Once again, Annabelle was taken to the office of Colossus' president by Kevin. Annabelle watched him closely. His nonchalance and causal demeanor also had her relaxing around him. He never asked why she came, nor was he as guarded as Isaac had been the first. Even then too, Kevin was quite friendly with her.
"We are here, Miss Marudas," Kevin informed her, a playful grin on his lips when he caught her staring at him. "See something you like, my lady?" He asked, his grin stretching even wider.
Annabelle cleared her throat, heat crawling up her cheeks. "I'm sorry. It was not my intention to stare."
"Don't worry, I'm used to that," he said, waving his hand dismissively, but she could see mirth dancing g in his eyes, clearly enjoying whatever thoughts ran through his mind.
They stopped walking and he knocked on the door. A low voice was heard from inside, permitting them in. "Oh, just to warn you, I didn't tell him you're here yet," Kevin said just before he opened the door.
"Wait…" Annabelle's mouth opened to speak, but it was already too late. What kind of secretary doesn't inform their boss about a guest and just goes ahead to bring them in on their own?
"You have a guest, sir," he said as he stepped aside for Annabelle to walk through.
Cassian paused mid writing and raised his head. A sharp glare directed at Kevin, who returned it with a wide grin.
"You said I could bring her to you at once if she ever came back. The permission was given long before now," Kevin defended, quickly stepping back and leaving as if another second in there would cost him his life.
Annabelle didn't know how to react to the situation. Cassian's expression said it wasn't the first time something like that was happening, and it left her dumbfounded. What kind of boss would accept such behavior from his subordinates? Was this how things at Colossus were done?
"Come in, Miss Marudas," Cassian said, showing her to the empty seat in front of him.
Annabelle took a moment to adjust her thoughts and clear her mind, reminding herself as to why she had come here. Taking a deep breath, she moved forward.
"It's nice to meet you again, Mr Quinn," she greeted, her hand reaching for his already outstretched one.
Once seated, an awkward silence reigned. Annabelle thinks about how to start talking and Cassian is studying her, wondering if he should be the first to speak. Annabelle caught him staring at her, and she smiled inwardly. His alone was enough for her to know he had done a background check on her.
It wasn't a surprise, but it still hurts knowing he already knows.
"I'm sorry for coming without prior notice… again," Anna began, her hands that rested on her maps fisted tightly but her face remained calm, holding back the remnant of the hangover headache that still throbbed.
"Have you made up your mind?" Cassian asked, his gaze steady on her face. He could almost tell exactly how many timee she had blinked since she sat down. It was not hard to tell she was in a lot.
After a little paused, she nodded gently, "...I have, Mr Quinn, and I require your help."
This was normally where he would have smirked, having predicted all of this playing this way, but for some unknown reason, that arrogant, knowing smirk was missing from his face today.
"In that case, let's hear your proposal, Miss Marudas," he said with a nod. His chin placed on his knuckles as he leaned comfortably with his elbow on the chair's armrest.
Anna swallowed a lump in her throat, still thinking if it was the right choice to chose this path.
"I know you have always wanted for so long to see the fall of Marudas Inc," she started, her eyes on his. "I want to to see it destroyed. I want to help you and you in turn, help me."
Cassian remained silent. His gase still steady on her. It was so intense that she almost regretted saying that out loud but then, she reminding herself that they deserved it and she had done nothing wrong. Had they not used her and abandoned her like some expired tool, she wouldn't be here.
"I know it's hard to just take my words they are and you are skeptical too, but I have prepared a written contract stating the terms and conditions for this. It will of much benefit to you and your …"
"Miss Marudas…" he called, interrupting her. Annabelle paused, a subtle, and almost instinctive frown appearing on her face. "What is it that you truly want from Colossus?" He asked.
"Protection," Anna replied without hesitation. "I want protection from Colossus. If I attack Marudas Inc, I have no were to fall back to should they find me out and fight back.
Cassian grinned, his eyes almost sparkling as he chuckled.
His laugh confused Anna as her brows pulled even closer together.
"You seek protection from Colossus," he reiterated and she nodded. "Are you truly willing to bring to ruin your live's work, Miss Marudas?"
There was a pause before her nod. "My mind us made up, Mr Quinn," she said. "And, it'll help if you could stop calling me "Miss Marudas" anymore. That is no longer my name. I'm just Annabelle now. I believe you know this already." She added and he smiled.
"Very well, Just Annabelle," he said an eyebrow arched in amusement. "Let's see the contracted you've drafted," he said after a nod. Annabelle reached for her bag and pulled out the contract and handed it to him without a second's hesitation. He skimmed through it, his gaze deep and expression giving nothing away.
"Not bad," he said and folded the piece of paper back. "But I do not feel compelled to help just by what's listed here," he lifted the folded the paper to emphasize what he was referring to.
Annabelle panicked. Her expression almost giving away her desperation.
"Every thing listed here can be done even without your involvement, and besides" he paused and reached for an envelope carelessly placed at a corner on top of the desk. "I received a very interesting proposal from Marudas Inc. just moments before you came here. It was acconpanied by an invitation to a party."
He placed the file in front of himself, his gaze lingering on it longer than it should have.
"Give me a reason, something much more beneficial, more compelling than what's writing here and I'll help you," he added.