"Can't you just reconsider it?"
Olivia sighed. She hated dealing with hardheaded people. They irked her endlessly.
"You see, Mr. Gennadi," she paused to take yet another glass of champagne from a passing waiter. "I don't usually make it a habit to go back on my words."
Gennadi shook his head. He was at his wits end on how to convince Olivia, when even pleading didn't work. "Please, I regretted what happened earlier and I've seen that she was reprimanded sternly for that."
Olivia sipped her drinks. Of course she could do what he asked, especially when it brings profit her way. And having Gennadi in her debt was something she wouldn't miss on. The question was on how much she wanted him to feel indebted.
They both knew who was on the desperate end of their bargain after all.
"Ol-"
"Olivia!"
They both turned but out of shock, Olivia was close to smashing her glass on Cedric who suddenly grabbed her arm. He was lucky that only the drink spilled.
"What the-!"
Just as fast, Carlos seized Cedric's hand off of Olivia. Stunned silence filled the place momentarily before whispers filled the hall.
Olivia took a deep, steadying breath. She noticed Vivian hovering near, giving off the aura of a mother bear. She would laugh if the situation wasn't as overbearing.
"I'm fine," she assured no one in particular.
Vivian stood beside Olivia and Carlos released Cedric before slowly made his way to Olivia. All the while, his eyed Cedric warily for another moment.
"Vee, I'm fine. Stop worrying." Olivia breathe out calmly after a short pause. When Vivian still had a fierce look on her, she directed her best glare to Vivian.
"Yes, Miss," Vivian reluctantly conceded.
"Carlos, step aside," she ordered after another pause. When he remained still, she placed a hand on his arm, and sensed how tense Carlos was.
"Carlos," she made it clear no compromise was allowed. He finally he stepped aside, but remained highly alert.
That allowed Olivia to face a clearly shocked Cedric. She realized he was not the only one with a stunned look on them. Gennadi tried to play it cool but evidently he was also surprised with what just happened.
"I apologize for my rashness just now. Please, pay us no mind," she said to the small crowd around them, with a smile that demand it forgotten.
Murmurs of responses came promptly. Olivia said her thanks dismissively before turning to Cedric with a stern face.
"So. What do you need me for?" She may had spoken with elegance, but her face was telling its own separate story.
Luckily, besides the five of them, no one was making it too obvious they were eavesdropping.
While it was evident Cedric seemed to realise his mistakes, Olivia couldn't care less. He had cross a line too far in just a night.
"You pulled me with such urgency," she said as she moved closer to Cedric, "without so much as a warning," with only a step separated them then, "so I expect it to be of a serious matter."
They stood so close Cedric could see the blaze dancing furiously in her eyes. He steeled his resolve, squaring himself against anything Olivia was going to send his way, he almost looked like a man marching to his demise.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to surprise you." He searched her eyes for a glint of forgiveness.
And he found none.
"I was just glad to finally found you," regret rang in his voice for all to hear.
Olivia didn't reply. She simply leveled her gaze with his. She was angry. Furious even. In her eyes, he appeared no more significant than a crushable insect despite his bigger and taller built. And she was very, very close to do what she would to such creatures.
Crush them.
"Miss, don't," Carlos warned her. His voice was soft enough that only she could hear it.
As if on cue, Vivian also stepped forward to whisper calming and assuring words to her. "Please Miss, now is not the best time to make a rash decision. You might come to regret it later. Please."
Olivia took a breath in, and stepped back. Envisioning the possible consequences was enough to reign herself in. "Very well."
All of then almost let out a breath of relief.
Almost.
"But another outrageous stunt from you, Mr. Faust," her low voice carried a frightening note to it. The promise of what to come in her next word were undeniable. "I will no longer tolerate it."
When she was sure her message was clearly conveyed, she turned around sharply and marched away. Eventually Gennadi played it safe and was smart enough to not approach her again.
Carlos and Vivian exchanged an uneasy glances. A normal Olivia that was having one of her temper was far better than a silently raging Olivia. There was no way to know what she would pull next, and they couldn't hide their anxiousness.
As if to proof that it was not the end of her increasingly horrible night, Olivia walked straight into the Roswalds —a distant family on her mother's side.
