The surname Lenner was an old one. Its origin period was difficult to determine now, but what could be ascertained was that the family was centuries old. It had its ups and downs, witnessing the rises and falls of many worldly creations until its own lowest point about a century ago, when extinction had been a real possibility with the chaos from the first and second world wars. That was when Arland, one of the last few Lenner, and the last one from the main line, grew through difficulties, and used the last bits of a foundation left from centuries of existence to bounce back even more strongly.
Others drowned while he took off. What happened next was like a success story. No, it 'was' actually a success story, a legendary success story, one that grew to a value now difficult to measure.
Through sheer wit, grit, and guts, Arland pushed through the chaos after the second war and took advantage of the opportunities it presented worldwide to carve a piece of the word for the name Lenner, the empire Lenner, before he let go of the reins in old age, and later breathed his last at almost a hundred years old, surrounded by his children and his grandchildren.
The Bentley, luxurious but elegant and low-key, slowed down in front of the throne of the Lenner empire, the throne towering over the rest of the city, and came to a stop. Lance had a casual smile on his lips as he descended, and went around the car, a smile he thought was looking cool, and which, indeed, combined with his clean and handsome appearance, was looking cool.
The wisp of smile he was portraying seemed to carry a peculiar meaning, a peculiar mockery, just like his gaze, looking arrogant, while holding some amusement. He swept a casual gaze over the guards and the other employees who were doing their jobs, some going in, and others leaving for errands.
He opened the door at the back, the left one, and a foot in straps heels stepped down, before its owner came out radiating confidence, not just beauty, not just elegance, not just class. Her blonde hair shone brighter under the sun, undulating like the waves in a field of wheat, and her eyes, like the brightest sapphires holding the oceans of the world, swept over the scene while seeming like magnets, like weights to pull down the breaths of the males around, and make their hearts stop.
Still, that was not what those who had stopped moving were expecting. Not many cars had the right to stop in front of the giant building, and most of them had already made an appearance earlier in the day.
The Bentley had arrived with the quiet confidence of having come where it was supposed to be, not like a visitor, and among the executives, there was only one who had yet to arrive, one about whom rumours were swirling. That was why those in the know had tensed, and spread the tension over to the rest. Now, only a confirmation was needed for the rumors, or the opposite, and the answer was already being unveiled.
Lance arrived on the other side of the car, and deftly opened the door everyone had been waiting for. Unlike that night of races and fun about a month ago, the foot that landed on the ground did not shatter the thick tension pervading the atmosphere this time. Instead, it brought it to a new peak, a new zenith, to the climax before the fall, before the great reveal.
A foot clad in a darkly shining leather shoe stepped down. It fed the anticipation as it pulled all the attention. It was normal in size, but still, it was resembling the foot of a giant at that moment, as it sent jolts throughout the pond that had tensed up when a Bentley had arrived instead of the Mercedes of the chairman.
Calmly, Alex came out. The surprise blew like a wind powered by an explosion. The quiet shockwave was thick with the scent of the unexpected happening. The notion that it might be a possibility had been entertained, but not retained. And now, the illogical possibility was proving to have become the reality.
Alex snapped his suit to smoothen the few creases it had ended up with after the trip, and looked up at the building that was a landmark, a center of power where ambition was the blood coursing through the veins, at least for some, or maybe for most. He took a step forward, and fastened the topmost button of his suit, just below his chest, as Lance closed the door behind him.
Lance came to stand at his side, half a step behind him, with one hand in his pocket, and his smile growing into a smirk from just a wisp. Sharon came over to stand on his other side.
He gave Lance a sideways glance, and lightly commented:
"You are looking like a fox who borrowed a tiger's hide to show off."
Lance glanced at Alex, then ignored him to look at the frozen crowd instead. He amusedly retorted:
"So what? At least I have a tiger to borrow the hide from. Not everyone has that privilege, don't you think so?"
Alex pulled his gaze back.
"Don't make yourself too comfortable. You will not be able to enjoy that hide for long."
Lance's smirk held strong, but it could be seen that he was struggling to maintain it and keep it from collapsing. His lips twitched, as he tried to save his foxy hide:
"I came to enjoy the spectacle, to support you while you show off. Why would you want to leave me naked out here to suffer?"
Alex impassively corrected:
"First of all, you didn't come, I called you. Secondly, you said you will follow my lead. Now is the time."
Just like Alex, he kept looking forward, but the smirk on his face couldn't hold anymore. It collapsed at last, and turned into a bitter display:
"Must you really pull me into the sea of bitterness with you, boss? Can I take back the words I said before?"