Chapter23: Duties and Luxuries
Leo sighed as he slumped into the passenger seat of Rebecca's car, already regretting the deal he'd made with Ethan. Rebecca sat beside him, all business as usual, her sharp gaze focused on the road. She hadn't said much since picking him up, but the subtle tension in her shoulders told Leo she wasn't thrilled about the arrangements.
"Cheer up, Leo," she said, breaking the silence. "You're not just signing contracts today. You're learning how to manage your assets. That is… if you manage to stay awake during the process."
Leo groaned. "I'm awake. Barely. Why couldn't Ethan handle this? He's the one who loves this corporate stuff."
Rebecca shot him a look. "Because it's your name on those contracts, and you need to know what's going on. Also…" Her voice softened, almost teasing, "…it's good for you to take responsibility for once."
He slouched lower in his seat, muttering something incoherent. Rebecca rolled her eyes and turned up the car's air conditioning, as if that would jolt him out of his lethargy.
When they arrived at the high-rise office of the rental and maintenance company, Leo felt the weight of the moment. The sleek glass façade of the building and the bustling professionals inside screamed "serious business." Rebecca led the way, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor.
Inside the meeting room, they were greeted by the company's representatives—well-dressed individuals with firm handshakes and polite smiles. Leo tried to focus, but the legal jargon started blending into a monotonous hum. Thankfully, Rebecca was there, her sharp questions and commanding presence ensuring nothing slipped through the cracks.
"Mr. Leo," one of the representatives said, handing him the final document. "If you could sign here, we'll finalize the deal."
Rebecca nudged him subtly. "Read it first," she whispered.
Leo blinked at the stack of papers, trying not to look overwhelmed. With Rebecca's help, he skimmed through the key points, nodded, and signed. The representatives shook his hand again, congratulating him on a successful deal.
As they left the building, Rebecca turned to him with a rare smile. "See? That wasn't so bad. Now, onto the next task."
Leo frowned. "What next task?"
"The task of making sure you look like you belong in meetings like that," Rebecca said, smirking as she dragged him into one of the city's high-end malls.
Leo stopped dead at the entrance, his eyes scanning the luxurious interior. Polished marble floors, crystal chandeliers, and rows of designer stores stretched out before them. "Rebecca, this isn't necessary. I have clothes."
She didn't even dignify that with a response, grabbing his arm and pulling him toward a tailor's shop.
The first stop was a pre-made suit store. Rebecca swiftly picked out a charcoal gray suit and pushed Leo into the fitting room. When he stepped out, she gave him a once-over, nodding in approval.
"Decent. But we'll need a few custom-made suits too. You can't wear off-the-rack all the time," she said, already making notes on her phone for measurements and fabric options.
Leo stared at his reflection in the mirror, tugging uncomfortably at the tie. "Do I really need this many suits?"
"Yes," Rebecca said firmly. "And while we're here, we might as well check out a few more stores."
What followed could only be described as a whirlwind. Rebecca dragged Leo into boutique after boutique, picking out clothes, shoes, and accessories for herself with the precision of a seasoned hunter. Occasionally, she encouraged Leo to pick something for himself—though "encouraged" was a generous term, as her suggestions were more like commands.
"Try this jacket," she said, tossing a sleek leather one at him.
Leo caught it, sighing. "Rebecca, I'm not even sure when I'd wear this."
"Doesn't matter. It looks good on you. Trust me," she replied, already sifting through another rack of clothes.
Hours passed in a blur of swipes, purchases, and Rebecca's endless energy. By the time they exited the mall, Leo was carrying several bags of his own alongside Rebecca's impressive haul.
As they loaded the bags into the car, Rebecca leaned against the trunk, a satisfied smile on her face. "You did well today, Leo. Not bad for someone who looked ready to fall asleep this morning."
Leo shook his head, laughing. "I don't know how you have this much energy. I'm exhausted just following you around."
"Well, consider it payback for pushing all the work onto Ethan," she said, smirking. "But seriously, if you ever need more help, don't hesitate to ask. Just… maybe let me know in advance next time."
Leo grinned, genuinely touched. "Thanks, Rebecca. I owe you."
"Oh, you owe me a lot more than thanks," she replied, getting into the car. "But we'll call it even for now."
As they drove off, Leo couldn't help but feel a newfound appreciation for Rebecca—not just as a capable partner in managing his business, but as someone who genuinely had his back.
Leo followed Rebecca into a cozy café tucked away on a quiet street. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the soft hum of chatter greeted them as they stepped inside. The place was warm and inviting, with wooden furniture and soft lighting that gave it a homely charm.
"This is my favorite café," Rebecca said, leading him to a corner table. "The coffee's great, and the desserts are even better. But we're not here for the food today."
Leo raised an eyebrow. "Then what are we here for?"
"You'll see." Rebecca smirked as she took her seat.
Before he could press further, a familiar figure walked in—a young woman with striking features and a confident stride. Leo's stomach sank as he recognized her: Sophia, the woman he'd accidentally run into the other day. At the time, she'd looked ready to kill him, and he hadn't forgotten her fiery glare.
Sophia froze when she saw Leo, her eyes widening in recognition. "You," she said, her tone a mix of surprise and something dangerously close to frustration.
Leo raised his hands defensively. "Look, about the other day—"
Rebecca cut in smoothly, gesturing for Sophia to sit. "Sophia, meet Leo, the guy funding this whole operation."
The color drained from Sophia's face, and she visibly shrank into her chair. "Wait… he's the funder?"
Rebecca nodded. "Yep. And relax, Sophia. He's harmless. Leo barely uses his influence for anything, let alone to throw his weight around. Trust me, he's more likely to avoid work than create problems."
Sophia gave Leo a wary glance, her hands fidgeting with the edge of her blazer. "I don't have the best track record with funders," she admitted quietly. "My last job… I got kicked out because I said the wrong thing to the wrong person. And then, ironically, I ran into him." She gestured toward Leo, her cheeks flushing. "I thought I'd offended another one. Bad luck seems to follow me everywhere."
Leo scratched the back of his neck, feeling awkward under her scrutiny. "Well, uh… you don't have to worry about me. I'm not the type to hold grudges. Honestly, I barely even remember what happened."
"Not helping," Rebecca muttered, rolling her eyes.
Sophia exhaled slowly, her tension easing slightly. "Okay. If you say so."
A few moments later, three more people joined their table—Sophia's friends, as Rebecca had mentioned. Each one brought their own unique energy to the group:
David, a sharp-eyed man with an authoritative air, introduced himself as a contract law specialist. His presence commanded attention, and he spoke with a confident tone that suggested years of experience.
Maya, the second to arrive, was the opposite of David. She was cheerful, with a warm smile that immediately put everyone at ease. "Corporate litigation is my thing," she said with a wink, her friendly demeanor lightening the mood.
Finally, James entered the café—a quiet man with a calm presence. He didn't speak much at first but exuded a sense of observation, making it clear that he was someone who handled compliance and regulatory affairs with meticulous attention to detail.
Sophia took the lead in introducing her team. "I've worked with all of them before," she said. "David's the one you want for contract reviews. Maya's brilliant when it comes to handling disputes, and James knows every regulation and loophole inside and out."
Rebecca nodded, her approval evident. "If Sophia trusts you, then that's enough for me."
Leo, however, felt a bit out of place. As the conversation shifted toward strategies, terms, and legal intricacies, his mind wandered. The legal jargon sailed right over his head, and he did his best to look engaged by nodding along occasionally. It wasn't that he didn't appreciate the importance of the meeting—it was just hard to keep up with the pace of the conversation.