A Toast to Tonight

Zack was a workaholic. He was ruthless to us, but also to himself. When we had to work overtime, he'd be working, too. That was why his presence was no surprise.

However, Zack kept standing by my desk, which was really strange.

I looked at him, confusion filling my gaze. "Is there anything else?"

Only half the lights in the office were on, so it wasn't particularly bright. Since Zack wasn't facing the light, his expression was hard to discern.

Moments later, he said, "It's break time. Let's eat together."

Working overtime on my day off and having a meal with my boss felt off, but I couldn't put my finger on it.

Forget it. He was buying, and I wasn't going to refuse.

Since we still had work in the afternoon, we didn't go far and headed straight to an Esprian restaurant nearby.

I had noticed this place when it first opened. The average price per person was horrendously expensive. It was somewhere I would not have set foot in myself, so this was a win.

I happily sat down. Zack ordered off the menu, and it was all food I enjoyed.

The heavens had finally treated me well. I was finally being given what this man owed me.

As I thought of this, Zack handed me the menu. "Is there anything you'd like to swap out or add?"

I was thinking of ripping him off when I suddenly remembered that Z knew him. So, I decided against it to keep up appearances.

I smiled. "It's all good."

While we waited for our food, I pulled out my phone to text Z.

"Babe! That capitalist pig finally had a change of heart and treated me to a meal! Even though I'm technically allowed this for overtime, I won't complain about him today."

Just as I sent the texts, Zack's phone began to vibrate on the table. Naturally, he picked it up, his fingers gliding across the screen. I wasn't sure of what he saw, but oddly enough, he was smirking again.

There was no mistaking what this was. I silently thanked his companion for putting him in a good mood.

Z texted back, "How kind of you. What are you having?"

My lips were pursed as I smiled, my fingers flying across the screen as I replied, "Esprian food!

"This place is so ridiculously expensive that it's practically daylight robbery. Anyone paying to eat here is a real sucker."

I then sent him a picture of our table as we waited for food.

Z replied, "Eat more. Don't be shy. Order whatever you want—you don't have to help him save money."

"Hayley?"

Zack suddenly spoke, startling me. I quickly locked the screen, put down my phone, and sat up straight.

"Yes, Mr. Barlow?" I replied.

Zack looked at me, his voice steady. "You don't have to be so anxious. We're not at work."

Inwardly, I scoffed. Each second spent with him was a battle fought against that capitalist pig. However, I still maintained a polite smile.

Zack took a sip of water. "How long have you worked for the company?"

"A year and a half," I responded.

"And what do you think about the company?" he asked.

I still maintained my smile. "It's pretty good. My coworkers are easy to get along with, the benefits are great, and the boss is pretty generous with salaries."

Zack looked up at me and suddenly smiled. "Are you sitting for an interview, Ms. Atlas?"

I said nothing.

Without waiting for a response, he added, "Then, what do you think of me as a person?"