-Haruka POV-
"Ahem. Haruka, to be honest, I love this kind of situation, but I think I should ask you just in case. Are you really going to hide your face in my chest until the movie is finished?" Levi's words shocked me. Huh? What did he just say? I look up to see his smirking face. That's when I realised I was burying my face into his chest. I was too scared at the time when Hanabi shouted earlier, which made me hide my face in his chest without thinking.
"I'm sorry, I was too shocked earlier. I didn't mean to do this." I said that awkwardly and tried to move my face away from his chest, but then something stopped me from doing so. It's Levi's hand on my head.
"You don't have to. You can keep your face on my chest, I don't mind. Who knows, maybe you'll do that again out of fear? He said that. Although it's dark here, I could see him smirking with the help of the light from the movie.
"I told you I'm not scared, and I accidentally hid my face in your chest." I tried to push his hand away from my head, but he's too strong.
"Don't be stubborn and just do what I said, will you? Hanabi told me you don't like horror movies, so I'm sure she's doing this on purpose. I'm not going to do anything to do so you can just do that if you get scared again, okay?" He said that to me with a gentle voice. He's not making fun of me anymore. He just cares about me.
"This is only because we're watching the horror movie, okay. It's not that I like you or anything." I glared at him.
"Yeah, I know, I know. Just sit comfortably. I'm going to focus on the movie." He said that, patting my head, but his eyes focused on the screen. I could hear his heart beating faster, but strangely, that made my eyes feel heavy, and I fell asleep on his chest.
-2 hours later-
"The movie was so good. Thank you, Lauren, for recommending it." Hanabi said that as soon as we're outside the theatre.
"Onii-chan, did you just wake up? Are you seriously sleeping throughout the movie?" Hanabi said while looking at my face. I bet I do look like a person who just woke up. I can't believe it either. I slept soundly for two hours, not to mention on Levi's chest.
"You're right. He slept soundly, making me think whether to wake him up or not because he's sleeping on…"
"That's because I'm tired. We've been playing too much today, that's why. Forget it. I'm going to sleep now. Levi, you can use any empty room on this floor. I'm leaving." I cut Levi off before he said more. He's going to tell them that I slept with my head on his chest, isn't he? I left them and walked straight away towards my room. Ugh. I regret listening to him. I don't know how to face him tomorrow.
//SKIP//
It's Monday again, and now I'm walking towards the meeting room with Levi and Lucas. I'm glad nothing happened yesterday, as Levi and Lauren needed to go back to the Ackerman Residence earlier than expected. Lucky me.
"Is everyone here?" Levi spoke as soon as he entered the meeting room.
"Yes, sir." One of the employees answered.
"Good. We'll start our meeting then. General manager Lucas will be presenting everything about the Pampelonne Beach Resort grand opening event. But the budget will be presented by me later. So Lucas, you up first." Levi said that as he took his seat. After that, Lucas walked to the front to present the grand opening final proposal.
After 20 minutes, Lucas finished with his presentation.
"That's all from me. Is there any question?" Lucas asked politely.
"You do mention that Alderic Daniel Chabernaud will be the model for our resort. Did you manage to hire him?" The marketing manager inquired.
"Yes. We managed to hire him, and I'll be meeting him today for further discussion." Lucas answered confidently.
"Then when will the advertisement shoot be held? There are 3 weeks more until the grand opening, so the shoot should be done by this week." The marketing manager keeps talking for more.
"The shooting will be done by this week as we already confirmed his schedule, sir." Lucas answered again. I could tell he's a bit nervous, actually.
"I heard that Mr. Auclair would be the resort's face icon. Is that true?" Another person from the marketing team spoke. Now, my name has been mentioned.
"I guess Lucas did mention it during his presentation. Didn't you pay attention to that?" This time, Levi was the one who responded with his cold voice.
"No, sir, I heard that. It's just that Mr. Auclair said he wouldn't want to be involved in anything like that, so I'm just curious, sir. Won't it be better for someone like the general manager or any other celebrities to do that, sir? Since the beach is known for attracting celebrities and high-profile visitors, especially during the summer season." She said that politely, but clearly she's anxious right now.
"Are you doubting Mr. Auclair's abilities?" His voice is getting even colder right now.
"No, sir. That's not what she meant." Another person spoke in her place.
"First, Mr. Auclair agreed to do that on his own. Second, Mr. Auclair is the most suitable person for that, as he's prettier than those models, and third, he's the second young master of the Auclair Family that everyone would be dying to see. I bet he would attract more people than those stupid celebrities, don't you think?" Levi said that with a serious voice, looking in her eyes, making her look down in an instant.
