After leaving the meeting place with a business partner, Xavier took Shena to the company building of one of the media. Not only was that a surprise, Xavier was also face-to-face with Handreson-the company director of SNN Media.
"I don't want any deals, Mr. Handreson. Your journalists have released an article that harms someone. I, on behalf of the Andarsa Group company that feels aggrieved in the articles published under the company name SNN Media, submit a take down request. Now."
In Handreson's private room, the aura of tension was thick from Xavier and Handreson. An aura of tension that made Shena, sitting next to Xavier, feel awkward and unable to say anything.
In front of Shena and Xavier, Handreson only curved a wily smile at Xavier.
"I have absolutely no authority to take down any articles that have been released, Mr. Xavier," Handreson replied without showing any guilt.
Shena frowned. For some reason, she felt that Handreson was hiding something. From the way his expression did not display guilt, and did not apologize, it seemed too strange with a high position but no authority.
"You are the director, Mr. Handreson," Xavier replied, looking calm and unintimidated. "It's impossible if you can't give the order to take down all the news that has been released."
Xavier's words did not put enough pressure on Handreson. Instead of feeling guilty, Handreson's reaction was to laugh lightly.
"I won't take your word for it. After all, the news about you has already become a trending topic. That's very profitable."
"Advantageous?" Xavier raised both eyebrows as he grinned. "In that case, I have something favorable for me as well. Do you want news about you to appear in the media as well?"
Instantly, Handreson's laughter slowly faded away, replaced by a confused and wary look on his face. Because of witnessing Xavier who seemed to be harboring a stratagem, Handreson's facial expression at first glance looked inquisitive.
"What do you mean, Xavier?" asked Handreson.
"You were at the nightclub two days ago, right? You even ordered a woman. I have proof of that," Xavier replied, showing Handreson his cell phone screen.
Handreson watched the phone screen Xavier showed him for a few seconds. His eyes widened in surprise as his whole body stiffened.
"How did you get this?" asked Handreson in an almost stammering voice.
On the other hand, Xavier chuckled. He quickly pulled out his cell phone again when Handreson spontaneously wanted to pick it up. Xavier laughed with such satisfaction that it echoed in Handreson's office.
"I wonder how your wife would react if she saw this footage..." Xavier pretended to provoke Handreson.
Handreson instantly became inflamed. His jaw hardened and the look in his eyes turned sharp.
"Is he going to withdraw all investment funds into your company? Isn't he the one who holds the most power in your business?" asked Xavier once again trying to provoke Handreson's emotions.
Handreson could not say anything after hearing Xavier's question. There was a look of indecision on his face, and Xavier was well aware that his words had made an impact on Handreson's confidence.
"I'll order them to take down all the articles," said Handreson who finally relented.
Xavier immediately curved a satisfied smile, as did Shena who could finally heave a sigh of relief. Since earlier the aura of tension between Xavier and Handreson made Shena unable to say or do anything. Because she was too worried about saying the wrong thing.
"Okay. Agreed," Xavier replied while extending his hand to Handreson. "Deal with the signature agreement on the stamp."
After Xavier took care of their signature agreement, Xavier invited Shena to step out of the room.
Shena thought everything was over if the news articles about her would be taken down. But unfortunately Shena suspected the wrong thing.
"For what I have done, you must fulfill one more condition, Shena."
Shena's steps stopped just as Xavier's also stopped. Shena's eyebrows furrowed. At that moment, she was already feeling uncomfortable. For some reason, an unpleasant thought immediately popped into her brain.
"You have to sleep three days with me in my apartment. No refusal."
***
"What are you going to discuss, Miss Shena?" Xavier's question greeted Shena who came to the office early today.
With a sharp glance, a step full of decisive stomps, Shena approached Xavier who was at the desk. As she walked, Shena's mind was certain of her decision after a night of deliberation over Xavier's offer at the media office yesterday.
"Is your offer still valid?" asked Shena after standing in front of Xavier. The look in her eyes showed conviction.
