"Hello, Mr. Fraser!"
Lucas extended his right hand for a handshake, greeting Alex with enthusiasm. His bright demeanor caught Alex slightly off guard. Alex squinted, observing him carefully. Her boyfriend and she are complete opposites, he thought, the corners of his mouth twitching into a faint smirk.
Instead of accepting the handshake, Alex gave a curt nod, leaving Lucas's hand hanging awkwardly. Lucas blinked, his enthusiasm faltering as he retracted his hand, clenching it briefly before nervously rubbing his palms together. Anxiety crept over him as he wondered why Alex Fraser, the business tycoon, had suddenly summoned him to his office.
"I've heard a lot about you," Alex began, his tone smooth but laced with subtle authority. "And seeing how well-behaved you are, I can see they weren't exaggerating. I know it's unorthodox to call you during work hours, but I wanted to meet and speak with you personally."
Alex's words seemed pleasant enough, and for a moment, Lucas visibly relaxed. Excitement lit up his face, the tension in his body melting away.
"No, it's fine! It's my pleasure, Mr. Fraser," Lucas replied, his tone eager and slightly flustered. "Actually... I've always wanted to meet you someday. You're my role model, and I aspire to be like you."
Alex had said a few pleasant words to start the conversation, and hearing such praise from Alex himself, Lucas found himself both relaxed and excited at the same time.
"No, it's fine! It's my pleasure, Mr. Fraser," Lucas responded eagerly. "Actually... I've always wanted to meet you. You're my role model, and I want to become like you."
Alex raised an eyebrow in surprise, his interest piqued. Things are getting more interesting by the second, he thought. Rainee's boyfriend considered him a role model.
A smirk played on Alex's lips as he stood up from his desk and walked towards Lucas, his presence commanding.
"I'm glad to meet you too," Alex said, his voice smooth. "And the reason I called you here today is to offer you something. How would you like to work at the main branch of Fraser Industries?"
For a few seconds, Lucas stood frozen, as though he couldn't quite believe what he had just heard. It was unheard of for anyone to be offered a position at the main branch, it was a place reserved for only the best of the best employees.
A wide grin spread across his face, and he bowed deeply, his voice thick with gratitude. "I'll try my best to not disappoint you, Mr. Fraser!"
Alex scoffed under his breath, noticing the greed glimmering in Lucas's eyes.
"I know you will," Alex said, his tone carrying a hint of amusement. "But there's something I need you to do for me."
Lucas's throat went dry, and he swallowed hard. He could feel the weight of the offer, but he was certain that nothing in life came without a price. Getting a transfer to the main branch was no small feat, there had to be a catch. Whatever Alex wanted him to do, Lucas could sense it was a task that no one else would take responsibility for, and Alex was looking for someone to carry the burden.
Still, the opportunity was too tempting. It was a once-in-a-lifetime chance, one that could change his entire future. His heart raced with anticipation.
With a polite but resolute smile, Lucas straightened his posture and asked, "What exactly do you need me to do, Mr. Fraser?"
Alex smiled as he leaned back in his chair, his gaze sharp as he delivered the ultimatum.
"Break up with your girlfriend."
Lucas's smile vanished in an instant, his face contorting with disbelief. He clenched his fist, confused and frustrated by Alex's unexpected request. He furrowed his brow, trying to process why Alex would even ask such a thing.
"Why does my relationship matter to you?" Lucas asked, his voice laced with confusion.
Alex's tone remained direct and cold. "I won't beat around the bush. I met her yesterday, and I find her interesting... I want to have some fun with her, you know. But she's rebellious, or maybe she doesn't know me enough. The thing is, Lucas, I always get what I want, and this time, I'll have her too. But don't worry, if you join the main branch and work with me, you'll find a more suitable girl for yourself. She's not right for you."
Lucas scoffed, shaking his head, as though mocking himself. This reaction seemed to confuse Alex, who frowned slightly, unable to understand the shift in Lucas's demeanor.
"She..." Lucas started, his voice quieter now, "Rainee used to say that I'm stupid for liking someone like you. But after talking to you, I think she was right. I'm disappointed in myself for ever wanting to become like you."
Alex wasn't surprised by the words, but he had expected a more visceral, angry response. Instead, Lucas's calmness caught him off guard. After speaking, Lucas bowed his head and gave a polite, expressionless look, as if resigned to the situation.
"I'm sorry for declining your offer, Mr. Fraser, but I won't work at the main branch. I can't break up with her. If you want to fire me, you can."
Alex's face tightened with dissatisfaction, but he couldn't help feeling a spark of curiosity. Why was Lucas so adamant about staying with her? Was he really so deeply in love with Rainee? And yet, Lucas had reacted so calmly upon hearing Alex's intentions. It didn't make sense. These thoughts raced through Alex's mind, leaving him perplexed.
"I'm not that bad," Alex said, trying to regain his composure. "It's your decision, and I accept it. But Lucas... I will definitely separate both of you. I don't like it when someone touches what belongs to me."
Lucas scoffed in response.
"Things?" he asked, voice laced with sarcasm. "Mr. Fraser, if she heard you say that, she would curse you until your ears bleed. Or maybe... well, I don't know what else she'd do when it comes to her self-esteem and family, but I'm sure you won't like it. Don't say things like that to her. She's not the type of girl to run after money. She'll never break up with me, no matter what you offer."
Alex nearly rolled his eyes at Lucas's words, hearing them for what seemed like the hundredth time. But despite his frustration, he found something oddly intriguing about Lucas's calm demeanor. If Alex were in his position, he would've punched someone who dared to eye his possessions, but Lucas seemed so... indifferent.
"I know," Alex replied, his tone now cool. "But who knows? I met her this morning too, and she said she'd be waiting for my next step."
Alex leaned back in his chair, deep in thought after the conversation with Lucas. What he had just learned about Rainee and her family history had stirred something within him. The mention of her father's restaurant and the role his company had played in its loss explained a lot about the intensity of her anger. He had no idea she carried that much resentment towards the Frasers, especially as a child.
"Well, time will tell," Alex muttered to himself, trying to shake off the unsettling feeling.
As he dismissed Lucas, he couldn't stop thinking about the odd calmness Lucas had displayed. It was strange that someone in his position—who should have been furious hearing Alex's intentions towards his girlfriend—had reacted with indifference. Alex couldn't figure it out. Was he really that unaffected by the whole situation, or was there something else going on?
He knew Lucas was hiding something, and that thought gnawed at him.
Alex grabbed his phone and typed a quick message to Andrew. He needed answers—he needed to know everything about Lucas. What he did, where he went, who he associated with. Alex's gut told him something wasn't right.
As the minutes passed, Alex's mind continued to race, thinking about Rainee and the history between her family and the Frasers. She had made it clear that she wasn't someone who could easily be manipulated, and that just made her more interesting to him. But he had a feeling that with this new information, things between them were about to get a lot more complicated.