384 Coffee break

Friday

3:48 PM

Irene was in the break room on the fifteenth floor that has a sitting area where employees can unwind and enjoy hot and cold beverages as well as snacks that can be found here free of charge. There is a standard selection of refreshments, and the building's maintenance staff ensures that it's fully stocked.

On most of the days from 9 AM to 3 PM, there is a barista that makes a variety of coffees, the ones with fancy designs made out of the foam on the surface.

Since the barista left for the day, Irene was getting a coffee for herself. She has a secretary who can do these things, but Irene prefers to use this as an opportunity to get out of her office, stretch her legs, and hear some gossip.

It is Friday afternoon and people are more relaxed than usually.

Most of the time, gossips would include people from the upper management, because no one gossips about nobodies.

Irene learned that there is no better way to find out what is going on in the company than to eavesdrop on conversations, and over the years, Irene perfected the skill of minimizing her presence, so that others talk freely while ignoring her. Sure, gossips are true stories distorted by people's imagination and exaggerations, but underneath it all, it's the truth.

There is a break room on every floor, but the one on the fifteenth floor is the largest one, and there is always someone around.

As usually, this coffee-break didn't disappoint Irene. However, this time, she got more than she bargained for.

Irene deliberately slowed down her movements and pretended to focus on stirring the coffee in the mug in front of her while her ears perked up at the conversation of three women…

"Did you see the CEO carry a big bouquet of flowers?"

"Yeah. He left early today."

"Hey, I told you that! Don't make it sound like it's your news! His smile was charming as ever."

Irene scowled. These women are competing on who saw Max. She wondered, what would they say if they knew that she had Max wrapped around her pinky finger for several years? They would probably die from jealousy. Irene's attention got drawn to the laughter of the three women who continued talking...

"Don't you think it's too bad his smile was not for you?"

"Why are you speaking like it was for you?"

"Ah, how I wish I am his girlfriend."

"Pft! Dream on, girl. That would be the same as winning the grand prize at the lottery, but with a smaller chance. There is only one CEO Anderson and so many of us. On top of that, he is taken."

"If that woman lets him go, I will make sure to comfort him well."

"If she breaks up with him, something is wrong with her mind. You don't let go of a man like Maximilian Anderson."

"True. Our CEO is not just the full package, but the full package wrapped in shiny paper with a sparkly bow on top."

"And it's not only him. The younger Anderson is also easy on the eyes. I don't know if he is more charming when he is serious or when he smiles. Oh, and today he also had flowers. It was probably for his fiancée."

"Do you think they went on a double date?"

"I don't think so. Our CEO's bouquet was much bigger. If they did a double date, the CEO's younger brother would be embarrassed."

The three women didn't know that Hunter got a smaller bouquet (compared to Max's) and a box with Mia's favorite pastries, while Max got only flowers. In that way, their presents for Mia and Liz were matching. But, back to the gossip session…

"I also believe that it was not a double date but not because of flowers. Didn't you see how the CEO is all over his girlfriend? CEO Anderson would not want to share his time with her. Wait… all those flowers and excitement… do you think our CEO will pop the question?"

"What makes you think that they are not engaged already?"

"Do you know something I don't?"

"No. But we didn't know they are dating until she showed up here one day. It is obvious that they like their privacy. If she is a money-grabber that woman would parade such a man everywhere, but they prefer to be lovey-dovey out of the public eye. I believe it's true love and if they are not married, it's only a matter of time."

"Ah, don't spoil it for me. I feel less guilty of stealing glances at him while knowing that he is not completely taken."

"If you are only stealing glances, there is no need for guilt even if he is married."

"As long as you are not too obvious about it."

The women giggled and left the break room.

Irene clenched her teeth in anger. When did these women see Max walk out of the building with flowers in his hands?

Since that unfortunate incident when Liz caught Irene in Max's office, Irene didn't get a chance to see Max other than in the crowded elevator or in meetings that involved other directors.

She tried setting up a one-on-one meeting with Max, but Foxy said that his calendar is full. Irene tried the next best thing and approached Hunter in the elevator, asking him how she can get some of the CEO's precious time, and Hunter suggested that Irene shares her time with other people or to send him whatever inquiry she has in an email. When Irene asked Hunter how she can talk to the CEO about her project if she is 'sharing time' with someone else, Hunter explained: "Let's say that director Segre has a meeting to justify his request for hiring three new managers, and you want to talk about your project. Director Segre will go first, and you can talk after he is done."

Irene's face fell. Is Hunter serious? He really expects her, the director of marketing, to sit and obediently wait for someone to do his whatever-nonsense so that she can get her turn IF there is any time left?

Irene is not stupid. She knows that Max is avoiding her, and she would like to slap him silly. How dare they say that he is busy and that he can't see her, yet he leaves early in order to have a date with Liz?

She was livid! But what can she do?

Irene's fury would go up a few notches if she knew that Max left early with flowers to the airport where he met with Liz before they boarded his private jet and headed to Las Vegas for the weekend.

It took some time for Irene to calm down enough to think. But she was still angry, and she wanted to get back at Max.

She got her second cell phone and sent a message: "I am ready for the mission. What do you want me to do?"

A few seconds later, that phone rang.

"How much can you do?", the man asked with glee in his voice.

Irene exhaled. "Honestly, not much. I need help."

"Where are you?"

"In my office.", Irene responded.

"Don't talk recklessly. You don't know if there are recording devices.", the man warned her.

Irene subconsciously glanced through her office. She didn't see anything suspicious, but she knows that cameras and microphones can be concealed almost anywhere.

"I understand.", Irene responded in a whisper. "Can we meet and talk?"

The man responded after a few seconds of silence: "I will call you tomorrow morning. Be in a place where you can talk openly."

"I want us to meet in person.", Irene demanded.

"There is no need. We can do a video call. Be ready after 9 AM."

The call ended and Irene pursed her lips at the phone. What does it mean 'after 9 AM'? That can be 9:05 or 11:35. Is he expecting her to sit and wait for hours? Well, it does not seem that she has a choice. They had video calls more than once, but the man refused to share his video, and Irene guessed that it will be the same this time.

Irene told herself that it does not matter. The important thing is that she does not compromise herself. She will ask the man to do most of the work, while she only opens the door for them, without leaving any incriminating evidence for herself. In that way, she gets to keep her job and reputation, while teaching Max a lesson. It will be perfect.

Irene knows that the man is not working alone. He has at least several associates. Irene even has some clues into who they are. And she is aware that they want to use her, but she will not allow that to happen. Since she became aware of how things work in this world, Irene is the one using other people and not the other way around.

Irene felt that her anger is being replaced with content and she smiled while placing the cell phone in her bag. Of course, there is nothing better for improving the mood than vengeance.

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