So I finally got around to starting Berceuse again!

Chapter 1

Wesker stared at the broken and lifeless body of Oswell E. Spencer. A small pool of blood was starting to form around Spencer, gushing out of the hole in his chest that Wesker created.

"The right to be a god? You?" He shook his head at the body in disgust, despite knowing that the man could no longer hear him. "Arrogant even until the end. Only one truly capable of being a god deserves that right."

Wesker turned around slowly towards the large windows in Spencer's library that overlooked the ocean and braced himself against them. Lightning split the sky and rain started tapping lightly against the glass. He closed his vibrant red eyes, Spencer's words echoing in his head.

The Wesker Children…I was to become a god…

"It all makes perfect sense," Wesker said to himself, hating Spencer. Spencer was the only person Wesker could never outplay, the man who was always one step ahead of him. And he hated him for it because Spencer was always in control, even for as long as Wesker could remember…

January 1977

Albert Wesker stared out the second story window of his Martha's Vinyard home. A light snow was falling outside, covering the garden outside with a thin layer of white.

After a moment, his dull blue eyes refocused on the book in his lap, a microbiology textbook for a class he would be taking once the winter break was finished. Though he hated doing schoolwork over the holiday, it was all he had to do to keep himself occupied in the large empty house.

He flipped the page and glanced out the window again. If he tilted his head just right, he could see the driveway at the front of the house. Just like the last five times he looked, it was still empty. He shook his head and chided himself for checking.

Alex would be here eventually, he reminded himself, hating the fact that he was actually worried about her showing.

But his concern wasn't without reason. Alex, Albert's adoptive guardian, was a top Umbrella Researcher currently working on a project that required her to travel most of the year to check on her experiments that were located in various parts of the world. Due to this, he only ever saw her two or three weeks out of the year and even then she worked most of the time. Though he felt no love for her, she was the only person who he had even remotely considered family and did feel some attachment to her.

Sighing, he closed the book, set it down beside him and reclined a little further on the couch. He hated the winter holidays because it reminded him how alone he was. Granted, he had no friends at Harvard but constantly going to class and working on homework alleviated the feeling a bit.

He leaned his head against the arm of the couch and looked out the window. A black car was now in the driveway and Albert sat up straight.

A thin woman with blonde hair exited the car from the passenger seat. She wore a long black winter coat with fur along the collar. Albert easily recognized Alex but stared in wonder at the man who exited the vehicle with her. The man's hair was dark, starting to gray along the sides. He also wore a long winter coat and black shades over his eyes.

The two exchanged a few words that Albert could not hear and then headed to the house. Albert stared intently at the man, having never seen him before. Who was he? A coworker? Or, Albert shivered in disgust at the idea, a lover?

The door opened and Albert could hear them enter before the heavy oak doors were shut. He sat up, trying to decide whether he should make his presence known when Alex's voice came floating up from down stairs.

"Albert."

She didn't yell it, just merely said it, in the cold, dead tone of hers. Immediately, Albert stood up and smoothed out his clothes. He didn't want to keep her waiting and quickly headed down the stairs, into the entryway.

Alex had shed her long winter coat and was just wearing her simple but elegant black dress. The man had also removed his coat, leaving him in a black suit and a bright red silk shirt. He carried a black briefcase with the initials OES engraved on the golden buckle. His eyes were hidden behind the dark shades and it unnerved Albert that he didn't take them off despite being indoors.

"There you are, boy," Alex rolled her grey eyes in irritation. "Albert, this is Mr. Ozwell E. Spencer, my boss and CEO of Umbrella Corporation."

The man smiled and removed his black sunglasses. The smile he gave Albert made a shiver go down his spine and he had to force himself to hold out his hand to the man. Something about him just seemed wrong. Perhaps it was the tacky way he dressed or the over happy smile.

Spencer took his hand and gave it a firm shake before dropping it. "How do you do?"

"Very well, thanks," Albert said, smile coming out as more of a grimace. "Yourself?"

"Wonderful," Spencer said a little too quickly. He turned expectantly to Alex. "Alexandra? Would you be so kind?"

Alex nodded. "Mr. Spencer is here to discuss a job offer with you."

"What kind?"

"A very important one," Spencer answered, leaning towards Albert. Albert had to actively resist the urge to step back as the man got to close for comfort. "One that will change your life. It will open doors to all the things you can be and push you to your fullest potential."

"I see," Albert said, still focused on how close Spencer was rather than his offer.

"Albert," Alex said, again sounding impatient. "Why don't you take Mr. Spencer to my office and discuss things there?"

Albert nodded stiffly and motioned for Spencer to follow him. "This way."

He led Spencer up the stairs and to the door on the left of the staircase. Alex's office was empty save for a desk and bookshelves filled with biology books. Immediately Spencer took a seat in Alex's chair, placing his briefcase on the desk and Albert awkwardly stood in the door. He didn't particularly want to be alone with Umbrella's CEO but he could feel that Spencer was not a man to displease.

"Close the door."

"Yes, sir," Albert closed it without turning his back and eyed Spencer warily.

"How familiar are you with Umbrella Pharmaceutical, Inc.?"

"Umbrella is the leading manufacture of medical supplies and household products," Albert answered slowly, wondering what position he'd be offered. "I know my biological parents worked-"

"Your parents were two very distinguished researchers," Spencer cut him off. "I was highly pleased with them."

"Thank you, sir," the boy nodded his head slightly.

"And, as you know, Alexandra is my most brilliant and talented employee."

"Yes," Albert said, not trying to hide the bitterness in his voice.

