-Haruka POV-
"Oh, since my wife is retiring too, the next CEO of the Ackerman Museum and Art Gallery will be Levi Ackerman." The chairman said that calmly, but it clearly surprised me. I looked at Levi, and he didn't seem shocked even a bit. Instead, his lips formed a faint smile. Wait, did he see this coming?
"I'm sorry, chairman. But, is it okay for someone to hold three high roles at one time?" Mr. Arnault, one of the shareholders, spoke. He's a new one here, btw.
"Hahaha. I suppose you would be curious since this is your first time joining the meeting. I'm not choosing Levi because he's my eldest grandson, I chose him because of what he's capable of. He could handle three big roles just fine. You'll see the result soon." The chairman said that confidently. Of course, most people in the corporate world know what Levi Ackerman is capable of.
"I understand, sir. I'm sorry for asking that." Mr. Arnault replied.
"No worries. I understand why you're curious after all. So, is there any other question or any objection?" The chairman asked with a smile, and of course no one would dare to object to his decision.
"No, sir." Everyone in the room answered except for Levi and his father.
"Well, that's good then. That concludes my last meeting. About my shares, my lawyer will handle that later. Thank you for all your hard work, everyone." The chairman said that with a smile.
"Thank you for being such a great leader, chairman!" Everyone said that and bowed before the chairman exited the room. After that, everyone exits the room, leaving only me, Levi, and Lucas.
"Managing director, huh? I didn't see that coming. You could've warned me, you know." Lucas suddenly spoke with a nervous voice.
"I figured you didn't need a heads-up. I believe I told you I'm going to make you the managing director." Levi said that while leaning his back on the chair.
"Yeah, I know that. But it suddenly felt like a heavy rock was put on my shoulder. Ackerman Travel & Entertainment is the real deal. It can be pretty intense, especially trying to follow in your footsteps." Lucas said that while crossing his arms.
"You'll handle it just fine, Lucas. I wanted to make sure you were picked for a good reason. You've shown what you can do already." Levi said, turning his face to look at Lucas with his unreadable expression.
"It seems like you believe in me more than I believe in myself, brother Levi." Lucas replied, half smiling.
"I don't hand out titles for fun, Lucas. I'll be watching, but I trust you won't need me to step in." Levi said that with a smirk. Of course, he wouldn't do anything reckless, even though he's not really interested in the company in the first place.
"And what about you? The CEO of Ackerman Art Gallery and Museum? That's quite a shift for someone who's been in charge around here." Lucas said that with a slight smile. Right. I've been wanting to say the same thing.
"It's a change, but not one I didn't expect. The gallery is in good hands with me, and besides, I've always had an eye for art." Levi said that calmly. This is clearly what he wanted, and I hate to say that I didn't even see that coming.
"No wonder grandmother chose you. Well, you'll be doing just fine with any role, of course. Thank you for putting your trust in me, Brother Levi. I should get going now. Don't forget that we'll be having lunch with grandfather later." Lucas said that while standing from the chair and then exited the meeting room, leaving me and Levi alone.
"I guess you do have something you wanted to say to me, Mr. Auclair. I know you didn't see this coming." Levi said that while looking at me with a smile.
"Hah. Of course I don't. At least, after all those words you said about leaving the company. And now you're taking on another role as the CEO of the Ackerman Museum and Art Gallery. I know you said you're going to make a comeback, but why did you decide to take the role? I mean, why now?" I asked him in disbelief. Actually, I couldn't read what this guy's intention was.
"That's exactly the reason why I chose now. It's not just about the gallery. It's about control, Mr. Auclair. The gallery may seem insignificant, but it's the key to unlocking the real power in this family. Control the art world, and I control more than just paintings." He said that while leaning his back in his chair. His eyes locked in mine.
"Now, you're telling me that it's not merely a matter of operating a gallery. It seems you are seeking something of greater significance." I said that to him while crossing my arms, and then he looked at me with a smile.
"I know you're the one to pick up faster than anyone else, Mr. Auclair. Exactly. There are powerful, wealthy people in the art world with whom my grandfather and grandmother may never have been in touch. The gallery is my foothold in that world. Once I secure those relationships, I'll reveal myself to the world. Right. The true identity of L. Schatz." He said that confidently, and I know he will make it happen no matter what.
"And you think I'm just going to go along with this plan of yours?" I said that, taking a step closer towards him.
"If you asked me this question two months ago, maybe you would not do that. But now, I'm sure you'll go along with me. After all, I need you by my side." Levi said that softly with that smile of his, and I tried to avoid his eyes this time.
