"Reservation for Zyreen, please?"
The receptionist paused on what she's doing and blinked her eyes twice. Is this for real? The outstanding model, Zyreen, was standing right in front of her!
Oh my gosh!
"Hello?" Zyreen waved her hands to catch the receptionist's attention.
She cleared her throat and gave her best smile to Zyreen. "I'm sorry, Miss Zyreen."
"That's fine. I booked a reservation under my name, Zyreen." Reminded Zyreen as she curled her lips, showing her deep dimples.
While the receptionist busy searching for today's reservation from the computer, many bypassers checking out of Zyreen.
Zyreen smiled at them every time she caught them stealing a glimpse from her.
"That's Zyreen, right?"
"Yeah, how come she's still hanging around here? If I were her, I'd rather stay at home and hide from embarrassment."
Zyreen heard the two ladies waiting in line behind are gossiping about her, and even the receptionist heard it.
"Oh, my gosh!" The receptionist whispered to herself. How can she secretly say to the two customers to stop talking?
She heard Zyreen chuckled. Uh oh! She can smell trouble.
Zyreen faced the two ladies and gave them a short but fascinating smile. She leaned on the cold glass desk of the receptionist as she crossed her arms.
"Hey, can you join me in your gossips? I wanna know the words flying around about me, " giggling Zyreen as her dimples dominated over her face.
The two ladies were taken aback. They didn't expect that Zyreen has the guts to talk to them. The two looked at each other and didn't know what to say.
"This bitch!" One of the ladies wearing a red dress with blonde hair whispered.
"Zenny, Zane is taking too long in the washroom. Let's check her out! She might encounter crazy fans inside." The other lady with a thick glass wearing a blue skirt and pink top said, pulling her friend away.
"Some people have nothing to do but to gossip." Zyreen hissed while shaking her head.
She turned around and faced the receptionist. "So?" Zyreen asked while smiling.
"Oh, yeah!" The receptionist almost forgot about Zyreen's reservation. Her eyes went back to the computer's screen, and continued what she's doing.
"Table one, Miss Zyreen." She smiled, informing Zyreen. She raised her hand in the air and called one of the standby waiters.
The man with a black apron approached them. "Yes?"
"Lead miss Zyreen to table one, please?"
The waiter's eyes beamed while standing close to Zyreen. Since Zyreen arrived, he immediately noticed her, and for the whole time, he was checking her from afar. Standing beside this goddess is a dream come true! Zyreen's smile makes him meltdown like an ice cube sitting under the sun.
"Lead the way, mister." Zyreen snapped her fingers in his face.
The waiter blinked his eyes and felt embarrassed. Did he daydream in front of this beautiful woman?
The receptionist laughed. "So embarrassing!"
"Sorry. Follow after me, miss Zyreen!" He then started to take a step forward, heading to table one.
"Thank you!" Zyreen gave the receptionist a flying kiss and followed the man.
As Zyreen passed the other tables, she caught the eyes of the people sitting on their tables, especially the men.
Those thick stares didn't leave Zyreen's sight; in their thoughts, they were slowly stripping Zyreen's clothes, exposing her curves and flawless fair skin.
"Aah!" A guy moaned, reaching his climax when he imagined naked Zyreen. "Damn, taste delicious," licking his drool while still staring at Zyreen, who just passed him.
At the other table, a couple was fighting because of Zyreen.
"Stop staring at her!" The girlfriend clenched her teeth while holding the fork and pointed it to her boyfriend.
"My goodness! I just looked at her, that's it! Stop being childish!" The boyfriend yelled, then he messed up his hair. His eyes were furious; he couldn't stand his girlfriend's childishness anymore.
Zyreen and the waiter arrived at the end of a corner where a good for four people table stood beside the glass wall to view the city.
"Table one." The waiter stated and then pulled a chair for Zyreen.
She took the seat and said, "thank you!"
Zyreen gazed at the dark sky with a few stars shining brightly without the appearance of the moon, and she then rested her head on the glass wall and checked her watch wrapped around her wrist. It was already ten before seven, and she arrived early as usual.
"Zyreen?" A lady's voice called her from behind.
Zyreen turned back and saw a familiar lady with her hair tied in a bun wearing a fur coat wrapped around her body, the last person she wanted to see.
"The snake appeared." Zyreen thought.
