Chapter 4 Unexpected encounter

ZOE

I stood helplessly outside the office, two men blocking the entrance to the room I was in earlier. I needed to get this deal, but things had just become far worse than intended. I couldn't believe he thought I slept with him just to get an advantage on the deal.

It made sense, I suppose. Some firms could go as far as doing that just to close a client, but it enraged me to think that's what someone thought of me when in truth I had experienced the most traumatizing night of my life the previous day.

I sighed and walked back to my office. I knew I had to give him time to cool off. The reason he rejected the deal wasn't because it wasn't good enough, but because he thought he was being used.

I got to my desk and began packing my things. I couldn't stay at work, not with this sort of pressure. I'd go home and think about what to do next.

I packed my bags and left the firm. I had other things to do, so I pulled out my phone and called Becca. "Hey, are you home?" I asked.

"Yeah, I am, why?" Becca replied.

"I need advice on something. I'll be home in a few minutes," I said as I flagged down a taxi. I cut the call and got in. All the way home, I kept thinking about Jameson.

I got to Becca's house and flung my bag away. I couldn't care less right now. Becca, seeing the look on my face, got worried.

"What happened? Did you lose the deal?" she asked.

"Well, yes and no. You see, last night I may have fucked the CEO of the company that I was supposed to close a deal with, and now he thinks I was trying to use him to get an advantage," I said in a rush.

Becca heard all I said, but it took her a few seconds to process. "You did what?" she asked again in shock.

"Calm down, I can explain myself," I chimed in.

"Oohh, you better," Becca said, standing up and sitting very close to me. I told her the truth of what happened that night, from seeing Levi in bed with his step sister to what he said, and my getting thrown out. I continued about how badly I needed to get drunk and distracted, so I went to a nightclub and met the stranger that turned out to be the CEO. Then we had sex and met later that morning in the conference room.

Becca felt a bit overwhelmed by all this, but she understood where I was coming from and couldn't say I was wrong. "You know what, I think you need to focus on getting your apartment and moving in. Try settling in and getting a level head before trying again," Becca advised.

"I already got you a house agent number. It's a nice place," she continued. I hugged my friend tightly. "Thank you for being such a great help," I said.

Soon after, I had begun packing my things into my new apartment. I had paid in full; the apartment was beautiful and to my style, and I could finally relax. While carrying my last box, I thought I saw someone familiar.

I thought I saw Jameson getting into the elevator some meters away from me, but I thought I was seeing things. No way I could run into him here.

I ignored the feeling, taking it as my paranoia as I packed my last box into my room. Now I had to arrange the house to my style. I took a leave of absence at work, so I had enough time.

***

Two weeks later, I sat in my room. I didn't know how to respond to Jake, who kept asking me about the progress of my deal with Jameson. I had tried my best to reach him, all to no avail.

A knock came on the door. I answered it and took my package from the delivery man. I signed and took the package excitedly; I had been waiting for some time.

I opened the package expecting to see the dress I had ordered, but instead, I saw cuffs and ropes, with a small little whip and clamps. I blushed at the sight of all this. I remembered when I had wanted to try these out. I sighed and checked the address of the package.

Chuckling at the imaginations the strange package brought me, I got out with the package, wearing nothing but my nightwear, and knocked on my neighbor's door. Jameson opened the door with a confused expression on his face.

"You!" He said. I immediately froze in shock. I hadn't expected to see him here of all places and as my neighbor.

I couldn't say a single word, but he looked at what I carried and immediately realized what happened. He turned away embarrassed and took the package I held in my hands forcefully. I laughed a bit at his demeanor. He came back and gave me the package he got, and slammed the door in my face.

I walked back to my apartment, wondering how messed up my life could get from here on out. My phone buzzed as soon as I got into my house. It was an invitation to a charity event being hosted by a joint company.

I was inclined to decline the invitation, but I realized that I needed the connections and influence from meeting people in a place like that. I opened my package once again, bringing out the lilac dress I had ordered, and smiled to myself.

I got to the charity event in a timely fashion, not too late or too early. I walked with undeniable confidence as I entered, turning heads and hearing whispers about my dress. I smiled to myself; looking good was also a business skill I had learned.

I suddenly stopped as my eyes crossed with Jameson across the room. We both looked at each other intensely, but this time I didn't back down. He walked over to me in a casual manner before whispering with an annoyed expression on his face.

"Why do you keep following me around?" I felt my anger rising because every damn time I met him, it was never of my own doing.

"Ooh please, you think I enjoy running into you and that arrogant attitude?" I said before walking off. Jameson watched me walk away first in shock, then in amusement, as he nodded to himself.

I took a glass of wine and drank all of it to calm my nerves down. I decided I would enjoy the party and not dwell on him, but unfortunately, we kept running into each other. Unwillingly, we had to condone each other's presence.

"Good evening, my fellow associates. The organizers of this event would like to spice things up a bit. There will be a dance, and anyone can be paired with anyone, and yes, even if you're both men," the MC said.

"Once your name is called out, you'll be expected to come out here and dance with others," he said before applauding, and laughter followed after him.

The first few names that were called I wasn't familiar with until I heard mine and Jameson's. Unfortunately, everyone knew who I was because of my entrance.

"Shit," I cursed out loud but found my way towards the stage. Jameson's cold expression hadn't changed, but he was much more gentle than I expected. We began dancing, our bodies close, rubbing against each other.

I felt his breath on my neck as we both danced around. His strong grip on my waist reminded me of a certain night. Easily, we stepped into rhythm, following each other's pace as naturally as water would flow. He guided me, led me, made me feel at ease, until we both locked eyes with each other.

I held my breath but wasn't aware of it myself. Those deep green eyes stared right through me, searching for something. I needed him, wanted him right now. I hadn't noticed when we had stopped dancing, just standing there looking into each other.

I felt his hot breath on my lips, and closer I leaned in myself, wanting his lips, right there and then. His eyes were almost closed as I was almost locked in for a kiss.

But then I pulled away in a rush. I took my bag and ran immediately for the balcony. Jameson watched me in shock. I had never seen a man so confused yet so alluring. Without thinking about it, his body moved on its own.

"Zoe," he called out.