To Color Your Life - Chapter 79

Emily has met many different people in her life. Most of them remained in her memory as faded pictures, the names and faces of whom she would not have recalled in case if she had met or seen them.

But the people she met over the past month were so bright that it was very difficult to forget or not think about them. They were both colleagues from the department and Justin’s relatives.

Among everyone she met, there were two whose behavior and way of thinking made her head spin.

The first person out of this duo, of course, was Justin himself. This man not only forced her to leave her shell every time, to which she had become accustomed for many years. But he also helped her open up new facets of her own character, as a person, and as a woman.

The second person, to Emily’s great surprise, was Christian Denver.

The girl usually showed no interest in other people, but this man was strange. By the looks, he was more like a professional athlete who had to put on a business suit. He masked his discontent behind harsh phrases and external detachment, but at the same time, he immediately apologized for being rude.

How should you behave with such a person? If he becomes the head of Pharaoh magazine, how will he manage her department? Well, he may find a common language with Barkens, for instance, but what about the rest? Emily knew the character of Kelly and Catherine. If Joyce could somehow communicate with her ex-husband, then Ohara did not tolerate this style of communication for sure. And other girls who are used to Evans’ style, how will they feel?

So, Hayes, since fate is so persistently pitting you against this person, it probably means something! It is necessary to scout the situation as much as possible and come up with tactics.

Emily threw her hand up in a belligerent way. Fortunately, it was dark in the elevator, and the man could not see that the enemy was preparing for an attack a meter away.

“Mr. Denver, would you like some pastries?” she suggested. That’s right, first, you need to divert attention, lull your enemy’s vigilance, and only then neutralize him. Although the last point was a big question. How can she neutralize a large shareholder?

“Thank you very much. You’re very kind. But I think I’ll pass on that. You have already treated me. If your pastries spoil these clothes too, I will be left completely naked.”

Hmm, that’s not a bad option either, Emily thought. I can take provocative photos and blackmail him. Or even put them in a new issue of the magazine!

Judging this Denver’s appearance, it was quite something, so readers would have really liked it. And if you add something from leather on top of him… or feathers and paint on his face, like those accessories of the American Indians… An excellent cover of the issue would come out!

Stop Hayes, you’re starting to think like Joyce. Get on with your direct business! You are a spy now!

“Mr. Denver.”

“Call me Christian,” he corrected unexpectedly.

Wow, this is a twist! Did lulling the enemy’s vigilance point already work?

“Isn’t it a violation of the professional subordination to call you by name?” Emily didn’t care how she spoke to a man. But for the implementation of the main task, friendly communication was preferable.

“An important peacock, a disgruntled hedgehog, a capricious child, a brainless – these are just the definitions that you gave me five minutes ago,” Denver’s mocking voice, when he did not growl with anger, was pleasant to the ear.

This would be a perfect voice-over actor for creating audiobooks, Emily thought, and immediately tapped herself on the forehead. Indeed, Hayes, have you decided to get him a job? He certainly doesn’t need it. Unlike you.

“I’m afraid to imagine what options are left in your head. Are you still worried about professional subordination? After the dozen cupcakes you smeared all over my face, professional subordination is the last thing you can think of.”

Emily smiled. It turns out that Denver could also be a normal person. This was reassuring. “You yourself are to blame. You shouldn’t have sneaked up on me so unexpectedly.”

“You shouldn’t have eavesdropped on someone else’s conversation.”

“You shouldn’t have discussed important matters where you might be overheard.”

The man chuckled. It was definitely a good sign, Emily hoped.

“Mr. Denver… Christian, we are gathering in the whole department for dinner at the Pharaoh restaurant in the evening. Do you want to join?” she decided to go for broke.

The silence of the man along with the darkness in the elevator felt like when the judge gets up from his seat to read out the verdict. The last second before he opens his mouth seems endless.

“Why would I be interested in something like that?” the familiar coldness slipped into Denver’s voice.

Damn, was it too much for her to ask him to join?

“You can get to know the team, we have wonderful young people. I used to be a loner, it was difficult for me to get close to strangers. But here… these people became like family to me. I want you to see it too.”

Emily suggested that with a communication style like Denver’s, he could hardly boast of a large circle of friends. Yes, it was manipulation. But on the other hand, everything the girl said was true. She sincerely believed that if he got to know the Pharaoh’s team better, Christian could change his plans for the magazine account.

