Invisible String

Chapter 3-New Position

"I officially declare that Anna Jones is the new Executive Director of Jones Airlines."

Everyone at the press conference was shocked. This was the first time that the owner of Jones Airlines and Jones Cigarettes had publicly announced his daughter and appointed her as executive director. So this was very shocking news especially for the top executives of the company.

The reporters immediately took as many pictures as possible because this would be big news. The Jones family was often rumored to have lost their daughter in a k********g decades ago, but who would have thought that the kidnap victim would now reappear as the excecutives director.

Anna's assistant pushed Anna's wheelchair to the podium and then helped Anna to stand up to give a speech at the podium.

"I'll introduce myself, I'm Anna Jones. Thank you for looking out for me for so long. All the reports that have appeared in the past about me are not true. So after this event, I hope we can work well together for the company."

A reporter raised his hand. "Can I ask you a question?"

"Yes, please."

"Did you show up to shut down the news about your hidden child with the CEO of Smith Technologies?"

Anna tried to remain calm even though she wanted to throw the mic at the reporter. Questions like this were bound to be asked. "I was introduced as the excecutives director, not as a lover especially not as a mother of a fictional child. Thank you for the question." Anna looked at her father who looked at her proudly and gave the code for Anna to close the conference.

"Alright, I'll close today's press conference. Thank you very much for your time and please cooperate in the future."

Anna's presence at Jones Airlines today certainly surprised everyone. Apart from the fact that she is the executive director, people were surprised by her condition.

Anna was appointed the day after the cast on her leg was put on. Therefore, she is still in a wheelchair and that is what everyone in the company is concerned about. But Anna didn't want to pay any attention to that, she was as radiant as ever. Anna still had an aura that was both admirable and mysterious.

"Good job Anna," her father said when they arrived at Anna's office.

"You have to keep your promise because I did this."

"Of course. I'm so proud of you."

"I know I'm awesome." Anna chuckled. Her life would change now. She couldn't set her own working hours as she had to follow the office rules. And for her boutique business, Anna finally decided to handle it herself and not look for another employee.

"I intentionally cleared your schedule today so you can prepare yourself and learn the necessary things. So after this, you can go back to resting."

"I'll still be here. In addition to learning about administrative matters, I think I need to get to know the people in my company." Anna folded her arms across her chest. "You know, I'm very sensitive. I can see the leaders and the people who don't like me. They don't even try to hide it."

Mr. Jones acknowledged that Anna was good at reading the atmosphere and his guess this time was correct. There were people who had long wanted to fill Anna's shoes but she kept turning them down because she knew they would only harm the company.

"You don't have to worry. If they go too far, you can fire them."

"It's not that easy, dad. If I really have to fire people who don't like me, it will change the reform of the company. I want them to keep working but remain loyal to the company. I want to make those who hate me support me."

"You have outstanding leadership skills. That's why you deserve to be in this position." Mr. Jones could finally see the traumatized child being this wise. "Oh yeah, how's the therapy going? Did it go well?"

"Yes. The doctor also gave me a prescription for some medicine to take, so that's quite helpful."

Mr. Jones patted Anna on the shoulder. "Don't let it bother you Anna. You'll shine like a diamond if you ignore those distractions."

Anna could only remain silent. It was also because of Jaden that she had to go back to therapy. Jaden fueled Anna's anger until she felt insecure and that's how Carla eventually appeared. But because Anna was more dominant and thanks to therapy, Carla finally gave in.

"Dad, I'm actually curious about one thing. Did the rumors about me having a relationship with the CEO of Smith Technologies not get any reaction from the other side?"

"At the moment, Smith Technologies has not given any confirmation. So I guess they don't care about it. The rumors will die down slowly, you don't have to worry."

"I'm not worried, dad. I'm just curious about the person who spread the news. Is it possible that person is from this company too?"

"I don't think so," Mr. Jones replied. "Don't think too much about it. Relax a little since it's your first day. And tonight, come to the house for dinner. Jaden will come too. It's so rare that you guys are finally together again." Mr. Jones' gaze signaled that he was thrilled. "Let's fix the broken relationship. We should embrace each other."

Anna didn't answer anything. She just stared at Mr. Jones' back as he left the room.

"Ma'am, the future schedule will be designed by your secretary. If you have any requests, I will let him know."

Anna just remembered she didn't see the secretary who was supposed to be in front of her room. "Where is he?"

There was a knock on the door. Anna's personal assistant quickly opened it and a well-built, muscular man entered. He wore circular glasses that didn't quite fit his stern face.

"Good afternoon, Ms. Anna. I am Revaan, your new secretary." The man looked down.

Anna couldn't help but glare. She thought he was a personal bodyguard hired by her father because he didn't want her to be harassed by the company's jerks. But it turned out that the man was her secretary!

Anna looked at her personal assistant and the woman nodded, meaning it was true, Anna's new secretary was that man.

"I guess I'll get a female secretary too," Anna said.

"I don't think it matters whether it's a woman or a man. Isn't it judged by the work, ma'am?"

