You aren't joking, are you?

"Our next conversation would be that much harder."

Hearing my words and seeing me shrug my shoulders, Makary gave me a… weird look, to speak plainly. 

A look that I couldn't really see through. And assuming my feeling about it was correct, it was because Makary himself wasn't sure what to think about what I'd just said. 

"I don't have the time to waste here," he moved his arms back and, once again, crossed them on his chest. "Speak now, or gain the right to talk with me later," he commanded, going through the line of the least resistance. 

Assuming he really was pressed for time, this was actually the right choice. After all, he still couldn't have a single clue what made me confident enough to demand him to call me!