Chapter 4: 4. Suspicion
It was Friday. The office was busy as usual. Desmond was checking the documents. He was always looked very serious and cold. His eyes were sharp. He was like an emperor in his throne. No one dare to go against him even though he was young. It was well known that his ability was undoubtful. Moreover, how he move was elegant, his face was handsome no matter from where you looked at, yet, untouchable. The two subordinates of his were standing straight in front of his desk. They don't dare to asked unless they were asked. Who knew best about their boss temper more than them?
'It's enough for now. Luke, you can continue to dig out more information for C and D projects. I will meet their representatives in a week to settled them. The others, I will look through it today for there are many things I'm not satisfied.' Desmond put away the document in his hands.
'Understood.' Luke answered.
'Pheonix, you get the planning department responsible for those projects to have a meeting with me after lunch. I want the proposals I assigned you to be finished today.'
'Yes, CEO Claude!' Pheonix answered firmly.
'There is one more thing, I want both of you to dig out an information about a family named Wright in this country. But, don't get others to know it. Make it fast.'
Pheonix and Luke unconsciously turned their gazed to each other for a while but they didn't have the gut to ask about it. They were not detectives but they certainly knew they had to do everything they were told to, apart from their usual office works. In the end, they both nodded in unison and left the CEO office.
'Assistant Tyson, about the Wrights, How about we devide the area to make it easier?'
'Okay. Then, I will take the north and east. Is that alright?'
'Sure.' Pheonix nodded happily. 'Then, I'll get down to work!'
Luke tyson smiled while staring at Pheonix. Pheonix was like a little brother to him. It was easy to work with her and her personality was very bright. Somehow, it felt relax and cheerful when she was around. In this modern society with its hectic lifestyle, having someone like her was good.
Pheonix went back to the secretary office. Her female colleagues were quiet friendly considering her as a beautiful young man. In spite of the gossip about their CEO, they didn't really count men to be their love rivals in reality. In many cases, they would try to seduce Desmond Claude if they had a chance. The world was not fair, that was the ugly truth!
'Secretary Lou, how about join us to karaoke tonight? It's Friday!', one of the female colleague named Elizabeth approached her.
'Sorry, I have to work overtime today. You guys go have fun! I'll join you next time.' Pheonix rejected politely.
Elizabeth acted like a spoil child and held Pheonix's arm, 'Secretary Lou, you always say that but you never join us. Don't you think it's such a waste for a good looking young man like you not to be surrounded by ladies?'
Elizabeth gazed to her like a lioness looked at its prey. Pheonix forced a laugh while trying to release her arm. She knew from the start, they made her an alternative choice from the CEO. For them, she was like a cute puppy. What if they found out that she was actually a girl?
'You know our boss... I have to finish my work by tonight. I will join you for sure next time, don't worry...' Pheonix made an excuse while still forcing a smile.
'You are not having an affair with the CEO, are you?' Elizabeth asked while pretending to be sad.
'Of course, not! I'm straight...' Pheonix wanted to explained that she was normal but interupted by a chill deep voice.
'Have you finished what I asked?' Desmond was standing near the door frame with annoyed look on his face. He didn't like any of his staffs gossiping and chit-chat during working hours.
Elizabeth hurriedly went back to her seat and reached her computer. So were the other secretaries. Pheonix bowed down professionally, 'Apologize, CEO Claude. I'm on it.' Her hands were sweaty. 'I'm doomed!', she screamed inwardly.
Desmond walked away afterwards.
Pheonix got her phone on her desk to inform planning department about the meeting Desmond asked earlier. She got down to her other tasks dilligently after making the call.
During lunch break, Pheonix brought the meal to the CEO office.
'CEO Claude, I put your lunch here. Do you need anything else?'
'Um. The folders on the shelf need to be arranged, can you do it tomorrow?'
'Apologize, CEO Claude, I have something tomorrow. I can do it after my works done today, though.'
'Today, then. You can leave.'
Pheonix closed the door when Luke Tyson greeted her. They agreed to have lunch in the cafetaria.
'You are here for about a year now. So, how's everything?', Luke casually asked.
Pheonix smiled enthusiastically. 'It's perfect! The work environment is nice and I like my job.'
For a moment, Luke was stunned by her beautiful smile. 'Don't tell me, I'm turning into a gay! Pheonix is a pretty boy!' He reminded himself in his mind. 'Or he's not a boy?' Right, the CEO asked me too keep an eye on Pheonix, he recalled. No matter what, he didn't feel any bad intention from her. What could she hide? But, maybe.... Don't tell him, the CEO thought what he thought?
'Great! We are brothers, so you can just ask me if there's any difficulties.' Luke Tyson continued his meal.
'Thanks.' Pheonix kept her warm smile.
'I heard Elizabeth hit on you earlier. What do you think of her?'
Cough! Cough! Hearing what Luke asked, Pheonix got choked. Was he crazy?! She was a girl!! Wait, he didn't know that. After she drank some water, she calmed herself down, while Luke was laughing seeing her reaction.
Pheonix tried her best to comment like another young man, "She's not my type. You like her, huh? It's true, her figure is not bad.'
