Chapter 27: Make your choice
A guard led Xana and her friends back to the village chief's house. In the compound, inside a thatched cottage, Ronald munched on grapes as he waited for Xana's arrival. The village chief kept on fawning over him, so much that even the bodyguards were nauseated.
"Miss Page has arrived, Your Honor." A servant announced.
"Send her in." The village chief said ecstatically.
Xana walked in soon after without her friends with a cool expression. Her eyes glazed over the village chief and landed on Ronald.
"Miss Deanna come on closer, have a seat." the village chief smiled.
"Mmm." she replied and walked to a nearby stool. The room descended to silence for sometime till Ronald cleared his throat, his eyes showing dissatisfaction to the village chief.
"My apologies. Miss Deanna, your awe-inspiring works have spread past the country side. Here, Sir Ronald is the head of the Hopkins Corporation, the greatest tech company in the country. He is impressed by your miraculous works and wants to exchange a word or two with you." He said and as he was walking out, he leaned and whispered to Xana, "Make us proud."
She and the politician watched the village chief go out and turned to each other.
"How can I help you?" she began.
Ronald sighed inwardly in relief as he didn't know how to start the conversation.
"I would like you to collaborate with us." He began.
"Your tech knowledge is clearly so out of this world and the Hopkins Corporation is the best bet for you."
He leaned in. "Honestly, I feel that you are not quite normal. Your information shows that you are the most intelligent in the school and excel in science and technology, but the truth is that you only began to excel in science and technology. You performed great in other fields but science and technology was your bane. Care to explain why you are so intelligent all of a sudden?"
A smile glazed Xana's eyes. She chuckled.
"Oh Almighty politician, you came all the way here to ask me that question?" she asked observing the changes on the man's face.
"Do you want the miracles, or do you want an answer to your question? Make your choice."
Ronald body stiffened. 'Who is this girl?' He cleared his throat.
"Well, my aim of coming here is to ask you to collaborate with me. I will give you the position of Vice-president in the company. All you have to do is produce more miracles, as you call it."
Xana's eyes widened for a split second. " You want a teenager to be the Vice-president of your company?" she said with a mocking smile at the edges of her lips.
Ronald sighed. 'It is not like I want to but I've been given orders to, and I must rope you in no matter the cost.'
He leaned back on the chair and trained his eyes on her.
"In the Hopkins corporation, we don't give priority to age, but intelligence and experience."
Xana thought for a moment. 'I don't really know much about this world, but I think I like their principle. Should I join them or not?'
"I will join you." Her words rang like bells in Ronald's mind. He was ecstatic but her next words brought him back to reality.
"But I am still a student, you see. And soon, I'll be going to a college in the city on scholarship."
Ronald's brows creased a bit. "Can you learn at home? In this case, in the company?"
"No." Xana gave a definite answer.
He nodded. "Then you shall go to school while working. Are you good with that?"
"Okay."
"In a week's time, the Hopkins corporation will be welcoming you. Our newest member. We request your presence." He continued.
"Is this what you do for every new worker?" Xana asked, surprised.
Ronald rolled his eyes inwardly. 'Of course not. Our workers feel blessed at the thought of working at our corporation already. Why should I throw a party for them? You are just different.'
"Actually, we don't. But you are the Vice-president and we appreciate your presence."
She nodded. "I understand." Her hands brushed her red hair from her face as she stood up.
"I believe we are done. Goodbye."
Ronald watched in awe as she walked out. His bodyguards were no less shocked.
'This girl just left before me.'
'This girl just walked out from our boss. She's got guts.'
"What was it all about?" Sam asked Xana as soon as she saw her coming out and her father entering the building.
Xana waved her hands. "Nothing, don't worry about it."
They all nodded. If she said so, then they wouldn't worry.
That night, both Xana and Ronald sighed while looking up at the dark sky although for different reasons. Ronald sighed in relief as he had employed the tech guru, and Xana because she was as confused as ever of her purpose in this world.
"I know I'm forgetting something. But I'll remember, I promise." she mumbled a promise to whoever was listening.
"I believe you will. You are strong and brave." a voice interrupted Xana's thoughts. She turned to the side and saw her brother.
"Mmmm." she agreed.
"Goodnight, sister." Lucas greeted.
.....
Thidas
Area B
Evening
Leon made a cup of tea and gave the youngster in front of him. If any of the junior scientists or others saw him in that act, they would question the ability of their eyes to see. The Lord Doctor Leon was serving a youngster of not more than eighteen years old.
Venus accepted the tea with no change in expression as he swirled on Leon's chair.
"It's been a very long time. You've got a nice office." He spoke first.
Leon nodded subconsciously. "It's okay. To what do I owe this esteemed visit?"
Venus smirked. "Don't talk like that. I just came to visit you."
If Leon believed that, then all his years of dealing with crafty scientists and envoys would have gone to waste. Ever since he helped this youngster and his sister, the special humans, Venus had only visited him once. And that was a visit that he could not forget even if he tried his best to. The innocent looking youngster hid devils and monsters behind his mask.
Venus observed the scientist from the corner of his eye and took in his expression of disbelief. He laughed out loud. The sound sent chills down Leon's spine.
"I heard you were summoned by the half-dead man. What did he want?"
Leon swallowed as he bowed in reverence inwardly to Venus' guts. He just called the High Father a half-dead man. By the way, you heard I was summoned?! Like I would believe that. You've got your invisible eyes all the time on me. You saw that I was summoned!
"He wanted to know about you and your sister's escape. Well, technically, you and your sister's body." Leon spoke.
Venus' eyes narrowed. A smile spread. Leon gulped.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone