heart wants what it wants"
Summer kept looking at Chris' handsome face as he talked and all she could think was;
"How can someone be so cruel?
Talking about his new sweetheart in her presence, rubbing his betrayal on her face mercilessly and reminding her how much of a loser she was.
Biting her lips to supress the bitterness and the bile in her throat, Summer nodded with a smile
"I understand Chris, you have my blessings"
Chris got surprised and he felt a slight ache in his heart seeing her indifference