The Truth about the Big Project

Solis fixed his raptor gaze on Boss Gaia. "So…this Red City project…why did you ask CEO Alex to collaborate with Rosea? Even if Nerium didn't wish to work on it independently, there is no dearth of collaborators would be knocking at your door for the opportunity," he said flatly.

Boss Gaia chuckled. "I did expect you to figure it out," she murmured. "What do you think?"

"Noir and I think that Martis asked you for a favour," Solis said bluntly.

Boss Gaia sighed. "He did. He really is crushed by Ela's duplicity, you know. Both him and Luna – they really had no idea that they were led along. And now they don't know how face you," she said. "Jovis…now that one is a classic example of still waters run deep."

"I don't need anything from them," Solis said. "It is enough if I get to spend my life peacefully with Noir."

Boss Gaia laughed. "I knew you would say that," she said. "But that's not enough for your half-siblings. They are desperate to make it up to you somehow."

Solis pursed his lips. "I just want to be left alone," he murmured.

"Yes, you might," Boss Gaia said carefully. "But your Noir may want to enjoy some family time once in a while…how about you ask him?"

Solis was taken aback. Noir…would he really want to spend time and energy on his family…? He did have a big family back in the imperial palace, didn't he? Did he miss them…?

Boss Gaia raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Didn't you ask him about this at all?" she wondered.

Solis didn't reply. Noir was so easy to get along and he more or less agreed with whatever Solis said…perhaps…there was something wrong with the situation? Shouldn't Noir be making his own demands? He shouldn't have to comply with everything Solis wanted, right?

Seeing Solis in a daze, Boss Gaia chuckled to herself. She found herself quite fond of this young couple, even though Boss Solis was technically from a rival gang.

Solis shook himself and returned his attention to Boss Gaia. "Nonetheless, a favour to Martis should not incur such a massive opportunity for Rosea," he pointed out. "Red City and Azure City – these projects are big enough to bring Rosea to the top."

Boss Gaia nodded. "Actually, I was quite hesitant at first, too, especially for Azure City, since there are many international groups eyeing that one," she confessed. "But Alex was quite enthusiastic when he heard your name. It seemed that he had been planning to collaborate with you earlier – but then you were in that car crash and things went downhill, and he was hesitant to approach."

Solis pursed his lips. "I see," he murmured. It seemed that Noir's arrival had really brought him luck in more ways than he had previously imagined!

"There is also one more thing," Boss Gaia said quietly. "I'm sure that you and Noir would have already guessed it by now."

Solis nodded. "You mentioned earlier that you wanted to legitimise Dragon's Breath," he said.

"Yes," Boss Gaia said, her eyes turning soft as she saw CEO Alex happily chatting with Noir. "If possible, I'd like it to become a fully legitimate organisation by the end of this year."

Solis's eyebrows went up in surprise. "Is that why you are delaying your wedding with CEO Alex?" he asked.

Boss Gaia bit her lip and nodded. "I don't want Dragon's Breath to become entangled with Nerium in anyway until we can be fully legitimised," she said softly. "Alex…he is very important to me."

Solis's eyes found Noir and he could empathise with Boss Gaia's feelings completely. "I understand," he murmured.

Boss Gaia smiled. "Yes, you would, wouldn't you?" she muttered. "You're the same as me. I can see it in your eyes."

Meanwhile, CEO Alex and Noir came back to their respective partners with loaded plates and big grins.

Noir eagerly held out a spoonful of something violently purple right in front of Solis's lips. His chocolate eyes gleamed with barely repressed excitement. "You have to try this, Solis!" he exclaimed. "It's amazing! I've never seen anything like this before!"

"It's a signature dish of our hotel," CEO Alex announced proudly.

Solis put on a long suffering expression and allowed Noir to feed him. Then his eyes widened in surprise as a complex combination of flavours burst onto his tongue, creating an exquisite experience. It really was delicious, despite the unconventional colouring.

"How is it? It's good, right?" Noir asked, practically bouncing on his feet like a child with his age still in a single digit.

A fond smile appeared on Solis's face as he looked at his fiancé. "It is very good," he said softly.

Noir squealed in delight and gave Solis another spoonful. Solis ate obediently.

"What is this?" Solis asked CEO Alex. He had never heard or seen this thing before – and he was most definitely not a stranger to Nerium hotels and restaurants. What signature dish was this that he'd never caught sight of?

"Our new chef in the seaside resort in Violet Country invented it just a couple of months ago," he said. "It became wildly popular in Violet Country, especially because of the colour. The recipe is secret, and the one of the main ingredients – and the one that gives it its signature colour – that's an indigenous root vegetable which only grows in Violet Country. That's why I missed your engagement banquet – I was acquiring several farms to grow this root vegetable so that we can send it to all our Nerium restaurants around the world!"

Boss Gaia patted her fiancé on the shoulder. "There's no bigger foodie in the world than my dear Alex," she said proudly.

CEO Alex beamed at her. "What would you like to eat, my love? I picked up all your favourites, but if there's anything else that you'd like, do let me know and I'll get it for you right away!" he said enthusiastically.

Boss Gaia allowed herself to be led away.