Chapter Text
The office had been quiet for nearly an hour.
Which, Mok realized, was unusual.
Rome was usually chatting him up and rarely left anything quiet for very long.
The finance reports spread across Mok’s desk were extensive.
Operational costs.
Security logistics.
International subsidiaries.
Three shell companies he had not yet untangled.
And a handwritten note that simply read:
Do not ask about the Montenegro account.
Mok sighed, “…unbelievable.”
⸻
“You should take a break.”
Mok glanced at the clock, “…it’s been 40 minutes.”
Rome fidgeted, “Oh.”
Something in Mok’s head tells him, Suspicious.
⸻
Mok opened another thick binder. Then paused.
“…what is this?”
Rome leaned slightly closer, “Oh.”
“That’s just investment portfolio.”
Mok stared at the pages. There were over a hundred entries.
International assets.
Shipping companies.
Hotels in different countries.
Two vineyards.
And personal projects oddly labeled:
Experimental Wolf training logistics — preliminary research
Trained Swan sourcing - Training to be done in-house
Conservation Land acquisition - fully functional
“Hunting” Harpoon acquisition and delivery- on going acquisition
Mok looked up slowly. He did not want to even look at that anymore. Well the Apple did grow from the same tree…
“…this is why.”
Rome blinked tilting his head slightly feigning an innocent look, “Why what?”
Mok leaned back in his chair.
“Kiat negotiated his salary.”
Rome looks at the files, “Yeah...”
Mok nodded once, “That was wise.”
Rome looked mildly surprised.
“You agree?”
“Yes.”
⸻
Mok gestured at the documents, “You manage too many things.”
Rome shrugged, “It’s manageable.”
Mok flipped another page, “You purchased an airline.”
Rome paused, “…technically I invested.”
“You own fifty-one percent.”
“That counts as investing.”
Mok sighed.
⸻
He closed the folder briefly.
Then said quietly,“Kiat was responsible for organizing these.”
“Yes.”
“While also managing your schedule.”
“Yes.”
“And negotiating with international partners.”
“Yes.”
Mok opened a folder again, “And explaining to the tax departments.”
Rome smiled faintly, “There’s a department who help with that.”
⸻
Mok leaned back again, “I understand now.”
Rome tilted his head, “What?”
“Why Kiat negotiated.”
Rome smiled slightly, “He’s clever.”
“Yes.”
Mok nodded once.
“ and he also understood the workload.”
⸻
Mok glanced toward the door.
Then at the financial reports again.
“…he should probably be paid more.”
Rome blinked. “…more?”
“Yes.”
Rome stared at him, “You want raised his salary.”
Mok nodded calmly, “Yes.”
Rome leaned back slowly, “…I’m starting to regret promoting you.”
⸻
Mok returned to the spreadsheets.
“You won’t.”
Rome sighed.
“Why.”
Mok answered simply,
“Because the business will make more money.”
Rome considered that. Then nodded. “…fair.”
⸻
Rome walked toward the door.
Then paused.
“Oh.”
“What.”
“Kiat once told me something.”
Mok looked up.
“What.”
Rome smiled.
“He said working for me requires hazard pay and all leaves being paid.”
Mok looked at the financial reports again. Then at the investment portfolio. Then at the swan logistics document.
And after a moment—
He nodded.
“…that’s very accurate.”