Chapter 17: Old Friends!
1507 Words
“Don’t leave me, please” Akihkio kept saying as Zoe put him to bed.
“I won’t, I promise” Zoe said
“I am so sorry Zoe, I love you so much. I spend the rest of making it up to you” Akihkio said as Zoe undressed him and put him in bed.
“I will look forward to it, but we will talk more when you are not so full of whiskey” Zoe said as she climbed into bed next to him. Akihkio instantly circled his arms around her and pulled her in to him.
“Watch my back!” Zoe moaned.
“I will kill them all Zoe. They will regret laying a single finger on you” he murmured sleepily.
“OK Akihkio, but you sleep now” Zoe said thinking he was just blagging.
In the morning Akihiko woke up to an empty bed. Was it all just a dream? Akihiko thought as he dragged himself out bed and into the shower. He got cleaned up and put some clothes on, he then went to the kitchen. There he saw Ena and Zoe drinking tea and laughing.
“Zoe!” Akihkio said shocked
“Ahh Akihkio, you are awake” Ena said happily
“I certainly don’t envy your head this morning!” Zoe said with a smile.
“It was real! You stayed with me last night!” Akihkio said grinning
“Don’t worry you were a prefect, somewhat drunk, gentleman” Zoe said getting up and kissing him on the cheek. Akihkio put his arms around her and hugged her.
“Zoe, I don’t understand but I am happy you are here” Akihkio said
“You should thank you friend. Anyway I have to go to work” Zoe said and Akihkio growled in protest.
“I am only working till 6” Zoe said.
“Take the day off or even better quite your job and move in with me!” Akihkio said seriously
Zoe laughed and said “but who would look after Bill?”
“You are choosing a cat over me?” Akihiko said with a raised eyebrow.
“Maybe! I see you tonight?” Zoe said with a smile.
“I will be there with Ena to pick you up” Akihiko said
“Good thing I brought some clean clothes then!” Zoe said as she walked out with Ena.
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Zoe was humming at work, feeling happy and bounce.
“You are in a good mood” Dave said his eyes narrowing
“Why not? It is a beautiful day outside and things are looking up” Zoe said with a smile. Dave said nothing and just shrugged.
“Ok Misd sunshine, we need more rum from the cellar” Dave said
“Right away Boss!” Zoe said with a wink.
“What ever she wants, I want some” Dave muttered as he heard a door open.
“Hello David, long time no see” Andrew said with a smile
“s**t! Andrew Livingstone, what ever you want, the answer is no!” Dave said folding his arms.
“How about a drink? We have come a hell of a long way!” Kurt moaned sitting at the bar.
“Oh what joy, it is Kurt Blackwood. It must be important if we have the privilege of his company” Dave said sarcastically.
“Who is this guy?” Kurt snapped.
“My cousin and one of the world’s best programmers” Andrew said
“Really? Well can I have a beer?” Kurt said and Dave grumped.
“Fine!” Dave said pulling the worst beer of his life. It was at least a third foam and he slammed it in front of Kurt.
“I hope he is a better hacker then he is barman” Kurt remarked.
“Oh, he is. Trust me!” Andrew said
“Blood hell Dave, you need to clean up down there, it is a complete mess” Zoe said as she brought up a bottle of Rum. Dave closed his eyes as she placed the rum on the bar.
“Zoe?” Andrew said shocked
“Andrew? My God it is you!” Zoe said happily as she ran round the bar and flung her arms round him.
“I can’t believe it, why are you here?” Zoe said
“I searched for you and you went completely off grid!” Andrew said
“I know, it is a long story. How long are you here?” Zoe said
“For as short as time as possible!” Dave snapped.
“Ok can someone fill me in?” Kurt said taking a swig of his frothy beer. Could this be the women Andrew was talking about before?
“This is Zoe Lewis she went to Yale with me. She came top of her class and one of the best programmers in the world!” Andrew said happily.
“Awesome maybe should could help us?” Kurt said
“No! she can’t!” Dave said snapped
“Dave... come on...Andrew is an old friend. At least let’s hear them out, Ok?” Zoe said softly and Dave sighed.
“We need to find the Grey hats that broke into a syndicate called the Blood Gods. Do you know them or heard who they might be?” Kurt asked
Zoe and Dave looked at each other grinning.
“You know them don’t you?” Andrew said
“Of course, we do idoit. I am the Mad Hatter” Dave said
“And I am the White Rabbit, together we created Alice” Zoe said proudly.
“You created Alice? Alice is not a person?” Kurt said amazed.
“Of course! Zoe is an expert in Algorithmic code breaking and there is not a security system on this planet she can’t by pass” Andrew said with a smile.
“Remember, that time when we broke into the Pentagon’s servers when we were bored? They were after us for weeks!” Zoe said with a chuckle. Kurt’s eyes were wide with shock.
“Dave is also very good at programming viruses and finding back doors. To be honest they make an awesome duo” Andrew said
“Soo are you looking for a job, my company could always use someone of your talents and you be well compensated” Kurt said with a dashing smile that worked on most women.
“What company do you own?” Zoe asked interested. It never hurt to have a plan after this was over.
“Blackwood technologies” Kurt said
“You are Kurt Blackwood?” Zoe said stunned. This man was a massive deal in technology, it was like meeting one of her heroes!
Kurt grinned and Zoe suddenly felt very shy.
“Don’t worry Pumpkin, shall we show them what we have got?” Dave said with a grin.
“Well I would need to go back to my place. Do you have a dual set up?” Zoe asked.
“No, let’s go your place” Dave said. Zoe smiled and nodded as she went out the back to get her stuff.
“Why didn’t you tell me she was here? You know I been searching for her, for 4 years!” Andrew snapped angrily.
“Because I couldn’t and it was not safe, that t**t is still after her'” Dave said locking up the till.
“What is up with you and Zoe?” Kurt asked. He had never seen Andrew remotely interested in Women, yet he was flirting majorly with Zoe.
“Don’t you know? He negotiated a marriage contract with her parents, but he left it too late to start courting her. She been off grid since her parents where murdered” Dave said
“Woah! Does she know?” Kurt asked and Andrew shook his head. Andrew was not messing around with this chick! Kurt thought.
“Right, sorry I had to go to the loo. Shall we go?” Zoe said and Andrew smiled like a little puppy. Dave locked the door as they went out and they all walked to Zoe’s place.
“I am sorry it is not as luxurious as you are used to” Zoe said looking over at Kurt.
“Zoe I am honoured to be invited into you home and that you are helping us. Please do not worry, I think it is lovely!” Kurt said reassuringly and Zoe smiled. She opened the door to her home and welcomed them in. She then walked to a door and unlocked it with the key from her neck. When she opened it Andrew and Kurt gasped at what they saw.
- Writer
