Yours, Until Needed
Chapter 122: Hard Bargain

Chapter 122: Hard Bargain

I have long realized that I am but a mere mortal and an ant in the grand scheme of things because no one would normally hear my prayers.

But my crow’s mouth was something else. Maybe sometimes I should practice the art of choosing the lesser evil.

So that witches don’t visit as soon as I think about them.

Like this witch.

Alexa sauntered into view like she was shocked to find us in our own company.

With how she looked at us, you’d think she owned SCC and wasn’t just squatting here for one project.

"Mr. Bernard, the staff were asking for you." She smiled like an innocent employee who only knew honest work.

Yeah, sure.

Meanwhile, if my husband’s mood were the basis for the weather reports, we’d have torrential rain and thunderstorms. And maybe a hurricane, too, if these people don’t stop courting death.

Alexa even puffed up her chest while squaring her shoulders.

She was definitely posturing.

Did she think I was going to acknowledge her?

"We’d be on our way too. Have a good day."

Sorry, but I’m not about to hand you the center stage.

If you want people to know who you are, go announce that yourself.

Nicholas looked like he wanted to say something more but couldn’t meet my eyes.

I decided to wrap an arm around Lucian’s arm. We cannot just stand here and let this guy simmer until he blows up.

He was quiet the entire time, and the more he was like this, the scarier he got.

Dragging Lucian against his will was difficult, but even if I had to use all my strength, we would get out of here.

This was in the middle of a busy corridor and in front of employees of two different companies.

Those two idiots wouldn’t bother with this if they had nothing in mind.

Honestly, we would’ve been fine if it were the normal Lucian who couldn’t care less about ants. But this big baby right now had been under duress for more than a week.

"Oliver, could you get me a room and turn off the surveillance for a moment?"

Lucian could not go into the meeting in this mood, or no one would make it out alive.

We were ushered into a small meeting room as we got away from the prying eyes of our earlier audience.

"Hands. Give them here." I asked for his hands, knowing the torment he inflicted on his unsuspecting palms.

Even unclenching was difficult, and his neat nails dug into it, leaving marks all over.

I tried massaging his palms, creasing out the marks he made.

"For someone usually so snarky, you’ve managed to stay quiet."

It’s probably not praiseworthy, but for someone who has only just begun recognizing emotions, this guy was at least able to hold it in.

It’s no wonder several kids back then always ended up in brawls. Young men can get a bit too hot-headed.

"Honey, look at me and listen carefully. Survive today without killing, firing, or snarling at anyone, and then we’ll have a good bonding time at home."

His eyes narrowed into slits, and I could see his brain moving maliciously, so I decided to stop him before he asked.

"You’re also not allowed to make anyone cry unless it’s tears of joy." I raised my finger to highlight my point.

"You’re asking for too much."

"An additional round."

"3"

"2. I have work." I still love my life.

"Deal."

"I need a deposit." His eyes glinted dangerously as his fingers rubbed against mine.

"I think you’re demanding unreasonable prices."

"Then maybe it’s not too late to push forward our deadline."

I gasped. "You wouldn’t?!"

"Try me. I need to generate profits faster." He said as he inched closer.

"Capitalist asshole," I murmured before pulling him towards me with his collar.

It was a demanding but short kiss. We had a meeting to go to after all.

But his mood was a lot better than when we entered.

"Now be good and work well. We need money to play."

__

Several employees heard of our almost confrontation, and the staff assigned to meet us looked ready to cry.

"That’s not my fault. It couldn’t be counted. I haven’t done anything yet."

All I could do was sigh before smiling at the employees so they could relax a bit.

I’d leash the tiger for you guys, so go ahead and report. I’d like to tell them, but I figured there was no need.

These people didn’t need to be told; they seemed to understand.

The report went smoothly. I saw the current progress and the small changes made to accommodate the root barriers for the trees that we decided to keep.

As expected of SCC, they were great at keeping with the schedule, and this was very exciting news for all of us.

So, I thanked them for all their efforts but got even more fervent gazes in return.

"We’ll work harder, Ma’am!

"We’ll make sure we finish on time or earlier!"

I smiled at the enthusiasm of the employees and managed to breathe better as we survived that ordeal.

Now that’s done. I could go back to our office to work.

"I’ll see you later. And don’t try to cheat on me about our deal. I’ll ask Oliver."

"Hmph." I don’t need him to police me.

Yeah, no. You just need him to bail you out.

I shook my head in amusement before giving him a kiss on the cheek.

"See you later."

__

The trip to the office wasn’t long, but messages from Alyssa kept pouring in.

[Alyssa: Boss! Alexa’s throwing a fit by the bathroom stall. She didn’t know I was in there first and kept on yapping about teaching you a lesson.]

As expected, someone like her would suffer more from being ignored than from being humiliated.

There’s nothing worse for people who live for attention than to be ignored by people they deem beneath them.

[Eliana: "I figured I’d give her a little something"]

[Alyssa: But boss, do you want us to keep an eye on Nicholas too?]

[Eliana: Just watch the interaction between those two.]

Something seems a bit odd since Nicholas was the type to announce his motives instead of hiding them. It actually makes it harder to deal with because he’s the type to challenge like that.

[Alyssa: Speaking of that boss, Alexa’s been complaining about Nicholas being useless. I don’t think their partnership is that solid.]

I’m not even sure this was a partnership.

[Eliana: By the way, you’d be happy to know that our project is on schedule. Maybe soon we could visit the site so you could see the development for yourself.]

[Alyssa: That’s great, boss! If we do go, can Lara come too? That girl was a bit nutty, but I have to say she’s grown on me.]

That wasn’t surprising. I got the same vibe from Lara when I spoke to her. This girl just needs to deal with her past misdemeanors, and she’ll probably be fine.

Not bad for a friend and a contractual employee.

Maybe I should talk to Rina about it. That girl’s got animal instincts, so it’d be better to hear her opinion.