•Seth•

So far so good, slivers of doubt and regret have filled my mind. The longer Maxine sits in that chair, sporting a challenging look in her eyes, the more I grow irritated. I start to wonder if I did the right thing by choosing to make the contract with her. I do my best to hide my reservations as I stare at her in a subtle manner.

“And everything is set for tomorrow?” I ask, wanting everything to go as smoothly as possible.

“Yes. Everything is prepared.” Levi says with utmost certainty. 

“Okay.” I nod, a bit of satisfaction welling up in my chest.

 If everything goes as planned, the inheritance would be mine in a little over a year from now. Maxine would probably be wherever the hell she wanted to be, no longer my problem. I try not to watch as she plays with one of the braids on her hair with a single finger. Her lips are pulled into a frown as she seems to be focused on her phone.

“Thanks for your hard work, Levi.” Maxine says out of the blue which pulls me out of my thoughts. She has a sickly sweet smile on her face as she looks at Levi. Levi chuckles to himself, trying to hide his boyish grin. I feel one of my eyebrows twitching. This woman would not make me lose my cool. I refuse to allow that.

“It's nothing really.” Levi says.

I clear my throat and send a glare at Levi. He quickly looks to the side in a bid to avoid the look on my face. I look at Maxine who is staring at me like I'm some dictator.

“Well since we've already finalized and decided everything for today, I think you should be taking your leave now. Don't you think so?” I make every single word as sarcastic as I can.

The unamused expression on her face threatens to raise the corners of my lips but I control it. I watch the clocks working in her mind, knowing fully well she's thinking of a retort of her own.

“What exactly are you saying?” A small smirk is on her lips.

“Alright, I'll rephrase my sentence. Get the fuck out of my office.” I don't bother mincing my words. I feel a small sense of victory when the smirk drops from her face. She sighs and gets up, preparing to take her leave.

“Just so you know.” She looks me straight in the eye. “You can't tell me that when I become your wife. I hope you're prepared to be a husband, Mr. Rowan." 

This time, it's my smirk that drops into an irritated expression. She sends me a wink before making her way towards the door. Just as she's about to open the door she pauses again. I wonder what thought is going through her head.

“Hey Levi. You have my number right?” She asks, a grin plastered on her face.

“Yes?” Levi answers, sounding unsure.

“Call me. I have a few things I wish to discuss with you.” She says with a smile before shutting the door behind her.

I narrowed my eyes at the door even after it was shut as if my glare could penetrate through the door and reach Maxine. I hear Levi chuckle and my head immediately snaps towards him. He quickly stops laughing and turns his head the other way, still trying to suppress his laughter.

“Laugh again and you're fired.” I threaten. I purposely ignore the small wheeze that escapes Levi's mouth after that statement.

“I'm sorry. It's just that both of you already act like a couple.” He doesn't bother hiding his laugh this time.

I send him an unamused look. “Why would you even think that?”

Levi shrugs, a smile still resting on his face. I shake my head and take a quick glance at my watch. I don't have time to entertain Levi's shenanigans.

“Go back to your cubicle before I fire you.” I say, not sparing Levi a glance.

“Alright boss.” He walks towards the door.

“Wait.” I call out to Levi stopping him in his tracks. He turns to me, with a look of confusion and attentiveness on his face.

“If you even think of calling Maxine, I'll fire you and then I'll kill you.” I say all this not still meeting Levi's eyes because I don't want to see the expression he'll sport.

“You're the boss.” I can hear the smugness in his tone. That good for nothing. I'll deal with him later. Right now, I have work that needs attending to. Over the rest of the day, I pour myself into my work. 

I am so deeply immersed in my work that I don't realize I have an incoming call until after the third ring. I see the caller ID and my mood dissipates almost immediately. My fists tighten so hard around the phone that it threatens to break it. I take a deep breath before declining the call.

I put the phone aside and try to concentrate on my work. I feel a vein pop out the side of my forehead when the phone rings again. I take a quick glance at the caller ID and decline the call again. Not even a second later, the same person calls again and I am filled with the urge to chuck my phone against the wall. I make up my mind to answer the call and get it over with.

“Is it a crime that I want to call my baby brother?” The sly bastard doesn't waste any time immediately I pick the call.

“What do you want, Tristan?” I ask, under gritted teeth.

“Not much. Just managing the company and all its shares is all. What have you been up to?” He asks.

“Nothing of concern to you.” I answer sharply.

“Oh well. Just wanted to let you know Samuel called. We talked for a while and caught up. You know.” The smugness in his tone is blatantly obvious. I don't bother controlling the swelling rage in my chest anymore.

“Fuck you.” I say into the phone before ending the call and switching up airplane mode. I am definitely drinking myself to sleep today.