Though the morning paper may not have been the most exciting start to her day, it was enough for Lisa to get by in the morning along with a cup of coffee, buttered toast on multi-grain bread, and a bowl of fruits.
It was another calm, carefree Saturday for her, just the way she preferred it. That is until the sound of the apartment buzzer disrupted the stillness. Paloma, her maid who was in the middle of sweeping the living room, went to answer the unexpected buzz and then turned back to see Lisa looking at her with a mixture of confusion and curiosity.
"Hello," she said with an accent.
"Hey, this is Toby from the front desk, is Lisa Turtle there?" he asked.
"Yes, she is, is everything alright?"
"Everything is fine, it's just that she has a guest waiting for her by the name of Zack Morris-"
As soon as she heard the name, Lisa spat out a bit of her coffee.
The fact that she agreed to spend a week with him was still sinking in. She couldn't believe it was real and not just some terrible nightmare from the night before.
How drunk even was she?
Paloma looked at her confused but was also waiting for an answer about whether to let him up or not.
A heavy sigh escaped Lisa's lips as she nodded to her.
"She said you can send him right up," her maid clarified before going back to her broom.
A full minute ticked by and there was still no Zack present.
Lisa knew she'd be lying if she said she wasn't anxious to see him again, especially after last night.
She couldn't help but feel a discomforting dread beating in her heart despite trying to distract herself by reading the newspaper.
Every few seconds of pretending to be uninterested, her eyes would take a quick peek at the elevator doors, anxiously waiting for him to arrive.
The whole thing was pathetic.
Why was she even going along with this deal anyway?
Eventually, the elevator doors opened and out walked Zack in a black overcoat carrying a small bouquet in his hand.
"Wow." He looked around, surprised and amazed.
As she released another heavy sigh, Lisa stood up from the dining room table and approached him.
She knew there was no turning back now.
Her presence illuminated his face, and he smiled.
"You did pretty well for yourself, Lis," he complimented as his eyes wandered around.
"First of all, don't call me that, and second, who are these for?" She pointed at the flowers.
"These are for you." He stretched out.
"I thought it would be kind of rude showing up empty-handed," he lightly chuckled while scratching the back of his head.
Lisa looked up and down at him before hesitantly reaching for the bouquet.
An awkward breeze of silence passed them until Lisa spoke.
"I guess you can take a seat for now while I get ready," she quietly said, allowing him to sit.
Before heading up the spiral staircase, Lisa turned around.
"Also, don't touch anything while I'm gone," she warned before disappearing.
…
For a winter in January, the weather wasn't too bad despite a few inches of snow on the ground. The sun shone brightly against the bright blue sky and a gentle breeze passed by.
As there was so much to see and do in such a short amount of time, the pair began their day by taking a tour bus which only took them so far through Manhattan. After living in the city for about a decade, Lisa became quite an expert on the hot and not-so-hot spots, but when it was her time to give Zack a personal tour, she acted like a gun was being held to her head. She barely spoke and when she did, it was just to point out their next destination. She also rushed through the tour, hoping to spend as little time with him as possible, which made them miss out on many popular tourist attractions. Seeing how horrible a tour guide Lisa was, Zack decided to take over. At first, she thought it was a joke as if he knew the city better than her, but she quickly became surprised by his knowledge and ability to navigate with just a map. They visited iconic landmarks like the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building, as well as lesser-known historic sites and streets. Zack was like a little puppy who wanted to try everything and anything that came his way while dragging Lisa along. It had been a while since she saw the city for how it was and not through the lens of someone living the high-end life. They took public transportation, tasted street food, and even visited the nitty gritty parts of town. Although she hated to admit it, there was a tiny part of her that kind of enjoyed spending time with him despite his nonstop chatter. A few times, she caught herself chuckling and even smiling at his wittiness. Lisa also got to know Zack better, not just through his words but also through his actions like when he bought food for a homeless man and gave him some money. He didn't seem like the Zack she used to know; he seemed different.
As they strolled through Chinatown, a mouth-watering, stomach-growling aroma reached their nostrils, making them hungry.
"Can we take a quick lunch break, I'm feeling kind of hungry," Zack said, rubbing his stomach.
"Didn't you just eat a slice of pizza?" Lisa sassily questioned.
"Yeah, but that was basically a snack, I'm a growing man, Lis." He laughed, tempting her to laugh with him but she bit her lip instead.
"It's Lisa?" she affirmed with attitude.
"Sorry, forgot," he lightly brushed off.
"You know what I feel like eating right now?" he asked, catching her attention.
"I could really go for some spicy food," he said.
"You don't eat spicy food," Lisa reminded as if she still knew him.
"Now see, you're thinking of the old Zack because I love spicy food. I've been eating it for years now." A broad smile formed on his face.
"Really?" she said, surprised.
He nodded his head.
The news was surprising to hear, considering that she knew how sensitive his stomach was to even the mildest spicy foods. However, she had forgotten how much things had changed since then.
(beat)
With night approaching, Zack felt compelled to visit Washington Square Park before the day ended.
Lisa didn't understand his persistent interest but she followed him anyway.
As they strolled through the expansive park, the two engaged in conversation about various topics, including her influential status.
"It's amazing how many people recognized you and wanted to take pictures. I don't know how I would've been able to handle all of that attention," Zack chuckled as he playfully nudged her.
"Yeah, I'm used to it by now," she admitted.
Shortly after, a brief silence fell among them as a cool breeze swept through the area.
Zack exhaled a deep breath before trying to pick up their conversation.
