Julian's eyes scan the typical white walls and minimalistic interior of Felix's cabin. Sunlight pours in through the glass window opposite his long wooden table, where files are stacked messily around Julian's computer.
There are books on the left shelves, mostly romance novels—not something typically expected from the youngest son of one of the most powerful men in Europe.
On the right wall, there is a small table where scented candles burn; right above it is a drawing of a red spider lily—the flower of death.
Julian sits on one of the soft couches with a white cover. Three other VPs, other than Felix, sit across from him.
Julian says, "You all seem displeased seeing me here." His voice is charming and laid-back, but they all know the rift between Julian and Felix.
Felix forces a smile. "You are the second young master of the Laurent family. We are just small employees, Sir."
Julian's emerald green eyes crinkle at Felix's absurd display of respect. He nods, taking the coffee mug placed before him and sipping it. His eyebrow lifts slightly as he looks down at the coffee. The aroma of roasted coffee mixed with almond and vanilla makes his heart tingle a bit.
It isn't the usual cup of coffee he gets to drink in Laurent&Cie's building.
The VPs shift uneasily.
Felix notices the small frown between Julian's eyebrows as he takes another sip of the coffee.
"All good?"
"I would like to meet whoever made this cup of coffee," Julian says, a smirk dancing on his lips, almost as if he has unexpectedly found something interesting to investigate.
Felix frowns. "It's just a regular coffee machine's coffee." He knows Julian's look of interest well. It means whoever made the coffee has caught Julian's attention—which… isn't really a good thing.
Felix's jaw clenches as he looks at his assistant, who steps forward, her voice soft and polite. "The coffee machine on the 21st floor was broken, and Junior Associate Ms. Celestia helped make this coffee since she was present in the break room."
Felix's eyes widen at Nova's name. His throat goes dry. Out of everyone, Nova being the one who caught Julian's attention with just a cup of coffee…
Felix mutters under his breath, only loud enough for himself, "You must have been born under the wrong planet to gain the attention of both Laurent brothers."
Julian sips his coffee again. He isn't a coffee person, but the coffee—warm in his hand and sweet on his tongue—is the first cup he has truly enjoyed.
"Bring her in."
Felix laughs nervously. "Sir, she is just a junior associate who joined the company last week. If there is a mistake—"
Julian's eyes darken in interest at Felix's sudden defense of Nova. Felix never defends anyone unless the person is an asset, which makes Julian even more intrigued.
Felix feels his palms sweating. He gives a nod to his assistant. The other three VPs watch silently, knowing better than to cross paths with Julian, who would laugh while stabbing you a hundred times.
Tension fills the room. Julian keeps sipping his coffee with impeccable elegance for someone with such a big body.
The door opens slowly.
Nova Celestia, dressed in a white turtleneck and black high-waisted wide-leg pants with a lemon-colored blazer, her black square-frame glasses slightly too big for her small round face, steps in.
"You called for me, Mr. Davenport?" Her voice is soft, unaware of the Second Young Master's interest.
Felix parts his lips to speak, but Julian is faster.
"You made this coffee?" Julian asks, his lips curling into a satisfied smirk.
Nova looks at the half-drunk coffee in Julian's hand and nods. "Yes, sir."
Julian nods. "You used almond milk, didn't you?"
Nova shows no nervousness under Julian's predatory gaze, whose main intent is to intimidate slightly.
"Yes. This was the safest choice," Nova says, keeping her voice soft and polite—something she has had to work very hard on to survive the corporate world.
Julian's eyes narrow; he crosses his legs and leans back slightly, keeping the coffee cup down.
"Safest choice? How?" Julian's question hangs in the air. The room holds its breath, fearing the consequences Nova might face if her answer doesn't satisfy him.
Felix shakes his legs under the table, knowing too well how Aaron would torment him if anything happened to Nova.
Nova smiles, her eyes half-moon, voice smooth and innocent. "I have no way of knowing if you are lactose intolerant or not; black coffee might be too mild for someone who wields great power within this building and country. You have come to M&A to check on us employees. Out of my deep loyalty, I used almond milk, the highest quality vanilla and Swiss dark chocolate, and manuka honey—only for you, Sir."
She says it all with too much passion; Felix's lips part slightly as he looks at Nova almost as if he is watching an alien. The other three VPs press their lips tightly to suppress laughter. Nova just smiles like an innocent child with round cheeks.
Julian blinks in mild surprise—an expression he won't admit. He is too habituated to people flattering him, but this speech… it is too much to be considered flattery.
"Loyalty toward a company you joined just a week ago?" he asks, frowning. Nova nods enthusiastically, her ponytail bouncing a little.
"Of course, Sir." She places her hand over her chest, almost ridiculously. "Laurent&Cie has always been my dream company since my teenage days, and the fact that I can serve a minor cup of coffee"—she lifts her hand in the air in an almost emotional display—"makes my years of tragedy fruitful."
Julian looks at Felix and whispers, "Since when does M&A gather theater kids?"
Felix laughs nervously. "She is smart, even if she is a bit…"
Nova, her voice high-pitched, interrupts, "Young Master, I am really grateful to be part of Laurent&Cie. It's the biggest achievement of my life that you," she extends her arm, pointing at Julian, making him shift uncomfortably—"liked my coffee, MY COFFEE."
Julian flinches slightly as Nova sobs and wipes her tears. "You liked it enough to grace me with your presence. I AM SO GRATEFUL, YOUNG MASTER!"
She bows ninety degrees, making Julian shift further in his seat, her back straight as she keeps bowing.
Julian lets out a nervous laugh. "It's great that you love it here…"
"IT'S NOT JUST LOVE, YOUNG MASTER! IT'S THE PURPOSE OF MY LIFE! JUST ORDER ME ONCE, AND I WILL SPEND EVERY HOUR MAKING COFFEE FOR YOU!"
Felix covers his mouth, trembling, ears red from holding back laughter at her exaggeration.
"ONE ORDER, YOUNG MASTER!" Nova adds.
Julian looks at James, whose face is red from biting his tongue to suppress laughter. Julian mouths, "Take this woman away!"
James nods, clearing his throat. "Ms. Celestia, you can leave now."
Nova doesn't lift her head. "No, I am not leaving until Young Master orders."
Julian face-palms. His initial plan was just to play around with anyone who made him coffee or recruit them, but now… he feels overwhelmed.
"You can leave now, Ms. Celestia." He keeps his voice steady despite his shock.
"YES, YOUNG MASTER!"
Julian flinches again. "You don't need to call me Young Master…"
Nova blinks her big round brown eyes innocently, and Julian breathes through his mouth, smiling. "You can call me Young Master."
Nova smiles wide. "Yes, Young Master."
Julian says, "You can leave."
Nova nods. "Yes, Young Master. I will be at Young Master's service anytime you want me to."
Julian nods as Nova walks out.
A snicker escapes from one of the VPs, which Felix covers with a fake cough.
And for the first time in his life… Julian Alexander Laurent has been traumatized by a woman's deep loyalty toward his family, and exaggerating flattery that sounds too real to even complain.