"Yeah?" Devon said.
"I love you so much too but it's time for the meeting. We don't want to be late," Zara said.
"You're tired of me already?" Devin asked, a fake frown appearing on his face.
"Maybe," Zara replied, trying her hardest to keep her smile hidden.
"Lets go for the meeting, Mr. Kings," she added still trying to keep a straight face.
Devon smiled as he shook his head. Zara helped him carry the things he would need for the meeting. Before she opened the door, Devon grabbed her hands and said,
"One more kiss for the road?"
Zara rolled her eyes as she placed a quick kiss on Devon's cheek. Devon frowned and said,
"That's not what I meant."
But Zara had already opened his office door and walked outside while laughing. A small smile appeared on Devon' face as he watched Zara walk away. They walked out of Zara's attached office and made their way towards the room where the meeting was to be held.
The ambiance changed from their private moments to the formal and formal corporate one as Zara and Devon entered the meeting room. They took their places at the meeting table as all eyes went to them. As the CEO, Devon presided over the meeting, and Zara sat next to him, ready to help as his secretary.
The discussion between Devon and the finance department members covered a range of financial issues and tactics. Zara made careful notes, occasionally presenting paperwork and reports to her supervisor as appropriate. Devon couldn't help but steal looks at Zara, who stayed calm and focused throughout the meeting despite the heated discussions.
The meeting came to an end, and Zara quietly slipped Devon a note that said,
"You're doing great!"
Devon read the message and couldn't help but smile but carried on with the meeting. Zara also didn't miss the smile on his face
Following the meeting, Devon and Zara went back to his workspace. Although Devon had handled the financial negotiations expertly, Zara couldn't help but notice the weariness in his eyes.
As they entered the office, Zara said him,
"You did a great job in there.
"Zara, I'm pleased to hear that from you. To me, your support meant the world. These conferences can be very exhausting," Devon confessed.
With anxiety in her eyes, Zara approached him. She placed her hands in his shoulders and began to give him a massage. Devon moaned as Zara hit the right spots on his shoulders. After massaging him for a while, she stopped after confirming from Devon that he felt better.
"Thank you so much babe; I needed that," he said
"Devon, you've been working a lot recently. Perhaps you ought to stop or at least have lunch," Zara said.
Devon nodded after understanding Zara was accurate. He had been working himself to the absolute maximum, and it was wearing him down.
"Zara, you're right. I ought to stop now. I want to have lunch with you; I would go grab lunch for the both of us," Devon said, standing up from his seat.
Zara pressed him back down to his seat and said,
"I'll just order some food instead. What are you hungry for?"
Devon paused for a second before responding,
"How about some sushi? Right now, I could really use some sushi."
As she pulled out her phone to place a delivery order for sushi, Zara nodded. They kept working on some unfinished duties while they waited for the food, sneaking glances and smiles at one other now and then. Well it was more of making out thank working.
Few minutes later, Zara got a notification the their lunch had arrived. In a hurry, Zara headed to have their sushi lunch. They talked about their plans for the evening as they relaxed in his office while savoring the delectable meal. Devon wanted to tell Zara about an idea he had.
"I was considering taking you out to dinner tonight, Zara. I know we haven't really gone out for dates because we're still keeping our relationship hidden from the world but I want to do something nice for you," Devon proposed.
Zara gave him a cheerful stare.
"Devon, it sounds fantastic. Which location would you prefer?"
"Oh shoot, I forgot," she added immediately.
"What's that?" Devon asked curiously.
"Can we move this dinner to some other time? I have an appointment for tonight. Lily invited me to the club to celebrate the birthday party of someone in her office," Zara said.
Devon's expression changed immediately. He began angry and said,
"That's fine."
"I can tell you're mad. If you want, I can cancel with her and go for our dinner date," Zara said.
"No it's fine. Go with your friends," Devon said.
Zara knew he was angry but she didn't know what else to do to get him off his mood. She grabbed her lunch and got up from the seat she was sitting on. Devon looked at her and asked,
"Where are you going?"
"To my office," she replied.
"Why?" Devon asked.
"You seem upset so I just want to leave you to calm," Zara replied again.
Devon sighed and said,
"I'm not angry, my love. I'm… I was seriously looking forward to taking you out for dinner but it's fine, we'll have it another day."
When Zara noticed the disappointment in Devon's eyes, she experienced a pang of remorse. She was aware of the value Devon held for her as well as for her friends. She desired to atone for her actions in some way.
Zara assured Devon that they would soon reschedule their dinner date and that nothing would stand in their way this time.
Devon nodded while softening his look.
As she returned to her office, Zara struggled with her feelings. While she didn't want to disappoint her colleagues, she really wanted to please Devon. She was unaware of how her decisions might affect their relationship.