Yours, Until Needed
Chapter 61: Burden

Chapter 61: Burden

I rested and got smothered with Lucian’s version of "care." Which meant round-the-clock supervision and on-the-dot drinking of medicines. And I eventually got better.

After two more days, that is. And it wasn’t even a perfect cure; it was just me being able to breathe through my nose.

This meant a delay in what I actually had to do. There were places to be and documents that wouldn’t approve themselves.

So when I talked to Rina, who nearly talked my ear off about how we signed a pact and could not die without notifying each other of impending doom, I learned I had much less work than expected.

Huh?

"How come there’s much less things to do? Did we scrap some things that I didn’t know about? Or did you perform some miracles?" I couldn’t help but ask her over the phone.

"No. But your ’hubby’ did." Rina sounded annoyed at this.

"What do you even mean? And what ’hubby’?"

"Do you have more than one husband I don’t know about?! Of course, it’s that demon incarnate."

"Are you telling me that Lucian did my work?"

I looked at the door to the study as if doing so would grant me X-ray vision, allowing me to see Lucian, who had stayed home instead of going to work on a Monday.

"Yeah. He reviewed the proposals and costings and started securing the necessary preliminary permits."

"I’m seeing an inspection result for Mom’s building. Did he do that too?"

"Talked to your Mom about it too. I had to deal with him for the three days you were out of commission, and let’s just say how much I admire Oliver’s strong determination to live."

I had to laugh because I could already tell. Oliver looked like he’d always barely escaped some warzone, and Rina was not even used to working with Lucian like this.

So she must have had a "fun" time.

"Did you manage to finish more tasks, though?" I chuckled as I asked, knowing what the answer would be.

"Ha! You’re laughing because it’s not you who aged 10 years in three days! Don’t you dare get sick again, or we’ll both be bedridden!"

I don’t even have to see her to imagine what she looked like right now.

"Fine, fine. I’ll talk to him about the formal contract. It’s well known that you guys have a dedicated team for family projects, but it’s still better to ask first."

"Go get us some freebies. We’re poor. At least shake what your mama gave you!" Rina screamed her final instructions before hanging up.

I knocked on the study’s door but didn’t go in immediately. I noticed I had forgotten my indoor slippers and would probably get warned again, so I ran to save myself from getting another earful.

But the delay did not escape Lucian, who judged me from head to toe when I went in.

"Sign the insurance policies. It seems like we still need those." I scowled at him until I remembered his recent contribution to my work.

I scoffed at him but still signed. Anyone would’ve been angry to be spoken to like that, but if they had read the policies, it would have been evident that he was signing off way more than I was.

"I’ll let you off because you helped with my work. Thank you."

"If you were delayed, you’d delay my schedule, too, as the general contractor," Lucian responded, still glued to his document.

"Speaking of which, I saw the inspection report for Mom’s building, which we hoped to use as our office space. Is it possible to hire you for the renovation?"

He looked up at me but said nothing, so I added, "If you’re already fully booked, a recommendation for another reliable firm would be good."

"I’m going to do it."

I cocked an eyebrow waiting for the shoe to drop. That look tells me that something’s up.

"You’re attending that Construction Summit too."

His face darkened so severely that there was really no room for further rejection. And I did get him tangled up in that, so I couldn’t just betray my conscience.

"Why are you so averse to that summit to begin with?" A question that had an obvious answer for anyone who knew of Lucian’s personality.

I moved towards his desk, leaning my weight against it.

"It’s useless and very inefficient." He said. Both things bothered someone like Lucian, who lived rigidly.

"Or is it because it’s open to the public?"

Lucian glared at me, and it’s obvious that he’s bothered by that.

"Your popularity exploded when you attended your first Summit as an official member of SCC. You could’ve started a media career right then and there."

"Then you do it if you’re that interested. I wouldn’t have had to attend if not for your project."

Yes, I should appease this guy, just this time. He had to suffer through everything that annoyed him because of us.

So I walked over to his side and squeezed his cheeks with my palms while smothering butterfly kisses all over his face.

He was more annoyed and tried swatting me away, but I just laughed it off.

"Don’t infect me with your virus."

"What do you know? Maybe if you can feign having a cold, you’ll be able to wear a face mask the entire time!" I laughed even harder.

Lucian’s handsome face looked harmless when squeezed like this.

"Sorry, dear husband, but your sacrifices will never be forgotten. In fact, I shall attend with you and vanquish your avid stalkers."

I assured him while trying to look serious.

"Or you’ll get me killed earlier than expected. Now that you’re done with your Master’s, you can’t shirk your responsibilities with Foundation Tools."

"So you’ve long known that I have to go! Then why ask for something you know I’ll have to do?"

"What else could you pay me with? With your frailness, I couldn’t even expect a home-cooked meal from you."

"Wow. Harsh words, much?"

"Say that when I stop having to do everything for you."

I would’ve loved to defend my honor, but right now, he’s right. I even went here to ask for a renovation. Some would say I don’t value my life, trying to get so many favors from Lucian for nothing.

"Instead of saying this and that, why not just tell me what you want from me?" I poke his nose with my finger.

If he closes the deal with JG for the Windham project, I will have essentially fulfilled his first goal.

So now what? What could I even offer to someone who’s got it all?

"Just stop being burdensome." He said, his eyes rather serious, and I guess this is no joking matter this time.

My brain lagged for a bit as I tried to process what he said, and when I did, I suddenly felt a stinging sensation.

Ouch.

I can tell it’s been difficult for him, but still, being told outright stung. So I withdrew my hands from him, unconsciously fixing my bearings.

But I still smile when I respond, "No problem. I could do that."

I’m well-versed in acting like a ghost.

A very efficient one, too.