I'm The King of Business & Technology in the Modern World-Chapter 124: Playful Tease

The car ride to High Street was filled with Angel’s pointed silence and Matthew’s amused glances. Every time he caught her peeking at him from the corner of her eye, she quickly looked away, pretending to be absorbed in her phone.

Matthew smirked. This is way too easy.

As they pulled up to Texas Roadhouse, the smell of freshly baked bread and grilled steaks filled the air. It was just past noon, and the place was already bustling with office workers on their lunch break, businessmen in suits, and groups of friends catching up over large portions of ribs and burgers.

The hostess immediately recognized Matthew. "Mr. Borja, welcome back! Your usual table?"

Matthew nodded. "Yes. And bring us a basket of rolls right away."

Angel glanced at him as they followed the hostess. "You come here often?"

"Best steak in BGC," Matthew said as they slid into their booth. "And their cinnamon butter rolls are worth the trip alone."

Angel arched an eyebrow but didn’t argue.

A waitress arrived, setting a basket of warm rolls in front of them, along with a small dish of cinnamon honey butter. "Would you like your usual, sir?"

Matthew nodded. "Yes, and she’ll have—"

Angel held up a hand, cutting him off. "I can order for myself, thank you."

Matthew smirked. "Fine. Be my guest."

She scanned the menu, flipping through it a little too fast before giving up. "What’s good?"

Matthew chuckled. "I thought you didn’t need help."

Angel shot him a glare.

Still grinning, Matthew leaned back. "Go for the ribeye. Medium rare. And get the loaded mashed potatoes. Trust me."

Angel hesitated, then sighed. "Fine. And a lemonade."

The waitress jotted it down before heading off.

As soon as they were alone again, Matthew picked up a roll, slicing it open and spreading a generous amount of butter on it before offering it to her. "Try this."

Angel narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "You’re being weirdly nice."

"I’m always nice," Matthew said.

Angel scoffed. "No, you’re not."

Matthew simply smirked. "Just eat."

She rolled her eyes but took the roll, biting into it.

Her eyes widened slightly as she chewed. "Oh my god."

Matthew chuckled. "Told you."

Angel took another bite, momentarily forgetting her hangover. "Okay, I’ll admit—this is amazing."

"See? I do have good taste."

Angel glanced at him over her roll. "Debatable."

Matthew smirked, tearing into his own roll. "You’re still embarrassed, aren’t you?"

Angel groaned. "Seriously? I just started forgetting about that."

Matthew tilted his head. "Come on, don’t tell me you aren’t at least a little curious."

Angel set her roll down and gave him a flat look. "I am choosing not to be curious."

"That’s boring."

"No, that’s called self-preservation."

Matthew chuckled. "Fair enough."

Their food arrived shortly after, two perfectly cooked steaks, loaded mashed potatoes, and a side of grilled vegetables. Angel took a bite of her ribeye and let out an appreciative hum.

"Okay," she admitted, "you were right again."

Matthew smirked. "You should just start listening to me all the time."

Angel rolled her eyes. "Let’s not get carried away."

They ate in comfortable silence for a while, the restaurant’s country music playing softly in the background. It was a strange thing—being out like this, sharing a meal that wasn’t tied to work, meetings, or strategy sessions.

At one point, Angel glanced up at him, as if she had been thinking about something for a while. "Can I ask you something?"

Matthew set down his fork. "Sure."

She hesitated before saying, "Why are you always so composed?"

Matthew arched an eyebrow. "That’s a vague question."

Angel twirled her fork through her mashed potatoes. "I mean… last night. You could have easily taken advantage of the situation. Most guys would have. But you didn’t."

Matthew leaned back, expression unreadable. "Do you think that little of me?"

Angel quickly shook her head. "No, that’s not what I meant. I know you’re not like that. But… why?"

Matthew was quiet for a moment before he finally spoke. "Because I don’t believe in acting on impulse."

Angel blinked. "That’s it?"

Matthew smirked. "Well, that, and I didn’t want you to wake up and kill me."

Angel snorted. "That’s a fair point."

She took another sip of her lemonade before giving him a look. "So… you were tempted."

Matthew chuckled. "What do you think?"

Angel leaned forward slightly. "I think you’re dodging the question."

Matthew sighed dramatically. "Angel, any man would be tempted in that situation."

Angel tilted her head. "But you didn’t act on it."

Matthew smirked. "No. Because I have something called restraint."

Angel smirked right back. "So, if I wasn’t drunk, things would have gone differently?"

Matthew picked up his drink, taking a slow sip before answering. "Who knows?"

Angel narrowed her eyes. "You’re so annoying."

Matthew grinned. "And yet, here you are, having lunch with me."

Angel exhaled, shaking her head. "Why do I put up with you?"

Matthew shrugged. "Because I’m charming."

Angel let out a laugh, finally relaxing again. "Delusional, more like."

The conversation shifted after that, moving back to business—investor meetings, the latest updates on the prototype, and logistics for their growing operations.

By the time they finished eating, Angel looked significantly better, her headache seemingly forgotten.

As they stepped out of the restaurant, Matthew glanced at her. "Better?"

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Angel stretched slightly, looking up at the sky. "Yeah. I needed that."

Matthew smirked. "Told you food fixes everything."

Angel rolled her eyes but didn’t argue.

They got back in the car, heading toward the office.

As they pulled into the parking lot, Angel hesitated.

"What?" Matthew asked.

She glanced at him before shaking her head. "Nothing."

Matthew raised an eyebrow. "Angel."

She sighed. "I was just thinking… despite how insufferable you are, last night was fun."

Matthew smirked. "I’ll take that as a compliment."

Angel shot him a glare. "Don’t let it go to your head."

Matthew chuckled, unlocking the doors. "Too late."

Angel groaned as she got out of the car. "I regret everything."

Matthew watched her walk ahead before calling out, "See you at dinner then?"

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Angel froze, turning around with an exasperated look. "Matthew!"

Matthew just laughed, following after her.

Because, truthfully?

He knew she’d say yes.