That night, Zach insisted on picking up Keira.
Keira was hesitant because of the possibility of Thea and Zach meeting each other.
It’s not that she did not want them to meet, but she found it awkward. If Zach saw Thea with her... especially if that would be their first meeting in person after all those long years.
’Should I inform him?’ Keira inwardly thought as she stared at her mobile phone, contemplating whether to text Zach that Thea was having dinner with the team as well, or not.
She ended up sending Zach a simple message:
[Uhm, Thea is here too, eating dinner with us.]
She waited for Zach’s replied.
But she received another call instead, so she excused herself from the team to answer it.
"Don’t you want me to come? I want to pick you up. I don’t see any reason for not coming just because Thea is there. Tell me what you want me to do?" asked Zach from the other end of the line.
Keira bit her lip as she murmured, "Hmm, it’s okay with me... You can do whatever you want."
She heard Zach chuckle as he said, "Okay, I’ll be there in thirty minutes."
"Hmm, got it. Anyway, I’m not done eating yet. Drive safe, I’ll be waiting... and make sure you wear your blinders." Keira commandingly said that made Zach burst out in a fit of laughter.
"Hey, I’m ending the call now. Concentrate on driving. I’m serious though, make sure you wear blinders because I will really poke your eyes out..." threatened Keira.
"Hmm, I’ve told you I don’t need those. Hmm, I miss you so much. That’s why I want to see you whenever I can." Zach confessed.
Keira was feeling giddy and smiled as she suppressed her squeal.
"I miss you too," she answered before ending the call. Even at this point, she felt butterflies inside her stomach whenever Zach said words like that.
Not only butterflies, but her heart wanted to jump out of her chest too.
She returned to her seat and noticed that Thea was stealing glances at her every now and then.
After dinner, some of the staff ordered alcoholic beverages, and Keira drank some wine.
"So, who is still single in our team? Raise your hands!" said Senior Grant, the head journalist who assigned field reporters on areas and particular scope.
"Why are you asking, Sir?" asked Jazz, who had raised her hand too.
"Cheers!!! Because I will make all your lives miserable! I have a soft spot with married people with kids, so I will apologize while I can! I will be your nightmare, guys!" said Senior Grant jokingly.
Keira answered unconsciously, "How about me who is not married but have a boyfriend?"
Senior Grant gave her an evil grin as he said, "Well, good luck, dear, because you will definitely break up sooner or later? Reason? T-I-M-E..."
Then everyone laughed with Senior Grant while Keira twisted her mouth.
"By the way, who is that unlucky guy, Keira?" Director Holmes asked.
Keira shyly smiled as she whispered, "He’s a General, some of you might know him."
"General? Old or young?" Gavin, Thea’s partner at the primetime news report, asked. His words startled everyone because the guy rarely talked, you could even count his words for a day.
"The youngest General, General Zacharias Lim," she said full of pride that made Jazz gasp.
"Oh, I like that General, but I like the other one too-General Liu. Ah, but he has already quit the military. Those two are really handsome but in different ways. Hmm, how should I describe it, General Lim is the strong and silent type, while General Liu is the big-shot type," Jazz commented unconsciously.
Keira laughed because Jazz hit the right spot.
From the corner, Thea could no longer hide her bitterness because she should have been the one, proclaiming that and not Keira...
After dinner and drinks...
A lot offered Keira a drive home, but she refused, saying that her boyfriend is coming to pick her up.
That moment, Thea’s body froze. This would be the first time she would see Zach after all those years.
Panic struck her. She needed to be careful with her actions because one wrong move from her could jeopardize her years of suffering and planning.
All of them went out. Zach was already outside, waiting for Keira.
"Ohh, the boyfriend, hope we can be introduced," commented their head editor with a grin.
Keira laughed and introduced each member of her team. All the members who were already outside with her greeted Zach with a wide smile.
"It’s nice to meet you all. Please, take care of Keira for me," said Zach with a bow.
"Wow, such a gentleman," Jazz whispered.
Then, Director Holmes came out with Thea and Gavin.
Keira bit her lip and sighed.
She introduced the two men to Zach.
She found it really awkward to introduce Zach to Thea. She didn’t even know where to start and what to say.
But then she heard Zach speak, "It’s nice to see you again. It’s been a while, huh?!"
"You know each other?" asked Director Holmes, looking at Thea and Zach alternately, then he shifted to Keira with questioning eyes.
This time Zach smiled at Mr. Holmes and said, "Yeah, we knew each other a long time ago."
Keira remained silent and just observed Zach.
"We will head first," Zach bid farewell to everyone and held Keira’s hand.
Keira smiled and looked adoringly at Zach. She was satisfied with Zach’s expression.
"You did well, my General," she mumbled as she moved closer to Zach, hugging his arm while they walked towards the car.
Zach laughed... "Now you see that I don’t need those blinders?! You must reward me for being a devoted boyfriend," he said as he kissed Keira’s hand.
From a distance, Keira’s team couldn’t help but feel envious, witnessing the lovey-dovey couple.
"Such a good combination, ah... so sweet. I should get my own General soon!" commented one of Keira’s team, who was an old maid.
Hearing those words, Thea almost lost her footing, but Gavin was quick to hold her.
"Are you alright?" he asked.
Thea nodded and looked at Zach’s back as she tried to suppress the tears that were about to fall from her eyes.
She had endured long years... hoping that she could return home soon.
She had to find a way to tell Zach everything. She had to tell him that she had no other choice but to leave him... to save him.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
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