Duke looked at the wide wall. "I think they'd cover it up. After all, companies like this would love surprises to show people. You should also think of the contraptions you'll use. They still needed to build those since we didn't bring yours."
The other person leaned against Duke in secret. "Actually, I want to ask Mr. Reeva if he could pick those up from the workshop. They were made to be transported, too. The guys in the capital might not get the parts right. I don't want an accident to happen, especially if it involves me."
"All right, that's easy to arrange." Duke chuckled, spotting the receptionist who was secretly looking at them. They were getting too close, and it might bring discomfort to others. There was also this possibility that the receptionist recognized Rowan as Scott's ex-boyfriend. Seeing Rowan get cozy with another man might look strange to them.
"After I receive the reports, can we grab some lunch together?" Rowan smiled as he marked another swatch as if he finished choosing colors. "I will place purchase orders as well, so everything will be ready in a few days. I also want to come up with a sketch for Mr. Reeva to see."
Duke nodded at the plans Rowan was drawing in the air. After all, he saw how the people in the reception were suddenly clearing out the place. It was immaculate, but they still cleaned around as if someone would catch the smallest hints of dirtiness. Someone of high standing must have arrived.
The glass doors opened behind them, and the employees readied to greet him in case he walked close to them. After all, this CEO was too prissy. When he was just a VP, he didn't even come to the company all that much because he found the employees and the building inferior to what he liked.
Since Rowan was only watching the people taking measurements, he cared too little about the arriving boss. It was just that the boss actually stood in the middle of the reception lobby… and stared straight at Rowan. Feeling the weight of his gaze, Rowan glanced in the direction of the man.
"…how small has the capital become…?" Rowan murmured for only Duke to hear. "Why do I keep on running into him everywhere I went?"
"I have a feeling that he's chasing you around instead." Duke giggled behind a hand, uncaring if it looked disrespectable to the man looking at them. He also saw how Rowan turned away from the man and took out the swatches again. "That could be sharp enough to cut one's throat. Are you going to try it out?"
Rowan switched to the color closest to blood red. "Fortunately for him, I don't want to go to jail because of him. I'll just get rid of him in some other place, not where people could see me."
Duke curled his lips at those words. However, he wondered if Rowan would surely be able to get that done if he was given a chance.
"I didn't realize that the building accepts sightseers today." The boss walked toward Rowan and Duke. He turned to find what Rowan was looking at, only glaring at the jarringly vacant cream wall. "What's so interesting about the wall? You may feel like an artist now, but it's stupid for you to see something transcendent or divine on a bare thing."
Rowan only glanced at the man. What was he talking about?
"He does see something transcendent and divine," Duke answered for Rowan, moving his head to meet Scott's gaze. "However, it is yet to show up for a common man's eyes to see. Give it three weeks or longer. After all, miracles take time to form."
"Three weeks? What kind of miracle can you do in three weeks?" Scott only scoffed before looking at the employees sneaking glances at them. "Does that mean you're the one Uncle hired to fix the bareness of the reception lobby? And I was expecting a true professional."
Rowan just pocketed the swatches and turned away, walking away by stepping in front of Duke first. After all, Duke's arm was on him. He didn't want to get close to Scott, either. For some reason, Rowan decided not to argue. They were on Scott's home turf; everyone would be on Scott's side if an altercation happened. As for the insults…
Duke only let Rowan leave. A strange smile was on his lips when he watched the painter vanish behind the glass doors. He then turned to Scott who followed Rowan with his gaze as well. "The dead painter made a comeback, and you still behave like he is the person you lost three years ago?"
"Don't talk to me like you have the right." Scott only turned his nose up at Duke. "He's only with you because he has no choice. What kind of achievement can he attain merely because he stayed with you?"
"That's right. There's not much he can become just because he's with me." Duke, however, laughed in the face of Scott's provocation. Even the CEO didn't see his reaction coming. The doctor then turned around to leave, but he first patted Scott's shoulder as if they were friends. "It was you who turned him into a haunting ghost and a cold-blooded killer. Of course, there is none the greater."
Scott glared deeper, but he could only watch Duke leave the reception lobby. The liaison officer handling the matters followed the other person out as if looking for Rowan. With another scoff, Scott left for his office. The freezing air around him grew a notch colder, scaring everyone who was in his path.
…
The afternoon was ushered quickly, but Rowan was ready for the interview with some famous magazine. The topics were sent in beforehand, making sure Rowan would not be offended by anything. After all, the people on social media could claim a few things against him, despite his greatness. It was not like he would hide being too cozy with Duke in some public places.
Duke and Reeva were just a side of the room where the camera didn't catch them. The two were intently watching Rowan and his body language until Reeva decided to glance at Duke. He said, "The strays have gotten away last night, I heard. Are your patients worth any good information?"
"Sadly, the ghosts couldn't bring anything worth their lives." Duke sported a vicious smile. However, he dropped it when Rowan glanced at them. Duke just nodded before answering Reeva: "Thankfully, I have another avenue. A stray is cooking somewhere. Let me check up on him again later."
"Oh, that's great." Reeva chuckled at the sudden shift of expressions. He then eyed the painter in the distance. "It's good Rowan is busy for the days to come. He shouldn't hear anything about this. It might get very dangerous for him."
Duke only made a bitter smile as if frustrated by something he couldn't help. "Dangerous? He eats dangerous one way or another."