Corporate Secrets

CHAPTER 8

ANNE

I read through the email on my computer again, feeling a vague sense of unease. It's not threatening. I read through it for the sixth time since I received it.

Anne

I need your help. I can't let you know who this is yet, but you do know me.

I've made a lot of mistakes, and now I need you to take my apologies to the right quarters.

I will contact you again soon. You don't need to reply to this. It's better if you don't. In fact, you should delete it so no one knows we are corresponding.

Yours,

Chum

I don't know what to think. Should I delete it? Finally, I decided to copy it to my personal email and delete it from the work one. I glance up, startled when the door opens.

It's Leah. "Oh, you scared me," I say, pressing my hand against my heart.

"Sorry about that. Cole free?"

"No. He left in a hurry two hours ago. He went to New York."

"New York? Huh!" She shakes her head, shrugging. "Do you know why? Must be pretty serious."

"No, he didn't inform me of it before he left. He however told me to tell you he left a sealed envelope on his desk and he needs you and Mr. Gervais to read through it immediately."

"Okay. Thanks a bunch." She goes into the office and comes out with a small envelope, a bemused smile on her face. "Bye, Anne."

I don't have much to do, so I take out the new book I've been reading. It's a habit I got into while I was Saul's secretary. I never had much work to do, so I could usually go through a chapter or two of the work by the time the day was over.

I haven't even been able to read any of this book at work, but I'm thankful I've gotten into the habit because it's better than having nothing to do.

The door opens again, and I'm so deep into the book, I don't even hear. It's Richard and Leah. He catches sight of the book and scoffs. "This is what you come to do at work, isn't it?"

I'm blushing, and even though I know it makes me look guilty, I don't know how to stop. "Come on, Rick. It's obvious that Cole left her doing nothing. Let her have her fun."

They walk into the office and close the door behind them. I stare for a little while, wondering what's going on in there. Something is obviously up, and I feel like I'm the only one being kept out of the loop. Making a sudden decision, I return the book and head out to the twenty-fifth floor.

There are a couple of people getting coffee, and I recognize one of them. "Eli! How are you doing?"

"Anne! Been a while. I've been fine. Keeping busy. How are you doing?"

"Same, same." He looks over my head and stops talking. I notice him fiddling with the coffee maker and wonder why. It seemed alright to me a moment ago. Then I hear whoever is behind me walk out, and he sighs.

"What's up?" I ask, moving closer to him. "Who was that?"

"Keep your voice down," he says in a whisper. "That was Willow Herman. She's from New York, she came along with the new boss. Hey, is he treating you right?"

"Yes. But why do we have to whisper?" I ask, taking one of the plastic cups and handing it to Eli. He gets me my own coffee, and I add two sugar packets and one cream.

"They are trying to get dirt. You know, on Manning."

"What happened? I'm still not clear-"

"Hush," he says when we hear footsteps approaching the break room. His eyes widen when another man who I don't know walks in, and he excuses himself immediately.