"Hey, can you turn off that noise?" Idrus grumbled, clearly annoyed by the blaring music from the front of the car. The human driver swiftly complied, shutting off the music without hesitation.
"Manuel, how much longer until we arrive?" Idrus asked, attempting to adjust the uncomfortably tight tie that Manuel had insisted he wear. He despised the constricting feeling and found the entire suit ensemble to be a major source of irritation.
"We're almost there, boss," Manuel replied, his eyes rolling discreetly.
"You know, you really need to relax. Remember when we used to live among them and even run businesses?,You were never like this" Manuel turned to face Idrus, a hint of nostalgia in his eyes. Secretly, Manuel, Gabrielle, and a few others had longed for the day when they could return to their former way of life. They cherished their realm, but they also missed the thrill of living and working in the human world, especially the prospect of finding a human mate. However, ever since their vampire mistress had passed away, their lord had forbidden them from seeking companionship in the human realm. But for Idrus to have a human mate after all these years, it was a sign that things might finally return to normal.
Idrus took a deep breath, his heart pounding with anticipation as the car came to a halt in front of the towering building. "That was a long time ago, Manuel, and I despise this place," he muttered, his voice filled with a mix of nostalgia and disdain.
Manuel, ever the practical one, opened the car door and stepped out, urging Idrus to do the same. "We're here now. It's time to face it head-on," he said, his tone firm yet encouraging. Idrus adjusted his tie, gathering his composure before stepping out of the car.
In an instant, the atmosphere changed. Cameras flashed, capturing Idrus's every move, while unfamiliar voices called out his name. Reporters swarmed around him, hungry for any information about the enigmatic newcomer.
"Excuse me, sir, are you the CEO of the company?"
"Mr. Idrus, can you share your vision for the future of the business?"
"Sir, what inspired you to finally reveal yourself to the industry?"
Idrus navigated through the sea of reporters, his protectors forming a shield around him. Manuel and the other men moved with precision, effortlessly guiding him towards the entrance of the building. They shielded him from the relentless onslaught of questions and camera flashes, their movements synchronized and efficient. Together, they entered the building, leaving the chaos of the outside world behind.
"What was the meaning of all that?" Idrus questioned, running his hand across his suit. As they made their way towards the elevator, the workers couldn't help but stare at their CEO, whom they had only heard about but never seen before. Their mouths hung open in astonishment, as they never expected him to be so young and attractive. Many of the ladies blushed as he glanced at them, causing them to quickly avert their gaze.
"Oh my goodness, isn't he just a dream?" one of the ladies whispered to her colleague, her cheeks flushed with admiration.
"Wow, he's even more handsome than I had imagined," another whispered to her friend, her cheeks turning pink.
"He's like a character from a romance novel," a third chimed in, her voice filled with awe. They all watched as he disappeared into the elevator, leaving them in awe of the mysterious newcomer.
"So, my lord, you know what needs to be done, right?" Manuel asked, standing next to Idrus in the elevator. Idrus nodded in response.
As the elevator doors opened, Idrus was taken aback by the crowd of people gathered around, all looking at him. He stepped out of the elevator and paused in the midst of the crowd, observing the range of emotions on their faces.
"My lord, you must say something," Manuel's voice echoed in Idrus' mind, and Idrus let out a sigh.
Idrus cleared his throat, capturing the attention of the crowd. "Good morning, everyone. I'm Idrus vanducci, your CEO as I'm sure you all already know." His voice exuded confidence, yet a hint of unease lingered within him. "I'm here to guide this company towards a bright future, and I eagerly anticipate working with each and every one of you." As he spoke, he could feel the surprise and curiosity spreading among the assembled employees.
"We're excited to work alongside you, sir." A young man with bleached blonde hair stepped forward and expressed, to which Idrus nodded.
"Absolutely, sir. It's a privilege." Another young man chimed in.
"Looking forward to it, Mr. Idrus." A beautiful brunette with oversized glasses added, as the other workers echoed their sentiments.
Idrus couldn't help but grin at the responses. With a nod to his trusted companion, he proceeded towards his office, heading straight for his desk.
Manuel's words resonated in his mind, "That was amazing, my lord, you did well."
"I still can't believe he's our new CEO." A voice remarked as Idrus and his team entered the office.
Upon reaching his office, Idrus made his way to the chair behind the grand mahogany desk, settled in, and let out a sigh of relief. It was easier than he had anticipated.
"Since everything has been taken care of, my lord? Can I go now?" Manuel inquired, a grin spreading across his face as he looked at his lord.
"Yes, you may return to the realm. However, I expect both you and Gabrielle to come back every two days and provide me with a detailed report on the state of my Kingdom," Idrus replied, his gaze fixed on the window as various thoughts raced through his mind.
"Understood, Lord," Manuel acknowledged before disappearing from the office through teleportation.
"Viktor, Soren," Idrus called out, and the two vampires, disguised as guards, stepped forward with their heads bowed.
"Have they arrived as I requested?" Idrus inquired, and Viktor nodded in response.
"Tell Lucien and Theron to keep a close eye on Iridessa. They must follow her, inform me of her whereabouts, and ensure her safety at all costs. That ring holds great importance as you know," Idrus commanded, though deep down, he knew it wasn't just about the ring. He wanted to protect her, and he couldn't explain why. He was determined to prevent a repeat of what happened years ago, not under his watch.
"Yes, sir," Viktor and Soren acknowledged, exchanging a glance before nodding in agreement.