Dinner

Dave's face bloomed with a gratifying satisfaction words couldn't describe. He stared intently at the man before him who has no doubt brought good fortune for Krystal Corp within a short time. Dave's gaze was fixed, never leaving Frederick Brown who moved across the projector, with a serious calculative gleam plastered on his face.

It was definitely a good thing partnering up with the multinational based Chinese Entity,WB Group one Frederick himself had recommended,Krystal Group didn't have much of a choice. It was pretty daunting at first with the large required investment Krystal had to put into it. Time was strictly against them,dropping down Krystal stock value,hence a decision urgently had to be made, but Dave could say it was worth it. Dave loosened smile,widened like a crescent with sharp pointed edges. His happiness was limitless. Whatever this man was doing was seriously showing positive result. Krystal Corp shares had slowly broke out from the static state it had crumpled to after the scandal and soon,in no time it would be back on it's feet.

Frederick successfully finished his speech,even a break of sweat wasn't found on him. Dave gave Martin an approving look. Martin this time had used his nerdy incapable brains for something good.

Frederick violet eyes returned back to his audience. "Well that's all for now" His accented English filtered through, displaying the level of professionalism he armoured. His glimmering voilet eyes piercing through those of a curvy red haired of a female who sat at short length from Dave.

"And when can we finally meet Mrs Wong?" Emma's chided, watching him with guarded eyes. It was obvious she was also very much interested in meeting the woman behind WB multinational Group.

Frederick packed up his belongings, his charisma and poise so distinctive and impeccable. "She'll be arriving in the country no later than next month" Frederick flashed his smile at the big bulging eyes that bore him.

He moved to the door, taking his exit. "Mr Anderson, I'll take my leave" Dave was up quickly behind him,as Martin held the door out for the gentleman.

"See you later" A cheerful smirk on Dave's lips as he offered a hand out to the accented gentleman who shook mildly.

This was splendid and Dave knew it. Dave watched as Mr Brown faded away. The best news he had received so far. Martin on the other end was very much pleased with himself.

Dave was lost in his bundle of ecstasy he floated in. He got a warm feeling over his shoulder. He didn't need a soothsayer to tell him it was Emma.

He turned around to face her puppy brown eyes gazing at him, she seemed pleased and in a good mood,and it made Dave more happier. Less drama.

"This is wonderful, isn't it?" Emma chirped happily, extremely happy at that. For the past days Dave could testify to the happy and gladdened high spirit Emma always displayed. It was almost impossible to believe that the ranting and bickering Emma of a week ago could magically transform into this. Dave knew there was an egg in the nest waiting to hatch. But that wasn't his concern. Whatever kept her happily sane and out of his business, he was in deed grateful.She hadn't even pulled her habitual tantrum ranting on about what happened with Natalie back at Connecticut nor had her raging hot jealousy evaded through.

Dave returned a similar smile to her. "It more than wonderful" He kept his tone professional, much cognizant of the third party in the room. Though Martin was getting more knowledgeable with his affairs, he didn't want to disclose any further.

Emma got the hint, she threw Martin a look which seemed to be saying Don't you think is time to leave'

Martin got his clue and euphorically left the room,he had been avoiding her every gaze for some time now. The dork probably wasn't yet comfortable with the callous task that Emma had obligatory placed on him.

Emma leaped at Dave, her gazes showing no inclination of the thoughts her mind harboured. Dave was puzzled at her action. He knew Emma too well,something got her acting all giddy.

This wasn't Emma but a new cascade of hers. Dave mentally face palmed himself. If this was a new script she was going with he'll very much play along after all they were both master at this. Sometimes he couldn't help but wonder how good they'll both do in the entertainment industry considering their commendable personalities.

Emma gave the time a quick glance at it. "We should go out...to celebrate" She hopped like a teenager. Dave knew she was overdoing it. Emma was no doubt scheming up something, he couldn't still believe she was forgetting everything even the kiss with Natalie she had gone crazy over. Dave thought,his mind drifting from the huntress before him to the seductress who constantly occupied his brain.A faded scowl ran past his face. Natalie had been refusing to talk about the kiss,at least not how he had expected a reaction from her. He called even used redundant business as excuse but still,she still didn't spare a second. 'A mistake' she tagged it as. He remembered the frosty cold gaze she held,which carried far worse murderous words. What on earth was wrong with him,he'd never been treated in such manner,not by anyone not even females.

