Chapter Seventeen Zola
Chapter Seventeen
Zola
Zola had just explained to Darren and Ethan in microscopic detail how she’d set up The Dicktionary Club website using data from mainstream dating apps, and how she hoped to do something similar with the American app they were creating.
Darren had agreed throughout, encouraging Zola to continue her speech while Ethan listened, fidgeting in his seat, looking bored and uncomfortable.
‘Any questions?’ Zola asked as she finished up and turned to the two men.
‘All good with me. We own a percentage of most dating apps here, so it should be easy enough to transfer data,’ Darren replied.
‘Amazing!’ Zola smiled. ‘And Ethan, anything you would like to add?’
Ethan’s handsome face and chiselled jaw lowered. ‘I was curious about where you went to school?’
‘Ethan . . .’ Darren warned him.
Zola swung her head between both men, unaware of any underlying issue that Ethan might be aiming at.
‘Or specifically, what your IQ is?’ he continued.
‘Ethan, please, stop already,’ Darren warned more sternly this time.
‘What? I like to know who I’m working with, Darren!’
‘Why? We work for Jimmy, and Jimmy has brought Zola on,’ Darren said in a huff. ‘That should be enough of an endorsement for you.’
‘No, no, hey, it’s fine,’ Zola interjected. ‘I went to a school in London, uni in London too. Then I worked in Glasgow for the past few years. I can send you my certificates if you like?’ Zola grinned, slightly teasing, but also proud, knowing she’d graduated with top grades.
‘And your IQ?’ Ethan asked again.
‘Err . . . Honestly, I have no idea.’ Zola held her hands up, baffled. ‘I’m happy to find out if it makes working with me any easier?’
‘I will email you a regulatory test tonight,’ Ethan said, totally deadpan.
‘OK. Sure! Can we get to work now?’ Zola asked.
‘I’d love to.’ Darren shuffled his chair up towards Zola, while Ethan sat across the room and popped on industrial-looking ear-defender headphones.
Zola let out a small sigh as the room fell silent.
‘I’m sorry about him,’ Darren said softly. ‘He is . . . unique.’
Zola smiled. ‘That’s a polite way of saying rude.’
Darren smirked, pushing a notepad of passwords towards Zola to help her log in to the server.
‘Look, Ethan is a complete genius but can come across as a bit of an ass, especially with new people. He likes routine, which means if anyone new comes into this office, he freaks. Not even Jimmy sets foot in here. This is a big change for him. Me going off on paternity is a big change too. I guess what I’m saying is to be patient.
Ethan knows what he’s doing and is honestly the best in the city at this stuff. ’
‘Got it.’ Zola lifted the notebook, ready to get to work, then peered back at Ethan.
He was already wholly captivated by his computer, fingers flowing over the keyboard, his bright green eyes focused on the screen.
She brought out her phone, thinking of Curtis and really feeling for the first time that she missed home.
Zola: Morning! Or whatever time you’re on back home. Sorry I was cranky yesterday, think I am homesick already! You OK? Xx