Winning My Ex-Crush

Laird’s POV

In the morning, I hurriedly drove Fenella to Gene’s office. By the time we arrived, it was exactly nine o’clock.

“Hi, Laird, Nice to meet you,” Jessy greeted, extending himself towards me.

Perhaps he intended to kiss both my cheeks, but Fenella quickly intervened between us. Her face looked stern, her eyes fixed on him.

“Good morning, Jessy,” Fenella greeted him with a wide smile, though her eyes clearly glared at him.

“Oh, geez, you scare me!” Jessy exclaimed irritably.

“Hi, Jessy!” I chuckled.Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

“Come on, follow me. Alan’s waiting in his office. Do you have the documents?” Jessy asked, turning to walk up the stairs.

“Yes. They’re printed and paid for,” Fenella replied.

“Are you ready to sign them today?” Jessy asked with giggles.

“Yes, I trust you completely, Jessy. Don’t disappoint me,” she said, wagging her finger in front of Jessy’s face.

“No, darling. I’ve always been able to satisfy you in these seven years,” Jessy laughed. He glanced at me and laughed again. “Of course, work-wise, Laird.”

I could only raise an eyebrow. I didn’t know what Jessy had heard about me, but it seemed he was enjoying teasing me this time with his words. Of course, I didn’t take Jessy’s remarks seriously because he clearly wasn’t my competition.

“Ah, my beautiful Fenella. Good morning,” Alan greeted us as we entered his office. This one is quite the devil.

He hugged Fenella briefly without kissing her cheeks as usual. Perhaps he refrained because I stood right beside Fenella, my hand on her waist, glaring at Alan.

“Oh, hi, Laird. Did you come together?” Alan asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Yes, we came together from my apartment since early morning,” I emphasized the phrase ‘came together’.

“Alright then. Coffee, anyone? I have the best coffee machine with the finest civet coffee beans in the lobby,” Alan offered.

“No need; I’m in a hurry. Let’s get this done quickly,” I said, sitting down on the sofa with Fenella next to me. Jessy and Alan are on either side.

“Oh, come on. Don’t be so stiff. You should try it. I even have a super sexy personal assistant who can make delicious coffee,” Alan said.

“Okay, if you insist,” Fenella said with a casual nod.

I rolled my eyes at Fenella, but she seemed oblivious to my annoyed expression. I couldn’t stand this guy for too long. He was irritating, enjoyed mocking me, and for some reason, I felt he harbored an unresolved grudge against me. Crazy!

But Fenella still allowed herself to be served morning coffee by Alan. Jessy briefly got up to approach Alan’s personal assistant, who was sitting outside.

“I don’t need any. Let’s skip the chit-chat because I really need to be at the office by 10, not a minute later,” I emphasized.

“Oh, really? Where’s your office, then? Is it far from here?” Alan asked me.

“I said, skip the chit-chat,” I said firmly.

“Alright, Mr. Punctual. Let’s just sign this so you can leave my sacred temple,” he said, rolling his eyes.

“Wait a moment, there’s something I need to clarify with you,” I said, holding Fenella back as she took a pen from Jessy.

“Funny, you’re the one who said to skip the chit-chat,” he snorted.

“This isn’t chit-chat. It’s important to straighten out before you sign the contract,” I concluded.

“Well, alright. What is it you want to straighten out?” Alan smirked, glancing down at my pants.

I cursed inwardly. I clenched my jaw to restrain myself. Fenella, seeming to sense my discomfort, immediately intervened. She cleared her throat loudly before speaking.

“Laird means there are some clauses in the contract that seem burdensome to me. So, I hope you can explain them in more detail to us, just to ease our minds,” she said.

“Oh, sure, darling. Alright, ask away. I promise to answer them well.” Alan quickly raised both hands.

“The clause about the bundle of projects agreed upon between Fenella and Gene. Can’t you make it into separate work units instead of several projects bundled into one package like a fast-food combo? You said this office is exclusive and prestigious,” I said.

“Oh, about that. You see, Fenella and Mr. Evans, I just need commitment.” Alan began to sound serious.

“You know, Fenella will be Gene’s main model. So, I need to ensure that Fenella won’t back out of various major projects that I’m pushing for her,” he said, leaning his elbows on his knees.

“Firstly, I want clients to keep their commitments. Secondly, I want Fenella to commit to completing all her work. Thirdly, I want to show that I’m committed to giving her plenty of work,” Alan explained, raising his fingers one by one.

“Not just one or two small short-term projects that are less valuable,” he shrugged, crossing one leg over the other casually.

“Got it so far?” he asked to make sure.

“I feel like this contract is designed to trap Fenella into heavy work.” I scoffed at him in disbelief.

“Oh, come on. You’re exaggerating. We want to do business, not commit a crime,” he snapped.

“Excuse me. Here’s your coffee, Miss Baxter.” A rather attractive man came knocking on the door, bringing coffee for Fenella.

Our discussion paused momentarily as Alan’s personal assistant placed the coffee on the table in front of Fenella. I snorted as I looked at Alan’s newly recruited personal assistant. A young man appeared very obedient, with a melancholic expression.

This is the sexy personal assistant he mentioned? Okay, maybe I was exaggerating in reading Alan’s intentions. Maybe he really is gay, and I don’t need to worry about him and Fenella.

“Thank you, John,” Alan said to him with a smile. “Please, Fenella. You really don’t want to try it, Laird?” Alan asked me again.

“No thanks,” I said firmly.

“Alright,” Alan shrugged.

I waited for John to leave and resumed my words.

“I hope you keep your word, Alan. If anything happens to Fenella, rest assured I will find you, sue you, and put your name on the FBI’s most wanted list.” I threatened him with a stern voice and a fierce gaze.

“Go ahead, Mr. Evans. I’m not afraid, and I assure you, everything will be fine. There’s Jessy too, who will always accompany Fenella. Right?” Alan looked at Fenella and Jessy alternately. They both nodded firmly.

“Trust everything in me. I’m your trusted hero,” Jessy said, puffing out his chest.

“Yeah! Go Jessy!” Fenella cheered, clapping her hands.

“Alright,” I said.

“Satisfied?” Alan asked.

“Yup,” I replied shortly.

“Can we sign the contract now?” Alan asked.

“Go ahead.” I nodded to Fenella, who was waiting for my approval.

“Finally, Fenella!” Jessy cheered loudly, linking his fingers with Fenella’s.

“Thank you, Jessy. Thank you, Alan. Thank you, Laird,” Fenella said, hugging each of us briefly.