CHAPTER 4:
546 Words
ZANE:
I pull into the parking lot of Inferno, the low thrum of music spilling from inside even with my windows up. The line outside is long, people laughing, girls in glittering dresses, cameras flashing under the neon sign. I cut the engine and sit back for a moment, wondering what the hell I’m even doing here. My phone buzzes on the passenger seat, Zhou Industries. Great timing. I swipe to answer. “Mr Zhou,to what do I owe the pleasure this fine evening” I say. “Mr. Steel,” Zhou’s voice comes through, accented but sharp and a little bit amused. “Apologies for calling so late. Our partners from Beijing have just arrived, and they’d like to finalize the logistics tonight if possible. Can you bring the updated export documents to the office?” Tonight. Of course. I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Yes, I can. Give me thirty minutes.” We hang up, and I sit there for a second, staring at my reflection in the dark window. The one night I actually agree to go out, and business still finds me.
A knock on the window startles me. Ethan’s standing there, a grin on his face. I roll the window down halfway. “What the hell are you doing sitting here? You look like you’re about to rob the place,” he jokes, leaning on the door. “Change of plans,” I say. “Zhou called. The Beijing team’s in town, wants to meet tonight.” He groans. “You’ve got to be kidding me. You finally step out of your fancy cave, and now you’re backing out because of work? Come on, man.” “I don’t have a choice, Ethan. This deal’s been in progress for six months. If I screw this up, we lose the expansion rights for the entire Asian branch.” He scoffs and shakes his head. “You own one of the biggest companies in the country, Zane. Don’t tell me you can’t take one night off to breathe. I swear, for a billionaire, you’ve got way too much free anxiety and not enough free time.” I smirk a little. “Says the man who owns a company too. Don’t you have employees to torment?” He laughs. “Delegation, my friend. Learn it sometime. Besides, what’s the point of all that money if you never enjoy it?" “Some of us actually like keeping the lights on,” I say, starting the car again. “Joy kill,” he mutters. “Fine. Go make your millions. I’ll drink for both of us.” “Try not to end up in the news this time,” I shoot back. He grins, steps away, and gives me a lazy salute. “No promises.”
I shake my head, but there’s a small smile tugging at my lips as I pull out of the lot. The streets blur by in streaks of light and shadow. Zhou’s call should be all I’m thinking about, contracts, logistics, numbers, but my mind drifts somewhere else.
To a diner.
To a brunette with tired green eyes and a practiced smile.
And for some reason, I can’t shake the feeling that I should’ve walked inside that club tonight
- Writer
