11 Awkward

-=ZL Group of Companies=-

One of the leading companies in the entire Country A and also the tallest building in the country. Towering within the heart of the city. Magnificent views from the floor to ceiling windows. Sitting on the king's chair, a black hair man, gray eyes with dark expression intently looking on his computer screen. He is Zero Leon Kage. The CEO and owner of ZL Group of Companies.

"Boss, I really apologize but we don't have much information for Miss Ash. I already visited and asked the place where we last saw her but nobody knows her. It's been months.", said Frank. Zero just replied with a frown, still looking at his computer.

"Leave it then. Let's just meet Brad and Nich for now.", he said after some time.

"Ok, boss.", Frank replied. It's been 11 months that Zero is asking him to keep looking for her. 'I guess he got tired.', said Frank to himself.

"Frank, how many times do I have to tell you not to call me boss anymore? Do you want to work somewhere? Just tell me.", he said with an irritated voice.

"Wow! That was the longest sentence I heard from you for how many years.", said Frank in disbelief.

"Nonsense. Let's go!", he replied back. He stood from his seat and started walking. Frank just followed him while shaking his head.

They both went upstairs, Zero's penthouse. It has 5 rooms including master's bedroom. His penthouse is covered with only a dark shade of gray with a touch of gold. The furniture is black or gold in color.

"So you'll meet your arrange partner tomorrow?", asked Nich to Zero.

"It's not what you think. I'll just meet her, reject the proposal and be done with it.", he replied, annoyed. "Besides, I don't have time to go on dates, so much more for marriage.", he added, then took a gulp on his drinks.

"Well, you can say that. Do you have her profile?", curiously asked by Nich.

"I don't and I don't care!", he answered.

"Jeez! You might change your mind once you see her. If not then tell her to meet me instead. I'm always available.", Nich said with a smirk. Brad and Frank just laugh at him while Zero did not reply. "What's her name by the way?", Nich asked again.

"I don't know. I only know that she is Ms. Parker.", he replied.

"Wow! You're really not interested, are you?", Brad asked this time.

"Do I have to?", he butted.

"Hmm… we'll see tomorrow then.", said Brad. "Frank, give us an update on their date.", he continued, facing Frank with a sly smile.

"Of course! I'll tell you every bit of pieces.", Frank replied, smiling while Zero gave a deadly glare to him. Nich and Brad just laugh it off.

"By the way, congratulations on your engagement Brad.", said Zero.

"What?! You are engaged? When was this? Do you even have a girlfriend?", asked Nich, surprised by the news.

"Oh Nich, you'll be surprised.", said Frank while drinking.

"Thanks man. Nich, it happened a month ago. And yeah, you may not know but we've been together for more than 2 years before our engagement.", narrated Brad.

"What?! How Am I just now knowing about this? I was not even invited?", asked Nich. Frank and Brad only shrug, Zero on the other side is focused on his phone while drinking.

"Don't worry man, nobody was invited.", said Frank.

"Ohhh… so you mean… ?", Nich asked.

"T'was a super private gathering, but don't worry… you'll meet her soon.", explained Brad.

"Why private? It's not like she's a celebrity or is she???", Nich asked, puzzled.

"If I were you Nich, I'll just shut up.", said Frank.

"What? Oh.. don't tell me she's a known person or from a rich family?", Nich asked again, frowning.

"Enough with that.", said Brad, smiling while shaking his head.

They continued to drink and talk about different things. The three decided to sleep in Zero's penthouse by themselves. Zero entered his bedroom then walked straight to the bathroom, took a shower. After a few minutes, the bathroom door opened with him only wrapped with a towel. He sat on the edge of the bed and was about to reach for his phone when it rang.

Ring! Ring! Ring!

"Grandpa!", he answered.

"I just called to remind you about your meeting tomorrow. Don't be late.", his grandfather said from the other line.

"God! For the 9th time. I won't be late.", he answered.

"Again, I'm not asking you to marry her right away… just get to know her first. If both of you don't like each other then at the very least, show some respect. Remember, she is my best friend's only granddaughter.", his grandfather explained.

"I know, grandpa.", he answered.

"Good. Sleep then.", his grandfather said.

"Goodnight grandpa.", he replied.

He put his phone down, took off the towel and lay on his bed - naked. Staring at the ceiling mindlessly, hands at the back of his head. He stayed like that for a couple of minutes before he eventually fell asleep.

He woke up earlier than usual so he decided to workout. There's a mini gym inside his penthouse for him to use. Frank on the other hand is already awake.

"Good morning.", greeted Frank. He was sitting at the kitchen counter. "Want something to drink?", he asked.

"Hmm. I'll do some sets first.", he answered. He drank a glass of water, picked a piece of bread then walked straight to the gym.

He did rounds of sets in the gym until Brad and Nich woke up. After his workout, he took a shower and joined them. They all gathered at the kitchen counter, eating their breakfast. After eating, Brad and Nich said their goodbyes and left his penthouse while he and Frank waited for sometime before going down for work.