"Bethany," smiling Zyreen, she stood up and flipped back her wavy hair and fell on her curvy waist.
"It's been a long time, eh?" Bethany walked towards the seat opposite Zyreen's chair. She sat down without asking for permission from Zyreen.
Zyreen clicked her tongue and took her seat. "What's up?"
"Actually, I'm getting married!" Bethany shrieked and showed her the diamond in her ring finger, then kissed it. "This ring is costly, and it's rare to find a diamond ring like this. I know you can't afford this, even you sell your body."
"Congratulations!" Zyreen clapped her hands and then rolled her eyes. She's not interested in this lady's life. She doesn't care at all. "Even you sell your soul, you can't buy a bigger diamond." She added.
Why bragging her ring to her? Besides, her diamond is so small and looks so cheap.
"Who's the unlucky guy?" Zyreen asked without looking at Bethany. She looked outside through the window as she watched the busy cars passing in front of the building. The street lights brightened the pavement for the bypassers.
"You know who he is."
"I don't know," Zyreen answered with her neutral tone.
"It's Hunter!" Bethany raised her voice to get Zyreen's attention then she grinned. 'You must be jealous that Hunter and I were engaged!'
"Oh! Okay. Tell him to buy you a bigger diamond because what you have right now looked so cheap and too small." Zyreen answered without any trace of expression on her face and didn't look at Bethany.
What? Bethany clenched her teeth. Zyreen didn't give a damn about her shocking news and she insulted her ring!
"By the way, congratulations on your scandal! I never thought that you would seduce a rich old guy. Well, knowing you, of course, there's no doubt that you will do it. You are just a pathetic poor little girl until you became a popular model." A sarcastic smile gleamed on Bethany's face. Bethany will say any unpleasant words to provoke and annoy Zyreen. "Are you using that guy to back you up in showbiz? Pity old man! No wonder you always have a big show."
However, Zyreen was not focused on her and ignored her words. In the end, Bethany was the one who got annoyed.
"If that's only what you're going to say, then please leave. I'm waiting for someone, and that person is coming soon." Zyreen looked at her golden wristwatch and hissed. It's already seven, and that person is not yet here.
"I'll send you an invitation, and I hope you will be one of my bridesmaids as a token of being my friend back then." Bethany winked at her, and then she strode away from her.
"Sure!" Zyreen sighed. What a bitch!
Who else will she encounter tonight? A while ago, she met two gossip ladies, and now it's Bethany. Who's next?
Zyreen called the waiter and ordered a glass of wine to drink while waiting. She tapped her long nails with black paint covering her nails, she hates waiting for too long, and she's getting impatient.
While enjoying the savor of the wine in her mouth, she thought about Bethany and Hunter. Getting married, huh?
Meanwhile, a tall guy approached the receptionist.
The receptionist blinked her eyes. She knows this guy standing in front of her! The most famous bachelor in the country- the heir of the multi-billionaire company, The Blyth.
A while ago, she encountered the famous model Zyreen, and now it's Hunter, the heir of one of the powerful companies in the country. This is such a delightful experience for her today!
"A reservation under the name of Zyreen, please?"
His manly voice was like a piece of music in her ears that she will happily hear over again.
"Reservation under Zyreen." She repeated as she started to tap the keyboards of the computer. While typing, she paused as she realized what the guy said.
He's the one that Zyreen's waiting for? They know each other? What is the relation between the two? Are they a thing? But, Zyreen has her sugar daddy, and Hunter has his fiancé. A lot of questions crossed her mind that she couldn't answer, a lot of conclusions that she was not confident.
Hunter noticed the expressions on the receptionist's face. The receptionist seemed puzzled.
Hunter grinned and moved closer to the receptionist. "It's our date tonight," whispered Hunter as he put his finger on his lips, "Shh... My fiancé wanted to keep this a secret, yet."
After hearing Hunter's statement, the receptionist found the answers to her questions.
The receptionist nodded with her amusing smile. She called the standby waiter and asked him to lead Hunter to table one.
"Oh, my gosh!" The receptionist wanted to shriek, but she controlled herself. She can't believe what she found out tonight. She thinks she's going insane finding out a piece of exclusive news that everyone doesn't know. In her thoughts, she wanted to spread to everyone about the information, but of course, she respects the couple's privacy. For now, she will let it keep a secret until the right day comes.
