58: Illuminating (2)

Vivian rushed down from her carriage and zoomed across the pavement through the gates of her company's building. Today was an exciting day for her and why shouldn't it? She has spent three days trying to make it happen after all.

Four days ago, she received a message from Professor Bellfield who informed her that he had made a breakthrough regarding his invention and invited her to his lab. As she rushed there, she found that the Light Bulb experiments had reached a point where the filament was no longer burning up.

In truth, Vivian has asked Voros to pay a visit to Professor Bellfield as a metallurgist associated with ViTech along with an agent and a couple of knights. She even told him that he could give the professor a hint about making the filament from tungsten so that it could withstand the heat.

Voros played his role splendidly even with his shenanigans and eccentric attitude and the Professor was overjoyed that his invention finally worked. With Vivian's suggestion about making a vacuum inside a sealed bulb and Voros' suggestion about tungsten, the Light Bulb was now a thing.

Vivian contacted the Moore Industries immediately and used her right to make an assembly line with some workers. She also helped the professor get a patent for the invention and refused to take any credit.

With that, a dream started to become reality.

Vivian entered her office and the heads of the departments gathered around her.

"So, where is Professor Bellfield and his family?" Vivian asked.

"We expect the family to arrive three hours from now. We have a security team guarding them. As for the professor, he is in the warehouse on the outskirts of the city making sure the last shipment is properly manufactured and tested before getting delivered." The Agent in charge of Professor Bellfield replied.

"Outstanding!" Vivian smiled and couldn't hold back her smile before turning to the rest of the agents, "What about the rest of you?"

"Professor Ansley Graham and Professor Gerald Hopps from the University of Downford will attend the banquet tonight." The second agent replied. 

"And what is their status?" Vivian asked. 

"Professor Hopps is fairly confident in our reputation as subsidiaries of the Moore Conglomerate and is willing to host us at his laboratory. Professor Graham, on the other hand, is questioning our intentions saying that her research is sensitive along with other angry remarks, but it seemed like the rumors about Professor Bellfield's success made her accept the invitation your ladyship sent."

"That's mighty good news. Thank you for your efforts." Vivian thanked the man and turned to the ones after him.

The agents reported everything they had to Vivian about those who they managed to invite on such short notice to the banquet she is holding and she seemed to have reeled over 10 scientists in her sponsorship program so far. People who are pioneering in all sorts of scientific fields be it mechanics, chemistry, electricity, engineering, and all technological frontiers.

It seemed at this rate, Vivian's business model was working well and she had those agents whom she handpicked to be able to reach out to the professors across different universities and academies in order to recruit them. The secret with the agent was how she set their salaries to scale up with the more successful contracts they get for ViTech. At the first meeting, she had with them 8 days ago at the start of the company. She insinuated that when approaching professors for recruitment, the significance was not just of engaging in conversations with them but also of establishing connections with their associates and conducting some preliminary investigation. This comprehensive approach is crucial in ensuring a successful recruitment process.

With that, her agents started to shine at their work and she managed to hire three more agents making her have a team of eight representatives who roam the universities of the city to make contacts and recruit scientists.

The success of tonight's banquet hinges on the number of professors who attend and the smooth execution of the demonstrations.

"Here's your tea, my lady."

"Thank you, Esmeralda."

In the middle of reviewing the last few reports, Esmeralda walked into Vivian's office with a tea tray and placed it on her desk before fixing a cup for her.

"Right, Oliver, the errand boy, is waiting outside." Esmeralda said.

"Oh, right! Send him in."

Vivian put down her tea right away as Esmeralda opened the door for Oliver, the gardener boy from the Moores' mansion.

"Your Ladyship, you left me a word that you want me here." Oliver, the gardener boy, peaked his head through the door and walked in with an awkward posture, holding his cap with two nervous clenched hands.

