Chapter 18: The Dinner Date

"Yes I do. I love Seth. But not in that way. It's more of a platonic love. I love him the same way I love you. Like a friend, like a brother." Angela tried to explain .

Romeo let out an exasperated sigh. "Why don't you understand? Love is not meant for assassins and spies. We cannot indulge ourselves in such feelings. It's toxic".

"But you love me, don't you Augustus?"

"Oh, so now we are calling by real names?"

"Way to dodge a question!" she retorted. Although Romeo didn't answer her question, she was happy that he didn't deny it.

"I just wanted to say that I go somewhere for a day and you can't even defend yourself because of some stupid feelings. Don't let your emotions get the best of you" he advised.

"Ok, jeez I'm sorry. No need to go all father on me," Angela laughed nervously whereas Romeo squinted his eyes in response. "Speaking of father, how did your meeting with father go?" she asked.

Romeo's expression turned more solemn. "Everything was ok ...But he wants you to work faster. He is losing patience"

"Is he serious? How can you make someone fall for you within a month?" She gave him a look of disbelief.

"But it seems like he already fell for you" Romeo stated as a matter- of- factly. Angela's stomach fluttered with butterflies hearing his words but in next to no time, panic arose in her mind. This is not good; if Max falls in love in me then I have to kill him. I don't want to kill him but I cannot go against my orders too. I wish he never falls in love with me.

"I told him about Seth too" Romeo's voice brought her out of her trance.

"You shouldn't have" she grimaced. "You know father very well, he won't go easy on Seth"

"You are really nuts!! You still want him to go easy on Seth?" he asked incredulously.

"Yeah, because father can be cruel when he wants"

Romeo slapped his forehead with disbelief "I wonder how a girl with such a high IQ can have a low EQ like this"

**********************************************

Angela silently entered inside Max's cabin. With Bluetooth headset in ear and a file in his hands, she found him deeply absorbed in his work. His eyebrows creased slightly as he concentrated on his file. His hands reached for the mug and he took a sip of coffee, his eyes never leaving the file. There is nothing more attractive than a man hard on work, Angela thought.

"Max?" she decided to intrude. His eyes immediately found her emerald eyes and a ghost of smile appeared on his lips.

"Angel !"

"You still working?" she frowned.

"Yeah, I've to look into these files. Can't ignore them"

"But you called me for dinner" she reminded him.

"I know, I know. But it's important. Just wait for few more minutes?" he smiled apologetically.

"Alright" she sounded disappointed and he already regretted making her wait. She took a seat on the plush sofa of his office and indulged herself in solving some crossword puzzle. Meanwhile Max received a call from his client. Max started discussing his upcoming project with him while rotating his glass globe. Casually, his eyes fell on Angela. Flicking a pen between her fingers, she seemed lost in deep thought. A cute frown appeared on her face and she bit the pen clumsily, pressing it against her rosy lips. Max's interest piqued. Damn that lucky pen! All of a sudden, her lips quirked into a victorious smirk as if she figured out the mystery.

"Mr. Harrison, are you there?" the client's voice brought him out of Angela's spell. Without averting his eyes from her, Max cleared his throat.

"Yes Mr. Houston"

"Uh, right. I thought that the call was disconnected. Anyway, about that suite in Las Vegas__" Mr. Houston, the client, started to continue his discussion but Max interrupted him.

"I'm so sorry to stop you in the middle Mr. Houston, but I just now got some very urgent work to do. I hope you don't mind. Can we continue this discussion afterwards?"

Mr. Houston had no say in this matter, as Harrison Corporation is the major shareholder of their company, so he obliged "sure! Why not Mr. Harrison. I will look forward to this discussion. Have a nice day ahead!"

Max glanced at his file for one last time. He was ought to finish this work today but then again the beautiful girl sitting on the sofa, refrained him from completing his file. At last, he decided to listen to his desires. I can always spare some time to be with her. He convinced himself.

"Hey angel"

She peeked at him from the newspaper. "Are you done with your work?"

"Yup, I've finished everything"

"Really! Cause I remember you told me that you had lots of work. Well that was fast." She eyed him warily.

"Aren't you hungry? Cause I'm starving" he tried to brush off her suspicion. He got up from his chair while putting on his coat and strode across the sofa. "Let's go"

**********************************************

Max pulled out a chair for her, trying his best to be chivalrous. She slipped off her faux feather shawl and took a seat opposite to him. After they settled comfortably, a beautiful red head appeared to serve them.

"Mr. Harrison! It's a pleasure to see you after so long" she smiled brightly. Angela frowned. They know each other?

"Oh, hey there Emma" he reciprocated her smile. I used to think that those smiles were only reserved for me. Angela complained.

"Here, I brought your favorite red wine" she poured some wine in his glass. She knows about his favorites too.

"So what would you like to have?" she chimed completely ignoring Angela. Max turned his attention to Angela.

"Let this gorgeous lady choose the dinner for me," he said, looking directly into Angela's eyes. Max's gesture touched her greatly and she tried hard to hide her blush. Emma gave a forced smile and turned towards Angela to take the order. Angela skimmed her eyes through the menu. Crap! What should I order now? I don't even know about his likes.

"We'll have Ribollita for starters," she decided finally and stole a glance at his direction. Max beamed and blinked his eyes in assurance. Angela sighed in relief. I think he liked it.

On the other hand, Max was having a hard time hiding his discontent. Shit! Why did she order soup out of all things? I hate soups.

Their order arrived after sometimes. They again exchanged smiles, no words spoken. Everything was awkward between them. Max waited for Angela to taste the dish first. She placed the spoon near her lips and took a little sip whereas Max was waiting eagerly for her reaction. "Delicious!" she said meekly. Delicious my ass! It is terrible, to be honest. Angela never liked sophisticated dishes of classy restaurants.

Whereas, Max felt content. Now when I see her enjoying the soup, it doesn't look so bad. Maybe I should try it. His hands lingered on the table to grab the spoon but his eyes still focused on her.

"Max!" she gasped "your hand" she pointed at his right hand.

"What?" he chuckled and then looked at his hand "shit" he jerked his hand from bowl. He accidently dipped his hand in the soup and didn't even felt the pain until she informed him.

"Waiter! Bring some ice immediately" Angela started blowing his hand "what were you thinking Max?" she wiped his fingers with cold towel. I don't mind small burns if you will nurse me like this forever. He badly wanted to say these words to her but he knew that the time has not yet come.

"Now how will you eat?" she asked still nursing his hand gently. He looked at her with anticipation. His eyes clearly begged her to feed him. On the spur of moment, she got lost in the depths of his blue orbs.

"Err...Let me feed you?" her question was rhetorical. He grinned and nodded in excitement. Yes, yes that's exactly what I want, his heart screamed. She shook her head. So childish. Nobody will believe that he is the most successful CEO of the country. Wait! She realized something. Did it look like I was the one requesting to feed him? ......Damn him!

Angela brought the spoon near his mouth and he happily sipped the soup.

Screw all other dishes. Soup is my favorite dish now.