Yana hesitated slightly and said, "Well, is that really okay? Will they be willing to?"
"Sister Yana, have you forgotten? Your good girlfriend is the real boss now."
Yana had a strong personality. She was always independent, unwilling to trouble others, and she hated owing anyone favors.
So when Luis spoke, he was always very asured, giving her a graceful way out. Even though she knew in her heart that she was benefitting, it wouldn't create that feeling of guilt she despised so much.
"That's true. That bitch, your mother-in-law, took a couple hundred from this week playing cards. It's about ti she bled a little."
This ability to play to people's preferences, to give them exactly what they wanted to hear, Luis had mastered it to an art form.
Hearing this, Yana relaxed visibly, her deanor becoming light and easy. She even proactively picked up the pitcher to pour wine for the three of them. But she wasn't a careless or oblivious person.
As she poured, she cast a gentle glance his way, a silent acknowledgnt that she understood his intent.
At the very least, Luis wouldn't shatter the image of strength she held in her daughter's eyes. It ant that no matter how absurd this relationship was, it was built on feeling, not on the crass, unsavory reason of money.
Right in front of her, Luis made a phone call, putting it on speakerphone:
"Manager Minda, hello!"
Talking to smart people was always a pleasure. Even with just a phone call, Minda, that sly fox of a woman, imdiately sensed sothing was off.
Such a formal title, such a polite, almost unfamiliar tone. She instantly realized soone else was there with him, so her own voice beca equally professional and distant:
"Hello, Mr. Luis. Calling you Luis directly feels a bit strange. I wouldn't want your wife to get the wrong idea."
"Haha, we're all family here. Calling Luis is fine."
It seed like a casual joke, but it deliberately created a sense of unfamiliarity, a distance that wasn't really there. Luis had to admire his own foresight. Minda's ability to read a room and adapt was right on display. She wasn't soone to be underestimated.
After a few more pleasantries, Luis got to the point. "Manager Minda, those two retail spaces in the first phase of the property have new owners now. The paperwork is all handled here, and I wanted to ask if you could send soone over to tear out the old renovations."
This was Leok's compensation. Minda had a pretty good idea who the new owner was.
If it wasn't Luis himself, it was at least a woman connected to him. So things went without saying.
Minda chuckled. "No problem. I'll send so workers over tomorrow to start the demolition. But my advice would be to keep the flooring. They didn't skimp on that floor when they laid it. Tearing it out and redoing it would be a waste."
"Alright, I'll take your advice. How long will it take?"
"Three days. Three days should do it. And for the door, do you want us to install a new lock, or replace the whole door?"
"A new lock is fine. Replacing the whole door would be wasteful."
"Okay, we'll put on a new lock then. I'll give you all the keys. Don't worry, we won't keep a spare."
"Great, thanks for your help!"
After hanging up, Luis raised his glass with a smile. "See, Sister Yana? No more worries. You can just enjoy your weekend as usual."
"I still prefer you like this, relaxed and cheerful."
A blush crept onto Yana's face as she picked up her glass. Luis imdiately turned to Maria, raising his toast to her. "Then let's congratulate our little Maria first. Our little landlady! It would be perfect if they could bring back your favorite spicy hot pot stall."
"Stop it..." Maria protested with a coy whine, but her face was already flushed with wine as she, too, raised her glass.
Both mother and daughter had heard the entire phone call. They were touched by the man's thoughtfulness, by the ticulous care he showed them.
To put it bluntly, a man, that beastly or dog-like creature, before he gets what he wants, he's all delicate and touching. But once he's had his fill, that impatient scowl and his true, ugly nature co bursting out.
The saying "a demon before sex, a Buddha after" pretty much sums it up.
He'd already slept with them so many tis, even had a threeso with mother and daughter once. And yet, he was still willing to spend so much money giving them shop spaces, still caring for them in every little way. What woman wouldn't be completely swept away by that?
They had no idea how twisted Luis's thoughts really were. In this seemingly ordinary call that moved them so much, Luis was testing out a new trick he'd learned: a compliance test.
He'd already given them the property. Yana was a woman with her own mind.
But the first ti Minda suggested keeping the floor, neither mother nor daughter reacted at all. Luis made the decision on the spot without even asking their opinion.
The first test went smoothly. The second one ca with the topic of the locks.
Logically, since Luis had already given them the property, they could have their own ideas about this. But still, when the question arose, they showed no reaction at all.
Their reactions were identical. They just looked at Luis without a word, as if they were both used to deferring to the man's advice. As if once he made the call, they would simply follow.
This was exactly the effect Luis wanted. So things worked through, a subtle, unconscious influence.
A compliance test should be like this. No need for verbal communication. Just use indirect cues to confirm things. But these can't be things they consider trivial or unimportant.
More importantly, they had listened to the whole call and hadn't shown the slightest disagreent.
And the expression on both their faces ant the sa thing. They naturally, instinctively felt that this bastard of a man was their pillar, their rock.
Or maybe it was simpler. Luis was already the head of this household. The decisions he made were absolutely right and wouldn't screw them over. This complete, utter trust was sothing even they weren't fully aware of. But for Luis, it felt fucking amazing.
Maria couldn't hold her liquor well. She'd had about enough and her words were starting to slur as she began complaining about all the crap going on at her school.
Seeing her daughter was drunk, Yana let out a soft, reproachful hum but didn't say anything. Her own face was flushed crimson, but she knew exactly what this bastard of a man was up to.
"You and Maria go get so rest. I'll clean up the table," she said with quiet, deliberate grace.
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