"Man, this park is beautiful. If I'd attended NYU, I would've visited here every day. It's close to the school and the perfect hangout spot," he sighed while admiring the scenery.
Lisa's eyebrows furrowed as if she didn't understand.
"Why didn't you…" she asked before realizing the comment she just made.
"I mean…what school did you end up attending," she quickly said, in an attempt to deflect the previous question.
Lisa was well aware of the reason but she didn't want to hear it directly from him.
Some topics were better left untouched.
"USC. My father was able to pull a few strings last minute to get me accepted," he casually mentioned.
Another brief intermission occurred as they continued walking on the concrete pavement.
Feeling uncomfortable by the minute-long silence, Lisa decided to intervene.
"Did you like the school?" she asked.
Zack glanced down at her before looking ahead.
"I mean, it wasn't NYU, but I tried to make the most out of it. I made new friends, joined a few clubs and organizations, got good grades, learned to speak German, traveled to different countries, dated here and there but it was never serious and participated in a lot of charity work and community service. I guess going to that school made me who I am today." He charmingly smiled.
Lisa resisted the urge to return his smile but she couldn't deny the impression he left on her.
"Wow, it sounds like you've done a lot in college," she said, surprised.
Zack nodded in response before turning to her.
"What about you?" he asked, curiously.
"What about me?" she repeated.
Zack childishly chuckled while putting his hands in his pockets.
"I want to know who this new Lisa is, like your passions, your dreams, accomplishments, maybe what inspired you to start your fashion company, anything," he said, putting her on the spot.
Caught off guard and uncertain by his sincerity, Lisa instinctively put up a defensive barrier.
"You really want to hear about that?" she remarked, not fully believing him.
"Of course I do! Taking what you love and creating a business out of it is incredible. Not everyone could have done what did, and I'm honestly proud of you, Lis," he sweetly shared.
Lisa wore a blank expression on her face.
"-a…Lisa," he quickly finished his sentence, knowing how much she didn't want to be called by that nickname.
Her eyes remained fixed on him, touched by the fact that someone truly cared about getting to know her, and not the surface-level version.
"Honestly, I never felt fulfilled working for someone else. I always wanted to be in charge and take pride in my own accomplishments rather than having my work be overshadowed by a company. I'll admit, that starting my own business was challenging at first, and even seemed impossible, but I was determined to make it successful. I've eventually achieved my end goal, but what I didn't realize was how lonely it would make me in the process," she confessed.
Lisa hadn't intended to ramble on about her inner thoughts and emotions, especially not to him. But at that moment, she needed someone to hear her.
She just needed to let it all out.
"So you don't have at least one friend…or even a boyfriend?" Zack asked, trying to comprehend.
"Having friends in this life is as real as plastic and love…" Lisa hesitated for a second.
"I can't seem to do that. I feel incapable of loving someone so I don't waste my time on it." She looked out in front of her with unreadable eyes.
Silence settled in but for a longer period than expected.
Zack seemed like he was deep in thought as he took everything in.
Once again, Lisa didn't mean to reveal so much about herself that evening, but she couldn't help herself. She felt like it needed to be shared with someone.
"I'm sorry," Zack finally spoke.
"What?" Lisa uttered, not following him.
"I should have told you this long ago. I regret ruining our friendship because if I hadn't, then maybe things would have turned out differently and you wouldn't have felt so alone, so I'm sorry," he genuinely confessed.
Lisa was so taken aback by his sudden confession that she could feel her walls crumbling as her heart pounded with vulnerability.
"Uh…we should probably get going now, it's getting late," she quickly changed the subject as she looked at her watch.
Lisa couldn't believe that she actually enjoyed spending the day with Zack. It felt strange, but not in a terrible way. She realized that she hadn't had genuine company in years, and that might have been the reason why she felt content instead of appalled. After her interesting day, the idea of spending the week with Zack didn't seem so bad. In fact, she was kind of looking forward to it.
…
Dressed in her finest evening attire, a restless Lisa paced back and forth in her living room as she anxiously waited for the elevator doors to open.
Soon, a high-pitched ding sound rang out, and the person she had been anticipating emerged with a look of surprise and curiosity on his face.
"What took you so long?! I called you an hour ago!" she stressed as she quickly made her way to him.
"I-," he tried to explain but was instantly cut off.
"You know what, it doesn't matter, just go put this on," Lisa shoved a grey garment bag at him while pushing him to the nearest bathroom.
Zack moved away from her with perplexity written on his face.
"Do you mind telling me what's going on here?" He looked at her for an explanation.
Lisa let out a dramatic sigh while rolling her eyes.
"Remember this morning at the diner when I mentioned having a gala to go to tonight? Yeah, well I had a date lined up for it but he canceled on me last minute," she explained while shaking her head.
"And you want me to join you?" he asked with a voice tinged with enthusiasm.
"No, but I have no other choice. I reserved two places tonight and if I show up without my plus one then people will talk, and I have enough problems to deal with already." She placed her hands on her hips as she released an annoyed sigh.
"So would you just hurry up, we're late as is," Lisa shooed him away.
(beat)
As they approached the grand mansion, Zack and Lisa linked arms and walked towards the front entrance. They made quite a striking couple: Zack in his sleek black tuxedo with carefully styled hair, and Lisa in her green, backless gown that hugged her figure and complemented her complexion (they both had jackets).
"Okay, so let's go over this again. You are a prominent stock broker working for one of the top brokerage firms in the country, you live in a high-end apartment in Midtown Manhattan and have a private Villa in the Hamptons. We met through mutuals and have been seeing each other for a couple of weeks now," she outlined to make sure he was on the same page as her.
