Nancy sprung to her feet and followed. The silent office started to resonate in murmurs. She’s indeed treated differently. She took the lift reserved for Executives, the boss personally welcomed her, this is nepotism!
Nancy quietly followed Zack out the office, into the lift, and up a level.
When the lift opened, Nancy’s eyes lit up. The 22nd floor was totally different compared to the 21st floor. There was a huge recreation area with a large movie screen on one end, games consoles at another, there were even dolls claw machines. Zack walked towards a large black marble table. There were several dishes on the table. Nancy could smell her favorite dish and her stomach growled even louder.
“Sit. I’m sure you haven’t had your lunch. Let’s have a simple meal.” Zack said with authority as he sat down. Nancy sat opposite from Zack. Though she wanted to dive right into the food, she certainly knew better than to do that!
Zack on seeing Nancy being so gentle and delicate with the cutlery started to smile as he compared the image of her clutching a butcher’s knife. He couldn’t resist and laughed.
Nancy who was desperately fighting the urge to chomp down the food, wiped the corner of her mouth and asked, “What’s the matter? Is there something on my face?”
Zack who was trying to hold back his laughter started to choke. He coughed and waved his hands vigorously. Nancy panicked, ran to Zack, and firmly patted his back. “Why are you laughing while you are chewing? Quick, have a drink of water.”
Zack took the glass from her hand, drank a mouthful. On seeing her worried looks, he continued to laugh as he coughed. “I was just picturing you chopping up the ribs the other day. I thought it was funny and couldn’t control myself.”
Nancy stopped patting his back, her face blushed and stammered, “You, you, you deserved it!”
Zack continued to joke, “I’m treating you to lunch and you say these to me?” Nancy went back to her seat, “Yeah, why are you treating me to lunch for no rhyme or reason? I’m not a freeloader!”
Zack could only smile. Nancy continued, “Why are you treating me lunch? Surely it’s because my mother gave your mom two pounds of ribs?”
Zack seeing her persistence, wiped the tears from his eyes, “Yes, I’m one who always returns the kindness given to me.”
Nancy rolled her eyes as thought to herself. Isn’t he trying to hint to me that I’m still indebted to him since he sent me home the other night?
But she kept this to herself. She certainly can’t keep up with the back and forth of the wealthy.
“Do you play online games?” Zack asked without thinking and this time it was Nancy’s turn to choke. Don’t tell me he knows that she’s A fresh flower? Hang on, perhaps he’s just making conversation. She innocently replied, “Why? Why do you ask if I play games?”
“Nothing, I was just simply asking. Why be so serious during lunch?” Zack said as he continued to eat.
Nancy sighed in relief, indeed it was a casual remark. Letting her guard down, she replied, “Yes, I play occasionally.” Nancy also became quite good at pretending.