Chapter 5 - Request

Zach quickly took a step away from me and created distance between us, rubbing the back of his neck nervously.

“Oh yeah. Umm, the doctor said that my body is still under stress from the reaction, and I would have some hot flush.”

I bit the inside of my cheek and just nodded.

“That makes sense,” I mumbled.

Zach was lying. I had never heard of such a thing happening. As much as every human body was different and reacted differently, Zach was unnaturally hot. Someone with a temperature so high shouldn’t even be standing up so casually, I would know.

But why would Zach lie?

My phone started to vibrate in my pocket. I pulled it out and found Crystal’s number flashed on the screen. I declined the call and put my phone back.

“Umm, I should get going. It’s almost time for work,” I explained, looking at the men before me.

“Sam knows you’ll be a little late this morning. Don’t worry. You don’t have to rush back. I’ll drop you off”. Keiran sat down on the bed next to the clothes he laid out for Zach.

Before I could protest, Zach put his hand up to stop me.

“I’ll quickly get dressed, and we can head off. I can understand your desire to get to work.”

I couldn’t help but smile at Zach. Was he always this understanding?

“But, I have a request.” He continued before turning and heading for his clothes.

“What’s that?”

“Have dinner with me,” he replied, picking up the clothes.

He said what now?!

“Sorry?” I looked over at Keiran and then back at Zach.

Keiran had a smirk playing on his lips.

“Have dinner with me, please?” Zach chuckled.

“Oh, I heard you but just failed to understand why you would even ask me that,” confusion laced in my words.

Zach laughed at the expression on my face.

“I just want to thank you properly for what you did for me. Fate may have intervened, but you saved my life, and I think a proper thank you is well deserved.”

I stood there staring at Zach, trying to digest his request.

“I really don’t think that’s a good idea, Mr. Master. I mean, thank you for the offer. I appreciate it. But I have to decline respectfully.” I swallowed loudly. There was a funny feeling in the pit of my stomach.

“I’m not asking you out on a date, Stacey. I just want to thank you properly. I really don’t see a problem with that,” Zach insisted.

“Mr. Masters, honestly, that isn’t necessary. I know you don’t see it as a big deal, but people don’t know what happened, and if I get seen with you, the first thing everyone will assume is that we are out on a date, and I would really like to avoid that,” I pressed.

The last thing I needed was my face plastered on the front page of some magazine or newspaper describing me as Zachary Masters’s latest fling. I couldn’t let something this juvenile ruin all the hard work it took to keep me safe.

“Ouch, that’s a little hurtful. I thought being in my company would be an honor.”

Shit! I didn’t mean it like that.

“No, no, Mr. Masters, that’s not what I meant. I really do appreciate you wanting to be so generous, and maybe under different circumstances, I wouldn’t hesitate, but I don’t-...”

“What if I promise we don’t get seen? Keep it very discreet?” Zach cut me off. He was taking slow steps toward me.

“Mr. Masters-...” I started.

“Please, Stacey. Please. It’s just dinner. You’ve given me the gift of life. You really don’t understand how much it means to me. So let me thank you properly.” Zach stopped right in front of me, begging with his eyes.

Zach’s striking gray eyes held me captive and blurred all my rational thoughts.

Why was he affecting me so much? Thanks to my exotic features and success, I had encountered many good-looking guys in my life and easily turned them away. Then why was it so hard to say no to Zach?!

What was so special about him that kept pulling towards him?

Common sense was losing its internal battle against hormones.

It was just one dinner. What could possibly go wrong, right?!

I sighed, succumbing to my emotions. “Okay. But I’m trusting you to make sure this doesn’t make headlines.”

Zach’s face lit up, and he gave me a big smile. “You have my word.”

He turned away and walked into the bathroom to change. That funny feeling was still lingering in the pit of my stomach.

“Don’t worry. I will personally make the arrangements. You have nothing to worry about, even though I don’t understand why you worried in the first place. No one will care if you are seen with Zach. He isn’t as famous as you think he is.” Keiran laughed. He got off the bed and strolled toward me.

That wasn’t true, was it? I had seen pictures and read articles about Zach in magazines and occasionally in the newspaper. This new project he had just finished in Russia was big international news.

“Yeah, I don’t think I want to risk it. Besides, I’m sure Zach’s girlfriend wouldn’t be too happy if she found out”. I bit my lip, instantly regretting what I had just said.

Keiran laughed. “Girlfriend! Now that’s funny.”

“What’s so funny about that?” I questioned, curiosity seeping through my tone.

“Zach hasn’t had a girlfriend in so long. I’m sure he has forgotten what pussy feels like.”

