Chapter 102 - Eros et Psyche 5: Something Personal (1/2)

Michael Chen brought Ria to a posh Mediterranean Restaurant and they were immediately greeted by the staff there and were escorted towards a table intimate for two. Clearly, the CEO was known at the place and she was right.

As soon as they were seated, the manager, followed by the maître d' immediately came to them to serve them in person. Since Ria wasn't familiar with the food, she let Michael order for the two of them and was glad that she did.

The food and the ambiance were all lovely, and Ria found herself relaxing and simply having fun. Outside the office, the stoic young CEO was actually a charming host who had penchant for intellectual banter over meals.

Her Eros, her dream lover was just sitting across from her and making her smile with his anecdotes. Being there, eating with the witty, handsome, and brilliant Michael Chen felt like a dream come true for her and she found herself falling in love with him deeper and deeper.

”Ms. Davis, after this project, is there anything you want to have as a reward?” Michael suddenly asked her and Ria was startled away from her daydreams.

She almost blurted out ”YOU” but stopped her mouth from speaking nonsense just in time. Even if she knew the CEO could be nice, they were not that close for her to suddenly say something very personal.

Or so she thought.

”Ria,” Michael suddenly called her name and she immediately looked up to stare at his handsome face.

This was personal, right?

For several seconds, they remained silent as they looked at each other's faces as if the both of them wanted to memorize what the other looked like.

Ria was in awe. Gone was the cold man at the office. In place was a man closer to the one who made love with Ria every night in her dreams and she found her heart racing.

When Michael took her hand in his and held it tight, Ria didn't find it odd nor did she try to take her hand away. It just felt…right.

”Ria, I…”

Michael started, clearly wanting to say something to her, but his voice trailed off, his warm eyes turning into slits. His face turned rigid as he let go of her hand and sat up ramrod straight in his seat.

Ria wanted to ask what was wrong but stopped as her nose was ȧssailed by a strong flowery scent from behind her.

Turning sharply to face its source, she was met with the sight of a tall, beautiful woman in her late forties.

”Mikey,” she practically purred what must be the CEO's nickname and Ria turned to her boss who suddenly turned as hard as stone.

”Mother,” he replied stiffly, acknowledging the woman who now turned her attention to Ria.

”What a surprise to find you here,” Michael's mother stated, although her voice told Ria that she wasn't surprised at all and she found out why.

”That's a wonder since you have your snotty little secretary put tabs on me,” Michael hissed under his breath and Ria could feel the tension between the two suffocating her. ”What do you want?” he asked and the woman showed a look of mocked hurt.

The old woman placed her carefully manicured hand on her ċhėst as she put on a pitiful expression. But the hard glint in her eyes contradicted her actions.

”You don't have to be so hostile my darling son. I was merely trying to see how you have been lately,” she drawled the words like a lazy kitten, but one might think there was another meaning behind her words.

Ria felt worried and lost. She had no idea what to do as she was suddenly in the middle of two people with strong personality who obviously didn't get along. Since the CEO was showing obvious hostility to the former Chairman of MCA, she didn't know what to do since she was with him. They were dealing with a very private matter, and Ria was not a member of their family to interrupt and stop the tension building up between them.

”If you're asking about the company then it's doing fine,” Michael snapped and the woman shrugged.

”I'm not questioning your work Mikey. I'm just worried since you have been spending a lot of time at the ad agency; you might neglect our other businesses.” The madam seemed to realize that her son was not touched by her acting so she decided to drop the pretense of sadness and tried a different route.

Ria had to admit that even if Mrs. Chen had a huge personality problem, she was a great businesswoman and was respected in that aspect.

”They are all doing fine. If that's all, please leave,” Michael snapped acerbically as he met his mother's gaze with his hard, almond eyes.