A Ten Billion Dollars Dinner

Zunnie's mood was through the roof sitting at her favorite restaurant with Alex. The few times she had been around him always made her feel at ease. She took this opportunity to pry into who exactly was the heir of the Zi family.

"So, Mr. Zi, what about, what do you do?"

"Hmm, I run the family business, Arch.deZIgns…"

"Architecture sounds fun. Do you like it?"

"Mhm…" Alex nodded and continued eating the chicken satay with peanut sauce, the server had rested on the table. He looked like he was truly enjoying himself. She had not expected him to enjoy it. She wanted to cause him discomfort, but seeing as that was not the case, she had no choice but to enjoy the meal along with him.

The chicken satay was the best Alex had ever had and eating it together with Zunnie made the taste even more appealing. He complimented the food as he ate them and Zunnie was happy.

After they waited and chatted for twenty minutes, the dishes Zunnie usually ate were placed on the table. The delicious aroma accompanying each dish filled their booth. The evenings special was Thai green chicken curry… and her usual happened to be Som Tam (papaya salad), Pad Thai and Tom Yum soup.

A mouth-watering Zunnie picked up Alex's plate and put some of each dish on it. She then served herself. The two enjoyed themselves and ate until they were full then left the restaurant.

---------

As the got closer to Lake-view, Alex felt that the time together had been too short. He quickly changed the route.

"What are you doing? This isn't the way back?" Zunnie protested.

"I heard there is a really nice place close by and people can see the stairs clearly. I've always wanted to go there." Alex explained even though he had gone there many times to enjoy the night view.

"O-Okay," she agreed willingly since she too loved the night sky. 'Hmm, so we do have a few things in common.'

When they arrived, they were the only ones there. Zunnie got out of the vehicle and looked up at the star-filled the luminescent night sky. She was in awe of how amazing it appeared and took a photo.

"If you come here during the summer, you can see a lucid view of the milky way." Alex broke the silence. Zunnie had been so astonished, she forgot she wasn't alone.

"Mhm, I love it!" She screamed as loud as she could, then tilted her head back to look up to the sky again. She spun around in circles with her arms stretched out to her sides. The was the best night sky she had seen.

She giggled and stopped whirling when she became slightly dizzy. Zunnie stooped, clutched her knees and glanced up to where Alex stood, staring at the night sky.

Mesmerized by his calmness and aura, she unlocked her phone, took a picture of him and sent him a text with the picture at the end read,

"Alex, thank you, your ten-billion-dollars dinner! Now you can leave me alone."

Alex's phone was on silent, so he was oblivious to the fact that Zunnie had messaged him.

Zunnie Bai and Alexander Zi watched the night sky for fifteen minutes then drove back to their condos. Both unaware that they were silently and slowly falling for each other.

On the way back, each was immersed in their own thoughts and the drive had been a quiet one. When he parked the Volvo, Alex handed Zunnie her key and walked to the elevator.

"Thank you for finally having dinner with me." Alex tone was husky. This was the first time had this much fun with a woman.

"You're welcome." Zunnie flashed him a sweet and honest smile.

Seeing her smile, Alex genuinely wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss her passionately. His hand hanging at his side reached over to touch hers, but he fought the urge and clenched his fist to control his desire. He quickly halted his actions and smiled back at her.

The elevator reached the third floor and they got out. Neither wanted to say goodnight as they both wanted to stay with each other a little longer.

"Do you…" They spoke at the same time.

"You first," Alex hurriedly said.

"Oh, uhm…w-would you…like to…uhm…watch a movie?" Zunnie wavered.

"Mhm," Alex nodded his head relieved she had asked.

"O-Okay…" She smiled, then they both walked back to her condo. She nervously entered a lock code to open the door.

'Am I a fool for inviting him in after last night's episode?' She thought as he followed behind her.

Her heart had been pounding beneath her breast the moment the entered the elevator. She had no idea what had gotten into her, but she really liked the times she was with Alex Zi.

She did not want to be alone. But at the same time, she was cautious. She was an adult and if he tried anything, she knew how to use her taekwondo.

They agreed on The Tourist an action and romance movie starring Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie. Zunnie prepared some snacks and poured Alex and herself a glass of wine respectively.

Alex was enjoying the movie but would occasionally look to Zunnie's side of the couch from the corner of his eyes. She looked poised sitting next to him. He really wanted to hold her in his arms and unwittingly blurted out…

"Can I hold you?"