Chapter 54: Visiting Guests

The summer season brought summer heat as it always has.

People were complaining about the seasons as usual. Summer was too hot, winter was too snowy, fall was too leafy, perhaps only spring had it easy.

Alexander did not have much complaint as he relished on the fact that global warming still hasn't made California into the fry zone that it would be in the future.

Knowing the climate of the future and comparing it to the present, Alexander could only lament.

Animals are slowly becoming killed off, forests are slowly decreasing in areas, this 1984 summer heat would probably be cooler than 2010's spring breeze, clean rivers of the present would become murky, and weather classifications would be adjusted for the monstrous storms to come.

He wasn't some Mother Earth justice warrior but reliving the moderate temperature of the world leads to thoughts about how to try and help prevent its eventual damage in the future.

Printing comic books isn't exactly nature-friendly so he at least has to come up with creative ways to help while still keeping his source of income.

That may have to wait for later though when his conscience would truly compel him to try and do the right thing. It wasn't like he was rewarded a re-life because he was chosen to save the destroyed world after all.

Just as he was about to debate and outline nature options, Sullivan suddenly knocked on his door and sounded out. "Alex, if you're not busy, get down to the living room because we have some important matters to address."

"Okay." Pushing those world preservation and 'chosen one' thoughts aside, Alexander headed outside and downstairs to follow his grandfather.

It was rare for his grandfather to disturb him on a Sunday, so there was no doubt that he must have something for him.

Comic-booking and nature helper outlining is second priority when something he is much more passionate about is on the agenda.

Since divulging his expansion plans and convening their thoughts on it, a lot has already been prepared but it still wasn't enough to make things truly happen.

Alexander was looking forward to subtly enforcing his animation and toy suggestions to his grandfather like he always has.

At least, that was what he was planning if the 'important' matter to address had something to do with the business expansions during this summer break.

They eventually reached the living room and Alexander was ready to bring out his subtle and manipulative means.

Unfortunately, he had assumed wrong as Sullivan simply inspected his home-ly look and said with commendation.

"We are having some guests coming in today and just as expected, I don't have to worry about you giving bad impressions. I'm even sure that your simple look would wow the little lady that would be tagging along."

Alexander's little white schemes had to abruptly halt just as it was already in ignition. He might have assumed wrongly indeed!

"Guests, impressions, little lady." No matter how he connected those words to 'important' matters, nothing seems to fit so he could only ask for clarification. "Do these things even have something to do with Creed Animations and Toys?"

It was Sullivan's time to halt in his tracks as he really has a hard time syncing himself to this grandson of his.

Every important house matter became a business matter that he was already wondering whether exposing the boy to the capital world of money-making was a good idea.

The boy wasn't a workaholic but way too efficiently focused that its terrifying and worrying at the same time.

It was gratifying to see Alexander excel but it was becoming fearsome to know that everything was just getting started.

"Alex, give your grandpa and yourself a break, will you?" This was all that Sullivan could say as he wiped the non-existent sweat on his wrinkled forehead.

"It is really fortunate that I am giving you a preliminary briefing now lest you frighten the guest with toy-making and animation proposals."

Alexander had no rebuttal to that as he was the one jumping to conclusions. "But... are these guests of ours still related to business because I clearly remember you saying it was important matters."

"It could be business-related but it could also not be so." Sullivan could only come clean and admit his defeat as well. He didn't know why he was criticizing the little guy when he was clearly on his way to criticizing himself.

Even as he complains about his grandson's newfound business mentality, there was no denying that he was the same mentality as well.

A chip of the old block as they say but the Creed duo's dynamic was clearly a chip of the chip of the older block.

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The wait for the so-called guests ensued and it took a while until a semblance of a car had parked on the street.

Sullivan went outside to greet the incomers and lead the socializing as usual.

As for Alexander, he was the silently observing little kid that doesn't want attention to himself. It was just unfortunate that his introverted means partnered with his developing but developing looks make for an attention-tugging combination.

"Welcome! I hope it wasn't too much trouble finding this place of ours." Sullivan greeted the people who got out of the car.

The visitors seem to be a mother-daughter duo with the mother shaking hands with old Creed. "It was no trouble at all, Mr. Creed. I am already quite thankful that you considered my offer and even invited us to your home, which I might say is quite different from how I imagine it to be."

"How so?"

"It is suburban and seems not fitting of your wealthy status." The 'mother visitor' truthfully said while adding. "But it also is within expectations, given the low-key lifestyle that my contacts say you like to live."

"Haha! Those people should only be exaggerating me too much. Don't mind them, Miss Galina " Sullivan gave his signature British chuckle of humbling before praises.

Alexander was already used to such a mannerism as he spectated their greetings and noticed the peculiar Russian accent that the 'mother visitor, Galina' has.

The mother seems to have noticed his quiet stare as she remarked. "This must be the Alex that Mr. Creed is always talking about."

"Well, yes. This is my grandson, Alex." Sullivan introduced while also noting the little girl beside the mother. "And this lass must be little Milla. Milla Loginova, if I am right?"

"Unfortunately Mr. Creed, Milla carries her father's last name which is Jovovich." The mother could only wryly correct the old man. "She is my little angel, Milla Jovovich."

"Oh. I can only apologize for the mishap." Sullivan felt that he might have crossed some line there so he had to ease the tension as he turned to the little girl. "I hope you can also forgive this old man's mistake, little miss?"

The greetings and interactions went on while Alexander had more or less gotten some clarifications on his Russian-accent curiosities.

However, the question still remains as to why his grandfather and these visiting guests were 'important matters' that need him to be present.