Carlos was relieved that at least the older son was nowhere in sight.
Just my luck, she seethed out silently. Unless she planned to make it obvious she was avoiding them, there's no choice but to greet them.
Olivia did have her manners after all, so she wasn't about to blatantly avoid them. But nothing could disguise her annoyance.
"Hello, Roswalds."
Her aunt threw her a disgusted glance. Her uncle stepped forward and extended a hand with a smile. "Haughty as usual, Queneviere."
"And you're still your disdainful self, but I'm not complaining am I?" She displayed a matching smile and took his hand to shake.
Last she saw them, they were being a spectacular pain in her neck. She hoped at that time it would turn slightly better the next time they meet bu as usual, her prayers went unanswered.
She nodded at Misha and was ready to excuse herself away when her aunt said something incoherent to her ears. "You saying something?"
She could see the urge to choke herself from her aunt's eyes. Olivia couldn't help a stray, cheerful smile. That only darkened the look she received.
Which in turn made her much more elated.
"Mother was saying that you weren't anywhere earlier so we assumed you weren't attending." Misha stepped up, relaying a polite version of the original statement.
"Huh," her aunt disguised a snort. "What's the use of speaking with manners in front of that girl," she said loud enough for Olivia to hear. "She must have come with that dog of hers."
Olivia twitched. No one get away with badmouthing her people. No matter who they were. But instead of snapping off, she put on her most brilliantly captivating smile.
"Glad to disappoint you then. Today I'm simply a partner to someone else." She said sweetly enough to make others nauseous.
"And who might that be?" Her uncle asked with interest.
Olivia shrugged. "Let's keep it a secret. Meanwhile, my trusted and loyal employee, Carlos, is here with another one of mine, under my instruction to grab hold of new investors and, well, 'clients'."
The way she said it was as if she asked Carlos to go buy her a cup of coffee.
They stared at her wide mouth. She could probably laugh her eyes dry from their expressions. Misha on the other hand looked half-mortified at the exchange.
Just as she decided to grate their nerves more, Carlos came to her. He had been keeping his distance ever since her uncle greeted her. "Miss Olivia, Mr Kingsley was searching for you."
Carlos purposely said it loud enough for those around them to hear it, and Olivia noticed it. She turned to see Gein standing near Vivian.
When he noticed her eyes on him, he raised his glass. He also had on an unreadable expression. "What does he want?"
"I wasn't told."
Olivia raised her brow. Weird. But that might be the chance she needed to get out before hands flew and all act of civilization vanished. "Sure. I'll be there."
Carlos retreated. She turned to her uncle. "It seems my partner needs me. I'll excuse myself first."
Without so much as a nod, she turned to walk away. However, to reach Gein, she needed to pass her aunts. What other choice did she have besides making use of it to her fullest?
None.
"Oh right, I forgot to mention," she said as she passed her aunt. "The one you called 'dog' had just made a clean 2 million profit not long ago. Which, half of it was handed to me." With a snigger, she added, "Seems like even a dog is way better than you."
Having said that, she walked away in the most exaggerated boastful manner.
Although it didn't last long.
She resumed her normal stride after a few steps away, trying not to laugh like a looney.
"I'd like to hear the reason for your euphoric mood, but seeing their face, I assumed they were the cause?"
Olivia nodded. She took Gein extended hand. "I'll tell you later."
Gein smiled. He couldn't help wondering just what had she done. Before they walked away, she stopped to ask. "Do they looked that bad? How do they even look right now?"
Gein paused. He slightly angled his body to have a better view. "Hmm... The lady looked like she just chocked on a rather chunky bone, or similarly. The man looked slightly less bewildered, although a kitten could pass through his mouth now. And the girl looked troubled... Is she holding back a laugh?"
Olivia laughed, a hearty and lilting sound. She turned more than a few heads in their direction. Even Gein had to admit he had grown fond of the sound.
"Marvellous! I wish I could see it myself but I'll make do with your words," she said with traces of her laugh.
"I hope you keep your words. I really wondered now what have you said to them."
"I will. But not now," she said with a twinkle of mischief in her eyes.