Chapter thirty-seven

The corridor was quiet at that moment, with only Zoe and Nick in sight.

Zoe felt a bit uneasy and wanted to leave, but Nick extinguished his cigarette and casually asked, "Want to grab lunch together?"

The invitation was so natural.

Zoe hesitated for a moment and instinctively refused, "No, I'm going home this afternoon."

"I'm going back too."

Nick narrowed his eyes at her, his tone casual.

Zoe felt even more uneasy, wondering if it was because she wanted to take a step forward in her heart but retreated when she saw Nick.

Or maybe it was because the ambiguity between them was lingering, yet they were not yet lovers, causing her to overthink and naturally wanting to avoid him.

Now she would naturally not take the initiative, even though the thoughts in her heart would occasionally surface.

And while Nick's intentions were obvious, they were not blatant enough.

Zoe felt a slight headache, "Or..."

"Huh?"

"Grab lunch together?"

Nick took a step towards her, his gaze locked firmly on her face and waist. Even though he had tasted a little bit of the fish, he had not yet had his fill.

The suppressed desire, like a volcano, made him unable to resist the urge to touch her, kiss her, embrace her, and even bite her.

"I..." Zoe was interrupted, and it was difficult for her to reject him now.

Just as she opened her mouth to speak, she saw Sampson leaning against the entrance of her company with his arms folded.

The usually gentlemanly man looked somewhat ominous from afar.

Zoe shivered and said, "I'm not eating. I'm leaving first."

Without waiting for Nick's response, she quickly walked towards the entrance of Shengding.

Nick rubbed his lips, furrowed his brows, and glanced at Sampson.

Sampson smiled slightly at him.

Zoe reached the entrance and greeted Sampson, "President."

Sampson nodded, his expression gentle, "It's almost time to go home. Pack up and go home."

"Alright."

Zoe looked at Sampson and obediently went inside.

There wasn't much to do in the afternoon.

Most people in the office could go home to rest.

Zoe also packed up and left, while the opposite company was bustling with people coming and going.

Zoe walked downstairs with her colleagues towards the subway entrance. The weather had been getting warmer these days, and the midday sun was intense.

As they crossed the red light, a black car suddenly swerved across, blocking Zoe's path.

Nick rolled down the window and looked at her, "Get in."

Zoe's face was slightly flushed by the sun, and she felt a bit dizzy when she suddenly saw him.

"Can you hear me?"

Nick leaned over and opened the passenger door, gesturing for Zoe to get in. Zoe glanced at the position where the car was parked, hesitated slightly, and then bent down to get in.

As soon as she got in, her heart started beating frantically, which was quite shameful.

But she didn't forget to buckle her seatbelt. Nick had one hand on the steering wheel and the other resting on the window, looking casual, "What do you want to eat? Or should I come home and you'll cook for me?"

How shameless is this guy?

Zoe looked at him and said, "I don't even want to cook for myself."

"Then let's go out to eat. You're not working this afternoon?"

"No need." Zoe replied.

This was the second time she had taken his car. Inside, there was a faint tobacco smell mixed with a refreshing fragrance.

Zoe leaned against the seatback, lost in thought.

Nick turned the steering wheel, occasionally glancing at her, his eyes deep and inscrutable.

After a while, he chose a restaurant, which turned out to be Milestone.

Zoe noticed and thought it was a bit of a coincidence.

Nick said, "This restaurant's pumpkin cheese tart is quite famous. I brought you here to try it."

Zoe nodded and followed him out of the car.

Milestone wasn't too crowded during lunchtime, but the environment was very peaceful.

As they walked up the steps, Nick took Zoe's hand briefly with his car keys and phone in hand.

Zoe stiffened and instinctively pulled away.

Nick chuckled, "You've already kissed me and touched me..."

Zoe wanted to throw her bag at his face.

The two of them maintained a distance, neither too close nor too far, and entered the restaurant. Under the guidance of the waiter, they sat in a secluded corner.

As she sat down, Zoe felt a bit dazed. Had she really agreed to have lunch with Nick?

The main dishes were steak and pumpkin cheese tart, along with Russian soup and fruit salad.

They ordered two portions of each. Nick, with his long legs crossed and leaning casually against the sofa, asked, "How much is your internship salary at Shengding?"

When it came to work, Zoe was a bit cautious.

