How could Mike let this cocky son of a bitch go so easily?
Never.
His lips curled into a smirk as he played with the picture, then spoke slowly, "You can keep the hairpin. It's not really valuable anyway, since I'm giving it to some woman who might look down on me. But this picture? I can happily jerk off to it anytime I want. I have a vivid imagination too so this is just perfect for me. Thank you for having it in the first place."
Wayne's expression contorted, his hands trembling. At the same time, he couldn't help but fear that Mike might really not return the picture.
He gritted his teeth. "You're asking for trouble!"
Mike's smile deepened. "Nah, I'm just asking you to keep the hairpin. What? Don't want it again despite stealing it? Wowww, alright then. You can toss it or break it in two. It's yours to do as you wish just as this picture is mine."
Wayne glared, the vein in his neck taut with anger. Mike's smile deepened as he watched the other man fume, his face long turned purple with fury.
Sterling and Rafael's jaws nearly hit the ground. They were filled with nothing but admiration for Mike.
He was so damn amazing, he'd managed to piss off the guy who used to infuriate them. They badly wanted to give him a thumbs-up. Mike is just too amazing and smart!
Meanwhile, Mike, oblivious to their admiration, had another plan. And the fish had taken the bait.
Finally, he sighed. "Fine, don't look so angry. I'll give you the picture."
Wayne began to relax, a smug expression returning to his face as he prepared to spout something arrogant, like saying Mike finally know his place. But before he could open his mouth, Mike spoke again.
"But on one condition."
"What condition now?!" he bellowed, "Just return my damn picture, you useless piece of shit!"
"Seems like you don't want this picture that badly," Mike said, his voice low, as if he truly might not give it back.
Wayne struggled to control his emotions, staring at Mike as if he wanted to tear him apart. But the other man clearly didn't give a damn, as seen in his relaxed posture.
"Fine. State your fucking condition!"
Mike's brow arched, a smile blooming on his lips. "I want 50 copper coins."
Gasps echoed in the background.
Even his other roommates were stunned speechless, staring at Mike in awe, as if he had two heads.
No, he clearly had only one. But his behavior was like someone with several – simply out of this world.
Mike already knew this Wayne guy was definitely rich. Not only had he once been a High Elf guard, but he also drank several wines that Rafael mentioned were insanely expensive, and even bugged Sterling to give him one as a birthday gift. (Of course, he ended up getting called a dog for it.) Moreover, even his bedding was obviously better than theirs. So why wouldn't Mike take his chance to take something from this motherfucker?
"You're blackmailing me?!" Wayne's body shook with rage, his eyes burning like hot coals.
He couldn't believe this was happening.
This was the first time he had experienced something like this. He was so shocked with no idea what to do except shaking with rage.
"Nope, I'm not blackmailing you. I'm just saying, if you want your picture back, earn it," Mike chuckled. "Unless it's not that important."
Wayne's hand clenched into a fist.
That picture had taken him a long time to get. Despite all his preparation and secrecy, his uncle still found out and demoted him to a middle guard. He sacrificed a lot for that picture. A lot. If it were discovered by the authority, he might even be thrown into a dungeon for treason. Its value couldn't be measured with money, no amount of copper or even silver could match it.
And yet, here was Mike, casually playing with it.
It wasn't that Wayne lacked the money. Fifty copper coins were nothing to him, but giving it to Mike?
That was like handing gold to his enemy.
How could he give money to someone he so deeply disdained?
Never!
Seeing the shifting emotions flash across Wayne's face, Mike continued, "Or wait... Could it be I misjudged you, and you're poor like us?" His eyes flickered. "Damn, that would explain a lot. You must be even poorer than us. Mmm... so pathetic."
Wayne's eyes widened.
'Poor like us?!'
That statement hit a nerve. The last thing he wanted was to be compared to the bunch of middle-elf morons that were his roommates. They were uncouth, poor, probably orphans, and never had a decent woman in their lives, only whores.
He never, ever wanted to be compared to such people.
Never.
And just like that, all sense of reasoning and hesitation vanished, replaced by a burning urge to prove that he was nothing like them.
"Fine!" he snapped, his gaze burning. "I'll give you a silver coin." (1 silver coin = 100 copper coins).
Rafael and Sterling exchanged shocked glances.
A hundred copper coins?!
Just like that?
Damn. That was their monthly salary!
Yet this motherfucker was throwing it away like spare change?
Damn. They cursed repeatedly, feeling both envious and awed.
Mike didn't look impressed, as Wayne had expected. He simply nodded. "I won't refuse. Hand over the money and the hairpin, and I'll return the picture."
Wayne narrowed his eyes. "You think I'm a fool? And if you don't return the picture?"
Mike shrugged. "I wouldn't lie. But if you don't believe me, then I'll just quietly keep the picture until you do."
"You son of a bitch!" Wayne gritted his teeth so hard he almost cracked them.
But Mike had made it clear: the money and the hairpin first.
In the end, Wayne chose to believe the bastard.
If he didn't return the picture... well, he'd just deal with him in his own brutal way.