Chapter 222.
Zane doesn’t stop until we’re completely away from the noise and from the crowd.
Away from the madness of writhing bodies, flashing lights, and enough sexual tension in the air to practically choke on.
He leads me deeper inside, through another restricted hallway, then toward a private staircase tucked discreetly behind a guarded corridor.
I glance around as we move.
"This place just keeps going," I mutter.
"It’s large," he says simply, like that explains everything.
"That’s an understatement."
He ignores me.....Typical Zane.
We head upstairs, my heels clicking softly behind him, until we finally reach a set of dark double doors that he opens them without pause and just like that.....We’re in his office.
I stop immediately, because somehow...It’s exactly what I should’ve expected. The room practically screams Zane.Dark wood, clean lines, minimal clutter, elegant without trying too hard and epensive without being flashy.
It’s Masculine and Intimidating.
Even the lighting is perfect....low, polished, professional. The entire space somehow feels like an extension of him. Organized and powerful.
I slowly turn, taking it all in the Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking portions of the city below. It’s absurdly beautiful and annoyingly fitting.
I glance at him.
"This..." I say slowly, "is so painfully you."
He steps further inside, then dramatically sweeps one hand through the air.
"Welcome," he says dryly, "to my humble abode."
I snort.
"Humble?"
He doesn’t answer because he’s already moving toward his desk. He settles into his chair like he owns the world....which, honestly, at this point, maybe he does....opens his laptop, and immediately starts working. Jusy like that.
I stand there for a second and when nothing happens....i blink. Then frown.
"...So," I start slowly, "you’re just going to leave me standing here?"
His eyes lift briefly from the laptop screen.
"What exactly would you like me to do?"
I stare at him as he continues.
"I came here to work. You decided to follow me, despite my refusal."
Wow...Rude.
"That sounds suspiciously like a you problem."
I narrow my eyes.
"Excuse me?"
He glances at me again, somehow looking both mildly amused and entirely unbothered.
"I have a meeting in forty minutes, Elaine. I need to work on my pitch for it."
Then...He goes right back to his laptop, like that settles it.
I just stand there, staring at him. Because this man really brought me here...Only to ignore me?Unbelievable. Okay fine maybe I forced him to bring me here, doesn’t mean he won’t entertain me though.
I cross my arms.
"You’re insufferable."
"Mhm."
No shame.
My eyes narrow further
"I’m hungry."
That gets a reaction from him, a long, slow sigh like I’m exhausting him. Which, frankly, I find a little offensive considering I am clearly the one suffering here.
Without another word, he picks up his phone.
"Send the chef to my office."
Short and direct Then he hangs up.
I blink.
"That easy?"
"You said you were hungry."
I stare at him for another second then decide not to question it. Instead, I move around the office, eventually finding an oversized chair near one side of the room that looks comfortable enough and I settle into it, stretch slightly and wait.
The silence isn’t uncomfortable, exactly.
Just...Different as the sound of his typing fills most of it. Occasional phone vibrations.....Quiet professionalism.
It’s strange seeing this side of him so clearly Focused. Like the almost playful, possessive man downstairs vanished the second work entered the equation.
A while later.....a knock sounds at the door.
"Come in," Zane says without looking up.
The door opens, and a man dressed in professional kitchen attire steps inside respectfully.
"Sir."
Zane gestures toward me.
"Tell her what’s available on the menu."
I perk up immediately now this is more like it.
The chef begins listing options. A variety of dishes, all sounding significantly fancier than anything I expected from club food.
I listen carefully And honestly? Everything sounds incredible. By the time he finishes, I already know.
"I’ll take that," I say decisively.
Then glance toward Zane.
"And bring it in twos."
That finally pulls his attention away from the laptop as He looks at me one brow raised.
"You’re ordering for me now?"
I smile sweetly.
"You’re welcome husband."
There’s the slightest pause then....yo my absolute satisfaction...:He leans back slightly and says,
"Fine.
Victory.
The chef nods.
"Right away."
Then exits.
I grin to myself....a Small win but still.
I shift comfortably in my seat, looking around again.
"You really do work too much," I say after a moment.
"I work enough."
"That’s code for too much."
"It’s code for mind your business."
I gasp dramatically.
"Wow. You’re so rude,"
He doesn’t even look up.
"I brought you here."
"You invited yourself."
I point at him.
"Technicalities."
And though he doesn’t smile....i catch it, that almost invisible shift in his expression.
That barely-there amusement and somehow....For now...That’s enough.
Sitting still has never really been my strength.
Not when I’m bored or when I’m curious. And definitely not when I’m trapped in a room with Zane while he pretends I’m not a very obvious distraction. So after a while....i get up quietly Not because I’m trying to behave, mostly because I know it’ll irritate him more if I don’t.
I wander slowly through the office, my heels clicking softly against the polished floor wit no real destination or actual purpose Just...exploring. His office is too interesting not to.
There are shelves lined with books, awards, expensive-looking files, and decorative pieces that somehow all feel intimidating. Everything is ridiculously neat, like if one paper were out of place, the entire room might collapse from disrespect.
I glance over one shelf. Rare whiskey, a few framed photos that catches my attention.
I pause. Because Zane doesn’t exactly strike me as sentimental.
I lean slightly closer, studying them to find most are professional
I’m still squinting at one when....:
"Elaine."
His voice cuts through the room and I glance over my shoulder. He’s watching me now, his laptop still open.