Alex blinked in surprise at the stunning woman now seated across from him. He was absolutely certain they'd never met before—his earlier gesture had been pure improvisation. Could his luck with women finally be turning around?
"I'm sorry, sir, but this restaurant has no back exit, so I had to—"
"Miss Carter, why are you hiding in here? I merely wanted to treat you to lunch." Before she could finish, a man in an impeccably tailored Armani suit approached their table, wearing what he clearly thought was a charming smile. Despite his polished appearance marking him as a corporate executive, there was something predatory lurking behind that cultured facade. Two men followed in his wake—one thin, one heavyset—clearly security personnel trying to pass as business associates.
"Mr. Jin, we're both professionals. Please don't make this awkward," Emma said from her seat beside Alex, giving the man in the corridor an uncomfortable look.
"Miss Carter, what are you saying? I've already arranged a private room at the Shangri-La for your welcome dinner. The car is waiting outside—surely you won't decline?" The man maintained his smile, his tone still cordial.
"Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Mr. Jin, but I'm quite comfortable here," Emma replied with a subtle dismissal, picking up her chopsticks and helping herself to the dishes Alex had ordered.
"Here? I had no idea you enjoyed Russian cuisine, Miss Carter. Very well, then." Jin's brow furrowed slightly—clearly, her refusal was testing his patience, though he maintained his polished veneer. He turned his attention to Alex. "Sir, I have some important business matters to discuss with this lady. Would you mind giving us some privacy?"
"I—" Alex began, but felt a gentle tug on his left arm. Turning, he found Emma looking at him with pleading eyes. He immediately understood.
"Why should I?" Alex responded, glancing at Jin. "I haven't finished my meal. Besides, I've invested quite a bit in this spread, and I hate to waste good food."
"Waiter, I'll cover this gentleman's bill," Jin called out, clearly having missed Emma's subtle gesture. "Please pack everything up for him."
"No need. I prefer to dine right here. The view is quite spectacular—mountains on one side, lake on the other," Alex replied with a dismissive glance.
"Mountains? Lake?" Jin looked bewildered. They were surrounded by city streets and skyscrapers.
"Indeed. I'm backed by the Fragrant Hills, facing South Lake," Alex said with a serene smile. Emma looked at him with surprise, then broke into an appreciative grin, clearly enjoying his absurd response.
Worth it, just to see that smile, Alex thought.
"Sir, are you mocking me?" Jin's practiced smile vanished, his brow furrowing. "Name your price for the table."
There it is—the mask slips, Alex thought with amusement.
"Sir, some things in this world can't be solved with money. For instance, could you pay your two associates here to lay eggs in public?" Alex cast a pointed glance at Jin's entourage.
"So... you're refusing to move?" Jin's teeth were practically grinding.
"Two others already tried to claim this table and left disappointed. It's the weekend—I'm a man of leisure, unlike busy executives such as yourself. I have all afternoon to sample the menu."
"Well, you're certainly unique—the first person to ever refuse me—"
"Please, don't phrase it that way. It sounds like I've stolen your virtue. Rather awkward, don't you think?"
"Pfft!" Emma couldn't contain her laughter. God, she was stunning when she smiled.
"My beautiful companion," Alex turned to her with exaggerated gallantry, "while I may not be a man of means, your presence makes any expense worthwhile. Please, order anything you'd like—it would be my pleasure."
Despite his deliberately casual attire, Alex's courtly manner created an amusing contrast that seemed to delight Emma, who responded with a gracious nod.
Jin was practically grinding his teeth to powder, the sound rather musical in its intensity.
As Alex and Emma shared an amused glance, the "executive" gave his thin associate a significant look. Understanding immediately, the man casually approached behind Alex's chair and "accidentally" knocked a bottle of vodka from the serving station onto Alex's chair.
The bottle shattered with a crash, soaking Alex's pants with alcohol.
"Oh, I'm so terribly sorry!" The thin man grabbed a napkin and began dabbing at Alex's clothes, using the moment to deftly remove the wallet from Alex's pocket.
"Looking for trouble?" Alex started to rise, but Emma quickly began dabbing at the vodka splashed on his face with her own napkin. He settled back, deciding a scene wasn't worth interrupting this attention.
His tongue darted out to taste the liquor on his lips.