“Typical guy, aren’t you? Sex is the only thing you all think about”. I rolled my eyes and shook my head.

“Sorry, but I’m yet to find a girl that will prove to me that love exists. Ever since I’ve acquired money, it’s all about how deep my pockets are, how shiny my car is, or sometimes how big my dick is. And in case you’re wondering, it’s big”, Keiran snickered and winked at me.

I laugh at Keiran’s cocky behavior. For some reason, I never shied away from nasty dirty comments guys made. I found them more amusing than sexist.

“I definitely wasn’t wondering about that. Although thanks for the disturbing information. But now you’ve got me thinking about what a big flirt you are. Are you like this with every girl you see or just a special occasion today?”

“Every girl! Why stick with just one when you can have as many as you want? However, I have had to try harder with you.” Keiran smirked and wagged his eyebrows at me.

“And why is that?” I chuckled.

“Because like a ten-year-old, Zach called dibs. But me being the adult I am, I said you get to decide who you like better. But from what I can see, Zach had won you over even before you met me.”

“W-.. what?” I choked on my spit.

That wasn’t true. In no way had Zach won me over. I barely knew him and definitely wasn’t interested in anything more. As much as I was attracted to Zach, I had no time or space in my life for a relationship of any kind.

Keiran laughed, and right then, Zach emerged from the bathroom dressed in jeans and a plaited button-up shirt. He had left the shirt untucked and rolled up the sleeves, showing off his toned arms. The causal look really suited him. The recently wet slicked back hair and day-old stumble added the extra sexiness to his attire.

What the fuck was I doing thinking about all that?!

I quickly looked away and took a deep breath to calm my silly hormones.

Keiran’s chuckles filled my ears. “Oh, he has won you over in more than one way, hasn’t he? If you keep looking at him like that, I might have to stock up his side drawers with condoms.”

Oh my god! Did the boy have no filter?!

I glared at Keiran as I felt the heat rise in my face.

Why was the man so observant?

“Keiran! What the fuck, man?! You seriously need to shut up. Stacey, ignore him. He can be a dick sometimes.” Zach growled, punching Keiran in his arm.

I felt the heat rise on my face.

“It’s okay. Most of what Keiran said was funny.” I smiled before fiddling with my bag strap, not being able to look at Zach after what Keiran said.

“See, she finds me funny,” Keiran muttered, glaring at Zach.

“Don’t encourage his behavior, Stacey, or you will never be able to get rid of him” Zach rolled his eyes.

“I really don’t mind, honestly. Life’s too short to be sensitive about small things. However, I do want to reiterate that us going for dinner isn’t a date. Please don’t organize anything lavish. A simple dinner is just fine.” I chewed the inside of my cheek, trying not to sound demanding.

“Zach, I have never heard a girl ask for something simple. Are you sure you are from this planet, Stacey? Because girls like you don’t exist on our planet”, Keiran had a surprised look on his face.

“We exist. You just haven’t looked in the right places,” I laughed.

Zach’s lips curled into a small smile.

“Will 8 pm tonight be okay?” Zach asked.

I nodded. That funny feeling in my stomach was turning into nausea.

“Perfect. I assume Keiran has your address?” Zach looked over his shoulder.

“And her number,” Keiran smirked, twirling his phone between his fingers.

“Uh-huh,” Zach clenched his jaws.

The smirk on Keiran’s face got bigger at Zach’s reaction.

Their cold staring was making me uncomfortable.

“Umm, if you guys are ready, could we please head out? Or I can just take the bus”. I bit my lip and looked down at my feet.

“I think we are ready to go now. Zach, you wanna go home or to the office?”

“Home and office are in the same building, dumbass,” Zach grumbled, packing the stuff he had with him.

“What happened to the Main Street loft?” Keiran quizzed.

“I emptied it and put it on rent. Didn’t need two places so close together. I stay in the penthouse most of the time anyway.” Zach shrugged his shoulders.

He talked about his living arrangement like it wasn’t a big deal.

“Plus, the view from the penthouse is much better than I ever expected it to be” Zach looked up and gave Keiran a wink, making him laugh.

I felt so awkward standing there listening to them.

“Okay then. I will see you guys outside.” I started to walk towards the door.

“I’ll come with you, Stacey. Zach, I’ve already dealt with the paperwork. Just pop in and see Dr. Stevens. He wanted to see you before you left.”

Zach sighed and nodded.

Keiran picked up the duffel bag Zach had finished packing and motioned me to lead the way.

The car was waiting for us at the curb when we got to the ground floor.

Keiran handed the bag to the driver and opened the back passenger door for me.

“Okay, you have to thank your mum for making such a gentleman.” I laughed as I slid into the seat.

