381 Reynolds-Harper collaboration 4 (1/2)

Mia gave Quentin a quick hug. ”You are my favorite human.”

Without giving Quentin a chance to return a hug or to push her away, Mia let go of him and went to the table that was filled with various food items.

Other than usual breakfast pastries that included English muffins, bagels, toasted bread, and croissants whose flavors could be enhanced with a variety of jams and other spreads, there were banana bread, crab cakes, lobster bread pudding, baby hot-dogs wrapped in bacon… coffee, teas and several juices... and Mia licked her lips while going for the plate.

Quentin chuckled at the sight of Mia whose hand was alternating between putting items onto the plate and into her mouth. Her cheeks were puffed within seconds like she is a chipmunk, but that didn't slow her down.

Quentin often wondered if Mia's mouth cavity has a capacity limit.

”You know she likes you only because of the food…”, Brianna told Quentin.

”I don���t mind. A like is a like.”, Quentin responded smugly and took a seat next to Brianna on the sofa. ”Thank you for this. You are amazing.”

Brianna knows that he is thanking her for the show she put in the conference room. ”I enjoyed it.”

”Don't relax, it's not over.”

”I know. I'm not relaxing. I'm just enjoying a successful round one.” Brianna paused and observed Quentin's expression. ”Q, are you OK with this? They didn't like me so far, and after this, they will hate me and maybe you as well. There is a strong possibility that you are cutting off your ties with them permanently.”

Quentin scrunched his nose as if he smelled something unpleasant. He obviously does not like talking about his parents.

”They hate everyone. There is a reason I see them only for holidays and after this, I won't need to do that formality so it's a good thing.”

Brianna didn't think it's that simple. ”You are their son, and they will see you as an enemy.”

Quentin shrugged. ”You don't know them. They see me as a nuisance whenever I don't do as they expected. For many years, other than at the company, I am acting as if I don't have parents, and even here I try to avoid them as much as possible. It's easier that way.”

”Do you think that denying them access to this building will make things easier for you? Will they just give up and leave you be?”

Quentin was not sure about that himself. ”How far this will go, depends on them. Today, the people in that conference room will decide to kick them out. I can't imagine that anyone will dare to vote against the interests of the company in order to keep those two leeches, but if that happens, I will deal with those few. This will cut off all the support my parents have in the company, and if they try to come at me outside the Reynolds Publishing, I will not take it calmly.”

”Bri, I appreciate your intentions, but some people are too toxic. It's not my job to teach them how to be decent humans, or how to be parents. I saw how Joseph puts you first and more than once I was jealous.”

Brianna frowned. ”He does not put me first. He puts the company first.”

”I don't think that is true. Sure, he loves his company, it is his baby, but so are you. I believe that Joseph sees Harper Investments as something that connects the two of you, and he hopes that all three of you can get along.”

Brianna stifled a laugh. ”You talk about Harper Investments like it's alive. Is that my adoptive brother I should get along with just to please my father?”

”I see that you are keeping a distance from your father, and I will not tell you if you are right or wrong for doing so. My family is a mess, so I am definitely not qualified to speak about family bonds, but… I hope you know that I am here for you. Always.”

Brianna smiled. ”Oh, Q… If I didn't know better, I would think that you are proposing to me.”

Quentin swallowed hard. ”You know me… If I am proposing marriage, it would be romantic and grand, with flowers and a big ring and the atmosphere that makes you understand you are my fiery Goddess.”

Brianna held her breath. Quentin's description of the proposal was too detailed, and she wondered if he is planning something. No way, right? Brianna pushed his shoulder playfully. ”Why are you so serious? It was a joke.”

Brianna was unable to maintain eye contact. There was something about Quentin that was too intense, and she looked away. Her sight fell on Mia who is eating like there is no tomorrow.

”This is not the right place to discuss our relationship.”, Brianna said only for Quentin to hear. ”I should send this to Hunter, so he knows I am not mistreating his fiancée. I know you got the food, but I will take the credit. You don't mind, do you?”

Quentin observed Brianna as she snapped a photo of Mia and he realized that his palms are sweaty. It is time… almost. He can see that Brianna does not reject the proposal. Earlier, she would avoid mentioning engagement and marriage like a plague, and now she even said that word first! Ah, he needs to get so many things ready!

”Do you want to eat something?”, Quentin offered Brianna when she finished sending her message to Hunter.