Chapter 7: Quickies

Samantha thought that this was too much of a coincidence. Did this pervert plan it all along? How could they keep meeting in unexpected places?

Trying to suppress her annoyed expression, she formed a smile on her face. "Likewise, President Daniel Cho," she said as they shook hands.

He grinned as he noticed her forced smile. "So formal."

"This is great! Would you look at that Alice? They already know each other!" Mrs. Cho exclaimed.

Mrs. Kim brightly smiled as she looked at Daniel and Samantha. "Yes, it's indeed very nice. We're good friends and now our children are also friends."

"We're not friends," Samantha corrected her mom.

"Well sweetheart, you gotta start somewhere. You can be friends. I'm sure Daniel doesn't mind."

"Of course not, Samantha seems… gentle," he muttered. Looking at Samantha, he was sure that she couldn't wait to get rid of him.

Thinking that she could play the matchmaker, Mrs. Cho hinted to her friend, "Alice... you know, I saw a bag earlier at LV, how about you come with me? I want to check it out."

Understanding what her friend meant, Mrs. Kim agreed. "Oh sure, I also saw a flower shop near the area... You know how I love flowers." The duo got up from their seats.

"I'm going with you, mom." Samantha got up as well, not wanting to be left alone with Daniel.

"It's okay, Sam. You guys stay here. We'll just be quick," her mom said.

"I like quick!" Samantha blurted without thinking too much.

Daniel stifled a laugh upon hearing her words. Looking down the floor, he crossed his arms and pursed his lips. Samantha noticed his reaction, causing a frown to cast on her face. But all she got was a cunning smile from his stupidly handsome face.

"Daniel, accompany Samantha for a while. We'll have dinner afterward. You kids stay here and play." Mrs. Cho tapped her hand in the air towards the two like she was talking to toddlers.

"Yes, mother," he said obediently, clearly satisfied with his mother's orders.

'STAY HERE AND PLAY? What are we? Five?!' Samantha screamed in her thoughts.

When their moms left, Samantha got up and walked out of the café. Daniel followed her out and they began strolling around the shopping center. Not long after, she found a place to sit near the fountain outside, and without saying anything, he sat beside her.

"You don't really have to follow me around, you know. I don't mind being alone, you can leave."

"I can't do that, my mother told me to play with you," he replied with a smirk on his face that she wanted to wipe off.

When she ignored him, he decided to ask her with a serious expression, "So… you like.... quickies?"

"I did NOT say that!" she scoffed and crossed her arms.

"If you say so…" he responded, a small smile forming on his face.

They were silent once again for almost an hour but neither of them felt uncomfortable. While Samantha preferred to be alone most of the time, she didn't mind that he sat there with her quietly.

On the other hand, Daniel couldn't stand being alone with someone whom he doesn't know very well—especially a woman. He had bad experiences with women before who had very obvious motives when they want to get close to him. However, he actually found sitting with her—even if they didn't talk—quite pleasant.

Even if they were just being alone... together.

Finally not able to stand the silence, Samantha started, "I know what they're doing. I'm not dense."

Daniel was surprised by the sudden initiative to talk. He looked at her and arched a brow in question.

"Your mom and mine—they're setting us up," she added.

"I'm aware. My mom told me about it a month ago."

"Is that why I keep meeting you in random places? Did you plan this?"

"As much as you'd like for it to be the case, I'm sorry to disappoint you—but no, I didn't plan any of this. They're purely coincidental," he mused.

"Who says I like them?" she scoffed at his fresh attitude and he chuckled at her cute response.

Truly curious about what he thought, she asked, "And you agreed to this? You agreed to be set up?"

"I told her I'll think about it."

"We don't have to do what they say. I'm not..." Samantha couldn't complete what she wanted to say, but Daniel already understood what she meant, so he nodded. "Me too. I don't think I am interested in dating as of now."

"Good. At least we both agree on that." Although she said this, there was a hint of disappointment in her response—in which Daniel caught on.

