Alexandria followed the horde of people to the baggage claim of Gotham International Airport. Luckily, no one had recognized her, yet. She made sure to wear the most concealing outfit without looking suspicious. It helped that it was the 1st of February. The coldest time of Gotham's winter. Jet lag was luckily not an issue, as of now that is. Although it's 10AM in Gotham, it's 4PM in Amsterdam.
Alexandria dutifully stood alone in front of the carousel. It had already been moving. Cautiously, she glanced around for Lucius. She had called him a few nights ago, confessing that she was returning to Gotham, after 15 years. Lucius is the only one who knows. She was glad she had someone here like him, someone she basically considered her father. Scanning the crowd of chatty Europeans, she had flown from Amsterdam, it had been her home for the past two years, she lay her gray eyes on the back of a tall well-suited African American man. He was facing away from her, looking out to the exit of the airport, he was watching the frenzied Gothamites bustle around in the snow. Two Louis Vuitton suitcases sat next to him, she smiled, he had already gotten her luggage.
Taking quick long strides towards the man, she silently stood next to him. A smirk on her naturally red lips. Lucius glanced down at the young lady, returned his gaze to the fogged sliding glass doors then back to Alexandria with his eyes wide.
"Alexandria!" He smiled down at her before engulfing her in a big hug which she easily returned. She sighed. She missed this man. He even still smelled the same after 15 years. A distinct earthy cologne.
"Lucius, I've missed you so much!" Alexandria beamed as they parted.
"It's been much too long, Lex. You've grown so much. I remember when you came up to here!" He gestured to just above his waist. She smiled at the use of her childhood nickname.
"Yes, yes. And now, I'm reaching six foot. I'm almost as tall as you."
"I do remember you saying how you would reach my height." Lucius stated. He reached down to grab the luggage, swinging one bag over his shoulder and pulling the other he gestured for Alexandria to start towards the exit doors. Alexandria laughed at the memory as she began to walk to the cold outdoors.
"I remember that, too. And I do, with heels on." She added with a grin. Alexandria politely stood next to a black Bentley that Lucius had pointed to. Snow swirled all around, onto the hood of the car, the clothes on both Lucius and Alexandria, getting stuck in her hair. He was putting the luggage in the trunk.
"Speaking of attire. You are very well dressed for cold." He came around to the driver side and unlocked the door. Alexandria looked over her outfit before stepping inside the luxurious car.
She was kept extremely warm in worn black leather lace up boots, thick dark denim jeans, a loose gray long sleeve with aviators hanging from the collar, covered by a thick long plum-colored cardigan, which was in turn covered by a matching hooded leather jacket. Her long hair splayed on her shoulders and hoodie.
"You look identical to your mother to when I first met her with your father." Lucius admitted. They sat comfortably in the silence of the car. They had just reached the highway and were out of the traffic of the airport. Alexandria said nothing but only gave a satisfying sound in recognition of his words.
"How is Gotham?" She asked. Alexandria rested her head against the seat, staring out into the decaying buildings and the various types people that scattered Gotham. Everything looked the same. Lucius sighed.
"It's getting there, better than before though. I suppose you've heard of the Batman?" Lucius glanced over at Alexandria. Her brows furrowed in confusion.
"Batman?" She scoffed. She fully faced Lucius. Her eyes wide in amusement.
"The vigilante, of course." He chuckled. "I'm surprised you don't know of him." Alexandria ignored Lucius.
"There is a vigilante in Gotham called the Batman." She paused. She stared out the windshield, shock etched her face. "And what had this Batman been doing?" She sank back into her seat.
"Helping, believe it or not. He's put away mob bosses, stopping majority of crime. He's doing what the police can't. The crime rates have dropped tremendously since. He's a blessing." Alexandria gave Lucius an incredible stare that he ignored.
"I would love to meet this Batman. Who is it?"
"That no one knows."
"Wow, props, though. You have to be crazy to do that." Alexandria muttered. Her head rested against the cold window. Lucius shook his head and smiled.
For the rest of the car ride they made conversation about her flight, the weather, what she did in Europe, the people, etc. Small talk.
