Vol. 5 ITRG Volume 5 Chapter 4.2

Just when Aeroc thought this man was getting away with being a lunatic, the a.s.shole fired an unnecessary confirmation shot. His offensive att.i.tude was always the same. Only today, he didnt even bother to pretend to be professional. Aeroc started to become very irritated. There wouldnt be another guy who can p.i.s.s him off from the moment you meet him face-to-face and exchange a couple of words. A part of him wanted to throw Bend.y.k.e out right then and there, but Aeroc had no choice but to have him here. Aeroc took a deep breath to calm his irritation and handed Bend.y.k.e the contract and a stack of solicitation letters from the company.

This is for today.

Sitting down on the couch, Bend.y.k.e took the papers as if they were a treat and quickly scanned through the dozens of pages. Even though he tried not to, Aeroc found himself looking at the other persons reaction.

The cold man flipped through the first few pages absentmindedly, his coolly straight eyebrows arched slightly. Then he snorted at the next pages. His eyes flicked to Aeroc, and one corner of his mouth quirked up. It was clear that he was sneering. Trying to ignore the heat rising in his face, Aeroc looked the other way and lifted his teacup.

Bend.y.k.e grew graver by the minute, until the financial manager candidate eventually let out a low groan when he saw the conclusive letter that forced Aeroc to admit his incompetence in financial matters. He put down the other papers and read it twice over. He stroked his chin with his hand, then rubbed his lower lip with his long index finger.

The silent response stiffened an otherwise tense atmosphere. This was no time for leisurely sipping tea. Eventually, Aeroc spoke first.

If possible, Id prefer to settle this with the income from the estate, so give me your advice. I mean, Mr. Bend.y.k.e.

Aeroc said with a straight face and the bare minimum of politeness.

Pfft.

Bend.y.k.e sneered at his words. It was more like he was laughing at the ridiculousness of this than enjoying mocking Aeroc. To have ones intellect insulted, or ones stupidity exposed, was more humiliating to the stomach than an open insult. Aeroc could not bear to show his flushed face. He set the teacup down and went to the window. Hed like to believe he was acting natural, but he knew that was impossible. The stare at the back of his head stung. The b.a.s.t.a.r.d was thoroughly enjoying Aerocs embarra.s.sment.

So?

Aeroc jerked back at the question that flew out of Bend.y.k.es mouth.

What?

So whats the actual matter?

Aeroc had shown his embarra.s.sment long enough. He didnt know why Bend.y.k.e was repeating his question.

Thats the matter.

No. Thats the problem, and the matter is, what are you willing to pay for me to solve that problem?

Can you solve it?

It seemed like such a serious problem, and Aeroc couldnt see a way to solve it, he had just invited the most unwanted person into the estate. Aerocs heart leaped with honest joy at the mention of a solution, and then Bend.y.k.e threw him a crafty glare.

Realizing he had acted like a child, Aeroc coughed and returned to his expressionless face.

Ill pay your fee, no matter how much it is.

No matter how high a financial managers fee was, it was the salary of a mere hireling. It was nothing a Counts income couldnt cover, and Aeroc knew this. His arrogant opponents tightly closed lips twitched slightly, his eyes like a wolf staring down its prey.

There was a tension in the air unlike anything Aeroc had ever seen. His fur stood on end. He had no desire to know what the lunatic would demand in return. Aeroc struck before he could bulls.h.i.+t.

A hundred, two hundred, or three hundred?

He called out a sum that could buy a few pieces of art at his favorite museum. It was more than Hugos weekly paycheck. Aeroc thought that would be enough, and Bend.y.k.e just wiggled his eyebrows.

Is that not enough? I cant give you more than five hundred. The income from the estate pays the weekly wages of the estates employees and covers social events. And.

Just as Aeroc was about to give an excuse for not being able to give more, Bend.y.k.e interrupted him again.

And youve got new paintings to buy, musical instruments to collect. If you dont have statues yet, its because you havent found a place to put them in the estate. With a little tr.i.m.m.i.n.g here and there of the overgrown rose garden, you could put marble statues everywhere.

