In the ensuing silence during which only Leyna was left struggling to catch up with the colorful train of thoughts from the mother and son, the table was cleared and the dessert was brought over. Alex started digging in right away, while his mother observed the content of her plate first, before calmly cutting a piece with her knife.
Finding nothing to say, Leyna let out a somewhat wry smile, then also lowered her head to her dessert. With a spoonful, a slightly cold but creamy taste with a smooth texture went through her mouth, then down her esophagus. While nothing exaggerated, her brain welcomed the delectable distraction.
For a moment, at their table, only the food was the focus of everyone. After tasting it and taking a moment to appreciate the dessert her son had ordered for her, Grace's spoon slid through the soft piece of food for another spoonful which she swallowed before looking at him:
"Still, Alex, you were right when you alluded to my age. I am not getting any younger as time passes, so when are you planning to take over the family business? Unless you are already out of the ordinary enough, worthy of being my progeny, as you said."
Her voice was calm, plain, but it felt full of a hidden insinuation that shook Alex's heart, taking him by surprise and making him choke mid-bite.
"Cough~ Cough~ Cough!"
He had lowered his guard. Even though he had come expecting the attack, the calm and enjoyable lunch had him relax with the familiar presences that he was used to and let his guard down. And now that carelessness had come back to bite him in the butt when he had not been expecting it.
Taking a nervous sip of juice, Alex swallowed the lump of misery that had almost risen to the surface. He didn't even wait for the discomfort to settle down before defensively waving his hand at his mother:
"Mom, what are you saying!? I'm just a playboy. Unlike my brothers, it is because I am your son that I am out of the ordinary."
"Is that so?"
Grace looked at him, and calmly took another bite of her dessert. She didn't dispute his words, despite the calm and deliberate tone that had carried her rhetorical question, nor did she push further. She cut another piece of the dessert and brought the subject back to the main point:
"However, Alex, I hope you have not forgotten that you are the main heir of Arland Lenner, your grandfather, thus, of his legacy, Arland Group. Sooner or later, you will have to take my place, which many have been dreaming about for decades already."
Alex tilted his glass and emptied it, before letting out a tired exhale:
"Sigh, Mom, that is them, not me."
Before a tense silence could settle between them, Alex continued, his tone casual but firm:
"Moreover, I'm still only the prospective main heir, keyword being 'prospective'. I'm still struggling with the old man's test, so I am not really the main heir yet."
Leyna muttered with a smile:
"You are still struggling, or you have not even tried properly?"
Alex glanced at the black-haired woman, and lightly cleared his throat:
"Cough! Sis, some things are better left unsaid."
The almost plain admission made Leyna unable to stop herself from retorting with an amused smile:
"So that means as soon as you pass the test you will be taking over the Group to relieve the chairwoman of her burden, won't you?"
Alex glanced at Leyna, then at his mother, then suddenly stopped caring. He relaxed, and took his spoon again and focused on the rest of his dessert. Letting a mouthful slide down his throat, he casually waved his hand:
"Anyway, I have yet to open the box from the old man, so I'm not really the heir yet. Anything else doesn't matter."
Seeing Alex suddenly drop his defensive stance surprised Leyna, but he didn't look at her and only focused on his mother as he recalled the last full moon night and a thought that had crossed his mind then. After a moment of pause, he asked:
"By the way, Mom, the old man, is he really dead?"
The question made Leyna's eyes widen in shock. But Grace, unruffled, looked at her son and asked calmly:
"Why are you asking that?"
Alex looked deeply at his mother, then smiled, and lowered his head to continue eating. He dropped the shocking subject just like that.
Leyna looked at the two, mother and son. Her shock melting into surprise, it didn't fully evaporate, as some memories came back to her. Lowering her head, she recalled the declaration after the old chairman and founder of the Group had spent a month in bed. However, even though the funeral and whatever followed had been normal, no body had ever been displayed.
Given the mischievous nature of the old man, one really could not put it past him to wash his hands off everything and go fishing somewhere no one would bother him. Retreating with his gains when at his peak, that would not be the first time. That was how he prospered and made what he built endure over the years. But then, if that was the case for this matter, that joke would be too big!
So, did he, or did he not do it?
Thinking till there, Leyna could not help but wonder why Alex was bringing up that question now.
Sneaking a glance at Alex's smiling face and at Grace's calm expression, Leyna lowered her head to focus on her dessert, pretending to be invisible, and deaf.
Facing the smiling eyes of her third son, Grace casually replied with no fluctuation on her face:
"There can be no life without death. Your grandfather has lived long enough already, and he has had enough adventures. I don't know why you are asking that, but you should focus on living a good life filled with your own adventures instead. You are still young, after all."
Alex looked straight into the green orbs of his mother, then suddenly grinned and changed the subject:
"Let's talk about something else, Mom. I found a new driver for you."
Grace raised her eyebrows.
Smiling in amusement, Alex elaborated:
"Here is the thing. I have a friend, and he has been wanting to change his job to… something that would allow him to focus more on some coming big changes in his life."
Grace casually remarked:
"A friend."
Alex nodded, and continued:
"Indeed. Young, healthy and strong. Very experienced in handling cars, and very driven. You will not be disappointed."
Looking at her son who seemed to not have understood her remark, Grace repeated with a small meaningful smile at the corner of her lips, this time, with a questioning tone, and a little emphasis:
"A friend, huh?"
Smile widening, Alex nodded, and affirmed:
"Yes, Mom, a friend."