Silence rang through the car they stopped in front of the familiar towering, rusting gate, overbearing vines covered every inch. The W, the beautiful golden letter that was melded onto the middle of the gate, showing the prestigious ownership of this very mansion was barely seen under the brush. The black gate was tied close by a hefty lock. Lucius silently exited the car with the key in the depths of his coat pocket. Alexandria watched him. Her eyes roamed the entrance to her home.
The gate was on the edge of the street, just enough space for a car to fit without blocking traffic. The mansion was in the heart of Old Gotham, just near Gotham Square but also the water. Lucius pulled one side of the gate open, creaking and scratching ensued at the sudden use of the gate. Although, the mansion was surrounded by the disturbances of Gotham, everything past the gate was serene.
Alexandria's breath stuck in her throat as Lucius entered the car and began driving down the rundown driveway. The driveway was almost a half a mile. Forest covered both sides of the road to shield the city, however it was thick, bigger, and daunting. They reached a clearing, down the driveway was the Ward Manor.
The once green grass that surrounded the manor grounds was now dead and covered in frost from the winter. The fading gray roof was scattered with ice, the chimneys were no longer black, but white with snow. The stone walls had a greenish tint, algae, and all sorts of weeds grew in between the stones. The house had aged. The manor sat in the middle10 acres of once lush green land. Towering walls that protected the manor and residents of the dangers of Gotham surrounded the mansion were now near crumbling and faded.
Lucius turned off the car just in front of the marble steps. Alexandria stared up at her home, a once welcoming sight now once haunting and intimidating.
"The key." She murmured. Lucius reached into his coat pocket for the same key. That key unlocked the gate and also all the doors to the manor.
With the key clasped tightly in her right hand, Alexandria exited the Bentley and took unsure steps up to the front door. She bit her lip. It was the same. She didn't know what to expect. Nothing could prepare her. The white stone door hadn't changed a bit, the lock and doorknocker had only rusted. She twisted the key into the lock the slowly opened.
Lucius carried Alexandria's luggage up to the door and into the foyer of the house. He hadn't been in here in 14 years. He visited a year after the death of his friends before confirming that he wouldn't visit unless he had to.
Alexandria entered the foyer. Lucius was behind her. Her boots echoed throughout the empty house. The dark wooden floor contrasted against the white marble wall and ceilings. The cathedral ceilings were decorated with ornate Gothic crown molding with gold etching. She stepped further into the house. The foyer opened up into a great room. The room was the exact length of the house, wooden floors all throughout. Multiple marble columns were detailed with intricate Gothic designs. The ceiling and arches around the whole manor had the same Gothic designs.
The great room was barren. At all four corners of the great room was a hallway. The two nearest the front door were grand staircases that lead up to the upstairs hall. The upstairs hall was seen from the great room. Looking up from the great room, where the columns would end, was where the hall was, it trailed the perimeter of the great room. The hall overlooked the great room like a balcony. The upstairs hall was home to four rooms, the parlor, library, playroom, and theater and a staircase to Alexandria's room.
Alexandria's room was on the third floor of the mansion, her room took up the whole floor. Complete with a large bathroom, sitting area, two balconies overlooking the backyard and front, an oversized walk-in closet and her own art room, and access to the manor tower. Her room here was as bigger than the houses of some of the people of Gotham. Her room continued the Gothic design as the rest of her home. Although, it wasn't dark, natural light came from all sides of her room, floor to ceiling windows were on both sides of the balcony doors.
The left hallway in the rear of the great room lead to the master bedroom and office. The right hallway lead to the kitchen, garage, two guest bedrooms, and laundry room.
At the very end of the room, was another circular room, two thick columns separated it from the rest of the great room. Alexandria walked to the room, she recognized a familiar shape. When she was little, she would play piano in the small room. Now, the piano was still there, covered by a dusty white cloth. She yanked the cloth off. Dust filled the air like the snow did outside. The grand piano was the same as the last day she was here. The wood still glowed. Light came in through the long windows that circled the room. The ceiling was a dome, with a petite black chandelier hanging. Outside, was the garden. Now, a lush of overgrown flowers majority dead from the winter.
