The Truth Hidden In Cross Industries

Chapter 3: First Day

Nadia's Pov

I stood outside Cross Industries for a brief moment, trying to take it all in. It was a tall building. So tall that it almost touched the clouds. It was made of glass and steel. It was the kind of building that would make you feel small.

Inside the lobby was white and silver. Marble floors, chrome pillars and the company's logo. People moved around me holding their coffees, answering their phones and getting to their stations.

I walked to the reception desk. A woman with the name tag “Emily Grace” smiled at me.

“Good morning. How can I help you?”

“Yes, It's my first day, I'm here for the role of Senior Financial Analyst.”

“Name?”

“Nadia White,” I said.

She typed something into her computer. Great! Head to the fifth floor on your right. Someone from HR will meet you.”

She handed me my employee tag. I took it and walked towards the elevator.

The elevator doors closed. I was alone.

I looked at my reflection in the shiny metal doors. I'm a bit nervous on the inside but my demeanor is composed as always.

“This is it,” I whispered to myself. “I'm in.”

The doors open to the fifth floor. It was a big space with glass offices, and people at their desks.

A woman approached me. She was average height, pretty, in her mid thirties and quite friendly.

“Vivian HR,” She said with a smile. Follow me, I'll show you around.

I followed her. She pointed out the break room, bathroom and conference rooms.

“And this is where you'll be working,” she said.

She gestured to a desk. Clean. New computer. A nameplate: Nadia White.

I sat down and looked at my nameplate feeling a bit overwhelmed by it all.

She noticed I was a bit tense. "First day jitters?"

"Yes, but just a little." I mean regardless of everything, this was still THE Cross Industries.

"It's normal to be a bit nervous, especially on your first day. But don't worry, I know you'll do just fine," she said reassuringly.

I thanked her and she smiled at me and then walked away.

Later a woman introduced herself as Margaret Lin. “I'm your boss,” she said. “Get familiar with these files, we'll talk tomorrow.”

So this was the Company my Father worked for over a decade. Where he went too but never came back from.

I opened the first file but I couldn't concentrate. I looked around for a bit. Everyone seemed professional and focused. But there was something off. A tightness in the air. A carefulness in the way people spoke.

“Focus Nadia. You've only been here two hours, it's probably nothing” I whispered to myself.

In the meantime, I tried to get familiar with the files I was given.

Around 12pm, the elevator doors opened.

A man stepped out. Tall. Dark short hair, sharp suit. He walked with confidence. Respect preceded him.

Postures were straightened. Heads nodded as he passed.

He noticed me and walked towards me.

Suddenly I felt nervous and my heart was racing.

“You must be the new Senior Financial Analyst,” he said. His voice was stern but smooth.

I stood up and extended my hand. “Yes, Nadia White. It's an honour to meet you sir.”

He shook my hand. His grip firm. His dark eyes held mine for a moment longer than I expected.

“White,” he repeated. “That's a familiar name.”

The way he said that made me feel a bit uneasy and suspicious. Does he already figure me out?

He smiled. “Welcome to Cross Industries. My door's open if you need anything.”

He walked away.

I sat down. My hands were cold. Did he already figure out that I'm Daniel white's daughter?

Something about our interaction didn't sit right with me.

At lunch I went to the break room. I made myself a cup of coffee and sat alone.

Two employees walked in, they didn't notice me at first and sat adjacent to me.

“Did you hear about the new girl in finance?”

“Yeah. She seems competent.”

“Of course. She has to be for her to work here.”

“And they were a bit understaffed so that's good too.”

It was silent for a bit.

“Ever wondered what happened to the last guy?”

I gripped my cup. Curious to hear more.

“Shh, don't talk about that.”

“Come on, it's been years.”

“Regardless, Mr. Cross doesn't want anyone talking about it. So don't.”

“I heard he was a good man. Hardworker. Well respected and competent too. Then one day he just…”

“Don't”

“...died.”

Silence.

“We never got a real explanation.”

“We got a police report and a car accident.”

“Come on. Don't tell me you're satisfied with that?”

“I heard they closed off his office and even restricted it. Why do that?”

“It's not our place to ask questions.”

I set my coffee down, stood and walked over to them.

They looked up and seemed a bit startled.

“Sorry.” I kept my voice casual . “I didn't mean to eavesdrop. I'm new here. Who were you talking about?”

They both looked at each other. One of them leaned forward.

“Look, you seem nice, so I'll give you some advice. There are certain things we're not allowed to talk about in this company. Daniel White's one of them.”

“Just focus on your work and don't go digging.”

After the break I couldn't stop thinking about it all.

The letter my father wrote to me. Which was in my bag.

The lighter that was retrieved from that day. Which was in my pocket.

The way Levi Cross said my name was also a bit off. Almost like he already knew who I was.

And why everyone was so scared to talk about Daniel White.

There were definitely secrets in this company and I was going to uncover them eventually.

I thought about the letter again.

“I'm sorry Dad, I know you wanted me to stay out of this. But I can't without finding out the truth first.

I have to find out more details about what actually happened to you.