Temptations

29. LUNCH DATES

ELLIE

"And this will be your new cabin." Drake said as he led me to my office. The theme of the office was yellow and blue while the furniture was mostly in beige. It was a cute room with enough space for me to put all my things. It was obvious that it was going to be smaller than my previous office, not that I was complaining.

"Thanks." I said.

"Welcome, Miss. Byers." He smirked and I smiled awkwardly at that.

"Just call me, Ellie." I said. "Remember we used to be friends. Things doesn't need to change now that I am your friend's wife."

"From what I can remember, I was trying to be more than just your friend." He said, showing me his charming grin.

His words reminded me that the last time we were alone, I had promised him a dinner. My face reddened in embarrassment and I started fidgeting with my fingers, looking for words.

"Relax. I won't hold it against you." He stood against the door, resting his hand in his pocket.

"Thanks. Now if you don't mind, should I settle in? I want to get back to work as soon as possible." I said politely.

"Sure. Suit yourself. If you need any help, just call me through intercom." He said and left me alone in the room.

I closed the door behind him and placed my handbag on the desk. After that, I took a brief tour of the room, making a mental note of where everything was kept. I finally took a seat and opened up an empty journal to keep track of all the appointments and meetings. The company provided the employees with laptops and iPads but I still liked to use old methods of keeping notes. Nothing could mimic the feel of having a hard bind journal in your hands and the smell of new paper.

I was busy organising things when my mobile screen brightened and a text appeared on the screen. It was a message from Nathan, saying, 'I'll pick you up for lunch at 1.'

My eyes lit open and a smile appeared on my face, followed by a frown. Would it kill him to ask nicely?

I didn't reply instantly, as I didn't want to look too eager to go to lunch with him. Instead, I took my time completing my tasks and finally when it has been an hour, I finally replied with a brief 'sure'.

I then proceeded to get myself familiar with my surroundings.  There was a kitchen few steps away from my office where there were supply of some basic snacks and tea and coffee. This would make my life easier, unless Drake like his coffee freshly brewed from a cafe like his high maintainence friend.

I peeped into the room few doors left to mine and it turned out, it belonged to Tyra, one of the very few people here I was friends with. That caused a surge of excitement through me and I hopped inside.

"Hey girl!" She stood up excitedly to greet me. "I thought you were starting from tomorrow."

"Wait, you knew? Why didn't you tell me we will be neighbors?" I asked, pouting, as I sat down on a chair.

"Because you didn't invite me over to your wedding and I'm still pissed." She said and my face turned beet red in embarassment.

"Uh... Actually.. everything happened so fast... I..."

"I'm kidding. Relax." She said, laughing. "Tell me, what are we eating today for lunch?"

"Actually, I'm already booked for lunch." I said with an apologetic smile.

"I see... Mr. Byers?" She asked suggestively.

"Uh... Actually, yeah." I said awkwardly.

"Damn, I love the honeymoon phase. All the dates and the efforts." She said dreamily.

Little did she know!

We talked for some time while I showed her some pictures from the wedding and the trip. Then she updated me what was going on in her life and with her husband. We finally decided to stop chatting when we realized it's been twenty minutes.

"Okay then, I better get back to work. Lunch tomorrow?" I asked, standing up.

"Done." She said and went back to typing something on her computer.

It was nice knowing I would have someone to talk to during my spare time. Mr. Byers... Nathan didn't leave me much time to chit chat with others back when I was his secretary but from what I have gathered, Drake's schedule is much more relaxed.

I looked at my watch and it was 1:10. I went to the bathroom to retouch my makeup and hair and then sat down again at my work station. Few minutes later, the door to my room opened and my husband dearest walked in without knocking.

"Let's get going." He said in a sullen voice, staring at his watch.

"Where?" I acted clueless. Words couldn't describe the satisfaction I felt on seeing his face in reaction. He wasn't used to girls not jumping in joys at the prospect of having lunch with him.

"You didn't see my text?" He scowled.

"Oh yeah, the lunch? I totally forgot about it. Let me just ask Drake real quick." I said casually.

A frown appeared on his forehead as he replied, "No need. I'll drop him a text."

Nodding, I gathered my things in my handbag and followed him out of my office. We went into the elevator where there were already a couple of men. He led me to a corner and then stood in front of me in such manner that he covered me from all sides from the crowd. A smile hovered over my lips at his action.

Once we left the elevator, I whispered, hoping he wouldn't hear me. "I didn't peg you as a gentleman." Or maybe I did want him to hear.

He stopped in his track for a moment and then gave me his famous side glance. "I don't like when others touch what's mine." He chewed his words.

"Yours? When did that happen?" I asked sarcastically as we began to walk.

"On papers, you are." He replied curtly.

.....

The car drive was short and silent. He stopped the car in front of what looked like a fancy Chinese place. He then walked over to my side and opened the door for me. "Hurry up, sweetheart. We don't have all day." He said tauntingly.

Making a sour face at him, I walked forwards into the restaurant. The manager looked like he had recognised him. He stepped forwards to greet him and then took us to a secluded seat in a corner.

"Looks like you've been here with girls a lot." I said once the manager left us alone.

"I don't take girls to restaurants." He said, looking at the menu.

"Where do you take them then?" I asked.

"To my bedroom." He smirked and my eyes widened. My cheeks heated up in embarrassment and I looked away. Did he really have to say it out loud?

"One Kung Pao chicken with egg fried rice, medium spicy." He said to the waiter, who then turned to me.

I read the menu for a good two minutes, while the waiter waited for me to select. Choosing one dish out of a diverse menu has always been hard for me. I finally landed on the dish I wanted to try. "Sweet and sour prawns with garlic noodles." And when the waiter was about to leave, I added, "And a coke."

"Sure." The waiter smiled.

When I looked back at my husband, I saw him smiling as well.

"What?" I asked.

"You took more time deciding the dish than deciding your husband." He said and my jaw hang open.

"Fuck off." I cursed under my breath but he heard it.

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