Xavier sat at the edge of the desk with a bottle of champagne between himself and Leon. Both men hadn't tasted the drink since it was served by the kind Italian waiter, they were both tense and waiting for who would break the ice. "I heard what happened at XLT," Xavier said almost at the same time that Leon decided to speak. "You go first," Xavier added but Leon simply shook his head and offered to speak instead. "So, what happened?" He asked. "Nothing of significance, a few changes just needs to be made at the office, that's all," he replied. Leon didn't feel comfortable looking like a lowly staff member being questioned by his superior. He could see the effort that Xavier had put into making him feel relaxed. The man was dressed in a simple T-shirt and a pair of denim but a baseball cap to go with it. He even attempted to take up a game of chase with him before they sat down to the conversation but Leon wasn't really up to it and it must have been quite obvious at some point.
Tracy stood at the doorway of her family mansion, she was dressed in a leather skirt and pair of boots that reached up to her mid thighs. Not only was she scantily dressed but she didn't look so sober either. "Is this a way of showing us that you're rebellious? Because we still don't get your message," her mother, Grace said to her angrily. Sylvester Caden was also in the large living room and he didn't look happy either. Tracy ignored both of them and made her way to the staircase, heading to her room. "One more step and you will be stripped of everything you own, I dare you," Sylvester spoke in such a cold voice that Tracy stopped at the landing of the staircase and turned to face her parents. "What do you want from me, father?" She asked in an equally stoic tone. Sylvester snorted and Grace gasped. She'd never heard her daughter sound so impolite and she chastised her immediately, "What's wrong with you? That's no way to talk to your father," she snapped. Tracy rolled her
Bryan marched to the car, a scowl on his face as she folded his arms and leveled Leon with a stare that stopped him right on his tracks. "What are you discussing with my brother?" He asked. Leon was a little confused. He figured that not many liked him and the new position he'd acquired from Xavier but he didn't expect Bryan to be one of them and take it so far. "I don't understand, why would you ask that, do you have a problem with me discussing anything with Xavier?" He asked. "Not when I know what his intentions are," Bryan replied swiftly. Leon was taken aback for a moment and he asked him what he meant by that. "Did you just say his intentions?" He asked and Bryan nodded. "Yes, I said his intentions," he replied and looked at the tent where Xavier and Leon had sat just a few moments back. "I don't want to have this conversation here, let's get out of here and talk," he suggested. Leon was a little uncertain, he could see that Bryan didn't look very comfortable and his
"Are you sure about that? Isn't it a little extreme?" Leon asked, looking at Bryan with arched brows. Bryan chuckled and said there was no other way. "It's simple actually, if you want the staff to remain loyal to you then they must be new faces. There is no way you can ever completely take over XLT if all the workers still remain loyal to Xavier," he advised. Leon could not argue with that naked truth. It was clear that even during the meeting with Hopkins when the greedy man had tried to doctor his own resignation, the staff were all attentive to Hopkins and it seemed that was where their loyalties lay because they knew him and were familiar with him. Leon on the other hand was the new face in the company and they were all struggling to stay loyal to him. "I guess you're right, I will do just that," he replied and signaled the waiter to bring a fresh cup of coffee for him as the one on the table had long gone cold. "This isn't what it seems. I know at the banquet that I had s
In front of the building, Leon could spot Tracy standing at the porch, her eyes hidden behind a pair or large dark glasses. She was pacing and he knew that wasn't good. Tracy Caden was a calm and composed girl, she was never ruffled despite the situation and she exuded authority right through her pores. But recently, Leon couldn't help but notice that she wasn't so serene. The last time they had met, she had been in such a hurry to leave that he almost thought that he had upset her - and maybe he had - but he didn't have any idea what he did or said. Stepping out of the vehicle, he walked to the porch and stood for a few minutes staring at her closely before she finally registered his presence. Tracy jerked, startled to see him right in her face. "I didn't hear you walk down, you scared me," she said and placed her hands over her chest. Tracy looked him over, more or less checking him out without even hiding it. She looked at his shoes and commented on it, "It's pretty expen
"I'm a healer, Tracy, I'm not a businessman," Leon replied bluntly. Tracy sighed and got on her feet, she looked around the house and hummed. "I know you can help me, Leon. You have the entire city in your control, you decide what happens and when it does, I know with Xavier right beside you there is nothing you can't achieve," she said. "Tracy, I want to help you, but are you sure this is the best thing to do?" He asked, he could still recall how Sylvester was, stoic, unfeeling and unwilling to compromise. If he was hellbent on marrying his daughter off then he doubted there was much anyone could do to change his mind. "Leon, I can't get married to Vincent Roger. He is an old ugly man from the Roger family who has been lusting after me since I was just a child in middle school," she stated angrily and stomped her feet. "I'd rather take my own__" "You don't have to be that extreme, I'll help you, Tracy," Leon agreed. He could already guess what she was about to say and he did
