"Thanks Lucy, but I'll be fine.", Aubrey gave her a pat on the head. They were in her car.
"But-", he kissed her.
"Geez!", she turned away. She wanted to walk inside with Aubrey. Who knew if such a multi-giant company like this was actually a terrorist organization? It could get dangerous!
They were near the entrance, but Lucy kept insisting on going inside with him. And he didn't allow her to. After some pestering and persuasion, she gave in.
"I'll call you back when I'm going home.", he said.
"Alright..", she sulked, crossing her arms over her chest.
Aubrey sighed. Was this how it feels when having an overprotective wife? Shouldn't it be vice versa?
"Cook for me. I'll eat together with you.", he said, his smile soft.
"It's a promise then!", she lifted her fingers suddenly.
Aubrey faced her, confused.
"Pinky promise!", she said.
"Alright, my wife.", he chuckled. What a cutie. And then they crossed their fingers together.
Lucy was worried but she knew he needs to do this alone. She shouldn't get in his way. All she ever wanted was for him to get back the things he had lost.
•••
Aubrey walked inside the extravagant lobby of Lee Group, there was a fountain at the heart of the building. He remembered coming here once, when he was seven. He looked up to see a diamond chandelier hanging just above the water fountain. Such a sight to behold, like a lobby of a five star hotel. And nothing seemed to change from before.
Fitting for its name, Lee Group was not an ordinary place for common people. Even the employees were all very high-educated people from prestigious institutions. The salary range was far above other companies. Even the workload for each job was very high-level. Someone without competence weren't allowed in Lee Group.
He went to the reception area, where all of the ladies there started to lose their eyes for him. They stared at him for long and accidentally forgot to even greet him.
"Excuse me, I don't have an appointment with your chairman. But can I see him?", he asked one of the female receptionist.
Noticing the ladies' reaction, a male receptionist came forward with a frown. He didn't like the attention Aubrey was getting. He had been working here for five years and nobody ever bothered squirming over him. Why got intimidated over someone like Aubrey??
"You can't meet our chairman without an appointment. Just go back home. There's nothing you can do here.", he said. Somehow his tone was a little mocking..
Aubrey turned towards the man, he raised a brow. How did he offend this man when he was just a few steps inside the building?
"Hey! don't be rude to our guest!", one of the reception ladies said. She didn't like to see Aubrey being bullied by the male receptionist.
"What? You're siding with a guest who doesn't have an appointment?", he sneered. He was so easily annoyed.
"At least talk with grace, you're unbefitting for this job when you can't say it nicely to our guest.", another receptionist said. She was also on Aubrey's side.
Aubrey was slowly gaining attention and he started to get a headache.
"What is happening here?", a man's voice was heard from their left. All attention went to a man known as the president of Lee Group, Benjamin Lee.
"President Lee, here is a guest who doesn't have an appointment.", the male receptionist said loudly. He wanted to make sure everyone heard it.
Aubrey sighed while he shook his head. Who hired such unprofessional receptionist?
Benjamin Lee turned to Aubrey. He could swear he had seen Aubrey somewhere. But where..?
"What are you doing to my brother?", a voice so cold yet familiar made Aubrey turned towards the sound. He didn't want to face the man, but he also didn't have a choice.
"What?"
"Brother?"
Benjamin Lee was surprised. Now he remembered! Aubrey was on the headline over today's news! The second son of Lee family who just got back from abroad!
Many of the people's eyes started to take a good long glance over Aubrey. They could sense some similarities between him and their chairman. Especially their eyes.
Adamson Lee walked towards Aubrey with a smile. There were five bodyguards trailing behind him. Aubrey held his gut inside his mind. He told himself over and over that he was no longer afraid. He looked at the man, he wore an aura so menacing and out of reach for someone so common. He was on another level. His god-like features and the way he brought himself, was just the same as a king of a country.
"It's nice to finally see you again, Aubrey.", Adamson wore a smile. For others, it seemed like a warm smile from a family member. But for Aubrey, it held a very deep and hidden meaning..
"Thanks for fetching me down here. I didn't know the reception service of Lee Group is this bad. My absence seems to make all of your workers forget about me.", Aubrey said, he smiled back. He took the chance to comment on the reception area.
Many of the onlookers now pretended to continue with their job. Poor reception service workers.. they would definitely get fired. Since they messed up in front of their boss.
Aubrey was known to be a head consultant of Lee Group. His position was quite important within the company. Whoever didn't know about the news then suddenly turned their mobiles on and started scrolling it down. Murmurs started to spread around.
Adamson sneered when he heard Aubrey. This kid was different now. How did he change so much in such a short time?
Aubrey was escorted to the private elevator together with Adamson and his people. Many of the employees at the lobby trailed after them. Two handsome guys.. brothers.. and also a member of Lee. They were undoubtedly very attractive when put together.
"Leave us.", Adamson walked into his office. His bodyguards stopped following them and Aubrey went inside with him.
They were now face to face, Adamson on his seat, and Aubrey was standing in front of him. Both didn't have the intention to start the conversation.
Aubrey took a deep breath. He would end this quickly and go home to eat lunch with Lucy.
"I want to resubmit my application, as the head consultant.", Aubrey said with a voice so clear.
Adamson became quiet. His eyes dark.
"You don't have anything to say to me, brother?", Adamson's smile was sinister.
"My brother is dead.", Aubrey answered with a clenched fist. He wanted to stab this man so badly, but he didn't have the courage to kill.
"I'm not dead yet. So do you want to kill me now?", Adamson stood up.
"I'm not you. You're a murderer.", Aubrey told Adamson. Not even once had he stop looking straight at him. He didn't want to look away. He shouldn't.
"Ah.. so I'm a murderer. But then, who are you?", Adamson walked towards Aubrey slowly. He took his sweet time to get to his younger brother.
"Just because you've succeeded in running away, you think you're free? You think the wound I've inflicted on you will heal soon?", he got so close to Aubrey. And he was slightly surprised to see him not backing away. Aubrey would most often step away from him because he feared him.
"I get it.. you've changed.", Adamson started to laugh. He put his hand on Aubrey's shoulder.
"Listen here carefully chairman Lee, I will take back what's mine. And I'm not your prisoner anymore.", Aubrey pushed Adamson's hand away. His eyes glittered with color. A bright color he once had when everything was still fine.
Adamson couldn't help but notice his eyes. And he despised that color more than anything. It reminded him of his fake mother who gave him fake love.
But that was not the only reason. He actually hated that brightness where he would find himself lost in it and couldn't get back up.
Why was Aubrey so bright? He was always the shining star, the center of attention and love. He was just a child back then, still naive yet was still protected. Full of care, everything surrounding him was pure without evil intention. He was one lucky boy.
But he didn't deserve it.
"Don't be so quick to say that, Aubrey. You're always within my grasp. Now and ever."
"You wish.", Aubrey threw him a glare.
"I went so far as to tame you and your fear towards me. They won't disappear overnight.", Adamson trailed over Aubrey's neck. The choker was gone. And then he grabbed Aubrey's collar and pulled him close.
Aubrey was startled, but he remained calm.