John's Domination

Chapter 10

Anthony backed the hospital when John and Alice emerged from the building. He was gazing into the distance, a cigarette in his hand. The gentle breeze played with his hair, and he leaned against the doorframe, enjoying the cool sensation on his skin. He held the unlit cigarette between his lips. 

"Are you planning to light that?" John asked. Anthony's smile appeared somewhat strained to John, curving but not fully. 

They had come close to him without him noticing, a sign that maybe he was getting old. Anthony replayed the thought in his mind and decided it wasn't such a bad thing. "No, my smoking days are long gone, but you know, old habits die hard. I just hold it like this from time to time; it eases my mind," he replied and straightened up. "How's your father?"

John remained silent, gazing into the distance, the word "father" causing a twisting sensation in his stomach. He tightened his grip on Alice's hand and took a deep breath.

"Dr. James sent his regards. Richard has been moved to the VIP floor," Alice said. She paused for a moment, struggling to find the right words. With a hesitating tone, she added, "His condition has improved."

Alice matched John's grip with equal force. They walked in silence, feeling as though they were navigating through a fog with no clear direction. She wished for a return to peaceful days, but it was just that. Their lives were forever changed, and with Richard hospitalized, their fates seemed sealed: to be destroyed or to become the destroyers. She looked at John, still lost in his thoughts, and wondered if he had arrived at the same conclusion.

Anthony observed the two of them, shifting his gaze from John to Alice. He understood why John was shaken, but Alice, who was typically composed, appeared affected. He smiled when he noticed her concerned look towards John. The lad was already influencing her. 

Anthony chuckled, drawing their attention. "Him being alive is all I need, and oh! That's good enough news to praise the Lord. What do you say? A little bit of worship?"

John's grip relaxed, and he shook his head. "No way, I'll pass." Anthony turned to Alice, raising an eyebrow.

Alice smiled and shook her head. She silently mouthed a thank you to Anthony.

"Now, both of you, get in. From here on out, it'll be a tough ride, especially for you, John," Anthony said. "But for the sake of us all, I hope you're up to the task."

"He has me," Alice interjected. "I'll do my best to guide him. He won't be alone."

John felt a sense of dread settling in. The unease in his stomach seemed to grow, making him grimace. He swallowed and finally asked, "What are we talking about?"

Alice and Anthony exchanged a look and opened their side of the door. The car journey remained silent, feeling like an eternity to John. Unspoken tension hung heavy in the air. Thoughts of daunting tasks or tests to prove himself raced through his mind. He had no idea what to expect.

Finally, the car pulled up in front of a towering skyscraper. Its cream-colored exterior gleamed under the city lights, and its central grass windows created a dazzling effect. Six armed men patrolled the building's entrance. Three of them had their guns trained on John, their expressions stern and unwelcoming. 

However, the three others patrolling the area seemed to brighten at the same moment. Puzzled, John turned to see Alice smiling as she stepped out of the car.

Three of the men came forward to greet her. The shortest among them, with a childlike face, spoke first. The second was a tall man who wore a red scarf, and the last was older and seemed to recognize Anthony.

"Miss Alice, we did not know you were paying a visit today. Forgive us for our negligence," the shorter man said.

“Chairman,” the older man said to Anthony with a bow.

Anthony handed the car keys to the older man, who nodded and took charge of their vehicle. Alice, John, and Anthony entered the impressive building. A sign in gold hung from the ceiling, the words “Draken” was spelled out on it. John observed this and looked around. 

"Why are we here?" John asked.

They were greeted by a receptionist who exchanged smiles with Alice. The receptionist led them to an elevator, and they all stepped inside. 

With a sly grin, Anthony replied, "We're in a building's elevator going upward. Don't rush it; you'll soon find out why"

Alice, still holding John's arm, whispered, "You'll do just fine." John looked between them, sensing that they wouldn't reveal more, turned his attention to the elevator buttons.

The elevator opened into a spacious hall. The room contained multiple work tables on each side, and at the far end, a large transparent glass door led to another room with an extended table, surrounded by chairs. All the seats were occupied except the one at the head.

Alice led them toward the room.

They entered the room filled with twelve individuals. The eldest among them, a man named Gandalf, addressed the gathering, his gray hair and well-built body commanded respect . He spoke with authority from a seat beside the head chair and expressed their collective concern for Richard's recovery. They acknowledged Anthony, who was a significant investor, and Alice, who would chair the meeting.

Alice took her place on the left, Anthony on the right, and she nodded at John, indicating he should sit in the head chair. The room seemed puzzled by this move. John exchanged glances with Alice and Anthony, seeking clarity.

"Sit, kid," Anthony whispered. John took his seat, and the confusion on the faces of the meeting attendees intensified. They looked more like a gathering of shrewd wolves than ordinary business-dressed individuals. 

"Miss Alice," a woman, Janet from the accounting department spoke up."Today's meeting concerns matters already discussed in the previous meeting. Given that we are concluding today, I feel it's unfair to have an unfamiliar face chair it."

Alice nodded and replied, "That's why both Mr. Anthony and I are here. We will guide him."

Another man, Jonathan from the research department, added his voice. "I agree with what you said, but if he's going to make a decision, wouldn't it be better for you to do that? You know the company's ways and rules, and we all know you're like a daughter to Mr. Richard."

Alice's smile brightened. "Thank you, Jonathan. Mr. Richard is very much a father to me. That's why I must make the best move in his favor."

Before another person could speak, Gandalf raised his hand, and the room fell silent as they all turned their attention to him. Alice maintained a warm smile, waiting for the senior member's input.

"Why don't you introduce our chair head for this meeting. We know you won't act without a good reason."

Alice turned her attention to everyone in the hall. "I present -"

John interrupted her with a raised hand. He looked at each member of the table, holding eye contact with each one for a moment.

"I'm not just leading this meeting; I'm also your new CEO," John said. He allowed their faces to twist with both shock and disagreement. Only Gandalf was smiling. John couldn't figure out why, so he ignored it for the moment.

"My name is John Draken," he continued. "Would there be any opposition?" 

John waited, but the whole hall was silent.