"Should I also change my name to Phillip Smith Jr. the Third while I'm at it?" Zack quipped, which was followed by a laugh, but Lisa was having none of it and began regretting asking him to accompany her.
"Stop it right now. This is not a joke. My reputation and career matters here so leave ALL of your foolishness and nonsense at the door." She reprimanded as she rolled her eyes.
"Sorry," he lightly said.
As they reached the top of the stone steps, there were two large security guards checking invitations meticulously. Once Lisa presented hers, they were granted entrance into the venue.
Large chandeliers hung on the high ceiling, illuminating the spacious but packed room as waiters walked around with trays of Hor d'Oeuvres in their hands.
Astonished by his surroundings, Zack whistled.
"Wow, this is some party," he exclaimed, his face beaming with excitement and awe.
"This is hardly a party but more of business," she corrected him.
The reason why Lisa was so uptight that night was because of a potential business deal that could greatly impact the future of her company, which she was determined to secure.
As she and Zack were discussing a trivial matter, Lisa noticed an older man, who appeared to be in his early sixties, approaching them with his wife.
Immediately, a wave of anxiety washed over her, and she quickly turned to Zack who was not attentive to the situation.
"Okay, Zack, this is the moment where I need you to get serious and make a good impression because you see that man coming our way…" She pointed him out with her head and eyes.
"He's the host of this gala but more importantly, an Angel Investor I've been meeting with to discuss important business matters. Securing his support is crucial for expanding my company nationwide and I need to lock in this deal tonight so please, don't mess this up for me," she pleaded, earnestly.
Zack nodded while assuring her to relax.
The couple eventually approached them with bright smiles.
"Lisa, it's so good to see you." He welcomed her with open arms.
She hugged him first before exchanging hugs with his wife whom she met before.
"It's good to see you too, Mr. Crawford, and Mrs. Crawford, you look lovely tonight." Lisa smiled.
"Oh, thank you, honey, so do you too," she complimented.
A few seconds passed until Mr. Crawford finally noticed Zack.
"And who must this young man be?" He looked at Lisa with a grin on his face.
"This is-"
"Hi, I'm Zack Morris." He stretched his hand, and the man shook it.
"Wow, you have quite a firm grasp there, son, I like that." He chuckled, making Zack chuckle as well.
"So how do you know this lovely lady over here?" He winked at Lisa.
Wrapping his arm around her upper back, Zack pulled Lisa close to his body.
Taken aback by the unexpected gesture, Lisa cringed a little but didn't want to make a scene in front of the company.
"We've been seeing each other for some time now, isn't that right." He glanced down at her and smiled.
She hesitantly looked up at him before awkwardly looking away.
If he had planned to make her uncomfortable that night, he sure was doing a good job at it.
"Well, that's great to hear! Cheri and I met when we were about your age and fell deeply in love with each other. I hope the same happens to you both. You guys make such a beautiful couple." He cheesed from ear to ear while embracing his wife.
"Thank you, sir." Zack smiled as his hand slowly traced down Lisa's smooth, bare back, in an almost caressing motion, leaving a trail of goosebumps in its wake.
Her body tingled from his touch, causing her cheeks to flush and her stomach to flutter with butterflies.
She couldn't believe him as her eyes slightly widened but she also couldn't believe the way her body reacted to it.
"Please, call me Andrew," he said.
The two men were deep in conversation, leaving the women to have a conversation of their own. While Mrs. Crawford was talking about the latest news happening in the country, Lisa found it difficult to focus on the discussion with Zack's touchy hand lingering on her lower back.
After some time passed, the Crawfords excused themselves to entertain some other guests, giving the couple a chance to be alone.
"I'd say that went pretty well. I did a good job at making a good impression, right?" He beamed as his hands clasped together.
"You were alright," she reluctantly admitted.
"But one critique though, please don't touch me," she said, seriously, as her arms crossed.
"Oh, did I make you uncomfortable, I'm sorry, I kind of got a little carried away into the role," he shared.
"I know…it's fine, just don't do it again," she stated.
(beat)
Sitting alongside the other guests at a round table, Zack and Lisa had just finished their dinner.
"Man, this was disappointing." Zack shook his head while dropping his napkin on the table.
Lisa placed her fork down and turned to him.
"What? You didn't like the food?" she asked amusingly.
"No, it was terrible. I would've thought rich folks had better taste- no offense," he made a teasing remark, followed by a smirk.
"Oh that's funny because you literally cleaned your entire plate," Lisa scoffed before laughing.
"Well…I was hungry," he defended, and they both released a light-hearted laugh.
Immediately afterward, there was a short silence between them until Lisa spoke.
"Well, you're not wrong, though. Rich people's foods are almost always bland, but I've kind of gotten used to it by now." She shrugged.
As the minutes passed by, Lisa began to notice Zack's increasingly restless behavior. He seemed bored and even a bit agitated.
Zack grumbled, "This might be my last and final gala because this stinks, like what happened to the music?" he complained, then suddenly, stood up from his chair.
"Where are you going?" Lisa nervously asked.
"I saw a grand piano in here. Maybe I could liven up this place," he said and began walking away.
"Oh, no, you won't." Lisa quickly got up and followed him.
Zack made his way towards the piano that was situated slightly in the center of the main hall. There, he spotted the pianist standing by it.
Lisa was able to catch up to him to stop whatever shenanigan he had up his sleeve.
"Zack, whatever you're thinking of doing, do not do it!" she warned like a mother confronting her rebellious child.