Not far from table one, Hunter already sighted the back of Zyreen. Even if it's only her back, he was so familiar with it that he would never be mistaken; he can easily recognize Zyreen.
An elated smile shined on his face when he arrived, and he had a glimpse of Zyreen's beautiful face with her elegant black dress. Zyreen was busy enjoying her wine while looking at the scenery from the window.
"Zyreen!" He called her with his soft and gentle voice.
Zyreen was startled and almost spill her wine. She faced the person standing beside her.
Hunter?
She blinked her eyes as her long and thick eyelashes touched her soft skin.
"It's you!" Zyreen giggled at the man with a black suit and tie, standing right next to her. She almost didn't recognize him.
It's been ages since the last time she saw him. He changed a lot! Now he looked matured, his hair is not messy unlike before, and he grew up a little bit taller.
"What are you doing here?" Zyreen added.
'Oh, yeah! Bethany probably told him that I'm here. They've engaged anyway.'
"I believed that I'm the only one that you are waiting for!" He answered and pulled the opposite chair of Zyreen and took the seat.
Zyreen chuckled. "It's you?" She was expecting her cousin, Zyleen, to be here and not her.
Zyreen curled her lips up, thinking that Zyleen set her up again with Hunter as usual.
So, Hunter didn't come here with Bethany? Does he know that Bethany is here?
"How are you," asked Hunter as he called the waiter standing in the opposite corner.
"I'm better." Zyreen forced a smile, flashing her dimples.
The waiter came with his menus. "What would you like to order, sir?" He gave the menus each to them.
Hunter looked at Zyreen, "What would you like to eat?"
Zyreen shook her head, "just a bottle of wine, please?" Her glass of wine was almost empty, and besides, she doesn't have the appetite to eat. Bethany already ruined it.
Hunter raised his eyebrow, "you sure?"
Zyreen nodded, and Hunter gave back the menu to the waiter. "A bottle of wine, please. The tastiest one that will satisfy her." If she's not going to eat, then he will not eat as well.
"How are you? I heard you're engaged." Zyreen asked after the waiter left.
"I'm fantastic, and yes, I'm going to be engaged." A grin appeared on his face as he corrected Zyreen.
The silence devoured them. Zyreen and Hunter didn't utter a word as they both couldn't think of any topic to open up. The two exchanged gazes as they check out each other.
"Still a jerk as ever," thought Zyreen when she recognized those stares. Those stares that crave for her. Gross!
Sitting in front of him reminds her of their memories. The memories that they spent together. The memories that she hardly forgets. The memories that hurt her a long time ago. She felt disgusted, and it felt so good that she moved on.
"She looks more beautiful than before!" He noticed the other people who dined in on the other tables, continually glancing at Zyreen. "Still a head-turner as ever!"
He stared at her lips that she bit. Those lips that he used to plant kisses. He misses those lips that he wanted to kiss those soft lips right now! He swallowed hard. Man, he needs to control himself!
But sitting across her reminds him of their past. The past that has supposed to be in the present. His mistakes that he regretted so much that he wanted to correct. The memories that he's misses. But he still has questions in the past that are seeking answers.
Their thoughts remained thoughts, rather than making things complicated. They were better off without each other, maybe.
Both of them sighed at the same time. Hunter and Zyreen glared at each other and then laughed.
"What are you doing here, by the way? Why are you here? Are you and Zyleen planning something that I don't know about?" Or maybe he's here to give her their wedding invitation?
He raised both hands as if a cop wants to arrest him. "Woah! Easy. One question at a time, Love." He chuckled.
She glared at him. Love? How dare him to mention that word!
She fixed her posture and asked, "what do you need?"
"You!" He answered immediately without even thinking.
They stared at each other. Zyreen's eyes were furious and cold, while Hunter's eyes were warm and dazzling for her.
She chuckled. "What do you need?" She reiterated.
"You, Zyreen. You and only you!" Hunter's persistent answer makes her pissed off. She was seriously asking, yet he's fooling around.
Zyreen groaned and massaged her temple. "Why are you here?" She changed her question.
"I miss you so much, that's why I find a way to see you. You know, I always have ways when it comes to you."
Zyreen nodded as if his answer contented her. "I had enough of you, Hunter. If you don't answer my questions properly, then I shall go. I have no time for your foolishness." She pushed back her chair with her feet and then stood up. "I need to go." She grabbed her black bag with a silver chain sling from the extra chair beside her.
