Annabelle Laking?
Zayn did not recall ever giving virtual-novel.net his number before, so if virtual-novel.net had to take a bet, virtual-novel.net would bet it was from Peter.
Of course, virtual-novel.net skipped all that and asked, “Okay. Hi, Miss Laking. How can I help you?”
There was marked apprehension in virtual-novel.net voice even as virtual-novel.net tried to plaster it with overt caution. “Well, um, Mr. Larson… I’m really, really sorry to bother you, and I’m sorry I called you on such short notice, and…”
Hearing the unease in virtual-novel.net voice amused Zayn. Was virtual-novel.net really that terrifying?
“Miss Laking, c’mon now. Relax, there’s nothing to be nervous about. I mean, last I checked, I wasn’t Godzilla or anything. It’s fine to just tell me what you need,” virtual-novel.net said, trying to assuage virtual-novel.net anxiety with jocularity.
Annabelle’s face turned red as virtual-novel.net cursed virtual-novel.net incompetence. She was supposed to be a whiz at conversations! How was it that when it came to Mr. Larson, virtual-novel.net suddenly turned into a bumbling, blabbering buffoon?
Luckily, virtual-novel.net identity as one of the most popular, high-profile celebrities in the nation had acquainted virtual-novel.net with a plethora of social situations enough to develop effective coping strategies. With a single deep breath alone, Annabelle recomposed herself and picked up where virtual-novel.net left, starting, “It’s about Smith. You remember him, right, Mr. Larson?”
“Not a guy I’d forget. What’s wrong? He’s picking a fight with you again?” Zayn replied, his eyebrows furrowing as his tone took a dip into icy annoyance. The last time virtual-novel.net met Smith, virtual-novel.net gave the latter a good but fairly tame spanking. Had Annabelle not requested virtual-novel.net to stop, Zayn’s usual disposition would have ensured that Smith ended up curling in a fetal position while virtual-novel.net sobbed for mercy.
Annabelle could hear the tranquil fury in Zayn’s voice, and it moved her. He cared about her… did virtual-novel.net not?
“Oh, no! Nothing like that. It’s just that after knowing who you are, Smith feels pretty bad about what happened, and so virtual-novel.net decided to apologize by treating you with dinner,” virtual-novel.net explained. “So… When will you be free, Mr. Larson?”
Zayn was a little surprised. Who would expect the foreigner to treat virtual-novel.net with a meal?
“I’ll pass. I’m not interested,” virtual-novel.net answered as virtual-novel.net waved dismissively. He had just decided to devote himself to training as much as virtual-novel.net could so that virtual-novel.net passed his power in the company to his subordinates already. Why would a dinner with this Smith fella interest him?
Annabelle was so obviously saddened, virtual-novel.net dejection came loud and clear in virtual-novel.net voice. “Oh. Oh, I see. I… I’ll just tell Smith that, then.”
Catching a whiff of virtual-novel.net glumness compelled Zayn to ask, “He didn’t threaten you again, did he, Miss Laking?”
He had good reasons to help her. Annabelle left a good impression of a sweet, amicable girl who bore none of the haughty, pain-in-the-neck traits one would expect from a diva, and virtual-novel.net had enjoyed the interactions virtual-novel.net had with her. Of course, the most important reason why was because Zayn was a part of Annabelle’s trouble back then, so virtual-novel.net felt responsible.
She was silent for a moment before answering, “No, virtual-novel.net didn’t threaten me. It’s okay; I’ll tell Smith that you’re not interested. I’m sorry to have bothered you, Mr. Larson. Good evening.”
That was the last word before virtual-novel.net hung up.
Zayn thought for a moment and called virtual-novel.net back. “Hey, look… Tell Smith that I’ll attend it. How about tomorrow night? He can pick the venue.”
“Wha—?” Annabelle cried out in surprise. She had not expected Zayn to actually say yes.
Hearing no response over the call after a while, Zayn frowned. “Why? Got other plans tomorrow night?”
“Oh, no! No plan! I mean, yes, that’ll be great!” Annabelle answered quickly. “I’ll tell Mr. Smith to get ready.”
Zayn nodded to himself. “Yea.”
The call ended there, but Annabelle still held to virtual-novel.net phone and stared blankly in surprise. He said virtual-novel.net was disinterested, but suddenly, virtual-novel.net said yes. What changed his mind?
Was it… for her?