Watching her roused something in him, an even greater sensation of desire and want for the Morgenstein.
He couldn't help but move from his standpoint, taking slow steps towards Beatrice.
His hand extended to reach for a touch on her shoulders when Beatrice said, "Stop. Move away from me, Wilson."
He retracted his hand, with a frown forming on his face.
"I can smell how horny you are from here." She chuckled slightly before putting on a silk nightgown that clung to her frame in such an alluring way.
Then she turned to him and said, "But you're getting none of this. A man who can't keep to his word has no business being inside of me."
"Is this how you would treat me as your boyfriend?" Wilson asked.
Beatrice scoffed. "Oh please, it's been what? Twenty hours since? You're still on probation, and maybe if you had done as asked, you might've gotten lucky tonight."
"I told you I—" Wilson was going to protest again.
"I don't want to hear any of it," she raised her hand in front of his face as she spoke. Then added, "Leave my house, Wilson."
He sighed, then turned away. Right as he reached the doorstep, Beatrice said, "And make sure you're here to pick me up tomorrow."
Wilson halted in his tracks to hear that, and without saying anything further, he walked away in annoyance.
The Heydrich had just felt firsthand what it meant to be involved romantically with Beatrice.
She sat on her bed with a satisfied look on her face. Going naked before Wilson had been intentional.
She was fully aware of how much he craved her, and by doing this, it would force him to do whatever it takes to get her approval.
"I'll make you regret every bit of it for ever leaving me, Ethan," Beatrice said to herself.
——
{Stark Industries}
Within a large office space, Victor Keating, a well-distinguished man of middle age with graying hair, sat in the comfortable leather chair behind a desk but had a contemplative look on his face.
He was the current acting CEO of Stark Industries.
Ever since Eduardo came by to give him notice, he had been in a mood. This wasn't supposed to be happening.
He was certain that Nathan's wimp of a son would never bother to come for the head position in the company, so far as the estate kept receiving money.
He took up his Arcphone and clicked through the screens before tapping on an icon that dialed through to an unknown number.
"You might want to get your guys to act faster so that we can conclude this once and for all," Mr. Keating said in a thick, solemn voice.
"Everything is going as planned. Why the sudden rush?" the voice asked.
"Nathan's son wants to play CEO. I can't have him risking the deal," Victor replied.
"Okay, that's not good," the other voice said.
Victor left a quick reply. "Get them to finish the deal quick." Then ended the call.
He sighed and continued staring at nothing in particular. But the thoughts that brought concern to him had returned.
——
The library was almost empty today, save for Ethan and Isabella, who sat across from each other at one of the study tables.
They were both chuckling about something.
The last few days between them had been cordial and humorous. Turns out they shared a few similarities between themselves, especially this dry sense of humor that made talking become really easy.
In front of Ethan was a spell note picked from the library, filled with different magic circle symbols and arcane diagrams.
He was supposed to have been studying this spell as instructed by Bettie, but Isabella being around made that impossible.
Not that he was complaining.
At the end of their chuckle, Ethan leaned back and asked, "So, what review would you leave about me to Mr. Kieran?"
Isabella had a playful smile on her lips. "I don't know. That depends."
"On what?" Ethan asked, playing along.
"Should I tell him you gave me more life advice than actual magic lessons?" The Princess teased
Ethan feigned a shocked expression. "That's slander. I taught you plenty."
"Oh really?" Isabella leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. "Name one useful thing you taught me about being a caster."
"Okay, fine," Ethan admitted with a grin. "But in my defense, you also kept asking questions about anything but casting."
"Fair point." Isabella laughed, then added, "You'll get a good review. Don't worry about it."
At the end of the mentorship period between the first and final years, the first years were to leave a review of their mentorships. This would then be graded by Mr Kieran.
They both smiled, but then the conversation quieted a bit. There was an unspoken acknowledgment between them that what brought them together had finally ended today.
Isabella looked down at the table, tracing a finger along the edges of the book Ethan failed to read. "It was nice, though. These past few days."
"Yeah," Ethan agreed. "It was."
From one of the seats at a distance, Percival kept peeking in and out from behind the book he was pretending to read.
He was the only other person in the library with them, but here as a reminder for Ethan to keep to his word about talking to Isabella.
Ethan noticed Percival again and was going to bring him up. "So, uhm—"
But Isabella wanted to speak at the same time too. "I have this—"
They both stopped and looked at each other. Then laughed awkwardly.
"Sorry, you first," Ethan said.
"No, no, you go ahead," Isabella countered.
"I insist," Ethan said. "You started first."
Isabella smiled, then took a breath. "Okay, so… I have this thing with my friends at Ernie's. We go every few weeks, and today's evening is one of those days. If you want, you can come."
Ernie's place was a popular, probably the most popular arcade-style cafe in Grayfort.
Percival's ears twitched. He had been eavesdropping the entire time, and when he heard that, his eyes widened.
Did Isabella just ask Ethan to hang out with her?
Ethan was taken aback a bit. He definitely did not see that coming. He didn't answer immediately because he was thinking of the fact that Bettie would come around today for their casting classes per usual.
There was also the fact he wanted to talk to her about Percival.
Isabella noticed his hesitation and quickly added, "I mean, no pressure or anything. It's okay if you can't show up."
"No, it's not like that," Ethan said quickly. "I just… I have something scheduled this evening, but I can move it."
He'd just have to tell Bettie they'd reschedule for tomorrow. Moreover, he had learnt a few useful spells in the last three days, so this was a good way to take a break.
"You sure?" Isabella asked. "I don't want to mess up your plans."
"It's fine," Ethan said with a reassuring smile. "I'll be there."
Isabella nodded, her smile widening. "Great. We usually meet at the hour of six."
"Sounds good," Ethan said with a nod.
Isabella then tilted her head slightly. "So, what was it you wanted to talk about?"
But right at that moment, Ethan saw Percival walking out of the library, looking rather mad.
Ethan sighed, knowing Percival had just heard everything.
Then he turned back towards Isabella and shook his head. "It's nothing, and I should probably get going. It's closing hours soon."
"Yeah, me too," Isabella said, standing up with him.
They gathered their things, and as they walked towards the library exit together, Isabella glanced at him. "Thanks for not making this mentorship thing completely terrible."
"Right back at you," Ethan said.
She smiled one more time before heading off in a different direction.
Ethan watched her go for a moment, then sighed.
"Great. Now I have to deal with Percival."