''That's right. I am talking about the woman I like. The woman who decided to run away from me without finding out what my feelings were, since she is here, I wanted her to know as well. she hurt me by running away without asking about my thoughts''
Conner looked at Xia with a meaningful gaze and asked, ''Miss Kim. If someone you cared about suddenly ran away from you without a word and with a simple assumption. Do you think you can ever get closure from such a situation? Or do you think you deserve an apology from that person because they were the ones who assumed first, without asking or finding out'' Conner stood up and looked at the crowd, ''that is all the questions, right?'' he asked and turned to look at Xia.
Xia nodded her head and also stood up, ''yes. I want to thank Mr. Conner for the precious time spent. I shall hand over the mic for the rest of the program to continue'' Xia walked over to her seat and sat next to Conner but none spoke to the other again as the rest of the program went on.
Alice stood up and went through the back door to the washroom. She got outside and was about to go towards the washroom when Zeya's assistant stopped her.
''Miss Zeya wants to speak to you'' she said contemptuously.
''Who are you?'' Alice asked, pretending to not know''
''Don't think too highly of yourself just because you are now the brand ambassador. This was originally for Sister Zeya but you stole it the moment you came to our company''
Alice looked at her and chuckled. She looked at the washroom hallway and smirked before walking closer to Adria.
''You know; this place has no cameras, right?''
''What?''
''That means I could actually do anything I want to you and there won't be any evidence to prove otherwise. Listen to me, little assistant. If you are an assistant, just concentrate on doing your work and don't try to provoke me. If you speak to me anyhow, I will make sure you lose your job and you wouldn't even know how that happened. Is that clear?'' Alice shouted at her.
''Yes, I am sorry, Miss Alice. Please spare me'' Adria said and got down on her knees. Before Alice realised, a reporter was behind them. the same reporter who tried to malign her outside the hotel earlier on.
''Who would have thought that Miss Jun bullied her subordinates? Aren't you ashamed to be bullying this assistant or is it because she is with Miss Zeya?''
Alice chuckled and nodded her head, 'so this was it? to get dirt out of me and make me look like a villain, right?''
''Miss Alice, it is not too late to hand over the title of ambassador to Miss Zeya. As you said earlier on, there is not camera here to prove otherwise. Once I upload this on the internet, your reputation will plumber and a lot of people will attack you. If you are not careful, you could get blacklisted in the industry. So, what will it be?''
''Upload them'' Alice said making them look at her with shocked expressions. ''Whatever the truth is, it will come out at last and then your precious Zeya will be the one exposed. All her fakeness will be made known by everyone. You think you can threaten me with such evidence and make it look as if I have a problem with Zeya hence attacking her secretary? Listen, I don't have the time to watch another person's movement and whatever she does is not my business. I will stay out of her way not because I am afraid of her but because I hate dealing with petty issues when I have bigger ones to attend to'' Alice looked at them and walked away to the washroom.
When she left, Adria received a call from Zeya and left with Reporter Amos. They went to a corner where Zeya was waiting for them.
The moment they got there, she gave them two slaps before speaking harshly, ''how could you two brother and sister pair be so foolish? I told you to be careful because Alice is very smart but you still decided to do such a lousy job, now she has caught on with your act''
''Miss Zeya, please give us another chance. I promise to dig into Alice and find some dirt about her. I don't believe she is such a pure soul. I will look into her high school days and University days' detail. I will definitely find something we can use against her.
''Just leave for now and don't do such a lousy job next time'' Zeya said to them and turned away, going back to the auditorium.
''Mis Zeya is angry with me, elder brother''
''Don't worry. I will work hard to find something about her. I don't believe she is so innocent like she claims''
….
''Tomorrow, the documentary filming will begin and we will get to see a more fun side of the CEO and his family. They will be going to their family manor to film the entire show along with a few people. we will be able to watch the documentary once it is out. The homecoming where everyone will have to dress representing their place of origin will take place after the documentary, so let's all prepare for that''
Xia picked her bag as the announcement was going on but as she was about to stand up, she felt a hand on her wrist.
''Let's talk'' Conner said just two words but Xia felt extremely pressured by those words. What were they going to talk about? She wondered but didn't ask. She knew better that she won't be let of without having a chat with him.
Conner placed a key in her palm and said to her, ''that is the key to my penthouse at the last floor. use the VIP Elevator. I will be there very soon''
Xia took her hand away and walked away with the keys as her heart started beating fast.
''Sir, you and the reporter…'' Conner's secretary asked.
''She is someone very important to me'' Conner said and walked away to greet the dignitaries. The secretary seemed to have a dissatisfied look on her face but she shook her head and walked away,
''Mikael, thanks for coming'' Conner said when he walked to Mikael and Natalie.
''You are welcome. That was a great interview by the way'' Mikael replied all the whole holding Natalie's hand.
''You must be Miss Jun, Alice's elder sister'' Conner asked Natalie.
'Yes, I am Natalie. Nice to meet you Mr. Conner'' Natalie said as she looked at Conner with a curious gaze. She had seen the subtle exchange between him and Xia and had seen the latter going through the back door. She made a mental note to get all the details from Xia later on.
''Thanks for coming, Miss Jun''
''It's late. Natalie is tired, so I am taking her home to rest'' Mikael spoke.
''Yes, do that. I will see you some other time, Miss Jun''
''Yes, Mr. Conner and please take care of my best friend. If you hurt her, I will kill you''
''I shall take that seriously and not hurt her'' Conner said and laughed.
''Let's go'' Mikael smiled and walked away with Natalie as Conner went over to some other people.
''Big sis… you look so beautiful'' Alice said when she walked closer to Natalie and Mikael with Josh.
''Thanks. I didn't get to congratulate you'' Natalie said.
''Big sis, come with me. I need to tell you something'' Alice pulled Natalie to the side leaving the two men alone.
''I see things are going on well between you two?'' Mikael raised his brows as he asked Josh.
''We are good. I don't want to scare her by confessing. I will only do that when I'm sure she has feelings for me''
''Such a pure man you are. I wish you all the best but she is my family, so I will always be on her side no matter what and be on the lookout. Protect her, Josh. There are a lot of people who might try to get to you through her. she can't get hurt because it will hurt Natalie and I will be hurt''
''You sound so cheesy right now'' Josh said and they both turned to look at the ladies who were chatting busily. ''What do you think they are talking about?''
''Your brother and Reporter Kim. Is she the woman he always talked about?'' Mikael asked in a surprise tone.
''Yes. I had no idea that woman would turn out to be Xia. She is my friend and he is my brother. I don't want to get involve. They are grown and can handle their own matters''
''Definitely. I have a script reading tomorrow. I will send Natalie. Make sure you see Alice off''
''Do I need you to remind me?'' Josh replied with a smile.