Chapter 129
Although Mira made it sound perfectly reasonable, as a businessman, James's first thought was that the Collins Group must want Kaia to dig around and find out what was really going on inside the Smith Group. Were they planning something else?
If there wasn't some kind of corporate scheme involved, then maybe the two families were trying to set him and Kaia up together, which would explain this arrangement.
After thinking it over, James figured that Kaia was just a woman, and even though she had just returned from studying abroad, she probably couldn't pose any real threat to the company.
So he said casually.
"Sure, Kaia can come work as a regular employee at my company. As long as Mira doesn't mind, I can arrange for her to start anytime."
James felt confident about this because regular employees didn't even get a chance to see him, so letting Kaia into the company wouldn't matter.
Hearing this, Anais and Mira immediately broke into smiles.
"That's wonderful! Kaia, when you get home tonight, pack your things and get ready to start work tomorrow!"
But Kaia looked troubled.
"Mom, I just got off the plane. Do you really have to rush me to work so soon? I wanted to rest for a day. Plus, I haven't been back in years - I want to catch up with my friends here!"
James could tell that Kaia didn't really want to work at his company, and that this was probably Mira's own decision.
But even knowing what Kaia was thinking, James couldn't help her out.
After all, Mira had asked him directly, and she wasn't even asking for a high position - just a regular employee role. If he couldn't even arrange this, it would really look bad.
Mira shot her a disapproving look.
"Kaia, don't be so rude. You just got back to the country, and no matter which company you join, you have to start from the bottom. Besides, I've already asked James. What does it look like if you refuse now?"
From the start of dinner until now, Kaia had kept her composure, but when Mira said this, her expression showed a hint of embarrassment for the first time.
Still, she politely didn't argue back and obediently agreed.
"Okay, Mom, I understand."
After they finished eating, James drove them home. On the way, Anais kept going on about how they should exchange contact information.
"James, now that Kaia's going to work at our company, give her your business card later. If she has any questions about work, she can ask you."
Mira quickly chimed in.
"Exactly. Even though Kaia shouldn't get any special treatment at the company, she did just come back from abroad. Life habits overseas are definitely different from here. If there's anything she doesn't understand, James will need to look out for her."
James knew that what they were really saying was that they wanted him and Kaia to add each other on WhatsApp.
"That's right, Kaia doesn't have any friends since she just got back. James, let me tell you, don't be shy about it. If Kaia needs anything, you must help her. Don't just hand everything over to David."
"David's very capable, but you helping and him helping mean different things."
Anais was doing everything she could to create opportunities for them to interact.
James drove without saying anything. Kaia, sitting in the back seat, quickly tried to explain.
"Mrs. Smith, Mom, I'm all grown up now. Even if I'm not used to life here, I can take care of myself. These little things don't need James's help."
"The Smith Group is so big, James must be busy every day. How could I waste his time on my small matters?"
Hearing this, Anais immediately took her hand with a sincere expression.
"How can you talk about yourself like that? Your matters aren't small matters! Besides, helping you isn't a waste of time. We're all family. Helping you is like helping ourselves. Don't say such distant things anymore."
Anais was so enthusiastic, holding her hand like this made Kaia very uncomfortable, but she didn't know what else to say.
James first dropped Anais off at the Smith Manor, then took Mira to the Collins Villa.
Since Kaia didn't live with her parents, after Mira and Anais got out, only James and Kaia were left in the car.
"Where do you live?"
James asked quietly.
"I live at Joyful Condo in the city center. My mom bought me an apartment there before I came back. After so many years of living abroad by myself, I'm used to living alone, so I don't want to live with my parents."
James nodded.
"Same here. I don't live with my parents either."
After saying this, James didn't speak again. Kaia didn't try to continue the conversation either, just turned her head to look at the scenery outside the window.
Under the night sky, Emerald City's lights sparkled brilliantly. The bustling night market flashed past Kaia's eyes scene by scene. She hadn't been back here in so long, and seeing Emerald City's nightscape again suddenly made her feel emotional.
"Emerald City seems to have changed so much over these years!"
Kaia hadn't meant to talk to James, but somehow, feeling emotional inside, she couldn't help but say this.
James paused slightly. Right now, there were only the two of them in the car, and if he didn't respond, it would seem rude.
"I've never left this city, except for business trips, and those are only ever a week or two at most. So I can't really tell how much it's changed."
James's tone wasn't cold, but it wasn't warm either.
Before coming back, Kaia had looked up information about James online. The internet said James was cold, unpredictable, and ruthless in how he dealt with people and business.
But looking at him now, it seemed James in person was different from what was online. He wasn't quite what the rumors made him out to be.
Soon, the car pulled into Joyful Condo. Kaia got out and politely thanked James.
"Thank you for driving me home today. About what my mom said to you, you really don't have to take it seriously."
James raised an eyebrow slightly.
"You mean about coming to work at my company?"
Kaia nodded.
"Yes. I just got back to the country, and I'm not really interested in working yet. I know what my mom and your mother are thinking. Today was just about going along with them, and I know you were doing the same."
"So privately, we can come to an understanding - we'll go along with them on the surface, but actually we can each do our own thing."