A handsome young lad who seemed to be a noble walked into the jewelry workshop like he owned place, he had zero regard for the people in it. He behaved as if they didn't exist as he looked through the store.
" And who are you? ", Abigail asked already fed up with the strange boy that walked in her out of nowhere even when they weren't open to customers. Travis had already drawn his sword once the boy appeared, Martha pulled out the bow she had used earlier from only God knows where. Even Ron had a Knife in hand as if this wasn't his first time dealing with threats. They all saw this boy who appeared out of no where as a threat.
The boy saw this and chuckled. He didn't seem bothered with all those weapons aimed at him and instead continued looking around" Me? I'm a pretty handsome guy, can't you tell ", the boy said not even sparing her a glance once, they all gave him blank looks at his audacity. What a narcissist!
" What do you want here then handsome guy ", Abigail asked, trying to ignore his shamelessness.
He finally faced her as if she had said something interesting, " I'm here for business not so pretty girl ", he replied only to receive a sharp kick to the shin " Are you always such a brute? ", he asked, trying not to groan in pain. She couldn't resist her impulsive thought, but she didn't feel a thread of regret in the slightest.
" Watch your tongue sir, what business will I have with you? ", she was now very suspicious of him and how he got to know she was even running a business in the first place. She turned to Martha who didn't even hide the surprise on her face. It was clear the maid hadn't told anyone, and she knew Travis wouldn't either as he had taken an oath privy him serving her. She could only think of Ron other the others she had hired.
Composing himself, the young noble spoke, " You don't offer your guest anything to drink? ", he asked, bringing her out of her thoughts with his shamelessness.
' Will poison do? ', she thought but still asked Martha to brew some tea for him and serve him pastries as well. Martha reluctantly left her lady's side despite the obvious threat and went to do as she was told. Travis still stood guard beside Abigail as she guided the boy to a table in the corner of the shop that Ron had prepared for them to have their talk.
Once the tea and snacks were served, the boy indulged himself in enjoying himself. It was he forget they were supposed to discuss as well, not having a care in the world. It was clear he was messing with her and boy was it working. "Sir, your reason for being here?", she couldn't stop herself from asking.
"Oh yes, how rude of me. As I was saying.... I'd like to invest in your businesses, what do you think?? ", he asked munching on a biscuit.
" So you wanna be a business partner but before that, how did you come to know of me and my plan know my plans? Who are you and what family do you belong too? ", Abigail questioned. It seemed like this talk and somehow turned into an interrogation.
" I'm Leo ", that was all he said.
Abigail was losing patience already, who's this crazy guy? " I don't have time for this, please leave while I'm still being nice ", she threatened.
He chuckled, amused by the thought that she actually thought she could do something to him " I have my ways of knowing, you think that's the only thing I know about you? ", he finally spoke, looking her straight in the eyes like she was an open book that even children could understand.
" Are you threatening me? ", she asked. She didn't show it, but she was scared witless by his claim of knowing much more than he should. It felt like those eyes could see right through her.
" I'm not threatening you, just giving you more options. That's all ", he said while sipping on tea.
" How much do you know? "
" So are you cooperating? ", he looked up, his green eyes shone. Seeing he wasn't going to answer her first she sighed and nodded her head. " Good, let's just sign the papers and were partners ". She looked towards Martha who understood completely and quickly got the documents drafted. Abigail was impresses by what Martha had prepared but she didn't have time to praise her maid and signed the paperwork with Leo.
Pleased that he had gotten what he wanted, he picked up a snack and asked, "What are these things called?", he then took a savory bite. " They're brownies sir ", she replied
He raised a brow at her reply and sighed, " Call me Leo and not sir, I'm not much older than you ", he was right. He seemed around the same age as Gabriel and Lucas.
" Ok Leo, let's put the formalities aside then. As a major investor, you are to be present at all Major event. The opening for the pastry shop are restaurant are tomorrow. You should know the location of each, just be at one ", she said.
" Ok Abby, so what are you planning on doing now? ", he asked, moving his chair closer to hers.
" Abby? Don't call me that ", she said causing him to grin from her obvious displeasure. " Were close now, aren't we? ", he asked, putting an arm over her shoulder. Their chairs were now right next to each other.
" Who's close with you, I'm close with your money ", she pushed him away with and he clutched his chest with a pained expression on his face.
" Ouch you're vicious, even to your devilishly handsome partner? ", he looked wronged but she rolled her eyes in response. "You're an investor not a partner, look at you trying to lay claim over my hard work", she wasn't going to let his joke slide.
" Young lady, we haven't cut the raw materials yet ", Ron reminded her, Abigail's eyes shone in excitement. They quickly moved towards the cutting machine, Leo as well. As Ron began cutting through the raw material, Leo looked on with interest which Abigail noticed. " Aren't you interested?", she asked
He shrugged and replied, " I can guess what going to happen and so do you ", he smirked at her leaving her stunned, his beautiful emerald green eyes shone different from how cold and distant they were earlier, his facial features were delicate and well defined. His jet black hair made him look dark yet charming and his skin was white and looked like jade.
It was like the gods were being unfair to all the others when they decided to create Leo. It's simply to unfair. He was even better looking than Gabriel who she thought was the mot handsome. That made her even more curious about him, the former Abigail knew the faces of every good looking noble in the empire and none were more handsome than her brother, Lucas, her cousin and the imperial princes.
She suddenly felt a sharp pain as he flicked her forehead, how dare he?! " You were staring so I brought you back ", he said to her before smiling, " Am I that handsome? "
" You're just good looking and I was admiring it, don't be so cocky ", she was blushing but quickly brushed him off and looked towards the raw material being cut, Ron had already began to rub it as he could see the surface. A green light shone from the raw material. It was jade!!
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Nine pieces of jade were laid on a table, three were the size of fists, two the size of basket balls, and the rest the size of an egg. There was red jade, purple jade and green, some were so transparent.
Everyone around was stunned, such high quality jade and only one was a waste material!! They all turned to Abigail who was also quite surprised by the results. This was simply to good. The most excited had to Ron as he was almost squealing in joy, he was able to work with such good jade in this life!!
" You're good at appraisal? ", Leo suddenly chimed and Abigail admitted to knowing little then he nodded, " It was wise of me to invest, would you like to eat with me Abby? "
" I don't eat with people I just met, maybe another day ", she replied, he raised his brows slightly but agreed before she took back her words. She was surprised he didn't insist on eating immediately and had a bad feeling. She then returned with Martha and Travis to the manor, it was already evening when they arrived and she felt very tired.
" Have you handed out the invites? ", she asked Martha who replied, " Yes I have lady Abigail "
" Good ", she yawned while stretching, " Just get everything done by tomorrow, I trust you ", and with that she walked towards her room. When she walked in, she caught sight of a blonde haired figure going through her dresses. It was Rose.
" What are you doing in my wardrobe? ", Abigail asked.
" Sister! ", she was startled, why hadn't the maid informed her that Abigail was back. " You're back! ", she ran forward to hug her but Abigail felt disgusted and dodge her. Rose was upset about how she was avoided but she didn't show it.
" I'm sorry I came in without permission it's just that there's going to be a banquet tomorrow and I didn't have anything to wear but then I remembered how sister's clothes are so nice. I decided to pick one since you weren't around ", she said innocently. Of course she wasn't just going to take one, but since Abigail came back now she had to think of something to say.
" What right do you have to go in not my room? I hate people invading my privacy. ", and with that she told Rose to leave her room