THE WOMAN BEHIND THE MASK

The echoes of footsteps could be heard from a distance, like a troop, but then it was just some bodyguards rushing towards the airplane that just landed. Which is celebrity was that? The question rang in the hearts of those who were around. Just as they looked on, A lady stepped out of the jet into Las Vegas after many years of being away. The hot air that hit her immediately as she walked out of the airport reeked of pollution and she could not help but squeeze her face in disgust. Her phone rang and she swiped to the right and placed it in my ear. "Your suite is ready ma'am " "And the information?" "All done ma, I have sent everything you requested to your mail." She hung up and shoved the phone into her purse. It was a hot, sunny afternoon but she had a cold, powerful and intimidating aura that made everyone who walked past her turn around with a shuddered look. She wore a matching black coat and beret which covered the topmost part of her blonde hair leaving the lower part to dance freely on her shoulders. On her face, she wore a black shade and a black nose mask which gave her a concealed identity. Taking long purposeful, confident strides, her bodyguards rallied around, surrounding her in the waiting van. She is Emma Reed, the only surviving family member of the Reed's family. Her family was mysteriously wiped out in a fire disaster that happened seven years ago. She narrowly escaped, but sustained severe burns on her body that made her unattractive and she had to travel to seek refuge in the United States of America for her safety while she investigated the masterminds behind her family's elimination. While there, she underwent plastic surgery to cover up her burn scars, and she also built her company Star corporation, a secret security service company. Emma Reed is a former CIA operative with a talent for getting in and out of tight spots. She has a reputation for being ruthless and efficient, but deep down, she is driven by a desire to prove herself as more than just a survivor. She has a secret: she is haunted by the memories of her past missions, and the fear of losing control again is always lurking just beneath the surface. "Welcome Star" Ethan greeted, bowing his head. Ethan is her personal driver who had served since she rose from the ashes like a phoenix after her family's mysterious death. "From now on, you all should address me as Emma Reed and you all should relate with me as an average citizen." She addressed all who sat with her in the van, and they all nodded. The van alighted in a small, inexpensive guest house. She chose this place because she does not want to give an impression of a wealthy person just yet. Her phone binged and she picked it up. "Interview at the Wisconsin group, tomorrow by 10am." The message read. Emma gives a wry smile as she thinks of her plans to bring down all those who had a hand in the Reed family's mysterious elimination, starting from the Wisconsin group. The Wisconsin group belongs to Jackson from the Marcus family. Rumors have it that Jackson is a powerful, Stern billionaire who built his company single handedly from scratch without any contributions from his family, and that he was the mistreated of his family and as a result is not in terms with the family, but Emma does not care for as long as he has the Marcus family blood flowing in his veins, he would suffer for the sins of his family. The Marcus, Caden, Steven, and Roy families; She has come back to make them pay with their blood for the unforgettable event of March 12 that separated her from her family forever. ***** Emma sits in the reception area waiting for her turn to be interviewed. She has seen a great deal of ladies in their glory. All in different sizes, shapes and heights, trying their best to appear attractive and she can not help but shake her head in pity as she knows that most of them will be disqualified. She learnt that Jackson is not one moved by women's physical looks. Infact, he has a dislike for women, a concrete reason he does not have a woman in his life. Though all of these are enough to deter one, Emma is resilient to try. She wants to know for herself if truly the almighty Jackson would not feel a thing for her. It was her turn, she walked into the room, her back was straight, her head held high, and her stride purposeful. She made eye contact with the man she met seated, her gaze steady and unflinching. Her smile was warm but measured, conveying friendliness without sacrificing professionalism. They both stare at each other, lost in the echoes of time. Emma examined as Jackson sat in a swivel chair, his face wearing a grumpy look but that did not affect his attractive features. His chiseled jawline and high cheekbones were accentuated by a meticulously groomed stubble, striking a perfect balance between rugged and refined. Piercing blue eyes, framed by thick, dark eyebrows, held a gaze that spoke of intelligence and determination. His hair, a rich chestnut brown, was impeccably styled, maintaining a professional yet effortlessly sophisticated look. He sported a tailored navy blue suit, its fabric subtly shimmering under the office lights, a testament to its fine quality. The suit fitted his athletic build perfectly, highlighting broad shoulders and a tapered waist. A crisp white dress shirt peeked from underneath, complemented by a silk tie in a bold shade of burgundy, adding a touch of flair to his ensemble. Polished black leather shoes completed his outfit, reflecting his attention to detail. Images of their first meeting from seven years ago flashed back in her mind, causing her heart to skip but her face held no emotions. She brushed her thoughts as she recalled that she was there on a mission and even Jackson would not recognize her because she was entirely different from the woman he met seven years ago. "Are you just going to stand there and gawp?" His voice, deep and resonant, carrying authority and warmth sounded, bringing her back from her thought world. "I'm sorry" She responded. She had a clear, confident voice with a hint of a rich, melodic tone that commanded attention without being overbearing. "Why should I hire you as my personal assistant?" Jackson asked, tilting his head as he examined her after going through her curriculum vitae. By now his hardened expression had softened. He was impressed with her credentials and her composure and the way she answered other interview questions. "I believe you should hire me because I have exceptional organization and time management skills that enable me to effectively handle multiple tasks, prioritize assignments, and meet deadlines. I have a proven track record of successfully managing busy schedules, coordinating schedules, and ensuring all commitments and appointments are handled. I also bring a wealth of experience in providing executive level support and I have worked closely with high level executives in my previous roles. I believe with my skills, experience, and dedication make me an ideal candidate for this position and the success of your company." Emma said fluently and effortless, and Jackson gave her a nod. "We'll get back to you, Miss Reed." He said and with that Emma walked out of the office. Emma was the only job seeker who left a lasting impression on Jackson not just because of her credentials or appearance, but because of the undeniable energy of confidence and fearlessness she brought into the space. Getting into the car, a beep sounded on her phone. “The Caden family will be holding an art auction in the next few days.” The message read, and Emma's expression hardened. “Send me the details” She typed into her phone and hit the sent icon. ***** NEXT DAY “Mr. Jackson's fiance will be coming over to the company today. She is quite sassy, please don't let her actions get to you.” The speaker announced once Emma received the call.