Damn! His tongue went numb—premium Russian vodka, at least 80 proof.
"My associate's clumsiness is inexcusable. My apologies," Jin smiled, accepting the wallet his thin colleague passed him behind his back.
"Sir, about the vodka—"
"Don't worry, I'll cover it," Jin assured the approaching server, secretly pulling out a thick stack of bills from Alex's wallet.
"One, two, three... will ten cover it?" Jin counted out bills in front of Alex before handing them to the server.
"Yes, yes, more than enough!" The server quickly retreated.
"Showing off with pocket change?" Alex said disdainfully.
"Indeed, I am wealthy. And this money smells far sweeter than vodka," Jin held the bills to his nose, the gesture making his expensive suit look suddenly cheap. Some executive.
"Mr. Jin, your cigarette..." The thin man stepped forward with a lighter.
"I'm sorry, but smoking isn't permitted in the restaurant..." the server had returned to inform them.
"Oh no!" The thin man's hand "slipped," setting the bills in Jin's hand on fire.
"Mr. Jin, I'm so sorry! The money caught fire!" The thin man berated the server before turning to Jin with exaggerated apology.
"Ha, no matter. Money means nothing to me, especially when impressing a lady," Jin laughed, watching the hundred-dollar bills turn to ash.
"Well, Miss Carter, since you won't join me today, we'll have to arrange another time." Jin smiled, then turned to the server. "Miss, you should be careful—there seem to be more dine-and-dashers these days." With a laugh, he headed for the exit.
"Mr. Jin, what about the wallet?"
"Just credit cards—useless to us. Burn it."
"Yes, sir!" The thin man flicked his lighter. The vodka-soaked leather caught immediately. He tossed it outside as they climbed into a waiting Mercedes and sped away.
After their departure, the restaurant gradually returned to its normal atmosphere.
"Sir, thank you for helping me," Emma turned to Alex with a smile, extending her delicate hand.
"My pleasure. Fighting injustice is a sacred duty," Alex replied with a grin, taking her hand. It was soft and cool—he wished he could hold it forever.
"You're so kind and witty. Your girlfriend must be very lucky."
"No girlfriend, I'm afraid. Still flying solo."
"You've done me a huge favor today. Please, let me get the bill—"
"Absolutely not. What kind of gentleman would I be? I can handle this."
"Well, thank you again. I need to go, but I hope we'll meet again." She stood up. "Oh, I'm Emma Carter. Here's my card—if you ever need anything, please don't hesitate to call. Until next time!"
"Until next time!" Alex accepted her card happily, unable to deny how beautiful her smile was. He waved as she left.
"Not a bad day at all—met a gorgeous woman and got her contact info!" Alex sat back down, examining the perfumed business card.
Wait—Emma Carter, Executive Assistant to the CEO, Carter Industries Shanghai?
Wasn't his sales company a Beijing branch of Carter Industries?
Emma Carter... Carter... She was William Carter's daughter?
Holy hell! No wonder her name had seemed familiar. William Carter was the CEO of his company's Shanghai headquarters. While not quite in Alex's family's league, Carter was still worth a few million at least. Recently widowed too. The office gossip lately had been all about the Shanghai boss getting remarried at fifty-something to some twenty-four-year-old gold digger. Apparently, the daughter strongly disapproved. Should she call the new wife mom, auntie, or sister? More importantly—what was the heiress doing in Beijing?
What a mess! Though she was even more beautiful than the rumors suggested. Since she was in Beijing, and exactly his type, maybe he should consider... A grin spread across his face.
Hold on—Alex reached for his back pocket. Where was his wallet? He frantically checked all his pockets. Nothing.
This couldn't be happening. Did he forget it after paying his utility bill this morning?
The server appeared with the check just as realization dawned. His wallet had been stolen—how was he supposed to pay? After all that posturing about being able to afford the meal, he was about to become the laughingstock of the restaurant.
"Sir—"
"Don't say it. May I borrow your phone?"
The manager gave Alex a suspicious look but handed over his mobile.
"Hey, sis? I need you to come quickly—I'm at the Blue Moon Bistro. It's urgent. Hurry, I'll be waiting!" Alex returned the phone, then picked up his chopsticks and continued eating.
The server stared for a moment, then walked away shaking his head.