January 21, 2021: Dapjeongneo

{{ "Ha-- hahahaha! You really have no d*mn f*cking tact, Konrad." }}

Tristan laughed as if Konrad had knocked the living daylights out of his system.

Back when they were young, the two used to throw profanities towards each other to no end. That's the reason why Tristan was not afraid of the impending verbal retaliation over the cuss he had uttered eagerly, or any rudeness for that matter.

As expected, Konrad did not mind it and was even humored by the illiberal rebellion of his subordinate.

"Hasn't it been that way ever since?"

{{ "I kid you not. I'd prostrate my whole body in front of anyone who'd be able to put a crack on that spiteful semblance of yours." }}

"I do wish to see your unguarded a*s on the floor, but I've gotten tired of your racket. I thought of an idea that would be favorable for both of us. So heed my words."

Only a peculiar silence was heard from the other end of the line. Konrad took it as a sign of a go-ahead. Leastwise, whether or not the consent of Tristan presented itself, Konrad was not one to be swayed from his objective.

"I won't make any advancements towards Miss Rosenfeldt if you win in this little bout of the frivolity of mine. What do you say?"

As the car came to a halt at a red light, Konrad crossed his right legs and leaned his back on the leather seat, appearing lax as if even a moment of quandary would not arrive on his person. Anyway, it was nothing out of the ordinary since it was his usual demeanor.

{{ "Favourable for both of us, yet not for Syn? How merciful of you, Konrad. Do not include Syn in your cast of infidelity. You know what, I have this desire to let other people know of how there is no other scum worse than you." }}

"Did I make a claim that I'm not as such? You make it sound as if I have been posing as a saint up to this point in my life. Besides, I have this feeling that Miss Rosenfeldt will be alright."

{{ "I can't stand that deplorable personality of yours. No, I won't participate in your definition of fun. Leave Syn alone." }}

Konrad's gaze suddenly narrowed into slits, furrowing his eyebrows measly. These minimal actions, unnoticeable to say the least, were enough to express that he was incriminating Tristan of a bratty sin.

One thing was guaranteed though. Catatonic though his face might be, Konrad found it enjoyable to discover something that he could hold against Tristan.

"This is news, Tristan. I did not know that you were this smitten with that woman. I'm sure Missus O' Connor will be thrilled if I enlighten her of the fact that her son has finally outgrown his roué identity."

Tristan scoffed, loudly as if to spit on Konrad who was on the other side. 

{{ "Are you devoid of any justifiable morals? This is not about me. You just told me that she is in the hospital, yet here you are involving the unknowing, ailing her in your schemes." }}

It was not befuddling to hear how serene Konrad's voice sounded when the conversation had settled in his territory. However, Tristan was also similar in a way, making no effort to show that he was disturbed the least bit. 

"Well, you went off on a tirade before I could have let you in on the details."

{{ "Why are you so insistent? I explicitly told you no. And whether you like it or not, Syn is already my woman." }}

Out of all the things that Tristan had spouted, the concluding ones somehow irked the placid rational out of Konrad. His face instantly returned its natural aloof state - if there is even a state more aloof than deadpan.

But now, it was accompanied by a spiteful glint in his eyes. His manner of speech had also returned to the formal and unreserved that it was.

"You are being unnecessarily difficult, Mr O' Connor."

Tristan unconsciously swallowed down the saliva that was pooling in his mouth. The man knew better than to retort when Konrad's mood had suddenly shifted. He remained speechless and kept his opposition all to himself. 

"It is either you agree with my proposal, or I will have to resort to some drastic, disagreeable measures."

Even a shallow understanding of human psychology would arm an individual the knowledge they needed in difficult conversations. Utilizing uncalled-for aggression, with or without violence, to appeal one's purport towards another, would signal that the person had become aware that the validity of their point was lacking to an extent.

Did this fact speak about how unreasonable Konrad was being?

To an outsider, that might be a yes.

Howbeit, looking at it from subordinates' perspective, the matter had no room for negotiation from the very start if Konrad was being that insistent. Tristan knew of that, but he was not willing to yield just yet. After all, it was a rare chance for him to learn more about Konrad's intentions. 

{{ "Then, at the least, answer my question." }}

Tristan waited for Konrad's approval. Withal, the latter embraced an eerie quietude which made the former rethink his bold inquisition. Still, he proceeded to raise his question. 

{{ "You already have several partners that would willingly indulge you. Why did you have to take interest in a woman who you only had the chance to meet twice, albeit briefly? As far as I know, you refrain from forming a relationship with someone you are not fully acquainted with." }}

Contrary to Tristan's anticipation of being freed from his bugging curiosity, Konrad narrated a rather nettlesome statement.

"Do not debase yourself by prying further about something you are not allowed to know."

At that point, Tristan decided to not insist on getting his way any further.

"By all means, exercise your liberty to put Miss Rosenfeldt in the know of the agenda of our conversation. If she is not out of the hospital within three days, then I will call this off."

