Deference

The thirty-five minutes drive ended at the front of a twenty-three-story building. Gradually, the occupants of the five cars convoy alighted, filling the outside. Bodyguards from each vehicle stood at attention waiting for their boss.

The entrance of the building was not also void, as all the staff came out to pay respect to their chairman. Director Roland together with the Board members led the crowd to bow in deference. He was still shaken by the turn of events. The Chairman's presence was still a shock to him.

He stepped out in his black body-fitted suit.

The chauffeur of his vehicle held the door open for him but his hand still made its way to the border of the door, holding it for support as he placed his black polished Italian shoes on the ground, firmly.

His dark shades murked out everyone and the surroundings, giving him an aura of confidence and prestige.

Releasing his hand from the door, he let the chauffeur close it as he pocketed his hands.

Every single soul brimmed his/her face with a smile as their eyes spotted their handsome and charming Chairman. The older ones, the employees that have been in the company right from its crawling stage, held a surprise in their pupils, the younger staff had mesmerization replace the surprise in theirs.

It was not just his beauty that had them captivated or dumbstruck. It was the fact that after nineteen solid years, he was still strong, tall, and well built. The older staff had a more valid attestation to that fact as they were the ones that tattletaled on him. The younger ones could only attest to the validity.

Although he had their eyes fixed on him, he did not bother to spare them a look as he caved his way to the thirteen tread stairs that stood apart from him at a fifteen feet distance. 

At the end of the stairs before the first tread, Fred stood all smiles, watching his beloved uncle take an elegant and bold walk to where he was.

His smile which looked more like a fake than real managed to increase in size, expanding his cheek muscles, almost pressing his eyes into a thin line. Chairman Conrad knew better than to believe its genuinity.

' Good morning dear uncle. Nice to have you here '. His ecstatic voice sounded rather mocking as he greeted his uncle who now stood at an approx three feet.

Chairman Conrad removed his shades and held them sideways, that was a more than enough indication for his PA who was glued to his spot by the sedan that had driven his boss, to rush to his side and collect the glasses before they hit the ground. His boss was never patient with such things. 

All eyes were on him as he ascended the fleet of steps. 

Fred and his PA followed him closely till they were cordoned by his huge bodyguards at the entrance of the building. The side story is -- Fred was ignored.

Director Roland, the Board members comprising of the stakeholders were the first to greet him with their heads bowed. AG Tim and his team followed immediately. Heads of Departments together with their Assistants picked up the pace as Chairman Conrad just kept on moving, nodding slightly at anyone that approached him. Secretaries came forward.

From the executive to the junior staff they all paid respect to the supreme boss. No one was close enough, as the guards did a good job of keeping them in check while they greeted them from a distance.

Everyone that greeted him gave way for him to enter the building, no, the guards made sure they did.

As he ambled inside, Director Roland and the Board members rushed to him. Restricted by the guards, he had to pass a message through the PA, with one of the guards' permission, to Chairman Conrad.

' Lead us '. He commanded, having received the message from his PA. He turned his face to Director Roland who was trembling where he stood. Though he was smart enough to mask it well, Chairman Conrad could see through his shroud.