The elevator creaked, followed by a light in the cab. The second later they were already going down.

“It’s a sign! They solved the electricity issue so fast!” the girl exclaimed joyfully. She already wanted to get to work faster and discuss everything with Justin. Maybe he will suggest what will be best to do? “Do you believe in signs like this one?” she turned to Christian.

Emily looked up at Denver with a smile and froze. The man’s face was gray and beads of sweat beaded on his forehead.

“You feel bad?” she took a step forward, running through all the first aid rules she knew in her head.

“I’m fine,” Christian replied and wiped his forehead, “I just don’t like darkness,” he breathed in relief that their imprisonment was over.

Exactly. And she, in her desire to drag Denver to the bright side, forgot that his behavior changed when the lights were turned off. She heard only his voice, which seemed relaxed and even a little cheerful, but in reality, the man experienced completely different feelings. What was he really thinking all this time?

“Why do you need this, Miss Hayes? I assume that you are a good person, but why do you need all this?” Christian looked at her with his hazel eyes, which were darker from the dim light in the elevator cab.

His gaze penetrated somewhere deep into her soul. To such corners, where even she herself had not yet dared to look.

“Because I want these people to be happy,” Emily replied timidly. Is it bad to try to help those who support you? This was the first time she had felt such support from strangers and wanted to do her best to pay them back.

“What do they have to do with it? I am asking you again, why do you need this?”

Emily blinked in bewilderment. She just answered that question! What’s wrong with her answer?

Christian sighed as if trying to explain the basics of quantum physics to a younger student. He reached out and took one cupcake from Emily’s container.

“Emily, do you like sweets?”

The girl was confused for a second, not expecting to hear the address by name. However, he himself said that the subordination in their case has already passed the stage.

“Yes, I like sweets,” she replied.

“But I don’t.”

Denver’s words surprised her even more.

“Why are you eating it then?”

Christian took a bite of half his cupcake and stared thoughtfully at the ceiling. He reluctantly swallowed what was in his mouth and looked at the girl again. “I must understand the answer to this question myself. Why am I now eating what I’m not used to eating? Why am I doing what I’m not used to doing?”

The man held out the other half of the cupcake to Emily, “If you don’t know a clear answer to this question, then the most you can do is go half way. You will not be able to go through the second half.”

Emily picked up a cake. And what should she do about it? Was there some secret meaning in this that her dull brain could not understand? Without thinking twice, she opened her mouth and put the cupcake inside.

Christian laughed. “Well, you can do that too. If you don’t know the answer to the whole question, then find someone who can help you at least find the answer to one half of it.”

The girl looked at the man. Here it is! That is what Catherine was talking about! The best way to defeat your opponent is to ask your very opponent about how to do that!

“And how can I understand why I need this?”

Denver pushed off the wall and picked up a crutch. They were almost down to the bottom floor, and Emily suddenly wanted to stay a little longer in this elevator. She felt that she was close, almost groped for the handle of the door, which she had to go through.

“You have decided to engage in battle with an enemy that surpasses you in strength and ammunition. It’s like knight fights,” the man replied. “I have a horse. I’ve got good armor. And you are just standing here, waving a pitiful stick in front of me, protecting the crowd that is behind you. Do you think you can defeat me with such a weapon?”

“No,” Emily replied reluctantly. It was unpleasant to agree, but even an idiot would understand that Denver was right.

“That’s what we’re talking about. And most importantly, why would you have to risk your life for them? After all, it is obvious that if I wish, I will pierce you with a spear, without even approaching. If you want your opponent to take you seriously, find yourself a horse to start with. My little brave knight, Hayes.” The man shook his head, amazed at how naive this girl was.

Emily was silent for a few seconds and then said, “You’re right, Christian Denver. But it’s all completely different, actually. I am not a knight,” she looked at him with eyes full of determination, “I am a dragon.”

The man blinked and stared at the girl as if he saw her for the first time. His face was filled with surprise, followed by admiration and something else. Emily didn’t notice it, but she did see her reflection in the brown eyes, which now were looking at her with strange warmth.

“Well, that’s even more interesting,” Christian smiled. “I haven’t fought a real dragon yet..” He took the girl’s hand in his hand and raised it to his lips, leaving a light kiss, “It will be an honor.”