"Hey, is it okay if I play a little something?" he asked the pianist, completely ignoring Lisa's plea.
"Yeah, sure, I'm on break anyway," he agreed.
"Thanks." Zack sat down on the bench and flipped through the sheet music.
"Why are you trying to embarrass me tonight?" she said as desperation filled her voice.
Zack continued ignoring her and played around with the keys until he finally got the right feel.
Then, he began playing for real.
Feeling stunned and speechless, Lisa was surprised by how well he was playing the piano.
A few folks gathered around, including the Crawfords who swayed to the music.
Mr. Crawford then approached her, touching her arm in the process.
"He can play piano too?! You got yourself such a keeper, Lisa," he said while holding a glass of champagne in his hand.
She pulled him aside from the noise.
"Uh…sure- but hey, now that we're together, I'd like to discuss about that deal-"
"You've got it." He took a sip of his drink.
"What?" Lisa's eyes lit up.
"The deal, you've got it. Congratulations partner, you were able to persuade me enough." He grinned while shaking her hand.
"Thank you so much!" she beamed with joy.
Mr. Crawford winked at her before returning to his wife by the piano.
In her happiness, Lisa turned to Zack who looked like he was enjoying himself as much as people were enjoying him play.
Some guests were even dancing.
He really did know what he was doing after all which made Lisa smile.
She walked over and sat down next to him.
"Look who finally decided to join," he teased her for a second before directing his attention to the sheet music and keys.
She quietly swayed to the tune as she watched him express his talent.
He was incredible, and she couldn't help but smile.
(beat)
As they moved in rhythm to the gentle music, Lisa couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. She longed for the sensation of someone's warm embrace as they swayed around the dance floor. It probably was even crazier that her needs were being met by someone she swore off years ago, but she didn't care. In that moment she just wanted to feel wanted.
Lisa lifted her head from his chest and gazed up at him before a chuckle escaped her lips.
"I'm not going to lie, you blew me away tonight," she sweetly confessed.
"If it wasn't for your little charm, I don't even know if I would've negotiated a deal tonight. Mr. Crawford seemed to really like you."
Zack chuckled.
"I was just doing my part, that's all," he said.
They continued dancing before Lisa spoke again.
"I'm kind of glad my date canceled on me. He was a bore anyway," she confessed, making Zack blush a little.
"Is Lisa Turtle actually opening up to me," he teased close to her face.
"Don't get your hopes up, bub, I'm having a good night that's all." A warm smile spread across her face.
Lisa leaned into him and her head found its way back on his chest.
"I'm glad you invited me but I think I would've had a lot more fun at my hotel than here," Zack commented while having a firm but gentle hold on her.
"Yeah, it's boring but we can't leave until it's over," she stated.
"What?! Why?!" He broke apart from her.
"Those are gala rules. I don't know why but that's just the way it is." She casually shrugged.
"That's it, I'm convinced that you rich folks have officially lost your minds because I'm leaving." Zack was serious and even began walking toward the entrance doors until Lisa pulled him back.
"Trust me, we can't leave…at least not through those doors," she said.
"What are you suggesting?"
Lisa thought about it before a lightbulb lit up in her mind.
"Follow me."
(beat)
They managed to make their escape through the bathroom window, which was just big enough for an average-sized person to squeeze through. Then, they hurriedly made their way out of the back of the building to avoid being caught by the security guards.
Laughing hysterically, the two finally found their way back to the busy city life after randomly hitchhiking a ride out of the secluded area.
"Now that was fun!" Zack exclaimed while touching her arm.
"I can't believe we did that." Lisa covered her face and laughed.
She kept jokingly bumping into him as they walked down a residential block.
"This almost feels like old times," Zack admitted which got Lisa to stop laughing.
To her own surprise, a tiny smile formed on her face.
"We should do something," she suggested as excitement lit up her eyes.
"Don't you think it's kind of late?" He flashed an unserious grin.
"It's only eleven, and I need to burn this adrenaline I'm feeling right now."
Lisa looked like she could run a marathon in her dress and heels.
"Okay, lead the way, Sweetheart," he teasingly flirted.
They were now on their new adventure with Lisa dragging Zack along through the city.
Oh how the tables had turned.
(beat)
Zack and Lisa set out to explore the city, starting with a trip to Grand Central Terminal and then heading to Lower Manhattan. Along the way, Lisa suggested they visit a karaoke bar that she used to visit all the time with Jessie back in college. After years of being away, Lisa wanted to have a little reunion with the place. They sang many songs separately and together in front of an enthusiastic crowd, fueled by a few drinks. Nearby was a 24-hour indoor mini-golf course, and they couldn't resist taking a look inside. They ended up staying for multiple rounds, playfully competing against each other and another couple. Then, they stopped by a 7-11 for some ice cream before Zack decided it would be funny to throw a snowball at Lisa from the small amount of snow on the ground. She retaliated and they ended up having a full-fledged snowball fight before finally settling down on a bench outside to catch their breaths from the playful activity.
The time was 2:05 am.
"I never got to ask you this but what do you do for a living?" Lisa looked at him while eating her vanilla ice cream.
"I work for the Allstate Insurance company as a recently employed office manager," he confessed as he looked out in front of him with a chocolate-covered ice cream bar in his hand.
"I would've never guessed that. Good for you. I think that's pretty cool," she honestly said.
"Well it's not as cool as being the CEO and founder of your own company, but thanks," he quipped.