But Before Zyreen could stride out, Hunter immediately gripped her arm. "I'm sorry," he loosened his grip and grabbed Zyreen's bag.
He took her bag with him and put it on his lap as he sat down. He better not let Zyreen leave.
Zyreen rolled her eyes and then sat down, "Are you going to answer me properly?"
"I know about your scandal, and that's why I'm here to save your face. I would like to offer a deal." He fixed his eyes at Zyreen. Now he looks serious, and his tone sounds sincere.
Zyreen raised her eyebrow. "I don't need your help."
"Hear me out first, Love." He loosened his necktie and leaned on the chair.
She leaned her back on the chair, and she placed her right leg on her left leg. She doesn't need Hunter's help or anybody else's help. She can quickly solve her problem right away.
"Here's your bottle of wine, sir, ma'am." The waiter arrived, put down the two wine glasses on the table, and opened up the bottle then poured them a drink.
They both thanked the waiter, and then the waiter asked for a picture with Zyreen.
Zyreen agreed as the waiter stood beside her.
"Seriously?" Hunter was pissed off when Zyreen gave him the waiter's phone to take a photo of them.
"Just do it!" Zyreen demanded.
Zyreen and the waiter were still fixing their pose when a sudden light flashes from the camera.
"Done," Hunter reluctantly said as he returned the phone.
The waiter awkwardly took back his phone and thanked Zyreen, then he left.
"Hunter!" She kicked Hunter's leg under the table and gave him a sullen stare.
"What did I do?" Hunter pretended as if he didn't do anything wrong.
Zyreen shook her head. He's jealous again!
"What deal do you want to offer?" She asked, going back to their topic. His offer seemed interesting; she wanna hear them out.
"Be my fiancé, and I will help you escape from your scandal. And then everything will turn to its right place."
Zyreen burst into laughter with her teary eyes, and she even almost choke herself. "Are you fucking kidding me?" Her laughs were too loud to disturb the other customers on the other tables and complained in their seats.
"I'm serious, Zyreen." Hunter neither laughed nor smiled.
She gave her a short laugh and tilted her head as she observed Hunter's face. His eyes didn't move, and he didn't blink at all. His gazes were solemn. He's serious, isn't he?
Zyreen was in deep thought, trying to figure out something.
Hunter, having a fiancé, was aired on television nationwide, and it even became the cover and headline in magazines and newspapers; however, this fiancé has never been identified and shown up.
Bethany might be that fiancé, but Hunter just asked Zyreen to be his fiancé. Couldn't be Bethany turned him down, and that's why Hunter asked Zyreen to save his ass from embarrassment? But that's impossible; Bethany was bragging about her engagement with Hunter a while ago!
Or maybe there's no fiancé, to begin with? And Bethany was just lying?
Hunter snapped his fingers to Zyreen, who's staring blankly in the air. He couldn't read what in Zyreen's mind.
Zyreen blinked her eyes getting back to her senses.
"What do you think?" Hunter asked while tapping the table in rhythm with his fingers.
"How about your fiancé? Zyreen asked as she combed her hair, and then she curls up a few strands of her hair using her fingers.
"Fiancé?" He clicked her tongue. "Let's not talk about it. Let's talk about us." Grinning, he winked at Zyreen. This is only about them, no one else.
She took a deep breath. Oh, Hunter, here he goes again! "What will I gain then?"
"Simple, you will save your ass, you fool! How can you not be so careful around for letting the paparazzi took a photo of you with that man!" He slammed the table. His eyes were blazing. When they were dating back then, they were too careful. Hunter doesn't want Zyreen to have any issues but now, what just happened? Moreover, she was caught with an old man! When he watched that news, he almost exploded in anger.
"Shut up, Hunter." Zyreen looked away. "I can handle that easily."
"Oh, yeah? How? And if you can handle that, then why the scandal still hanging around everywhere?" Hunter removed his necktie and slammed it on the table angrily.
"I'm just waiting for the right time," explained Zyreen. Her voice was so soft. She gasped and pulled Hunter's hand, "trust me." She pressed his hands and massaged it; the only way she could calm Hunter.
She tilted her head and smirked, "what will you gain on this deal?"
Hunter drank his wine in one gulp. "You!" He means it.
"Deal?"
Zyreen thought about Bethany. Fiancé, huh?
"Deal!"