Chapt 4: The Dinner

Abby left the room to meet Zachary, who was waiting in the lobby. She didn't want to be rushed and deliberately kept him waiting. It was punishment for his attitude that had made fun of her for her defeat at the stock exchange.

When she arrived in front of Zac, the man stood up and looked at Abby with a look that she couldn't translate.

Was that a form of harassment, too? Because Abby didn't like being stared at like that.

"Sorry for keeping you waiting so long," Abby said, trying to be calm even though she was reluctant to make small talk with the man. Her main goal was to destroy by being an enemy, not by being a friend, let alone responding to the flirtatious behavior of male players like Zac. "Do you want us to talk in my room or..."

"Wait. Are you the Abigail Genovhia who spoke to me on the phone earlier?"

"You think?"

Zac laughed softly, then cursed the stupidity of his question. Of course, it was Abigail; who else?

"No, I mean... you're very different. A few hours ago—"

"I know. Did I sound rude? I'm sorry. I have too much work, and I'm not the type who likes to talk on the phone or video calls. So maybe, if you need to talk next time, just text me," Abby replied.

"Or come in person?"

"That might be a little better if the conversation is urgent. I'll make time." Abigail smiled, not very broadly, but Zac could see the hollows on her cheeks, which meant she was smiling.

Zac liked the type of woman who doesn't smile too much. But was he sure he could handle a woman like Abby?

"I guess I'll just be a minute. Since you don't like phone conversations, I came in person to invite you to dinner. Is my request too difficult for you right now?"

Abby did not answer immediately but pursed her lips in thought. She had to take her time and leave an empty schedule for this. However, would opening up to this man be worth it?

"Please... I want to be friends. Isn't it okay to be friends with a rival?"

"Yes, that's a good idea, of course. You can understand your opponent's weaknesses because you've become his friend."

Zac laughed. "Are you being sarcastic?"

"Sounds like it, huh? But no. I'm not being sarcastic, but rather stating a fact that you should know in the business world. The question is, are you sure you want to be friends with ME, who is your enemy?"

Zac looked at Abby intensely after hearing the rhetorical sentence she had just uttered.

"In addition, I could have known your weaknesses and detailed ins and outs. And, of course, that's very dangerous for you."

"Well... my guess was right. I guess I didn't do wrong to choose you to be my mentor," Zac said, which made Abby frown.

"Mentor?"

"I don't want to beat around the bush. Just have dinner with me, and I'll tell you everything. You owe me a thank you, anyway." Zac stated the purpose of his visit in a slightly pushy tone that, although others might not notice, Abby was reasonably used to this kind of trick.

"Alright. L'Restaurante at seven. I don't like waiting," Abby replied, ready to leave. However, Zac's question brought her to a halt.

"You want me to pick you up? We can chat on the way."

"No need, Mr. Emerson. I'll meet you there."

Without waiting for Zac's reply, Abby quickly turned on her heel and walked away from Zac, who was still staring at her back as she muttered to herself that Abby had exceeded her expectations so far.

***

Abby was ready in the dress she had worn and molded to her firm, slightly plump curves. She looked at herself in the mirror in the particular room in her office. She decided not to go home and get ready right away because the distance from the office to home would take longer while her work had just finished.

She checked her cell phone, which already had messages lined up from Zac, looking impatient to meet. However, Abby must remain calm in dealing with a man like Zac, whom she didn't know very well how his character was.

Zac could have approached her intending to discover her weaknesses, which should not have happened.

If becoming an enemy to destroy Emerson seemed so brutal, she had no problem becoming a friend of the Emerson family and started making new plans for it.

Abby traveled twenty minutes on the seemingly smooth streets and arrived at L'Restaurante, where Zac was probably waiting for her. She adjusted her makeup and clothes before asking the driver to go home and return only if he called her.

She got the bright idea to start her plan.

Sure enough, Zac was waiting for her at the reserved VIP table and immediately stood up when he saw her coming. He pulled out a chair for her and sat across from her.

"The wine here is delicious. I didn't realize you always come here, too," Zac said as they waited for their food. "Are you stuck in traffic? I thought of picking you up, but you said to meet here."

