Chapter 22: Chapter 22

I send Zed a message when Yen and I are about to conclude. I can't believe it; their offer is too generous. But that is because they're doing it for Zed. So there must be reasons why they have to give back, although indirectly.

A gentle knock at the door makes us turn our heads. It then opens, revealing a fresh and gorgeous Zed smiling at us.

"Good noon, dear," his gaze freezes for a moment, but then he blinks and smiles, "I mean Yen. I'm sorry."

Yen just chuckles and waves a hand, telling him it's alright. "We had been together for quite a long time, Zed, so I understand it isn't easy to change things. I don't mind, but I hope Miss Ella does the same."

Yen looks at me calmly, a smile plastered on her beautiful face.

"Of course, I don't. I even appreciate how both of you master the art of sportsmanship," I say, giving her back a polite smile.

"It's because the friendship was great before we became a couple."

Suddenly, I get lost for words. I look at Zed, asking silently for a rescue. He's also fast to fill in.

"I agree. Thanks for remembering the friendship, dear. Since you offer Ella a partnership, it is expected that we bump into each other more often. So, I hope we will be able to move past the awkwardness."

"Of course," Yen answers, smiling at both of us.

I rise to my feet, and Yen does the same. "So, we're going now. Thanks for everything, Mrs. Mori."

"Just Yen," she says, walking towards me. I am about to extend my hand for a shake, but she holds the edges of my shoulders, pulling me for a friendly kiss.

I feel so awed. And I think she's happy because she thinks Zed has me. It's perhaps because of her guilt. Now, I'm kicking to know their whole story.

Zed paces forward and places an arm around my shoulder. Then he looks at Yen. "Please tell Kim I thank you both for your offer to Ella."

"Of course," Yen nods before she answers, her smile never leaving her lips. I wonder how she has mastered that habit. It feels too tiring to do that all the time.

Zed waves at her before guiding me out of the office. And I take a deep breath, feeling relieved I succeeded again in the pretense we just made. Zed played his boyfriend role very well, giving me his most affectionate look. I almost laugh at how good he acts, but deep inside I wished it was all real.

"Our drama for today has ended already. So why are you still holding me?" I say, laughing at him.

Zed pulls me even closer, bends his head close to my ear, and whispers, "Not yet. We're still on the premises of Kim Yuan's. There are cameras all around."

"Ah, okay." So, I place my arms around his waist, and we walk towards the lobby like a real, happy couple. Surprisingly, I feel comfortable around him.

Just after we step out of the elevator, I see Mr. Kim Mori talking to a man with thick, black eyeglasses near the entrance. With a current-fashioned haircut framing his face, his matching torn denim pants enhance his bad-boy demeanor. He only wears a plain white shirt, but it fits his body well, outlining his six-pack abs.

He notices us when he glances unconsciously. He waves a hand, so Zed guides me towards him.

"Hi, Mr. Mori," I greet him.

"Mr. Mori," greets Zed as well, following after me.

"Zed, Ella! Glad you're here." He then extends his hand to us, and we take turns shaking. "Have you both talked to Yen already?"

"Yes, Mr. Mori. Zed and I want to thank you again for the offer." I smile, but then my eyes wander to the man beside him. He looks back at me with a bored expression, running his eyes from my head to my toes.

"I also want to thank you for that, Mr. Mori," says Zed after me.

"It's Yen and mine's pleasure."

We chat a little more before Kim releases us. I'm surprised at how accommodating he is. He's too different from how I envisioned him: a devil, arrogant, and dominating CEO.

"Perhaps, we can have lunch already?" asks Zed when we get into the car. I refused when he insisted on having our meals first before seeing Yen.

"Alright."

"Where do you want us to go?"

"Anywhere. As long as it is not grilled fish."

Zed laughs softly, his deep and rich voice tickling my heart. "Street foods?"

"Whatever. As long as it is Filipino food."

"Can you search for a restaurant nearby? There may be new restaurants that I haven't tried yet."

"Sure." I then pick up my bag then pull out my phone. Turning on the location, I began typing the keywords. A list of restaurants then pops up on the screen. And then, something familiar catches my attention.

"Jakara Blue Cafe and Restaurant?" I say aloud as I glance at Zed. "I like the name. Can we go there?"

"Not that one, please. There are lots of other restaurants," Zed says, making me raise my brows.

"You'll know later."

"Can you just tell me why?" I insist. His resistance now piques my curiosity.

He pulls his brows together, his hand gripping tightly on the steering wheel. I already imagine that something happened to him in this restaurant.

"Okay, you win. I know I can't refuse a pregnant woman. So, I'll explain it there."

I nod. Making Zed talk makes me excited. The more he gets close to me, the more I want to know him deeper.

He then slows down and turns right into a block. Not far from us, looms a tall building that has the signage I want to see. Jakara Blue Hotel.

"It's a hotel. I thought it's a restaurant," I mumble, peering ahead.

"It's all the same. Before it became a hotel, it was a coffee shop first, then a restaurant, and now a hotel."

"Oh. Wonderful."

Zed pulls over a parking lot, then turns off the engine. I unfasten my seatbelt then step out of the car. I can't expect Zed to always act like a gentleman for me because he's not my lover, nor my suitor.

I wait for him at the side, and then we walk to the hotel together. Zed is silent, showing further his reluctance to come here. Gone is the sweetness he displayed when we were at Kim Yuan's. He just walks by my side, but he's three feet apart from me.

Once inside the hotel, he leads me to the coffee shop. I thought he wanted lunch but here we are, finding a table on the corner.

I pull out a chair right away and take my seat. And he sits down across from me after I settle down. He's still silent.

I'm already dying to know why his mood changes, but an attendant approaches us, bringing a menu list.

"Can you give us a lunch menu from the restaurant?" Zed speaks, looking at the attendant.

"Sure, sir."

He walks away but comes back in less than a minute, handing the menu list to me.

"What do you like?" I ask, glancing at him. He's leaning his back on the couch, spreading his arms wide. He looks exhausted.

"Anything you like. I'll have the same." Then he turns to the attendant, "Give me a cup of coffee first. Black, please."

"Yes, sir," answers the attendant. "I'll get one while the Miss browses the list."

I nod and smile, then run my eyes on the menu table. When the attendant returns with a tray of a steaming cup, I'm already ready with my orders.

He places the tray in front of Zed. Then, he stands at my side, holding his pen and notepad.

"Two servings of Chicken Kiev and Pasta Alla Carbonara, please. And two glasses of Summer Frappe."

The attendant leaves, and I notice Zed staring at his cup. Then suddenly, he stands up, calling the attendant back.

The attendant walks back to our table, throwing us a questioning look. "Yes, sir?"

"Who told you to put latte art into my coffee?" Zed asks.

I cringe. I don't understand what he sees in the art that angers him.

"Are you lactose intolerant, sir? I'm sorry. One of our bosses says you might like this specific latte art."

I stare at Zed, wondering what triggers his odd behavior. But then my eyes fall unconsciously to the man occupying the table closest to us. He's watching us, a smirk curving on his lips.