" I think she is interesting"
"Interesting???"
"Hardworking... Lively... Smart.."
"Mr.Johnson, this is the first time I see you praising someone."
"Mmm... Get going."
As Mr.Clark came near his desk, he observed that Ms.Song was lost deep in thoughts.
"Ms.Song, what are you thinking so deeply?"
" Ahhh.. nothing.. just on the project designs."
"Don't worry much. You have a great talent ... I just heard the same from Mr.Johnson too."
"Mm..."
"Mmm?...why is your reaction so cold?"
"Oh..I... I mean thank you. Mr.Clark I would be leaving early today."
" Yeah .. no worries.. Anything urgent? "
" Just meeting a someone."
"Ohh.... A date?"
"No ..."
"oh ok."
"...thanks.."
Just then Mr.Johnson came out...
"Clark, arrange a car.. need to go out in 30 min."
"Sure Mr.Johnson."
At the mall...
"Hey Pat, where are you?" Iva asked on call.
"I am at gate 3."
"Ok.. waiting for you at starbucks here...we will leave from here."
"Ok coming..."
Mr. Johnson was observing Iva from a distance.
"Clark, let's go back."
"But, Mr. Johnson aren't you here for work?"
"Let's go."
The next day...
"Good Morning, Ms. Song." Clark said as Ms.Song entered the office.
"Good morning."
"So, how did the shopping go yesterday?"
"Shopping? where you at the mall too?"
"Yeah, was passing by. Saw you with your friend."
"Oh.."
"So, what did you take?"
"I was there to meet a person."
"Who is it?" Mr. Johnson asked from behind.
"Mr. Johnson..."
"How do you get so much money to spend in an antique shop?"
"Are you are following me?"
"So, you agree you were in the antique store."
"Mr. Johnson, I hope after all this time you could trust me that I am not trading the company's secrets. I did go to the antique shop as there is a small painting which has to be restored."
"Restored?"
"It's my grandma's memory of her childhood. A painting which was drawn by her mom."
"...mmm.. I see"
"If you still don't believe it you can come with me to the store tomorrow to collect it."
"Alright..Alright... get back to work."
Two days later...
"Mr. Johnson, Ms. Song indeed had a small painting which was painted couple of decades ago restored."
"mmm..."
"Do you still doubt that she is helping Henry?"
"No..I just.."
"I saw the painting. Its looks like a woman holding a baby."
"mmm"
"Mr.Johnson .... What are you thinking?"
"These days... I feel she isn't the one we know. I can't believe she is a fresher with no business knowledge. The contract was changed and we missed to notice it. Who is she helping?"
"Do we need to test her ?"
"Anyways... since she helped out changing the contract on time, compensate her."
"Sure, Mr. Johnson."
"Ms.Song, this is a reward for you. A gift card." Clark said.
"Why?"
"For the clauses you highlighted."
"Oh.. it is a part of my job. I don't need this."
"But Mr. Johnson insists on you being rewarded. Please accept it."
"mmm if that's the case then I need this." Ms.Song pointed out to the mirror.
"The mirror??" Clark asked with a confused tone.
"Yeah.. If not that , then its ok.. I don't need anything."
"But why an old Mirror? Do you think Johnson's Group doesn't reward its employees well?" Mr. Johnson asked.
"It isn't what I meant."
"then.."
"Completion of project is anyways a part of my contract for which I will be compensated. If you need to reward me then let me have this."
"It's just an old mirror.... Do you know how much the card contains?"
"Even if it's an old broken mirror , I like it. That is the reason I insisted on getting it in the very first place."
"Ms.Song, what is there to like in this?"
"I look slim in it...."
"Slim? Ms.Song what are you saying" Mr.Clark was confused.
"I said my reason. I just like the mirror. If you want to reward it, then why not give me what I like? Johnson's Group doesn't care for employees voices , isn't it?"
"Fine... Clark arrange people to get this mirror delivered to Ms.Song's place." Mr.Johnson said loosing his temper.
"Thank you... then I will take my leave. "
After Ms.Song left..
"Clark, do you think it is weird?"
"Regarding?"
"She dint accept a gift card but she insisted on taking a mirror"
"I felt the reason was illogical."
"She isn't a fool to request for the mirror. However I feel it is not what it seems . Anyways get the mirror delivered."
....To be Continued....