Anna could smell the annoyance of her new secretary. "Well, please go back to your place and do your work. I hope we can be good partners."

Revaan bowed and walked out of the room.

Anna let out the breath she had been holding. "Isn't he scary, Hessa? Can't you just be my secretary here?"

Hessa laughed at Anna's response. "When I first met him, I thought he was also your new bodyguard. And unfortunately I don't have the capability to be your secretary in this company, ma'am."

***

Anna should have gone home since her working hours were over, but she was still in her room and turned off her phone after informing that she wouldn't be coming to the family dinner.

Anna still didn't want to meet Jaden, that was why. If anyone had to repair their relationship, it should be Jaden, not Anna.

"Would you like to eat something, ma'am?"

Anna blinked her eyes repeatedly until she realized that it was her secretary talking to her. To be honest she still wasn't familiar with her secretary as usually the person closest to her was Hessa.

"No, I'm not. If you want to go home first, go ahead. Today's work is done."

"I can't leave you alone here, ma'am." Revaan looked at Anna's feet. "I am responsible for everything."

"I can still walk. It's just a fracture and it will heal. Don't overdo it."

"But how did you get hurt like that, ma'am?"

"I fell down on a hike." Then Anna realized something. "I'm still not familiar working with a male secretary, so please understand." Anna pushed her wheelchair. "I'm going home, so there's no need to be shy about going home." Being stared at like that made Anna a little uncomfortable so she decided to wait in the car until around dinner time.

Revaan opened the door for Anna. And in front of the door already stood Jaden. He seemed surprised by Revaan's presence.

"I'm Revaan, the secretary of Ms. Anna."

"I want to talk to you," Jaden said to Anna.

"Talk here."

Jaden turned his head with tightening his jaw. "Both of us."

Revaan, who realized his presence was disturbing them, finally left.

"Now there are only two of us. So hurry up," Anna said.

"Why didn't you come to the dinner that Dad organized?"

"Because of you," Anna answered honestly. "Shouldn't you apologize to me?"

Jaden chuckled. "For what? Your reaction is your own responsibility."

"You're good at talking like that because you didn't experience it yourself."

Jaden's expression turned serious. "You have to react naturally. You're the one who can control yourself, not me."

"You're just here to ask me why I didn't come to the family dinner?"

Jaden looked at Anna. He noticed Anna's appearance intently. "You're suited to your current position. I hope you can survive."

"I'll take that as congratulations. Move aside, I'm leaving."

But Jaden did not move from his place.

"Can't you hear? I want you to move. Can't you see I'm in a wheelchair?"

"The basement is still very crowded."

"So?" Anna was getting annoyed with Jaden's attitude. "I don't care about that. You'd better get out of my way before I order security to remove you. You know Jaden, I'm in charge here, not you." Anna was reluctant to say this, but she had to.

Anna returned to running her wheelchair after Jaden stepped aside. Anna massaged her temples because she was annoyed with Jaden's behavior.

"I'm sorry."

Hearing that sentence, Anna stopped. Jaden apologizing? This was a rare thing! Even this was the first time Jaden apologized to Anna.

"Can I hear it one more time? You apologized?"

"Yes, I was wrong, I apologize."

But Anna smiled wryly. "It's too late Jaden. You're apologizing now while the trauma has already happened."

"I know you won't forgive me easily."

"Are you apologizing on purpose to hide something?" Now Anna started to get suspicious because Jaden's weirdness seemed to be sequential.

"Don't go to the basement first."

"You've been saying that all along. You know, I'm getting suspicious." Anna was a very curious person and she had to resolve her own curiosity. So she moved her wheelchair quickly to the basement.

But Jaden got into the lift first and closed it. Seeing that, Anna became convinced that something was happening in the basement.

Anna went to the other lift with an uneasy feeling. If Jaden was trying so hard, then something was going on there.

"I hope you don't intend to blow up this place because I was appointed as excecutives director," she muttered.

Anna finally arrived at the basement. But Anna found no one when she combed the area, not even Jaden.

Anna was sure Jaden had gone to the basement, but it was strange that Jaden wasn't there.

"Is he playing a prank on me? But Jaden's not like that."

There was the sound of a car closing very loudly. As Anna turned her head to the side, a car was driving very fast and almost hit her. Luckily someone managed to pull Anna's wheelchair back so she was safe.

Anna's breathing almost stopped when the car was about to hit her. She still couldn't believe what had just happened, it was so fast.

"Are you okay, ma'am?"

It turned out that the person who saved Anna was Revaan. At first Anna thought Revaan wouldn't be so responsive considering their first meeting.

Despite her shock, Anna tried to think. "Please check the CCTV footage. I want you to find out about the car and Jaden."

"Sorry ma'am, why should I look for Mr. Jaden?"

"Do I need to explain why? Just do as I ask."

"Yes ma'am. But I can't leave you alone here. I suspect it was a bad person who has bad intentions towards you."

"I suspect it was my brother much more!"