Chapter 7: Clinking Cups of Wine

6 pm in the evening...

Shen entered the house and held the hand of Zoe. "Close your eyes!", he gestured as he placed his hands on her eyes

She was closing them and walked through by Shen's movements. As they were strolling, she was feeling afraid and fidgeted across his legs shivering or asking him to stop. It was like a game of trust. Shen will tenderly hold her and accompany her smoothly to gain her confidence. They stopped over an empty space and Zoe wondered why they had suddenly stopped. 

"Uh-hmm! Shen why did we stop?" she hummed 

As he loosened his arms he replied, "You can open them now." She opened her eyes and was surprised at what she saw. 

"Wow!"

There was a banner of congratulations with something written as "Congratulations Lin Zoe". The whole house was decorated and well prepared for the arrival of someone. The air was exquisite and candles were set at the table. This all looked pretty with a perfect touch of romance. 

"This is so pretty! It's you who made all of this?"

"Yes, It took me all day to do it."

They sat at the table and Zoe served herself food that was set neatly. It was all specially prepared by the chef and the maids. 

"Oh! Shen Zi, I didn't need all of that. Look at all the efforts you are doing."

She hugged her husband and smiled tenderly. 

"Zoe! I swear, that I always wanted to congratulate you on the finding of your job. I ever wanted to do that. Please, forgive me for sometimes not being the best husband. I'm really guilty and I admit I've not always been the best husband. You worked hard at school and you found a great job. I want to always be with you and be by your side whatever it takes me."

She was touched by what he said and answered, "You have always been there for me. I love you for that. You don't have to feel guilty, but I encourage you to change on what you think you did wrong."

"You got so wise since you entered the company. I'm so astonished even suspicious. Anyway, I'm happy you understand me, and for your boss, if he harmed you I will support you to get rid of him from your way."

He kissed her and held her on the waist with a sweet gaze.

"I won't let anyone bully you!" he hummed softly in her ears 

She blushed and became deeply red all over her face. She looked away, nibbling her hair in her fingers. He looked at her deeply in her black eyes and kissed her. He then continued passionately and intensely.

She was deep in sensation and mature enough to manage this kind of relation. "It's only been two and a half weeks that I'm with a total stranger and I think I found a lost part of myself. We go on so well and became like friends so quickly. I never felt this in my life before..."

He kissed her and she smiled at him still kissing on passionately.

She escaped from his grasp not willing to get in contact with his touch. Soon, she pointed at the table and took the chance to leave. "Stop! I'm starving. Come and eat some food!" 

The table was filled with food and drinks. The night was dark and the window was clear as glass. The feeling of romance was deepening and their eyes could not help but meet every single time. At this time she was only thinking about how her next day will be. 

"Where are all the workers?" She asked 

"They went back home, I sent everyone back home." He replied utterly and drank a cup of his wine. Later, he took something from his pocket. It was her phone and he was handing it back to her. 

"Take back your phone, you need it." 

Her phone was intact and she just needed to take a look at her messages. 

"If you need anything I put my emergency number in case of any problem." 

She gave a look on her phone then replied, "Ok! I will not deceive you, honey."

She was proud and thought of the promotions and offers that will be given. As she was young and planned to go for five years in the company, she will definitely be a recognized model and could shift to a new company later. 

"I will have to leave very soon tomorrow. When will the workers get back?"  

"I told all of them to get here at 12 am!"

He remembered he had called them to get back early for house cleaning while he will be out. 

"I handed the keys to the chef. Don't worry you will not starve darling!" 

"Haha!" she tittered as they enjoyed the chill night

...

"Miss Zoe, the Boss needs you." a woman called rushing to Zoe who was reading a magazine

"I'm coming!" As Zoe heard she was being called by the boss, she rushed to the office and knocked through the door. "Mr. Tsu!" Tsu Lian who was working responded, "Enter."

She entered and sat down with her magazine at hand.

She was quiet and he started leaving aside his work. "I was really pleased and astonished by your professionalism. So, you will be our representative for the Snow Bay Perfume company. Thanks, you can leave." 

She had a sort of bad feeling and asked to talk. "I have a question?"

"Yes!" he answered

"Please, I know about the rules and the offers in this company especially since I paraded but..."

Before she could finish her sentence she was cut off by Tsu Lian who seemed to be losing patience. He was cold and a straightforward person and with his attitude, she stayed as quiet as a mouse and didn't talk more.

With a quick seizure, he said, "Do you want to quit from being a newbie model to a personal model?" She answered with a smile trying not to anger the cold CEO, "It's a huge offer but I have to..."

This time he was angered and cut again her phrase, "In the condition that you become my mistress."

"Excuse me?"

It was as if she did not hear clearly the words he just said. Was he asking her to be his mistress? He smiled, "You heard me, being my mistress show my parents that I will marry soon especially because you are natural and potential. You can play that role and I will augment your salary every time."

She was silenced for some minutes and tried to think about what was happening and what went wrong. How could she possibly be his mistress? Even if she was given back her real identity and fame, she'd rather die than be his mistress. 

"I can't insult him! He will make my life a living hell in this company and it will ruin my plans. If I try to do Miss powerful I will just make things worse."

Tsu Lian was sitting with crossed arms still gazing at the frightened girl who was thinking carefully. He looked so frightening and she was like a prey being looked down by the predator. This was so miserable.

