Negotiate with you

"You can't go in, sir." Ethan heard the heated commotion outside his door. The book fell to the ground as he tried to hide it when the door to his office suddenly opened and Alex walked inside with Devin rushing to stop him though it was already too late, since he was already inside.

"I tried to stop him but he insisted on meeting you–"

"It's okay, Devin. Go back to your post," Ethan instructed to which Devin bowed slightly and left the room.

Then he turned to look at Alex and asked indifferently, "Why are you here?" He picked up the book that fell on the floor and placed it back on the desk. He didn't try to hide it anymore because Alex already saw it.

"Dude, are you–are you reading what I'm thinking it is!?" Alex's eyes were fixated on the book as he asked, extremely shocked. He didn't seem to hear Ethan's question, so Ethan ended up asking again.

"Why are you here, Alex?"

"Well, I'm here because of some business dealings. Also, I wanted to see you, so I thought I should pass