Gulping, he drew a step back and lifted both hands in surrender. "I apologise for that. I didn't… I didn't even know when I did it." He bowed his head and crossed his arms over his chest. "Please forgive this servant of yours for stepping out of line."
I glared at him, drew back a breath before I turned and started for the exit once more. "Lead the way," I said to him.
"Thank you, master!" He ran ahead of me to open the front door, while I took my time. Before I got to him, I looked back, hoping to catch a glimpse of Rex, even though I knew it wasn't possible. If she were close, I would have smelt her from a distance.
She's undoubtedly still in her room and would likely get holed up there for the entire day. "Have the maids prepare breakfast for Rex. Also, ask the cook to speak to her and list down the things she doesn't eat. And then…." I stopped by the door and looked at Jax, who had his face down. "Get more of the Lya fruits for her. She needs it if we're trying for a young one."
His head snapped up immediately. I knew he wanted to talk about the fruit, but he didn't. He just nodded. "I'll do as you asked, master," he said with a bow.
"That's it. I need everything done before I return."
He looked shocked. "Are you going alone?"
"Why? Do you wish to go with me?"
"I…" He gulped. "Aren't I the one driving you there for the meeting and —"
"I can manage." I stepped out of the door. "If you complete your task before the general shareholders' meeting, you can come over. For the one with Kevin? I'll take care of it." I smiled, and he froze.
"Oh… Okay, master!" Bowing, he closed the door and leaned on it. Even with the wood separating us, I could hear his heart thumping loudly in his chest.
'Christ! That was close!'
I smiled. Ever since he started attending church, he had started using more of that name. These 50 years alone must have made him desperate to find a solid ground in the human world.
A Christian vampire?
Never thought anything would surprise me after living for as long as I did, but Jax managed to do that.
…
It took me some minutes to understand the car I had picked. Everything has freaking changed. The car wasn't like the ones I drove before I went into that deep slumber, and by the time I got the hang of it, it was already late. That bastard must be tired waiting for me.
I half expected him to be gone by the time I arrived because if I were the one, I wouldn't even stick around if you were a minute late. However, he was there, waiting for me, impatiently checking his wristwatch every few seconds and tapping his foot on the floor.
I recognised him from the picture Jax sent to me, blonde hair that looked like a rat had feasted on it, but was called fashion by humans, and dark green eyes. He looked just like he did in the picture, aside from the frown on his face, which had replaced the smile he had for the camera.
I strode over to his table and he looked up, the frown getting pronounced before it turned into a full-blown smile.
"Mr Vaspertilio Valois?" He asked, getting to his feet instantly.
"Yeah. You must be Mr Kevin Stark?"
"Yeah, that's me." He nodded and reached his hand out for a shake.
"I'm sorry I kept you waiting. The traffic was bad and my car —"
"It's nothing, sir. I haven't even been here for up to a minute," he chuckled nervously, running his fingers through his hair when he realised I wasn't taking his hand for a shake.
'Self-entitled brat. If not for how important this collaboration with your company is, do you think I would have put up with you?' He thought in his mind, while gesturing for me to take a seat.
"You know, you don't need to hide your displeasure over my lateness," I said, taking the seat opposite him, while maintaining the fake practised smile on my lips…
He froze, just for a second, before he chuckled. "Why should I be displeased? You weren't late."
'Of course you were! I had to sit here for over an hour waiting for your entitled arse. Just wait, I'll give you a piece of my mind after the contract is signed! Just because your grandfather is a bloody tycoon, doesn't mean you get to do anything you want while riding on his fame.'
Great. The man is such a two-faced hypocrite. Breaking him down while getting revenge for Rex would be so damned entertaining.
"Oh, forgive me. I just thought you were pissed. Would have been a damned shame to cancel our cooperation because of that."
"Yeah, that's right." He joined his fingers while keeping that fake smile on his lips.
I placed the files I brought with me on the table and gestured for a barista. "A cup of black coffee, please," I ordered before focusing on the fuming man, who was cursing me and my generation in his mind.
If only he knew I could read thoughts.
"So, Mr Kevin," I began, clearing my throat, so I could sound as professional as ever, while keeping a playful front. After all, I'm acting like a spoiled rich grandson of my grandfather, who was also me. "I read that you have a fiancée."
He froze at the question. Even though it was just for three seconds, my eyes caught it. He unclenched his fists and relaxed.
"Oh, you had me investigated?"
I lifted my shoulders in a shrug. "Wouldn't cause any harm to know your business partners. So…." I placed a file on top. "How's she? When are you two planning your union? Don't get me wrong," I said before he could interrupt. "I'm just curious, not because I have an ulterior motive, I just want to know when it is so I can prepare a befitting gift for you and your pretty fiancée, who is also the CEO of… Wait, are you two joint owners of this company?"