Tabitha's POV
Thanks to the Suttons, I could finally leave Derek's side.
Though we were in the same company, as an ordinary employee in the Sales Department, I barely crossed paths with him.
The only bummer was, after leaving the Secretary Department, I couldn't get close to those secretaries, which totally went against my reason for joining the company.
Now, I had to count on Lucian, hoping his trip turned up more useful dirt.
Just as I was deep in thought, a sigh reached my ears. "Damn, why's it always me handing in the planning proposal?"
I turned around and found it was Emma, a colleague from Group C where I worked.
"What's wrong?" I wondered.
With a frustrated look, she told me, "It's time to submit the planning proposal. But our group was at the bottom last month. I can't even bring myself to step into the Secretary Department. If I run into Alvin, I'll definitely be scared out of my wits."
"Is Alvin that scary?" I asked, all curious.
"You're new here, so you have no idea. Once, he made the cleaning lady's daughter cry because of his poker face," she complained.
I nodded and said, "Well then, I'll go. I'm just the newbie, so a few scoldings won't kill me."
"Wow, Tabitha, you're such a gem. I owe you big time!" she exclaimed while handing me the folder.
I took it, secretly rejoicing. It was a perfect chance for me to go to the Secretary Department!
I soon went up to the top floor. Seeing the office door at the end of the corridor shut tight, I breathed a sigh of relief. Then, I turned around and eased into the Secretary Department.
My arrival had all the busy secretaries looking up.
Victoria winked at me, teasing, "Heard you were transferred to the Sales Department. What? You don't like it here?"
"Of course not," I chuckled. "Just felt I wasn't up to the job. And I didn't wanna mess things up. So I thought I should go to the Sales Department first to gain some experience."
"Alas, just when I thought we finally got a stunner here to brighten our days, you left," sighed Victoria. "Btw, you didn't come up here just to chat with us, right? If you need any help, feel free to ask."
"This is the planning proposal from our group. Could you please pass it on to Mr. Greenwood?" I asked with a smile.
"Alright, be careful down there, though. Those folks are slick veterans," she warned.
"Got it, thanks," I beamed.
Then I took out the gift I'd prepared for them earlier—a trendy brooch for the ladies and a tie clip for the guys.
"I thought I was gonna work here, so I got these gifts ready. Here," I said to Victoria.
"How sweet," she grinned while playing with the brooch. "Thanks."
I then distributed the gifts to the rest.
Finally, I stopped in front of Elizabeth's desk.
I noticed that ever since I walked in, she'd been burying herself in work, not looking up even once.
"Elizabeth, this is for you." I walked up to her and placed the box on her desk.
She lifted her head, pushing her glasses up, a stern look on her face. "You joined the company just to waste time on this?"
"Tabitha, just ignore her. That's just how she is. Save your breath," Victoria chimed in.
She winked at me, adding, "I'll hand over the planning proposal to Alvin. Don't worry."
"Thanks. I'll leave you to it then," I said, glancing over Elizabeth.
She was back to her work as if nothing but the job existed for her.
Victoria and Elizabeth were completely different. If there was a mole, who would it be?
As the saying went, the devil couldn't hide his cloven hoof.
Even if I didn't take action, the person would make a move sooner or later.
I had embedded a tracker in the brooches. This time, I gotta hold the cards.
I was so engrossed, not expecting anyone on this quiet floor, so I crashed right into someone.
A familiar voice sounded from above my head, "Eyes on the road."
I quickly pulled away from his embrace, thinking that Derek was still in the office. Who could have guessed that he would suddenly show up?
"Sorry, I got something to do. Gotta run."
I barely looked at him, apologizing as I hurried off, dreading he might keep me there.
Derek's POV
These past two days, I didn't go to Tabitha. To my surprise, she really kept her distance, like she was gonna part ways with me for good.
Luckily, I had spotted her coming up from the surveillance, so I deliberately waited here, hoping for a "chance encounter."
Yet she just walked away without a glance.
Feeling vexed, I ordered Alvin, who was coming my way, "Go check. What was she coming up here for?"
"Copy." He nodded.
Soon, he brought back the answer, handing me the proposal.
After skimming it, I tossed it aside, hissing, "Who wrote this crap? Get the person responsible up here."
I smashed the folder on the desk, the loud bang startling the cleaner polishing the shelves.
Tabitha's POV
As soon as I returned to Group C, the chatter stopped.
Emma said to me, all smiles, "Tabitha, thank you so much."
"It's nothing. I'm happy to help." I waved my hand.
Moments after I sat down, Sonia stormed in, fuming, "Who submitted the proposal?"
Before I could speak, Emma chimed in, "It's Tabitha. She insisted on going to the Secretary Department to acquaint herself with the staff there. What's wrong?"
Sonia glared at me, snapping, "What did you say to Mr. Greenwood? Why is he so angry? He's calling me to his office!"
The friendly smile on Emma's face was immediately replaced by a scowl.
"Tabitha, I told you, you're green. You should be learning, focusing on the project. Yet all you think about is buttering up those secretaries. Did you upset Mr. Greenwood?" she yelled at me.