Felix entered the boardroom carrying Jacob's takeout in a crinkling paper bag.
Jacob slouched in his black leather chair, eyes locked on the video conference stretched across the wall.
"No, I'm not going if she's going," Jacob said firmly.
Renee shook her head. "Your presence is mandatory at the summit. Did Yesmin not explain this to you?"
"I don't feel safe with her there—"
"Lolita has to be there," Renee cut in. "She's in debt to my country."
"She doesn't settle debts; she rolls them over. You're being robbed before the wire transfer even hits the server."
The paper bag crinkled sharply as Felix set it on the polished desk.
Jacob's eyes flicked over.
"…I'll finish this call with you later."
He picked up the remote and killed the feed.
"Felix, why are you back so soon?" Jacob demanded.
"The restaurant hired more staff. Take-out's faster now." Felix offered a small shrug.
"I didn't want you walking in during that," Jacob said. "It's private."
"I understand, sir. I'll knock next time."
Jacob studied him longer than necessary. "You've been off lately."
Felix forced a breath. "Just… personal problems."
"A girl?"
Felix gulped. "How do you know—"
"Because I remember meeting your friend Nova. It was obvious you had feelings for her."
Felix's jaw tightened. For a second, the ache in his chest felt suffocating. "Well… now she has feelings for someone else."
Jacob leaned back in his chair and exhaled. "I won't pry into your personal life." Look, can you clean my main office for me? I know it's a pigsty, but I've been buried in meetings."
"Certainly, sir." Felix nodded and left, closing the door behind him. The thought of Nova didn't leave the room.