Chapter 4: Unexpected Kiss?

ZAYLEN

“So if you don't mind, I would like to ask you something again, Zaylen,” Liana started after I told her to start using my name from now on. She had a hesitant look on her face.

“Yeah, sure. Ask me whatever you want,” I gave her permission.

She looked into my eyes and asked skeptically, “Why do you really want to help me?” 

“I already told you my reason, didn't I?” I shrugged.

“No, no, there has to be a legitimate reason. It's not charity that you don't need a reason for. You agreed to take revenge!” she pointed out, her voice slurred. “Plus, I'm pretty sure it's not just out of goodwill.”

“What? I don't look like a person who has goodwill or does charity?” I teased, which seemed to have caught her off-guard.

“No… that's not the case. I mean… you know what I mean!” she rambled. “Now tell me the real reason why you would help me.”

Getting curious, I took a closer look at her face. Her eyes were a little unfocused due to the alcohol getting to her head, but they were red and puffy from crying earlier. I could see the lines of exhaustion on her face; it seemed like the stress of what went down already took a toll on her future wrinkles. However, she had a determined stance, her fists clenched and her lips pressed together.

It was still obvious that she was covering up her pain with a determined look. It was what my mom did — portraying to be strong, despite breaking down inside. I believed her back then, thinking she got this all by herself. 

What a foolish mistake I had made.

So this time, I wouldn't repeat my mistake. I wouldn't let something like that happen to another woman.

I failed to take my mom’s revenge last time, but if I could help someone else now, I would do that at any cost. Perhaps, it would make my mom happy that I was helping someone else out at the very least.

Realizing that Liana was eagerly waiting for a reply, I ended up saying, “Well, the real reason is a bit selfish and calculative, honestly. It’s because disloyal and incompetent employees will ruin my company. If they broke your trust, despite being close to you, then betraying my company is a piece of cake for them. Without any hesitation, they will backstab me. And as you know, things like transparency and originality are really important for a brand like ours.” 

To further convince her more, I gave more accurate points. “And on top of that, they were doing inappropriate stuff in my office, while I was still in the vicinity. Nothing justifies that. Inappropriate conduct is strictly forbidden on office grounds, I'm sure everybody knows that.”

“Oh…” she muttered, seeming to understand. She nodded her head slowly, almost like she was going to fall asleep soon in a daze. She must have drunk way over her limit tonight.

“Besides… who will want to miss an opportunity to take revenge?” I added. “Revenge is fun and peaceful.” A smirk formed on my lips. 

Liana ended up chuckling. “Thank you. It seems like you are not such a bad person as everyone pictures you to be.” 

“I just said I like revenge, which is not exactly a positive word,” I commented.

“Well, for me, it's positive now.”

My chest filled with pride at her comment as a peaceful silence prevailed among us.

After a while, I watched Liana sigh, glancing at the sky. “You know, I should have liked you instead of James. I wouldn't be going through this if I had done that.” 

I arched an eyebrow in amusement. “What makes you think that?”

“I don't know, it just seems like you have a strong dislike for cheating. So it made me think that a person like you would never cheat on someone,” she expressed in a small voice. “Even if a girl were to ever cry because of someone like you, at least infidelity won't be the reason behind her tears.”

I couldn't help but chuckle at her weird analogy. “So what? You want to date me now?” I joked.

She turned her head toward me and tilted her head, a sultry smile on her face. “Who knows? It might not be such a bad idea.”

“You are joking, right?” I laughed it off.

“Maybe I am not,” she let out, her voice serious, which made me stop from laughing and pause to look at her.

Her eyes were looking at my lips, her lips parted, as if she wanted to kiss me.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” I asked, a little awkward.

“The moonlight is making you look really handsome. No, more like, hot,” she grinned. “Has anybody ever told you that you have a great physique? Those rolled sleeves are really making you look… mhmm… so good.” 

I almost blushed at her straightforward, shameless compliments. Most people didn't dare be that frank with me, considering I always maintained a stern outlook.

“And has anybody ever told you that you are kinda shameless when you are drunk?”

“I have been told that I am bold when I am drunk,” she giggled.

“Well, the same thing.”

“I just really want to kiss you right now,” she admitted out of nowhere.

“Uh,” I honestly got a little flustered. “Maybe I should take you home now. You have had way too much to drink,” I told her, trying to blow her off as a joke.

I was about to stand up, but she took a hold of my shirt sleeve.

“Would you fire me from work if I kiss you right now?” She blinked her eyes slowly. There was an innocence in them that I couldn't resist.

“No…” I trailed off, almost lost in the depth of her eyes. “But—” I was not able to complete it as she pulled an unexpected stunt.

She let go of my sleeve and grabbed my collar to pull me closer, pressing her lips on mine.