The Mysterious Women Series:Blackmail

by Paramita Choudhury

  Chapter 7

  Ryan had arrived earlier to play the host He couldn’t help but get annoyed at his guests timing they were late than the given time. How can this people be so late? It must have been for Sara, women always take time in dressing up. God if she doesn’t come I'll hate myself for making up this plan. Just then he saw the assigned waitress directing them towards the booked table "You are looking like a princess Miss Aaland", Ryan said while holding out a chair for her. He could hear a low growl and instantly knew of Zack's possessive for her. He had already known of this possible affair when he saw the guy staring at her during their meeting while she delivered most of their answers. Thinking of Zack's chances with his sister he could do nothing except playing with the tycoon's ego. Why not continue the drama of wooing her a little longer. "Miss Aland I hope you don’t mind my asking this but is a beautiful lady like you working in the corporate section instead of working your way out in modeling ", he winked. She sighed "Modeling needs confidence and I have to gravely state that I very much lack in that part". Bro how can you be playing games right now, she narrowed her brows. "And I totally support her decision", Zack played the cool one. His don’t mess with me attitude being hit properly for the first time. While the gentleman tried striking each other's wits her trained eyes took in the view of the entire restaurant. It clearly gave a Mexican aura; the walls had Inca carvings and portraits of native Mexican. After some time when the waiter dressed in tails came to take their order. What's your special today? Zack asked while taking a look at the menu. "Carne Asada sir", the waiter replied. "Alambras, Carne asada, Chongos zamaranos for me", he said, "What would you like to have Mr. Jenson?"Guacamole and Enchiladas Verdes" he said. Sara ordered Caldode Pollo and Chongos zamaranos for her. After the waiter had left, their discussion mainly centered on their new project and soon Ryan found it interesting that he and Zack had many similarities in their business policies. Well he is not so hot headed after all.

  When the dinner was served Zack found it deliberately tasty, "the food is really one of the most delicious that I've ever tasted", he said "obviously second best to my mama's donuts". Ryan chuckled at this and Sara found herself laughing heartily after a long time, every passing moment he is getting closer to my heart Lord help me. It also reminded of her mother, Mrs. Karen Aaland who said befriend a guy who knows your heart pretty well, but love the person who knows you pretty well. It suddenly struck him that the person sitting beside him still addressed him so formally "Call me Ryan", Ryan said calmly while taking the last bite of his Chongos. After having signed on the agreement and almost finishing up dinner we should be going on first name basis". "As you wish Ryan ", Zack said "I am really in love with these dishes specially the Chongos zamaranos". Sara was stunned at how clearly he pronounced the name of the dessert. She had been with Ryan to many of his parties, most of which he hosted in Mexican themes yet she stumbled while saying the names. This man is talented. "The fact is my maternal grandmother was Mexican and it is her recipe of making Chongos that we apply in this restaurant", Ryan stated while rubbing his hands in the napkin." That means she was a great cook", Zack had not finished his dinner yet." Indeed". "I think I'll have to include a Mexican dish during my meals everyday", Zack winked at her "I'll take care of that Mr. Robenstein". "Ah appetite reminds of me you Miss. Aaland", Ryan indicated, and "you have very low appetite". Sara frowned at this, why he is teasing me when he knows I hate Mexican dishes. She quickly hid her feelings turned her face towards Ryan giving him a poker face you wretched creature was what she wanted to say instead she said "I have this incorrigible habit of maintaining a low calorie diet, sir". There must really be a connection between these two, Zack wondered. So he changed the conversation" Ryan do you own this restaurant". "Oh yes, Zack this is the first own in my chain of Rosa de Reyes." "No, doubt at that", Zack smiled.

  Sara occupied in her own thoughts, was mostly silent during the conversation, only at times answering a question or two asked by either of her male companions .Sincere as he was, Zack couldn't help but steal glances of her during the conversation. Her expression changed from delight to considerate, as if she had seen someone. He turned his eyes to her point of vision but could not see any known person. While they continued their discussion regarding the launch of a few media commercials which would publicize their joint venture, she excused herself and almost sprinted to the washroom. When he was alone with Zack, Ryan grilled Zack "So for how many years has she been working for you?" Zack had that unpredictable expression which could confuse anyone. At one moment he acts like the Romeo and the next he's the devil. "Two months at the most". "Do you think she has been feeling sick recently"? Zack asked him before he could throw anymore queries. "She perfectly well to me to be able to sprint", Ryan chuckled "She's a unique piece seen rarely"."How long have you known her "? Zack took him by surprise "longer than you can imagine", the other person's face turning red out of rage. Ryan could only laugh at Zack's act of jealousy, yet remained calm "Don’t get furious, she's only my sister". Then he told him about their childhood together, omitting the part of Rachel, he told the latter everything his sister.

  In the washroom she couldn’t find the lady who rushed before her. She suspected the lady to be the same one she had seen in the restaurant with the electrical supervisor, yes the guy was a supervisor and she had seen him with Richard in their Office complex. But she couldn’t grasp the girl. I should return back to them, they must have turned weary thinking of me. While retrieving her seat she turned towards the table where the couples sat few minutes earlier, the table was empty now. "You look disturbed, what's the matter"? Zack revived her to the present state, she met Ryan's eyes who seemed to keen about the matter in hand. Both her male companions kept on grilling her unless she said that she felt sick and wanted to return back to her place as soon as possible. Zack wasn’t much convinced at first but agreed to drop her due to the Oscar winning head ache act presented by her and thanks to her over conscious brother who made it difficult for the former to investigate the case any further.