Ah, thats a great idea. Why didnt I think of that? Im going to hold a summer soire in the rose garden, so I might as well buy a few to decorate before then.

The unexpected suggestion made Aeroc think of a few statues hed been eyeing. As he pondered, a shadow suddenly fell over him. He looked up to see Bend.y.k.e, who had come close to him, trapping Aeroc in his arms again.

Thud.

He backed away, hesitantly, and the gla.s.s. .h.i.t his back. Aeroc stared up at his opponent, eyes wide. Bend.y.k.e was a man of great length and stature, enough to surprise anyone. Aeroc was by no means small by usual standards, but he seemed like a child compared to his opponent. Bend.y.k.e knew how to use his overwhelming size to his advantage, closing the gap with the ease of a predator backing its prey into a corner.

Why had he been here alone? He should have called for Hugo, or at least one of the maids, Aeroc belatedly regretted. But it was too late. His heart was beating wildly. It felt like it was going to crack his ribs and pop out. The sound of the alphas snarl shook him out of his reverie. Stepping back, unable to find s.p.a.ce, Aeroc stood on his tiptoes and felt the cold window sill against his b.u.t.t.

Bend.y.k.e lifted his arm and gripped the gla.s.s pane with his hand. Leaning closer, he whispered in a low voice.

I didnt ask you how much youd pay. I asked you what youd pay.

What?

I dont want money.

Then, a land?

I can obtain that without the help of a Count.

Then our deal for today is off.

Aeroc quickly concluded. He could sell a few paintings and buy it back when hes better off. Or mortgage them. He knew a few people who could provide the cash. However, Bend.y.k.e didnt seem to give up on their negotiations. He turned to Aeroc.

If you show your problem to anyone else, youll just get rejected.

Suddenly, Aeroc remembered what hed heard before.

So youre the one whos been spreading rumors about me hiring you.

As expected, this man was the one who made all the other financial managers turn him down. Aeroc wanted to vent his frustration. He knew he was at a physical disadvantage, so he tried to at least point a finger and say something mean and accusatory. But it was all in the wind. Bend.y.k.e didnt give him the time to do so.

Thats a misunderstanding. I didnt do that, its the meddlesome old man.

Dont blame others. Youre the one who knew there was a misunderstanding and didnt correct it.

Well, thats true.

With that, Bend.y.k.e continued to push closer towards Aeroc. Aerocs upper body was better positioned against the window, but his lower body was no match for it. It was hard to tell if the heat on his thighs was his own or his opponents.

But its also true that its a problem that only I can solve, because these fraudulent contracts cant be solved with just a pen and tongue.

If not a pen and tongue, then a lawsuit? No, he definitely meant not through the legal way. It was the kind of thing only a lunatic would do, and if that were the case, then Bend.y.k.e was right, only he could solve it. If it was a violent and inhumane solution, the fee would be just as violent and inhumane.

So what do you want?

Count, I want something that only you can pay for.

Though he hadnt experienced it beforehand, Aeroc wasnt unaware of the implications of those words. Aeroc was no fool. No, he was a fool himself. This man was shrewdly ambitious from the first time they met. It was just a matter of whether or not he expressed it in a violent way. He always only had one goal. d.a.m.n it.

Conflict, both within and outside his body, raged through Aeroc. The blade-like bridge of Bend.y.k.es nose brushed against his pale cheeks. A thick arm wrapped around his waist like a rope tying the center mast of a sailboat. At the same time, a skinny hand wrapped around Aerocs neck and chin. The others palm was burning hot.

Im an alpha.

Thats great.

With the simple answer, the demon bringing misfortune shattered Aerocs s.h.i.+eld of providence. This man had no morals, no ethics, and no benevolence.

Its bad enough that youre a rude lunatic, but youre also a pervert with an abnormal s.e.xual desire. What a waste of a handsome face.

Do you like my face?

I didnt say that.

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