At last, she had an idea. "I have to humble myself to this scum and be modest." She stood and looked serious gazing straightforward to that mighty predator. 

"Mr. Tsu, I appreciate your way of working. You are a powerful leader."

She bowed respectfully and folded flat her magazine on her laps. She was pissed and didn't appreciate being so considerate with him. 

"Ah! It sucks to say that." 

She continued speaking and made sure to always look at his face. "But I'm not a woman who gains high ranking through prostitution or exposure. I am honest and I want to gain that rank by self merit. I want you to cancel your request and I will pretend nothing happened."

Tsu Lian looked furious but tried to calm down at the frightened woman who was looking straightforward to him. It wasn't in his mood to stay and listen to what his workers were saying. He looked down over his workers. But this time, he listened to what one of his workers was saying. 

"I'm really sorry for your parents and your meeting but you chose the wrong person. I'm a married woman. My husband often comes here and I don't want any trouble for both of us." Zoe affirmed strictly

The atmosphere was stern and she just turned away the words of her boss. Zoe was steaming hot inside her heart still, she had to control her anger and stay normal.

As she finished speaking, Tsu Lian reacted, "I'm really sorry, I don't know what just took me off. I think it's just all this stress and work."

"Just stress and work, right!?" she thought as she clenched her fists

"What If I offer you dinner? You and your husband to forget about all this." Zoe had a dark expression over her face and was angered by those words. She was not willing to spend a minute more with this man. "I will have really love it but I got things to do in the evening."

Tsu Lian by the other side still had that angry expression and was insisting to offer her dinner. 

"Please, what about on the eve at seven, is it okay? I won't let you refuse."

She was uncomfortable with the persuasion of Tsu Lian but now had no choice. He will not let her refuse. All she had was to surrender to the beast. 

"Fine, it does no harm to have dinner." she coldly responded

"Okay! I will send the location to your manager. She will send it to your email." Lin Zoe didn't say anything more and left. She closed and ran to the restroom. She sat on a bench and sent out all types of curses she could on Tsu Lian. 

"How dare he say that to me? Does he invite me to dinner? I would have insulted him if he wanted me and him private."

"I will go with Shen Zi, seriously what a scum bag!" she murmured angrily leaving the silent hall

...

Focused all day on her work, she did not stop thinking about what Tsu Lian said. It was like torture and couldn't bear it. She arrived at home and saw Shen Zi who was sitting in the dining room. 

"Shen Zi, I'm back home!"

He was focused on his computer. "What's wrong?" she asked massaging his shoulders. "I have urgent work to do and send to my partners abroad."

She sighed and sat down beside him. "How was your day?" she asked

"Very good and yours?" At mentioning her day, she looked unpleasant. After all, she didn't spent a good afternoon. "My boss wants us to have dinner. He wants to know both of us." 

"We can just go, it doesn't disturb," he answered

Tsu Lian looked happy to have dinner with Zoe and this looked convenient. Zoe sighed and handed her bag on the chair leaving for her room. 

"I will first go to the pool!"

"Don't stay too long." he said

Premium Palace...

Zoe and Shen were elegantly dressed waiting for the arrival of Tsu Lian. There were waiting for 30 minutes and thought they came too early. Zoe had a bad feeling and thinking about that predator gave her chills. As they were prepared to leave, Tsu Lian entered smoothly dressed in a crimson costard.

"Thank you for coming. I am extremely pleased to see both of you."

As they saw him, they sat down and all of them were positioned for a conversation. Zoe not bearing to see Tsu Lian stood up. 

"Excuse me, I will go to the bathroom." 

Tsu Lian was left alone with Shen Zi. This was a meeting between two CEOs with great potential. 

"I wanted to hear about Zoe." he asked as he turned to Tsu Lian

Tsu Lian was a little scared at seeing Shen Zi who was asking about Lin Zoe. He remembered asking his wife to be his mistress and seemed that Zoe had held her mouth. He still felt slightly embarrassed and was pleased to talk to him about her. 

"Yes, she's a prominent worker and she works very hard. You are the boss of those international hotels, it's an honor." 

Lin Zoe had just came back from the restroom. "Sorry, for taking a little bit longer."

"We can go on." While he was talking, they were holding hands and talking at the same time. They showed off an adorable and romantic expression which Tsu Lian looked as uncomfortable and felt as an outcast. "Let's take our glasses and cheer for our meeting. Clinking cups of wine." 

"Clinking cups of wine!"

...

"It was so boring! I need to sleep."

She reached her husband and whispered in his ears. "But before I sleep I need to tell you something." Shen rolled over to her and said, "What do you want to ask?" She answered, "Tsu Lian asked me to be his mistress and went up to say he will higher up my ranks."

"What? Why haven't you told me? I will have broken his neck." She turned away and looked sad. "That's exactly why I didn't tell you earlier."

Shen Zi was not happy and thought Zoe found Tsu Lian more attractive than he was.

"I'm not angry because at least you told me." He patted her shoulders and said, "Are you hiding something from me or do you think of someone better than me?" 

Zoe was upset at what he said and felt sad at Shen. She did not want to make him feel worried because she had respect for him. 

"I'm not hiding anything from you. If I didn't love only you why will I tell you." 

"Come you are sleepy, you tell me everything that happened."