Chapter 2: Chapter 2: Round Two!
Zoe was within half an hour of finishing her shift when she noticed the rude man from yesterday come in. He sat in the same place as before, looking at the menu.
"Um Maria, would you mind swapping areas with me?" Zoe asked.
"Sure. The men in your area are much cuter," Maria said with a smile. Maria was most men's dream; blonde hair, blue eyes, and curves in all the right places. She was the sort of woman who could wear a black bin bag and look sexy.
Maria went over to Akihiko and asked, in a flirty tone, "What can I get you, sugar? Anything you see that you like? "
Akihiko's head snapped up. He looked at the women and felt disappointed. "Where is Zoe?" He asked, his eyes narrowing.
"Zoe? Why she over there, Sugar. Why don't you let me take care of you today? " Maria said, fluttering her eyelashes.
Akihiko inwardly sighed; this woman's flirting was starting to get on his nerves. "How about this? I will give you a five hundred dollar tip to go over and swap back with Zoe, " Akihiko said. He was secretly proud of himself as he managed to even muster a smile.
"Five hundred dollars? Are you serious? " Maria said, and Akihiko got his wallet out and placed the money on the table. Money solved most problems in his world and he had plenty of it.
"Do we have a deal?" Akihiko asked. Maria did not think twice; she grabbed the money and trotted over to Zoe.
"Zoe, that man just gave me five hundred dollars to swap back with you!" Maria whispered.
"What?" Zoe asked shocked.
"Five hundred dollars! So get your arse over there whilst I stuff this in the tips tin! " Maria said, and Zoe sighed. All tips were shared out. How could she deny her coworkers their share of five hundred dollars? Work was hard to come by, and she could stand half an hour with the odious man!
Zoe pulled back her shoulders and walked confidently over to the table.
"Hello again! Can I please take your order? " Zoe said with a fake smile.
Akihiko smiled when he saw her, before checking himself.
"Yes, I would like the poached egg on toast with pineapple juice and a black coffee, please," Akihiko said in Japanese.
"Coming straight up, sir," Zoe replied in perfect Japanese.
"I want to apologise for yesterday," Akihiko said in Japanese.
"Apologise for what, sir? You are a customer after all. " Zoe said, holding her fake smile for all she was worth.
"For calling you a bitch and being rude, it was unforgivable. An old friend reminded me that I was brought up better than that, "Akihiko said honestly.
"Ok, and thank you. I will no longer be spitting in your coffee, " Zoe teased, and Akihiko laughed. The sound almost sounded strange in his ears, and it had been so long since he laughed.
"Well, that is most appreciated," Akihiko said.
"Right, I'd better put this order in," Zoe said with a genuine smile. Akihiko smiled back and suddenly felt his heart beat faster. Zoe turned and put the order into Jo. She grabbed the jug of freshly filtered coffee and filled Akihiko's mug up.
"How did you learn Japanese?" Akihiko asked.
"Oh you know, you pick it up here and there," Zoe said.
"Hmmm. My name is Akihiko, by the way," Akihiko said, clearly not believing her.
"What is your story?" Zoe said
"Why don't you come out for a drink while I tell you?" Akihiko blurted out. He scolded himself for being so forward! Zoe saw this and laughed, making Akihiko blush.
"Well, why not? But I warn you, I went to some Judo classes, so no funny business. I also have to be home by nine " Zoe said. Akihiko suppressed a smirk. He was one of the best fighters in Japan. He was pretty sure he could take down this little nymph.
"Order!" Jo shouted, and Zoe got Akihiko's plate.
"I'll finish in ten minutes. See you out front." Zoe said. She wondered when she became so forward and brave. Especially after last time. But there was something about this black-haired, brown-eyed Japanese man that made her curious.
"And hot under the collar! Did you see those muscles? " A little voice inside her said. Zoe gave herself a shake as she got changed into some leggings, a loose blue t-shirt, and a grey woolly cardigan. It was hard to get out of clothes, but she didn't know.
"Besides, he just feels guilty. One drink and you will go home, "Zoe muttered to herself. Zoe said her goodbyes and walked around the front. Akihiko was waiting there with his car, a red Volvo. Zoe paused for a minute. How did she know he was not some sort of serial killer? Akihiko, sensing her thoughts, rolled down the window.
"We can do it another time if you want," Akihiko said.
"No, it is fine, there is a nice bar two miles down the road," Zoe said as she got into the car. She told Jo before she left that if he hadn't texted her by nine, she should call the police. There was a silence in the car as he drove off.
"So, why are you here on the island?" Zoe said politely
"Business" Akihiko answered.
"Oh, that is interesting. What type of business?" Zoe said, trying to make small talk.