Her phone beeped and her expression turned sour when she found that the text was from Andrew Park. It was probably the thousandth time that he did. He hadn't stopped contacting her since that night. He kept on apologizing and asking for her to meet him many times but she never gave him a reply. And since he didn't know much about her background, he didn't know where to look for her—which was a good thing as she was able to avoid him easily. She had already blocked his main number but he used burner phones to text her.

Seeing the change in her expression, Daniel was about to ask her if everything was okay but was interrupted by the ringing of his phone. He answered the call and spoke briefly before turning to Samantha. "They're waiting for us at the restaurant, we should head back."

…

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At the restaurant...

The two hadn't even sat down yet when Daniel's phone rang again. He excused himself to take the call and a minute later, he came back with an apologetic expression.

"Mother, I have an emergency meeting and I may have to leave the city tonight. I'm afraid I have to go," he said.

Sighing, his mother reluctantly nodded. "Okay... It can't be helped. Make sure that you have enough rest. Don't just work all the time."

"I will." He nodded then turned to Samantha's mom. "Mrs. Kim, I'm sorry but I have to leave first..."

"It's okay Daniel, I'm sure we'll see each other again."

"We'll do that." Daniel smiled politely and looked at his mother again, "Mom, order whatever you want, I'll take care of the bill."

He then lightly patted Samantha's shoulder and when she faced him, he said, "It was nice meeting you, Samantha."

"Yeah… It was nice…meeting you." She smiled.

She watched as Daniel went to the counter of the restaurant and then he left after paying. She didn't understand why she felt a bit dispirited when she saw his retreating back.

...

Almost 2 weeks later at Trident Company

Samantha was currently in her office and had just finished discussing some important matters with her assistant and Alexander.

"Chen, execute the plan and draft out a proposal. Send it to Mr. Li by tomorrow. You can go now," she ordered.

Assistant Chen left the office after acknowledging the order. Alexander turned to face Samantha and asked, "How's everything? Is Andrew still bothering you?"

"He still keeps on calling and sending me messages but I just ignore him." She didn't tell Alexander and her brother, Seo Joon, about the whole truth. All she told them was that she and Andrew broke up because she got tired of their relationship.

"Do you need my help?" he probed.

"It's okay, I can handle him. Thank you, Alex... you've always been so sweet."

"Anything for you, Sam. Would you like to leave early? I'll treat you to some good food."

"Hmmm.. Shall we do that?" She was pleased but before he could reply, her phone rang.

She checked the caller I.D. and saw that it was an unknown number. Feeling hesitant, she cautiously answered, "Hello?"

"Hello, Samantha... This is Daniel Cho. I'd like to invite you to dinner."

Her brows furrowed upon realizing who was on the other line. It had been weeks since she had last seen him. So what did the CEO of Cho Corporation want from her?

"Uhh... Where did you get my number?" she probed.

"From my mom."

"Your mom has my number?"

"Well… Technically, she asked your mom… and then she gave it to me."

"Oh... What's with the dinner invitation? If you needed to say something, you can just say it over the phone."

"I'd prefer talking face to face."

Samantha accepted defeat, it was hard to argue with him, "Fine, where?"

"I'll pick you up. Where are you?"

"No need. I have my car. Where shall I meet you?"

"I'll text you the address. See you at 7." Daniel hung up the call after speaking. And right away Samantha's phone beeped,

Daniel: [Spring Hotel, private room 108.]

"Who was that?" Alexander asked.

"Daniel Cho... He wants to have dinner with me," Samantha replied while she was still in a daze.

"Daniel... Cho? You don't mean, the CEO of Cho Corporation, right?" He was surprised and when Samantha nodded, he wondered, "Why would he want to meet with you? Did he say anything about the bidding?"

"I'm not sure, I'll find out when I'll see him." She faced him and smiled bitterly. "Sorry, Alex... Can we have that dinner some other time?"

Returning her smile with his own, he nodded. "Sure, no problem. I'll have some documents to go over anyway. Take care!"

Staring at Daniel's text message, she muttered to herself, "President Cho, What could you possibly need from me?"

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