12 I like you

Their lunch went well. She called the waiter to clean the table and serve her French macarons.

"So, before we talk about anything else, I wanted to apologize to you first about what happened months ago. It was long overdue but I'm sorry for leaving without saying any words to you.", she started. "I was so ashamed of myself back then.", she continued with a shy smile.

"Hmm. I see. And the $200?"he asked, not showing any emotions.

"Oh that too… that was the only cash I had that day. I left it as my share for the room, though I know it's not enough but then again… that's all I had that day. I can pay the remaining now if you want.", she explained. "Sorry.", she added.

'Oh… so I got it wrong, huh?', Zero scolded himself.

"Then, let me apologize too. I honestly thought that you left the money thinking that I'm some kind of a gigolo or something.", he confessed.

"What?!", she said, surprised. "First off, I never think of you that way and second, you're too low key to be a gigolo.", she continued.

"That's what I thought… thank you.", he said calmly.

"You know what? Let's just forget it. We're good, right?", she asked.

"Yeah. We're good.", he instantly replied. "Why don't we start over? Clean slate.", he suggested while taking a sip of his drinks. She did not answer right away… silence.

"Then, can I ask you something?", she asked, breaking the silence.

"Fire it away.", he replied, putting back his drinks.

"Mr. Kage, do you like me?", she asked bluntly.

Zero coughed upon hearing her question and the way she addressed him. He looked at her straight in the eyes before answering. He smiled.

"Too formal. Call me Zero, then ask the same question.", he replied, looking directly into her eyes.

"Too demanding, are we? Fine. Zero, do you like me? I mean, romantically?", she asked again.

"I do. I like you.", he answered calmly.

"I see. What do you think about our grandfather's agreement?", she curiously asked.

"Let me be honest with you, I don't do dates…", he said, trailing his answer.

"So am I.", she instantly replied.

"I have a company to run and I don't fool around…", he continued.

"Me too.", she answered.

"So, why don't you just be my girlfriend or fiancée instead?", he asked, leaning to her with his right hand supporting his chin while smiling.

"Of course!", she said right away. Zero then let out a laugh after hearing her answer while leaning back on his seat.

"Wait… what?! No. no. no.. that's not what I mean… I.. I.. ugh!", she said with her palms covering her face. After some time, she glanced at him, he's now suppressing his laughter and his face, ears and neck are a bit flushed. Other people in the restaurant were looking in their direction upon hearing his seductive laughter. "Stop laughing already!", she added, pouting. 'Why does this man look sexy in every way?', she said to herself.

"I'm sorry.", he said, still trying not to laugh. "So, what is it? Girlfriend or fiancée?", he asked, straightening himself.

"Honestly, I don't know. What's in it for me?", she asked.

"That's for you to find out.", he said with a smirk.

"Oh my God! Is that Zero?", said by one of the women in the restaurant.

"Oh my! You're right. That's him! Ahhh! He's more handsome in person.", answered the other one, blushing.

"Totally! His photos don't do him any justice!", another one said with sparkling eyes while looking at him.

Ash heard everything that they said. She frowned and glanced at him with curiosity at the same time, confused.

"Are you kinda famous or something?", she whispered to him while leaning forward a little. She seems to have an idea that he might be a known personality, so she took out her phone and checked it online after turning it on.

"Maybe… or maybe not.", he just shrugged. 'Looks like she doesn't know anything about me.', he said to himself.

"Oh…", that's the only thing she said after reading some articles online about him.

"Give me your phone.", he said, offering his hand. Ash frowned but still gave her phone. Zero saw the article that she's reading and he smiled. He then dialed his number from her phone then returned it back. "I saved my number in your phone under 'Z' as my name and yours as 'A' on mine. Text or call me anytime, whichever you prefer. Just like what I said, I don't do dates and don't fool around, so starting today - we are in a relationship. You are now my girlfriend. Let's start with that… for now.", he said with a smirk.

"Why do I feel like I don't have a say on this?", she asked.

"You already agreed earlier.", he answered.

"That's… Ugh! You don't even know me.", she said.

"It's fine. We have a lot of time ahead of us, we can get to know each other as we go along.", he said with a wink. She can't help but sigh.

[Nari: Ash, what time will you be back?]

[Ash: I'm on my way back.]

[Ash: I'll send you a message once I'm outside the building.]

[Nari: Okay. See you.]

"Okay. Well, I guess I have to go now.", she said, flashing her phone.

"Do you need a ride?", he asked.

"No need. I brought my car.", she answered and then stood.

"Okay. Let me walk my girlfriend in the parking lot then.", he said, teasing her. She just responded by rolling her eyes. They walked towards the parking lot. She was a bit startled when Zero placed his hand on her back.

"Getting clingy, are we?", she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Just flaunting what's mine.", he answered. She just let out a sigh and let it go until they reached her car. He opened the door for her like a real gentleman then closed it but let the window down.

"Thank you.", she said while fastening her seatbelt. "Well then, I'll see you around.", she added.

"Send me a message as soon as you arrive.", he said.

"Hmm… acting like a real boyfriend, huh?", she said.