"Yes, sir. I agree with you." She replied. She couldn't say anything. Not anymore, of course.
"So, any other question?" Levi asked in Lucas' place.
So, how much do we spend on models and advertisements?" Again, from the marketing team
"Hah. Are you stupid, or what? I did mention I would be covering the budget part, right? Lucas, you can return to your seat. Since everyone is eager to know about the budget, I'll be presenting it now." Levi said that with a pissed expression and walked to the front.
"You guys are not stupid, right, so you can read the details here. Roughly 350 million euros will be used for the lucky draw prizes and gift bags to the guests. And another 150 million euros will be used for other occasions, which are decorations, catering, vendors, celebrity appearances, entertainers, advertisements, and so on. So, the total budget is 500 million euros. Oh, and you asked about how much we'll be paying for the model, right? We offered him 1 million euros for one-day shooting. I'm not going to explain everything, so you better read and don't ask me a stupid question. So, if you're done reading, is there any question?" Levi asked with an uninterested voice. He's not in the mood for the meeting anymore.
"I'm sorry, Director, but don't you think 500 million euros are a bit excessive for a grand opening event? Not to mention, 350 million for the prizes and gift bags alone." Chief Garnier spoke. I know this will happen. Right. 500 million could be a little bit excessive for the resort grand opening.
"Chief Garnier, did you read the slide? A painting by L. Schatz is the grand prize here. You know how much the painting would cost?" With a smile, Levi asked Chief Garnier. Well, it's not that it was a sincere smile.
"That's the reason why, sir. All of his paintings sold for more than $500 million, sir. Are we really going to spend that much money for the painting, sir? Not to mention, as a lucky draw grand prize," Chief Garnier continues to say his opinions.
"I get what you want to say, Chief Garnier, but you don't have to worry. I even got the half price for the painting, and he even said he wanted to collaborate with us as he's coming back to the art industry again." Levi said that confidently. Of course he could get the half price as he's the artist himself, and the money will go into his account also. But is it true that he's returning to the art world?
"But, Director, don't you think it will be us who lose more? Our goal is to attract more people." Chief Garnier said, still doubting what Levi said earlier.
"Hah. You really look down on me now, aren't you? Well, you've been working here longer than me, right? Chief Garnier, let me ask you then. Eight years of me working with the company, have I ever failed any of my projects? The others are free to answer too." Levi said with a cold voice.
"No, sir." Chief Garnier answered.
"No, right? So of course I wouldn't fail this one too. If you're still not convinced with that, I'm willing to pay back all 500 million euros to the company if this project fails. You've got my word on that. Well, of course I wouldn't because this project won't fail." Levi said that confidently. Right, from what I heard, he never failed in any project he led, not even once. The company even got much better after he joined the main branch. He was able to identify the rivals, their goals, their strategies, and everything. He sure is to be feared in the corporate world.
"Hah. Am I talking to a stone? Is there any objection now?" Levi asked with an annoyed voice. He's seriously not in a good mood today, and I wonder why. But honestly, I pity the employees who work under him. His words can be harsh sometimes, but that's just how he is, and people couldn't say that he is wrong for acting like that. He is the most talented after all.
"No objection, sir." Chief Garnier finally said that. Of course, no matter what his opinions are, he couldn't win against Levi.
"And what about the others? Chief Garnier is not the only one here." He's being harsh again.
"No, sir." And with that, everyone replied the same.
"Good. Well, whether you guys agree or not, we still will be proceeding with this one, as I already handled everything by contacting all of them. So each department should take care of the rest for each part of your department. Make sure there's no mistake on the actual day. That's all. You're wasting my time with your stupid questions. Dismiss." Levi said that with his annoyed face, and everyone was dismissed in an instant. I bet despite working under a harsh boss like Levi, the employees are still working here because the salary here is higher compared to other branches. Maybe that's because Levi Ackerman is the one who manages this branch.
"Lucas, are you going to meet that model brat now?" Levi asked Lucas, who is now ready to leave.
"Yes, sir." Lucas said that while standing from his chair, ready to leave.
"Okay. Please inform me later." Levi said that while resting his back on the chair.
"Will do, sir. I'll take my leave now." Lucas said so and then left.
"Sir, you don't seem to be in a good mood today." As soon as Lucas left the room, I said so.
"Of course I'm not. They're doubting your abilities." He said that.
"Are you telling me the reason you're in a bad mood right now and why you've been talking harshly towards the others is because they said I'm not suitable for the face icon?" I asked him, in disbelief. I seriously thought it was because of what Chief Garnier said earlier.
"Right. That's the reason. Is it wrong for me to feel that way? After all, you're the person I love."
TO BE CONTINUED!!!