Chapter 15: Getting over you!
2627 Words
It had been a long week, but Zoe was finally allowed to be discharged. When Zoe asked for the bill, so she could put it through insurance she was told it had already been paid in full.
A parting gift Zoe thought bitterly.
There had been no texts, calls or any other form of communication from Akihiko.
“That is a good thing, cold turkey is the only way to get over someone” Dave wisely said. But Zoe did not feel it was a good thing, in fact she had to stop every cell in her body from contacting him.
“He doesn’t want you, you are just a waitress in his eyes. A bit of fun whilst on holiday” Zoe kept repeating to herself every time she was even a little tempted. In the meantime she kept herself busy with free lance programming jobs. It was clear that her skills were in demand.
After another week, Zoe decided to start working at the bar. Everyone knew she been attacked, so she didn’t bother hiding the bruising on her face. She worked in the bar before and found it a good distraction. She got on well with the customers and by the end of the third week, even found herself smiling.
When she was put on her coat one night she felt a card t in her pocket. She took it out and look at it, it was Josh’s number. Zoe smiled as she got out her mobile and Dialled the number. It rang a couple of times, before a familiar voice spoke.
“Hello?” Josh said
“Errr hello is this Josh?” Zoe asked feeling her cheeks go hot with embarrassment.
“Yes it is, who is it speaking?” Josh asked
“I don’t know if you remember me, but I am Zoe and..” Zoe said awkwardly
“Zoe?! Of course I remember you! How are you?” Josh said his tone suddenly happy and bouncy.
“Good! I was wondering if that offer of drinks is still open?” Zoe said nervously. She hated this sort of stuff, she was not a social butterfly by any means.
“Certainly is! How about tonight?” Josh said eagerly
“Yes it is my day off, so anytime is good” Zoe said.
“How about lunch then? I hear Dave’s Bar makes a mean Burger” Josh said and Zoe laughed.
“Sure, if you are lucky I even play you a tune!” Zoe said
“I look forward to it, I see you at 1?” Josh said
“Sounds like a date” Zoe said with a smile.
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In the meantime Akihiko was not doing well at all. Ena was not even speaking to him unless absolutely necessary. He hardly slept at night and kept saying the words he wrote down over and over again. After a few days he had enough.
“How long are you going to keep it up?” Akihiko asked Ena
“Keep what up?” Ena asked
“You, being angry with me” Akihiko snapped
“I am not angry with you Akihiko” Ena said whilst making tea
“No?” Akihiko said surprised
“No, I just very disappointed in you” Ena said
“How dare you say that to me? I am the chairman of ..” Akihiko started to say.
“By Gods you are such an arrogant fool! I don’t care who you are, you treated poor Zoe like s**t from the bottom of your shoe” Ena shouted.
“It had to be done, the Syndicate would never accept a waitress as their Empress” Akihiko started to mumble. Ena never shouted at him.
“Don’t give me such crap! You are the Emperor, they have to obey you! You had a shot at real love, do you know how rare that is? She loved you for you, warts and all. Zoe was a intelligent, loyal, funny and beautiful women. She trusted you with her heart and you treated it like trash. You couldn’t even look her in the eye as you did it, you snobby Bastard” Ena spat.
“I had my one chance at true love with Alannah!” Akihiko snapped back
“Then you are bigger fool then I thought! Alannah was never your true love or your chance of happiness. Love does not make you brand a person, that is obsession and lust. You are old enough to know the difference !” Ena had snapped before storming out of the kitchen.
Ena’s words rung through Akihiko’s mind that night. Ena was right, he had never loved Alannah - not really. He had wanted to own her like some possession. Zoe had make him smile and laugh, made life better. Being with her was as easy as breathing.
The end of the third week since he broke up with her, he could take it no more. He had to see her! He drove to the Diner and sat down at his normal table. He prayed that Zoe might be there so he could talk with her.
“What will it be?” He heard a familiar voice and he turned his head to see Maria.
“Is she..” Akihiko asked
“What will it be?” Maria asked obviously pissed off that he was here.
“I want to speak to Zoe” Akihiko said
“Well she does not want to speak with you” Maria said gruffly
“When will she..” Akihiko said
“Look mate, I save you the time as no fucker wants you here. She doesn’t work here anymore, she works at Dave’s Bar. But you would have to be an i***t to go there!” A customer shouted out.
Akihiko frowned and got up. Of course that Prick Dave would make a move! He thought furiously as he marched out of the Diner into his car.
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“Can I get you love birds anything else? Another Beer maybe Josh?” Dave said, hardly being able to contain his glee. She was dating a man who seemed nice!
“No thank you Dave, we have been truly spoilt by your hospitality. Those burger truly lived up to their reputation!” Josh said with a smile.
“Well it was my pleasure Josh” Dave said moving the plates out of the way.
“I am glad you enjoyed it!” Zoe said
“Well the company made it even more enjoyable” Josh said with a dashing smile.
“I have to remember to tell Dave that!” Zoe said and they both laughed
“Well I am personally glad things didn’t work out with Akihiko. You are far to good for him” Josh said seriously.
“You are..” Zoe said
“Right!” Josh said and Zoe blushed.
“Zoe? Where is She? Don’t lie to me either Dave, I know she works here!” Akihiko said walking to the bar.
“Speak of the devil.” Josh muttered.
“Leave now! She is not interested, I can guarantee you that!” Dave said angrily.
“And how pray can you guarantee that?” Akihiko snapped.
“Because she is on a date with me!” Josh said
“Josh, don’t it is ok” Zoe said in a low voice
Akihiko head snapped round and saw Zoe with Josh. He wanted to go over and snap Josh’s neck, instead he walked over and stood over their table.