Spencer leaned back a bit in the chair and eyed Albert up and down. Albert wondered if he was going to comment on his tone but instead he remained silent. The silence continued and Albert shifted his weight slightly, feeling extremely uncomfortable with Spencer staring at him. He did not, however, lower his gaze.

"How old are you?" Spencer asked suddenly, after a few minutes of silence. Spencer's beady eyes bore into him.

"Sixteen," Albert replied, wishing Spencer would turn his dark eyes elsewhere.

"Ah, wonderful age. When do you turn seventeen?"

"In a little less then two months, in the middle of March."

"That is perfect!" Spencer sounded overly cheery at the statement. He pulled a couple forms from his briefcase and handed them to Albert. "I spoke to the Harvard administration and have already looked at your progress at the university level. They say that you've thrived under the rigorous course load and competition. Alex has also spoken highly of your capabilities. I believe that you will be able to handle a research position at Umbrella's top facility and, with a bit of training, could handle a job in upper management."

Albert balked at this but quickly regained his composure. "Upper management? When would I begin?"

"Should you accept the job, this summer. I would set up a special training session for you at the Arklay Management Training Facility beginning in July. You would be personally trained under my colleague Doctor James Marcus."

"I see," Albert looked at the pages in his hands. They outlined the training program and listed dates for when he should apply and how to get in contact with Umbrella.

"Doctor Marcus rarely takes employees that are your age but Alex has convinced him that you are ready. I'm sure Alan and Paulette would be proud of their son, taking their place in the company."

"I appreciate the offer," Albert said slowly, looking closer at the documents in his hands. The specific page he was holding outlined all the medical projects that Umbrella researchers undertook while employed. While they all seemed interesting, Albert realized that most of it would require a wealth of knowledge about medicine, something he lacked.

"Do I sense some hesitation?"

"I am a Chemical and Biological Engineer major, my focus is on virus structure and mechanics. I do not have the correct classes or qualifications suited for a medical career." And, truth be told, he had no desire to work in medicine.

Spencer's dark eyes flashed dangerously for a moment before he grinned. "There is a lot more to Umbrella then just the pharmaceutical branch," he whispered, leaning very close to Albert now. "Take the job offer and you will see what I mean."

Albert clenched his jaw as Spencer sat back, away from him. Perhaps he was reading too far into it, but the last part sounded more like a threat. Obviously Ozwell Spencer was not a man who was often turned down and Albert wondered if he crossed some kind of line. They stayed in a heavy silence for a while before Spencer got to his feet.

"Well, I am glad I was able to speak to you today," said Spencer as he stood, collecting his briefcase. "I am off to California to speak to one other potential employee but I feel that he won't be able to handle the job. It's a pity you don't have any interest in this opportunity. I was certain only a person of your...unique caliber...could handle such a demanding position."

Albert blinked but didn't say anything. He still had the papers clutched in his hands, suddenly feeling like he might have done something terribly wrong. He also knew there would probably be repercussions with Alex if he was to turn down the job.

"I expect to hear from you by the end of May," Spencer paused and looked over at his shoulder at Albert who was still standing in the office. He reached into his pant pocket and pulled out a single white business card. Albert managed to hold his hand out to receive the card. "Call the number on the back of this card. It is my personal number. I do hope you carefully consider this offer. It will only come once." With that, he continued walking, not looking back once.

Albert opened his mouth and then shut it quickly. Despite the fact that he didn't particularly care for Umbrella due to Alex's disinterest in him and that Spencer gave him the creeps, he knew that this could be the opportunity of a lifetime. Everyone knew that Umbrella was the wealthiest company in the world and had many connections. Albert craved that kind of power and here it was being handed to him on a platter.

He had to accept the offer.

"Mr. Spencer!" Albert raced down the stairs after him. "Mr. Spencer, wait!"

"Yes?" Spencer drawled, sounding bored. He was standing at the bottom of the stairs, replacing his coat and getting ready to go outside.

"I'll take the job," Albert said quickly.

Spencer eyed him up and down. "Good boy."

Irritation flashed across Albert's face at the comment and Spencer laughed. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his sunglasses. "Here, take them."

Albert cocked his head to the side but took the glasses. "What for?"

Spencer laughed again, a laugh one would give a child for asking a rather dumb question. Albert's cheeks flushed and gripped the glasses tightly in his hand. "What for?" he repeated, trying to make his voice sound unaffected by Spencer's mockery.

"Let me give you a bit of advice," Spencer said, stepping close to Albert and leaning forward so that their faces were mere inches apart. "Umbrella isn't easy and everyone there will be looking to see if you will fail. Your eyes tell too much of what you are feeling. I can see that you are scared of me—and yes I know you don't think so but I can see that you are—and your fear of others will be your undoing."

Spencer took a step back, nodded his head, and walked out the door, slamming it behind him.

Albert stood in the entryway, the glasses hanging idly in one hand. He looked at his reflection in the glass window. His blonde hair hung loosely around his face, just short of covering his dull eyes. He pursed his lips together and then slipped the sunglasses onto his face. They looked just as unnerving on him as they did on Spencer.

"Well?"

Albert turned around, slightly surprised that he hadn't heard Alex approach.

"Did you agree?" Her arms were folded across her chest. Her icy eyes fixated on him, almost daring him to say otherwise.

"Yeah," Albert said quietly.

"Good." Alex seemed unmoved. An awkward silence followed. "I have to go back to work."

"Alright," Albert said, trying to match the lack of emotion in her voice.

Alex turned around and started to walk away, then paused. "Those suit you."

I've started rewriting Berceuse and like it better then the original. Hopefully you all enjoyed it and please review!