In an upscale residential area, right by the lake that sat in the middle of it, was a large villa, one of the best in the community, the crown of the jewel, maybe. It was a blend of modern, spacious design, and quaint artistry, the whole enlivened by the natural green of plants along with liveliness of flowers, while a touch of grey from stones of different kinds and sizes added a contrasting blandness.
Not only was it beautiful and elegant, but it was also simple, despite everything, with the paved front yard less than a quarter the size of the rear courtyard skirting the edge of the lake being even simpler in appearance and design.
"Aunt Lee, I'm really disappointed in you. You didn't keep your word."
Alex admonished an older woman on the porch of the villa with a pout. She looked to be in her fifties, her hair still black, but slightly dull as she wore an apron over her simple dress, an apron over which she kept her joined.
Aunt Lee let out a simple, and answered without taking offense:
"I can't keep anything from your mother, after all, young master Alex."
Alex rolled his eyes, and helplessly looked at Grace beside him who he was locking arms with. He was met with her calmly smiling face, and could only shake his head before he let out a sigh:
"Alright, I barely have any authority in this house, so I will go home."
Ga-yeon in a pregnancy dress smiled from behind him, one of her hands holding her waist, and the other one supporting her big stomach:
"Why didn't you leave without eating then? Now you are admonishing the one who cooked for you."
Alex looked back and rolled his eyes:
"Don't use me to cozy up to your mother-in-law. No matter what you do, you will only be able to do what is expected of someone in your condition until you push out that weight you are carrying, nothing else. So, stay put."
Ga-yeong's lips twitched, and her hormones seemed to spike as Leyna laughed, while the older women around only let out slight smiles.
"Humph. I shouldn't have come to see you off. I'm going back inside."
Aunt Lee shook her head helplessly, and also took her leave:
"I will also go back inside to finish the chores waiting for me. Young master Alex, please, remember to be careful on the way back. Don't make us old people worry about you, alright? Madam."
She gave the young man a genial smile, then turned around to follow Ga-yeong after a slight bow at Grace.
While Grace nodded slightly, Alex looked at the back of the housekeeper who had watched grow up, and sighed:
"Mom, I don't know who is more stubborn between Aunt Lee and you. Both of you refuse to enjoy yourselves even though you are getting on in the years. Do you fear boredom that much, or is the inertia of your lives so strong after decades? I really can't tell."
Grace mildly glared at her son:
"If you had accepted to succeed me earlier, I would have resigned long ago already. A child's success is her mother's success. Do you think I don't want to rest?"
But far from being intimidated, Alex simply replied with an eye roll:
"And you think I don't know you are keeping yourself busy even at home? Who are you trying to fool?"
Grace raised her eyebrows, and set off to punish the impertinence of her son. Fortunately he managed to stop the pincers before they could reach the soft flesh at his waist.
He clasped the soft, manicured hand, and showed the most sincere smile he could:
"Please, mom, don't strain your beautiful hand. It is precious, and it has fed me for years. You should let it rest for a bit."
Grace's expression didn't change, but deep in her green eyes, one could see how speechless she was, even though she knew her son well.
Before she could say anything, Alex hugged her, kissed her on the cheek, and subtly pushed her back to the interior of the villa:
"Alright, mom, no need to see me off further. Go back inside, it is more comfortable. And remember to take care of yourself. Even if not for yourself, do it for me, alright?"
Grace didn't resist the push. She gave her son a deep look, then smiled, and walked back inside.
Alex exhaled, and patted his chest in relief, before he glared at the black-haired beauty who was trying to stifle her laugh. But his glare seemed to worsen the situation, so he simply waved at her dismissively:
"You can laugh if you want, Leyna."
Leyna let out a soft chuckle, and pointed at Mark behind Alex with a nod of her head:
"You are setting up many fires, but don't you know that Mark will be the one to get burned later? You offended his wife, have his mother worrying about your usual recklessness, and provoked his godmother. Are you sure you didn't get him a new job to turn him into a sacrificial offering for all your antics?"
Alex turned to look at the black-haired man, and found him trying to maintain his composure. But the twitch at the corner of his eyes gave away the fact that he actually noticed the situation already.
Alex stopped himself from laughing, and he turned away to avoid aggravating Mark. The latter looked at him with his dark eyes holding an ocean of helplessness, then turned away in defeat, as that was the only thing he could do, he who could not apparently challenge anyone in the house.
"Pfft…"
Alex lost his restraint for a moment, then schooled his face as if nothing happened as he turned to Leyna:
"Ahem… Going forward, you will be the Logistics Inspector of the group. Prepare yourself to start Monday. I'm leaving, see you later."
With that, Alex hurried to the deep yellow Jeep in the middle of the courtyard, and climbed into the driver seat. He started the car, and was about to move when he recalled something.
He lowered the window to exhort loudly:
"Hey, Mark! Don't forget what I asked you for!"
Mark was startled for a moment, but then put away the previous casualness to nod seriously:
"Don't worry, you will get it!"
Leyna looked at the two men exchanging cryptic words. Alex gave her a grin, a casual goodbye, then drove out. His tires rubbed against the road with one revving of the engine, then he took off.
After one last glance at Mark who pretended not to notice her gaze, Leyna went back inside.