The Insider

Chapter 1

When Miranda applied for a job posting that she saw online, she was really desperate to have it. She is smart, diligent, and very hard working but it has been very hard to find an employment. That is why she's very thankful when she landed the opportunity to work as an assistant to the Chief Engineer of Lindbergh.

She's been with the company for a month now but she's never met her boss just yet as he's been sent to Thailand for a business trip to study a new process flow. However, everything is about to change today.

The atmoshphere in the office felt different. Everything seems to be buzzing with excitement. Everybody is acting different, even the supervisors tried to wear neat and ironed shirts. The pantry looked cleaner and the usual stray coffee mugs were removed from the countertop.

"Well you look different today, don't you?" Miranda remarked as Mr. Jun, one of the supervisors submitted his leave form to her desk.

"Yeah, well the boss is strict about hygiene. He's very organized, and lashes on anyone who looks even a bit disheveled."

"Is he really?" Miranda asked curiously.

"Yup," Jun replied. "But don't you worry Randy, you look well put as always, you'll never be at the receiving end of his tongue-lashing."

Miranda smiled and thanked Jun for the assurance.

A few minutes later, the elevator, which also serves as the door to the Engineering Wing, dinged and a horde of men in the prescribed blue long sleeved uniform came out. Among them was a face she has not seen before.

Everyone in the office suddenly burst to life as each stood up to greet the boss. The new face hadn't cracked a smile as he greeted and shook hands with almost everyone.

Miranda in turn was on her feet and was all smiles as she waited for her chance to greet the boss. She stood by her cubicle which was adjacent to the boss' room. As the boss neared her spot, Miranda smiled widely and said, "Good morning, Sir. Welcome back."

She felt like a cold splash of water hit her, however when the boss said "Who are you? And why are you not in uniform?"

"I'm very sorry, Sir. I'm Miranda, your new assistant." Miranda explained as she tried to smile awkwardly.

"Miranda? I don't remember hiring you," the boss said as a furrow formed between his brows. "Who hired her?" He asked as he turned aroud to the rest of the office.

Mr. Mac, the  Senior Assistant Engineer stepped forward and approached the boss.

"The HR office hired her, sir." Mac said.

"When, and why wasn't I informed? and where's Glen?"

"Glen was transferred to the Vice-President's office, Sir." Mac replied

"Why?" The boss asked, getting more confused.

"The VP's secretary suddenly resigned, Sir. Saying he couldn't take her anymore. It was quite a scandal actually. Apparently, Glen is the only person who can work with her as he had been her assistant when she was still Chief Engineer. So, they took him and they hired Randy here as replacement," Mac explained very quickly.

"Randy? Who's Randy?" The boss asked.

"I am, Sir. I'm Randy, it's my nickname," Miranda chimed in, slightly raising her hand and feeling like a child trying to butt in in an adults' conversation.

"I need to talk to Karen about this," the boss said. "I don't think I can work with a new assistant. I want Glen. Call up HR for me. Tell them I need to discuss this matter ASAP."

Miranda snapped into motion after the boss gave his commmand. "Yes, Sir," she replied as she quickly walked to her cubicle.

"And Randy..."

"Yes, sir?"

"If HR decides to keep you, I'd like to see you in uniform next time."

"Yes, sir."

Randy felt crushed. She can't possibly lose her job. She's got bills to pay and people to support. She needs to prove her worth, she thought as she began typing the number of the HR Department.