"Lucius, where's all the furniture?" Alexandria asked. Her voice echoed throughout the whole manor.
"Auctioned. In their will, you mother and father wanted everything to be auctioned except for the piano, the dining room furniture, library, and the rooms of the resident's. Everything is still there." He walked to the piano room. Alexandria turned to him. She smiled. She pushed all negative thoughts out of her head.
"Would you like to take a tour with me?"
"Of course." She hooked arms with Lucius and walked out of the piano room and to the hallway on the right of the great room.
Close to 1PM, Alexandria and Lucius sat across from each other in the library. After a tour around the manor that brought both pleasant and dreadful memories the two relaxed among the books. They had been in conversation about Alexandria's travels. Lucius took on a serious note.
"For a while Gotham thought you were dead, Lex."
"Did you?"
"Not at first, but then eventually yes. It took me a year or two to. What were you doing in those five years? No tabloid in the world had anything on you, all were just rumors." Alexandria held Lucius's gaze. She knew if she looked away or did any other odd thing he would be suspicious.
"I was studying and backpacking in Asia." She lied. It was a white lie, she was in Asia, in Nepal to be exact, and she was studying. Just not studying architecture or anything.
"You did a lot of that, didn't you? Amsterdam, Greece, France, and all the other places you were called on to travel to. Nice life." He had bought it.
"Just came with the job." Alexandria shrugged.
"Your parents would be proud. You are an internationally known architect as well as other things. I don't think you're parents even reached that sort of reputation." Lucius was right.
Alexandria made her own reputation as a fantastic architect known for restoring the ancient and historical architecture of a society or civilization. That is what she specialized in. She double majored in ancient civilizations and historical architecture at renowned universities all through Europe. Alexandria made herself known without using her parents company.
"Yes, but it's nice to settle back home. I think I'm going to restore some of Gotham's original architecture. I'm not sure I like the skyscrapers here. But Lucius, thank you, for taking care of my parents company while also working in Wayne Industries."
"It is not a problem, it benefited both companies. But now that you are back in Gotham, I believe you can do whatever you please regarding the architect matter. You are the sole owner of Ward Corporations and mansion. That reminds me, your CEO has been wanting to change the name of Ward Corp." Lucius smirked.
"To what?"
"Ward Industries." Alexandria steel eyes grew.
"Like Wayne Industries? That's ridiculous, of course not." Lucius laughed at her stricken appearance at this conflict.
"He's very eager in changing the name."
"Well, then I'll fire him and promote someone else." She waved her hand in the air as if it was the easiest solution.
"It's great to have you back, Lex." Lucius added before he walked the driver side of the Bentley.
"It's good to be back." Alexandria replied with almost a little hesitation. "Before you go, I have a favor." She mentions, trailing off a little. She leaned against the passenger side. Her forearms resting against the cold hood of the car giving her a shiver, she had removed her two coverups. Lucius gave a hearty chuckle.
"Already asking for favors."
"Could you give me some info on Lori Knight's whereabouts?"
"You're old best friend?" Alexandria nodded. "I believe she lives in the Village. I'll check tonight and give you the exact location. Planning on making yourself known?"
"I've got to do it sometime." Lex smiled. "Goodnight, Lucius. I'll see you soon."
"Be good, Lex. And don't forget the paperwork!" Lucius added before getting into his car.
Alexandria headed back inside. She wouldn't forget the paperwork. Entering the library again she slid onto the comfortable chaise with the paperwork in hand.
She read over all the legal documents, most reciting what Alexandria Ward was entitled to and what she wasn't. All this she already knew. She signed the forms and read over her wealth.
Alexandria had acquired 25 million from the five years she spent in France, Greece, and Amsterdam. Now, with her inheritance, 35 billion plus the 25 million she would be neck and neck with Bruce Wayne. However, she might have the upper hand. So far, her wealth doesn't include funding from Ward Corporations, Lucius had already informed her of the wealth she will receive from the company. He had estimated 30 million plus a week, the amount growing because of the business Alexandria conducted during those five years. Alexandria Ward was richer than the richest man in Gotham.