She said, "Just the average internship salary."

Nick raised his eyebrows, "I heard you're trying to acquire Shengyi?"

Zoe: "Why are you asking so many questions?"

She was even more cautious.

Nick smiled and leaned closer to her, his narrow eyes reflecting her face, "Nothing, just want to poach you."

Zoe felt a chill down her spine, misunderstanding his intention, and gritted her teeth, "Don't you already have Lingfeng Technology?"

How big was this guy's ambition?

Wanting to swallow up so many companies.

Nick chuckled, "What are you thinking?

I'm trying to poach you, not your company."

Zoe: "..."

"What's the point of being at Shengding? As a mere intern, you can't become a full-time employee until you've passed all the exams. Come work for me, and you can be the boss's wife directly. You can keep an eye on what they're all up to and occasionally whisper sweet nothings in my ear. Isn't that great?"

Nick toyed with his black screen phone, speaking casually with a teasing tone.

Zoe realized what he meant and felt agitated. She said, "Where I work is my own choice."

Moreover, this job was introduced by Luna.

Even if she wanted to leave, she would need to discuss it with Luna first.

Nick picked up a piece of cut steak and placed it on Zoe's plate, nodding, "It's up to you."

After lunch, it was already half past one.

Nick went to pay the bill while Zoe waited for him at the door.

Soon, he walked towards her, and the two of them left together. Just as they reached the entrance, they bumped into Camila.

Camila was dressed in a knee-length skirt and a popular-styled suit jacket, with a black V-neck shirt underneath.

She looked very professional.

Upon seeing Zoe, she wanted to greet her, but when her gaze shifted to Nick, she was taken aback, "Nick?

Having lunch?"

Nick only had eyes for Zoe and was looking for an opportunity to take her hand.

Camila called out to him, and he finally lifted his eyelids to give her a cold glance, without responding.

Camila felt a bit embarrassed, and that familiar feeling of being cautious around Nick came back.

Zoe wanted to greet her, but before she could speak, Camila greeted Nick first. Since Camila looked dejected after greeting Nick, Zoe felt even more reluctant to speak.

The atmosphere became a bit awkward for a moment.

Camila spoke to Nick again, "

Nick bent down and opened the car door for Zoe, and Zoe got in.

Camila stood far away on the steps, watching, and her heart skipped a beat.

This cold guy.

He has always been disdainful of girls...

Why did he open the car door for Zoe?

After the black car started and drove out onto the main road, Zoe's phone rang inside her bag. She took it out and checked. It was from Camila.

Camila: "Zoe, I'm sorry, I didn't have time to talk to you earlier. I was surprised to see Nick in the restaurant, so I neglected you for a moment."

Zoe read the message.

She felt that Camila's emotions were a bit complicated.

She replied to Camila.

Zoe: "I thought you were afraid that Nick would know we knew each other."

Indeed, Camila had been avoiding eye contact with her several times.

Camila received the message and felt even more embarrassed.

When she saw Nick, she subconsciously ignored Zoe. On the one hand, she subconsciously wanted to talk to Nick, and on the other hand, she was a bit afraid that Nick would know she knew Zoe.

The "surprise" she had planned for a few days would be ruined.

She didn't expect Zoe to be so sensitive and figure it out right away.

She hesitated for a moment and didn't bother to explain.

Camila: "I'm sorry."

Zoe looked down at the message and suddenly felt less fond of Camila.

She didn't mind teaching Camila what she knew, but it was immoral to ask for her help while also wanting her to stay anonymous.

Zoe didn't reply to Camila again.

That's it.

As soon as Zoe got into the car, the girl next to her was constantly looking at her phone, seemingly enjoying it.

Nick took a cigarette, put it in his mouth without lighting it, and glanced at her several times, noticing her intense focus.

A flicker of impatience flashed across his brow. "Who are you chatting with so enthusiastically?"

When asked, Zoe looked up and said, "Just chatting with a friend."

Nick narrowed his eyes.

Various guesses were fermenting in his mind.

First Leo, then Ethan, various boys ran through his mind, and he resisted the urge to grab Zoe's phone to see.

Then he remembered Zoe's smile at Camila before they left.

He pinched the cigarette at the corner of his mouth and asked, "Do you know that girl over there?"

Zoe was still thinking about Camila's words and was suddenly asked this question, not realizing who the girl was.

