The Zenith System

Chapter 005

Zack is in the kitchen, chopping vegetables for dinner while Celeste works on her laptop at the dining table. The aroma of sizzling stir-fry fills the air, making his stomach growl in anticipation.

Suddenly, there’s a knock on the door. Zack looks up from his cutting board and glances at the wall clock — it’s only 7:30. Mason is early.

But before he can take a towel to wipe his hands, Celeste stands up and says, “It’s just Mason, right? I will get it.”

He hears her footsteps approaching the door. He then hears Mason’s charming voice greeting Celeste as she opens the door. “Hey beautiful,” he says with a smile.

Zack rolls his eyes and focuses on tossing the vegetables into the pan. He can hear them talking in the living room, but Celeste is deadpan, making it clear that she’s not interested in him.

Mason saunters into the kitchen, carrying a few grocery bags, while Celeste returns to her work.

“Hey, man!” he greets with a wide smile. “I brought some snacks and beers. Some food for breakfast, too.”

Zack glances at him and smiles at what he is wearing — a tight shirt that shows off his muscular torso and a pair of fitted jeans. It’s obvious that Mason is trying to charm Celeste with his looks.

“Can you please put it in the fridge?” Zack asks.

“Sure thing!”

As Zack continues cooking, he notices how Mason sits down beside Celeste at the dining table. They are just talking about random things, but from Celeste’s body language, it’s clear that she wants the conversation to end very soon.

After dinner, they all settle down on the couch to watch a movie. But Zack can tell that Mason has other intentions, as he keeps inching closer to Celeste and trying to initiate physical contact. Each time, Celeste subtly moves away or brushes it off.

“I’m getting tired,” she finally announces as she stands up from the couch.

“Oh, come on, it’s still early!” Mason protests with a bright smile that he normally uses on young women.

Celeste takes a deep breath and looks at Mason. Surprisingly, she pinches his cheek and says, “I know what you are doing, Mason, and before you even ask, the answer is no, okay?”

Mason’s face falls. “I haven’t even asked!” he protests.

“Yes, you didn’t yet.”

“Then—”

She presses harder on his cheek and Mason groans. “I am too old for you, Mason,” Celeste says firmly. “Just find some young women your age.”

“But I like you! I like older women too!” Mason insists. “Besides, three-years age gap is not ‘too old’ for me!”

“Unfortunately, I like older men,” she responds, her tone not leaving any room for argument.

“I look older! Surely, that will compensate for the difference in years!”

Zack watches the exchange with a mixture of amusement. His friend really is pining for her so badly. It’s almost comical how he tries so hard to impress her, despite her clear disinterest.

Celeste sighs. “I like older men, exactly because of this,” she adds. This time, she presses his other cheek.

“Stop now, that hurts!” he complains, but he’s not making any move to remove her hands from his cheeks.

“This is a punishment for kids like you.”

“I’m not a kid! And I’m not trying anything!” he says defensively.

“Sure you’re not,” Celeste replies sarcastically. “That’s why you keep inching closer to me every five minutes.”

“I’m just trying to get comfortable!” Mason argues.

“Well, try getting comfortable with someone else,” Celeste retorts as she moves away from the couch.

Mason huffs in frustration but doesn’t say anything more while Celeste walks out of the living room.

“That was quite entertaining,” Zack says to Mason with a chuckle.

“Oh, shut up,” he grumbles as he massages his sore cheeks. “I can’t believe my rejection amuses you.”

“Should I leave you for a while to mend your broken heart? I still need to wash the dishes.”

“Yeah, right, leave your heartbroken friend here.” Mason groans and leans back on the couch. “I just don’t understand why she still sees me as a kid. I’m taller and so much bigger than her now!”

Zack rolls his eyes. “Maybe it’s because you act like a kid around her?”

Mason shoots him a glare. “Hey, I do not! I’m totally mature and charming.”

“Sure you are,” Zack says sarcastically, mimicking Celeste’s tone.

“I am mature now! Look at my muscles! Women go gaga over them!” Mason insists. “She just doesn’t see it yet. Next time, I will strut here half-naked.”

“Mature?” Zack asks, laughing.

“Hey! Stop teasing!”

“Mason, even if you are older, maybe she won’t still like you. Maybe she is just using your age gap as an excuse? But hey, don’t worry, even the great Mr. Leon gets rejected. It’s a part of life. You should just wear a sturdy helmet and move on.”

Mason pouts, his ego clearly bruised. “Whatever, man. Just go wash the dishes.”

Zack gives him a pat on the shoulder before heading to the kitchen, leaving Mason alone in the living room. He just hopes that Mason won’t be playing some sad love songs on his phone though.