Chapter 5 Stop Complaining

"So, what challenge have you prepared for me, Mia?" Julian asked with sparkling eyes. The corners of his lips had lifted as high as his spirit.

"It's still working hour, Sir. Can't you wait until it's time to go home? I don't want to affect the performance of CEO Quebracha."

"Affect what?" Julian inquired with slightly furrowed brows.

A mysterious smile instantly graced the secretary's face. "I think that challenge will haunt your mind all day. I don't want you to be overwhelmed by it and lose focus."

A second later, the man sighed in disbelief. "Are you underestimating me? Don't worry, I won't be affected. After all, we don't have a meeting anymore. So, you can say it now," Julian answered confidently.

"Is that so?"

Again, the man nodded.

"Okay," Mia muttered as she pulled out a chair in front of the CEO's desk and sat there.

"I have thought of three challenges for you. Each one represents courage, self-control, and humanity."

"Humanity?" Julian inquired with a furrowed brow.

After blinking innocently, Mia confirmed. "Isn't that the opposite of being selfish? If egoism means only being selfish, humanity actually refers to caring for others."

After a tired sigh, the man raised his index finger, sending a signal to Mia to stop talking. "Is it possible that you ask me to hold a social service?" he guessed.

Lightly, the secretary shrugged. "The second and third challenges can't be announced yet."

"Why?"

"Because you haven't passed the first challenge. Why explain something that hasn't necessarily happened yet? It will only waste time and voice," Mia said, successfully making the CEO sigh again.

"So, you really underestimate me, hm?" Julian grumbled, shaking his head in disappointment.

A second later, the secretary replied, "Not underestimating, but predicting the future. Your chances of successfully passing this challenge are only 20%, Sir."

Hearing such a small number, the man's hand automatically clenched into fists. "Why is it that low? What are you actually preparing for?"

"Before jumping to the answer, I would like to clarify the rewards and punishments of this challenge. Yesterday, you mentioned about wanting to prove yourself. Let's take that proof as a reward."

Before the secretary could explain any further, Julian's hand was pounding on the table eagerly. "Okay! That means, you have to admit that I can be relied on if I manage to conquer the adversity."

While crossing her arms in front of the chest, Mia nodded. "Yes. But if not, you should stop urging me to reciprocate your feelings."

"Wait! That punishment is too cruel," the man protested with round eyes.

"Why? Do you already have a premonition of failure?" Mia challenged while tilting her head.

Receiving such a sneer, Julian chuckled in annoyance. "Okay! After all, the failure would not be real. I can definitely pass the challenge."

Hearing the CEO's approval, Mia's lips curved mysteriously. "So, are you ready for it this weekend? I'll clear the schedule if you give me permission."

"Of course I'm ready. Then, can we think of it as a date?" the man asked with softened voice.

Ignoring the plea, the woman held out her tablet that displayed a picture of a giant iron structure.

"What's this?" Julian asked, examining the picture more closely.

"Bungee jumping. If you can do it without fainting, it means that you have succeeded in becoming a brave man who's not afraid to take risks."

With eyes maximally open, Julian's lips began to turn pale. "W-wait a minute. Are you serious? Don't you know that I have a phobia of heights?"

"If you're scared, just give up now," Mia said without the slightest bit of pity.

"B-but, what about my condition? Isn't that dangerous? If the stitches in my intestines open again, will you take responsibility?" Julian asked while holding his stomach which had many scars.

"Don't worry, Sir. I've asked a friend who works there. He said that your physical condition meets the requirements."

Hearing Mia's casual answer, the man's eyebrows rose even higher. "And you believe what he said? He works there, Mia. Of course he said so. Your friend wants to make a profit. He won't care if my intestines are scattered in the air."

"Don't be so overthinking, Sir. This morning, I also asked the doctor. His answer is the same. It's safe for you to do bungee jumping."

Knowing his hopes were running low, the CEO began to grimace. "But, that looks very tall, Mia," he grumbled like a child.

