(New book, seeking recommendations, ^_^, anyone has an unwritten rule for that?)
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She crossed her arms dispassionately and said,"Okay, half a year then." She was never one to quibble over money. Otherwise, she wouldn't have helped Mr. Zhao out of pity just now.
"Very well, Miss Owen, there's no hesitation with the President." Yves King appeared somewhat triumphant, "However, we can't use the previous agreement, we need to sign a new one. There are a few terms I must include. First, you must keep the house clean and tidy, sweeping and mopping three times a week, with a thorough clean once a week. Of course, given President Owen's prestigious status, you don't have to do it yourself, you can hire a housekeeper."
"Okay," Faye Owen agreed without hesitation. After all, she was somewhat of a clean freak herself, and couldn't tolerate the filth of a doghouse in her own place, even if it was a temporary rental. Even without Yves King's reminder, she would still maintain the cleanliness of her environment.
"Secondly, the smaller room on the left is your private space, I won't intrude without your permission. And the bigger room on the right is my private bedroom. Similarly, without my permission, you are not allowed in," Yves King pointed to the two rooms, separated by just a wall.
Faye Owen's face stiffened, her beautiful eyes wide open as she stared at him in astonishment. After a long moment, she finally reacted with a shocked, "You, you, you, what are you saying? You mean, you're going to live here too?"
Yves King took a deep puff from his cigarette, looking at her strangely he said, "Miss Owen, there are many poor people in this world. Having one house is already considered lucky. Though it's modest, this is indeed my home, my only home. You can't be so domineering as to live in my house and expect me to sleep on the streets, right?"
"No, absolutely not." Faye Owen turned pale with anger. She couldn't accept this at all. Living under the same roof with a man was out of the question, especially one she despised and detested. Coldly, she said, "Mr. King, the rent I'm giving you isn't low and is certainly far above the market price. I expect you to rent a place outside for these six months."
"Miss Owen, are you joking?" Yves King acted surprised, sprawling onto the sofa and shaking his head with a chuckle, "Miss, this is my house. Why would I abandon my home, rent it to you, and then rent a place for myself? Isn't that crazy? Granted, the rent you're offering is quite hefty, but that won't be until half a year later. I'm currently broke and my probationary salary at the company is only two thousand. Where would I rent a place? After wandering for many years, now I just want to live in peace in my own home and not go anywhere. Nah, forget it. We don't need to keep this conversation going, feel free to go wherever you want!"
"You…" Faye Owen was about to lose her temper, but thinking of her situation, she had to swallow her anger. Coldly, she said, "Fine, for this half-year, we can only consider it a home-share. You're not the landlord, we're both tenants. I can keep the price the same, but I need to add some conditions." She figured it would indeed be hard to make this miser rent elsewhere. If she had the money, she could easily give him a lump sum and let him go wherever he wanted. But if she had the money, she wouldn't have to tolerate him and would've already returned to the hotel.
"I understand, being a woman living outside, it makes sense to be cautious, especially when living with a man." Yves King scrutinized her with a critical eye, and smirked, "I admit, you're quite attractive. But to be honest, you're not really my type. I'm not particularly interested in you, so you can rest assured about your personal safety. Although I, Yves King, am not a nice guy, I wouldn't stoop so low as to pounce on just anyone."
"You…" Faye Owen's face darkened, her wide-open eyes stared fiercely at Yves King as she retorted, "Mr. King, I don't need your comments on my looks. And you, you're not good-looking either. Despite your youth, you dress like a sleazy middle-aged man. What are you trying to do, act deep and melancholic to lure innocent high school girls?"
Yves King didn't bat an eye, but shrugged and laughed helplessly, "These days, it's hard to be a decent man. If you look at a pretty woman a little too much, you're labeled as a lecher. And if you say you're not interested in a woman, you'll incur her wrath. Fine, fine, I'll sacrifice a bit of my own pride for the sake of politeness. President Owen, you are quite attractive and very feminine. Uh... anyway, you're very appealing to me."
She could accept receiving a compliment, even if it was just out of politeness. But what was up with this guy's tone? He was furrowing his eyebrows as if her words were so against his will. Faye Owen was shaking with anger. If she had a machine gun, she wouldn't hesitate to gun this bastard down. This kind of person only poisons the world.
In her twenty-odd years, she didn't think she had ever been as angry as she was that day. She took a few deep breaths, reminding herself to keep calm. If she were to die of anger because of this bastard, it would be a meaningless death. It was better to live and fight. When she returned to work tomorrow, she would have home advantage and she could have her revenge on him.
Thinking about this infused Faye Owen with energy and filled her with newfound hope for life.
She began to plan for tomorrow, thinking about how she could win back the upper hand as president, and make this bastard Yves beg for her mercy with a sulking face saying, "President Owen, I realize my mistake. I shouldn't have offended you."
The more she thought, the happier she got. With her arms folded, she raised her head in pride, revealing her slender, fair neck. She looked beautiful and smug.
The sight of her bizarre charismatic expression scared Yves. He flinched and his face was wrought with uncertainty. He started wondering if the lady had a mental disorder. Her expression gave him chills. Old Miller, what kind of trouble have you got me into?
"Hem, President, aren't we still discussing the deal?" Yves wanted to wrap this up.
"Discuss? Why wouldn't we?" Faye Owen looked stern, sneering at Yves and asked, "But before that, let me ask you something, are you still working as a security guard in the company?"
"Yes, of course." Yves replied, perplexed, "I'm an illiterate small fry who doesn't have any skills. I am already grateful that you provide me with a job. How can I be picky?"
"Alright then, let me ask you, are you a man? I mean, are you a real man?" Faye Owen subtly curled the corners of her lips into an attractive smile.
"Er...President, do you mean..." Yves's face twisted in discomfort and humiliation, but quickly switched to resignation. He lit a cigarette, took a deep puff and started unbuttoning his shirt and unbuckling his leather belt, "I knew it, capitalists' food always comes with a price."
"Hey hey, Yves, what...what are you doing?" Faye Owen was terrified. She crossed her arms over her chest and backed away, alarmed and panicked, "Don't...don't do anything silly!"
"President, I understand." Yves gave a bitter and resigned laugh, "The unspoken rule, everyone knows it but no one says it. Don't worry, President. I will do my best to prove I'm a real man and I'll make sure you're satisfied. Sigh, it's so difficult to earn a living these days...Even a job as a security guard demands such sacrifices?"
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