As they continued enjoying their nightly treat in the cool air, a strand of hair blew in front of Lisa's face, causing Zack to remove it.
"I forgot to mention earlier, but you look absolutely stunning tonight. I just wanted to let you know," he said with a soft smile.
Lisa was caught off guard by his sudden gesture and words.
"You're not flirting with me, right?" she teasingly became defensive.
Zack let out a light-hearted laugh.
"Give me some credit now, Lisa. I just complimented you, that's all." He threw his hands up with a grin on his face.
A silent breeze passed by them as they looked up at the starry sky.
"Can I ask you something?" Lisa said, out of the blue.
Zack kept his eyes steady on her in an attentive manner.
"Did I really break up the group when I went away?" She gained the courage to look at him.
Despite it being years ago, Slater's sharp accusations and remarks lingered in her mind and even bothered her. Asking Zack was a way to receive some clarity on the situation.
"No- I mean yeah, we fell apart and went our own separate ways like Kelly, no one has heard from her ever since, and Jessie hated both me and Slater, and Screech was stuck to Violet. It was a mess, but it wasn't your fault. If anything it was mine." He looked away.
"I lost a good friend that day and I never recovered from that," Zack confessed.
Lisa's expression softened, reflecting the change inside her heart. She couldn't forget when he apologized to her at the park yesterday; his words had sounded so sincere. She never imagined that one day, she would come face-to-face with the man who caused her pain and actually forgive him, but somehow that day had arrived.
"I forgive you, Zack," she said and his eyes found their way to her eyes.
"That means a lot to me." He placed her hand over hers and tightened his grip.
(beat)
As she prepared for bed, Lisa took a moment to reflect on the eventful day and realized how much she enjoyed being with someone. She felt like she was reliving her youth with her old childhood best friend. All this time, Lisa felt as if something was missing in her life but as she reflected upon it, she wondered if that thing could've been Zack. As crazy as it might sound, maybe he could be the pieces to her puzzle. It was a lot to process in one night, so she pushed those thoughts aside and drifted off to sleep.
…
Over the next couple of days, Zack and Lisa spent a great deal of time together, enjoying each other's company and getting to know one another even better. They enjoyed their time in the city by visiting popular attractions like the Bronx Zoo, attending a Broadway show and a concert at Carnegie Hall, strolling through Central Park, shopping in Times Square, and going wine tasting. Lisa introduced Zack to the luxurious lifestyle of the wealthy by taking him to fancy restaurants, and designer stores, and even treating him to a helicopter ride for a bird's eye view of the city. As a token of appreciation, Zack surprised her with small gifts. His presents were unexpected and unnecessary, but Lisa accepted them anyway because who was she to completely refuse an innocent gift?
…
Having brunch on a breakfast, lunch, and dinner cruise ship, the couple decided to visit an art exhibit that had just recently opened up. They saw a great variety of paintings, sculptures, and even media showcasing the different artistic cultures, styles, and expressions that they appreciated, but there was one painting that left them intrigued.
Standing in front of the captivating artwork on the wall, the pair gaped at it curiously.
"Do you think this painting could be about a mother and her child?" Zack asked as he studied the artwork.
Lisa thought about it before shaking her head.
"No, it kind of looks as if someone is trying to escape this isolating void but feels trapped," she said.
After looking at the portrait for quite a while, both of them gave up trying to figure out the meaning behind it.
"I'm going to scout for an art expert, I'll be right back," Zack said, tapping her on the back.
In the meantime, Lisa kept herself company by studying the artwork, until her gaze met a handsome man standing a few feet away.
He was caught staring at her in awe which Lisa couldn't help but feel flattered.
She smiled a shy, soft smile before redirecting her focus to admiring what appeared in front of her.
Though she didn't want to give this handsome stranger any more attention, she was guilty of taking a few glances at him a couple of times. Something about him sparked her sudden interest which she hadn't felt in a while.
After all the flirty exchanges shared among the two, the stranger finally approached her.
"This is truly one touching piece of art, isn't it," he casually attempted to make conversation.
"It is. I don't know why but for some reason I feel connected to it." She smiled before looking at him.
"Sorry if this comes out a bit forward but I think you are so beautiful," he admitted while blushing.
A red hue marked her cheeks as a genuine smile spread across her face, showing her perfect white teeth.
"My name is Daniel by the way. Are you with anyone by chance?" the man asked with hope in his brown eyes.
"I-"
Before she could answer, she felt an arm thrown over her shoulder.
"Yes, with me," Zack answered for her while flashing an ingenuine smile at him.
"Oh- um… well, I was just talking about how brilliant this painting is…so brilliant," he said with a tinge of awkwardness in his voice.
"Okay…" Zack sarcastically replied.
Shortly, as a wave of silence passed, Lisa could feel the awkward tension in the air.
"So…Daniel, what might be your take on this painting?" she turned to the guy.
"I think it's about emotional manipulation," Daniel stated.
"Oh! Why do you say that?" Lisa asked, curiously.
"Isn't it obvious-"
"Oh my gosh, Lisa! How did we forget to visit the Comedy Club? It's going to close soon since it's a Wednesday, we have to go now!" Zack exclaimed in a hurry.
"But Zack-" she said, and was suddenly being pulled away.
"Zack…" she repeated, but he continued dragging her to the point where her wrist began feeling sore.
"You're hurting me!" Lisa shrieked, and he finally released her from his firm grip.
"What's the matter with you?!" she scolded as she held onto her wrist.
It took a few seconds for Zack to turn around and respond, but when he did, his face was filled with concern.
