ESTHER

Chapter twenty three

I woke up earlier than usual the next day. The sky was still dark and the weather was damp and chilly as I headed straight for the office. I made sure to arrive at the time when no one would resume and when I reached the office, my plan paid off.

Everywhere was dark. There was not a single soul in sight. Switching on my smartphone's camera, I made my way to the stairs leading upstairs. I wouldn't have been able to use the elevator as it would involve me switching on the lights, and I was trying to avoid attention.

I finally made it to the floor the twins and Mr Haman were. Heading straight to the twins' office, I walked as quietly as possible, even though I knew that nobody was there. I reached their door and opened it slowly, making sure not to make any noise. Closing the door quietly before me, I immediately set to work.

I rushed towards the first desk I could see. As everywhere was still dark, I couldn't take in their office surrounding. The first desk was filled with a mindless cluster of files, almost as if it had been pushed away carelessly and nonchalantly. I took care to study every file I saw, separating the ones which seemed suspicious or important. So far through my search, nothing extra caught my eyes.

I went to the next desk to continue my search. Unlike the first desk, this one was more arranged and so I was extra careful not to scatter it or change its arrangements so that it won't alert the owner.  I went through every other corner of the room, searching for something that could be used against them. Finally, when I was beginning to think my search had been for nought, I dragged a drawer next to the first table and came upon a file. On it was written 'CLASSIFIED' and wasn't that was enough to make me suspicious.

I took it out carefully and started to glance through it. The file contained so many business terms that I was finding it hard to understand. So I stood up and snuck out of the room with the file, going to the nearest idle room where I was sure to see a printer and a photocopy machine. Every floor had one so that people wouldn't have to stress themselves going to another floor when they needed it. I walked briskly toward the photocopy machine and immediately yet gently opened the file. Carefully, I removed it from its holder and started the process of photocopying the whole file. It took a while, but I was able to finish before the strike of dawn.

I carefully arranged it back to how it was and went back to the office, keeping the file back inside the drawer exactly as I saw it and shutting it. To the other files that I deemed important but could not photocopy for lack of time, I quickly took pictures of them, for as much as I could.

I looked at my phone for the time, as saw that it was soon close to when the office resumed. I quickly arranged their desks and placed everything back where I saw them first. I looked around the room one last time, before I made my way out of it, shutting the door quietly before me as I headed straight for the office I shared with my boss.

                              *****

Before my boss came, I received a strange message from him.

"I'm coming to the office today. I would be late. Act as if nothing has changed between us in the last few days. Even when it's just the both of us."

I scrunched my brows, confused. I wondered why he wanted me to act formally with him even in the privacy of our office. I threw away my curiosity, sure that he must have had a reason to request that of me. Meanwhile, I prepared myself for when he came.

I was seated in my office, looking at the file I had copied. I placed it inside my bag, well-hidden should any incident occur. Then I began to do my office duties.

Jack Rhodes came sometimes after the lunch break, and I couldn't stop my poor heart from thumping fast in my chest. It was like he looked extra handsome that day. He had gelled his hair slick back, and he put on a huge black coat that made his presence huge. His face was still the epitome of handsomeness, although he wasn't smiling.

Remembering where I was, I cleared my throat and greeted him.

"Good morning sir," I said, formally. He just nodded straight in my direction and headed to his seat. I turned my eyes away from him, trying to calm my beating heart, then set to continue my work. I feared that if care was not taken, I might end up losing more than just my job, just for this affection I have for him.

Work ended faster than I had preferred, and we all headed back home. Before I left the office, Jack Rhodes sent me a message that he would visit me later at my house. My heart beat faster as I rushed back home to go prepare for his arrival.

I didn't change out of my office clothes when I returned, because I knew that if I did, I would waste my time thinking of what to wear to impress my boss. Carefully bringing out the documents I hid in my bag, I arranged them neatly on top of my bed.

My boss came two hours later, and my uncle wasn't around then. He had told me earlier that there was some event he had to attend, leaving me and Jack Rhodes alone in my house.

I swallowed heavily.

"Come in," I said, opening the door for my boss when he knocked. He had changed into more comfortable clothes, which did nothing to hide his handsomeness, and I suddenly felt stupid for not changing mine. He walked straight to the couch I had shown him and sat as I went to get a soft drink for him.

"So, why did you ask me to act formally with you?" I began, watching him take a sip of his drink.

"I suspect that Haman might have put some listening device or a surveillance camera in our office. I'm not sure of it yet but I do know that he can do it and till all these are over, I do not want to take any risk." We both fell silent, each to our thoughts.

Jack Rhodes strummed his hands nervously on his drink.

"I came over to ask you about the twins. I would need your help if you can tell me anything you know about them." He finally stated. I raised my palm, facing him.

"About that, I got something for you." I stood up and went to the dining table where I had dropped the file I copied. I took it, and went back to the sitting room to my boss, handing it over to him.

"I- I decided to start my search a little too early and I found this," I said, trying to hide my blush. Jack Rhodes looked at me curiously and took the file, glancing through it seriously. The more he turned the pages, the more his face scrunched up.

"W-What is it?" I asked, curious.

"Esther... This," he said, facing me. I was surprised at the adoration he had in his eyes, and even more so, when I was the object of his adoration.

"This is gold." He said, beaming happily.