"I am real. We are real.", he replied.

"Well you have to forgive me, this… everything is new to me, you know?", she said honestly.

"Get used to it then.", he said, then wink at her. She just rolled her eyes back at him.

"Bye bye then.", she said, then started her car but her eyes opened wide when he leaned forward and gave her a smack kiss on the lips.

"Bye. See you soon, babe!", he said, smiling widely then walked out before she could even say anything.

"You… Shameless!", she shouted after getting back her senses but he was already on the other side. He just waved his hand but did not look back anymore, grinning.

It's not like she didn't like it, she was just surprised. She leaves the place while shaking her head but not feeling bad about what happened.

Zero gets in the car with a bright smile while checking his phone.

'Wow! My boss is smiling??? This is new.', said Frank to himself.

"Ahem! Did the 'Rejection Proposal' go well?", Frank asked. "Looks like someone's happy.", he teased.

"Shut up, Frank!", he said, glaring at him.

"What? That's what you said.", Frank continued, letting out a laugh.

"Do you have a death wish?", he asked. Frank immediately suppressed his laughter and just scratched the back of his head. "Do a background check on her, every little detail if possible. Ashley Parker, that's her full name.", he continued.

"Nice name. Got it!", replied Frank. They went back to the office for another meeting.

-=Shadow Limitless Entertainment (SLE)=-

Ash and Nari arrived in the office before 5PM. There were several people in the lobby from different companies within their building. Upon entering, a couple of eyes looked at them from head to toe. Murmurs were heard within the lobby.

"Wow! She's stunning! Is she an artist from above?", one of the men sitting on the couch asked.

"I don't know. It's the first time I saw her here. She's gorgeous!", answered by the other man.

"That's exactly my type of a woman.", another man said.

"You said that before, the first time you saw Trixie Anders.", a middle aged woman said to the man.

"Well… that's before seeing her. She's my new goddess now.", answered the man.

Ash and Nari went straight to the elevator containing their floor numbers. It's a good thing that their building have separate elevators for each company. They arrived at the 12th floor where the office is located. As soon as the elevator door opened, she immediately saw Sam's office. She signaled Sam's secretary not to notify her for a surprise.

"Hey b*tches!", she said the moment she opened the door.

Sam and Trix are inside sitting on the couch while finalizing the 1st anniversary celebration. They were both surprised to see her in the flesh, more on, in the office.

"OMG! Aaaash!!!", screamed Trix, rushing towards her.

"Hey bish!", said Sam, hugging both Trix and Ash.

"I missed you, b*tches!", said Ash.

"We missed you too.", said both Sam and Trix.

They all settled on the couch. Nari just stood behind them, just smiling. "...by the way, this is my new assistant, Nari Seo. We were from the same university in Country K. She's also a friend.", she continued. "...and Nari, these are my best friends, Sam and Trix.", she added.

"Nice to meet you both.", said Nari politely.

"Hi Nari, it's a pleasure.", replied Trix while Sam nodded with a sweet smile.

"Can you please call your secretary, Sam. Just tell her to tour Nari in our office and also teach her some of her works.", Ash said.

"Sure.", said Sam, pressing the button for her secretary. When her secretary entered the office.

"Please take care of Nari, Clara. You know what to do." Sam instructed. The secretary smiled at Nari then both left after a bow.

"So, how are you?", Sam asked while getting a bottle of drinks for them.

"Never been this alive!", she replied with a wink. Trix and Sam laugh at her. "...by the way, what are these?", she asked, pointing at the scattered papers on the table.

"Oh, it's for the anniversary celebration. We're finalizing it.", Sam answered, then organized the papers.

"I see. Anything I can help?" she asked.

"Everything's good.", answered Sam.

"Why don't we have dinner after work? Catch up.", suggested Trix.

"I can't go for dinner 'coz I had a late lunch, but I'm in for a drink.", she said, smiling. "Speaking of… wait, let me just send a text.", she added, tapping the screen of her phone a couple of times before putting it down.

[A: Got here safely.]

[Z: Great! Want to have dinner too?]

[A: I can't. I'm with my girls now.]

[Z: Okay. (sad emoji)]

[Z: Get home safely. (kiss emoji)]

Sam and Trix exchanged looks while staring at Ash who's focused on her phone.

"Ahem! Who's that?", asked Trix when she saw Ash put down her phone. Sam was also curious.

"Ohh… it's nothing.", she replied with a smile. "When will be the date of our company anniversary?", she continued. Hoping to change the topic.

"Hmm.. it's in two weeks.", replied Sam. "We'll go dress shopping this Friday, you should come with us.", she continued, looking excited.

"Yes you should come!", added Trix, clasping her hands.

"Of course! Count me in!", she said.

They continue to talk about the anniversary celebration. Sam also showed her their artists profiles and upcoming projects. After a couple of hours, they all exited the building going to their favorite bar. Nari also joined them.

They all drink all night. Ash also shared all things that she did while in Country K. Within 11 months that she was away, aside from looking for her grandfather, she enrolled in culinary school and also studied music. The night went smoothly and they all got home separately.