165 ACT FAST ARIEL’S POV 1/3 I pushed open the heavy oak door of the bustling catery, feeling the warmth of the cozy interior envelop me like a familiar hug. My eyes scanned the room, searching for Mason. Spotting an empty table near the window, I made my way towards it, the sounds of clinking cutlery and murmured conversations filling the air. Taking a seat, I pulled out my phone to check the time. Of course, the scumbag was running a few minutes late, and it was really galling. I leaned back in my chair, tapping my fingers on the worn wooden surface. The soft glow of the afternoon sun bathed the room in a golden hue. A server approached my table with a warm smile on his face. “Can I get you something to drink while you wait?” he asked. I ordered a cappuccino and settled back, watching the world outside the window pass by. “Okay, miss. Anything else?” “I think I’ll have some orange juice as well.” “Okie dokie. I’ll be back before you know it.” The server winked at me before walking to get my order. It didn’t take long before he came back with my order. He was fast, and I would rate him five stars for that. I sipped on my cappuccino, enjoying the creamy foam on my lips, and the server returned with my orange juice. “Here you go, miss. And my name is Max, by the way. Just in case you need anything else. “He flashed a charming smile, his eyes sparkling with mischief. I couldn’t help but laugh at his attempt at flirting. “Thank you, Max. I’ll keep that in mind.” I replied, trying to keep my tone light and friendly. “So, waiting for someone?” Max asked, leaning casually against the table. I nodded, not wanting to go into any details with a stranger. “Yes, yes, I am.” “Well, he’s a lucky guy to have such a beautiful lady like you waiting for him.” Max’s’eyes roamed over my face, making me feel slightly uncomfortable. I laughed again, trying to brush off his compliments. “You’re quite the charmer, Max. But I think you should stick to serving tables.” Max chuckled, running a hand through his messy hair. “I’ll keep that in mind. But if you ever need a break from this person, you know where to find me.” He winked before walking away to attend to other customers. I shook my head with a smile, amused by his shameless flirting. I took a sip of my orange juice and checked the time again. Mason was now fifteen minutes late. I sighed, feeling really annoyed with this. He was the one who had called me to meet him here, but now he was nowhere to be found. That man just loved doing sh*t; he kept thinking I was his puppet or something. Well, he was wrong about 165 ACT FAST 2/3 that. This was just a plan that was supposed to be carried out by the both of us in the first place. Since he wanted revenge for his girlfriend, and I wanted vengeance for myself, But the scumbag had to switch things up; now he was acting like the boss of me. My phone buzzed with a text message. It was Luke asking me where I was and if I was still at work. I laughed softly and asked the same question. His reply came really fast, and it was a yes. I texted him that I was busy at the moment and would get back to him when I was done. I sat back in my chair, letting out a deep sigh. But I would be really glad if Mason didn’t show up. I didn’t want to waste any more of my time and energy on someone so worthless. And if he doesn’t show up any time soon, I’m leaving here.” The moment I finished my drink and asked for the check, Max came back to my table with a warm smile. “Everything okay, miss?” I nodded, smiling back at him. “Yes, thank you. Can I get the check, please?” “Sure thing.” Max handed me the bill, but before I could reach for my wallet, he placed his hand on top of mine. “On the house, for the beautiful lady.” I raised an eyebrow, surprised by his gesture. “Thank you, Max. But I insist on paying.” He shook his head, his smile widening. “Consider it a thank you for making my shift more enjoyable.” He winked again before walking away, leaving me with a warm feeling in my heart. “It looks like that guy is in love.” I heard Mason’s voice, so I quickly turned around. Yes, he stood behind me. “You finally came. I thought you weren’t going to show up,” I said to him. “But here I am.” He smirked and glanced at the server immediately, raising his own hand. “I think I’ll need something to eat!” “Okay, Mason. What’s the deal? Why do you keep blowing my phone with calls?” “And why do you keep on ignoring me?” “Because I’ve got things to do. I’ve got projects to take care of.” Mason let out a disbelieving sigh. “Projects. That’s your excuse, now? “You think I’m lying?” “I know that.” “Well, go to hell.” I retorted and got to my feet, but Mason strenuously seized my hands, shaking the table, making such a noise that we almost stole everyone’s attention. “Sit down; we are not done yet.” “What is there that’s left to talk about?” “Our plan,” Mason said, standing up and moving his face closer to me. With his dark, cautious tone, 165 ACT FAST 3/3 he said, “You better act fast, Ariel. And if you try to act smart, I swear your children will pay for your foolishness.” I couldn’t stop glaring at him, and then he laughed. “So, you better make sure you get Luke to sign those papers. And do that as soon as possible. You keep giving excuses. But when it’s deadline, I’m not going to listen to another of your bullshit.” Mason let go of my hand before walking away. I glimpsed at Max, who was just staring at me. I exhaled deeply after that. So, later on, I went home to take a shower, and I also needed to relax. Tomorrow, a meeting will take place at the Vitality Company. And tomorrow would also be the day when André makes Hannah a part of the company. It would be a special day, and tomorrow, of course, was my deadline. Getting Luke to sign those papers was not on my mind. I didn’t want to ruin him. I stood in front of the shower, feeling the steamy water hitting my face. All I wanted right now was to relax and wash away the stress of the day. Slowly, I reached for the tie of my robe, taking a deep breath before loosening it and letting the silky fabric fall to the ground. The cool air hit my bare skin, causing goosebumps to form. I stepped into the shower, the warm water instantly enveloping me. I closed my eyes, letting the water run down my body, washing away all my worries. With each passing second, I felt the tension in my muscles gradually release. I took my time, savoring the feeling of the water cascading over me. It was a moment of pure bliss–just me and the soothing sound of the water. The moment I opened my eyes, they widened when I saw Luke leaning against the door with his arms crossed.