But no matter how angry and frustrated he felt he still couldn't just let her go,that temptress was sending him astray.

"Dave" Dave shivered a bit at the deafening yell of Emma,even his eyes couldn't concede the anger he felt. What now Emma? He yelled back mentally, matching her deafening tone. Dave was getting tired of this,he already was. He stared at her assuring her of his full attention, he couldn't believe he was ever involved with this female.

"Dinner love" love! Dave couldn't help but give permission to the sneer that sought his lips. Emma was really something, he repeated jestingly. "Whatever you want 'love'" His grey eyes giving a shine,he was pretty clear with his words back at Connecticut and here she was trying to board a ship that had already sailed. This play of hers was not getting him. Dave tried not transferring the frustration he experienced from Natalie to Emma. He didn't just know why but all of a sudden he had slowly gotten bored of Emma,and Natalie was among the many reasons. His mind still replayed that precious moment he had a taste of her,her lips so enticing and delightful. Dave paused. Whatever it took, he wasn't letting that seductress go,he would infact finished what his lips started, he laughed sarcastically.

"I'll meet you outside in some minutes" Emma whispered,

"What?" Dave was taken aback

"Dinner" Emma stressed, her eyes clearly not giving an option as usual. A speck of her true self eager to pop out on his next words.

"Oh...I'll see you in some minutes" A witty smile pulled to her red painted lips,she stomped out. Dave sunk into his chair,going through his inbox,Nothing! Nothing from Natalie,he said infuriatingly.

Dave was out already waiting for Emma. He threw a annoying look at Emma,who was just arriving after wasting precious minutes of his time.

"Let's go love" Emma ordered. Both hopped into the car and was now on their to Emma's favourite restaurant. Dave's eyes were glued to the wheel,but he could feel the vibration of her phone. Quickly she answered her call,she didn't utter a single word,letting only her caller do the talking. Strange. Dave thought straining his ears. She finally dropped the call as soon as Dave halted at their destination.

Emma was still glued to her seat,"Aren't you coming out?" Dave was impatient, he didn't have the strength to waste anymore of his precious time.

"Love..." Emma pouted, "I really don't feel like eating out here, let's go somewhere else"

If she could see the rage that burnt deep within the surface of Dave's calm face,she would had trembled a bit. Dave blew out some air,wasn't he the one that accepted to have dinner with this lunatic. "Sure.... Where do you want to eat at"

Emma's lips blossomed with a smile, "Let's go, I'll tell you on the way" Dave could recognize the malevolent manner her lip curved in.

"So now where to?" Dave's eyes were on her,awaiting her response, as soon as the name of her choice of restaurant left her painted lips. He knew this viper was up to something.

..........

"Natalie" The soft invasive voice filled the air,almost startling Natalie Reed who was inches away from her car.

Owning the handle of her bag,Natalie turned around, her eyes falling on the greenish pair of eyes gazing at her.

For an instant, Natalie had sworn,she heard wrong.

"Natalie it's you isn't it" The greenish pair of eyes squeaked in euphoria, tugging her companion closer to Natalie.

Natalie gave an eyeful glance at the duo approaching her,her red painted lips,perfectly firm and thinning together.

"Natalie" The woman again hummed her name,it was pretty obvious she enjoyed the way it rolled from her tongue. "Oh my tereso" The woman engulfed Natalie in a hug,just then Natalie knew this woman no doubt knew her.

Natalie ushered her alluring smile at the two who radiated with sheer joy. She stared at the woman,trying to find a facial recognition from the faces.

Asher had imprinted in her memory but her scan ruthlessly came back blank. Natalie tried to hide the panic that seemed to be kicking in. If her traitorous memory had abandoned her,she needed to think quickly. She gave another quick stare at the two. Obvious they were Italians and the woman's accent gave it away.

Natalie sized her,probably in her forties.

Natalie stared deeper,trying to gain more information on her company. The man next to the woman appeared to be informal with her,'It must be her husband' Natalie guessed. He apparently looked the same age as her.

