Sorry Sir I Don’t Want You Back by Little Angelic Devil

Cherise told Neil to follow them in her car, and Miles hopped happily inside.

"Young Madan is still so nice to her employees," Miles said as he ran his hands all over the expensive interior. "Mr. Hudson would never allow anyone to drive his limited edition cars." "That's because he doesn't trust you," Neil replied nonchalantly, concentrating on Hudson's car so he wouldn't lose him.

"Hey, that's not true!" Miles said defensively. "It's just he's anal about his cars. He even seldom drives them. I think it's a rich people thing, you know? Collecting limited editions and expensive cars instead of stamps like us poor people." "Speak for yourself," Neil snorted. "I don't collect stamps like old people."

Miles rolled his eyes. "It's just an expression. And just so you know, many stamps are worth a lot. More than our salaries," he emphasized the last four words.

Neil kept his mouth shut, wondering why Hudson had such a noisy PA. He didn't look like a professional PA, more like an intern who would stick his nose in whatever office gossip there was.

But then, other than Agatha, Miles was friendly to Miss Cherise during her marriage with Hudson Amery, taking care of her needs, so maybe he wasn't that bad, and Neil could give him a plus point for that.

After driving for a while, Hudson's car stopped in front of a restaurant unlike Cherise had ever been to.

She glanced at him and raised her eyebrow, asking him silently why he chose this unique restaurant. But before she could hear his response, Mr. Phillip, the slightly plump older man, sighed happily.

"I didn't know they have a restaurant specializing in Country F's food in this country," he chuckled. "And they truly keep up with the decorations and everything."

Cherise's other eyebrow shot up to join the other one. He never thought Hudson would know such a place, nor would he be so considerate.

But then, what did she know about him when he was dealing with business associates rather than what she had heard and witnessed so far - aloof, ruthless to those who tried to cheat him, confident, arrogant, and decisive? Guessed he had another side as well. He could be thoughtful and pleasant to those who deserved it, and Mr. Phillip was nothing if not lovely, professional, and polite.

"I'm glad you approve of it," Hudson said as they exited the car. He surprised Cherise by opening the car door for her before he handed the car key to the valet.

"Don't be so smug yet, young man. Let's see if the food is as authentic as what the place looks like," Mr. Phillip chuckled, and Hudson smiled at him as he led them inside with his hand on the small of Cherise's back.

Cherise felt the heat of his palm but decided to let it be, as they were in someone else's company, and Hudson's gesture was still within boundaries-just like a gentleman.

If she slapped his hand away, it would make her look unreasonable, and Mr. Phillip might think twice about their cooperation, which she didn't want.

Cherise looked around once they were waiting to be seated and felt like she wasn't in Country B anymore, or at least not in restaurants she used to go to.

There was a flag of Country F on display, pictures of their current president and vice president, and soft music playing, which she assumed was from Country F because she didn't recognize it or the language.

Most of the patrons were wearing casual clothes, though some were in business suits. They talked quietly and seriously, oblivious to their surroundings, as if they were discussing business matters.

There were some couples dancing, and it wasn't like a waltz or something, but more energetic; maybe it was a traditional Country F's dance.

But somehow, with the business people being serious in their discussions, the combination wasn't strange at all.

Unknowingly, it brought a smile to Cherise's lips. She had a feeling she might like Country F after all. She was Miss X, and if she had the time when they were there, she wouldn't oppose to learn the dance herself.

What attracted her the most was the scent of the food. It was nothing like she had ever smelt before. Lots of herbs and the smell of chili in the air nearly made her sneeze.

"Have you ever been to Country F, Miss Alster?" Mr. Phillip asked her suddenly.

"I'm afraid I haven't had the pleasure yet." She smiled at him, and at the same time, they heard sneezing sounds over and over again.

Hudson, Cherise, and Mr. Phillip turned around to see Miles sneezing again before pinching his nose. Neil only shook his head as he looked at the somehow unprofessional PA.

"I'm sorry," Miles apologized in a muffled voice. "The smell of chili is too much for my nose."

Mr. Phillip laughed heartily and said, "We are known for our herbs and chili, but don't worry, you can always order the spice level for your food."

Then he frowned and turned to Hudson, asking, "Mr. Amery, maybe we should move to another restaurant. I'm not sure your PA will be able to enjoy his food while covering his nose."

Hudson smiled at him and replied, "Fortunately, they have private rooms available."

Just as he said those words, a host appeared and apologized for the waiting time to be served. They all smiled at her and said no problem. Hudson gave her his name, and they were then led to their private room, where there were already bowls of water for each of them on the table with a slice of lemon inside.

Once they sat down, Miles, who had already been parched because of the strong smell of chili before, didn't hesitate to drink the water.

As he was drinking it, he saw the host and Mr. Phillip staring at him, as if holding back a laugh.

"Ummm, Mr. Miles," Mr. Phillip said. "These bowls of water are actually not for drinking. They are for washing our hands after we eat. Because you see, for traditional Country F's food, we eat them by hand."

Miles spurted out the water in his mouth, thankfully to the side of him where no one was sitting, and his face flushed beet red. "I'm sorry, I thought they were infused water."

Neil rolled his eyes while Mr. Phillip and Cherise laughed. Hudson's lips curled into a smile as he saw Cherise laughing. It had been too long since he saw her laughing from such a close distance.

"No worries, no worries," the host said, grinning. "It happens all the time. Your server will be here shortly, and I will ask him to replace that bowl of water."Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.

The host left, and not even a minute later, their waiter arrived with menus and, as promised, a bowl of water for Miles.

Other than Mr. Phillip, no one really knew what to order, even Cherise and Hudson.

Seeing their confusion, Mr. Phillip asked, "Would it be alright for me to order? Do any of you have any allergies or are unable to eat spicy food?"

"Hudson has gastric pain, so please, just a very mild level of spiciness for him. As for me, I love spicy food," Cherise blurted out without thinking and groaned inwardly when she realized she had slipped out.

Fortunately, Mr. Phillip didn't find her slip-out weird; if he did, he chose to ignore it while Hudson was secretly pleased.

He spoke with the waiter, and Cherise was transfixed by their language. It sounded somewhat sensual, and she thought maybe she could learn it before they went to Country F.

While waiting for their food, the waiter brought Country F's specialized alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

"Those who will drive tonight will drink the non-alcoholic, while those who won't drive can join me in sampling Country F's alcoholic drink," Mr. Phillip grinned.

Miles and Neil naturally drank the non-alcoholic one so their bosses could enjoy themselves with Mr. Phillip.

"So," Mr. Phillip started to talk about business. "We have little information about what the board of tourism wants yet, but we know they want the Amery Group and the Alster Group to combine the layout of both buildings. Which part they want to keep from both groups will be announced within a week or so."

Hudson and Cherise nodded, each thinking how best to combine their layout since both were so different.

"I'm sure two large companies, such as the Amery Group and the Alster Group, will be able to work together even given the past between the two of you?" Mr. Phillip asked them seriously.