Chapter 8 First Move

Emma's shift that day started at 10:00. She arrived on time and immediately entered the staff room to confirm her attendance on the fingerprint attendance machine and make some reports.

"Emma, you didn't forget, right? You have a date with the Director in theater 3 today. For the first movie screening," Sally barged into the staff room and was surprised to see Emma still sitting casually in front of the computer. Only the two of them were in the room as the other employees had already started their activities in their respective areas. The girl with glasses then mentioned the title of the movie that would be shown in that theater.

"A date? I don't remember making any plans with Andrew. He just gave an order," Emma replied nonchalantly, but Sally had no idea of the turmoil in her friend's heart and mind. Was meeting Andrew the solution to her problem?

"I don't care what the reason is. But the Director is already here," Sally said.

"What!?" Emma jumped from her chair, feeling flustered.

"Look at you... going on a date with the Director. Oh my! You're acting like you've won the lottery, Em. Wait a minute." Sally grabbed Emma's shoulder. Observing her face carefully, "You look just ordinary. Far from Rose, the model. Why did the Director's taste suddenly drop so low, huh, Em?"

Emma grunted irritably and nudged Sally's arms. She never gambled, so she didn't know what winning the lottery felt like. "I don't know what his intention is in calling me here. And yeah, you're right. With this unattractive face, there's no way I could meet Andrew Jonas's criteria for an attractive woman."

Emma walked out of the staff room and headed to the concessions area, followed by Sally, who was still giggling. "Who is now going on a date with the Director? Enjoy the opportunity. Where are you going, Em? The theater entrance is that way."

Emma arranged some popcorn in a paper bowl and a few soda cans on a tray with a strap to hang around her neck. The cinema employees took turns selling snacks during movie screenings. Emma took the initiative to sell popcorn inside the theater as well. She couldn't possibly sit next to Andrew throughout the movie, could she? Besides, what did Andrew want from her? Propose marriage? Emma was skeptical. That must have been Uncle Tom's nonsense. Or did Uncle Tom mishear something?

"Moreover, it's not just the two of us watching in such a huge theater, right?" Emma hung the snack tray around her neck.

"Em, why are you bringing all that stuff?" Sally couldn't understand Emma's actions. Instead of applying more makeup, the girl was busy thinking about the snacks she would sell inside.

"Just in case Mr. Andrew is hungry." Emma left the concessions corner and hurried to theater 3.

"Em!" Sally called out to her friend, but Emma had already disappeared behind one of the walls. The girl with glasses didn't have a chance to tell Andrew that he had booked theater 3 exclusively for himself and Emma. No other visitors were allowed.

Meanwhile, Emma was surprised to find two burly men dressed in all black guarding the theater door. Where were the ticketing staff?

"Miss Emma Walker?" one of the burly men asked, to which Emma nodded. "Mr. Andrew is waiting inside."

Emma immediately stepped into the theater. The cinema screen showed previews of other films scheduled to be shown throughout the year. The zombie film, which was the first film on that day's schedule, had not started yet. Emma knew every inch of this theater, and even in the dark, she could navigate without losing her way. When a staff member was assigned to the ticketing area, their duty did not end with just selling tickets at the counter. When the film was about to start, they stood at the door to check the tickets of each incoming audience member, guided latecomers to their seats, and checked the lights and room temperature throughout the movie to ensure that every audience member could enjoy the film comfortably.

Emma stood in front of the screen and immediately noticed Andrew Jonas sitting in seat E6, as he was the only living being in the room before Emma entered.

"You're seven minutes late," Andrew Jonas glanced at his Rolex Daytona wrapped around his wrist.

"The movie hasn't started yet," Emma walked up each gentle step.

"If all the audience were as narrow-minded as you, this cinema would be empty soon," Andrew observed from the tip of Emma's toes to the ends of her hair. The girl was wearing a cinema employee uniform, a black shirt paired with a long skirt in the same color, with a side slit just a few inches above the knee. But what puzzled Andrew was why the girl was carrying a tray with popcorn and soda. "You know, the movie screenings are scheduled in a way that allows each viewer to see previews of other films before their main feature. It ensures that this won't be their last visit."

Instead of sitting in seat E5, Emma chose seat E4, leaving an empty seat between them. "People come back to the cinema for other movies, not because of the preview ads," Emma retorted. "But by the way, where is everyone?" She scanned the room and realized there was no one else except the two of them.

"Where is who?" Andrew asked, piercing Emma with his intense gaze. The girl seemed flustered because, for goodness sake, Andrew looked stunning in his white shirt and khaki pants that perfectly wrapped around his body. Even with the theater lights dimmed, Emma could still clearly see the faint stubble on his jaw and upper lip, as he chose to let the soft hairs grow there.

"The... the other audience?" Emma stammered. She quickly turned her face away, getting lost in Andrew's charm. The gossip tabloids were right. They were not exaggerating when they reported about the extraordinary handsomeness of the sole heir of one of the most successful shopping center chains in Kingstone.

Andrew smirked slyly. He disliked being in crowds and interacting with strangers. Whenever he had dinner with Rose, he would book the entire restaurant; when traveling out of town, he would rent a private jet, and when vacationing on the beach, he would set a private beach.

"Do you already know why I called you here?" Instead of answering Emma's question, he asked one himself. He didn't like small talk and had no intention of spending two and a half hours watching a Korean zombie movie sequel with Emma.

Emma nodded hesitantly, "You are looking for a wife."

Andrew was glad that Tom had already informed Emma about it, so he didn't have to waste time explaining it again to this girl with an innocent face. Emma didn't even seem to make an effort to look attractive in front of Andrew. Perhaps she didn't like men?

"But I don't know any woman who fits your taste," Emma murmured, furrowing her brow, and it puzzled Andrew.

"My taste? What do you know about my taste?" Andrew asked, incredulous. He had invited Emma here today to offer her a marriage deal, but he wondered what was going through her mind now.

"Like Rose, right? Rose William," Emma said, staring at Andrew's face. Her heart was getting used to Andrew's masculine features, and the zombie action on the big screen wasn't captivating them at all.

Andrew raised both eyebrows, slightly surprised that Emma knew about his connection with Rose. She must have read the gossip news that appeared in online media.

"Why don't you just marry your girlfriend Rose?" Emma asked.

Andrew gave her a cynical look. This was one of the things he disliked about being in a crowd or interacting with strangers; they always seemed to dig into his personal life. "That's none of your business."