~ Zoie's POV ~
- - - - - Two Weeks Later - - - - -
Click. Clack. Click. Clack.
The sound of Zoie's heels beating against the marble floor echoed through the office hall. She was wearing a white blouse and a black satin skirt. Walking confidently with a big smile on her face, she was beaming with positive vibes, completely different from how she carried herself just two weeks ago.
Two weeks ago, she didn't even dare wear high heels for fear of what Sylvia might say. Sylvia always had something to say about Zoie's attire. One time, Zoie wore a dress and Sylvia said it wasn't "intern" appropriate. Basically, she wanted Zoie to walk around in Keds and sweatpants if possible.
Today, however, things were changing. Sylvia had been transferred to the office branch in Brooklyn. Who knows what happened to her or who issued the change. Ehem, Landon, Ehem.
But anyway, without Sylvia's dooming presence in the office, Zoie felt a lot freer. She could wear whatever she wanted, participate in meetings without being called a kiss-ass, and talk to any editors and writers without being called desperate. The days of cleaning cabinets were long gone. Zoie was now involved in actual work stuff, doing research for various articles, and sometimes even a little copywriting.
As her internship was taking off, so did her relationship. She and Asher were going strong. As strong as they ever were.
During the day, they both had their own internships to do, but later at night, they would meet up in secret- sometimes in the playroom, and sometimes in the city. It wasn't always just about sex with them. Like the other day, Asher suggested they check out the Museum of Modern Art.
Yes. Asher. He suggested that they go to a museum.
Asher was changing, there was no doubt about it. Ever since he started working for Damon, he dressed more formally, sometimes wearing a suit and tie. He was still into racing, obviously, and they would talk about races sometimes. But most of the time, Asher loved talking about his work. Damon was trusting him with several important projects. Asher was actually communicating with clients from all over the world. He grew a new passion for culture and people.
Yes. Asher. He likes people now too!
Zoie wasn't complaining about this. As much as she enjoyed the sarcastic, snarky, and cold Asher, this new Asher wasn't so bad either.
"Good morning, Zoie," said a woman who was passing Zoie by.
"Hey, Zoie," said a guy walking next to her.
"Good morning, guys. I've set the latest report on the Exxon case on your desks," Zoie replied sweetly, smiling at the writers.
"Thanks, you're the best!" said the woman.
Zoie continued walking until she arrived at her cubicle. It was 12 PM now, about lunch time. Zoie looked around the office and noticed that some people were already leaving. She checked her phone and saw no new notifications. Letting out a sigh, she opened her laptop and started doing some work.
"Knock, knock," said a voice suddenly.
Zoie turned around to see Landon beaming at her. He looked cool, as always, wearing a navy colored suit and matching tie.
"Miss Van Zandt, are you busy?" he joked.
"Landon!" she gaped in excitement. "Finally, you're here! I'm starving!"
"Ha-ha, sorry, there was traffic in Midtown," he said as he lent out a hand. "You ready?"
"Absolutely!"
Zoie took his hand and closed her laptop. Landon led her out of the office as he talked about his latest finding, a new Korean barbeque spot to try. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, Landon always made time to come over and have lunch with her. He would always have a new restaurant in mind to try. Luckily for them, New York City had no shortage of great restaurants.
"You're gonna love this place. The beef tongue barbeque pretty much melts in your mouth!" he said.
"Beef tongue?"
"I promise, it's great!" he said reassuringly. "Heck, even Justin Bieber loves it!"
"Justin Bieber ate there?!" she squeaked. "Call me a beeflieber then,"
Landon let out a hearty laugh as they went into the elevator. Zoie was laughing too. This happiness she felt didn't go unnoticed. Things have really fallen into place for her this summer. It was like she was seeing a glimpse into her future, what things could look like after she graduated college.
Maybe I'll be working in New York City. Maybe Asher will too. It wouldn't be so bad if this were to happen. Actually, it would be kind of nice. Going home after a long day to see him... Hanging out... Doing nothing in the house... And doing everything in the playroom. What can be better than that?
"Why are you smiling like that?" Landon quipped.
"Nothing," she muttered. They walked out of the office building and stepped onto the New York City streets. "I'm just really happy, you know? New York City makes me happy,"
Landon turned to her as she threw her glance to the city streets. There were people power-walking, music in the streets, and a bright sun shining above. The energy was undeniable.
"Yeah, I think the city suits you," Landon agreed. "Do you think you might come here after college?"
"Maybe," she shrugged.
"I think you should,"
"Why?"
"Well, I'm gonna be around. So, if you move here, we're gonna be lunch buddies for life,"
Zoie's lips curved into a bigger smile.
"Deal!" she said, lending out a hand.
"Deal," Landon nodded, shaking her hand.
"Oh my God! I love this city!" she squealed.
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~ Asher's POV ~
"Oh my God! I hate this city!" Zander groaned as he threw a stack of papers on the desk in the conference room. Zach and Zane followed closely behind him.
Asher was quietly working on his laptop when the twins and Zach entered the conference room. Asher purposefully went into this room because it was empty and he wanted peace and quiet.
So much for peace and quiet now.
"Don't mind him, he's just a little salty right now," Zane said.
"What's wrong?"
"He lost out on a deal with Hong Kong," Zach explained. "5 million dollars in commission,"
"Shit," Asher muttered.