"Of course. It's about 70 feet high."

"S-seventy feet? It is the same as the height of a seven-story building!" the man cried as he thought his ears had misheard. However, as soon as the secretary nodded, a resigned sigh escaped his mouth.

"So, do you wish to step back from this challenge?" Mia asked innocently. The girl was serious to make the CEO give up.

Seeing the girl who was waiting for an answer, Julian suddenly hesitated.

"Tsk, what should I do now? If I accept the challenge, I could die of a heart attack in the midair. But, if I refuse, Mia will always think of me as an unreliable coward," the pale-faced man thought.

"Can I invite someone else to jump with me?" Julian asked after a moment of silence.

"Who do you want to invite, Sir?"

"Anyone who is willing. Max or Sebastian. I just need to jump and stay awake, right?" the man said honestly as he was not ashamed to admit his fear.

Without a second thought, Mia shook her head. "Mr. Max can't do bungee jumping."

"Why?"

The girl's hand suddenly rose to touch her head. "Because he had a concussion."

"This is really unfair. It's not allowed for Max, while I, who had a bigger operation, was allowed?" the CEO's protest sounded childish.

"You should be grateful, Sir. Your condition is more fit than Mr. Max," Mia implied flatly. She couldn't understand why she could fall in love with a man as "weak" as Julian. "So, are you willing to accept the challenge?"

Leaning back against the ceiling, the CEO sighed helplessly. "Okay, I'll deal with it," he said wearily.

A second later, the man closed his eyes, trying to relieve the intense pressure in his head. It turned out, Mia really knew him. The challenge not only broke his concentration, but also robbed his spirit.

***

"What's wrong with your face?" Max asked when he saw his brother coming with unsteady steps.

After plopping down on the chair opposite to Gabriella, Julian met his brother's gaze with a hopeless face. "Mia has told me the first challenge," he said flatly.

"What is it?" Max and Gabriella asked in unison.

"Bungee jumping."

The husband and wife suddenly burst out laughing. The baby who was busy licking his spoon even voiced his joy.

"I never thought that Mia is this smart," Max said, shaking his head.

"Yes, she managed to find a suitable solution to hone Julian's courage," Gabriella continued while checking the condition of the baby beside her. "Is that so, Cayden?"

"Yayaya ...."

Seeing the cohesiveness of Max's family, the pale-faced man shook his head in disappointment. "Why do you guys support Mia? Don't you pity me? This is definitely not a challenge, but premeditated murder."

Noticing that Julian's attitude had not changed at all, Max suddenly reached out and patted his brother's shoulder. "Instead of complaining, you better accept it. That's good for you."

"Yeah, it's good that I'm not dead," Julian snapped in a desperate tone.

"You're not going to die, Julian. It's just jumping on a safety rope," Gabriella said trying to calm him down.

Shaking his head, the CEO lamented his fate. "That's why, I prepared a will for Cayden. If my guts aren't enough, my lawyer will come see you."

"Yaya?" the baby babbled with round eyes.

"Yes, you will be Quebracha's successor, Cayden," Gabriella nodded as she wiped her son's cheeks from the porridge.

"Nananana," the Little Prince chattered, shaking his head. His forefinger swayed as if he was advising the uncle.

Witnessing the nephew's cuteness, Julian's face finally colored a little. "Is Cayden scolding me?"

"He wants you to stop complaining. Even a baby is uncomfortable with this attitude of yours, Julian," Max chimed in before eating the salad off his plate.

After a flash of contemplation, Julian finally sighed in resignation.

"That's right. I really need to fix it," he said regretfully. A second later, the CEO clapped his hands, inadvertently making Cayden gasped. "Okay! From now on, I will be the new Julian. I will always be optimistic and brave to face challenges."

"What are you discussing?" someone asked unexpectedly. In just an instant, all eyes were on the door.

As soon as he saw an old man walking with a cane, Julian gasped. "Dad?"