Lucius was exhausted mentally… and he wasn't even the one drinking.

Was there seriously not a single can in this entire madhouse of a workplace that could get it right?

The taste tests had been going on for over an hour, and every single can so far had failed.

Poor Alexia was the one paying the real price.

She had been forced to drink every single disgusting excuse for a soda before it reached him, and the look on her face after each sip told Lucius everything he needed to know.

Her lips tightened, her brow creased, and her tongue darted out as though desperately trying to scrape off whatever vile aftertaste was left behind.

He almost pitied her.

Almost.

After all, he was suffering too, if only by watching her suffer.

What he was really looking for was one single drink that he could attach his face to.

He wasn't about to let himself be plastered on advertisements for something unworthy.

If people, especially his fans, bought a drink simply because he endorsed it, then that drink had to be at least drinkable.

He had standards, even if this place clearly didn't.

He leaned back in the chair they'd given him, pinching the bridge of his nose.

If he was going to do these shoots, if he was going to let himself become the walking, talking brand face of Fizzypop, then the product had to be good.

Otherwise, he might as well start handing out poison in pretty bottles.

"Next," Lucius finally said, his voice sharp with impatience.

A young man stepped forward nervously.

He was chubby, cheeks red, and clutched a pink can in his hands as though it were the most precious treasure in the world.

"Your name and your product?" Lucius asked, watching him carefully.

"My name is Thomas Eder," the young man said, his voice cracking slightly under the weight of Lucius's gaze. "And this… this is my Strawberry Fizzypop."

Lucius arched a brow.

Strawberry? It had been a while since he heard that.

He gestured lazily toward Alexia. "Well then. Let's see."

Alexia took the can from Thomas, cracked it open, and gave it the same look she'd given every other can so far, the look of a woman steeling herself for death.

She lifted it to her lips, sipped, and paused.

Lucius noticed the difference immediately.

There was no grimace or gagging.

She didn't even hesitate to drink again, this time taking a larger gulp before stopping halfway.

When she lowered the can, her expression was… neutral.

Without a word, she wiped her lips, handed the can to Lucius, and stepped back.

Lucius stared at it, then at her. "No complaints?"

She shook her head once.

He lifted the can slowly, watching Thomas's nervous face the entire time, and finally tilted it back.

The sweet strawberry flavor hit his tongue, light fizz dancing on his mouth, and… his eyes widened.

It wasn't perfect.

But it was good.

Actually good.

It was refreshing and fruity with just the right balance of sweetness. The fizz was enjoyable.

He downed the rest of the can without stopping. By the time he lowered it, his decision was already made.

"You…" Lucius stood, walking up to Thomas.

He grabbed him by the shoulders and nearly shook him. "You brilliant motherfucker."

Thomas blinked, stunned. "S-sir?"

Lucius turned sharply to the fat manager — the man whose suit looked like it had been stolen from a smaller cousin.

"I want this drink rebranded. The pink has to go. Make it purple. Purple pops. Purple screams 'premium.' Purple says, 'look at me, I'm not cheap.' Do it. Now. And then get me in front of a camera. We're done wasting time with these disasters."

The fat man sputtered. "But—"

"No buts!" Lucius snapped, he already burned enough time here. "This is the only drink here worth my face. Everything else belongs in the garbage bin where it came from. Purple. Strawberry. Done."

He tossed the empty can back to Thomas, who looked like he might cry from relief, and strode out.

…

The studio had been set up in the same building, it was a bland white room with cameras and lights.

"Move a little to the left," the cameraman said, adjusting the focus.

Lucius obliged, though not without rolling his eyes.

The man immediately frowned. "No, a little to the right now."

Lucius moved back, suppressing the urge to sigh dramatically. "Do you want me to walk a tightrope while I'm at it?"

From the side of the room, Alexia tried and failed to smother a laugh.

He shot her a look, and she quickly buried her face in her clipboard, but her shoulders shook.

"Mr. Lucius," the cameraman said, sounding exasperated, "please focus on the camera and the product."

"Fine, fine," Lucius said, lifting the newly purple-wrapped can of Strawberry Fizzypop.

He held it up at chest level, chin tilted slightly, the perfect jawline catching the light.

The cameraman clicked away, muttering to himself, clearly satisfied with what the lens was capturing.

"Now I'd like to take a picture of you drinking the product," the man said.

Lucius smirked. "You mean you want me to make it look irresistible."

He cracked the can open with a practiced flick, tilted it back, and took a sip.

His throat worked as he swallowed, the fizz catching the light just so as it clung to the rim of the can.

He knew the angle was perfect.

The camera clicked furiously.

Finally, the cameraman lowered the camera and sighed with satisfaction.

"Perfect. Thank you for your cooperation, Mr. Lucius. As you requested, these photos will be used only for this product."

"Good," Lucius said smoothly, brushing invisible dust from his suit. "That's how it should be. I don't want my name associated with the rest of your liquid crimes."

He turned on his heel, ready to leave this whole enterprise behind.

But of course, the fat manager had to ruin his moment.

"Mr. Lucius, wait up!" The man waddled after him, his round face shining with desperation. "Would you… would you like a free crate or two of the drink?"

[Author's Note]

Like I said on Extra 🙂‍↕️🖤Happy new month fam, and it's my birthday today hehe so leave a lot of gifts. Castle this poor author

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