"Lisa…I'm…I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you. I just got a little too excited, that's all, it was an accident…" he kept apologizing.
Lisa let out a light sigh.
"It's fine, let's just get out of here," she said, and he agreed.
As they moved further away, Lisa couldn't resist glancing back at the stranger who now wore a look of both confusion and concern on his face.
(beat)
Following their enjoyable time together, Zack led Lisa to a secluded courtyard in Fort Tryon Park for some peace and privacy.
"Zack Morris, where in the world are we?" she playfully sassed while sitting down on a stone bench.
He sat down next to her, facing her direction.
"You know where we are." He chuckled while looking out in front of him.
"Ok…why are we here?" She folded her arms while batting her lashes.
Zack stared out in front of him as he exhaled a cool breath.
"Can I tell you something?" he suddenly asked.
Lisa instantly became curious.
"Of course," she said while touching his arm.
Zack looked at his arm before staring at the wall in front of him.
"I never told you the whole truth about me…" he began.
Lisa stood up straighter as her eyebrows furrowed in curiosity.
"I've been lonely for a while. Ever since the group split up, I couldn't seem to make any new, genuine connections with anybody. The days turned into months, and the months into years, and I've become extremely depressed. I pretended to act like I had it all together but really, I don't. It's been hard for me, and that's why I planned this deal between us so that I wouldn't be lonely for just a moment," he confessed.
Surprised by his confession, Lisa's face softened with empathy as she understood that they were two lonely souls trying to get by.
Placing her hand on top of his, she said, "Thank you for sharing that with me," followed by a nod.
The atmosphere grew quiet as they both processed what was said. Lisa eventually broke the silence with her words.
"I get what you mean. There were times when I'd feel like a zombie living the same day over and over again. I'm surprised I even made it this far in life. I remember when I used to wish that I would fall asleep, never to wake up again because facing reality was painful. Sometimes, I still feel that way, but then I realize I don't have to anymore. I can have someone to love me. I can have a mini-me," she said with a tiny smile on her face.
"A mini-you?" Zack asked, perplexed.
"Yeah, I want to be a mother. I've done some research and even consulted with my doctor to have a baby through IVF," Lisa clarified.
Zack's eyes widened a little in shock.
"Wow…that's…wow," he tried to search for the right words.
"I know it sounds crazy but this is something I really want to do. I want to have someone I can care for and love- I even have all the resources I need to be a parent," she explained.
Zack thought about it before nodding.
"Well, if that's what makes you happy, then I'd say go for it." He grinned at her.
Lisa returned his smile.
"So, did you bring me out here so that we could just talk or is there more to it?" she questioned while playfully narrowing her eyes.
Zack chuckled, "Yeah," he said before turning to her.
"Despite being a terrible tour guide because, let's be honest here, woman, you don't really know your way around the city as much as you think you do-" a witty smile formed on his face.
"Hey!" she innocently shoved him while giggling.
They both let out a shared laugh until Zack's smile faded and his gaze became intense.
"You have been one amazing companion these past few days. I don't think I could've enjoyed this trip without you, and because I appreciate you for taking the time to deal with me…"
Zack pulled out a small, black box from his pocket, and gave it to her.
Curious to see what was inside, Lisa quickly opened the box and immediately fell victim to the inanimate object.
"Oh my-" she said, too stunned to speak.
Lisa looked at Zack whose eyes were gazing at her.
"Do you like it?" he asked, eagerly.
Lisa's eyes fell upon the object resting in the palm of her hand.
A diamond necklace with her initials inscribed on it.
At that moment, she was at a loss for words and emotions as she held the delicate pendant.
"You didn't have to buy me an expensive necklace, Zack. This is too much for me to take." She tried to hand it back.
"I know I didn't have to, but I just couldn't help myself." He grabbed the necklace from her hand and clipped it around her neck.
"I thought this would look beautiful on you…and I was right." Zack softly smiled.
Out of nowhere, a swarm of butterflies fluttered around her stomach as her body temperature grew warmer. Despite being caught off guard by his unexpected gesture, Lisa felt touched by his kindness and sincerity, causing her to do something out of the ordinary.
Lisa enveloped him in a warm embrace, her head finding a comfortable spot on his shoulder as a smile formed on her face. He held onto her waist, bringing her even closer to him, and they remained like that for what felt like hours.
(beat)
As the day was coming to an end, the pair went to eat dinner at an inexpensive restaurant in downtown Manhattan.
As they were enjoying each other's company, chatting and sharing jokes, halfway through their meals, Lisa accidentally spilled some sauce on her dress, making her rush to the bathroom to clean it.
The stain eventually came out after scrubbing it with an abrasive paper towel a few dozen times, and once she left, she accidentally bumped into the handsome man she met at the museum.
"Daniel?! What are you doing here?" she asked with a surprised smile on her face.
"Well, I came to eat with a buddy of mine. Wow, it must be such a small world to run into you twice in one day," he quipped, making her giggle.
"I know right! It must be fate," she beamed.
"Yeah…" he said with a long pause after.
Suddenly, his expression changed into a serious one as he stared intently into her eyes.
"Hey, I know it's none of my business, but are you okay," he said with a careful tone.
Lisa became confused by the sudden question.
"Why do you ask that?"
"Well, the interaction between you and your boyfriend at the museum looked weird," Daniel mentioned.
"Oh… OH- wait, Zack?! No, he is not my boyfriend! Just an old friend that I've been catching up with. There's nothing weird going on, I promise." Lisa lightheartedly chuckled.
Daniel looked at her surprised but also relieved.