"You are looking rather ravishing dear" The man spoke hoarsely,so much love in his words.

"You look much more radiant" Natalie complimented, trying to make up for the loss of words she experienced. "How long as it been" Natalie offered,pretending to remember,hoping they'll fill in the gap.

"Mon tereso...why so formal" The man chuckled,his lips revealing his white pearly teeth.

Natalie sold another smile of hers,her brain working thrice it rate.

"I'm not letting you go cara mia,we must have dinner together" The woman hopped with her husband concurring to her every words,leaving no room for arguments.

"I'll be happy to. It'll be so wonderful to catch up" Natalie pushed further, hoping either of them will be kind enough to help her out. She didn't even know a name. Natalie paralyzed her fears nudging at the woman who seemed likely to spill something out.

The man gave a quick glance to Natalie's car and back to her. "Amore?..." He blinked at her searching for answers as if it's literally on her face.

Meanwhile Natalie was going crazy inside. She hadn't a slightest clue what he had said,she didn't exactly speak Italian,so how on earth could she understand what this man had uttered.

Natalie offered one of her appealing smile,the best she could conjure. "Good,I was on my way home infact," Her lips moved on it's own. She didn't know what she was saying but had a hunch it was about Asher the way he scanned the car and surrounding meticulously. 'Asher' Her inner thought leaped for joy. Why hadn't she thought of him.

"Too bad,I was hoping he'll join." The man face quickly registered a certain frown.

Natalie knew this was her chance. Either way she was stuck with both,it will be a disaster if she continued the evening without a slightest knowledge of their identities. "Not too worry,I'll give him a call" Her words seemed to have great impact on both.

Without hesitation, she pulled out her phone,pulling through to Asher,her saviour. On the second ring,Natalie heard the ever cool and husky voice of Asher Reed.

"Natalie" He waited for a second as if confirming it was her,he continued. "Are you alright" Natalie to busy in her mind,hadn't felt a bit of worry his words conveyed.

Natalie glanced back at her company who was overly eager for Natalie to say the word to Asher. The woman threw Natalie a look as if saying 'ask him to join us' If Natalie hadn't seen her husband behind, she would had no doubt thought this woman had a crush on Asher. "Goodness you wouldn't believe who I'm with" She said after much thought hoping somehow Asher would understand her predicament. Fortunately Asher seemed to understand her uneasiness. "Who's with you Natalie?" His voice calm as usual but Natalie somehow could sense he already was on his feet.

Now this was the problem, she didn't even know who she was with. "Oh love...you wouldn't believe me." 'Oh love' The brief silence from Asher end could swear he was taken aback for a moment. 'Oh love' It seemed it echoed more on his end. Natalie cleared her throat bringing him back to reality. She laughed hard like a debuting actress. "It'll be better you hear it from them" She immediately gave the phone to the happy Italian woman or more like throwing the phone. The woman happily received it. One word from her sent Asher a name. Natalie didn't know what Asher had been saying to make the woman laugh hard like a jester on display but she was as eager to know as the man who grabbed the phone with a smile bringing it to his ear.

Then she knew, the problem wasn't from the woman but from Asher on the other end who seemed to also make the man laugh boisterously in his Italian accent, The Asher she knew wasn't even close to been funny,so how had this happen. She shook out of her daze when the phone magically landed in her hands. "Asher..." Natalie soft voice penetrated perfectly cloaking her panic.

"They're the Duke and Duchess of Caprielle." Asher paused, probably giving her time to take it all in. "He's Luca Rennoli and the woman is Catalina Rennoli..." Natalie spared the couple a glance, there was a sudden change in her view of them. "I know the restaurant, I'll join you there as quickly as I can." He finished, his words sounding reassuringly like a guardian angel while she let out an almost unnoticeable whimper as if saying 'please hurry'

Natalie dropped her phone, now facing the couple who smile never wavered. "Come on Cara mia " Lucas cajoled her into their car, reassuring her her car will be conveyed carefully to her house. But if only they knew what was going on in her head,they'll find out the car was the least of her concern. Natalie had an awful feeling about this dinner and the evening in general. She had a feeling there was more drama piled up for tonight.