"Right, Mr.Johnson. Moreover, she knew you would be attending the meeting."

Mr.Johnson smiled and said, "Maybe they thought I couldn't see it coming."

Before I went to bed I noticed that Cici had texted me 2 hours ago.

"Anything happened?" her text said.

"No. Everything is fine."

"You didn't come reply for a while, so I was worried."

"was in a meeting and later went out with a friend"

"Are you sure it is only a friend?" Cici added a smile to the text.

"It is Pat."

"Oh, boring... I thought it was someone else."

"If it was I will tell you."

"Hey, I fought out something. Mr.Johnson doesn't have a fiancee. She is just the daughter of one of the directors on the board."

"I know."

"How did you know before me."

"Mr.Johnson said it himself."

"Why is he explaining it to you?"

"Maybe he doesn't want her to spread rumors..."

"I also heard she was insulted in the last business meet."

"Really?"

"You attended it. Don't you know?"

"No. ..Anyways I wasn't actually at the party too."

"Why? You said you would be attending"

"let's not think of it before sleep..." I said thinking of that day.

"Ok...Sleep tight.. meet you tomorrow."

The next day I got a cup of coffee for Mr.Clark.

"Mr.Clark, here you go."

"Thank you, Ms.Song. Anything special."

"Thanks for dropping me that day," I said with a smile.

"It wasn't a trouble ... You are so kind, Ms.Song."

Just then Mr.Johnson came from behind and took the cup from my hand.

"When two of them are there, it is quite rude of Ms.Song to get it for one," he said, going inside his cabin with the coffee.

"Mr.Clark, I am sorry. I will get you another one right away."

"No, it's fine. Anyways I need to go out with Mr.Johnson in sometime."

"Ok. Maybe some other time I will treat you for sure."

During the next few days, my involvement with the project increased and I started to enjoy the work. In October I wasn't aware of the projects, in November, I started to contribute significantly. Hoping that December holds good for me.....

One fine morning...

"Good morning Ms.Song.... "

"Good Morning Mr.Clark. What's up?"

"It's been a month we had that business meeting. As a team, we never had a chance. Why don't we go for a Team lunch?" Mr.Clark said.

"Team lunch?" I was puzzled.

"Yeah, for team building."

"We can go for team lunch.. but where is the team?"

"I mean..." Mr.Clark was in a confusion as what to answer.

"Mr.Clark, if you and I go for lunch, it would be a date rather than a team lunch. What will your girlfriend think?" I said playfully.

"From when did you two alone make a team?" Mr.Johnson said coming out of his cabin.

"Mr.Johnson....... I... I... I dint notice you were present. Else I wouldn't have cracked a joke."

"So, you never consider me a part of the team."

"Nothing.. Nothing like that. Sorry..."

"Clark, get me the printouts fast." Mr.Johnson said in an angry tone and went inside.

"Mr.Clark sorry. I was joking."

"It's ok..We are visiting the supplier site. It would take a whole day. So this Saturday, make yourself available."

"Sure.. I will get to work."

...In Mr.Johnson's Office...

"Mr.Johnson, I have informed Ms.Song."

"Good. Let me see how my fiancee would react."

"But what if Ms. Song is harmed?"

"Let's just ensure we discover them as early as possible."

"Sure, Mr.Johnson."

On Saturday, we finished our meeting by noon. There was absolute silence as we had lunch in the restaurant. Just then Mr.Clark's phone started ringing.

"I will be back after the call," saying this he left.

"Don't you like to talk?" Mr.Johnson said.

"..aaa..."

"With your friend who picked you up and your friend at the office."

"Oh...Yeah.." I smiled a bit uneasily thinking how did my notice me so much.

"Don't you have anything to ask?"

"Well... I do want to ask you one thing."

"Go ahead.."

"Once the bidding for the project is over, can I move to any other team?"

"What do you mean?"

"I was initially hired to work under Mr.Phillip. So, wanted to know if it is possible."

"Why don't you want to work here?"

"..aaa...Nothing like that."

Just then Mr.Clark came in.

"Mr.Johnson. There is an issue with the vehicle. Our car has been sent for maintenance. We would be running an hour late."

"Ok, let's wait in the lounge until it's done."

"Mr.Johnson, can I go out for a while? I will be back in an hour."

"Where do you want to go?"

"Just to explore...Like instead of sitting here," I said my head.

"Mr.Johnson, there is a flea market near the corner. Ms.Song, are you interested to go there?"

"Great... I will have a look around then."

"Wait..let's all go together."

The environment in the flea market was lively. I started to pick up a few items for gifting.

"What happened to the car?" Mr.Johnson asked.

"Brakes were tampered with while we were in the meeting."

"CCTV footage?"

"They tried to destroy it, but we got it covered, as you instructed earlier."

"Good."

...To be continued.....