Chapter 27 - Price

I scanned the pages and finished flipping the papers when the waiter arrived with my food.

I closed the file, and with a blank expression, swept the men with my innocent eyes.

"And . . . ?" I picked my spoon and fork and chomped my food with gusto.

Fin was confused for a moment, lost in thought. Clyde rubbed his chin, and Zhane scratched his head. All were looking at me with expectation.

Cain was the one who broke the silence. "We want to know your opinion."

I stopped chewing as I stared at his calm, otherworldly face, and subconsciously swallowed.

I forced my eyes away from his and with an indifferent attitude, I sliced my bacon. "I don't know what Zhane told you, but you overestimated me. I'm just a sixteen years old teenage girl."

Clyde chuckled. "A multi-millionaire sixteen years old teenage girl," he clarified with a sly smile.

I shot Zhane a pointed look, and the latter just flashed me an apologetic smile.

"Leanna . . . may I call you Leanna?" Fin asked, voice like an older brother dotting on his sister.

"I don't mind." I shrugged and continued eating.

Fin smiled and explained, "Don't be angry at Zhane. He didn't tell us the specifics. He just told us that you have incredible foresight."

I won't call it foresight . . . more like a cheat code . . .

"I just got lucky," I said. "It's not enough evidence for me to butt my nose on a billion-dollar project."

"Luke Jansen," Cain said, almost like a whisper.

I choked, the food got stuck in my throat. I reached for my glass of water and drank it all. Teary-eyes, I looked at Cain.

I realized that eating together with this man could get you killed.

Learned my lesson. I put down my utensils and portrayed an 'I-don't-know-what-you're-talking-about' kind of face, and stomped hard on Zhane's foot.

agh!

Zhane whimpered and clasped his hand over his mouth as if doing so, it would stop the pain.

"What about Mr. Luke Jansen?" I pretended not to know.

Cain leaned on the sofa. The corner of his lips twitched, smiling like the devil.

"We know about you and Luke Jansen," he said. I was afraid that his penetrating stare would suck my soul out.

"Let's get straight to the point. We want you to be one of the consultants of this project."

". . ."

I was quiet for a time, avoiding any eye contact. Afraid that my soul would really leave my body, or be hypnotized by Cain's unfathomable crystal clear aquamarine eyes.

After a period of time, I took deep breathes and looked at them with a serious face.

"I'm not cheap."

"Name your price," Cain said within split second.

I gave my most pleasant smile. "Ten million consultation fee and I want five percent share if you want me to oversee the project. I won't travel or attend meetings if it conflicts with my schedule. If you want me to travel, all expenses must be paid.. I only accept five-star hotels and Michelin awardee restaurants."