“Yeah, that’s a bit difficult given she’s a little too far away for me to reach her” Keiran gave me a tight smile.

“What do you mean?”

“She passed away when I was 16. Natural causes.” Keiran’s sad voice made my heart drop. He gave me one last smile before shutting the door and sliding into the front passenger seat.

“I’m so sorry, Mr. Collier.”

“It’s okay. I came to terms with it a while back. Thankfully, I don’t have Cruella to deal with like Zach does.”

“Cruella?” I asked.

Before Keiran could reply, the back passenger door opposite me opened, and Zach slid in.

“All good?” Keiran asked, looking over his shoulder.

“Yeah. I just got some antibiotics I need to take for a few days”. Zach handed Keiran the brown paper bag he had in his hands.

“Shall we?” Zach asked once he was buckled in.

The car purred to life, and the driver pulled away from the building.

“I meant to ask, what are you allergic to?” I broke the lingering silence.

“Allergic too?” Zach looked confused.

“Yeah, your reaction from yesterday. You remember you went into anaphylactic shock, don’t you?” I snickered. It wasn’t something you could just forget.

“Oh yes, yes. Sorry, I had a brain fade. I’m allergic to nuts. I think there was peanut sauce in my food last night”. Zach nervously cleared his throat.

“Right.” I narrowed my eyes at him. Why was he getting so nervous?

“You should be more careful. Next time you may not be so lucky.” I joked.

“Well, funny you say that. If someone hadn’t turned his phone off, I would have gotten help much faster”. Zach looked at his friend in the front seat.

“Hey, I was busy doing the nasty, okay. I wasn’t going to leave my phone on while I was in my praying to Jesus position. My tongue was too busy to speak, and I didn’t want any interruptions. It would help if you had been more careful before hoeing into food given to you by a stranger,” Keiran exclaimed.

I burst out laughing at Keiran’s words.

Did he really just say that?!

“Bros before whores, asshole! That skank better have been worth it if you were willing to let me die.” Zach ranted.

“You are the one that worked me like a dog the entire time we were in Germany. It had been a month since I got laid, so excuse me for wanting to bury my face in some pussy” Keiran hissed, turning a little to glare at Zach.

Watching them argue made me laugh harder, especially with Keiran’s comments.

“Gentleman,” the driver boomed. “May I remind you that we have a lady in the car. So maybe stop with the filthy talk” he used a calmer tone.

“Do you not hear her laughing, Trevor? I think she finds our filthy talk amusing.” Keiran laughed, settling back into his seat.

I bit my lip and tried to sober up from my laughing fit. My stomach was starting to hurt a little from the laughing.

“You really are a different breed,” Zach muttered.

I looked over at Zach and caught him staring at me. There was an emotion on his face that I couldn’t figure out.

Admiration? Happiness? Joy? The sparkle in his eyes had me intrigued.

His striking gray eyes once again pulled me in and held me captive. I couldn’t look away even if I wanted to.

“Why are you so different?” Zach muttered again.

“I don’t know. What makes me so different?” the words flew out of my mouth before I could stop them.

“Everything. I’ve never met someone so enticing before. You don’t fail to surprise me, and it’s refreshing,” Zach whispered, his eyes glued to mine, searching for something.

My heart fluttered a little. I tried to look away as the heat rose on my face. But my traitorous eyes wouldn’t move.

Someone cleared their throat and snapped us out of the Lala land we were in.

“Maybe save some of this googling and sweet talk for your dinner later tonight. For now, we’re here,” Keiran snickered.

I looked out to find the car parked outside the Golden IT building.

“Ummm, thank you for bringing me to work, Mr. Collier,” I mumbled, shaking my head to clear my thoughts.

“No problem. Enjoy your dinner tonight.” Keiran turned from his seat, giving me a wink and a smile.

A low growl pierced the air in the car. I turned to look at Zach only to find him giving Keiran another death stare.

“Okay then. See you later tonight, Mr. Masters. Text me when you’re at my building, and I can come down. It’s a bit of a walk to my apartment”. I was more embarrassed about him seeing my tiny accommodation.

“Sounds good. See you later”. Zach gave me a big smile.

I returned the smile and quickly exited the car.

Reality dawned on me the moment the cold outside air hit me.

What the fuck had I done? I was meant to stay away from Zach, not go to dinner with him. Panic set in, and I started to hyperventilate.

I quickly pulled out my phone and dialed Crystal’s number.

“You lucky bitch! Where the hell are you? How is Zach doing?” Crystal’s high-pitched voice filled my ears after three rings.

“I need to see you right now! I’m in deep shit!” I exclaimed.