Regretted Rejection : Wrath of the Moon
Chapter 27

Once the case ruling was given, Maya and Xander left hand in hand. There was a tense atmospherebetween them. Maya didn't speak a word since the ruling was given. Xander was worried that thelittle progress their relationship had made would be abolished by the memories dredged up by thetrial. He absolutely hated the silence between them but he also feared saying the wrong thing andhurting Maya. He was always mindful of Maya and her feelings now.

"So... The company...?" Xander spoke hesitatingly.

"Hm? Oh yes... I wanted to take the company and leave it for Sam. It is his birth right. He can handlethe operations of the company when he grows up. It will help provide for Sam's upbringing now."Maya said.

"You intend to run the company yourself? It will be difficult to manage the position of DeputyCouncilman as well as the position of CEO.” Xander reminded her.

"Yes, I know. I plan to hire a CEO who will be able to take care of the company and report to me.Meanwhile I can work as the Deputy Councilman.” Maya replied to him.

Xander nodded thoughtfully and asked her, "Do you have anyone in mind?"

"Yes. There is a person who would be perfect for this position. I met her on one of my missionswhen I was just starting out as a Team Leader.” Maya replied.

"Her?" Xander asked, "Who is she?"

"She is Bella, a vampire, one of the younger ones. She is someone who rarely makes friends. Butonce she does make you her friend, you can trust her blindfolded. It is just that..." Maya trailed off."It is just what?" Xander prompted her.

"Ryder might have some objection to her presence.” Maya said frowning.

"Why would Ryder object to this? He is also a vampire, so it can't be a problem of the species.”Xander asked lightly.

"Heh.. let it be. Their problem... it cannot be explained. You will understand when you see themtogether.” Maya replied, as she shrugged her shoulders.

"Hmm.. perhaps it will be interesting or even entertaining. I have never seen Ryder losing his cooleasily.” Xander replied.

Maya and Xander went together to pick up Sam from his friend's house.

Dylan was hanging around with the new Team Leaders Ryder, Jeff, Andy and Marina in theconference room. They were waiting for Maya to come. It was on the agenda to discuss the newresponsibilities given to them by the Council.

"Do you think Maya would be fine? The hearing would have definitely reopened her old wounds."Dylan commented solemnly.

"Also, the ex-Luna, Claire, she kept on yelling at Maya shamelessly. I just wish I could have slappedher silly." Marina ground out angrily.

"Why do you think Maya asked for the company?" Jeff threw the question to the room. Try as theymight, none of them found the demand logical.

"I asked for the Forrester company so that Sam could inherit it when he is older." Maya said. Shehad entered the room as Jeff was speaking.

"It is understandable.” Dylan said, "However, a gesture of goodwill would have helped further yourcareer.”

"I know." Maya replied. "However I intend to avoid the office politics as much as possible.”

"It isn't logical. You are a part of the system. Politics in the Council plays a huge part in gainingpositive image which would in turn give you support.” Andy replied objectively. Even though he wasthe brawn of the team, he still understood this fact.

"I think Maya's decision is a good one." Ryder interjected. The people in the room turned towardshim as one.

"What?" Ryder asked.

"You are the brains of the team. How can you think that?" Andy asked.

"You are failing to take into account the money that would be brought in by the Forrester company.If people replace her to be a harsh person, Maya can simply throw money at them to gain theirsupport. And if she gets bored with the Council's job, then the company can be a retirement optionfor Maya as well." Ryder observed calmly.

"Oh..." Andy murmured after a minute of thinking. "But what about her job at Council now? Surelyshe doesn't want to retire now, do you?" Andy directed the last part at Maya.

"No. I plan to hire a CEO to manage the company.” Maya replied.

"That is a good idea.” Ryder said approvingly.

Maya threw a subtle glance at Ryder and a slight smirk graced her lips. "How about we get todiscussing what was on the agenda?" Maya changed the topic calmly.

"Right. So I guess Hudson from the personnel department gave you the official letters for yourpromotion. Let us discuss the responsibilities noted in the new role in detail." Dylan said.

The word promotion brought a cheer in the room. Even Dylan cracked a smile. He was proud of theteam he had created. Each of the members were individually selected by him. He wanted them togo ahead in life and make great achievements.

"Maya and I will be briefing you on the Team Leader role together.” Dylan said and ceded the floorto Maya with a gesture.

Maya nodded and turned to face others, "Let me start off by saying how far you guys have comesince I came to know you. I couldn't think of people better than you guys for the position of TeamLeader.

Each Team Leader has their own unique style and method of managing their own team. You guyswill have a chance to create your own team and guide them in your own style.

The Council has developed a new structure of operations and divided teams into departments. Fromhere on, each of you will be handling an entire department, which will be responsible for a part ofoperations in the country.

Ryder, for you, we have decided the department of Online Protection Operations. As the internethas developed, it became famous in humans as well as supernatural beings. It came to our noticethat many non-human beings have turned to the Internet to do crimes just like humans. You andyour team will be responsible for replaceing such criminals and thwarting them.

Jeff, you will be running the Field Operations. Essentially you and your team’s work will be similar towhat we used to do whenever the Council used to give us any assignment. Your team will be biggerthan other teams.

Marina and Andy, you would be handling Public Relations or as we say it, Cover Up Operations. Anyexposure of supernatural beings in the world must be covered up. You will travel all over the countryinorder to achieve this purpose. We have given both of you equal authority of this department. Youare the co-Team Leaders. Will both of you be okay with this?"

A chorus of approval rang through the room. However, Marina questioned, "Why are there twoTeam Leaders of PR department? Is it just because we are dating? Is Council worried that I might notbe able to handle a department of my own?"

"On the contrary, Marina, the Council is very assured of your ability to handle the department. Butbe as it may, some PR situations may require a person handling on the internet front and anotheron the field work. Hence the department is divided up between you two." Dylan said reassuringly."What would be Maya's job? All the important departments seem to be divided up between us." Jeffquestioned.

"You will be directly reporting to her so she will be providing you support via equipments andofficial permissions from the Council. Apart from that both Maya and I will be working towardsrehabilitation of the criminals and the victims as needed. It is a new project of the Council.” Dylanreplied.

"Why is this new project being developed all of a sudden? Didn't we use to put the victims in thehospital and criminals in prison? Our job would be done once we complete that task.” Andy asked."Yes, but what about the dissolved Forrester pack? There were pack members who were lied to bythe Alpha and as such they were both innocent yet guilty. It led to dissolution of the pack and theex pack members are now under the care of the Council. It is to avoid a situation like the Desmondpack. I admit that this project is unlike others but you can see why it is needed. Greed knows nobounds. What if tomorrow anothr true Alpha gets betrayed and another pack dissolution happens?It is for this very reason that Dylan and I will be working in this department.” Maya explained calmly.