I felt a warmth bloom in me. "You're not mad?"

Z seemed not to understand. "Why would I be? You're working hard. It's not like you're deliberately avoiding me. Is that wrong?"

Goodness! What an amazing partner Z was!

I was moved to tears. "You're the best, baby!"

Along with the growing sense of gratitude came resentment toward Zack.

At this moment, I'd completely forgotten why I agreed to work overtime in the first place—a compromise on my ethics by choosing money.

I just wanted to blame Zack for messing up our plans.

That evil capitalist pig!

I sat up on my couch, the anger in my voice palpable as I hissed, "I'll never forgive Zack Barlow. That scumbag!"

In the past, Z would've laughed and agreed with me. But today, he was oddly quiet.

I thought he was startled by my sudden loudness. I quickly tried to smooth things over with a giggle. "I'll only get mad over my evil boss this way, never at you. You're both completely different. He's a scumbag, but you're the best thing ever!

"I wish I could see you. But for now, just be my 'princess' in the tower. When I’m finished here, I’ll come bring you home.”

Again, this was met with silence before Z asked, "Is your boss also named Zack Barlow?"

Also? Who else had a boss named Zack Barlow? Did he and I share a boss, then?

I was stunned by this revelation and stammered, "I-Is your boss also named Zack Barlow?"

There was a moment of silence before he replied, "No."

I was just about to breathe a sigh of relief when he added, "I have a… friend named Zack Barlow."

This plunged us both into silence. So, the capitalist pig I'd been badmouthing this whole time was Z's friend? Could things get any more awkward?

Even someone as shameless as me was at a loss for words.

However, Z broke the silence first. "To be fair, he's not really a friend. We've met a few times. We're not that close, baby. You can't take it out on me over this, okay?"

He sent over a few more photos of his abs and threw in some chest shots, too. How considerate of him.

My eyes lit up. How could I possibly take it out on him? I admired the photos and spoke soothingly. "Why would I? I know you're both not the same. You're so nice.

"You should stay away. Don't let him corrupt you. Zack is bad news."

"Alright," he replied.

After chatting for a while longer, Z said he had something to take care of and hurriedly hung up.

After gaming alone for a while, I fell asleep.

The next day, I went to the office. Since I was alone, I couldn't be bothered to wear headphones. I turned on my speakers and played some music.

I shook my head while writing that proposal, muttering to myself.

When I looked up, Zack was standing at the door. I was unsure of how long he'd been there.

I was startled. I wanted to turn off the speaker, only to knock it over in my haste. That speaker, blaring a song from my game, rolled right to his feet.

I was mortified.

Zack bent down to pick it up, pushing the power button. The room immediately fell silent.

My greeting sounded rather stiff. "What brings you here, Mr. Barlow?"

He walked to my desk and set down the speaker, his gaze ambiguous. "How lively."

"Thanks," I replied. I was going to assume it was a compliment.

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?"