'Hm... I prefer a simpler girl, actually. You see, I got no time for girlfriend and stuffs... you and I know it well.'
'Right...'
She recalled something.
'About the wright things, CEO asked us... Does the company look for another partner?' Pheonix asked curiously in low voice.
Wright was the same surname she used for a few years too. It was her deceased father's surname. It was a very common name. But, why CEO Claude wanted to investigate all of the Wrights?
Luke wiped his mouth, 'Not sure. The CEO often asked me to investigate things, either personal or business matters.'
Pheonix tilted her head a little, hoping for more explanation.
'Isn't it nice if it's about a woman? He never interested in so many women all these years. It's just my wishful thinking, though...' Luke explained calmly.
Pheonix and Luke are the closest subjects to the CEO. Therefore, they had to rush to their seats in case the CEO needed anything from them.
The clock on the wall shows it was already 5 pm. Everyone had packed their things and went home, except for the CEO, his assistant, and his secretary. Luke was still in CEO office, discussing his investigation on the Wrights.
'CEO Claude, from north and east, I found 124,725 people with the name Wrights. After I analyzed, I managed to put them in 22,358 family. However, I need more time to checks their backgrounds.' It was expected from the assistant of CEO Claude, Luke was efficient and reliable.
'I need you to find a girl from what you investigated. Her age is probably 23-24 years old now. Get me the pictures. She's fair skinned and have a pair of pheonix eyes. Apart from that features, just put it aside.' Desmond had showed his intention at last.
Luke was pretty happy when he heard his boss. He was concerned for his boss as he was by his side for years. It wasn't an easy job but he had set his mind to look for what his boss were looking for.
When Luke Tyson was in the CEO office, Pheonix left her desk. It was usually at this hour she went to the restroom so that no one knew about her gender. There wasn't even a camera near the staff's restroom, it was great! She entered the female restroom.
A while later...
'Secretary Lou!' Assistant Tyson surprisingly appeared from her back when she came out from the restroom.
Pheonix was almost screamed her heart out but managed to restrained it. She felt like a thief got caught. Why he suddenly appeared here?? Wasn't he in the CEO office earlier?
'Oh! Hi! A-assistant Tyson! Why are u here?' Pheonix greeted him back with awkward expression.
Luke Tyson smiled like there was nothing wrong. 'I got out from the restroom too. Oh, the CEO was asking for you.'
'Oh! Yes... I should go there, then...'
Pheonix ran swiftly. Did he saw her in the female restroom? Be Positive! He seemed like usual so, nothing to worry, right?
Luke took out his phone from his pocket and texted Desmond Claude after Pheonix disappeared from his sight. If Luke could sense it, so could Desmond Claude. He had always been sharp, that was how Desmond trained him to be all these years.
'CEO Claude, I met Pheonix outside the staff's restroom. I couldn't tell if he went to the female restroom but I didn't see her in the male restroom either.'
Ting!
Desmond Claude reached his phone and read the message Luke sent him. He then typed a reply.
'Keep watching Pheonix Lou. Report to me if anything.'
Knock! Knock!
'Come in!'
Pheonix entered the office with a pile of documents and folders on her hands. 'CEO Claude, these are what you asked me. I need your signature on these.'
Desmond Claude sharp eyes stared at her intently. She didn't seem like a someone with hidden motive. To tell the truth, Desmond believed Pheonix wasn't a spy or enemy. He must had known about it if she was. For this one year, she always by his side and nothing was suspicious. It was too perfect if all of it just a pretense. It was only what happened recently made him doubt her gender and the motive she might have.
She put the documents on his desk and opened the folders. 'There are 2 more I need to finish and I will give it to you in 2 hours. Also, I have checked about the Wrights. In west and south area, there were 99,119 people and if we check according to the family, it becomes 18,327 family who share the same name.'
'Alright. You could combine the Wrights data you had with Luke's. He knows what to do, you can work together.' Desmond said as he began to check the folders she brought.
'I will do as you said. It's almost dinner time, what would you like for dinner?'
——
Pheonix went back to her desk and called the restaurant to deliver some food to the office as she continued her tasks. Some of the lights had been turned off. Luke Tyson was busy printing some pictures in media room. The office felt very spacious with only them inside the building. Only a printer and keyboard sound were heard.
At 7 pm, Pheonix has finished her paperworks. She gave the mealbox to Luke Tyson and delivered one of them to the CEO office. She knocked for a while but no one answered. Thinking, she had to arrange the shelf too, she opened the door, and got inside to put the meal on the coffee table. There was no one inside!
Pheonix looked around, her boss didn't seem to come out from the office. More importantly, the desk was also full with documents. Where was CEO Claude?
Klak!
A towering figure came out from a door that looks like a wall. He changed his suit and looked freshen up. He had a shower? Pheonix had just learnt that the CEO office had a secret room.
Pheonix felt impolite to get inside and anxiously explained, 'Um, apologize, CEO Claude. I-I didn't know you... um, the-the dinner is ready...'
Desmond just walked without saying anything and stood next to her, 'Be here after dinner.'
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