Chapter 157 The Boyfriend Trap

Chapter 157 The Boyfriend Trap
"I... excuse me?" Chloe stammered, her voice suddenly entirely useless.

Her throat closed tight. She stared at the man sitting across the polished table, her brain scrambling for a professional response. The aggressive charm in his question threw her completely off balance. She pressed her back against the leather chair, wishing the floor would swallow her whole.

Footsteps approached just in time to save her. A server stepped between them, setting down a heavy silver tray. Relief flooded her chest.

She reached quickly for the crystal pitcher. Before her fingers touched the cold glass, the manager intercepted the movement. His large hand wrapped firmly around the handle, his knuckles brushing against hers.

"Allow me," he murmured. He poured the water smoothly into her glass.

"Thank you," she managed to say. She pulled her hand away, resting it on her lap. She needed to drag the conversation back to the contract immediately.

"We really need to finalize the regional bonus terms," she insisted, tapping the screen of her digital tablet.

Before he could answer, a heavy bass beat thumped through the dining room floor. The warm crystal chandeliers suddenly dimmed into deep shadows. Bright purple and blue spotlights swept across the high ceiling, entirely changing the room's atmosphere into a vibrant party.

She jumped slightly in her seat. "What is happening?"

"It is Saturday," the manager explained, leaning back against the cushions. "The Pavilion always brings in live entertainers on the weekends to reward the guests."

A velvet curtain pulled back at the far end of the hall. The wealthy crowd erupted into loud cheers. Women at the surrounding tables immediately stood up, holding their phones high to record the stage.

A young man stepped into the colorful lights holding a microphone.

Chloe froze. The air vanished from her lungs. The digital tablet nearly slipped out of her sweating hands.

The singer taking the stage was Zarik. He was the first candidate on Sarah's ambassador list. He was also her secret boyfriend.

She knew he had a major performance booked tonight. He had offered to cancel his appearance just to spend the evening with her. She had absolutely no idea the venue was the Jade Pavilion.

If he saw her sitting here with another man, her relationship would be completely over.

Zarik began singing his biggest hit song. The women in the front rows sang along, waving their hands in the air. The music bounced loudly off the high walls, filling the space with infectious energy.

The manager noticed her open mouth and wide eyes. His confident smile dropped instantly. A flash of irritation crossed his sharp features.

"Are you a fan?" he asked, his tone turning sour. "I suppose it is normal. He is a fast-rising star."

He picked up his wine glass. Losing her attention so quickly obviously annoyed his pride.

Chloe snapped out of her panic. She gripped her tablet tight, forcing herself to look away from the stage.

"We really need to wrap this up," she blurted out, gathering her purse. "Let us sign the drafted terms right now so I can leave."

The manager set his glass down hard against the wood. "You are in a terrible hurry."

"My CEO needs this finalized tonight," she pushed, her voice tight.

"Then sit back and enjoy the show," he ordered. "Why are you so boring? We can discuss Zenith Beauty after he finishes his set."

"I need to go," she repeated, her voice tight.

He shrugged, crossing his arms over his chest. "That is entirely your choice. Walk out that door right now if you want. But Lucy's contract dies the second you leave."

She stared at him, completely trapped. Sarah desperately needed this deal for Monday's product launch. Walking out meant failing her boss and the company. Staying meant destroying her personal life.

The music grew louder. Zarik jumped down from the elevated stage, walking right into the middle of the dining crowd.

The wealthy ladies cheered louder, abandoning their expensive meals. They crowded the narrow aisles, holding up their cameras for quick selfies. Zarik smiled, posing with them while he sang the next verse perfectly.

He was moving closer to their section.

Panic spiked hot and fast in her veins. She could not let him see her face under these bright lights.

She grabbed her wired earphones from her bag. She shoved them into her ears, ducking her head low over her glowing screen. She prayed he would just walk past their area without stopping.

Footsteps stopped right beside their table.

"Look who decided to show up," Zarik's voice rang out over the loud music.

She squeezed her eyes shut. She kept her chin glued to her chest, pretending to read a complex spreadsheet.

The manager laughed, standing up from his chair. The two men embraced in a quick, familiar hug.

They were brothers. The striking facial resemblance suddenly made perfect sense to her panicked mind.

"Is this the new girlfriend?" Zarik asked loudly, nodding toward the woman hiding behind the screen.

"Very soon," the manager chuckled. "Let me introduce you properly."

"Miss," the manager called out, tapping the table.

Chloe did not flinch. She kept her head down, tapping the screen blindly. She played the role of the busy assistant perfectly, letting the earphones excuse her sudden deafness.

"Leave her alone," Zarik laughed, adjusting his microphone grip. "She is clearly busy working. I can meet her another time. My song is still going."

"Nonsense," the older brother insisted. He tapped the polished wood near her elbow again. "Chloe, take those out for a second."

Zarik paused. He tilted his head toward the music.

"Chloe?" the singer repeated.

He quickly shrugged off the coincidence. Millions of women shared that exact name in this massive city. He needed to get back to the cheering crowd before the song ended.

"I really have to finish this set," Zarik said, turning away from the table. "Catch up with you later."

He took one step toward the main aisle.

His gaze swept across the tabletop. He stopped dead in his tracks.

Resting right next to the water glass was a sleek, structured leather purse. A very specific silver clasp sat on the front flap. It was the exact custom bag he had purchased for his girlfriend two months ago.

Zarik slowly turned his body back around. He stared down at the top of the woman's head.

"Chloe?"