I Have A Girlfriend

Chapter 005

Zack's POV

My hands trembled over the keyboard. I could hear my pulse racing, and my lips still felt strangely warm.

I just kissed Lola.

Why did I want more?

There was something about those lips. Even though the kiss had lasted only a few seconds, their softness and the faint taste of strawberries were impossible to forget.

Damn!

Why was I feeling this way?

“Zack!”

A loud thud against my desk pulled me back to reality.

Leo stood in front of me, staring with a confused expression.

“Are you okay? I've been standing here for ten minutes, calling your name, and you looked completely spaced out. It's almost like you saw a ghost.”

The corner of his lips lifted into a mischievous smirk as he dropped into the chair across from me.

“I saw your secretary running out of here earlier.” He leaned forward slightly. “Tell me, did something happen?”

My body tensed.

I swallowed hard and adjusted myself in my chair.

“What are you expecting?” I rolled my eyes and turned my attention back to the computer. “Mind your business.”

Leo cleared his throat, giving me a suspicious look.

“You're a bad boy.”

“I'm warning you. Drop the matter.”

“Yes, Boss.” He raised both hands innocently. “I promise to ignore the lip balm on my boss's lips.”

I glared at him.

That bastard. He wouldn't stop until he made me lose my patience.

"Why exactly are you here? To throw banter at me?" I frowned.

"You know, all this attitude won't let you enjoy life."

 He gave me a knowing look before acting as if nothing had happened. "The Viole investment is waiting for your approval."

I took the document from him and scanned through the details.

"While you're at it, you have two meetings today at the same time: the Oprah meeting and the one with the Miller family." He paused. "Grandma wants you to personally attend the Miller meeting. Do you want to cancel the Oprah meeting?"

I dropped the document and let out a long sigh.

If anyone was after my peace of mind, it was my grandmother.

She claimed she wanted the best for me, but sometimes, dealing with her felt like a full-time job.

She had arranged countless blind dates for me, and one of those dates had been with Lola.

The psychopath who ruined our date.

"Are you still thinking about the lip balm?"

I closed my eyes and released another sigh. Leo is the second person who is after my peace of mind. "Get out."

"You know, I'm just trying to..."

"Use the door." I pointed toward it.

The door slammed behind him.

I leaned back in my chair and closed my eyes. I didn't understand why my mind kept drifting back to Lola.

Was it because of the kiss?

Or because of what I had seen at the columbarium?

A few days ago, I had visited my mother's compartment when I accidentally saw Lola and her friend visiting their late friend.

She had looked completely different from the woman I met at the blind date.

There was no arrogance. 

No sarcasm.

No fake smile.

She had looked broken. For some reason, that image had stayed with me.

I couldn't get her out of my mind.

The sound of the door opening jolted me out of my thoughts.

"Mr. Thompson requested a brief meeting with you at the villa tonight," Leo said as he walked in.

My stomach tightened, and anger immediately rose in my chest.

"Tell him I'm busy. I won't be attending any meeting with him." I responded bluntly. 

"This is the third month, and you still don't want to see him?"

I ignored him and stood from my chair. "Inform Lola to get ready for the meeting. We're going to meet the Millers first."

I grabbed my suit jacket.

"I can't go against Grandma. Her health has been getting worse."

Leo smiled knowingly before giving me a small bow.

"Yes, Boss."

---

The journey to the Miller family's residence was painfully awkward.

Lola sat beside me with a straight face, barely saying a word.

I tried starting a conversation with her a few times, but somehow, she seemed more comfortable talking to Leo.

That bastard.

He sat there grinning from ear to ear, clearly enjoying every second of it.

I pretended not to notice.

I had my pride to protect.

But for some reason, watching them talk bothered me more than it should have.

And I hated that.

Leo will regret this later, I promise. 

The moment we stepped into the Miller residence, a group of servants greeted us at the entrance.

"Welcome, Mr. Thompson."

I nodded politely as Mr. Miller approached with a broad smile.

"Zack, it's good to finally have you here."

"Thank you for having us."

His eyes shifted toward Lola, who was standing firmly behind me with a thick file pressed against her chest.

"Who is she?"

"My secretary. Lola Smith."

Lola gave a polite bow.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Miller."

"Please, make yourselves comfortable. Dinner has already been prepared."

I glanced at my watch.

"We appreciate that, but I'd prefer to go through the paperwork first."

Mr. Miller looked surprised. "Business before dinner?"

"Unfortunately, time isn't on our side."

He chuckled. "Just like your grandmother described you."

My hand paused on the file.

"My grandmother?"

He quickly smiled.

"Nothing. Please, come this way."

That answer immediately caught my attention.

Something was off.

We were led into a spacious sitting room where a large dining table had been arranged nearby. I took a seat and opened the first file.

Lola moved behind me, ready to hand over whatever document I needed.

For several minutes, the room remained quiet except for the sound of papers turning.

Then I heard footsteps approaching.

"Zack."

I looked up.

A young woman walked into the room wearing an elegant dress, her eyes immediately settling on me.

She smiled.

"This is my daughter, Ruka." Mr Miller introduced her with a bright smile. 

I nodded. "Nice to meet you."

Ruka didn't take her eyes off me. "The pleasure is mine."

I returned my attention to the documents.

Unfortunately, she didn't seem interested in taking the hint.

"You're even more handsome in person."

Lola shifted behind me.

I pretended not to notice.

"Thank you."

Ruka sat opposite me. "So, what do you do when you're not working?"

"Work."

She laughed. "You're funny."

I wasn't joking.

I turned another page.

“Ruka, don't disturb our guest,” Mr. Miller warned gently.

Ruka laughed softly. “I don’t see anything wrong with getting to know each other.”

“I appreciate but I’m not interested in a relationship.”

Her confidence didn’t waver. “Not even with me?” She licked her lips and adjusted her dress. 

“No.”

She tilted her head, studying me. “Maybe you will change your mind.”

“I doubt it.”

She smiled as if she found my answer amusing. You sound very sure.”

I picked up another document, hoping she would take the hint.

She didn’t.

Mr. Miller’s phone rang a few minutes later. He glanced at the screen before standing.

“Excuse me. I need to take this.”

He stepped out of the room, leaving Ruka and me alone. Or so I thought.

She continued asking questions, complimenting me, and finding every possible excuse to keep the conversation going.

I answered as briefly as possible.

It wasn't working.

Then she reached across the table and touched my arm.

I immediately pulled away.

“Please don’t.”

My eyes wandered across the room and landed on Lola.

She stood quietly a few feet away, holding a file against her chest.

She had been there the entire time, saying nothing.

An idea suddenly crossed my mind.

It was ridiculous. But it might be the easiest way out of this situation.

Ruka opened her mouth again, and I stood before she could speak. 

I walked toward Lola and took the file from her hands. Her brows furrowed in confusion.

Then, without warning, I slipped an arm around her waist.

Her entire body stiffened.

Then I looked at Ruka. “There’s no need to keep trying.”

Her eyebrows drew together.

“Why?”

I tightened my arm slightly around Lola.

“Because I already have a girlfriend.”

Lola's eyes widened.

I looked down at her stunned expression before meeting Ruka’s gaze again.

“And she’s standing right beside me.”