ARGON
I can’t believe she saw me crying in my father’s room. It feels so embarrassing knowing she was watching all along.
“Damn!” I rubbed my face, hoping to wipe that feeling of cringe from my system. But I’d be deceiving myself if I think it’s that easy.
“At least she was the only one that saw me. If my servants had seen me, it would’ve been humiliating.”
I sighed, leaning against the wall in my bedroom with my mind on Brielle.
She thinks I’m only angry with the decision she made at Sir Derek’s office, but I’m fuming over the fact that she stopped to talk to Damien.
That madman was outside the building, patiently waiting for the right moment to speak with Brielle. And I know it was to woo her over to his side.
“He’s lucky I didn’t slam his face with a punch. He thinks everything can be gotten easily!” I groaned over this, taking my thoughts to the task on ground.
“We don’t have much time anymore, now that Damien is taking up the task as well. He promised Sir Derek he’d be done before this week ends. I need to beat him at his own game,” I planned, now pacing about in my room, thinking of how to carry out this work with the few number of people at the factory.
I lost a lot of workers due to that incident. Only thirty percent are left.
“What can I do?” I pondered on.
Just then, a knock came on my door. My heart had skipped right up to my throat, thinking it was Brielle who was outside my room.
But when I heard the voice…
“Alpha, it’s Jerome.” I felt calm.
“Come in,” I permitted my beta, who came into my room to find me pacing about in thoughts.
As it turns out, he was here to talk about the work and the number of workers we had left.
He read my mind.
“We can’t really make all those goods within this week with that number. We need more hands, ” He pointed out.
“But those hands would need money once the work is done. What if Damien ends up beating or cheating us just to win that spot? How are we going to pay?”
I asked my Beta, and he seemed to be lost in his thoughts immediately.
Just then, I took my mind to Brielle and wondered what she’d do in this situation. After her boldness at the company and at Sir Derek’s office, all her words seems to be right in my head.
“What would Brielle do in this situation?” I asked, scrubbing my chin.
“Brielle? You’re… You’re trying to think from her angle?” Jerome asked, looking surprised at my sudden move.
I shrugged at him and asked, “Is there a problem with that? ”
“Um… It’s not a problem, but I wasn’t expecting you to think from her perspective.”
“Well, I am now. Lately, all the things she does are… Smart,” I pointed, nodding at my own observation.
My Beta lifted his brow in amusement. He must find this funny.
“Yeah, and… I know if she was standing here with us, she would have suggested that we work with the numbers on ground. Then gradually, we’ll get more if it’s needed, ” I said, believing myself.
But Jerome doubted it, seeing it as me just assuming Brielle’s thoughts.
“Alpha, that won’t work. We need more hands to make this job happen. If we want to beat King Damien, we have to act now.”
“Um… Well… How about we meet Brielle and find out what she thinks about this.”
“Wait, seriously? You want to take orders from her first? ” My beta was astonished.
Probably he finds this idea cringe, tobbe meeting Brielle of all people for a solution.
If he knows how troubled I am feeling with all these matters, he wouldn’t be stressing me like this. At this point, the only person I feel can help in this problem is Brielle.
I confirmed, making my way out of the room. Jerome followed from behind, trying to make me think of my decision.
To him, Brielle might support his words and tell us to get more hands, but for me… I just wanted to hear from her and do as she pleases.
Getting down the staircase, I asked for Brielle’s whereabouts from a maid, who immediately pointed to the dining room.
“She’s having her lunch.”
“Thank you, ” I said, walking towards the room.
When Jerome and I got there, we met Brielle eating, all alone. Her maid wasn’t with her. She just sat there, munching down on her food.
Her eyes soon fell on us, causing her to pause.
When Jerome and I drew closer to her, my beta took the lead, asking about Brielle’s take on the case.
“Don’t you think it’s best if we get more workers to join us?” He asked.
But to his surprise, Brielle asked, ” What happened to the workers on ground? Aren’t they capable enough?”
“Um… They…” Jerome froze in his spot, unable to answer Brielle.
“Getting more hands isn’t bad, but at this point, with the low budget on ground, I saw we should start with the numbers down. Gradually, we’ll get more workers.”
“Yes!” I cheered unexpectedly, feeling glad that Brielle actually supports my plan.
My sudden cheer got her dimming her eyes at me, wiping off the excitement all over my face. I gave a smile and said, “That’s exactly what I was saying. The workers on ground can carry out the taks first.”
“Hmm. Okay. That’s fine.” She shrugged at me.
That made me happy. We’re both on the same page.
“In fact, we should start this night,” Brielle said, crossing her legs and pointing at my beta. “Jerome, inform the workers. Let them know there’ll be a lot of work tonight. If we want to bag this contract, then we have to start fast, ” She decided.
When she made this plan, my Beta took a look at me, waiting for my response. I just nodded and said to him, ” Carry on. We don’t have much time.”
“O… Kay, ” He answered, looking amused at my behavior.
Jerome left the room, leaving Brielle and I alone. I faced her and noticed she had resume with her meal. All her attentions were on the food. She didn’t bother to look my way.
Now I didn’t know if I should sit down with her or also leave the dining to start preparation for the work.
I was confused.
“Do you need something?” Brielle’s voice came in. I didn’t realize I had zone out unknowingly, until she spoke, bringing me back to my senses.
When I saw her gazing at me, waiting for my response, my mouth came drawing down, looking for what to say.
“Are you hungry?” She asked, pointing at her meal.
“No, I’m…” I chuckled, rubbing my face. “Not really. I was thinking of something.”
“Like what?”
“Like…” I paused, staring at her again.
Her innocent eyes shimmered at me, as she tilted her head to the side hovering her gaze at me.
I almost lost my voice again, but I finally found it and asked Brielle, “Will you be coming down to the factory with us? I mean… Since you’re going to be joining us in the work, I wanted to know if…”
“Yes, I will,” She answered immediately, cutting me halfway.
Her response was a delight to me.
“I did say I’ll be there until this job is over, so I’m coming.”
“That’s good. I’ll… I mean… We…” I stammered, feeling silly at the moment. I wanted to say something else, but the words kept hanging in my throat.
When Brielle saw this, she gave a smile and told me to relax and get myself ready. “Everything will be fine, ” She assured me.
Who am I to object that?
These days, her presence brings comfort to my soul. I no longer feel scared, knowing she’s here.
Maybe it’s due to the fact that she intervened in my darkest hour and saved my life.
Why won’t I listen to her words?
I did as Brielle said and left her in peace. When the evening came, we were set to leave for the factory.
Brielle had gotten herself dressed in one of her old dresses, putting on a sweater to shield herself from the cold. I didn’t care much about myself but about her well being.
She’s going to be spending the night at the factory for the first time ever.
“Are you sure you’re good to go? ” I asked Brielle while exiting the mansion.
She looked at me and smirked out. “Argon, I am fine. Quit worrying about me and think of the company’s future,” She said, smiling.
My face came flushing at her response. I should have seen that coming after all.
She always have a nasty response to any question thrown at her.
Together, we got into the car and drove out from the premises. On our way, I texted my guards, who had taken their position at the factory, to know what the situation was.
“No trace of Lycans. That’s good,” I read the reply from one of my guards, before keeping my phone back in my pocket.
“Everything will go well. I’m going to win that contract with Sir Derek,” I believed.