“This would not have gone worst if only you followed through with the assigned schedule.” Chanyeol stated, gone was his usual easy going smile and sunny disposition.

The whole conference room turned quiet, his forehead creased before looking at the screen again.

“We’re already two weeks behind this project, now your team wants to add more? When will this completed? Next year?” He questioned no one in particular, but the managers from the different departments all tensed up.

He exhaled and leaned back on seat.

“I want this done by Friday next week, no extensions. We aleady have people watching us on this.”

“Y—Yes, sir.”

He stood up, the employees followed suit and bowed as the young CEO left the room, his secretary followed behind him, worried about his boss’s mood. Chanyeol rarely got angry, but when he did, it was something that not most people would want to see.

Chanyeol loosened his tie as he headed for the elevators, he felt his phone vibrate. He took it out and opened the message.

I’ll see you at Club Zero later? You don’t have to pick me up. –Alessa

His brows went up before calling her, Alessa answered after a few rings.

“Hey,” She spoke.

“Are you going together with Darren? You mentioned you two were out shopping today.” He said as the elevator doors opened again.

“Yeah, we just got home. I just need to shower and change, then we’re leaving for the club.”

“Okay, I’ll see you there.” Chanyeol nodded.

“Drive safely, Park Yeol.” She chuckled before ending the call.

“This is the perfect drink.” Baekhyun announced as the waiter served them a round of drinks.

“Wow, its looks like it could kill us,” Kai mused before picking up one of the shot glasses.

“So, they’re flying back this weekend? You?” Alessa looked at Darren, the male took a sip from his glass. He winced and set it down.

“I might stay for a bit, pa wants me to check on his properties in Jeju.”

“That’s good, you should visit your family’s villa there.” Alessa nodded back, she glanced around and saw Lucas and Jaehyun chatting, while Ahee was seated beside Suho’s wife, enjoying her non-alcoholic beverage.

“You probably have zero plans going back to Shanghai, huh?”

Alessa looked at her friend, her brows rose up briefly. Darren smiled and leaned over to pat her hand. And then her eyes went to the doors, Chanyeol had just walked in. Darren followed her gaze and he chuckled.

“He…He’s important to me.” She said quietly while studying her palms.

“Well, that’s your answer. Now, go.” Darren mused as he nudged her to stand. Alessa rolled her eyes at him before standing up. Alessa straightened the skirt of her dress as she crossed the floor. She noticed how Chanyeol looked a little tense tonight, from the way his lips were purse and eyebrows were scrunched together, it was pretty obvious, he wasn’t in a good mood.

“You’re a little late. What’s up?” Baekhyun asked as Chanyeol’s drink arrived.

“Work.” He shrugged back, drained. Baekhyun saw Alessa approaching them, and he grinned.

“Well, I’ll get going. I don’t do well dealing with bad mood Chanyeol.” He said jokingly before leaving his friend.

“You don’t look well.” Alessa said as she reached him, Chanyeol looked at her and he shrugged.

“Long day at work?” Alessa reached out to loosen his tie and she carefully removed it and tucked the piece of fabric in his coat’s pocket.

“You look pretty.” He said as he pulled the girl closer to him, Alessa snorted back.

“I rarely go out at night, I didn’t know what to wear.” She murmured as Chanyeol tucked her under his chin.

“Can I ask what happened? Is this about the Ilsan project you mentioned?” She spoke carefully, Chanyeol sighed.

“It is. We’re..really behind schedule.” He stated, Alessa pulled bac to look at him, which she had done effortlessly, well, she had five inch heels on tonight.

“Should we head out? There’s an arcade two blocks down.” She said to him, Chanyeol was about to reply when a young male suddenly went up to them and slapped Alessa’s behind.

“Hey, do you intend on sharing her tonight, bud?”

Kai almost dropped his drink, Ahee and Jinah stood up in shock. Darren puffed his cheeks, if it were in Shanghai, that man would have been pounced on by now.

“Jie.” Lucas said under his breath as he inched closer to the bar. Baekhyun shook his head and started to look away.

That man was done. Chanyeol’s eyes went to him and his jaw clenched and unclenched, Alessa was looking away, not knowing how to act.

“What did you do just now, bud?” Chanyeol said as he stood up from the stool he was sitting on, now he was towering over the stranger.

“I mean, look at her, she’s obviously so into you, so why don’t you and I,” The male started to chuckle, Alessa looked at Chanyeol, concerned.

“You and I what?” He asked him, his tone going an octave deeper, he pulled Alessa behind him and faced the male.

“Look, I’m not searching for trouble, if you don’t want to~”

Chanyeol grabbed the male by the collar and pushed him down with such force that cause the male to crash into two tables, and both toppled over him with a loud crash.

“Chanyeol,” Alessa tried to reach for his coat’s sleeve, but he walked over to the male, kicking the empty bottles in the way.

And then he leaned down to meet his gaze.

“Look bud, women aren’t toys for you to just fiddle with, and,” Chanyeol stepped on his palm and he hissed in pain.

“Touch her again, and I’ll make sure your father’s company wont see the light of day again.” He stated before turning to Alessa again.

She was staring back at him, Chanyeol exhaled, he took the girl’s hand and started pulling her with him. Chanyeol walked behind her, as if trying to cover her backside.

“Are you okay?” He asked in hushed tones, Alessa nodded back and glanced at him briefly.

“So, arcade? Or you’ve had your share of fun now?” She asked him, Chanyeol gave her a small smile before leaning over to kiss her forehead.

“Heol, and now he smiles.” She mused before hooking her arm with his.

“I really will get his father’s company. That’s the fun I needed.” He chuckled to himself as they reached his car, Alessa blinked and shook her head at him.

“He touched what’s mine, so I’ll take away something of his.”

“That just contradicted what you said about not fiddling women.” She pointed out, Chanyeol smiled and cupped her cheek briefly.

“You know I don’t mean it that way, right?” He scrunched his nose at her.

“I know.” She mused before reaching out to press her lips against his briefly.

“So, arcade?” Chanyeol was beaming with excitement, she chuckled and got inside his car. Chanyeol smiled to himself before getting on the driver’s seat.

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