"So what're you up to nowadays?" Max asked, deciding to break the ice after noticing Jessica's seemingly angry expression, one he found strangely endearing, especially with her puffed cheeks.
He also called over the waitress, a different one for obvious reasons and ordered some coffee and refreshments for them.
Jessica turned to him without responding. Her eyes stayed fixed on him while he was conversing with the waitress, piercing into his soul like twin daggers of judgment.
The moment the waitress left, Max, realising something was off, raised both hands in mock surrender and offered an exaggeratedly tearful apology. "Okay, my bad! I should've called you soon!"
"Humph... stop the act," Jessica snapped.
She paused, then resumed more quietly, "I was worried. You seemed shaken that day for some reason, and then… You never called me back. It's been over a week already."
Her voice dipped, and she lowered her gaze.
Max gave a soft, sheepish smile. "I'm sorry."
Noticing her expression softening, he grinned awkwardly and asked, "So… what did you think about my offer? And just so you know—I'm not taking 'no' for an answer."
Jessica sneered at his cute attempt to appear persuasive. "I'll have you know, I don't know the first thing about defence or fighting. I'm just strong, that's it."
"I'll have everything taken care of," he interrupted abruptly. "You just need to be around me and shake off any unwanted elements with a bit of force."
He watched her closely. Jessica was staring at him in silence. His Adam's apple bobbed with anxiety as his heart thumped loudly inside his chest.
Jessica drummed her fingers on the table while pondering, finally sighed and agreed, "As you wish. I need a job either way, but I'm being upfront, I'll leave whenever I want. Also, I know a few lawyers. So don't try anything… unnecessarily cunning."
Max beamed at her response, nodding enthusiastically. "Whatever you want."
Watching his almost childish excitement, Jessica had a fleeting suspicion he hadn't really heard what she said, more like he just listened to what he wanted to.
She narrowed her eyes at him in a glare. "I hope this whole offer is really about a job, and not some personal wish of yours."
Max chuckled awkwardly and averted his eyes, scanning the restaurant. "Everything's professional!" he replied quickly, not quite meeting her gaze.
Of course, he heard her loud and clear. And he also had a rough idea how she might've had those lawyer connections, her sister was some kind of child actress, and their family must've worked with a law firm or two back then.
Even so, Max had no intention of trying to con Jessica. Not because he feared her fists; no, certainly not that. But because he respected her.
Meanwhile, their order was also delivered. Their focus shifted to a warmer atmosphere.
Eventually, both of them relaxed. With smiles on their lips, they shook hands in a mutual agreement.
"I'll send you a formal proposal soon," Max promised. "Also, start preparing for some intense workouts. I won't be handing out such a high salary for nothing."
He had already planned to ask Leo to arrange some basic self-defence classes for Jessica.
Basic training would suffice for now, since he needed her to start shortly after he officially took office at BioWorks.
Later, she could continue her training while working and gradually adapt to the role.
Jessica, with a determined expression and eyes burning with resolve, responded confidently, "Don't worry. I'll train well."
Max nodded, doing his best to suppress the wide grin threatening to break out across his face. No need to come off as creepy, he mused internally.
They both drank their coffee in comfortable silence, occasionally exchanging glances but neither willing to disturb the peace between them.
Later, they stepped out of the restaurant together. Eyeing her casually, Max asked, doing his best not to sound flirty,"Should I drop you home?"
Jessica seemed hesitant for a moment, eyes flickering uncertainly, but then shook her head. "I'll be fine," she said with a nod and walked off.
Max watched her until she disappeared from his view. A long sigh of relief escaped his lips.
At last, he had some form of security. Although untrained, Jessica was still strong enough to take down a few thugs if necessary.
And if needed, Max wouldn't hesitate to recruit more heroes or even a few villains before their journey began, even if it meant interfering in some canon events.
As for the complications that could arise from that? He'd think about those later. Leaving trouble to his future self.
Suddenly, he felt a vibration in his pocket. He reached in and pulled out his phone, noticing Anna's name flashing across the screen.
He answered promptly, "Yes, hello Anna!"
"Hello Max, I've got some news regarding KTech. Can you meet soon?" she asked, her voice a mix of tension and subtle elation.
Max detected both urgency and hope in her tone. He checked the time. He was free now. Therefore, he agreed immediately. "I'll be there. Wait for me at the firm."
He ended the call and marched to his car, thoughts churning in his head.
KTech had been a thorn in his side from the moment he first learned about its deteriorating condition.
He could only hope that Anna had managed to convince a reputed corporation to take over his shares and reduce his burden.
Later, he would decide how to deal with the shareholders who'd laid that cunning trap behind his back. Their betrayal was personal. Some of them had once called his father a friend.
His hands clenched the steering wheel tightly, frustration crawling through his nerves every time he thought about the betrayal.
Each time, he pushed the emotions down before they could erupt.
But he could feel it, the lingering presence of the previous owner of this body. Subtle emotions, flashes of memory, and instincts that weren't entirely his own still emerged occasionally, like now.
Max assumed that unless he finished those traitors, this body might resume such outbursts occasionally.
He lamented his fate for carrying not just the burden of rebuilding a legacy but also the fragments of a soul not originally his.
With a deep breath and steel in his eyes, Max started the engine and drove toward the Knight Investment Firm.
….
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