50 Mutual respect 2 (1/2)
'Looks like he really cares about her.' Andrew hid behind a smile once again, but deep down he had rarely been as furious as he was now. The woman next to Lazar was definitely going to become an obstacle to the happiness of his daughter, and when it came to her, it was impossible for him to reason rationally and coldly as he usually did. She was the only family he had left...
Lazar had antagonized Amandla even more in Andrew's eyes and he was aware of it, but there was a purpose in showing that he considered her life precious.
”Speaking of disrespect.” Lazar turned his attention to Buren and smiled at him provocatively, ”The first thing you should have done is apologize when you saw my partner, don't you think?”
It wasn't a remark but a request and Buren didn't hesitate when he understood it, he instantly rose from his chair without protesting, ”I do apologize, Miss.” He said while bowing lightly before sitting back down.
His apologies lasted barely 4 seconds and clearly lacked sincerity but Lazar was expecting it, he was even astonished that Buren executed himself so easily.
'It's... awkward.' Buren's pathetic excuses and Lazar's chivalrous attitude made Amandla really uncomfortable.
In fact, it was Lazar who was embarrassing her the most, she hated it when someone acted that way for her and she was disappointed to know that Lazar hadn't understood that she wasn't the kind of person who liked to be overprotected.
”I don't want it to happen again, I hope that's clear?” Lazar added to Amandla's spite.
If Lazar had allowed himself to act this way it was also because he knew that Buren and Andrew wanted to ask him something, and the fact that someone who seemed to care about his pride as much as Buren apologized so easily to Amandla made him think that they weren't going to ask him something pleasant.
Under these conditions, he was satisfied to be able to hurt their self-esteem a little before hearing their bullshit.
”That's very clear Logan, for both of us, but I'd like to get back to what we were talking about before.” Andrew said with a seriousness that didn't suit him at all, ”As I was saying earlier, I'm not here as the mayor of this city...” He went on to say while staring at Lazar with a gaze that seemed to seek for his sympathy, ”But as a father.”
”...”
Lazar didn't react right away, he needed a few seconds of adaptation to integrate Andrew's words, '...Is he serious?'
Andrew seemed astonished at his reaction, as if the mere mention of Kathelyn should have been enough to willingly make him do anything for her, ”Logan... Why are you reacting like that?”
Lazar stood up calmly and turned to Amandla, ”I've heard enough, let's get out of here.”
'Maybe it's for the best.' Amandla also stood up without discussing Lazar's decision, she herself was no longer sure she wanted of this association with the army.
”Wait Logan!” Protested loudly Andrew as he was about to go after him to hold him back, ”What are you doing?!”