“Can we talk?” Akihiko said in Japanese
“I am sorry, I didn’t understand that. Could you repeat that in English please as I am only a simple Barmaid” Zoe said still in her customer service voice.
“I am sorry, I should not have said that...” Akihiko said starting to explain. He expected her to be angry or throw something at him. Not so cold and polite!
“Oh but you didn’t say it, did you? You wrote it in a note whilst I was unconscious from being beaten by mercenaries looking for you!” Zoe said
“Is that the reason why you were attacked Zoe?” Josh said looking disgusted and Zoe just looked down.
“That is really none of your business Josh! Surely you should be seeing is Rebecca needs servicing?” Akihiko snapped glaring at Josh.
“Why when you are performing that particular service so well? Especially, over the past three weeks from what I hear” Josh retorted.
The look on Zoe’s face was unreadable for a second, before she tutted and smiled.
“Well that is that then, Josh I had a lovely time. It was great to hear about your work, it sounds very exciting!” Zoe said completely ignoring Akihiko.
“The job offer is still there, I would love to have you on my team”
“I promise I will think about it” Zoe said with a smile.
“No she won’t! She does not need anything from you!” Akihiko snapped.
“So, I give you a call?” Josh said playing along.
“Absolutely! Now, I do apologise but I have to go now. Unfortunately, I have a little problem, to deal with” Zoe said.
“I completely understand! Until next time” Josh said getting up and kissing Zoe’s hand. Josh went to the bar to pay but Dave said it was on the house.
“You are most welcome here...unlike some people. Don’t worry I will look after her.I hope to see you again soon” Dave said.
Josh walked out and Akihiko tried to talk to Zoe.
“Zoe, I need to talk to you. I need to explain..” Akihiko started to say
“Nothing to explain, we went out for a few weeks, we had s*x and now we moved on. We are both adults, there is absolutely nothing to talk about” Zoe said as she took her empty glass to the bar. She then walked behind the bar and went into the back room. Akihiko was making a move to follow her but Dave blocked his way.
“You need to leave now!” Dave growled.
Akihiko was pretty sure he could take Dave, but he also knew it would not help his case.
“Zoe, it is not true! I have not slept with anyone and I won’t give up on us!” Akihiko shouted
“You should have thought of that before you left a f*****g note!” Dave growled as Akihiko turned and walked out, he went to his care and waited. Zoe had to come out sometime and he was known for being patient.
Dave went out the back and found Zoe sitting down crying.
“Oh honey, he is gone now and you did so well” Dave said handing her a tissue.
“Thanks Dave, you have been a true friend” Zoe said.
“Go home and grab yourself cup of tea and spend sometime with Bill, you will feel a lot better” Dave said gently.
“OK” Zoe said. She was far to tired to argue. She picked her stuff up and left the bar.
Akihiko could not belive his luck when he saw Zoe coming out of the back door of the bar. She looked upset and tired. Maybe she is not sleeping well? Akihiko thought suddenly concerned. He waited for a few moments and got out of the car. He followed her to her house and knocked on the door.
“Who is it?” Zoe called as she opened the big front door. She was about to close it again, but Akihiko stopped her.
“Please, wait!” Akihiko said desperately .
“I waited for three weeks for something off you. But there was nothing! So why should I wait now Akihiko, especially when you made your feelings quite clear!” Zoe said in an angry tone.
“It is good that you are angry!” Akihiko said
“Why would that be?” Zoe snapped
“It shows you still care about..us” Akihiko said softly looking at Zoe with hopeful eyes.
“Don’t you dare Akihiko! I always cared about us, it is you who thought it was just a bit of fun!” Zoe snapped tears forming in her eyes. Get rid of him quickly she thought to herself.
“Just give me 5 minutes to explain and the I promise you won’t see me again!” Akihiko said
“Promise?” Zoe said
“ what?” Akihiko said
“Promise I won’t see you again if I give you 5 minutes now” Zoe said
“Yes” Akihiko said apprehensively.
“You best come in then” Zoe said stepping to one side.
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Somewhere over North America a private Jet was flying towards Hawaii.
“Do you want a drink Mr Blackwood?” A flight attendant asked respectfully.
“An OJ please” Kurt said not looking up from his computer scree.
“I see Alannah has you addicted” Andrew said with a smirk
“I literally have to keep it under lock and key, otherwise she would drink it all!” Kurt moaned.
“Must be nice to be that much in love” Andrew said with a sigh.
Kurt looked up surprised, he had know Andrew for years and he never spoke of love!
“Are you OK Mate?” Kurt said gently
“Yes, I just wish I had what you and Xan have” Andrew said honestly.
“Well the path of love was not easy between Alannah and I. I think I still have scars from where she kicked my arse! There be someone out there for you” Kurt said and Andrew sighed.
“Unless there was someone already?” Kurt said
“There was or is, back in University. She was so brilliant, funny, beautiful and kind! She was my best friend..” Andrew said
“What happened?” Kurt asked interested
“I was a coward and did not ask her out. By the time I got up the courage to peruse her, she disappeared” Andrew said sadly
“Disappeared?” Kurt said surprised. There were not many people that could hide from Andrew!
“Yes, she been missing for over four years! Completely off grid!” Andrew said.
“Well all I know is that fate has a funny way of working. I am sure you will see her again” Kurt said thinking of how he met his Alannah. It was clear Andrew had not stopped searching for this women, whoever she was!
“I hope so. So what do you think of the latest report?” Andrew said changing the subject.
Kurt received the message loud and clear to move on. “Well this grey hat group have a brilliant security system, my guys are no where near breaking it! Rummors on the dark web is that they call themselves Alice, but that is about all. Who ever they are, I want them in my company!” Kurt said
“Well hopefully my contact will be able to help us” Andrew said looking out the window thinking of the women he once knew.
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- Writer
