⭐Zachary's POV ⭐

Laughter filled the silent restaurant and made heads turned into our direction.

"Oh Zachary my dear, you're hilarious!" Eva's only aunt, Carol, slapped the table repeatedly and attracted even more attention.

"Ha ha. Very funny indeed." Eva muttered rudely under her breath.

I covered my hands over Eva's, to remind her not to roll her eyes.

Eva's family recently came to Los Angeles for a vacation. Eva arranged for us to meet as requested by her parents and relatives.

"So, when are you proposing to Eva?" Aunt Carol sipped her wine while batting her eyelashes at me.

I nearly choked because of two reasons.

Number one, you know when unexpected questions were thrown to you? Especially about marriages.

Number two, Aunt Carol was looking at me in a flirtatious manner.

Eva's uncles are giving me the don't-you-dare-not-marrying-my-niece look.

"Well, that's a secret." I finally let out a breath while answering.

"Secret? I like that." Aunt Carol drawled as she nodded to the her siblings.

Eva's dad, is an only child, therefore the relatives who joined in the vacation are from his wife's side.

"Yeah, besides it's still too early for us to get married. We've only been dating for two years." Eva shrugged as she took a bite of the strawberry cake.

"Eva you're not getting any younger." Eva's mother, Elaine, pointed out, disagreeing with her daughter's views.

"I'm only twenty-six mum.."

"It's not like you can conceive immediately. Your body needs time." Aunt Elaine reasoned with Eva and I silently agreed with her.

"Who says we're going to have children?!" Eva arched one of her perfectly drawn eyebrow.

Out of a sudden, I became the limelight of this table.

"Zachary, do you share the same thoughts as Evangeline?"

Eva nudged me on the knee under the table while tucking her hair behind her ear.

"Well no. I actually love kids a lot. I do wish to start a family with Eva. But she's right to a certain extent. There isn't a need to rush for marriage." I reached over to hold Eva's hand but she avoided my touch.

The adults looked at me with approval as they stood up, getting ready to leave.

"I am glad to know that you are a family man, Zachary." Eva's father slapped my back and shook my hand with great strength.

I tried my best not to grimace as the hand shaking session continued. Eva's uncles all had a strong grip as if they are giving me a warning not to hurt their beloved niece. Evangeline hugged her mother and aunts before walking with them out of the restaurant. While I approached the cashier counter to pay the bill. Eva's family waved us goodbye as the taxi drove them away from the restaurant.

"Finally," Eva muttered and shot me a dangerous look.

"What the hell was that for?" Eva curled up her fists and looked like she was reining in her temper.

"I was just telling the truth."

"You want to have children?! I thought you should know I hate children. They're a nuisance, noisy as hell. What's worse is that they ruin a woman's perfect body figure." Eva spat out those words as if it was poison.

Shock and disbelief were clearly evident on my face.

"What? You also should know that I'm at the peak of my career right now. I cannot just give it up to marry and make babies with you."

"Aren't you also one of the ruining woman's perfect body figure?" I retorted back, emotionally tired of fighting with her.

This time it was Eva's turn to put on a hurtful look.

"Doesn't it bother you the way your Aunt Carol looks at me huh?"

Even with that look of hurt, Eva did not miss a beat.

"She has been this way her whole life. Flirting with all and any guys she saw." Eva said cooly as if it really did not bother her.

I run my fingers through my hair in frustration, successfully messing it. I studied Eva's stony facial expression and could not find a single excuse for her horrible behaviour anymore.

"Look, I've got to run. I hope you'll think twice about having children." Eva softened her gaze when she took in the confusion shining through my eyes.

My legs stood rooted to the ground as I saw Eva flagged down a cab and waved to me before getting in. I reached down for the pocket of my blazer and took out a pretty box.

In it stored a beautiful ring which was glimmering under the sun. I closed the box and let out a long sigh.

I guess proposing just got postponed.
*~*~*~*~*~*

"Mr Davis, it's a pleasure working with you!" Ms McCaster shook my hand as we walked out of my office.

"The pleasures all mine, Ms McCaster." I flashed her my easy-going grin. I had to blink my eyes a few times before confirming that her cheeks are turning pink.

My charm was irresistible. I smiled inwardly, but stop when Eva popped out in my mind.