"Does it matter?" Akihiko snapped.
"OK, message received loud and clear...no small talk," Zoe said as she gazed out the window. She was doubting why she'd agreed to come. "Well, at least she didn't have to walk home tonight," Zoe thought. Her trusty pushbike had got a puncture, one she hoped to fix tomorrow.
"I am boring. I am more interested in finding out about you. Where do you come from? " Akihiko said.
"California originally," Zoe said as they parked up.
"You are a long way from home," Akihiko commented.
"Yes, and so are you. By your accent, I can tell you are a native-born Japanese man, "Zoe said.
"Yes," Akihkiko said, walking into the bar. It was a local bar, and he went there sometimes to pick up women.
"Zoooooeee!" "The barman said, in a thick English accent. He was over six feet tall and ginger, and he appeared to be in his late twenties.
"Hi, Dave! Can I have my normal and whatever he's having?" Zoe orderEd smiling.
"You have a date? You broke my heart! " Dave said, glaring at Akihiko.
"I'd like a whiskey please," Akihiko said, glaring back at Dave.
"Not a date, just a friend! "Wewill be at the normal table," Zoe said, walking towards a table at the back. She motioned for Akihiko to come over, and they both sat down.
"I see you are a regular here," Akihiko observed as Dave brought over the drinks.
"So as it is not a date..." Dave said
"Go on!" Zoe said with a sigh.
"You are a star, Zoe! Of course, drinks will be on me tonight, " Dave said with a smirk as he rushed off." Akihiko raised a questioning eyebrow as Dave brought his laptop over. Zoe quickly had a look at it and sighed.
"I keep telling you to get your antivirus up to date!" Zoe said.
"I know, but I have you and you can sort it out," Dave said, and Zoe growled. She spent a few minutes typing and downloading.
"There I have sorted it, and when I get the server up and running, it will do it automatically," Zoe said, and Dave grinned.
"You know computers?" Akihiko said, surprised.
"Don't you know? Zoe has a Master's in computer programming and analysis from Yale," Dave explained.
"Dave! Shut up! " Zoe snapped.
"OK, pumpkin, but he'll find out eventually. You hold bloody clinics here every Saturday morning and you don't even charge for them! " Dave said, exasperated.
"I owe this community more than you know," Zoe said cryptically, and Dave left them too.
"Now my curiosity is piqued; a post-graduate in computer programming from Yale working as a waitress in the middle of nowhere. Let's not forget the fact that you speak perfect Japanese, " Akihiko commented.
"Does it matter? We all have our secrets on this island, " Zoe said firmly.
"That we do," Akihiko said. "I fully intend to find out yours," Akihiko thought, sipping his whiskey. But he would not push too hard tonight; he did not want to scare her off. He kept the conversation light, and Zoe seemed to enjoy his company. It was not until Dave pointed out that it was 8:45 that Zoe said she had to go.
"Let me drive you home," Akihiko said. He only had one drink, which was unusual for him, but he had lost track of time. Normally, he got a taxi back with the women he had picked up.
"Dude, she lives five minutes down the road!" Dave interjected.
"Thanks, Dave," Zoe said, rolling her eyes, and Dave looked confused.
"Let me walk you home then," Akihiko said.
"Okay, but hurry!" Zoe said, walking quickly out of the bar. Akihiko followed her down the path for a few minutes. It was overgrown with plants and was hard to navigate. Suddenly, they came to a clearing with a simple small building. It had a tin roof and a large wooden door. It looked like it would fall down at any minute.
"Here we are! Thank you for a nice evening. You may now proceed in life without feeling guilty, " Zoe said as she unlocked the door.
"Guilty?" Akihiko said, confused.
"Yes... that is why you took me out, isn't it?" Zoe asked.
"No, it isn't! I was also hoping we could do it again. " Akihiko said as Zoe was pushing the stuck door open. Normally, women would try and make a move, invite him...n, or push him for another date. Finally, the door opened and Zoe went in.
"Zoe what about another date or dinner perhaps? " Akihiko asked.
"Yes, of course! Let me know when.. Here is a light to help you on the way back. I really must go now. Sorry! " Zoe said as she shut the door. Akihiko sighed as he heard the door lock. He turned the light on and stumbled his way back to the car.
Zoe rushed to the back of the house, expertly navigating the computer wires and hardware. She sat down in the large computer chair and, placing on her headset, logged on.
"White Rabbit reporting for duty," Zoe said.
"Good, you are here. Let's go down the rabbit hole once again. " A male voice replied, and Zoe smiled.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
ChaoticSunshine
ChaoticSunshine Thank you for reading my story so far. Please add me to your li ary as there will be regular updates. What do you think so far? Let me know in the comments!
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