"I'm honestly glad to hear that." He smiled at her.
(beat)
Along the way, Lisa and Daniel engaged in casual conversation with each other as they walked back to Lisa's table.
"Hey, is it alright if I can call you sometime?" he asked.
"Sorry, I don't randomly give out my numbers to strangers." A playful smirk formed on her face as she purposely was being stubborn.
He chuckled, "Ok, what if I give you my number so you can call me sometime," he suggested.
Lisa thought about it before giving him her flip phone to store his number while they approached the table.
"I'll be looking forward to hearing from you." Daniel winked and then disappeared.
Lisa slid into the booth with a winsome smile on her face.
"I didn't know Donald followed us here, creepy," Zack commented before taking a sip of his water.
"His name is Daniel and we accidentally bumped into each other by the bathroom," she clarified in a matter-of-fact tone before her eyes swiftly trailed to the digits on her phone.
As Lisa contemplated if she should entertain the flirty exchange any longer, Zack interrupted her thoughts.
"So, you got his number…are you going to call him?" Zack asked.
She looked up at him.
"I don't know," she admitted.
Frankly, Lisa didn't want to disappoint Daniel or herself if she didn't feel any romantic feelings for him, given that was her problem in the first place.
"Well, do you like him?" Zack continued to interrogate.
"I hardly know him, Zack, but I'll admit, he's cute though." She dabbed her fork into her plate.
As they silently ate their food in a strange atmosphere that surrounded them, Zack's face suddenly twisted into a grimace.
"Ughhh…" he moaned while holding onto his stomach.
"What's wrong?" Lisa asked, slightly concerned.
"My stomach, it feels like a sharp- ughhh…" Zack groaned, this time lowering his forehead on the table.
Lisa quickly rushed over to him.
"We should get you to a doctor!" she exclaimed as panic filled her voice.
(beat)
Seating him on her couch, Lisa took his coat off to make him comfortable.
"Are you sure you don't want to go see a doctor? I can call one right now to give you a checkup," Lisa suggested but he shook his head.
"I think I just need some rest, that's all. I didn't get any all day and you saw how I barely ate," he confirmed.
She nodded.
"Okay, let me at least make you some soup." She turned towards the kitchen.
"Are you trying to kill me?" he said in a lighthearted way.
Turning around, Lisa pretended to be upset.
"I have you know that I'm an excellent cook. Don't let these blings fool you," she said in her famous sassy voice.
Zack smiled at her while biting his bottom lip in amusement.
(beat)
"If there's anything that you need, you know where to find me," Lisa said, tucking him in with a gray comforter.
She allowed him to stay in the guest room for the night. At first, he insisted on going back to his hotel but she kept shutting him down. She thought it would be improper of her to kick out a sick guest onto the streets.
It had been a while since she had nurtured another person, as no one in particular needed her care. Lisa made sure he had a warm bowl of homemade soup and gave him some stomach-soothing Pepto Bismol to ease his discomfort.
The moment she got up, Zack grabbed her wrist and stopped her.
"Hey, I just want to thank you again for everything. You have been truly amazing," he confessed.
"Well, I'm glad to be taking care of someone other than myself." She smiled.
Bringing her close to the bed, Zack planted a tiny kiss on her forehead.
"Goodnight," he said, pulling back, inches close to her face.
Lisa looked into both of his eyes as her cheeks flushed.
"Ok," she said, before quickly leaving.
(beat)
On the same night, Lisa was lying in bed, wondering if she should call the cute guy from the exhibit.
…
Walking down the spiral staircase in her satin robe, Lisa, who remained half asleep, became immediately alert to the smell of breakfast in the air.
After a restless night filled with tossing, turning, and an uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach, Lisa was in desperate need of a warm cup of coffee and some scrambled eggs to soothe her nerves.
As she opened the handless door to the kitchen, Lisa was caught by an interesting and unexpected surprise.
"Zack?!" she exclaimed.
With an apron on, Zack was sizzling bacon at the stove.
"Morning," he turned around with a bright smile on his face.
"Um, where's Paloma? I thought she was the one cooking breakfast," she asked, confused.
"Yeah, well, I told her to take the morning off since I wanted to surprise you with my wonderful cooking skills." He teasingly stuck out his tongue.
Her eyebrows scrunched, creating a frownline.
"You didn't have to do any of this…or send my maid away," she responded, slightly bothered.
"I know, but I feel like I haven't shown you enough of my appreciation." He smiled.
"Now sit down and eat." He placed a plate of eggs, bacon, and toast in front of one of the bar stools.
Lisa hesitantly took a seat, but her concerns quickly disappeared when she saw the mouth-watering dish placed before her.
"So…how did you sleep last night?" he asked with his back turned, tending to the hot stove.
"Off." She took a bite of the scrambled eggs.
"Why say that?"
"I don't know…it just felt off. Like it was uncomfortable to sleep for some reason. Maybe I was having a nightmare…I don't know." Lisa shook her head.
"This uneasiness you're talking about, did it feel as if someone was in your room watching you?" Zack strangely asked out of nowhere.
Immediately, Lisa looked up at him as her eyebrows furrowed.
"And as much as you wanted to turn on the light and open your eyes, you were too afraid of that feeling becoming reality?" he continued.
Unsettling feelings began to wash over her as she remembered her restless night.
"Yes! How did you know that?" she asked, confused, and slightly freaked out.
"Because I had the same dream," he confessed while turning to face her.
"I'm not a religious person or anything but there might be some bad energy in this apartment. You might want to get that checked out," he said, seriously before laughing it off.
