INFINITY

COINCIDENCE

Ever since her parents passed away, Sterling abandoned her carefree lifestyle and devoted it to professionalism.

Dorothy, of course, supported her all the way;  no matter what decision Sterling took. To Dorothy, she was like a lifesaver. Being raped at the age of 11 by the drunk caretaker at the orphanage and her abusive husband with whom she shared her life for ten years and several miscarriages,  she was thinking of giving up on barely surviving. If it weren't for the lady at the laundry shop who told her of the housekeeper interview at the Stark mansion,  she would've ended her life long ago.

Sterling woke up with a bad hangover the next day and decided to stay indoors for a while. She was very good at business.  She could convince anyone to do anything.  It was that very trait that convinced the board members to make her the Director of Elite Enterprises.

Even after a week of mundane office life, there still was no call from Duke.  She was starting to feel deflated.  "I should've tried harder!" she groaned.

She came down to get some air and preferably some distraction from her mental battle. When she came out of the elevators, she was surprised to see Zeke outside the glass doors as if waiting for someone very eagerly. 

Smart guy. Took him long enough to figure out who I was. she smirked.

She went out to meet him.

"Hey. What are you doing here?"

"Aurelia? .." his eyes widened as he took in her elegant clothing. She looked gorgeous when her attributes which were already beautiful had been accentuated.

She chuckled. "Yeah. What's up?"

"What are you doing here? Do you work here?"

Maybe not the brightest bulb.

"Umm... you could say that. Now your turn."

"Oh yeah.  I came to meet Mr. Sterling Stark for a chance to sell my software. But no luck. They won't even clear me through the security."

"It's Ms. Sterling Stark."

"What?"

"Sterling Stark. She's a woman. Well, you might as well meet her as I...."

"I'll be damned! No wonder the receptionist told me I was crazy to want to meet Mr. Stark," he interrupted before she could reveal her identity.

"Uhh..."

"Do you think you can set her up for me Aurelia?  Do you think she'll consider your word?" he asked hopefully.

"Why do you think she wouldn't?" she raised her eyebrow,  a little offended.

"Well because um..."

"You think I'm not relevant enough here, do you?"

"No. No. I mean, I didn't want to impose on you." His cheeks burned.

"Do you think she'll see me?"  He asks trying to changethe subject. She couldn't help but smile.  He was naive.

"Um.. if she doesn't, it's her loss anyway," she said smiling.

Sighing he said, "Well, it was worth a shot. A coffee, perhaps?"

"Sure. But you're paying," she said playfully.

"Ahh forcing me to play the gentleman. You..." he gave a little pause with his mouth squished, while waving his hands around, and gave a double thumbs down "...suck!" He finished playfully.

"Suck whose?"  She asked without realizing. Her eyes widened a second after.

"You sure are comfortable and cozy for our second meeting," he said chuckling.

"Well, at least I didn't try to hit on you our first time meeting," she said.

"Stop reminding me!" Zeke groaned.

"Then stop saying silly things.  Now let's go! I need my caffeine, boy."

"Aye aye, captain!"

When they had ordered their coffee, they sat down and ordered some muffins and pastries.  Zeke's eyes were lingering on Aurelia for some time that she could sense it.

"Why are you staring at me?"

"You look ......different."

"Why? Do you think I look delicious?" she fluttered her eyelashes and asked him playfully.  He simply just rolled his eyes.

"So, tell me about you," Aurelia asked.

"Like what?"

"Anything."

"Okay. .. I was born in Texas but moved to Phoenix and I stayed there till I was ten. Then to Seattle for six months, Orange County after that, Atlanta after that for three years, Portland for four years, New Jersey for a year and a half and finally landed  in New York City for two years ago."

"Wow!  You really moved all over the country,  didn't you?" she asked, a little bit surprised.

"Pretty much," he grinned.  He looked really good when he grinned.  His smile looked perfect despite thin lips and only half a dimple.

"Uh-huh."

"So anyway, why were you drinking into oblivion?"

"I think that's for another time to answer," she said avoiding the question.

After they finished paying, the sun had already started to set. She wanted to offer him a ride home but soon realized that if she did, he would be suspicious over her very expensive car. Sterling had friends who put up with her tantrums purely for her status and money. She wanted to hangout with him, outside of her outrageous lifestyle that made people fall at her feet. So with that, they bid goodbyes and leaving Zeke anticipating their next meeting, if they ever met again.  He didn't even get her number.

He liked her. He liked talking to her, her aura, the fact that he was a nerd who was ignored and belittled and that she didn't care about that somehow touched him. When the other kids ignored him at school, he ignored them back. When they tried to talk to him, he still ignored them knowing that they only wanted his notes for tests. They thought he was some obnoxious nerd.

He felt something different in the air. Even though he didn't get to talk to the director of Elite Enterprises,  he felt somehow happy. Coming to the company was definitely worth it.

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