"Mr Davis, I'll be going out for lunch now. Do you need me to buy something back for you?" Olivia peeped into my office after knocking.

"No, it's okay. I don't have any appointments in the afternoon right?"

"Yes. Enjoy your lunch, Mr Davis!" Olivia closed the door quietly.

I loosened my tie and put my hands behind my head while leaning backwards. The box of ring was sitting there, acting as a reminder of what Eva said to me yesterday.

My stomach rumbled loudly, disrupting my train of thoughts. Surrendering to my hunger, I located my car keys and sauntered out of the office.
*~*~*~*~*~*

"Enjoy your meal." The waitress's monotonous voice greeted me with my food.

I started digging into my food. Looking around the diner, I felt an emptiness in me. Eating alone, highlighted the fact of how lonely I am in this big city.

I actually felt sorry for myself. Yes, it's pathetic. Refused to dwell on this sad topic, I continued with my lunch.

After paying the bill, I drove around the city aimlessly. I decided to give myself a break from work since I have the time. The thing was I have no idea how or where to relax.

As a shopping mall came to my sight, I suddenly remembered that there was something I need to buy. After driving a few rounds around the parking lot, I finally found an empty slot.

After locking up my car, I slipped the car keys into my pocket. Whistling while making my way to the shopping mall. I took the escalator to the second level, where the shop which sells household items is located. My desk lamp at home recently went out of order. I seized the chance to shop for it today.

Once I stepped into the shop, endless items are displayed for selling. They did offer a wide variety of desk lamps which are on sale. I must be really lucky.

While I was choosing the type of desk lamp I want, that same back view caught my attention again. The lady was tiptoeing to get something from the top shelf. My eyes travel up to find table cloth are placed there. She started to jump but still could not reach it.

Looking around, I saw no one was nearby to help that lady. Being the gentleman I am, I approached the lady with long strides and reached up to get the table cloth for her.

I could easily reach the top shelf with my height. I accidentally brushed my hand against the lady's and instantly felt a tingling sensation.

"Oh. Thank you." The lady thanked me and I glanced down to smile at her.

My smile froze in an awkward way when my eyes landed on someone I did not expect to see. The lady stared at me with wide eyes and her mouth forming the letter 'o'.

"Z-Zachary. Hi." Rachel stuttered as she flickered her eyes to the side.

Realising how close we are standing, I quickly move a step back.

"Hey, Rachel. What a surprise." I smirked at Rachel and noticed that she did not have her long hair anymore. Rachel's hair length was until her neck. She even dyed her hair to medium ash brown. I must say short hair and that colour looks good on her.

"Nice hair," I commented with a chuckle.

Rachel looked up with a hint of pink on her cheeks.

"Uh, thanks. You too.." She murmured and gave me a shy smile.

I knew that she was uncomfortable with this situation but I still asked my questions.

"The last I heard, you're in Seattle. So, you're here for a vacation?"

"Oh erm, nope. My fiancé and I moved here a few days ago. He always wanted to work at this well-known lawyer firm here."

I leant back against a board with my arms folded.

"I see... How have you been?" I didn't really give a hoot of why the fiancé wanted to move.

"Great. Gavin treats me really well. We've been discussing our wedding too." Rachel replied with a dreamy smile.

Rachel's face changed from happy to awkward real quick.

"Er, what about you?" Rachel returned me my question to change the topic.

I chuckled as she never seemed to change after all these years.

"Well, it's good to hear that you've found someone who treats you better than I did. As for me, I'm good. Things are not going really well between me and my girlfriend though." I admitted with a sad smile.

"Ah... You're not to blame for what happened between us, Zach."

"But, I am confident you and your girlfriend will solve the problem in no time," Rachel added to cheer me up.

"Thank you, I hope you're right. It's nice to see you again, Rach." Out of impulse, I stepped forward to give Rachel a friendly hug.

Rachel stiffened at my gesture, but in the end, she did hug me back.

"Me too, Zach."

Author's note :
Hi! 😄 Finally, Zachary and Rachel met each other after 10 years 😊 The gif I have attached is my reaction after writing it out. 😂 I hope you like the chapter! :) Well, I've published 2 new works on my profile, check it out if you want to! 😋 A vote/comment/share from you will be greatly appreciated! ❤ Thank you!