"Yes, Oliver. Good morning." Vivian was pleased that the help she needed arrived soon, "Listen, today, I have something big going on and I'll ask you to work here today."

"But… your Ladyship… Mr. Bax said I should be back in an hour… and… I am really not sure…"

"Is Mr. Bax's last name Moore?"

"No."

"And you work at House Moore."

"Yes."

Vivian gave an unnerving stare to Oliver, who broke into cold sweat and lowered his head.

"I am sorry, your ladyship. I'll do what you want me to."

"Good." Vivian turned away and called, "Esmeralda, the crates."

"Alright."

The giantess girl opened the door and then came inside with a crate that was at least three feet in dimensions. She placed it on the floor and Vivian stood up and opened it.

"Look here, see those things?" Vivian said and Oliver approached.

"Yes?" Oliver looked inside the crate with a questioning face.

Inside the crate were layers upon layers of straw and between them, there were those fist-sized glass objects that resembled water drops. Of course, there were the light pulps.

"We have around a dozen of those crates and we have no laborers right now. I know since you are a strong and quick lad that you'd be perfect for this job. I want you to take all the crates from downstairs to the roof of this building. Then I want you to go across the street to Alba's fashion house and you will find a similar number of crates over there, you take them to the roof over there as well."

Oliver looked at the crate in front of him and assessed that it was not light. He even attempted to lift it up a little and it wasn't light at all.

"Careful, those things are fragile and the first to be made ever."

"But… that's quite the workload, your ladyship."

"I'm afraid all the people here are busy and we can't bring just any outsider."

"But…"

"How much do you make at the mansion?"

"200 a week."

"Today, you'll make 600 carrying some crates. Once you're done, go to Lady Isabella de Clare at Alba's fashion house and tell her I sent you. She'll give you another job with a whole other pay."

"You got me at 600, your ladyship."

"Good lad. No chop-chop! Start with this crate."

Oliver immediately covered the crate once again and squatted to lift it up. He looked at Esmeralda and smiled.

"You're one strong lady, Miss Esmeralda."

Esmeralda smiled shyly and looked away.

"Thank you."

Vivian looked at the light interaction with observing eyes and raised eyebrows before seeing someone come in as Oliver got out. She immediately changed her expression.

It was Logan and with him, he was bringing in another guest.

"Found him snooping at the front entrance, Princess. He said he's here to see you, I mean, can you believe it?" Logan said and allowed the other young man in.

"Vivian!" The young man spoke with obvious discomfort.

"Valentine, I was wondering when you will show up." Vivian couldn't hold back her provocative smile as Valentine seemed in a great deal of discomfort himself.

"Why did you call me here?" Valentine asked while looking around Vivian's office which was filled with all manner of diagrams and schematics.

"I was thinking of taking into the hobby of beating up those brats I find annoying ever since the last day we met at the auction house." Vivian said and kept provoking him.

Valentine sighed and turned to the knight behind him.

"You do realize that she'll really make you do that at some point?" He spoke to Logan.

"It will be my pleasure, Lord Valentine." Logan winked.

"Why am I here, Vivian?" Valentine asked.

"You want to know?" Vivian asked back.

"Just tell me or kill me."

Vivian couldn't help but laugh and shake her head.

"Alright, everybody, back to your work. It's a busy day." Vivian dismissed everyone else and had the office for her and Valentine alone.

Looking at each other, the two let out a sigh of their own. Vivian, tired of Valentine's attitude, and Valentine, tired of his own attitude as well. He took his comfort in the place and walked out to a nearby sofa that was comfortable enough to stretch his legs on and laze a little.

"You'll keep giving me the cold shoulder in front of everyone, Tino?" Vivian asked.

"You know I hate it as much as you do but you brought this upon yourself, Viv." He said and looked at her, "You're really stupid."

"Right back at you, idiot." Vivian said and tossed a cushion at his head which he caught easily.

Vivian took a seat as well and looked through the balcony door that was left open.