The vacation home was a little far off the city. Hector drove a few minutes before he got to the edge of the city where the vacation home sat, nestled between the valley and a little beach. Leon stared at the beach with longing, the water would be nice. "We're here," Hector said as the car rolled to a stop beside the bank and Tracy looked outside. "I think this place is tightly secured," she mentioned. Leon looked at the gate, it was nothing but a small iron casting that would give away with one thrust but he could see men dressed in black inside the property. "I should go talk to them," he said and was about to get out of the car but Tracy stopped him with her palm on his arms gently, "I think I should do that, my father had brought me here once and I think they might still know me," she said and left the car. Leon was a little uncertain, he didn't want them to harass her but she insisted. Tracy walked to the men and after exchanging a few words, they nodded with a bow and
The raindrops wetted the window, giving it a dewy look. Leon looked outside, the grass under looked a little greener and the cars parked seemed like tiny dogs on the lawn. It was indeed a beautiful sight and Leon wished he could say the same thing about the XLT company too. Since he'd arrived from the meeting with Vincent and conversation with Bryan, he had a different view on the company he was struggling to groom. The voice of Bryan still played in his head, he was walking right on glass and it felt like any moment it would all come crashing down. "Who's there?" Leon asked as he heard a knock on the door. "Sir, I'm here to get the folder for the partners," Lily's voice sounded from outside and he asked her immediately. Not like he wanted to discuss anything with her after Bryan's advice to him to fire everyone from the company and have them replaced. "I haven't looked through the folders yet, Lily, is that all?" He asked and looked at her stiffly. Lily must have sensed that
Leon stepped out of the party with Tracy right behind him. He hadn't been in the same place with such elite people in such a long time and he had mixed feelings. Tracy was so proud of what she had done. She wanted to create a new name for herself. No more was she willing to be the daddy's girl that did everything that her parents wanted even when it had nothing to do with her own career goals and aspirations. "Tracy!" A voice called to her from behind and she turned to look at her mother who was really dressed and coming to her with a fierce frown. "How could you do this!" She snapped. Tracy looked at her sternly, she didn't look remorseful at all. "What did you expect mum? If you really think that I would go ahead and marry that man that had nothing to do with my destiny?" She asked with a scowl on her pretty face. "Even if you're disrespecting your father, do you have to do it in such a crass manner? I know that I raised you better than this. I raised you to be more
Leon and Tracy arrived at the party in a short while. They both stepped out of the Maserati and heads turned in their direction. Tracy's dress turned out to be the most lovely and unique in the entire place and this made the ladies stare in envy and the men in lust. "I'm glad that you came with me tonight, I would not have been able to fend off all these men on my own," she said and shook her head. At the door of the party, the bouncer did not even have to ask who Tracy you was because she was the only daughter of Sylvester Caden. But apart from coming as her date, most people in the club already knew Leon and he would not have had a hard time gaining access anyways. "Welcome Miss Tracy. Your mother has been looking for you all evening, kindly take the front seat please," one of the many ushers at the event said and let Tracy to her seat very close to the podium. Settled down and with a table and several bottles of expensive wine before them, Tracy and Leon could not help
Stepping out of the car, Leon came face-to-face with a very nicely dressed Tracy. She looked magnificent in her black dress and curled hair. The bags framed her face beautifully and he had to admit that she was really pretty. "Hello, Leon, it's been forever since I last saw you," she said and walked up to him to give him a hug. Leon bit her and then pulled away just as she looked like she was melting right in his arms. "It's just been a few days, Tracy, I'm sorry I haven't called, I've been busy," he said. Tracy looked at him and chuckled. "I should be the one apologizing for not being able to meet you or even give a call. I apologize but I've been very busy and I have good news," she said all in one breath. Leon was glad to hear that she had good news. So far all he seemed to be hearing in his life was one bleak story or the other. It felt great to await something good for a change. "I'm all ears, what news do you bring?" He asked. Tracy smirked proudly and walked back
Leaving the premises, Leon couldn't help but feel like a huge burden had been lifted off his shoulders. He no longer had to worry about XLT and the mess that Hopkins and his cohort had made of it. "Fucking corrupt bastards!" Leon sneered from the backseat of the car as it rolled down the street. He didn't think it could be so easy to actually steal from the company, but clearly he'd been very wrong. Both the accountant, the clerical officer and Lily, his secretary had a lot to answer to. "Sir, where to?" Hector asked as they moved out of the place. He was glancing at him through the rearview mirror. "I don't know, Hector, just drive away from here," he urged with a glare. The driver nodded and sped off, out of the neighborhood completely. It was going to be a very long and tiring procedure to fish out everyone that was involved in the embezzlement but Leon was ready for it. There was no way he was going to allow them to take what belonged to the company and go scot free.