It was good to take note that Konrad, on no account, was talkative in nature. He might explain ideas and subject matters extensively whenever he's working, since obviously enough, it was in his best interest to communicate properly with his retainers.

Be that as it may, he would elucidate on things only once. Whether or not his subordinates grasped the information he relayed completely was none of his concern. He wouldn't speak regarding the same topic twice. With all that being said, the outcome should still be according to his expectations.

The other instance when Konrad became communitive was when he's adamant about acquiring something. Bear in mind that this was not just simple stubbornness. If anything, it was on the extreme besetting end of the spectrum.

And the only person who would be in the know of every reasoning behind these unsubstantiated actions was Konrad.

Nobody could possibly blame Tristan for feeling perplexed by how Konrad was acting at the moment. On top of that, a prompt romantic development similar to that of a fairy-tale was happening right in front of his eyes.

Well, whether it was driven by romantic feelings or lust was debatable.

Although Tristan and Syn's relationship had yet to develop to an intimate degree, it was certain that Tristan had already taken a liking towards Syn. He was serious when he said that he wanted to go way and beyond their contract.

Since it had come to a situation wherein neither of the two men was willing to yield, Tristan could only hope for Konrad to abide by the rules. 

{{ "Do you swear by your words that you will give up your interest towards Syn in the event that I win?" }}

"I wouldn't mind having a written deal if that will comfort your suspicions, Mr O' Connor."

{{ "So how do we go about this game of yours?" }}

In spite of the fact that he got what he wanted, Konrad treated their conversation as if it was a business deal. He was speaking in a tone devoid of eagerness nor delight.

"I won't make any efforts in meeting Miss Rosenfeldt. It is a given that I will not ask for her profile and history until we know who is the victor, Mr O' Connor. Your role is to make sure that I won't see even a speck of her shadow, though there will be no second chances. Once I get a glimpse of her, that's the finality of it."

Tristan did not want to ponder about the specifics of such a game that was inconsequential at best. Thus, he readily agreed to the proposal without any objections.

{{ "I think that's plenty doable. What about the time frame? How many days do you plan to span this out?" }}

"Thirty."

{{ "What?" }}

"What seems to be the problem?"

{{ "I think I misheard it. How many days was it again? Three?" }}

"A month, Mr O' Connor."

Tristan nearly choked on his spit upon hearing Konrad's response. He wanted to retract his opinion that winning this challenge was achievable.

If only Konrad was the type to stay cooped up in his office, a month or even a year would not pose as a threat. However, in the upcoming weeks, there were several on-site inspections scheduled for Konrad, and the majority of them were situated in the city where Syn could be usually seen running about.

Moreover, Tristan did not have the heart to restrict every single activity that Syn had previously arranged for herself. He had long resolved to avoid utilizing the contract with the purpose of inhibiting Syn from going through her usual routine.

{{ "Are you seriously telling me that you are forcing me to humor your ridiculous excuse of a fair trade for a month?" }}

"Just so you are informed you can procure my complete schedule from my secretary this instant."

Questions, questions, and more questions were piling up inside Tristan's head. There was no point in asking a question when not even once was he given a proper answer.

Nevertheless, Tristan arrived at the stage where his mind was just forcing him to speak for the purpose of dishing out questions, else his frustration would rise at an astonishing rate.

{[ "If only you weren't my boss, I would have cussed the hell out of you right from the very start. In the first place, can you keep your interest in a woman you aren't acquainted with for that long? Huh? I highly doubt that you're the desperate type. You are the very definition of a perfunctory debauchee." }}

Konrad need not contemplate the answer to Tristan's question since he was not planning on quelling the man's curiosities. He just glanced at the moving scenery through the heavily tinted window with an expression as impassive as one could get.

As he was observing the facade of the passing establishments, he noticed that they were nearing their destination. Wherefore, he figured to bring his discussion with Tristan to a cessation.

"Regardless of my pretensions, this agreement is now in effect. But you know, Mr O' Connor, you should be grateful that you accepted this whimsical idea of mine."

{{ "What are you on about?" }}

"I do not need to await the time when I'll be able to pay this debt to you. You'll be warranting my help before long."

Confused though he might be, Tristan was bemused of the instantaneous change in the topic. He became all ears to what Konrad had to say. Surprisingly enough, the matter with Syn was promptly set aside.

{{ "And how will you do that?" }}

"You might be getting a message soon, but I will be leaving you with a caution."

{{ "Then go ahead." }}

"Yesterday, your subordinate made an enormous blunder and the clean-up was painstakingly extensive, to say the least. And my dear, dear wife is livid."

Tristan remained silent about what he just heard. Sweat began to trickle down his forehead.

Thinking about it, what was worse than being on the bad side of Konrad Brecheisen?

"She is out to get everybody who is responsible."

Being on the bad side of Kara Bismarck, a woman whose bad temperament exceeded that of Konrad Brecheisen. Truly a couple of nonconformists, not short of the phrase frustratingly frightening.