Awkward Meeting

Eunice may have sworn to give up and avoid Zach Lu, but she knows that she couldn't avoid meeting him entirely. Especially since they are both in business. And in a businesswoman's point of view it would be dumb if she would refuse having a connection with the LuMin Conglomerate. So she started to slowly try and change her perspective in dealing with him. Not as a woman, but as a business owner.

Unfortunately, it seems fate refuse to give her the time that she need.

Eunice imagined many instances and location where she would likely meet Zach in the future and how she should react at those times. However, she would have never guess that their first meeting in this life is at their house's living room.

When she reached half of the flight of stairs, she felt a piercing stare, Instinctively, she swerved her head and her sight met those familiar fox eyes. She almost couldn't supress her flight response. After being reborn, she always ask herself why she was so hung up on Zach Lu since the first time she laid her eyes on him. And right at this moment she is reminded why.

Those eyes, it was those eyes' fault. They pierced through her heart and soul. In her previous life, he also looked at her the same way as now. It can only be described as consuming. The way he looked at her made her feel like he only has her in his sight. That is the reason why she was misleaded.

Thinking about it, Eunice is enlightened. The way he looks at her isn't really anything special. It was all on her head. Her brain must have made up the illusion that Zach liked her because it was actually her who liked him.

Zach in the other hand stood up when their eyes meet, seemingly anticipating her arrival. Seeing this, Eunice realized that it would be impolite of her if she turn around and flee. It would also be an unreasonable reaction.

Steeling her resolve she steadily walk down towards the living room. Her father is also there entertaining the guest. The moment Zach stood up, her father then noticed her coming down. He then gave her a proud smile.

"Eunice, come here." Her father beckoned. "This is LuMin Conglomerate's CEO, Mr Zach Lu. Mr Lu, this is my daughter and successor Eunice." He then formally introduced them both to each other.

"Nice to meet you Mr. Lu. I am Eunice Lin." With a polite but distant smile, Eunice extended her hand for a handshake.

Although Zach felt a bit of disappointment seeing Eunice's distant attitude, he still gave her a polite yet charming smile while returning the handshake. "Pleasure to meet you Eunice. You can just call me brother Zach. Both Alice and Eugene calls me casually. So it doesn't feel right if you are too formal with me."

"I'm afraid I can't CEO Lu. It would be impolite of me. I don't mean to be rude but it is too intimate for my comfort." Eunice responded without thinking. It is probably because her mind is filled with ways how to distance herself from Zach and Alice' business, that is why she blurted out such rude rejection out of pure instinct.

After her words fell, the room's atmosphere became awkward. Even Master Lin wanted to facepalm and lead his daughter out to be reprimanded. He kept giving her eye signals behind Zach's back.

After a few moments of awkward silence and her father's glaring, Eunice recovered her senses and realized that her words sounded offensive. Especially if spoken towards someone like Zach Lu. Anyone would be happy and honoured if they are allowed to call him by his name. What more such intimate address as brother. Yet Eunice rejected it without batting an eye.

"No...I...I didn't mean it in a bad way CEO Lu. The fault is on me. You are my role model and deserve high respects. That is why it feels blasphemous to address you casually." Eunice said flusterred. Sure she didn't want to be in an intimate relationship with him, but she also didn't want to incur his wrath.

Feeling that her reasoning isn't enough, she also added; "Plus my big brother is CEO Lu's long time friend so it is normal for you to interact casually. As for Alice, well she's a special case. Meanwhile I am a new aquaintance so it is a bit hard to be casual right from the start."

Zach felt like he's being stabbed by Eunice's irrefutable words. He also didn't miss the way she is drawing a line between them. Honestly he is quite shocked and disappointed that she outrightly rejected his good will. He expected that she would at least agree perfunctorily.

Master Lin also chimed in thinking that Eunice wasn't able to appease Zach. "Please don't mind my daughter's words Mr. Lu. This is her first time meeting another CEO so she seemed uptight. You know, although you can learn how to run a business at school, when it comes to interacting with the people in the business circle actual experience is needed. And that is something she still lacked. I hope you can guide her as well."

Although Master Lin had never seen Zach when angered, he heard rumors that he is particularly ruthless towards his enemies. And Master Lin who didn't know his bottom line, didn't want to challenge it.

After recovering from his initial shock, Zach finally noticed the uneasiness on the father and daughter pair. He would have never thought that he actually has a petty image in other people's eyes. Not to mention Master Lin knew him for almost a decade yet he is still cautious around him.

Zach took notice of Eunice's uneasy appearance. Her phoenix eyes refuse to look at him. Her body language is telling him how much she wanted to flee and keep her distance from him.

"Don't worry Master Lin, Eunice. I understand. It was also my fault for being too familiar. I completely forgot that although I knew about Eunice because of Eugene and Alice, it seems on the other hand they didn't share anything about me." Zach placated while also giving them a convenient reason.

Master Lin heaved a sigh of relief knowing that Zach is quite magnanimous. "So that's why. Anyway there is no need to rush. Sooner or later we will become family. It won't be that hard to develope close relationship later on."

Eunice smiled stiffly hearing her father's words. Obviously her father meant that they would be connected as family because of Alice. She knows that she should voice out her agreement. But it felt like theres a lump in her throat stopping her from uttering a word.

Meanwhile Zach who misinterpreted Master Lin's meaning beamed.

Eunice felt her heart squeeze seeing Zach's smile. As if being blinded she immediately veered her sight. In her previous life he used to smile that way everytime they are together. His feirce fox eyes will soften considerably everytime he smile at her. That gap moe severely struck her weak heart making her fall for him the more they interact. Who would blame her for getting the wrong idea?