As the three settled into their seats in the office, Zack grinned and clapped his hands, signaling a waiter that opened the door as if he had been standing there since.
The man swiftly approached with a tray balanced expertly in his hands, carrying three glasses of chilled drinks along with an assortment of appetizers.
The soft clinking of glass filled the quiet office as the drinks were set down, condensation dripping onto the polished wood of the table.
"Figured since we’re all here, we might as well drink to something," Zack said, leaning back in his chair.
Melissa arched an eyebrow. "And what exactly are we drinking to?" she asked, reaching for her glass but hesitating just slightly before taking a sip.
Zack shrugged. "I don’t know — success? Friendship? Ethan finally gracing us with his presence again?"
He shot a teasing glance at Ethan, who merely smirked in response.
Ethan took a slow sip of his drink, letting the coolness settle in his throat.
He glanced at Melissa, who still seemed somewhat irritated.
The tension from earlier hadn’t completely dissipated, though she wasn’t outright ignoring him anymore.
She was still angry a bit, he could see it in her eyes.
"You still mad at me?" Ethan asked, setting his glass down.
Melissa exhaled, swirling her drink in her hand. "Not mad," she admitted. "Just… a little frustrated. You disappear a lot, you know?"
Ethan tilted his head. "I don’t disappear. I get busy."
"Same thing," she muttered, but the sharpness in her voice was duller now. "We’re all busy, Ethan. Doesn’t mean we stop checking in with each other."
Zack leaned forward, cutting in before Ethan could respond. "Alright, alright, let’s not make this a whole thing. Melissa, Ethan’s here now. Ethan, maybe check in a little more, huh?"
Ethan sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Fine, I’ll check in more."
Melissa rolled her eyes. "I’ll believe it when I see it."
Zack grinned, clearly pleased with himself for diffusing the situation, and raised his glass. "Well, now that that’s settled, let’s eat. This place does have some of the best food, thanks to a certain someone."
Ethan smirked at the indirect compliment. "Damn right it does."
The waiter had brought an impressive spread — mini sliders, grilled shrimp skewers, a charcuterie board with fine cheeses and squered meat.
The aroma of warm bread and seasoned meats filled the office, and even Melissa couldn’t stay annoyed in the face of good food.
She reached for a shrimp skewer, biting into it and humming in appreciation. "Okay, fine. I’ll admit, this is really good."
Zack nudged Ethan. "See? Even when she’s mad at you, she can’t deny your good taste."
Ethan chuckled, taking another sip of his drink.
The atmosphere lightened as they ate, the earlier tension melting away with each bite and sip.
"So," Zack said, spearing a piece of cheese with a toothpick, "how’s everything going with modeling? I haven’t seen any new updates on your page,"
Melissa wiped her mouth with a napkin before answering. "Good. I haven’t really had a chance to make some videos or advertize any brands, I’ll have to give it some time especially since ATLAS is hot right now but I already have five interviews waiting."
Zack whistled. "Damn going to leave them on hold?"
"I guess I could afford to," Melissa replied. "We’ll have to let my videos with ATLAS stay for a bit first before taking more."
Then she turned to Ethan.
Melissa smirked. "What about you and your money-making schemes. What’s next? Buying out half the city?"
Ethan leaned back, smirking. "Give me time."
They laughed, the tension completely gone now.
The conversation drifted from business to casual talk, to old stories, to the latest happenings in the resort.
Zack filled Ethan in on some recent customer incidents which Melissa had recounted earlier except in more detail — some amusing, some annoying.
Melissa rolled her eyes at some of the more ridiculous complaints they’d gotten, and Ethan just shook his head, glad he had good people running things while he was handling business elsewhere.
After a while, Melissa stretched her arms above her head, leaning back in her chair. "Alright, I should probably get going soon. I still have some work around to finish up before the resort closes."
Ethan wouldnt say it but he was grateful for having her around, not just as a Business partner but as a friend.
Zack groaned. "Ugh, don’t remind me. I guess I do too."
Ethan smirked, finishing off the last bite of his food. "You two sound like you regret having jobs."
Melissa scoffed. "No, I regret dealing with some of the people I have to deal with."
Zack snickered. "She had to deal with a customer who demanded a refund because the ’ocean was too salty.’"
Ethan blinked, then burst out laughing. "You’re kidding."
That was absurd, who would complain about the sea being too salty?
Foll𝑜w current novℯls on ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm.
Melissa groaned. "I wish I was."
Zack chuckled. "She had to explain that we don’t control the sea."
Ethan shook his head, still laughing. "People are something else man."
They wrapped up their meal, finishing off their drinks and pushing the plates to the side.
The waiter returned to clear the table, and as he left, Ethan leaned back in his chair, feeling more relaxed than he had all day.
"Well," Zack said, standing up and stretching, "that was a solid little break. But back to work, I guess, Closing time isn’t too far out from now."
Melissa nodded, standing as well. "Yeah, I’ve got things to handle."
Ethan stood last, rolling his shoulders. "I’ll be around the resort for a while. Maybe I’ll drop in on a few things."
Zack grinned. "Try not to disappear again, huh?"
Ethan smirked. "No promises."
Melissa rolled her eyes but smiled faintly. "See you around, Ethan."
With that, they all stepped out of the office, going their separate ways.
Ethan exhaled, adjusting his jacket.
It was nice to catch up, but now it was time to get back to business.
And right now if there was one thing he wanted to do on the resort before closing time, it was check on the rich men in the VIP section and talk about his casino project.