3
As I came to my senses, I stared at the disgusting man before me.
I couldn't help but shudder.
His face was plastered with a smile. Though he was a head taller than me, he was practically stooping to my height.
I forced a smile and answered his earlier question. "Quentin Stratton, have we ever dated?"
He froze, a baffled look in his eyes.
I scoffed and was about to walk away when he grabbed my wrist.
My gaze turned ice-cold. I whipped my head around, glaring at the hand he had on me.
The moment he realized, he let go.
I looked up at him, my expression devoid of emotion.
Quentin Stratton gave an awkward laugh. "Uh, I..."
"Stop." I frowned, cutting him off. "You said you could offer me something. Tell me what it is, and then I'll decide whether to give you the resources."
A light breeze swept the hair from his forehead, and I saw a flicker of bewilderment in his eyes.
'True. Anything he has, I have too.'
He could rack his brain all day and still not think of anything to offer me in exchange.
While he was still hesitating, my phone suddenly rang.
I glanced at the screen and answered without hesitation.
I even put it on speakerphone.
A boisterous female voice came through the phone. "Elara, where are you?"
I watched Quentin Stratton's face. Sure enough, the moment he heard the voice, his expression darkened.
I had to stifle a laugh. "I'm right outside my house. What's up?"
"Oh. Perfect." It was a little noisy on her end. "I'm on my way to get you now. Wait for me out front, and I'll take you to meet our partner."
I agreed and hung up.
Then, smiling, I looked at the priceless expression on Quentin Stratton's face.
"Aren't you leaving? Or do you want to come with us to meet our partner?"
Quentin Stratton immediately shook his head. He forced an incredibly ugly smile. "I'll... I'll come back another day."
I scoffed, watching Quentin Stratton beat a hasty retreat.
'Goes to show...'
'A guilty conscience will always catch up to you.'
'Or else...'
I watched his retreating figure and said aloud, "...you end up just like him."
