I was about halfway through the second food container—chili, guacamole, fajitas, and some pickled veggies, with a side of a few tortillas—when Lyta’s patience finally ran out.

“Hey,” she called out, almost done with her own lunch. Or was it dinner already? “So, what is this all about?”

I gulped down the last spoonful and washed it down with tea. Though there was some leftover room in my stomach, I wasn’t as hungry anymore.

I've thought this through already. It wasn’t the finest of my plans, not by any stretch of imagination, but it would do just fine.

“Before that, what is your decision?” I asked for confirmation, even though it was pretty clear already.

The glare of those violet eyes told me as much. I ignored it, patiently waiting for her verbal response.

“As if I have any other choice,” Lyta snapped, shifting her gaze to the side.

“There is always a choice,” I said, shaking my head.

Perhaps it was a bit hypocritical coming from me, especially with my own difficulties dealing with Helen. It was my choice, though.

“I spent last week cracking my brain non-stop. But the best I came up with is ‘I can try’.” My special woman’s personal assistant said with a defeated sigh.

As expected, she wasn’t happy but felt desperate enough in her attempts to keep Bella. So, at least partially, my reading of her was correct. Bits and pieces I remembered about her from the future aligned with this conjecture as well.

I nodded, accepting her answer. So, it wasn’t a full stop, which worked for me just fine.

Pause lingered.

“You’ve heard my answer. Now tell me why you said something like that in the first place.” Lyta half stood up, glaring at me with renewed strength. She even banged on the table with both of her palms.

No doubt, she was trying to look imposing. Didn’t really work on me.

“I need someone who can stick by Bella’s side all the time, so she wouldn’t be able to cheat on me,” I answered, going straight to the point.

It was an oversimplification, of course. But it was the truth.

“I…” Lyta looked confused by my words. “I don’t understand.”

I nodded again. Her confusion was understandable.

“We, as in me and a few women—including Bella—came with a sort of arrangement. Knowing Bella as well as I know her, there is a very valid concern that at some point her lust will overpower her self-control,” I explained in a level tone.

Another glance over at my conversation partner told me that she still didn’t understand.

“If I want this arrangement to work, a few boundaries must be put in place. And cheating is one of them.” I continued my words.

“Huh? So it’s fine when you do it, but not them?” The owner of those violet eyes quickly picked up on my words. Clearly, she didn’t like them very much.

“As I said, there is always a choice.” I shrugged. “They had chosen to compromise on my behalf, something that I wouldn’t be able to do in their place.”

Lyta plopped back down on her chair, speechless.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

I took a sip of tea, giving her—and, in turn, myself—some time to think.

“And what role am I supposed to play in this situation?” Those words were said in a tone that really resembled Bella’s business mode.

My opinion about the young woman across the table rose a bit more.

“I need someone who can stick by Bella’s side all the time,” I repeated my earlier words. “And you are an excellent choice for exactly that, being her personal assistant officially and a lover in private.”

Another expression of confusion appeared on her pretty face.

“But, haven’t you just talked about boundaries?” Her tone made it even more clear.

“Bella is someone incredibly special to me, and I am ready to give her special treatment. Within reason.” I stated. “As long as it doesn’t jeopardize the whole arrangement, I don’t mind giving her some leeway this time.”

I looked into my teacup, which was empty already. I stood up and put a kettle on the stove. It was done in a deliberately unhurried way to give Lyta enough time to think without making it awkward.

I also turned my back to her, feigning a lack of interest in her decision.

Well, as far as I was concerned, her response wasn’t that important. Olivia was there already. Or I could specifically search for someone who checked those boxes. Worse comes to worst, I would just organize a female shadow to play this role.

“Is it the only way?” Lyta asked an odd question.

“Of course not. You can always just give up and live your life as if nothing happened.” I replied, taking the kettle from the stove.

I poured hot water into the teapot. Good enough.

“What are the conditions?” Oh, her tone has some resolution in it at last.

I put some effort into contemplating my answer.

“Keep Bella in check for, let’s say, the next three months. And get my attention within the same time limit.” This was long enough to see if this arrangement had any future at all. “If you succeed, congrats. You can keep your relationship with Bella going. Within the boundaries of the arrangement, obviously.”

“And if I fail?” Another question followed.

“Fail the latter, and I will chase you away like the nuisance you are.” I answered without missing a bit. “You don’t want to know about the former.”

I felt some of the Professional slip into my gaze. The way the girl sitting across the table shuddered under my eyes reinforced this idea.

“I need some time to think about it,” Lyta said after a couple of minutes.

“Well, take your time, but three months have already started.” I acknowledged her words.

She nodded absentmindedly and stood up, walking towards the door outside. I accompanied her. Not that I was all that polite, but she wouldn’t be able to leave without the key card.

After Lyta donned her shoes, right as she reached her hand to the door’s handle, she turned back to me and asked:

“Do I even have a chance?” I remember her asking this once before. Kind of.

But something told me that there was something different in that question this time around. And it smelled of Chaos. Reeked, even.

I looked her over, evaluating my answer.

“You are certainly attractive enough. And I don’t find what I’ve seen so far of your personality off-putting, either.” I nodded along with my words. “If I wasn’t as biased, I would’ve hit on you myself. I think.”

I gave her my honest opinion as we walked into the elevator.

“What makes you think I would’ve given you the time of my day?” Lyta asked back with a cheeky smile.

The manner and tone in which she said it reminded me of my lieutenant, Kim Wo Yan, Korean dude and fellow monster.

For a moment, I did wonder what he was up to so far in the past, but it was neither here nor there.

“I mean, you’ve seen two of my girlfriends,” I responded with an overly confident smile.

“Oh, right,” she nodded along. “Hey, if I join this arrangement, is there any chance for some action with Helen?”

“No way.” I dashed her hopes. “The best you’ll get is a taste test when giving me a head.”

It was a crude joke, and I got a well-deserved punch to the shoulder for it. And I actually felt it, much to my surprise.

“What the hell are you made of?” Lyta felt it more.

“Of hopes, dreams, and plenty of juice.” I put my hand on top of her head and started messing with her hair.

I wasn’t quite sure what Lyta’s endgame here was, but I enjoyed this little play quite a bit.