"Stop talking as if I were getting married next week Lucas." Aiden said while trying to hold back a smile. The idea of spending the rest of his days with somebody as unique as Claire wasn't something he hadn't thought of. His expression made his cousin's eyebrow shoot up in intrigue.
Being an only child, Lucas and his younger sister spent most of their childhood together with Aiden. Since he lost his parents at a very young age, the ones he considered his immediate family were always his two cousins and his grandfather. Although the atmosphere around them was as toxic and venomous as any other power hungry and greedy family, they grew up shielding and protecting each other from the constant ill intentions and blood lust that surrounded them. No matter how they were addressed by others, the three of them always considered themselves siblings.
Lucas Villan was only a year younger than Aiden. Thanks to that, they felt very close to one another. They played just as hard as they worked. From traveling the world together, to conquering the night side by side, they treated the world like their personal play ground most of the time.
"Well courting her is practically the same thing isn't it? She's the first woman you've ever wanted to tie down with literally the most old schooled title I can think of. I always knew you were an old man hiding in a young man's body, but damn Bro. You made me think I was reading a passage from one of Shakespeare's works instead of your text message when you told me about it." Lucas chuckled as Aiden jabbed his ribs with his elbow. But Lucas was quicker than him and dodged.
"Idiot. It's not like that and you know it." He replied as he threw his towel towards him, but again missed his mark. Lucas's speed was always unreal.
"Sure. And pigs fly. You do now who you're talking to right?" Lucas said as he started to jog on treadmill. "Teasing aside, when am I meeting the lucky lady?"
"Not sure. She's dealing with some things right now so I don't want to keep throwing stuff into the mix." He replied as he started towards the doorway where his dogs where already up waiting to accompany him.
"So what? How does me meeting her get in her way?" Stepping to the unmoving sides of the treadmill, Lucas dramatically gasped while bringing his hand up to his mouth. "Or is it....no...it can't be."
Aiden stood by the door ready to leave but stopped before doing so. Rolling his eyes he turned to face him. "What?"
"Do you not want me to meet her... because you're afraid she'll like me better?"
"Bear, Moose." Aiden said making them perk up ready to receive a command. "Chac-"
"STOP! I'M KIDDING I'M KIDDING" Lucas interrupted him as he shouted at the top of his lungs. His heart sped up at the thought of Aiden setting his dogs off on him.
He was without a doubt fast, but Aiden's servant like pets would chase after him until either he or them dropped dead. Their loyalty towards him was ridiculous.
"Heel." Aiden instructed to them both as he patted their heads which made their tales wag furiously. "What's wrong? I was only trying to help you have a good workout?" Chuckling at Lucas's worried expression, he left to get ready for the rest of his day.
Lucas watched him leave with Bear and Moose following closely behind. Letting out a relieved sigh he stepped back on the treadmill's moving belt and sped it up it's pace. A large smirk spread across his face as an idea popped into his head.
"This is going to be fun isn't it?" He mumbled to himself.
------------------
At Flinn Corporation.
"Well somebody's having trouble sleeping." Claire said as she looked up from the papers in her hands.
"It's that obvious?" Anna asked as she sighed.
"Did you even look in the mirror on your way out of your apartment? Doesn't take a hawk's eye to spot those huge dark bags." Claire's voice turned concerned. "Everything alright? You know you can talk to me about anything."
"I know, thank you. But I'm fine trust me. I just need to get some proper rest and I'll be in top shape again." Anna smiled at Claire who obviously didn't seem convinced. Even so, she respected her not wanting to get into it.
"Okay. Let me know if you know if you need anything." She replied with a small smile.
Before Anna could say anything else, the phone on Claire's desk started to ring.
"Yes?" She answered while keeping her focus on the papers she was signing. The person on the other line said a few things before one of her eyebrows shot up. "Really? Send him up."
Hanging up the phone she looked at Anna with an intrigued look in her eyes. "How much time do I have before my first meeting today?"
"About thirty minutes Boss." Anna responded while looking down at the watch on her wrist which marked nine in the morning.
"Good. We have a big brother coming to visit." She said with a slightly more excited tone. "Why don't you escort him inside?"
Understanding why Claire's mood lifted, Anna grinned and left to fetch her boss's visitor.
The floor for Claire's office was filled with secretaries, security and work stations spread across the entire layout. Similar to many other CEO floors, it had a private elevator that only authorized personal and visitors could use. Standing in front of it's doors, Anna waited for the man that was currently on his way up.
The rest of the employees near her where inconspicuously stealing glances at the elevator. Being tied by strict non-disclosure agreements meant they couldn't share anything about their beautiful CEO, which only they and a number of other employees have even seen in person. But the people she dealt with was a different matter.
Just the other day the CEO of Villan Enterprise personally came to due business with the She Devil herself! With that in mind, they couldn't wait to see what other powerful figure was about to walk out of the elevator.
A few minutes went by and the doors finally opened. As soon as they did, the entire floor was washed over with an uncomfortable and awkward atmosphere. The working buzz that constantly filled the space went silent.
"Welcome Mr. Flinn. It's a pleasure to have you visit." Anna greeted the man without a hint of unease. "Please, allow me to escort you to CEO Claire's office." She said as she gestured him to follow her.