Braelyn’s POV
We proceeded into the room, and the thick scent of cigarettes lingered in the air, which made my nose scrunch up in disgust. It wasn’t what I expected from a eting with governnt officials but we weren’t in a position to judge either
Lucien approached the n who had a crafty expression, and they exchanged a few handshakes, introducing each other. Out of courtesy, I also shook hands with the gentleman.
"Thank you for honouring our invitation, and I apologise that we had to keep you waiting." Lucien chid before taking his seat across from the man I imdiately recognised as a minister.
The Minister sat up, a tobacco cigarette was tilted between his lips which he pulled out and quenched on the ashtray. He looked like the regular politician who I would describe as corruption dressed in a suit with a sharp eye.
The private room was dimly lit, warr than the hallway outside yet suffocating in its own way. Dark mahogany walls swallowed the light, and a thick haze of smoke clung to the ceiling like a permanent stain.
An expensive polished round table sat in the middle of the room. It was already set with crystal tumblers, ashtrays, and half-finished glasses of whisky. A waiter was standing by the side, serving drinks.
The lady wasn’t dressed in a conventional uniform, and her clothes were a bit revealing. I imdiately understood this eting was going to have more drinking than actual discussion. A wary smile crossed my lips.
The server imdiately poured Lucien and a glass. Lucien took his glass and tilted it to his lips to take a sip. I also took a sip out of courtesy but it was barely considered a sip. The alcohol taste burned my throat as I swallowed then my gaze drifted back to the minister whose hair was perfectly slicked back
The minister wasn’t alone. Two other n were flanking him, both of them were middle-aged, wearing the sa stiff suits that were too expensive for their salaries.
One had a permanent frown carved into his forehead, his fingers tapping impatiently against a whisky glass. The other wore a lazy grin, slick hair combed back, eyes sharp and curious as they flickered between Lucien and .
The minister exhaled loudly as he leaned back, the stench of tobacco clinging to his breath.
"We had another eting earlier," he said smoothly, crossing one leg over the other. "So we didn’t wait long."
I imdiately understood why the smoke was so heavy. The ashtrays were full, more like overflowing, actually. I doubt it was an actual eting, they might have just been enjoying themselves long before we arrived.
More like they simply didn’t care that we were about to speak about a project that would affect the lives of many.
I sat beside Lucien, spine straight, trying not to inhale too deeply. My lungs felt tight. My throat burned. This was far from the clean, professional environnt I had imagined, and yet Lucien sat there flawlessly composed as if he wasn’t affected by any of these.
It was his first ti leading a governnt negotiation. I should have been the calm one. But he was the one exuding quiet confidence, and I was the one fighting the urge to cough.
Lucien smiled politely. "To be honest, Minister, I didn’t expect to et you directly. I assud this would be handled by your junior officers. But it’s an honour to have you here."
The minister humd, pleased at the flattery. "I was... intrigued by the company’s proposal. Volkov Apex rarely seeks state cooperation." His lips curled faintly. "And when it does, it’s seldom without spectacle."
Lucien’s eyes brightened subtly. "I’m glad you caught it."
"I did," the minister replied, tapping ash into the tray. "It caught my interest."
Lucien launched into the eting with effortless precision. His voice was calm and steady despite the several glasses he had to take.
His words remained sober as he explained projections, environntal considerations, the AI optimisation, the long-term revenue flow...
And he did it so well that I found myself watching instead of participating. Amazed by how good he could hold his liquor while keeping everyone’s interest
He didn’t fumble or hesitate and didn’t lean on for backup. It felt as though I were the one learning from him.
Every now and then one of the n would pour more alcohol. The minister kept drinking. The air seed to grow hotter. My palms grew damp. And all the while, the minister’s gaze kept sliding toward , lingering longer than it should, making my stomach twist in a way that had nothing to do with the smoke.
I kept my expression neutral, but inside my nerves were frayed. I wanted to reach for a drink just to steady myself, but the thought of alcohol mixing with this environnt made my throat close up.
At least one of us needed to stay sober and Lucien had already been sipping with them out of courtesy.
Lucien noticed the minister’s wandering gaze. His hand tightened around his glass, barely noticeable, but I saw it. A faint shift of his jaw. A subtle tilt of his head my way.
He was acting calm, but he noticed.
The minister leaned back, interrupting Lucien mid-sentence.
"Your assistant hasn’t touched her drink all evening," he said, pointing his glass at . "Why is she sitting so stiff? I don’t bite."
His associates chuckled. My lips parted to respond but Lucien was quicker.
"She isn’t my assistant but my partner." He says with a calm expression while his eyes remain cold. " She isn’t allowed to drink much, a glass is the best she can do," he said firmly, almost coldly.
"Doctor’s orders."
The room paused.
The minister raised a brow, amused. "Is that so?"
Lucien didn’t blink. "Yes. And I’d appreciate it if we continue discussing the contract rather than my colleague’s glass."
For a brief second, sothing dark flashed in his eyes, but he restrained it only because the stakes in the room were too high.
The minister smirked, amusent flickered across his eyes. "Is she your girlfriend?" He asked completely derailing from the topic
My stomach twisted, "That’s..." before I could complete the statent, he cut off.
"She is taken and not the topic of our discussion. " Lucien interrupted. It was certain from the beginning of this eting that the minister wasn’t interested in what Lucien had to say. He only continued long enough to get the minister to sign
The Minister laughed. "That’s a bumr. We can’t have soone not enjoying such excellent whiskey. " He chid and a roaring laugh followed from the officials
Lucien smirked. "I can drink for the two of us." He shrugged but that wasn’t the amusent the minister sought.
I smiled at him. "If I share a drink with the minister, with it secure your approval ", I chid in, and imdiately a chill ran down my spine. Lucien didn’t glance at , or did his exterior crack?
His grip tightened around his glass subtly, but his presence beca more terrifying. I felt his hold on my thighs that was enough to warn but I brushed it off
The Minister smiles. "A glass isn’t enough but we can co to an agreent."
I grinned and grabbed a full glass before downing it in a gulp. "3 then," I added, which obviously crossed my limit, but I just wanted to get this eting over.
I reached for the next one but before I could get to my lips. Lucien snatched it from then downed it. "I thought I said I can drink for two. How about we double the stakes?" He said with a calm voice but he was clearly mad
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