"Yeah! This fúcking blows!" Zander groaned again, banging his fist on the desk.
"Alright, stop sulking. There'll be other deals," Zach, always the mature one, consoled his younger brother.
"It's five fúcking million, Zach! This was gonna be the biggest deal I close all year!"
"Relax-" Zach tried putting a hand on Zander, but he swatted his brother's hand away.
"Easy for you to say, dad gives you million dollar deals all the damn time!"
Zach rolled his eyes and sat next to Asher instead.
"Rookies," he muttered under his breath.
"Alright, enough of this money talk, I'm starving," Zander said.
"Yeah, Ash, come on, have lunch with us!" Zane said.
Asher immediately gave them a sorry smile.
"Come on, you can't keep avoiding us forever," Zach said.
"Who says I'm avoiding you guys?"
"You always say no when we ask you to have lunch with us," Zander reminded him.
"How much work do you have to do anyway?" Zane followed.
"Guys, it's not that I don't wanna have lunch with y'all, but I got a meeting with China in fifteen minutes," he sighed.
That and I really don't wanna socialize. I just wanna get my shit done as fast as possible so I can go home and see Zoie.
"Look at you, Mr. Corporate," Zach snickered. "You've come a long way since racing cars and fighting in bars,"
Asher rolled his eyes and continued typing on his laptop.
"Hey, we're not judging," Zander said.
"Chasing money's just as fun as chasing girls, ain't it?" Zane chuckled.
"Besides, who says we need to leave the office for food?" Zander said as he pulled up his phone and dialed a number. "Alison, honey, can you pick up some sushi for us? A whole platter will do. Thanks, beautiful. I'll see you later,"
"Who's Alison?" Zach asked.
"My intern," Zander grinned.
"You have an intern?" Asher scoffed.
"Yeah, for copies and other shit," he winked.
"Geez, you're really abusing that intern," Zane rolled his eyes.
"Hey, it's not abuse if she likes it too," Zander laughed.
The guys started laughing and play-punching each other. Asher only shook his head and continued working.
"Speaking of girls, have you seen your sister's latest thirst trap?" Zane asked.
"She's your sister too," Zander argued.
"Let me see," Zach said.
Zane showed his phone to Zach and Asher resisted the urge to peek.
"She's so obviously tryna thirst-trap somebody," Zane laughed.
Asher couldn't take it anymore. He stole a peek into the phone. It was a photo of Zoie. A selfie of her in her office uniform. She was showing a little bit of cleavage too.
Damn.
"I know right? And she's acting like we all don't know it!" Zander laughed.
"Don't know what?" Asher asked.
"Aw, come on, Ash. Not you too," Zane said.
"I wish she'd just come clean to us about it, you know? We're all understanding people here," Zander added.
"What are you guys talking about," Asher pressed, looking somewhat nervous.
The three brothers stopped for a moment and looked at each other knowingly. Asher glanced at each one of them, waiting for an answer.
"We think Zoie's in a secret relationship," Zach said finally.
"With Landon," Zander added.
"What?!"
"Think about it! They spend all their time together!" Zane argued.
"Every night at dinner, she's always on her phone, giggling like a maniac," Zander said.
"Yeah, and Landon's pretty much skipping all his Friday meetings just so he could go downtown to have lunch with her," Zach snickered. "And he thinks we don't notice?"
"Don't tell me you don't know it too?" Zane asked.
Asher was caught off guard. He didn't know what to say, so he just shook his head.
"Guys, don't act so shocked," Zach said as he kicked up his feet. "This isn't news. Landon's always got a thing for Zoie,"
"Since when?" Asher pressed.
"Since forever, duh!" Zander replied.
"I guess you just weren't around to see that," Zane said.
Is this true? Landon's got a thing for Zoie...?
"Imagine if they'd actually date?" Zander chuckled.
"Honestly, if anyone were to date Zoie, it better be someone like Landon," Zach said.
"Yeah. The kid's pretty much a saint," Zane agreed.
"Dad's gonna love him, honestly," Zander added.
"Who's gonna love who?"
Suddenly, a voice was heard and they all turned around to see Damon.
Shit. How long has he been standing there?
"D-dad!" Zander and Zane said in unison. They quickly sat up straighter and Zach put his feet down from the table.
"What are we, gossiping in here like a bunch of girls?" Damon sneered. "Don't you guys have work to do?"
Zane and Zander suddenly turned pale. They stood up quickly and scurried out of the room. Zach was more calm, but he too got up and exited the room. Not knowing what to do, Asher closed his laptop and he stood up too.
"Not you," Damon said, turning his eyes to Asher. "Stay,"
Asher stopped in his tracks and sat back down. Damon closed the glass door shut and he sat on the chair next to him.
"I saw the report you did on the China deal. I must say, it's pretty good," Damon said and Asher let out a breath of relief.
"Thank you,"
"Now, how about I make you an offer?" Damon said with a knowing smile.
"An offer?"
"You can go to China and finish up this deal for us. It's a one million dollar commission. Now, if you can do that within two weeks, you don't have to work for me anymore for the rest of the summer. You can race, build cars, or do whatever you want. I'll consider this internship a great success for you,"
A million dollars...? In two weeks time...? And I can do whatever I want for the rest of summer...?
"Think about it, Asher," Damon said as he stood up. "I want an answer by the end of the day,"
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- - - - - - To Be Continued - - - - - -