The Insider

Chapter 5

Miranda noticed the Vice President come out of her boss' office in a haste. When she looked inside the office, she saw him combing his hair with his hands in frustration.

Has he been reprimanded? Miranda thought. Oh god, what if they fought because of her?

Miranda glanced around, not knowing what to do. She didn't have time to think long about what happened however, as the intercom started ringing urgently.

"Chief Engineer's Office. Good afternoon," Miranda greeted.

"Miranda, please come in the office," Lawrence said on the other line. Miranda looked through the glass walls and she saw her boss looking at her.

"Yes sir," she said as she rose from her desk, grabbing her notepad with her.

Once she entered the room Lawrence asked her to order dinner for him as he's planning to work overtime tonight.

"What would you prefer, Sir?" Miranda asked.

"Take your pick. I trust you on this," he said, slightly raising his eyebrow, as if challenging her. "You requested for a chance to gain my confidence, well, here it is," Lawrence said, extending his arms in front of him.

Miranda smiled coyly, "Ok, sir. Thank you."

She jot down the word dinner on her notepad, then looked up to Lawrence. "Would that be all, Sir?" She asked.

"Yes, that's all," Lawrence said. He then swivelled his chair to turn his back to Miranda. He searched for his wallet then handed her some cash.

She reached for it and started walking out when her boss spoke again from behind her

"And buy enough for two," he said "'coz you'll dine here with me."

* * *

Miranda came back with the office already dimly lit. Almost all house lights have been turned off and almost everyone has already left.

The traffic was so heavy that it took her almost an hour to come back with dinner. By the time she returned, night has already fallen.

The greatest source of light is the boss' office at the end of the hall. She walked over to it, passing a lot of empty cubicles.

"What took you so long?" Lawrence asked.

"I'm sorry, Sir. I called up every restaurant nearby and they don't want to deliver here because of the mad rush hour traffic. So, I had to pick up our dinner personally," Miranda explained.

"Ok," Lawrence said. "Well, I'm so hungry. What did you get?"

Lawrence rummaged through the bags and saw a meal of spring roll salad, mashed potato, and rib eye steak. He breathed the aroma of the food with much gusto and started to dive in.

"Come on Miranda, let's eat," he said, moving his papers aside. He paused for a moment then stood up from his chair, picking up the bags of dinner.

Miranda looked at him, confused. Lawrence then said, "On second thought, let's move to the pantry. I really need a mental break."

Miranda gave him a smile and replied "OK, Sir."

She reached for one of the bags, "Let me help you with that, Sir."

As she tried to grab hold of the bottom of one bag, her palm gently brushed with Lawrence's hand and she felt a shot of electricity.

"Oh!" She said in shock.

Lawrence eyes widened and Miranda looked at him. She suddenly grinned and let out bells of giggle.

"God, that was some strong connection," she blurted.

"I guess we've got a lot of spark," Lawrence replied with a smile. "Let me handle the bag. Just open the door please, Miranda," Lawrence said gently.

He smiled, Miranda thought. A real smile.

She walked ahead of Lawrence with a tiny smile of her own and went past all the cubicles to the pantry which she found dimly lit only by the pin lights by its corners.

As she flicked the lights on, Lawrence placed their take-out meal at the dining table.

Miranda sat herself down and started taking the food from the bags. She noticed Lawrence walk over to the refrigerator, "What have we here?" he asked.

As Miranda glanced over, she saw him holding a bottle of wine left over from the birthday party of one of the Senior Engineers.

"Do you drink, Miranda?" Lawrence asked, meeting her eyes.

"Occasionally, Sir," she replied, giving him a smile.

"Good. I believe tonight is one such occassion, so you're gonna drink with me," Lawrence announced as he sat himself accross Miranda, smiling at her confidently.