Chapter 168: You are ever-blooming

Getting back on work, nobody thought Aria to be inflexible when it's about work.

It wasn't fifteen days, Skyline Industries and Aria Cooper started sounding in major newspapers, magazines, and televisions.

Aria was working when Finn knocked and entered her office, "Hey President."

Aria grinned as she  waved at him to call inside, "Why didn't you come to the banquet?"

Finn was followed by a man who stood emotionlessly behind him.

Finn kept his mobile on the desk in front of her to read.

Aria quickly read and cheered. "Wow, my chum is entering the business world."

Finn smiled seeing her get happy for him and heard about how he should manage the Public Relations department well in the Entertainment industry and his media publication.

The man behind Finn was speechless seeing Finn obediently nodding and humming but he didn't give much of a reaction.

Aria finished after ten minutes by adding, ".. If you need me for anything, just give me a call."

"Alia, aren't you excited than me who should be?"

"Of course, my assistant who also studied with me is taking the first step in the business world to stand alone starting from scratch. Finn, it needs lots of courage for that one step."

"I sometimes doubt whether you are at least twenty three or not. And sometimes whether you are an old experienced woman."

Aria chuckled and continued to talk.

"By the way, why did my grandpa arrange an ex-military man for your assistance."

Aria looked at the man behind Finn, "I had asked. Alan worries about me a lot. Do you remember I had told you about my father?"

She continued after a nod, "I am starting to investigate it so I might be in danger and I don't want Alan or any of you to worry for me."

Finn paused before asking seriously, "Were you attacked before?"

Aria hummed, "Three or four times I was hurt, and many times their attacks failed due to my sentry. I have Alan's men and company bodyguards outside in disguise but I'll be attending conferences, meetings, I thought to have one as an assistant who could work and protect."

Finn's face was dark, 'No doubt, President Morgan was ready to do anything for you.'

"Is that the reason behind your change of name to study abroad?"

Aria hummed.

Finn controlled his emotions, "Alia... ALIA! Aria and Alan... God! Your name itself was reminding you of President Morgan."

Aria chuckled seeing him roll his eyes. "Yes, that's why I chose that name."

"Dumb"

'How can't I be head over heels for you?'

Aria retorted, "Hey, why do you two call me a silly?"

Finn didn't answer but he knew who else calls her dumb.

"I want to investigate your father's case." Because he wanted her to live worry-free.

Aria straight objected, "No. I want to see your company and media at pinnacle so you better worry about it."

Finn wasn't at the stage to tell why he wanted to protect her.

Aria turned to the man, "I'm Aria Cooper. Are you fine following me around for the work and working under me?"

"Cent percent President Cooper." A clear and crisp voice sounded. He was a tall and handsome man in the late twenties.

"Do I have to elaborate on your work profile? For the company, you are just an assistant but other than the inner circle nobody will know the actual reason behind your presence..."

"There, there... He knows. Stop roasting your brain." Finn cut in to stop her from being so serious.

Aria made a face at him and heard, "President Cooper, my name is Owen Brown. I hope my identity stays under the wrap. So my name will be Levi which is my code name."

Aria furrowed her brows but soon realized who he was, "Owen Brown! The captain of the team who annihilated the terrorist group who were hiding out near city F four years back."

Her mouth was wide open pointing at Owen looking at Finn who was smiling. She hadn't asked such a high profile man.

Owen responded, "President Cooper, You are smart. I am sure I will enjoy working with you."

Pfft-

'Was this man thinking of me as a dumb?' Aria gritted her teeth glaring at Owen.

Finn burst into laughter surprising Owen. "Alia, Grandpa had tortured him saying you are a little girl who needs utmost care so he had thought he would be going to follow Muddle headed fool."

Aria: "..."

After it looked like an eternity, Aria voiced looking at Owen, "Do I really look so gullible?"

Owen promptly answered, "Yes, President Cooper."

Aria: "..."

Finn didn't want to laugh but he couldn't control seeing her speechless.

Owen got on work leaving Finn and Aria to talk but in five minutes he kept a bug on her desk, "President Cooper, do you need any more proof to know how innocent you are?"

Finn and Aria's face was indecipherable looking at the bug.

Owen continued, "With your permission, I would like to go through about the security of the company and thoroughly checking your office floor."

Finn responded first, "Go ahead... Levi, I'll hold you responsible if Alia gets into even small trouble."

Aria: "..."

Levi respectfully replied to him and waited for Aria's orders, "Alright... Get me a restructure plan for my office."

After Levi left, Aria spoke, "Why are you getting worked up? You know how serious I'm while working."

Finn didn't want her to think too much and realize why he was protective of her, "Managing Director Alia, I had suffered a lot as your assistant."

Aria chuckled and heard, "President Cooper, I would like to personally invite you for the opening ceremony of my company and to be our first interviewer."

Aria pointed at herself, "I'm still a bud, you should ask for the blowing flower."

Finn smiled in a daze, "You are ever-blooming..." After realizing, "No, don't worry, I'll kick the bud to wake up so that it can bloom faster."

Pfft-

"Fine, leave before I kick you out of here. Run."

Finn breathed a sigh of relief and chuckled. "I'll send the invites." He finished saying and left.

Aria's casual look turned serious. She understood why Alan was so very much worried about her.

'Alan, I'll stand strong.'

---

Somewhere in an office, a person was fuming as soon as the bug stopped the voice transmission to the speakers.

They couldn't believe her security tightened and she was investigating again. If they couldn't reach her now, their plans changed again to control her.