UNEXPECTED MEETING (SEVEN)

“Edna? You're Edna Morel, right?"

Edna stared in disbelief at the man in front of her and slowly started lowering her index finger which was still hanging in the air. With her face flushed with embarrassment, she nodded her head quickly while smiling kindly at the man.

“Zyan, it's been a long time not to see you. How are you?"

Edna tried to greet Zyan with the most friendly greeting while banishing the man from entering the Japanese restaurant.

At this time she was so embarrassed because she had yelled at the man while pointing her index finger right in front of his face. If Zyan wasn't one of her former college friends, and a former man she had a good relationship with, maybe she would have thrown him right away because he had made her fall so embarrassingly in the middle of the road. Unfortunately the man who ran into her was Zyan Clinton. One of the men who used to be very nice to her just like Josh. So she should treat him well and try to improve her image which is already bad in front of him.

“Eee… about earlier, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to yell at you."

Zyan smiled casually in front of Edna while gently waving his right hand into the air. The man actually laughed quite loudly in front of her and suddenly he stood up hugging her like an old friend who had not seen her for a long time.

"I miss you. Finally we can meet again Edna."

"I miss you, too. Where have you been all this time?"

Zyan released his hug to Edna and returned to his seat. Edna then gave Jimin a gaze to call the waiter while she talked with Zyan to reminisce about their fun college days.

“I work in California. And this year I was transferred to headquarters in Las Vegas."

"Oh, where do you work?" Edna asked enthusiastically.

Seeing Zyan who has been successful like this makes Edna also happy. She and Zyan used to be close friends so that all of their friends thought they had a relationship. Even though she had never had any relationship, and she realized that Zyan was a man who was too good to be broken.

“I work for the auto company, Cadillac, you know that company. They are quite famous."

Edna immediately smiled blandly as she nodded her head in understanding. She clearly knew, in fact she knew very well because the company was Acelon's. In the past, she used to come there often and interfere with the man's activities while he was working. Unfortunately all of that is just a part of her past. Now she prefers to live freely while developing her modeling career so that one day she can be freed from Acelon.

“You're great to be working at such a well-known company. How about your life, you already have a lover?"

Edna deliberately changed the topic of their conversation around lovers because she was lazy enough to talk about her adoptive father's company. Besides, she also felt curious about Zyan's life during these three years, after they graduated from university.

"I? Hmm... no, I mean not yet. I don't have a lover yet, but I have a woman I love."

"Really? Who is she? Is she Erika Shone, the beautiful woman who was rumored to be close to you during the last semester three years ago?" Edna teases with a mischievous face. Zyan immediately shook his head hard and glanced at Edna in disgust because that woman's teasing was really not funny. After all, Erika is currently married to a teacher and is expecting their child.

“Erika is married. We never had any relationship since the past. You don't overdo it."

"Tsk, then who is the woman you like? Tell me, if I know her, I will definitely help you to get her.”

"Later I will tell you, now I want to eat."

It didn't take long for the waiter to bring their order. It seems that Jimin has done a good job, because the man immediately ordered her model's favorite menu without having to ask Edna, who was busy chatting. As for Zyan, the man just ordered food and hoped that his model partner would eat whatever he had ordered.

"Your assistant is great, he knows what my favorite food is."

Zyan ate his sushi with gusto while gazing gratefully at Jimin who was sitting not far from them. Meanwhile, Edna just shrugged her shoulders carelessly and started to eat her own food which looked tantalizing. And fortunately, there aren't many visitors in this restaurant, so she can eat as much as she wants without having to maintain her famous image of being arrogant. Apart from that, she also didn't need to be arrogant in front of Zyan because that man was her best friend.

So far, her attitude in front of her friends has never changed. Only when she was with Acelon would she put on an arrogant face to show that man that she wasn't a cheap woman who could be used at will. Even though she had never been able to refuse the man to serve him in bed, she actually had a plan to destroy him slowly. She wanted him to feel the pain she had been feeling all this time. Over the years she had to endure the humiliation and disrespect this man caused. Not to mention, she had experienced a bad experience that was so terrible that she had to die because of that man. Luckily, God still gave her a long life to repay that man's lecherous attitude and carry out her career that is currently soaring high.

“Three years have passed, you are now even more successful. I often see you on television, I'm very proud of you.”

"Thank you. It's all because of Josh who gave me this job. At that time I really needed a job, and luckily Josh was still willing to help me to become a model."

"But why do you have to work, isn't your adoptive father very rich? Actually, what is your father's job, your adoption?"

