Lisa was in Aria's living room and they were expecting her high school friend Zion to come so they could eat.
"If Zion doesn't get here in the next five minutes, I am going to eat without him!" Aria groaned for the nth time.
Lisa would normally roll her eyes and scold her about it but for some reason she was quiet and she gave no reaction. Ever since Aria told her about the job she got from the Lawson Group, Lisa had not been able to get herself. The letter she had sent to their official email still haunted her. How was she supposed to tell Aria that she would soon get a rejection when Aria was this excited about it?
How?
Ariana noticed that her friend wasn't very responsive despite her attempts at making her talk all day. Lisa had a meeting with Alice and she only got back a few minutes ago, yet she barely said two words. Maybe it would be best they sorted it before Zion came. It wouldn't make sense for Zion to come and meet them acting almost hostile to one another.
"Lisa, are you okay?" Aria asked.
Lisa turned sharply to stare at her like she had been awoken from a deep slumber. "Huh? Yeah, I am great... You are the hungry one," she replied awkwardly.
Aria raised her brows at her. "I didn't ask you about food. I asked how you were doing. You have been quiet since you came. In fact ever since I called you two days ago that I got a job, you have been pretty reserved, why? Did Alice say something?"
Lisa gulped down saliva in an effort to moisturize her throat. She couldn't bring herself to destroy the happiness Aria was feeling. The glow on her face was too sweet for her to destroy.
"It's nothing Aria..." She trailed as she thought of her next words carefully. "It's just Alice... She has been a vicious cat lately and it's killing me having to juggle two jobs," she finally blurted.
Aria nodded in understanding. "Don't you worry my friend, I will make sure I gain ground fast enough and get you a place at the Lawson Group as well," Aria beamed.
Lisa smiled but it didn't reach her eyes. That was a lot of promise to make. She could still remember the content of the letter Alice had asked her to write vividly. She threatened to end their relationship. No one wanted to be in the bad records of the Brentwood not even the Lawson.
"You don't believe me, do you?" Aria asked as she saw the doubt in Lisa's eyes.
"Aria—" Lisa started but fortunately, the sound of the doorbell resonated in the room and she had to stop her words. "That must be your friend," Lisa said in a low voice.
Aria jumped to her feet with a large smile as she scurried to the door. "The man of the moment!" She exclaimed as she pulled the door open. "Zion!"
"Ariana Brown," Zion said as he bowed dramatically in greeting.
"You should never crack a joke!" They both fell into laughter at his actions.
"I got you this," Zion said presenting Aria with a bottle of wine he brought with him. He was dressed in a sky blue shirt and black pants. It had a touch of formal yet, it looked casual. Aria could legit say he came from the office. His hair was gelled perfectly and he wasn't using his glasses too.
"Thank you. Come on in," she beamed at him. She had a lot to ask him about his appearance but she decided to let that be.
Zion stepped in and waited for her to pull the door close behind him before he said another word. He looked around the space and he nodded in appreciation of the decor. It was a simple apartment. The sofa looked very comfortable and she had an open kitchen which was always his favorite.
"Nice place," he whistled. Aria only laughed as she took the drink to the kitchen.
As Zion was looking around his eyes fell on Lisa who sat unnoticed on the corner couch. She looked up at him and their eyes stayed glued together for too long. Lisa had to forcefully peel her eyes off him as her cheeks became red.
"Aria, you didn't tell me you'll be having an Angel here," Zion said as he moved in her direction.
"I am so sorry, that's my best friend Lisa," Aria yelled from the kitchen. "You are both adults, starts the introductions without me," she added.
Lisa rolled her eyes at Aria's comment. This was so like her. In fact, Lisa wouldn't be surprised if she had purposely invited this friend of hers to try and match them together.
"Hey," Lisa said as the guy came to the seat beside her.
"Hi, I am Zion, you must be Lisa," he said stretching his hand to her.
Lisa had to fist her hands to avoid rolling her eyes at him. What a lame line?
"I don't see anyone else around," she said with a small smile.
Zion released an awkward laugh and she found herself genuinely smiling at the sound he made. There was something about him. She couldn't put a finger on it yet but he was someone she couldn't forget.
"So, Zion, Aria mentioned you helped her get a job," Lisa started.
"Yes, I did. She is such a smart girl, she doesn't have to spend her time thinking about Alice Brentwood," Zion replied triking the little beard on his face.
Lisa had planned to ask him if they have gotten a message from Alice —a message she was sure they would get because she had sent it herself. But now that he seemed so easy to speak with. She ventured off.
"You know Alice?" Lisa asked in shock. "And I don't mean knowing her as a CEO, Luke actually knowing her because that statement you made was certainly coming from someone who actually knew her..." Lisa said in one breath.
Zion scratched his beard again before replying. "Of course, I know Alice. We all went to the same high school."
"And he had a major crush on Sofia Brentwood!" Aria said as she came to join them.
"No way! you legit found Sofia sexy?" Lisa asked.
Zion threw Aria a cold glare. He was trying to gain space here and she just messed it up by bringing up that snake's name!
"Anyway, food is ready and I am starving. We can talk about Sofia and Zion over the meal!" Aria announced.