"Uh…" Zaria did not comprehend the change in her mood, so she turned to look quizzically at Ryan.

He understood his little sister more than anyone would, so he gently explained, "You promised to visit her often, but it's been long since you did, so she is sad about your broken promise."

Zaria suddenly remembered that she did make that promise. "I'm so sorry!"

She had been so caught up in the current matters that it slipped her mind. She looked down at the teenager clinging to her apologetically. "I'm sorry, Nina. I really didn't mean to forget it…" She didn't want to dump her issues on the girl so she cut it short. "Will you please forgive me?"

Nina scanned her expression as though gauging whether she was being honest. When she was satisfied, she nodded slowly. She then looked at her with sparkling eyes as though she was anticipating something.

Zaria unconsciously darted her eyes to Ryan who was watching with a smile while leaning against the door.

"She wants to know when you will see her again." He explained naturally, his smile deepening.

Zaria thought through her schedule. She would start going to work soon so she would not be able to come during the day. "How about Monday in the evening?"

Satisfied, the girl nodded in anticipation.

___

Meanwhile in Desmond's mansion.

Liam was once again laughing his butt off after showing the pictures to his friend. As expected, Desmond was on the verge of exploding.

"I told you, didn't I? If you do not make any effort to make the woman you like happy, another man will." Liam lectured, gloating at his friend's misfortune.

Desmond sucked in a breath and decided not to pay attention to him. "I want to know about this man. I find him awfully familiar."

"What a coincidence. I thought he is familiar too…" Liam tried to think about it but couldn't get an answer no matter how hard he racked his brains. In the end, he decided to let go. "Just how many people have we encountered? He could be just one of the many."

Desmond recalled a hurtful detail. This was the man who had brought Zaria to Singles bar not too long ago. Recalling this, he glared at the picture on the screen like he could burn it to ashes. To be exact, he was glaring at Ryan's hand that was grabbing onto Zaria's arm like he could burn it. His curiosity about the man intensified. "Help me find out who he is."

"Of course!" Liam had been waiting for that order. of course, he was not curious about Ryan—at least not as curious as Desmond was. It was only because this order might be the onset of an intense battle for beauty that he quickly got someone to start investigating.

___

Monday, 7:30 am.

Zaria snoozed her alarm clock for the umpteenth time. "Just ten more minutes."

Waking up was the hardest part of her day and the fact that she was going to Preston and Fort Group wasn't making it any easier.

At the thought of Preston and Fort Group, she jolted awake. She would be late!

It wasn't that she was too slow in getting dressed up. However, in this part of the city, getting cabs wasn't that easy and if she wanted to catch the bus, she would have to leave early or else she would be late.

Hence, she took a quick shower and changed into a blue skirt suit. Although the suit was not from an expensive brand and was a little aged, she had taken good care of it so it still looked beautiful on her. She put on a dab of makeup and straightened her hair. After wearing a pair of nude-colored heels, she quickly made a cup of coffee and carried it to take on her way.

…

She arrived at Preston and Fort Group building with twenty minutes to spare. It was worth the rush. After submitting her details at the reception, she was allowed into a conference room on the twenty-first floor, where the interviews were being held.

___

Author's note;

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