Edna seemed to think for a moment to answer the question that Zyan had asked her. Since the first time, she never told him in detail about Acelon. Unlike Josh, the man knew everything from the start because unknowingly he had followed her and found out about Acelon himself. As for Theresa and Summer, both of them know Acelon because they often go to that guy's club, and there Acelon's reputation as a dangerous rich man is well known, so they both know what Acelon really looks like in the end. Only Zyan never knew about Acelon because she herself was reluctant to share this information with Zyan. After all Zyan was her only close friend who didn't have any bad reputation. All this time Zyan had always lived on a straight path and was almost unhindered. Acelon's background full of dark notes probably wouldn't match his immaculately clean and flawless personality.

“I don't want to be forever rely on my father. I am not his daughter after all, and in the end I will definitely have a life of my own too." Edna said, a little unsure.

She honestly didn't know if she could finally break free from Acelon's shackles or not. Remembering how that guy had been to her all this time. She certainly won't let go that easily. But as long as she could stand on her own feet, what harm would it do if she tried.

"You're right, forever we really can't depend our lives on other people. Edna, can we meet again?”

Edna was a little surprised by Zyan's question, but in the end she nodded her head to confirm the man's question.

"Of course, we will definitely meet again. Why do you ask like that?"

"I'm just afraid you will be difficult to meet, considering that you are now a very famous model."

"Tsk, you're too much. You can meet me whenever you want. As long as I don't have a job, we can go to a cafe for a chat like this. And maybe next time I'll also bring Josh to join us."

"Okay, may I ask for your cell phone number?"

Without thinking twice, Edna just gave her cellphone number without paying attention to the happy glow in Zyan's eyes which might turn into something bad later. Something called hope, which at times can cause havoc if the wrong person feels. And their meeting that afternoon became something very happy for Zyan because in the end he could meet again with his first love since college. But this time Zyan has determined to get Edna, somehow he will definitely get her for himself.

-00-

The thin smoke rose into the air, followed by the next smoke that came out along with the heavy breath of someone who was sitting on his great chair.

Acelon closed his eyes while feeling every millisecond of nicotine starting to flow down his throat. Tonight he is in need of calm. And a little play with a bitch is actually very tantalizing to reduce the burden on her mind that is piling up. But he wasn't in the mood for a bitch. Right now he only needs Edna to finish his desire which is soaring into the air.

"What are you doing here? You don't want to go home?"

“This is my office, I'm free to do anything here. What are you doing here anyway, Shane?"

Shane shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly and immediately walked into Acelon's room. He canceled his intention to return home because he saw his best friend also his boss relaxing by himself while continuing to puff out thin smoke from his lips.

“I just finished my assignment. This month I have so many tasks to do that I lack time to sleep. When are you going to give me time off? I'm getting bored with all my boring work." Shane's protests were fiery.

Acelon chose not to respond to Shane and returned to his original activities of smoking nicotine while thinking about the various things crammed in his head. Today he received a report from Jimin that Edna had just met her college friend, Zyan. And more or less he knew who Zyan Clinton was. That man used to be one of Edna's friends who actually has more feelings for Edna. But Edna is stupid because she never realizes that feeling and only considers Zyan as her best friend, just like her relationship with Josh. So so far she is still safe and there is no need to commit any violence against Zyan.

“How is Edna? It's been a long time since she visited you at the office."

Shane as usual, he will be the one who is the most talkative when asking about Edna's problems. Maybe because that man felt sorry for Edna's fate which had to fall in Acelon's hands. Whereas Brexton actually has a lot of better relationships than the jerk Acelon.

“She is currently busy, dating as many men as she pleases. She started to become a free woman after her career took off."

"Wow that's good." Shane's comment was brief. He glanced playfully at Acelon while snapping his fingers in front of his face.

“Hasn't she succeeded in imitating your style. Like father like daughter."

"I am not her father, and I will never be her father." Acelon snorted while exhaling his cigarette smoke towards Shane.

Even though he is more worthy to be Edna's father, he will never want to become Edna's father because he took Edna not to be his daughter. He just wanted to keep his promise to Brexton. And unexpectedly, he actually broke his daughter and started to get addicted to Edna's sweet body. Oh... it felt like he wanted to go home and slip into Edna's warm blanket to play with that woman all night.

Unfortunately, Edna is now not the sweet woman she used to be. His current Edna is more fierce and has also turned into a very stubborn rebellious woman. Today he is even annoyed by Edna's attitude who dares to show a sweet attitude in front of Zyan. Even though the two of them have been best friends since they were in college, he still doesn't like it when his woman looks like she gives hope to other man.

