An Office Problem
4 Friday, continued …
Just as Anna Jones hung up from Hou Yi about their changed arrangements, Assistant Wang entered the room and shut the door behind him. “Madam Hou, I just received a message from CEO Hou’s chief bodyguard. CEO Hou will not make it back in time.”
“Assistant Wang, that’s OK. I was just speaking to Yi, and he told me the same thing. Have you got those translated documents?” Anna asked, already preparing herself for the next steps.
“Here they are, Madam, along with those last documents you provided me and the documents I scanned for you this morning. A car with your bodyguard in it is downstairs. Madam, please be careful, there are some rumors circulating in the building about you. I have tried to stop them, but without luck. If there is any issue, press the star and hash keys on your mobile for 5 seconds; it will trigger an alarm. Good luck while you’re away, and see you when you return.”
“You’re not coming?” Anna asked, surprised.
“No, Madam, CEO Hou has indicated that this is a personal trip, though with a little business mixed in. I am to stay here and keep an eye on the business,” Assistant Wang replied.
Anna nodded, gathering her things. She left Hou Yi’s office and made her way toward the elevator. As she arrived, a couple of women emerged from the offices and stood behind her. One of them sneered, “Who does that b**ch think she is, waltzing into CEO Hou’s office whenever she likes? She has no right to.”
Anna’s immediate thought was, I absolutely have the right to go in. Just wait and see.
The other woman sarcastically added, “Well, she must think she’s Madam Hou, the Lady Boss of the company.” Anna smiled inwardly. How correct you are.
“Well, CEO Hou is still looking for his wife,” the first woman muttered, but Anna wanted to snap back, I am his wife, but she knew it wasn’t the time.
The second woman chimed in again, “Given Miss Yang married someone else today, both of us have a shot. That woman wouldn’t get anywhere.” Anna grinned to herself, How little you know.
Just then, as the elevator doors opened, Anna was suddenly pushed from behind, causing her to stumble and fall into a man exiting the elevator. The man, clearly irate, spun around. “What the hell is wrong with you? Are you trying to humiliate me?”
Anna quickly picked herself up from the floor. “I apologize, I was accidentally bumped and fell.”
The man sneered. “Don’t blame your clumsiness on anyone else. You did that on purpose to humiliate me. Apologize for that.”
“I’ve already apologized for the situation,” Anna said calmly, though irritation was beginning to bubble beneath the surface.
“No, you haven’t. I don’t think a simple apology is enough. It looks like the only way I’ll get the proper apology is if I deal with you. You must be here because you’re staff. Who is your supervisor?”
Anna took a deep breath. “No one. I’m here working with Hou Enterprises on an issue in Australia. CEO Hou is fully aware of the matter.”
The man’s face reddened. “Well then, I’ll have CEO Hou get you to apologize to me, get you fired, and have you charged.” He grabbed Anna by the arm and started pulling her down the corridor.
At that moment, Assistant Wang, who had been nearby and witnessed the exchange, immediately dialed Hou Yi. As he spoke to the CEO, he rushed down the hallway. “Vice-CEO Ji, can you please let the lady go? I’ve informed CEO Hou about what happened, and he’ll be here in about 30 minutes to handle the situation. I’ll take her into my office, and feel free to return to yours. As soon as…”
The Vice-CEO, still holding Anna’s arm, stopped in his tracks at Assistant Wang’s approach. His grip tightened for a moment, but he didn’t resist. “You think I’m scared of you, Wang? Let’s see what Hou Yi can do,” he sneered, releasing Anna, who quickly pulled her arm away.
Assistant Wang gave Anna a reassuring glance before turning to the Vice-CEO. “You’re wasting your time, Vice-CEO Ji. CEO Hou will deal with this personally. I suggest you go back to your office and prepare for his arrival.”
The man, clearly flustered, glared at Anna one last time before storming off.
Anna stood there, trying to steady herself. “Thank you, Assistant Wang.”
“You’re welcome, Madam Hou. Please, let’s go to my office, and we’ll wait for CEO Hou,” Assistant Wang said as he led Anna toward his office. She followed him, her mind racing with what had just happened. She had a feeling the situation wasn’t over yet, but for now, she was safe.
