The Rise of Alexander Black (the Errand Boy)!

Chapter 7

Down at the reception, Sandra was a woman on a mission. She had just returned from the restroom, where she'd caked on a fresh layer of makeup—foundation, highlighter, and a lipstick so glossy it could blind an unsuspecting victim. She’d adjusted her dress higher and tighter, the neckline a little lower now, the curves more pronounced. Every step she took was a calculated swing of hips.

She positioned herself right by the elevator, her perfume cloud thick enough to announce her presence before her words ever could. A few colleagues threw her mocking glances. One of them, Babara, rolled her eyes and muttered just loud enough, “And the parade begins.”

Sandra scoffed, tossing her freshly ironed curls.

“Y’all can hate all you want. But I wasn’t born to suffer,” she said, popping her gum as she spoke. “I’m too fine to be struggling. I don’t want to work hard—I want to be spoiled. Period.”

The girls behind the counter burst into quiet laughter.

“And what now? You want to trap another man like you tried with Mr. Brummer?” Babara teased.

“Mr. Brummer can go back to that secretary-slut Gwen,” Sandra snapped. “He’s old news. I’m aiming higher now. My real jackpot’s on his way down this elevator.”

Before the girls could retort, Mr. Tony Brummer came walking down the stairs. Unlike Alex, who had gone up via the elevator to the executive floors, Mr. Brummer used the staircase from the second floor, his brown Italian loafers clicking softly with each step. His eyes fell on Sandra, who was standing like a trophy model, all poised and glammed up.

He smiled. ‘She definitely dressed like that for me,’ he thought.

Walking up to her, he pulled a shiny card from his breast pocket and offered it. “Sandra, why don’t you take this? Give me a call later. Let’s—talk. Maybe somewhere quieter.”

Sandra didn’t even turn fully to look at him. She side-eyed the card, then hissed and waved him off like a bad smell.

“Please, shift. I don’t do broke men, again. I got someone way better I am waiting for.”

Tony blinked in disbelief. “What did you just say?”

She turned, smirked, and said confidently, “My man is coming down any second now. You? Old gist. Outdated.”

Tony's smile dropped. His ego bruised, he gave her one last look before muttering, “You’ll regret that.” Then, tail between his legs, he turned and walked off toward the restroom.

And just as he disappeared, the elevator doors dinged open.

Out stepped Alex… no longer in a clown costume, but in a sleek designer suit that screamed wealth. By his side was Mr. Taylor himself—the highest-ranking executives in the company.

Sandra froze.

Their eyes met. Alex saw her—the glossy lips, the overly tight dress, the desperate sparkle in her eyes—and then he saw the realization settle in her expression. She had dressed up to seduce him.

“Oh my God,” she whispered under her breath.

As if on cue, her colleagues started snickering.

“Look who overdressed for a funeral,” one of them quipped.

“What a shame,” another added.

Sandra’s face turned red. She started adjusting her dress quickly, pulling up the neckline and smoothing out the fabric. She curtsied, stammering.

“I–I was just... I didn’t know you’d be back so soon, sir... I mean—”

Mr. Taylor narrowed his eyes, staring at her in open disapproval.

“What the hell is going on here? What exactly are you doing dressed like this at the reception? Who were you trying to seduce with this streetwalker tactic?”

Everyone burst out laughing, except Sandra, who looked like she was about to cry.

Taylor raised his hand to silence them. Then, in a firm tone, he announced, “Everyone, listen carefully. I want you all to meet the new majority stakeholder in this bank. Mr. Alexander Black now owns 46% of Heritage Finance Bank. And now technically our boss.”

A gasp tore through the room. All heads turned toward Alex.

“This—this is the same guy that—”

“The clown?!”

“Jesus Christ…”

They all rushed forward, falling to their knees in shame and apology. Sandra nearly tripped over herself trying to be the first to kneel.

“I’m so sorry, sir! I was foolish! I—I didn’t know! Please forgive me!”

Alex stood still, hands in his pocket, watching the chaos unfold around him. He looked at Sandra—the same woman who had nearly pepper-sprayed him, mocked him, and asked him to dance like a clown.

Mr. Taylor turned to Alex, confused. “What exactly did they do?”

Alex gave a faint smile. “Nothing too serious, Mr. Taylor. Just... a little misunderstanding.”

Taylor was still suspicious, but nodded. “Very well. Still, there’s a lesson to be learned here.”

Alex faced the crowd, his voice calm and steady.

“Let this be a reminder. Never judge people based on appearance. Treat everyone with respect, especially strangers. You never know who you’re talking to.”

The room was silent. Everyone nodded obediently, some even scribbling mental notes like students who had just been given a life-changing lecture.

Without another word, Alex walked past them, heading out. Sandra got up slowly and stumbled back to her desk, cheeks burning, heart sinking. Her dream sugar daddy had just slipped through her fingers—again.

Mr. Taylor returned to his office.

Moments later, Mr. Brummer stepped out from the restroom, wiping his hands with a napkin. The first thing he noticed was the eerie silence in the reception area. Everyone looked like they’d seen a ghost.

“What’s going on here?” he asked no one in particular. “Why is everyone looking like that?”

No one responded.

He turned to Sandra, who avoided his gaze.

“Where’s the rich man you were waiting for?”

She said nothing.

He approached the security guard at the door. “Did a young guy in a clown costume leave just now?”

The security man gave him a respectful nod.

“Sir, that young man is actually the new owner of the bank.”

Tony laughed. “You must be joking. That boy? I brought him in! The security outside wanted to beat him up and I saved him. I just did a good deed.”

The security officer leaned closer.

“Sir, unless you’re related to him, I’d advise you stay out of it. That man—he was in disguise. His real identity? He’s now the top boss.”

Tony stood frozen. The laughter died in his throat. He looked back at the building, his mind spinning.

Then, slowly, he walked to his car, got in, and pulled out his phone.

Dialing quickly, he waited for the person on the other end to pick up.

“Are you aware that Steven’s son now owns Heritage Finance Bank?” he asked.

The voice on the other end went silent for a second.

“That’s not possible. I’ve been tracking that boy since his parents died. He’s been living like a pauper. I even got a report he just got dumped by his girl today and ran off.”

Tony sighed. “Well, you’d better update your files. He might not be what we think again.”

He hung up and quickly started his engine, determined to find Alex again.

But by the time he got outside, Alex was gone.