Chapter 559 A Pigeon
On the national day, every star of the nation shines a little brighter—the day when the people with ultimate courage and achievement meet in a grand celebration.
The ceremony wasn't just about the awards; it was about the recognition of unsung heroes. the unsaid stories of courage to fill one's spirit with hope and pride.
The entrance of the President's mansion was bustling with people filled with excitement, just to get a glimpse of the ones they idolized and admired.
The crowd of the general public outside the gate wasn't much different from the crowd of enthusiastic reporters inside the gates. They were capturing every moment of the people who stepped down the cars. May it be a cab or a luxurious car, their excitement didn't dampen.
As the awardees entered, they carried the weight of their journeys – the challenges they overcame, the hours they poured into their missions, and the impact they had and made on the country in their fields.
No one said to be underserving for the award they were receiving. However, there was one lady everyone was waiting to see, waiting to know her, and waiting to meet her.
How could such a young lady achieve the greatest award in the country?
It was simply unbelievable for them.
The sun was soft in the sky due to winter but the air was chilly outside. The Rolls Royce Phantom majestically came to a halt in front of the green carpet. The reporters knew who was in the car.
Anya Owen.
They flashed the cameras nonstop when a valet opened the door of the passenger seat.
Instead of the lady or her husband, their cameras captured the adorable face of the little man who was sitting like he owned everything that was in his sight.
In the car, "Baby, wait for me."
Zane turned to his mother, hearing her mellow voice. He responded like an obedient son that he was, "Yes, Momma." Then he smoothly jumped out of the car without a hint of fear of the noise or crowd. His fingers brushed over the hems of the blazer and straightened it like an adult.
Meanwhile, Anya got off from the other side of the car. Whoever was doubting Anya shut their doubts looking at her complete uniform and wearing her badges or decorations on the chest which were loudly announcing her achievements. They screamed and requested her to pose for the picture but she indifferently made her way to her son.
She wasn't an entertainment celebrity in need of media coverage. And the last thing she wanted was to make her little son stand awkwardly. So she offered her hand when her eyes met with the excited, proud gray eyes of her son.
Holding her hand, Zane walked by her in curiosity. The reports and the crowd weren't his first time. However, he began noticing many pauses in their works, greeting his mother in respect, nodding to her, and making way for them.
Entering the luxurious hall, elegantly decorated for the day, they navigated through the people, hearing the echoes of greetings, gratitude, and respect.
Anya knew just a few but each one of them knew to avoid unnecessary conversation with her. Reaching the very front of the hall, Anya stood a few steps away from the two men who were having a conversation.
Zane silently accompanied his mother as he looked around. His brows faintly knotted meeting a lot of gazes on them. Gently tugging Anya's arms, he asked "Momma, why is everyone looking at us and whispering?" Whispering about them.
He knew Anya wasn't only the one who was getting the award. Then why do they have so many eyes?
An aged voice of a man sounded in response to his question, "Because they can't believe your mother has such a handsome boy."
Anya knew some admired her, some found her unqualified, and a lot were surprised for various reasons. She ignored them and greeted the old man, "Chief Justice."
Zane looked at the old man and his mother before greeting him with a faint bow of his head, "Chief Justice, I hope you are having a good day."
The old man looked amused hearing Zane. He chuckled, shaking his head. "He is indeed a well-behaved, smart child." Anya had to get special permission to bring Zane as her plus one. The management wouldn't like the commotion of a kid in the middle of the ceremony.
Anya subtly corrected the old man, "He is a gentleman in the house." And her son beamed at her compliments. "Zane Owen, my son." She introduced her son.
After the Chief Justice had a few more words with Zane, Anya took Zane towards their reserved seats. She was passing by a man in a cop uniform, he slipped his fingers into her pant pockets.
It was the smoothest action but Anya caught the wrist. With a hand tugging Zane close to her body, she was about to twist the man's arm, he hurriedly whispered with a hint of shock, "You won't hurt a pigeon. Will you?"
A Pigeon? A messenger?
Anya looked at the man's side profile. He was wearing a face mask and avoided meeting her eyes. Anya reluctantly let go of the hand. And resumed as if they had collided by mistake.
Anya itched to check what that man slid into her pocket but numerous eyes on her kept her composed. Whoever she met couldn't be just anybody or the message she received couldn't be just some nonsense.
What could be the message?
Who was capable of sending a messenger in a highly secured mansion?
Anya helped Zane sit on the reserved seat in the first row before she sat down. Her attention and uneasiness were lost from the award ceremony. She kept her eye on Zane and his comfort while she pondered about the paper that was sitting in her pocket.
Anya dropped a message in her team Ace group to fetch the whole security footage of the mansion, firmly believing this couldn't be anything small.
Whereas, Zane often flashed her a sweet smile and endured the boring motivational speech in the beginning, followed by the award distribution. After forty minutes of the torturous program, finally, it was Anya's turn.
Zane subconsciously squeezed Anya's hand when he heard Anya was the youngest in history to receive the Presidential award for her extraordinary achievements. An inspiration to the youth and a lighthouse for a woman.
Anya looked at her hand and turned to Zane who was all smiles. Her eyes faintly widened and curled at his reaction as a smile bloomed on her face. His proud, heartfelt smile at her was the best award she could ever get.
"Momma, go," Zane whispered when her introduction was completed and everyone was looking at her. He gently pushed her to stand.
"Yes, my baby." She whispered, restraining herself from hugging him and kissing him.
She stood up in front of hundreds of awardees of Narnia from various fields and high officials of Narnia. Everyone stood up after her as a form of respect for her and the award.
Then the five steps, Anya stood in front of President Wright, Bernard Collins's friend, the man who had identified her and Alvin on the PSR ship and supported the PSR case
He flashed her faint smile. It was still hard for him to believe the silent assistant general secretary Anya Owen was an officer. He took the heavy, decorated medal and put it around her neck.
Zane grinned ear to ear. He was about to clap his hands but recalled the no-noise rule. So he dropped his hands and watched his mother who forced a faint smile.
"Congratulations, Ms. Owen." President Wright handed her a badge that was tucked in the rich velvet cushion in the box and an achievement certificate. "You deserve this." He shook her hand.
"Thank you, President Wright," Anya responded. She turned for the mandatory picture before walking back to her seat without any flattering smile or visible happiness for the award.
However, her face lit up and her lips curled up as soon as her eyes landed on her exhilarated son. He carefully held her certificate, badge box, and medal on his lap with a bright smile on his face.
The program came to an end shortly. Anya excused herself and retired to the lounge room prepared for her, thanks to the award.
–––––––––
In the lounge room,
Mother and son were welcomed by the sight of Senon and Jason in the room. They waited until Zane greeted them, settled the medal, badge, and certificate on the table, and went to use the washroom.
Anya placed a piece of paper on the coffee table that was in her pants pocket.
"Arcane!?" Senon drawled, looking at the word written on the tiny piece of paper.
His laziness blinked away in the next second. His eyes widened in disbelief, "Oh my god! This isn't what I'm thinking. Is it?" He looked at Anya and Jason alternatively for some clarity.
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