Walking out of XlT with his head held high, he couldn't help but notice all the stares that different members of staff were giving him. He was done trying to please everyone, he was done trying to make them all agree with him being the boss. Power had to be taken and Leon was damn rich to grab it with both hands. Leon was outside the premises, all the other staff were still lurking in the lobby, trying to get a better view of what was going to happen outside without being outrightly lookers. "Sir, you have to reconsider, we can't let all the members of the board go," Lily said, running after him, her high heels clicking on the tiled floor.Turning to her with a sharp gaze, he asked, "Which would you rather prefer, a team of old men who will revolt at the slightest chance or no one at all on the board?" He asked. Lily knew that was a tricky question to answer. For as long as she had been working for XLT, there was always a board of directors, Leon dissolving it all in one day as well
Hector sat in the car, glancing at Leon through the rearview mirror. He has doubts about his master's readiness to face the big sharks at XLT again - especially so soon after all that he'd faced. But Leon wasn't acting like he wasn't ready for them, he seemed to be ready for anything at all. Right from when he woke up from the hospital bed, he'd gone straight down to help Fiona and it seemed he wasn't getting any good sleep in-between. "Master, are you ready to go in?" Hector asked and he didn't even miss a breath when he added. "I could call the secretary immediately to have the entire meeting rescheduled, if you're not up for it," he said. Leon chuckled at the speed with which he quickly said he wouldn't mind rescheduling. "It seems you're hoping that I'm not ready for the meeting so that you could quickly reschedule," he stated. Hector sighed, "If I may speak freely, sir, this has been one of the hardest weeks for you. I don't know how you've been able to fire through the
Fiona was shaking as the cops took Elsa out of the building, kicking and screaming and she said that she didn't do anything. At the bar, as she picked up her purse and was walking out the front door. Her other two friends walked up to her and asked what had just happened. "What happened there? Why is Elsa being taken away?" One of them asked. "I don't understand. One minute you were in the bathroom and she offered to bring you a glass of wine and the next thing the cops are taking her out?" The second one inquired. . Leon shook his head at Fiona, telling her that she shouldn't say anything unless the investigations are over. "I know.that you still have your reservations because you know my powers and you dont think I'm very certain of what I saw. I don't want you to ruin your friend's name and reputation on my account. Although I'm certain of what I saw, I'm willing to wait until the cops are done investigating," he stated slowly, just for her hearing. The rest of the friend
Fiona was shaking as the cops took Elsa out of the building, kicking and screaming and she said that she didn't do anything. At the bar, as she picked up her purse and was walking out the front door. Her other two friends walked up to her and asked what had just happened. "What happened there? Why is Elsa being taken away?" One of them asked. "I don't understand. One minute you were in the bathroom and she offered to bring you a glass of wine and the next thing the cops are taking her out?" The second one inquired. . Leon shook his head at Fiona, telling her that she shouldn't say anything unless the investigations are over. "I know.that you still have your reservations because you know my powers and you dont think I'm very certain of what I saw. I don't want you to ruin your friend's name and reputation on my account. Although I'm certain of what I saw, I'm willing to wait until the cops are done investigating," he stated slowly, just for her hearing. The rest of the friend
Fiona stared in awe as she recalled that Leon had insisted on coming to the party even after turning her down the first time. It was quite unlike him to come to any party, especially one that he was sure would be filled up with ladies and music and as it actually turned out - strippers. She didn't understand why he had suddenly changed his mind. "Leon, it's true that you didn't want to come to the party in the first place, you're right," Fiona said and looked at him worriedly. Elsa was still defensive and tried to convince her friend that the man was lying and she would never want to hurt her for any reason. "Fiona, how could you believe this man over me? You left you at the party and went elsewhere, isn't it clear that he's trying to ruin your good time?" She asked, trying to play the emotional trick on her. "Leon, talk to me, why did you show up at that party? Why did you change your mind?" Fiona asked him, this time her eyes were fiercely on him, she believed that there was