hapter 105 The Scent Of A Man
Chapter 105 The Scent Of A Man
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After dinner, the group headed over to the karaoke bar The employees had all left, but Zachary still sat in his seat, unmoving.
Lola laughed lightly. “Why aren’t you leaving. Mr. Fuller? You’ve come this far, you can’t back out now. Everyone was really happy you could join us today.”
Zachary stayed quiet, so Lola added, “The cake I ordered is at the karaoke bar. You should at least stay for the birthday cake, Mr. Fuller.”
The deputy director chimed in as well, “Mr. Fuller, it’s just next door. A short stop won’t take too much time.”
Zachary stood up, grabbed his coat off the chair, and said, “Let’s go.”
The deputy director hurriedly took the coat from Zachary, following him out. When they arrived at the karaoke bar, someone was already choosing songs.
Zachary found a seat in a corner and settled in, casually loosening his collar with one hand. He rested his left arm on the couch’s armrest, gently massaging his temples. For reasons he couldn’t quite pinpoint, a headache and dizziness were starting to creep in.
“Mr. Fuller, are you feeling all right? Here, have some water,” Lola said, noticing his discomfort. She poured some water into a disposable cup and set it in front of him.
“Thanks,” Zachary said, lifting his glasses and giving her a brief glance. He took a small sip of water while Lola smiled warmly at him.
Does Lola like me? I can’t tell. She’s being incredibly considerate tonight, but she hasn’t crossed any lines.
Someone in the room began singing, and after a few songs, the deputy director approached Zachary,
“Mr. Fuller, won’t you sing one?” he asked.
Zachary waved him off. “You guys go ahead,” he said, uninterested.
The deputy director didn’t press further. It was already a big deal that Zachary had even shown up.
Zachary casually loosened his collar further, exposing a bit of his collarbone. He stood up and headed out.
“Mr. Fuller!” Lola called after him, thinking he was leaving.
Zachary turned, studying her expression. “I just need some fresh air; it’s a little stuffy in here.”
Lola looked a bit awkward but didn’t push the matter.
Just then, a waiter wheeled in the cake. Lola busied herself with cutting it, while Zachary walked down the
hallway and sent a message to Lenora. Even after standing outside for a while, he still felt warm, the
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Chapter 105 The Scent Of A Man
“Mr. Fuller, would you like to try? This shop’s cake is quite good,” she said with a soft smile.
“Just put it here.” Zachary said in a hoarse voice, gesturing toward the coffee table.
Lola placed the plate down and tried again, “It’s a special occasion, how about a song from you?”
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“I’ll pass.” Zachary picked up the cake plate, took a symbolic bite, then checked his watch. He grabbed his coat from the couch and said, “It’s getting late. I’m heading out. You all enjoy yourselves.”
Lola trailed behind him. “Mr. Fuller, leaving already? Won’t you stay a bit longer?”
Another staff member chimed in, “Mr. Fuller, please stay a while longer.
Zachary shook his head. “Have fun, but don’t stay too late,” he said as he made his way toward the exit.
The employees followed him to the door but didn’t press further.
“Take care, Mr. Fuller.”
“There’s no need to see me off: go enjoy the evening,” Zachary replied, walking away.
Lolá quickened her steps, catching up to him. “Mr. Fuller, I heard about your car tire. Can you still drive home? How about I arrange a room upstairs for you?”
“No need.”
“Shall I take you home then?” she offered, stepping closer.
“Someone’s already coming to pick me up.” Zachary replied. “You should get back to the others, Ms. Wimble. You’re the star of the night, they’re waiting for you.”
Lola hesitated, then said, “At least let me walk you downstairs. I’ll leave once you’re in your car.”
Lola was carefully calculating how she could keep Zachary longer. She knew the medicine she’d slipped into his drink would soon take effect.
She didn’t aim to compete with anyone, not with Lenora or even Susanna. All she wanted was one night.
Just one.
As they entered the elevator, the doors closed, leaving just the two of them inside the confined space. It was quiet.
Zachary pressed the button for the first floor, standing still with his jacket draped casually over his elbow.
Lola subtly stole glances at him, admiring how effortlessly refined he looked in his black shirt with his sleeves rolled up, revealing his strong forearms.
She gathered her courage, moving slightly behind him, her hand hovering as she prepared to wrap her arms around him.
Just as she made her move, the elevator doors slid open, and a group of young people entered, laughing and chatting. When they noticed Zachary, their voices fell silent for a moment.
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Chapter 105 The Scent Of A Man
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One of the young women discreetly glanced at him, clearly intrigued. Zachary had an unmistakable scent of a mature man, despite his youthful appearance.
Moreover, he looked rather familiar.
Before the girl could figure out who he was, the elevator doors opened again, and they all stepped out.
When the elevator reached the first floor, Zachary turned to Lola. “I’ll head out by myself,” he said, his
tone final.
“It’s fine, I’ll walk you out,” she insisted.
Outside, the neon lights blinked in the autumn night air. A cool breeze swept across them, carrying a slight chill. Lola walked closer to Zachary
“Aren’t you cold, Mr. Fuller?” she asked softly.
“I’m fine,” he replied, though in truth, there was an unnatural heat simmering inside him.
Lola glanced around. “Has the person picking you up not arrived yet?”
“I’ll have to wait a bit,” Zachary said.
“I’ll wait with you,” Lola offered, moving closer.
She knew this was her last chance.
Suddenly, she stumbled, her high heel twisting beneath her. She fell directly into Zachary, who caught her immediately.
“Are you okay?” he asked, steadying her.
“I twisted my ankle,” she said, clinging to his arm.
“Let me help you sit down inside.”
“Could you take me to the hospital instead? My car keys are in my pocket,” she asked, looking up at him with wide eyes.
Zachary pulled out his phone and made a call.
Lola, thinking he was arranging for his driver to take a detour, felt a flicker of hope. But to her surprise, he said, “Jacques, could you come down and bring your car? Lola twisted her ankle and needs a ride to the hospital.”
Jacques Zabka was the deputy director. He quickly responded, “On my way.”
Lola’s face stiffened as Zachary hung up.
“Do you want to wait here for Jacques, or head inside?” Zachary asked, maintaining his distance.
Lola didn’t want to go anywhere.
She bit her lip, unsure of how to salvage the situation. Suddenly, she exhaled, leaning her entire body
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weight onto Zachary
“Does it hurt?” he asked.
Lola’s eyes shimmered with emotion as she nodded softly.
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“Just hold on a little longer; Jacques will be here soon,” Zachary reassured her, maintaining a polite distance between them as he offered his support.
Lola said nothing, though her frustration simmered beneath the surface.
Zachary, noticing her silence, didn’t feel the need to fill it with conversation either. They stood there in the cool night air until, before long, Jacques hurried out of the karaoke bar, spotting them by the roadside.
“Ms. Wimble, don’t worry, I’ll go grab the car.” Jacques said quickly, glancing apologetically at Zachary. “Sorry for the inconvenience, Mr. Fuller,”
Jacques swiftly fetched his vehicle and pulled up to the curb. Zachary helped Lola towards the car. Left with no other choice, she hesitated for a second before reluctantly climbing into the passenger seat.
“Drive safe,” Zachary said as Jacques nodded and drove off.
He stood there, watching as the car merged into the flow of traffic. Once it was out of sight, Zachary reached for his phone and checked for any messages. Nothing new. Lenora still hadn’t arrived.
At that moment, a black sedan across the street flashed its hazard lights, catching Zachary’s attention.
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