Chapter 8: A Day Before the Foundation Ceremony

(Third Person's POV)

In the bustling streets in Capital City, a tall building is standing high. Inside the president's office, located on the top floor of the building, a young man dressed in a black suit is sitting on his swivel chair. With his head nestled on the backrest, a pair of black eyes is looking in the glass window, overviewing the night sky that captures the whole city.

With his tall height, this pale-skinned man has an authoritative feeling that surrounds his whole being. A particularly notable feature is his eyes, his dark eyes that make people tremble easily. His short, thick, light blonde hair perfectly complimented his face. He has an angular face with a pointed nose, well-defined cheekbones, and thin lips.

This is the face of Alexander Lu, a pure devil with the face of an angel. He stands elegantly among others, despite his cold attitude. Something is enticing about him. Perhaps it's his good looks, or perhaps it's simply his wealth and power. Nonetheless, ladies of noble families tend to flock towards him, trying to gain his favor and affection. However, no one ever succeeded.

Alexander is the current CEO of Lu Corporation, the biggest company in the whole city. From a young age, Alexander was groomed to become the heir of the Lu family. Because of his training, he developed an authoritative charisma and his manner of speaking had a tinge of coldness and ruthlessness in it. His whole persona represents power and authority.

A knock on the door broke the silence of the room. He pressed the button under the table and the door opened. A man wearing a formal suit and eyeglasses in his eyes entered the room holding some materials in his hands. He walked towards Alexander and respectfully greeted him. "Mr. Lu, here is the acquisition plan that the marketing department handed in."

Alexander turned around leisurely. He took the papers and scanned through them intently. "This plan, this was supposed to be delivered to my office last week. Secretary Lin, why is this handed now?"

Secretary Lin adjusted his eyeglasses and answered respectfully. "Sir, it's because Mr. Kang went out-of-town a week ago, so this was delayed."

He raised his head and looked intently at the man standing in front of him. "Out-of-town? Who approved it?"

"The vice-president approved his leave of absence, sir."

"Fire him. Both the vice-president and Mr. Kang. I don't need incompetent and irresponsible employees." He immediately instructed, without any second thoughts. He leaned back in his chair and threw the paper he was reading on the table.

"Sir, should I inform the Chairman about the dismissal?"

Alexander closed his eyes and leaned backward. "No need, I'll tell him about it. You may go." Secretary Lin nodded and left after reporting. When the door closed, quietness filled the room once again. He opened his eyes and looked at the wall clock hanging in front of him.

It's already past 10 in the evening. He opened his computer and continued working. It did not matter to him if it was already so late at night. Handling a very big enterprise is not an easy task and he doesn't like wasting his time doing nonsensical things. This has become his hobby for so many years since he became the president.

Although his grandfather was still the chairman of the company, he had full authority. His grandfather trusted him with everything related to the company, so this became his responsibility. Chairman Alex Lu is the only family he had. Ever since both his parents died from a car crash, his grandfather took him and raised him to be his successor.

The sound of a phone ringing interrupted his work. He glanced and saw that it was his grandfather who was calling him. With a frown showing on his face, he answered the call. "What is it, grandfather?"

"Hey, brat! Why aren't you home yet? Secretary Lin told me that you were done with the meeting an hour ago. It's already late."

A deep sigh escaped from his mouth. "Grandfather, I'm not a girl nor a teenager that needs to be home early. I still have work to do, so I won't be home. Stop nagging grandfather."

"What work are you talking about?! Your secretary told me that you already finished working on the company's project for this month. What more are you working on?"

"Grandfather, it's not related to the Lu Corporation."

"If it's not about that, then what? You don't have any hobbies at all aside from work. You are just like your father. Nothing else matters except for work. Why are you not like me at all? When I was your age, I already married your grandmother. Your father married your mother when he was nearing 40. If I hadn't threatened him with the company, he wouldn't have attended the blind date I had prepared or met your mom. Don't tell me you're following his footsteps?"

Alexander leaned back as he listened to his grandfather's speech. This happens all the time. He lost count of the number of times he heard about his father's blind date from his grandfather. Although it is tiring to hear the same scolding, he didn't bother to stop it since this is how his grandfather showed his care towards him.

After a moment of silence, he then answered, "Grandfather, okay fine, tell me. Why did you call? I know you called me for a certain reason, not because you wanted me to go home early."

He heard the sound of chuckles on the other side. "Hahaha, you got me there brat. Who would want to look at your expressionless face? I'm even wondering if you're suffering from facial paralysis."

"Grandfather…"

"Okay, okay. You are so impatient. This coming Friday, there will be a foundation ceremony at Capital University. I can't attend since we will be playing golf with my friends on that day. Attend it on my behalf and don't be late."

He pinched his nose and pressed his lips together, showing annoyance. "But grandfather, I'm busy on that day. I still have matters to attend to. Why don't you just send your secretary there?"

"Nope. I won't take no for an answer. You will attend that ceremony on my behalf. I have already cleared your schedule for that day. Don't be late, Alexander."

"But grandfather…" Before he could speak out his complaint, his grandfather interrupted him. "Attend the ceremony or attend the blind date. Choose."

His grip tightened while holding his phone. A clear annoyance is showing on his handsome face while he runs his fingers on his hair. No words of complaint came out of his lips. This became a very effective threat to him.

Whenever he disagreed about doing something, his grandfather would take up a blind date. Even if he's annoyed, he can't do anything but follow his orders. His grandfather might do something drastic, like arrange a marriage for him if he defied his orders.

While gritting his teeth, he answered in a low voice. "Fine grandfather. You win. I'll attend that ceremony, so don't arrange a blind date for me. I'm so sick of it."

His grandfather laughed at his remark. "What's so wrong with it? They were so pretty and intelligent, in my opinion. I even suspected you of being gay, since you don't have any relationships at all. Tell me, my grandson. Is that true? Don't worry, grandfather won't blame you. I'm a very open-minded person."

"WHAT?! GAY?! Grandfather, what the hell are you talking about?!" His voice raised as he questioned his grandfather. That's a silly question, to begin with. 'I can't believe he suspected me as gay?! Do I look like one?!'

Laughter resounded on the phone. Chairman Lu is happily laughing while Alexander's face turned grim as he listened to his nonsense. "Hahahaha. Xander, Xander, Xander. Okay, enough. Hahahaha, attend that ceremony, okay? Don't be late!"

The call ended right after. Disbelief was still showing on his face after the phone call. An exasperated sigh escaped his lips as he recalled his grandfather's words. He remembered those blind dates he arranged for him. 'Those tiring blind dates! Who would in their right mind arrange 10 blind dates for a day?'

His grandfather arranged a lot of blind dates for him before. Some were granddaughters of his grandfather's friends and some were girls from influential families. However, nothing good came out of it. All of them were the same, they liked him for his wealth, power, and even his looks. He knows that those ladies desire him but will never love him.

Ever since he was young, he has seen how his parents loved each other. His father was a loyal man, while his mother was a very caring woman. They showered him with love and care, but an accident took them away. From that day on, Xander promised in front of his parent's grave that he would only marry the woman he loved.

For years, love didn't come to his doorsteps. Not until he encountered that accident three years ago. The accident almost cost him his life.

That day, for the first time, his heartbeat was so fast when he heard that voice. That voice that saved him from death. That angelic voice brought hope to him. That woman's voice rescued him from the accident. Three years have passed by but he hasn't found her. He didn't see that girl's face and no one recognized her either, so it was really hard to find her. But, he will find her no matter what it takes.