"You're having a big day at work, it seems." Valentine spoke first.

"It's a do-or-die day." Vivian said and turned back to him, "I need my special people around me today."

"Anything for you, Viv." Valentine said and looked at his own hands, reflecting on the words he said.

Vivian didn't pursue him for these words even though she had every right to. She knows he's not feeling alright since the day of her supposed "destruction" but she still holds a grudge since he didn't stand up for her. However, she also understands that he couldn't side with her against the Prince and the rest of them.

Still, that didn't stop her from being cheeky.

"I need a plus one today." She said.

Valentine heard what she said and seemed to be wishing that he could unhear it but…

"Just kidding! Pfff!" Vivian said and burst into laughter, "You should've seen your face!"

Valentine closed his eyes with a twitching lip that couldn't manage to turn into a smile. This caused Vivian to end her laughter unceremoniously and it seemed that Valentine wasn't in his fun spirit today.

Deep down, the two of them know each other almost too well. Even though Vivian shares half of her brain with Nadia, someone Valentine is totally unfamiliar with, all he needs is one look at Vivian's eyes and he'd figure everything out. Too bad he hasn't met her eye-to-eye for a while.

Maybe she has just spoken her intrusive thoughts out loud, but in a perfect world where the Prince and the Heroine don't exist, Valentine and Vivian wouldn't be like how they are now.

A perfect perfect world!

Vivian wasn't the type to entertain those intrusive thoughts but every time there is Valentine in the room, her feelings start to get out of control, and her sense of reality and ability to stay logical always get affected by him.

And just like how she knows to press his buttons, he knows how to do so with her as well… almost too effortlessly even. The only difference here is that he wouldn't do it.

"Alright, here's what you need to do. We are having guests coming over for a banquet, they will be received in Alba's fashion house rather than here so having you receive them is a better option than Isabella."

"I see." Valentine said then turned to her with an upset face, "You just want me for my good looks."

"More for your personality, your best selling aspect." Vivian fired back.

Undermining his handsome face and going for his personality, that's just how savage Vivian can be.

"True. I can be a very charismatic person when I need to be." Valentine replied as his mental fortitude shielded him from Vivian's cunning words.

"All in all, it will take me a while to get things done on my end, Isabella isn't the type to be able to handle people she isn't interested in, so we figured out the best host possible can only be you."

"Alright, I'll do it." Valentine said.

"Thanks, Tino."

"In exchange…"

"Yes, I've prepared something tasty you can…"

"No! No! Stop!" Valentine jumped off the sofa immediately and wanted to hide, "Please, no more tasty food."

"Come on, Tino. Don't you at least want to know the secret ingredient?" Vivian said with a sly smile that she was barely holding together so as not to burst again.

"Oh, God!" Valentine gulped and his cool crumbled, "There is a secret ingredient?"

"A super secret ingredient."

"Oh, please. This will starve me for two days just to digest it."

"Alright, your loss."

"Just… Vivian, I hate you."

"Don't worry, Tino. It's just a sprinkle of love."

"I HATE YOU!"

Valentine threw the cushion back at her and she caught it with her eyes becoming tearful from laughter.

It took her a fair minute to calm down and it took him almost the same to cool off his hunger fantasies. The way his metabolism digests things is surely a mystery and it is going to torture him for life.

"So… the thing you wanted my help with?" Vivian asked while looking at his annoyed face.

"I don't want help anymore." Valentine, however, seemed upset as he stood up and fixed his suit.

"Don't be a brat. Something is weighing on your mind, I can see it. I promise no more pranks." Vivian said and rested back in her seat.

Valentine looked at her before averting his gaze and staying silent for a second. He returned to the sofa but this time, he sat straight and spoke his mind.

"I… I am having some trouble with my business." He said.

"Oh, you're doing a new business model or something?" She asked.

"No, no… just the same old family thing." He replied.

"Imports? Exports? Be specific."