"I don't like inconveniencing people, Mr. Emerson, so this feels better." Abby took a sip of her wine after answering Zac's words.

"You're very different from most girls, Abby. Can I call you that?" Abby signaled with a nod, then took another sip of her drink, waiting for Zac to continue, but it seemed that Zac was waiting for her reaction.

"Most girls? Hmm... interesting. How many of those do you mean? Is it the same with your girlfriend? Sorry if I went off-topic; I'm just responding to your words. Moreover, as far as I know, you are quite a favorite in Saint Orleans. It's only natural that you think I'm the same type as the girls you know. So, the question is, how many do you know, and do you think I'm one of them?"

Zac laughed and put down the glass he hadn't even sipped from yet. "You got me. Rumors aren't always true, Abby. It depends on what angle you look at it from."

Abby raised one eyebrow, then put a smile on her maroon-pigmented lips.

"Why are we talking about me? I'm trying to get to know you."

"Okay. I'm sorry. Ask me anything, and I'll try to answer. However, not if it's about business. I've had enough work headaches all day, and, come on... it's outside the office," Abby said, trying to sound more relaxed, and it worked because, from her gestures, Zac seemed more comfortable talking to her.

Their food came, and they enjoyed it while making small talk, just like Abby wanted.

"So you live alone in Eastonville?"

"Yes, my parents decided to stay at Estern Shore, enjoying the beach view all the time. When we're old, what else do we want, if not peace? At least they didn't force me to stay and neglect work."

"Interesting. Maybe I'll drop by once in a while. Of course, if you're there."

"Pleasure. But you should know that my father is a little... weird. You know. Typical of an overprotective father because I'm his only daughter."

Zac didn't respond but just looked at the woman before him, who immediately enjoyed the food on her plate after a long talk. He didn't expect Abby to be so easy to get along with and mingle with when the business magazine had mentioned that Abby was one of those successful women who didn't like to socialize.

It showed at the party, but Zac seemed too stubborn to believe that Abby was that rigid.

It was over nine o'clock by the time they had finished the entire meal and dessert. However, Zac seemed reluctant to leave and was beginning to feel that Abby was a pretty fun woman to chat with once in a while.

The two were already in the parking lot, but Zac couldn't find Abby's car. Zac looked at Abby's open arms and took off his coat to put it on her. She thanks him immediately.

"I don't see your car. Did you come by taxi?"

Abby was quite dumbfounded at Zac's words, which she expected from the beginning. Everything just happened as if the world was on her side. She had already prepared a response to his words.

"Do you recognize my car?" Abby asked with a furrowed brow and a clear gaze on Zac—a questioning look. "I think you should be a detective instead of a businessman, Mr. Emerson."

"Ah, that... I'm not interested in business, actually. But I'm not cut out to be a detective either."

"So? What do you call a man who has only known a woman for a few hours but already knows her car by heart?"

Abby's question made Zac's face red. He didn't want to show too much interest in this woman, but how could Zac help himself? He had been curious to the point of insanity since their first meeting at the party.

"I'm just a stalker. Or maybe a secret admirer." He laughed.

Abby patted Zac's burly arm lightly as she laughed. "You have a great sense of humor. Do you always act like this with all the women you're attracted to?"

Zac paused and turned to get a better look at Abby's beautiful face.

"Not really. I'm just trying not to be boring. Did you have fun tonight?" Abby nodded. "Then let me drive you. I need to make sure you get home safely."

"No need, Mr. Emerson, I'm fine. My driver will probably be here any minute."

"No, no. Think of it as a thank you for accepting my invitation to dinner."

"Isn't this dinner a thank you for saving me from a drunk man?"

"I changed my mind. You can pay me back later."

Abby agreed and got into the car that soon managed to take her to her residence safely. She handed Zac his coat when they were outside.

"Thank you for your kindness."

"No, I'm not. I'm thanking you for trying to please me, even though you must have been skeptical of my bold invitation." Zac smiled even though he honestly wanted to linger there. "Get in. It's cold outside. Good night."

Then... before Abby could even step into the house, her cell phone rang, and when she checked it, a message made her lips curl.

[Unidentified number: Thank you for tonight. I hope you don't mind if we meet again at the weekend. At my apartment. I want to show you something that you might like.]