CHAPTER 33

"Alright, meet you soon." Zoe hung up.

Zoe had barely hung up the phone when Bernard walked in.

Zoe snorted. "Did he tell you what's wrong with him?" She asked Bernard.

Zoe felt a surge of nervousness, hoping that Michael hadn't already spoken to Bernard. She worried that Bernard would be upset or even angry for not telling him about Michael's inappropriate behavior.

Bernard shoved his hands deep into his pockets, facing the window and let out a deep sigh. "He said nothing was wrong with him.

Zoe was thankful Michael hadn't said anything, preserving her chance to discuss it with Bernard directly.

"Don't worry, he will be fine." Zoe assured Bernard.

Bernard turned to Zoe and asked. "Are you done packing your things?"

"Yes." Zoe responded.

"I think we should head to your apartment so you can get some rest before work tomorrow. He suggested. "Shall we go?"

Zoe's eyes scanned Bernard's room, double checking to ensure she wasn't leaving anything behind.

"Yes, I'm set, we can leave now.

Bernard called out to one of his domestic workers. He instructed him to retrieve Zoe luggage from the room, as they headed out.

Zoe stopped by the living room to inform Sarah that she was leaving. And Michael was nowhere to be found.

"Are you certain you're ready to go back to work? Considering the fact that you're pregnant?" Sarah asked. 

"Yes, I can handle it," Zoe replied. "Besides, the baby is only two months old."

"Alright, take good care of yourself." Sarah said, giving Zoe a hug.

Zoe deliberately avoided Michael, choosing not to say goodbye as she left with Bernard.

Bernard drove swiftly, but instead of heading to the road that leads to Zoe's neighborhood. He diverted onto a side road leading to a nearby grocery store.

"Uh .... Bernard, this isn't the way to my home." Zoe said as she squinted.

Bernard chuckled. "Let's go to a grocery store, and I'll help you stock up, so you won't have to worry about what to eat." Bernard offered.

Zoe leaned back in her seat and responded. "You didn't have to do that, I still have some food at my place."

Bernard chuckled, insisting they pick up a few more things.

Bernard and Zoe arrived at the grocery store, and she carefully selected a few food items, mostly vegetables and fruits. Having become more discerning about her diet since her pregnancy.

As Zoe was busy selecting her oranges. A mysterious man approached her from behind. While Bernard was distracted on the other side of the aisle, choosing vegetables.

Pregnancy seemed to have enhanced Zoe's natural beauty, as her skin glowed with a radiant complexion, making her even more stunning.

Zoe's stunning looks, accentuated by her blossoming curves, drawing admiring glances from men around her, who couldn't help but be captivated by her radiant beauty.

"Looks like oranges are a favorite of yours." The man said, observing and eyeing Zoe's cart. 

Zoe whirled around and she was struck by the imposing figure of a man with a hairy chest, slipping on a pair of jeans and a fitted shirt. His full beard framing a strong jawline.

"Of course, I love oranges." Zoe responded.

"I'm Steven, but my friends call me Steve and I live in this neighborhood." he said, as his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled.

Unaware of Bernard's presence. Steven began to charm Zoe, thinking he'd stumbled upon a beautiful woman to woo, but little did he know he was already outmatched.

Zoe's tone turned friendly but clear. "I'm afraid I'm not available, Steven; my man is standing just over there."

Steven's face fell as he followed Zoe's gaze flicking to Bernard, who stepped forward.

The moment Bernard took a step forward, Steven's interest in Zoe vanished, and he became intensely focused on examining the oranges arranged on the shelves.

"Is everything okay?" Bernard inquired, his gaze shifting from Zoe to Steven, who was now intently studying the oranges on the aisle.

Zoe nodded and smiled, reassuring Bernard as she responded "Everything's fine." pushing the cart away from the orange display. Leaving Steven and his awkward encounter behind.

Zoe picked out everything she needed from the grocery store and with Bernard covering the bill, they headed out together.

Bernard focused on driving, leaving the event at the grocery store unspoken.

'Why the sudden silence?' could it be that Bernard is jealous seeing that man talk to me earlier?' Zoe thought to herself.

They arrived at Zoe's apartment, and Bernard carefully carried all the groceries.

Zoe stepped forward, unlocking the door and pushing it open for Bernard, who was laden with bags of groceries.

Zoe placed the oranges and vegetables in the fridge and turned to Bernard, saying, "Thank you, I really appreciate." 

"You're welcome." Bernard replied, smiling softly at Zoe as he leaned against the kitchen cabinets.

Breaking the silence, Bernard inquired. "What did the man from the grocery store want from you?"

Zoe smiled inwardly. 'Finally he asked. I thought he was angry or jealous that a man approached me.'

Zoe chuckled, recalling the exchange "He was trying to flirt with me, but I shut him down and let him know I'm taken." Zoe said with a smile, glancing at Bernard.

"You mean he didn't see the ring on your finger? That you are engaged?' Bernard asked, chuckling.

Zoe's eyes dropped on the ring on her finger, gently turning it around her finger and she shrugged. "I don't know."

Zoe realized Bernard's question stemmed from a touch of jealously. And she found it endearing.

***

Zoe came out from her room already changed into a jean-shorts and a t-shirt. She glanced at the clock, as Bernard lingered, she couldn't help but think how nice it would be to take a nap before she met with Barbara.

"I should take my leave now, Zoe." Bernard said, checking his wrist watch for the time.

Zoe's cheeks flushed slightly as she wondered if Bernard had noticed her sneaking a peek at the time. Which might have given the wrong impression.

Zoe quickly turned to Bernard with a warm smile. "Why not stay a bit longer? Do you have something you need to attend to?" 

Bernard's face fell slightly as he recalled and stood up from the couch "Actually—I have a Zoom meeting with some business partners in an hour. I completely forgot about it."

"Hmm, businessmen and their never-ending work and meetings." Zoe joked, and Bernard laughed.

"Please take care of yourself and our baby okay." Bernard said softly, dropping to his knees and gently placed a kiss on Zoe's belly. He reminded her; "Eat well, sleep well, and take it easy—our baby's counting on you."

Zoe gently stroked Bernard's hair. "Take care of yourself too, no excessive work hours, okay?" 

Bernard stood up, his eyes locked onto Zoe's and he promised. "I'll try to scale back." Before kissing her forehead softly.

The two shared a tender goodbye and Zoe watched as Bernard walked out of the door, her eyes following him until he drove away and disappeared from view.