Valentine looked at her as she asked and with a distressed face, he shrugged. Vivian narrowed her eyes and looked at him before feeling a bit chest-tightened herself. She can almost say that she figured it out now.

"You haven't done anything, huh? Out of ideas?" She asked and then averted her eyes, "You just don't want to leave Elgard so that you can stay close to a certain someone."

"Don't put it that way." Valentine raised his gaze and said as if trying to push the shame away.

"Oh, really?" Vivian glared back at him causing him to look down immediately, "All you want is to stay here besides that commoner girl."

"…"

"Wake up, Valentine! She's not even going to be yours. She'll ruin your life!" Vivian said.

"You don't know that." Valentine replied with a spellbound conviction.

"Or she already has. Look at you, the first De Clare in a hundred years who isn't going to leave Elgard to make a name for himself in the world of commerce." Vivian said and walked ahead to him before crouching down and looking at the face he kept down, "You need to get yourself together. Don't waste this opportunity, don't waste your talents."

"Vivian… I can't."

His reply made her feel that her throat and lips had become dry and bitter. She stood back up and turned away.

"You're an idiot." She said, deeply disappointed in her oldest friend.

"Maybe… but… it is just… you don't know what these animals are like." He said.

"I have some ideas." She said with a slight dry laugh.

"No, you don't. For all the evil and villainy they have done to you, it was just what they are from the inside, but their facade runs way deeper and you can't even begin to imagine what they want from her or what they will do to her if they fail. Liam is a crazy psychopath, Edmond is the filthiest pig in all Elgard, Richard is a dangerous piece of shit, your brother Robert is a damn dog who has nothing in his heart but malice, Ian and Ronald… these particular two are the worst. It is like the younger they get, the crazier they are."

"And you?"

"Viv! Please, try and understand."

"I thought I did but the more you speak, the less I do." Vivian said as the look on her face seemed sad and felt wronged, "You can break yourself free, Tino."

"I don't want to. It is something I must fight for."

"I'm sorry but it's not my fight anymore."

"Yes… you're right. I am… sorry. Dragging you back into this… I should at least be relieved you got out unscathed." Valentine said but for the idiocy he spouted, this triggered Vivian the most. 

"Unscathed?" She turned to him with obvious anger, "I almost died, you moron. No, I actually died."

Valentine remained silent and didn't dare to utter a single word except for a faint "I'm sorry" that was filled with all his pain.

The silence lasted for a full minute this time.

Valentine couldn't bear it any longer and stood up.

"I will… take my leave." He said and walked to the door.

"I'll help you." Vivian spoke without turning to him.

"You don't have to." He said, unable to bring himself to accept her help now that all that they feel is no longer hidden.

"You need my help. With those people you surround yourself with, you'll need a real friend." She said.

"I can't thank you enough, Viv."

"Go to manager Oscar, he'll tell you what you know about today's event."

"Alright."

Valentine opened the door but before walking out, he turned to look at Vivian who didn't look back to see him off. He couldn't linger like that anymore and walked out to do her bidding as she asked.

Back in her office, Vivian remained solemn but she was deeply hurt and suffering. In her heart, she knew she didn't deserve him as much as he didn't deserve her.

As she stood lonely, a figure appeared at the edge of her vision, conjured by her distorted sense of reality. It was that of a woman in strange clothing looking at Vivian with a look similar to the one on her face.

"So that's how it is, Vivian? I always thought it was strange that Valentine is a destruction route for even you, who is just his friend, but to think all that existed in your heart. Rather than being heartbroken because of the Prince, you were actually heartbroken because of Valentine."

"It is what it is."

"It's alright, who am I to judge? It is your life, after all."

"It no longer is. I am sorry I held the reins from both sides this time. I couldn't help it."

"I don't mind. There will be a drawback, though."

"You take care of it, Nadia. I'll rest for a little bit."

"Do that, girl. I'll take care of it."