"You better make it worth it for me to follow this plan of yours." I said that while rolling my eyes, indicating I agreed to go along with him.
"It will be. Trust me. You won't regret it. The gallery is only the beginning." He said that with that confidence of his.
"I'll look forward to that, CEO. I guess you should leave for lunch now, sir." I said that, trying to change the topic and go back to the office.
"I guess you're right. You should go eat too, Mr. Auclair. I'll see you after lunch." Levi said that and then left the room, leaving me here alone.
I keep thinking about what he said earlier. Taking this path in order to conquer the art world himself. To be honest, I think revealing his name alone without involving the company is enough for him to take over the art world. But he may have his own ways to do that. He's Levi Ackerman, after all.
//SKIP//
I just finished having lunch at the cafeteria and am now on my way to the office. It's been a while since I last had my lunch there. Levi and I keep having lunch together every time we get time, that's why.
"Mr. Auclair, is that you?" A voice spoke behind me, and I turned my back to see the owner of that voice. And I regret doing so. It's Cedric. Did he have a meeting here today?
"I know it's you. I never thought I would be seeing you here again." He said that with a smile, but it appears that he is attempting to flirt with me.
"Ah, right. I will meet with Mr. Levi Ackerman later. What about you, Mr. Fournier?" I asked him, trying not to make it look awkward.
"Ah, I'm meeting Mr. Lucas Miller today to review the contract." He said that with a smile. Meeting Lucas? But Lucas' office is not in this building. I mean, this is the main branch, and Lucas' office is in the Ackerman Travel and Entertainment Building, which is the next building.
"I believe Mr. Lucas' office is in the next building." I said that to him, and he looked surprised. There's no way Levi didn't tell him that, right?
"Ahaha. You're right. I totally forgot. I guess working with such a big company made me nervous. Thank you for telling me that, Mr. Auclair." He said that awkwardly, which made me suspicious. Did he really just forget?
"No problem. Well, I think I should go now. Good luck with your meeting." I said that, ready to leave, but he stopped me by grabbing my arm, which clearly made me shocked.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to do that. It's just… I've been wanting to ask this before. Can I get your number, Mr. Auclair?" He said that while looking at me. I knew it. He came here on purpose in case he would run into me again.
-Levi POV-
I just finished having lunch with my grandfather and my family. I made my way towards the lobby, and I saw Haruka was talking with Cedric. That bastard, what is he doing here? I believe I told him that he'll be dealing with Lucas from now on. I made my steps towards them, and suddenly Cedric grabbed Haruka's hand, which made my steps even faster.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to do that. It's just… I've been wanting to ask this before. Can I get your number, Mr. Auclair?" Cedric said that while looking at Haruka. This bastard, I knew that he had a feeling towards Haruka from the start.
"I told you Mr. Auclair doesn't give his number to just anyone." I grabbed Cedric's hand away from Haruka, which clearly shocked him. I bet he didn't expect to run into me right now.
"Mr. Ackerman. It's good to see you again, sir." He said that awkwardly, and obviously he is nervous right now.
"I believe I told you you'll be dealing with Lucas from now on, and I did tell you where his office is. So, what are you doing here? Are you trying to mess around with me?" I said that with a cold voice.
"I'm sorry, sir. I just happened to see Mr. Auclair, and I thought I could talk to him for a moment." He said that nervously.
"Mr. Auclair is an honorable client of mine. If you dare to disturb him again, I'm not going to think twice about cancelling the contract." I said that with a glare, threatening him with my cold voice.
"I'm sorry, sir. This won't happen again. I'll take my leave now." He said that with a low voice and then left.
"You shouldn't say something like that, you know. What if he cancels the contract?" Haruka suddenly spoke.
"He won't. He needs to get his father's recognition. That's the reason why he agreed to take over the project when his father asked him to." I said that with a smirk. Well, even though that's not the reason, I'm still going to threaten him to make sure he knows his place.
"Hah. Well, I don't want to argue with you. So, why are you here? I believe you should be heading to Miss Boucher's lab now for the vaccine trial testing. Don't tell me you're going to back down now." He said that sarcastically with a smile.
"Hah. I'm not. I'm the strongest Ackerman, why would I back down? This is nothing." I said that confidently, which clearly made him annoyed.
"Then, why are you here?" He asked me in an annoyed voice.
"I'm bringing you there with me." I said that with a smirk, and he looked at me with shock.
TO BE CONTINUED!!!
PS: I THINK I'M GOING TO UPDATE THIS STORY ONCE A WEEK ONLY BECAUSE I'M STARTING TO GET BUSY WITH MY STUDIES NOW. I'M SORRY AND THANK YOU FOR READING <3