“You always say that, but you also break her heart. You know she loves you, but you just play with your goddamn bastard. If Brexton were still alive, you would have been lost in his hands for daring to make fun of his daughter's feelings."

“Unfortunately Brexton is dead, rotting with the worms and also the disgusting animals at the cemetery. Edna is my business, you don't need to give a fuck it up. Just take care of your own problems and don't act as if you are a holy flower boy. I know what a jerk you have been. Got five women pregnant huh, and didn't want to take responsibility for it." Acelon said casually, but full of sarcasm in it.

From the beginning, he really didn't like his personal life to be interfered with by other people. That is one of the reasons why he has chosen to live alone, away from his father's repulsive restraint. And now Shane is actually being annoying by appearing concerned about Edna's life, even though he himself is just as jerk as himself. Or maybe even worse!

“Those five women are a mistake. They are the ones themselves who are stupid for not using contrAcelonption when it comes to me. And they are all very different from Edna. Edna is a respectable woman, she is not the same as the bitches you often use all this time."

“Did you forget that Edna was also born from a bitch? Brexton's favorite bitch to be precise. That's why Brexton wants to take responsibility for his actions because he is already crazy about the woman. Unfortunately Kimberly was too greedy and decided to leave her family with another man. And eight years later Brexton actually left Edna for good because of the cunning of his rival."

Acelon threw the stub of his skirt in the ashtray, and began to switch to his drink to moisten his throat which felt dry from consuming too many nicotine sticks. Tonight he feels very lazy to do anything and just wants to immerse himself in the darkness of the room where he works every day so that his mind can work normally again.

This morning he just knew one fact that the employee who had been recommended by the head of the company's California branch office was Zyan. And he didn't have a chance to transfer him to California again because he was doing well. So he might even give Edna up to keep in touch with the man as long as he is stationed at his headquarters in Vegas.

"Acelon, have you told his daughter about the Brexton accident?"

"You think?" Acelon asked without interest.

Of course he has not told Edna about it, and maybe he will never tell it because it will definitely hurt Edna. The woman had been abandoned by her father when she was very young. He will not open those old wounds to Edna again and only let that woman continue to be happy with her current life.

"But she has the right to know. You also have to give Edna the Brexton estate when she turns twenty-five years old. And one more thing, if you will never return her love, you better let Edna go for another man."

Acelon growled in annoyance at Shane's nagging attitude as he swallowed his drink roughly. He thought Shane had gotten too involved in his problem and acted as if he was a wise man who had just come down from heaven.

“You are meddling in my business too much Shane. Edna's problem, it is my responsibility. And now I feel that there is no man who is right to side with Edna, so I will not let Edna go until I really find a man who is right for her."

“Tsk, you are complicated as well as confusing. On the one hand you act as a father who is too over protective of his daughter, but on the other hand you also act as a jerk by destroying his innocence. Actually, which role are you playing right now? You obviously won't do it continuously because in the end Edna will also have a life of its own."

“You know, sometimes thinking too far ahead will also get you into trouble. So why do you have to bother the life of Edna in the future, which is not certain to happen or not. What is clear is that currently I am playing my role as a guardian for her. I have a promise with Brexton, and right now I'm trying to keep it." Acelon said getting emotional.

The man then began to busy himself with various emails from his co-workers to reduce his emotions for Shane. But unfortunately, he was presented with a photo of Edna wearing a bright red bikini by the pool. One of his men must have just completed his task of providing a daily report related to Edna's activities so far. And even though it is very useful for monitoring Edna, sometimes it is also quite annoying because she has to see Edna busy interacting with her damn friends who clearly have an interest in Edna.

"You have a stock of women? I need a release tonight."

Suddenly Acelon rose to his feet while ruffling his hair and also untied his tight tie. He then gave Shane a gaze to follow him to the club and have fun with the women there. All day his mind was too chaotic and he would not possibly force himself to finish his job. So he'd better go out and have some fun to calm the throbbing troubles that were getting worse in his head.

“Hmm… I like this. You better channel all your emotions to them, and I'll find the best one especially for you tonight dude. Let's go have fun."

Shane immediately embracedAcelon's shoulders excitedly and led the man to the basement to get his car there. Making Acelon happy was one of his duties because he owed Acelon too much. Even though he never agrees with Acelon's attitude who likes to play with Edna, but he also won't prevent Acelon from playing with bitches because they are both free men who will never be bound by a commitment at any time.