Page 58 of Unexpectedly In Love

I really do love the integration of the garden, modern features like the lighting and the homie touches like the outside kitchen.

“It’s more than that. But I have seen what happiness can do to a man. I chose not to participate,” I add five lobster tails to the grill.

“Hmm what about Anise’s happiness?” Zac asks.

Slathering more butter and lime sauce on the lobster, I know what Zac is trying to do, it’s what everyone tries to do to get me to react.

“She will be happy in three months. Until then you will have to ask her how she feels,” I turn to Zac who is now shaking his head.

“If I wasn’t there when your mother passed away. I would think you’re a cold bastard.” Zac shakes his head brushing barbeque sauce on some burger patties.

I shrug, the heat from the grill makes me squint as I take the calamari off.

“He is not cold, ask him who owns Senica Cosmetics,” Kyros shouts, not looking up from his phone.

“What the fuck is Senica Cosmetics? Is that Ani’s thing?” Zac asks, a big smile slowly spreads over his face. What is Senica Cosmetics? I don’t even fucking know much. The file is still on my table upstairs. I still cringe at how swiftly I acted. All I knew was that Senica retails personal care products such as cosmetics and skin care. Every year they look for new ambassadors and Anise applied, and they rejected her.

My ownership of Senica means Anise can take the first step toward regaining herself for B.E.E. Before the Eryx Era. Fuck I’m abbreviating.

“Sage told me Anise didn’t get the contract…. mother fucker you bought the company so she can be an ambassador?” Zac throws his head back and begins to laugh.

Ughh his happiness is nauseating.

“Does she know?” Khaos brushes the spiral pastry with butter.

“No. Don’t tell her either. The new staff have instructions.” I reply. I take the lobster.

“Let me get this straight you bought the company and hired new staff?” Zac opens the drawer to his left and pulls out a beer.

“Pass two this way.” Kyros mutters

Zac walks over to Kyros, passing the beers to Cid and Kyros. The three of them knock the beers together.

“I didn’t hire new staff, I fired the old managers and promoted the people that were under them,” I didn’t have time to sit for interviews. It already cost me more than I anticipated. I wipe my brow with the back of my hand. I’m wearing a black polo shirt and khaki shorts I should be feeling cool. Instead, I feel like I am losing air in my lungs. Fucking heat. I rotate my shoulder, rocking my head from side to side trying to loosen the tension in my neck.

“What you’re saying is you went out of your way to make Anise happy,” Zac says his voice hints faint teasing.

“I said nothing. Your beef is burning,” I flick my head toward his grill.

Zac hurries to the pit and takes his steaks off.

“Same old Eryx, taking care of everyone around him,” Zac chuckles.

I ignore him, he thinks I help people because I care. No, it’s really because I can’t stand people around me whining. It disturbs my peace of mind.

“They need to fuck and get it over with. I’m tired of them dancing around each other,” Kyros tips his beer back and takes a gulp.

A deep heavy snigger emits from Khaos. “How about a date first,”

“I took Sage on a picnic in a place called the Fields. I can send you the information on Facebook,” Zac takes his phone out of his pocket and begins to scroll.

“When did I say I wanted to go on a date?” I lock the grill off and place the lobster and calamari on a silver platter.

“Buddy this stopped being about you a long time ago. If Anise is happy, my wife is happy.” Zac fingers move quickly over the screen.

The phone buzzes in my pocket, “Cid take this from me and place it on the table behind you.”

Cid grabs the platter and proceeds to the table.

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