Make Me Yours

Chapter 8

“So, let me get this. The two of you are going to be working together now?”

“Yup.” Zoey answered Mariah as she pulled into a stop right in front of Jo’s.

“Wow. How did you two manage to reach that agreement?” That was Jenny.

“Well, we both agreed that we weren’t making any progress individually and we were frankly appearing stupid, trying to win this case when it was obvious we couldn’t. It would turn out that people aren’t too keen on making the Belmont’s residents homeless, especially if it is to foster any sort of competition against Hilton. As for the bidders I had, they pulled out when they held of Li Groups’ involvement because, power is power, babies. When he told me he had a suggestion and wanted us to reach compromise, I didn’t think I could. Nevertheless, we did manage to get to a good mutual ground. His idea was genius, but I helped tweak it a bit.”

“So, let me get this straight: he’s putting off the tech project for a year.”

“Not entirely. They’ll begin operations in a space that I’d secure for them; just something temporary. In the meantime, we would begin the housing project for all of the 2008 Belmont occupants. That should be done in roughly eight to ten months. Then, the residents move into their new homes, and Li Tech moves into Belmont. Sounds like a win-win for everyone.”

“Only, you get to sacrifice your own percentage for closing such a huge deal.” Jenny pointed out. Zoey simply shrugged.

“Well, there is no compromise without sacrifice. Besides, Xen is the one who’s dropping all the big bucks.”

“Quite generous of him, indeed. Not to mention that you two seem to be on first name basis now.” Mariah quipped.

“Not to also mention that the reason why we are in Jo’s tonight is because she asked him out on a date.”

Zoey’s cheeks burned molten, and because she didn’t have any response for that, she opened the car door and slipped out.

So, that had happened. After shaking their hands in agreement, she had been unable to resist the pull Xen had on her. The entire ‘lunch date’ as she was choosing to call it, had just made her see a whole new side to Xen Li. Yes, she was still trying to decide if the man had just been putting up a wall he had finally decided to let down, or if he was simply playing the Samaritan now for some secret motive. Nevertheless, he had really turned out to be a pleasant person and this new side of him had struck her as honest.

So, she had thought to herself, “What the hell?” She had taken the bull by the horn and offered to buy him a few drinks tonight.

He had said that he’d only agree on the condition that he can bring his friends along for security purposes, in case she tried to kidnap him. Of course, she had laughed over it and told him that he could bring his friends; only if she could bring hers.

“You knew I was only pulling your leg, right?”

She had nodded and responded, “Of course. But the more the merrier. Our favourite spot is Jo’s. I’ll send you the coordinates. Be there by eight.”

After that, they had exchanged numbers and she had gotten into her car and driven off.

Of course, her girls who were back from their vacation, had been more than too happy to tag along. Except for Carrie – she was babysitting her neighbor’s kids and couldn’t cancel last minute. Poor Carrie.

The lounge was bubbling as they stepped in. Lights, music, dancing and of course: drinks. It didn’t take long before she spotted Xen, Yun and some other white guy in the VIP corner, just up the stairs.

Tapping her girls to draw their attention, they found their way through the dancing crowd and began to ascend the stairs.

The men were on their feet when they finally arrived.

“Hey… You have a thing for punctuality, do you not?”

He smiled at her, and she used that moment to take him in. Gone was the suit and tie she had always seen him in. Tonight he was wearing a simple black polo and jean trousers. The polo hugged him in the right places, showing off his gloriously ripped body.

Someone sure does work out. Damn. Was there anything this man didn’t look good in?

Thankfully, she recovered before she started drooling all over him.

“We figured we might have difficulty locating this place. You know, GPS can get funny.”

“That’s fine. You look good,” she said.

“You look even better. Black suits you.”

Tonight, she had chosen a short black dress that stopped just past her mid-thighs. It flowed freely, but not so much that it completely swallowed her curves. Suddenly self-conscious and shy, she pushed her friends forward.

“Thank you. This is Mariah. We’ve been tight for as long as I can remember. And this is Jenny, one of the gifts college gave me.”

“Hello!” The girls chorused and Zoey prayed a silent prayer in her heart that they would not forget their promises not to jump him for the elevator scene.

“High. It’s nice to officially meet you girls.”

“It is, isn’t it? At least, you aren’t pretending not to know us this time. We were afraid you would.”

Ah… Jenny. She should have known. Zoey shut her eyes tight and wished that that hadn’t happened.

Xen took it in good stride, though. “You have every right to be angry. I acted like a total douche bag.”

“I didn’t know you people understood American swear terms.” That was Mariah.

Again, Xen chuckled. “Well, I had my high school and college education in the States. Not to mention my masters and doctorate. All that time here, helped with my English. And I’d have you know we watch plenty of your movies.”

Mariah and Jenny said nothing; they simply stood back, sizing him up. They must have decided that he was forgiven, for they finally smiled at him.

“You know, I think we would get along very well.” Mariah declared.

“What she said!” Jenny exclaimed in agreement.

It was only then that Zoey looked at Xen. A part of her was happy that her friends hadn’t let him off easily. Another part was happy that the awkward movement was already over.