Xavier frowned for a moment, before standing up from his chair. Putting both hands on his body that was slightly leaning on Xavier, he looked at Shena with a lopsided smile.
"What if it's no longer valid?" Xavier asked back.
Shena let out an annoyed sigh. "Questions are there to be answered, not to get more questions," she replied threateningly to Xavier.
Hearing Shena's answer, Xavier chuckled. "Of course it still is. Isn't the agreement twenty-four hours? Why?"
When Shena paused because she suddenly felt a slight doubt arise, Xavier looked at her with astonishment.
"You want to agree to my offer? I know, you have no other choice but to accept the offer, right?" asked Xavier once again.
"Mr. Xavier, since yesterday you've been doing whatever you want to me. Unfortunatelyx just because you are my boss, doesn't mean you can talk to me in such a low tone," Shena threatened Xavier.
Xavier did not take offense to Shena's words. His reaction, which showed no guilt at all, made Shena furious.
"Is that so? Unfortunately, I can do what I want, Miss Shena. Everyone else can't stop me."
Shena refrained from clawing Xavier's face because of her current anger. Shena had always retaliated when dealing with people like Xavier.
"I didn't really want to accept your offer, but since you did something for me, I had to accept."
"I'm not doing for you, but for myself. And... you spoke informally to me, Miss Shena. Is that polite?"
"This is outside of working hours," Shena replied. "We do have an agreement for certain things. But outside of that, I will behave as I normally would."
Xavier was intrigued by Shena's answer. But not wanting to prolong the matter, Xavier nodded his head and sat back in his chair.
"Is there anything you want to add to our agreement?" Xavier offered.
Shena did not answer immediately, but stayed still for a split second. The truth was that Shena had a lot of things she wanted to say. Including about her wishes throughout the deal with Xavier.
On the other hand, because she had too many things on her mind, Shena couldn't say anything. Even though she had thought over and over again about how to say it, there was nothing else in her mind.
"Why are you silent?" Xavier snapped Shena out of it. "I assume there's no-"
"Wait, I do," Shena said immediately, cutting Xavier off. "I don't want to sleep in the same bed or the same room. And... since my family's boutique is experiencing an increase in sales, please provide protection from the bad image after my name is spread in various articles. No refusals."
Xavier raised both eyebrows as an interested smile instantly curved.
"No refusal? You've actually dared to order me around."
"I am not ordering you, but you are offering."
"In that case, I will withdraw my offer, Miss Shena. I cancel my offer for you to sleep with me in my apartment."
Shena's eyes widened. "What?! No... you can't cancel your offer!"
"Why?" asked Xavier with a chuckle. "After all, it wasn't you who said earlier that you didn't really want to accept, was it?"
Shena suddenly panicked instantly. If it wasn't because she was worried that Xavier would do something to cancel the article's news being taken down, Shena wouldn't be this panicked. However, knowing Xavier's power made Shena think of all the worst possibilities.
"You can't just cancel," Shena said directly. Both of her hands were placed on a pedestal as her body leaned towards Xavier. "I need your help. You also need me as your personal secretary, right?"
"I can find another secretary to replace you," Xavier replied casually, looking at Shena without guilt.
Shena was instantly speechless. That's right, Xavier had the power to replace her. Why did Shena feel like she was so important?
"I-that's true, but... we had an agreement from the beginning. You made an offer."
Xavier grinned with satisfaction as he watched Shena plead with him. "Do you really need my help?"
'This annoying boss!' Shena muttered, feeling furious.
How could Shena answer?
Shena felt uncomfortable explaining to Xavier. But unfortunately Shena also didn't want to let the opportunity slip out of her grasp.
"Yes, I really need your help," Shena finally replied. "My name is already very bad on social media. Don't let my parents' boutique be threatened, they need to repay the debt, Mr. Xavier."
Yes, that was the sentence Xavier wanted to hear.
Xavier immediately snapped his fingers. "Good! That's what you should have said!"
