Marcel Audrey the Greatest Equalizer

Chapter 11(Alice Ellanor)

Marcel's boy is drenched in sweat while his heart beats heavily as Ana explains the sequence of events. Marcel feels intimidated by Lady Alice, who appears cold and unapproachable, along with her escorts.

Lady Alice is impeccably dressed with her goggles perfectly positioned and a noticeable pink lipstick on her otherwise makeup free face. One might question if she ever smiles, but that is a question best left for her staff and associates to answer.

Madam Alice Ellanor is the exclusive proprietor of Dove Company, which operates numerous boutique branches nationwide. Lady Alice, a divorced woman who faced business challenges at a young age, is renowned for her unwavering determination and intimidating demeanor.

Standing at a modest height of five feet six inches, her imposing presence is quite uncommon. It is impressive to see someone of her stature take charge and ensure the success of her company. She was recently listed as one of the most powerful and famous women by Forbes.

She is a very busy woman but she makes it paramount to personally pay visits to her numerous branches in every twelve months interval. Her visit to her company and its branches is always unannounced hence she is well known for her catchy entrance and ability to take everyone unaware including the manager who for this branch is Mr Enzo.

After hearing from her staff, the receptionist to be precise she dramatically stared at Marcel from head to toe in a disdainful manner. She felt angry instantly and was about to let the hell lose when she beheld the shiny looking object on Marcel's hand.

Her attention was bought and was enslaved as she admires the golden card. She was forced to ask the good question,

"How did you get this card?"  

Her question did not quite rhyme with her facial expression. Her tone was this time quite gentle and careful but her countenance still maintained the flaccid expression it had earlier.

"Is a gift from my grandfather" Marcel replied nonchalantly.

"And who is your grandfather?" She asked

The whole beings in the room were engulfed and surprised by the sudden change of pace and tension.

"No need for all this question, can't you see that he is criminal?" Jenkins said vehemently in anger. He was already impatient and hated the fact that lady Alice is acting funny.

"Am sorry I can't give away such information" Marcel replied while he counted his words so as not to appear imprudent.

Marcel's response elicited some uncensored reaction from the staff including Alice's escort. No one dares answer the iron lady in such a manner and be the same again.

History had it that she once brought a well known billionaire, Mr Rufus da Silva, a Portuguese -american business tycoon who is well known for his infidelity, scandals and misogynistic personality. Well his promiscuous reputation came to an abrupt end when he met lady Alice in a business meeting. He insulted and assaulted the then young lady, this happened during the time that she divorced her husband. 

It is sad for her but as the story had it, Rufus had his day but Alice had him until this day. This tale skyrocketed her to godlike status, always referred to as Athena, the Greek goddess.

Alice felt bad by Marcel's response coupled with the harsh and condemning voices from Grace, Jenkins and the crowd.

She would have taught Marcel a lesson that he won't forget but the card that the young lad has in possession was something she has come across before hence she must be very scrupulous in making her judgements.

Alice at this juncture was faced with a difficult moment. She either put Marcel to his place and be recognized as the tough powerful woman that she is or let Marcel be and have a taint on her immaculate and glorified reputation.

Alice could recall her days as a salesgirl in a boutique shop. It was a sunny day, she was very tired, just after doing some sales but yet her manager was on her neck yelling and shouting. They say "they are as proud as a peacock" well, you will be forgiven to say that but when you meet Lord Gregory Alan, the then manager and boss to Alice you would entirely have a different perspective of the peacock being synonymous to pride. That should be left for Lord Gregory, the 8th prince of Wintergreen.

Alice served and worshiped him with all her heart and strength but everything changed on that very day that an old looking man who had escorts behind him stepped into the building. Everyone worshiped him like a god, the reason for that she never knew but she was thrown off balance when she beheld his boss bowing in respect and reverence. He literally prostrated like his life would be gone on a single snap of finger from the man. 

The discussion they had she never knew but she couldn't forget the card which was bored on a black ancient box. The story and gossip behind the mysterious man was too big to be true for her but she learnt one thing that day and that's, her boss was as human as she was.

"Madam, I think you're being considerate here but that shouldn't be so, he should be sent out or made to pay for his attempt to swindle you" Grace said trying to cajoling the woman to make her judgment.

Alice felt angry instantly but this time it wasn't for Marcel but for the two self righteous accusers, Grace and Stefan Jenkins. 

"Try the card again " Alice said with conviction to the dismay of everyone.

"Madam I think you are making a huge mistake here, this church rat here can't even pay for a meal worth $20 dollars let alone…"

"Hold it there young man, Mr Jenkins right? I will tolerate your unwanted interference because of your father but don't push me to the wall" Alone reprimands while pointing at him.

She won't allow some two brats to bring about her downfall. She only endured the couple because of her relationship with their fathers but that won't prevent her from giving them a bizarre piece of her if they continue to intrude.

She clears her throat and said

"Please come with me young man"

Marcel was surprised by the sudden change of heart but kept mute. Everyone in the building was left behind in their confusion as the two went up with the help of the elevator.

Grace and Stephan were hurt the most, they could feel their heart bleeding but that was until they saw the two laughing as they got down from the elevator.  

Everyone was perplexed and awed by the turnout of the event including the escort and staff. 

"Is this our boss laughing? or are my eyes playing tricks on me?"

"For Christ sake! Who the fuck is this lad?"

"This can't be the stone, cold and ugly Alice, she has never smiled but here she is laughing'

Everyone went bizarre as there were multiple and untold reactions.

The receptionist was stunned like one stinged by a bee. She watched as her life, job and career was being weighed on a scale. Finally, her beautiful and valuable experience has finally failed her, she has messed with the wrong chap and in a few minutes her fate will be decided.

For Grace and Stephan, their hearts were bleeding but on seeing this they felt their graceful ego being punctured and for Stephan, this will be the second time that Marcel is outwitting him. They were reduced to their skeletons when Marcel stared at them with a beautiful smile while Lady Alice glared at them.

"Ana, we are very sorry but our journey together comes to an end here"

"Please ma, don't.." she pleads while kneeling before Marcel and Lady Alice.