ALEXANDER THE GREAT: The Unlikeliest Boss

9: The Great Master's Demand.

Alex got into his fifty-million-limited-edition car, ready for another business day, when he suddenly received a call from Edmundo. He had just returned from overseas after an impromptu business meeting and was eager to meet with Alex, saying he had something urgent to discuss with him.

Lost in thought, Alex wondered what that "urgent" thing was that he had to discuss. However, Barney's voice snapped him back to reality.

"This is what you requested, boss," he handed some documents to Alex. "All the detailed information is in there. And you were right, Matt has been fired from SALMAS Automobile company after uncovering some illegal activities. Not only that, he was threatened not to expose it," Barney paused, noticing the brewing fury in Alex's eyes.

"They even threatened him with his life, boss. They took everything away from him and left him with nothing," Barney continued.

Alex felt extremely angry that he almost exploded. He could never have imagined such a thing happening while he was away in another city. Matt was his only friend and someone who had stood by him during his struggles. How could they harm him like this?

Alex slipped on his black sunglasses. "Arrange a meeting with SALMAS Automobile. I want to see some old friends," his lips curled into a smirk as he ordered. Even if it was an unexpected appointment, there was no way he would be turned away.

"Of course! Make a U-turn, Rockson!" Barney shouted. Rockson, Alex's assistant, who was driving, complied instantly.

Alex returned his attention to the documents given to him and skimmed through them. He discovered that the company had been found guilty of paying bribes to secure lucrative contracts and boost their income.

Alex sneered. None of this was his concern, but the fact that Matt was involved meant he couldn't simply ignore it. He would do what he needed to do; he would fulfill what Matt wanted to do!

Stepping out of the car with his bodyguards behind him in three other cars, then with Barney and his Rockson, Alex strode into the large building of SALMAS Automobile, the place he once worked. He walked behind Barney, his black sunglasses preventing recognition.

The elevator dinged and they stepped into the four walls of the upper floor. Suddenly, a man in black suit rushed out, sweaty from running. "Everyone, The Great Master has arrived!" The man turned out to be Bernardino, the manager who had fired him six months ago and now, the one who fired Matt.

Alex smirked upon sighting the criminal and bootlicking asshole. As he couldn't see Alex's face nor knew he was The Great Master, he referred to Barney as The Great Master.

Of course, what would he expect from someone who got paid off to get him out of the company?

The staff were shocked and immediately stood up, bowing their heads with smiles of excitement.

"We are very pleased to have you here, sir!" Bernardino said with utmost respect, bowing his head for Barney.

Alex laughed at this. His mind drifted back to how he had humiliated him. In fact, everyone in the company had made his life a living hell, except for Matt.

He glanced around the room and saw Wick, whose head was still bowed. The same guy who gave him the nickname "Alexander The Loser," and made his life miserable in this company. Wick often made him run errands and act as the puppet for top superiors.

Little did they know that those bowed heads were meant for Alex, the true Great Master!

"Let me take you in!" Bernardino led them into his office, still meticulously polite to avoid offending them. As Alex entered, he surveyed changes in the office while removing his glasses slowly.

"Your office has changed quite a lot. I can see that the sales in this company are booming."

Bernardino's expression brightened. "Of course, sir….!" But then, he suddenly noticed the baritone voice wasn't Barney's but a more familiar one. He immediately turned back and saw Alex.

His eyes went wide open. "Alex?!"

In his mind, he thought Alex had snuck into his office without being seen. "You fool, what are you doing here!?" he yelled, furiously approaching him and raising his hand to slap him.

But Alex quickly caught his wrist. "Allow me to take my seat please, before moving to why I'm here." His tone held disdain and condescension as he yanked his hands away. He then took a seat with his legs crossed.

Bernardino was taken aback, confused by the situation. How dare Alex? He wanted to retort but the bodyguards' fierce looks made him flinch as they blocked the entrance with spread legs and stern faces.

Then one walked forward and landed a powerful blow to his nose.

"That is for insulting The Great Master!" Barney furiously snarled. Meanwhile, Alex just kept flipping through the pages of some documents in his hands, unbothered.

Bernardino held his broken nose, flustered. "But sir, I didn't insult you in any way….." Before he finished, he finally realized who the boss was.

His gaze slowly darted to Alex, seated casually and unbothered. "This can't be! How can you be…..The Great Master??!!" His eyes widened in disbelief, breaking into a cold sweat.

A bodyguard menacingly kicked his butt, causing him to fall flat before Alex.

"Do you know the meaning of P.B.T?" Alex finally asked, leaning forward as he tore his gaze from the document.