Zero and Frank attended the meeting for the company's upcoming auction. In two months' time, they will be hosting a charity auction for the ZL Foundation. It supports childrens' education, offers scholarships and jobs for the unprivileged.

"Boss, I mean Zero... you have 30 minutes for your lunch meeting with Ms. Parker.", said Frank.

"Okay let's go." he said coldly.

-=At the restaurant=-

Ash is so focused on her phone not minding her surroundings until she hears a knock on the table.

"Ms. Parker?", said the man.

"Yes! Hello. Nice to meet you. I'm Ashley Parker.", she said, leaving her phone on the table and offering her hand for a shake. She looked up and was shocked to see the striking gray eyes, the same eyes, the same man she had a night with months ago.

"Huh? So… nice to meet you… again… you said Ashley Parker? Hmm…", Zero said with a smirk, intently looking at her green eyes. 'I won't let you slip in my hands this time Ash. This time I'll make sure that you'll pay not just $200 but your everything, even your shadow. You will be mine.', Zero swore to himself while looking at Ash.

Frank was also surprised to see Ash in the flesh. 'Will you look at that.', he said to himself with a sly smile on his face. He then decided to leave the two of them and just wait inside the car.

Zero is wearing a three piece gray suit with black shirt and tie paired with black brogue boots. The man looked so unreal. What a masculine visuals… he's hot! That's exactly what others are thinking right now. All eyes on him from the time he entered the restaurant.

"Let me formally introduce myself. My name is Zero Leon Kage.", Zero said. Shook her hand and walked on the other side while removing his suit jacket then sat across from her. He rolled the sleeves just below his elbow so his muscular forearms were visible. Ash was speechless! Still standing in shock. Who would have thought that they will meet again? Her marriage partner at that!

"I… I don't know what to say.", she said, still in shock, then slowly settled on her seat. She is wearing an olive green draped one shoulder jumpsuit with nude suede open toe ankle strap chunky heels on.

"I can see that.", Zero replied, intently looking at her.

"Wow! I can't believe this! Ha ha!", she let out an awkward laugh. "Small world, huh.", she added.

"Indeed.", Zero said, calmly. "Why don't we eat first?", he continued and called the waiter.

"Agree! This is… kinda awkward.", she replied with an awkward smile.

"Hello! May I take your orders?", the waiter politely said.

"Ladies first.", said Zero, browsing through the menu.

"Oh okay. I'll have shrimp taco bites, pork belly with apple purée and sprouting broccoli and French macarons for dessert. Vanilla iced coffee for my drinks.", she said, smiling. Zero raised an eyebrow listening to her orders. 'Is she hungry or something?', he asked himself.

"Yes. I'm so hungry. I haven't eaten since last night.", she said, feeling guilty.

"I'll have the same drink as her. Just give me sesame and coriander crusted basa for my meal. That'll be all. Thank you.", he said to the waiter. "Why are you just eating now? What happened last night and this morning that you forgot to eat?", he asked, staring at her.

"Ahm.. I was just tired and woke up late, that's why.", she hesitantly answered.

"I see.", Zero replied. Silence. Nobody spoke after that. They just patiently waited for their orders to be served.

Ring! Ring! Ring! She was a bit startled when her phone rang. Checking on the caller name, she chose to ignore it. Zero saw her flip her phone back after checking the caller name.

Ring! Ring! Ring!

"Are you… not gonna take that?", Zero asked when her phone rang again.

"Hmm… you think so? Then, excuse me for a moment.", she said while lifting a finger then answered the phone.

"I heard that you're back in the country, where are you?!", greeted by her mother as soon as she picked up the phone.

"Why do I feel like you only call me when you're bored?", she answered calmly.

"I want you to meet my friend's son right now. He will be arriving at the airport in 2 hours. Don't be late. I'll send you his details.", her mother said, ignoring her question.

"Excuse me?! Do I look like an Uber now?", she said, running her fingers through her hair while frowning. "...and why do I need to do that?", she continued, massaging her temples this time.

"Because I said so!", instantly answered by her mother.

"Then it's a NO! Because I said so, too. Byeee!", she replied then ended the call. She breathed in and out to calm herself. "I'm sorry about that.", she said with a shy smile.

"Hmm.", Zero said. 'Who is it that made you irritated like that?', he wondered.

Ring! Ring! Ring! And another call from her mother. She rolled her eyes then picked up the phone.

"Did you just hang-up on me?", her mother shouted on the other line.

"Well hello again, mother. And yes, I just hung up on you. I'm on a date, okay? Please don't disturb me anymore. You're embarrassing me. Just stay like you always do. Stop pretending like you care.", she said calmly then ended the call without waiting for her mother to say anything. She also turned off her phone before putting it in her bag. "Ahm… I'm really sorry about that.", she said, facing Zero.

"It's fine. It happens sometimes.", replied Zero.

"Not for me. That has been the case for more than a decade.", she replied bluntly. Zero wanted to pry more but decided not to. Their order was served at last. They started eating quietly. Zero keeps on glancing at her every now and then. He feels bewitched by her beauty and he can't take his eyes off of her.