Despite feeling uneasy, Lisa laughed with him.
(beat)
As it was the second to last day of Zack's stay, the pair went on their final exploration together.
Zack found a photoshoot place where they could choose a theme and take photos for memories, and Lisa thought it was a fun idea until the only themed package they had was a wedding one. Zack persisted in trying it out until she finally gave in.
(beat)
As Lisa was straightening her white wedding gown in the body mirror, Zack walked in with eyes of admiration.
"Wow." He stared at her in awe.
"I don't know about this, Zack," she said, looking at him through the mirror.
"Hey, stop overthinking it. This is just harmless, pure fun, nothing more and nothing less." He grinned from behind.
Zack walked up to her and touched her bare shoulders.
"I think you look beautiful by the way," he sweetly said.
"Thanks." She smiled.
Taking in a deep breath, Lisa said, "Let's get this thing over with."
(beat).
The couple playfully posed for 'wedding' photos, as if it was their actual wedding day. Lisa found the experience more enjoyable than she had anticipated. They struck traditional poses, such as standing side by side, as well as humorous ones, like her riding piggyback on him. In some shots, they even appeared intimately close, with his hands gently caressing her face and their foreheads touching tenderly.
Later that evening, Lisa treated Zack to a farewell dinner at one of the most expensive restaurants in the city.
…
As strange and even crazy as it might sound, Zack was definitely somebody she was going to miss.
At the beginning of their little deal, Lisa couldn't wait for him to leave, but now that he was actually leaving, the moment felt bittersweet. Lisa was really going to lose the only person who made her feel alive in forever but she was glad she was at least able to experience that before stepping back into her old routine.
They stood facing each other in her living room.
"You're all packed?" Lisa asked, trying to fill the void of silence.
He nodded while displaying a small smile.
"So…this is it, huh." She awkwardly scratched the back of her head.
Zack nodded again, "Yeah, I gue-"
Interrupting him, Lisa said, "I can't believe I'm going to say this but I'm going to miss you, Zack." She slowly looked up in his eyes.
"Really?" he sounded surprised.
"Really. I haven't had this much fun in ages and it was nice having some genuine company, so thank you." She walked up to him and embraced him warmly.
They hugged tightly, neither of them wanting to let go.
Somewhere lost in that hug, something inside Lisa compelled her to lean a bit back and kiss him straight on the mouth.
It only lasted for a couple of seconds until Zack pulled her away with his eyes blinking in surprise.
"Oh my- I'm so sorry, I don't even know why I did that-"
Zack cupped her face and kissed her, this time with passion.
For a brief moment, Lisa savored the kiss. But then her rational mind kicked in and she opened her eyes, realizing what was going on.
"Zack-" she uttered while their lips were still pressed together.
"You don't know how long I've waited for this moment." His kisses trailed down to her neck.
"Zack-"
"I knew you still had feelings for me-"
"Zack!" Lisa snapped, finally getting his attention.
He backed away, confused and slightly annoyed.
"Oh my gosh…ok," Lisa said, rubbing her forehead.
"This was a mistake," she admitted while looking away.
"What are you talking about, you kissed me-"
"I know and I'm sorry." She bit her bottom lip in guilt and embarrassment.
A gust of silence blew between them.
"I don't get it?" Zack spoke as he moved towards her.
"I still have feelings for you, Lisa…I love you, don't you love me?" he asked, touching her arm.
Lisa looked into his desperate eyes before looking away.
"I don't love you, Zack," she truthfully told.
"I was just caught up in the moment, that's all."
In a matter of seconds, guilt started to eat away at her as she regretted kissing him.
"Bull. No one who was ever 'caught up in the moment' would kiss me the way you did," he accused with frustration in his voice.
"Well, can you blame me? I haven't kissed anyone in years," she defended herself.
Zack scoffed while rolling his eyes.
"You must still be upset about what happened years ago. Can't you just get over it?" he insulted.
Lisa's face grew hot as her eyes glowered at him.
He was never sorry in the first place.
"Don't you dare bring that up, I told you it was a mistake and I was sorry!"
Their gazes were now locked in a heated exchange, both breathing heavily and aggressively.
"We were supposed to end up together. That's why I put up with being your friend so that you could get comfortable around me-"
"Wait, so you were toying with me?!" she choked as her eyes shot blood red.
Lisa couldn't believe what she was hearing.
"I wanted you-"
"I cannot believe this." She scoffed while throwing her arms up.
"No, I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS! But you know what, go ahead and live your sorry, tragic life. I could've been the answer to your problems but I guess you rather be sad and pathetic," he hissed at her as his mouth twitched.
It was at that very moment that Lisa felt an overwhelming sense of rage consuming her entire body.
"Get out- GET OUT!" she screamed.
A tiny smirk crept up on his face as if the situation was some kind of joke to him.
"Fine, but when I walk out of this apartment, you're going to have nobody, and you will be all alone like you were before," he spat one last time before leaving.
Lisa was panting and trembling, her mind racing as she tried to make sense of what had just occurred. It took a moment for the realization to sink in, but once it did, she was stunned by how easily she had fallen into the trap of a manipulative and conniving person. She couldn't believe she had let someone like that into her home! However, despite the realization, Lisa was grateful that she had managed to avoid a dangerous situation because who knows what that man was capable of doing.
Author's Note: Two things: 9/11 never happened in this story, and Lisa took off work for the week. Also, the "..." is supposed to represent the days but only for this chapter! Hope you enjoyed as we got about 9-10 more chapters to go!