She looked confused, "Which girl?"

"At the entrance of the Mile Restaurant."

Nick asked back, and he realized that Zoe had tried to talk to Camila several times earlier.

It was obviously a familiarity.

Oh.

It was Camila.

Zoe hesitated for a moment and said, "I've seen her."

Nick snorted and didn't ask anymore. He wasn't interested.

"Can I have a cigarette?"

Zoe looked at the narrow car space and hesitated for a moment, "You... can have one."

"Since it's your car anyway." Nick pinched the cigarette into a curve, "Just say it if you don't want me to smoke."

Zoe was left speechless.

Nick added, "You can tell me what to do."

Zoe's heart skipped a beat.

She looked out the window, not responding.

Nick felt more at ease seeing that Zoe was no longer focused on her phone.

That bit of his wild nature was suppressed again.

He knew that Zoe didn't usually spend much time on her phone.

Even if she did, it was mostly to chat with her roommates, which he could see easily by turning his head.

It was rare for her to stare at her phone and chat thoughtfully like this.

Zoe had to go back for a nap, and Nick probably had some business to attend to. He dropped her off at the building in the old downtown area of East China and watched her go upstairs before driving away.

In the days following, Zoe started working officially.

She met with the responsible person from Shengyi Technology on the weekend with Sampson, and this time, without Nick's involvement, it went very smoothly.

Sampson was in high spirits and smiled brightly.

They set a date for the contract signing.

Zoe could sense Sampson's relief.

After a tense year, they finally settled this matter.

And soon, the school year was about to start.

Nick moved back to the new downtown area of East China after the eighth day of the new year.

Camila came to cook on the tenth day.

As soon as she entered, the house was empty, and the bedroom door was locked, presumably indicating that he was sleeping.

She quickly carried the groceries into the kitchen and prepared herself for this meal, which she had been waiting for a long time.

She cheered herself up in the kitchen and then started cooking.

An hour later, Camila carried out dishes of spicy and sour fish, stir-fried meat, spicy and sour cabbage, and an egg soup, placing them on the table.

There was still no one in the living room.

But the bedroom door was open, half-closed.

Camila felt even more nervous.

She walked over, knocked on the door, and called out, "Nick, it's time for lunch."

The bathroom door attached to the master bedroom was pulled open with a creak, and Nick emerged barefoot, wearing a bathrobe. Water droplets dripped down his hair and disappeared into his chest. Although the water was warm, Camila felt a chill. She smiled at his cold gaze and asked, "Did you stay up all night?"

Nick hooked his finger around his collar, slightly covering his chest, and walked out.

Camila instinctively stepped back, following behind him, feeling very nervous and taking deep breaths.

After walking a few steps, Nick smelled the familiar scent. A flash of anger crossed his brow, and he walked to the dining table, picked up the chopsticks, and dipped them into the spicy and sour fish broth.

He picked up a piece of fish and put it in his mouth.

The taste...

Exactly the same.

He leaned lazily against the wall, licking the chopsticks.

Camila stood behind the sofa, peeking out and smiling, "I've improved the dishes. Do you think they're okay?"

Nick played with the chopsticks, his narrow eyes slanting slightly as he looked at Camila.

Camila's smile faltered.

After about a second, Nick picked up the plate of fish, lazily lifted his hand, and with a curve of his wrist, dumped it into the trash can next to the table.

Camila froze.

After dumping the fish, Nick sneered, "You think making the same dish will satisfy me?"

"You don't know, do you?

I'm looking for a person, not the food she makes. If it's not her, it's not good enough."

With a clang, Nick threw the plate on the table.

With a flash of understanding across her forehead, Camila paled and trembled. "You... you like Zoe?"

Nick lazily pointed to the door and said, "Get out."

Camila, of course, didn't actually roll out. She leaned her back against the sofa and said, "Answer me, is it true?"

Nick tapped the table with his finger, his eyes cold, "Yes, I do like her. But what does it matter to you?

What's your relationship with her?

Hmm?"

With confirmation, Camila felt defeated. She finally understood why no matter what she did, Nick was never satisfied.

This man was pathological; he could only stomach the food made by Zoe.

Camila had been hiding her feelings desperately, but now she lifted her head with a trace of triumphant smile. "But unfortunately, she has someone she likes already, Nick. Can you still be proud?"