Xavier was quietly observing Klaus' team's reaction and felt really annoyed with how they looked reluctant with the idea of Leona working with him.
"Permission to speak Sir."
"Go ahead"
" With all due respect Sir but I don't think I'm cut for this job." Leona tried to get to the point, she's tired of listening to their friendly dialogue and want to end this nonsense as quickly as possible "I'd rather have you send me to war-torn places as per usual Sir."
"Right those places suits you better, who would believe that you are newly wed when you act like an ice queen at all times." she heard Nicole mumbled in a low voice but loud enough for everyone around the oval-shaped glass table to hear, Leona just shrugged it off. It's not like she can't do the job but she refuses to do it, there is a difference between the two but of course she won't say that out loud.
"Exactly my point." Leona easily agreed which earned her a scowl from Nicole. "How about we let someone eager to do it? It would look more convincing that way."
Li Wei chuckled beside her "that's a nice comeback bruh, you should have use the word desperate tho." he whispered and Akio high-fived with him while grinning. Although they've been up to important and highly classified missions, their team still consists of the youngest elite officers that ranges from 22-24 years old and with Klaus at 27. So in reality they're still a bunch of kids who enjoy silly things sometimes, and they happened to like dissing annoying people the most.
Mr. Langley gave her a knowing look "How can you underestimate yourself like that Ms. Nian, you're in the best team for a reason."
'Yeah, my brothers.'
He had someone distribute a couple of folders over to all the persons in command present in the meeting "Now that we've personally assessed the two best candidates and hear their thoughts about the mission, the higher ups will take it from here. Mr. Wang, Mr. Chu I hope you can share with us your brilliant opinions about this matter." he closed the meeting by dismissing both teams.
"That's a good idea Mr. Langley, we'll love to stay for the final deliberation." Liu Xiang happily agreed.
Everyone started to stand from their seats and went out the conference room with different anticipations in mind, it's the waiting game now and all she can do is depend on some of the superiors hostility against her.
'Please spare me from this bullsh*t.'
Xavier was listening intently to the bantering of the superiors before him, he finds it amusing that instead of choosing between the two candidates, they are debating on why they should and shouldn't let Ms. Nian participate in this mission.
"Ms. Nian is too unruly for this complicated assignment." said one of the superiors.
"But you can't deny her contribution in operation sparrow." That statement silenced the opposing side. The room fell into an eerie silence as well, as if a sensitive topic has been brought up accidentally.
"Second brother, your woman seems to have gained quite a reputation." Liu Xiang pointed out excitedly, not minding the awkward mood and whispered to his friend."I think she's a cool person, is it too early to call her sister-in-law?"
Xavier coughed to hide the small smile on his face and decided to join in the conversation "I think it would be best if I work with someone I already know, I'm already familiar with Ms. Nian." the whole room turned quiet as they considered his opinion.
"I actually thought of that when I saw you interact with each other earlier and personally I wanted Ms. Nian on this mission but I'm sure you already noticed that she's particularly not fond of people." Mr. Langley countered.
"That's fine, she's someone in Big brother Klaus' team so I'm sure she can handle the mission well. Also brother Klaus, Liu Xiang and I used to be on the same unit, wouldn't that be like having two of this agency's best teams working on this assignment?" This time they all nodded in agreement, he knew he sealed the deal with how their facial expressions brightened.
Liu Xiang shaked his head in disbelief, how come this friend of his who's been avoiding their Big Brother for years has been praising him and giving his unit an unsolicited boost?
'My, my the things you do for love' he covered his mouth to hide the shock on his face after realizing the wildness of his imagination. 'No way, he can't possibly love her that soon! Hahahaha! I'm too imaginative!'
"And brother Xavier is also not fond of mingling with strange women and as you all witnessed he's waaaay too comfortable with Ms. Nian." Liu Xiang chimed in, winking playfully at his brother.
*****
Leona was sitting with her team in the lounge area when the news got out and she felt like punching someone in the face.
"How come?" was all she can say out of frustration.
Li Wei tapped his shoulder "It's okay we'll be around you all the time."
"Why don't you be the wife then?" she snarled which earned a laugh from her team, even her brother Klaus has a smile plastered on his face.
"Now, now calm down. You're in good hands, I know Xavier and you can trust him."
'Really? Why is it that I feel like fell into a trap?' she retorted in her mind as her gut churned after meeting the gaze of the man who just got out of the conference room with an evil smirk on his face. He gave her a meaningful look before turning his back to her.