Bernardino stammered. "Alex - I mean, The Great Master..." He corrected himself hastily, kneeling in shock. "Please, I'm begging you! Let's talk this out and forget the past..."

"Of course I'm here to forget about the past," Alex cut in, throwing some documents on the floor. "Just sign these papers and we'll be even. You have 6 seconds!"

Hands trembling, Bernardino picked them and signed without reading, desperate to satisfy him.

He nervously returned the papers. "I'm done!" Hoping this nightmare would finally end.

Alex smirked as he collected them. "Thanks for cooperating, Mr. Bernardino. The money's already in your account. Start packing - the renovation begins tomorrow."

Bernardino stared at Alex in stunned silence. What had he just signed? He frantically tried to recall the contents of the papers but his mind had gone blank during the rushed signing. Fear crept in as he started to realize.

"By signing those documents, you just sold me the company. Which means I'm the new owner of SALMAS Automobiles."

"No!" He exclaimed, holding on to Alex's knees. "Why are you doing this to me? Please, you can't take away all that I have worked for!"

Alex looked down with reproach at Bernardino clinging to his trousers. "You mean bribing to get big contracts and internally stealing the companies funds without the shareholders knowledge?"

Bernardino fell back, sitting hard on the floor, running both hands through his hair. "Please I beg you, please I'm not responsible for this! Please don't make this ruin my reputation, I know the kind of power you have, so, please save me!"

Alex stood up, readjusting his suit. "On a condition that you go on your knees like you are now and apologize to Matt, and try to convince him to become the new company's manager. I'll give you four days to do that. Just try to reveal my secret, and you're dead!"

As Alex said those words, they came out of his mouth like he understood the kind of suffering Matt would be facing. He recalled the smile on Matt's face when he found out he had been promoted; now everything had crumbled and he had almost become a beggar.

Bernardino, on the other hand, frowned as he couldn't believe he had to kneel and apologize to a common staff member whom he had just fired. His own status in the company was well respected - he had everyone in his palm - but now he had to go on his knees to someone who could be a beggar. But he dared not say no, shivering at that point.

"I'll do as you say sir!" He bowed.

Alex gave a nod and was ready to leave, but as he took a step forward, he deliberately and forcefully stepped onto Bernardino's hands, causing him to wince in pain.

He then wore his glasses. "I'll be watching you, and what I meant by P.B.T was..."

"PAY BACK TIME!!!"

He said, a smirk playing on his lips while the others in the room bowed their heads. He left the office, readjusting his suit while checking his watch, realizing he was running a bit late.

He felt satisfied with what he just did and wished he could do more but Edmundo needed to see him, so he entered his car as they drove away.

On the other hand, Bernardino swore never to look down on anyone as fear gripped him. "Guys, it's Alex! Alex is that new billionaire in this city!" He exclaimed in front of all the staff. However, they all laughed at him, not believing his words.

Wick, one of the staff members, spoke up, "Excuse me sir, are you sure all is well with you? That impoverished loser who made a fool of himself at his girlfriend's wedding is a billionaire?! Hilarious!"

This made Bernardino angry, and he slapped Wick in response. He was determined to prove them wrong, "Damn it, I'm not lying! Just wait and see, Alex will be the new boss here!" He warned them with a serious tone, but everyone was still skeptical.

As they returned to work, they couldn't help but murmur about Bernardino's claim, especially his last statement. They were confused and couldn't believe it, especially Wick, who scoffed and tapped his shoulders.

**

When Alex arrived at Edmundo's apartment, he walked past all the maids and workers who were bowing to him in a straight line. "Greetings, the Great Master," they all echoed as he just waved at them and went straight to his office. He saw Edmundo and opened his arms to give him a big hug. If it weren't for him, Alex would have been living in the slums by now.

"Oh, Alex, I have good news for you!" Edmundo grinned as Alex was served with red wine. Then, he cleared his throat and began speaking but Alex noticed his mood wasn't that of good news. It was the same as when he called him.

"Your dad is alive, Alex," he said as Alex almost choked on the drink he was having. This made his heart sink. Of course, his mum had told him that his father was dead. Now, what was he hearing?

"How is this possible?" Alex's brows creased.

"He needs you, Alex. Amos Robert, your biological father, needs you now."

Alex couldn't believe what he was hearing. All of a sudden, his father was alive? How was that possible? Then, where was he all this time?

Suddenly, something occurred to him. "Robert!?"

That surname was so familiar to him that he couldn't place his mind on not until...

Edmundo continued. "He is the owner of Halogenics. Before he gave it to his son, Daniel Robert"

"wait...what?" he exclaimed.

"So, what you're trying to tell me is that my father is my ex-girlfriend's father-in-law!?"