The Insider

Chapter 7

"I can't believe we can do nothing about this!" the President shouted.

"That's not what we said, Sir," Karen retorted. "Lawrence had managed to find ways to mitigate the damage."

"But damage was still done to the company, and I'm really disappointed that it happened in the first place," the President retorted.

Lawrence stood in the middle of the Board Room stoically. "We deeply apologize, Sir," he began. "But it was really hard to control the breach as it was an inside job.

"At this point, all I can assure you is that I did my best to override data access remotely. But another problem was that we were informed of the breach rather late," Lawrence explained.

One of the directors spoke up, " Engineer, what's the real deal? Does our competitor have the data to actually push through producing Phoebe?"

Lawrence answered him directly, "As of now they can't. But it's only a matter of time before they may be able to. They've got enough to work with if their Research team is smart."

Lawrence looked at the Board as if daring them to question his capability. They all look crestfallen as they imagine their investments going down the drain.

Karen dared to break the silence and spoke determinedly, "That's why we advise that we proceed with project roll-out. We should do it now, file the application for patent and procure the necessary equipment."

"You know we can't do it quick enough, Karen," the President said. "We don't have the funding just yet and you know the company policy. We don't apply for patent because we don't want to share and expose our innovation to others!"

"Then what should we do about it?" Karen asked indignantly. "I mean, what you're trying to avoid has pretty much happened. Our innovation has been exposed. And honestly, I really think that we've already done our part so I think the Management should do theirs too to keep this company afloat!"

With this statement, the President's eyes grew as big as plates and his ears turned a shocking shade of red.

With nose flaring and obvious contempt in his voice, he turned his attention to Karen and said, "Might I remind you Karen that you are part of the Management that you're referring to. So unless you can think of a workable solution, I guess you should know your place and check your loyalties, too."

Karen stared back at him, stood up and grabbed her bag. Without any trace of yielding on her stand she slapped her hand on the long mahogany desk and said, "I am loyal to Lindbergh, of that I'm sure, Mr. President. But right now I'm not sure if the people working behind it are worthy of my loyalty, too.

"I'll excuse myself," she announced. "Lawrence come with me!" Karen announced, leaving a roomful of shocked and bewildered Board Members behind.

* * *

Lawrence is still stressed about the meeting. He barely had enough sleep the night before, the job kept him awake until 3 AM and after he closed his eyes to retire for the night mental images of Miranda kept making their way into his mind's eye.

He walked into the Engineering wing late in the afternoon. Karen took him out for lunch after they walked out of the meeting saying she needed to get away from the office for a while.

It was only when he came back that he saw Miranda for the first time that day as he went straight to the meeting earlier this morning.

She was still not in the prescribed uniform. I couldn't let that happen, he thought, otherwise he'll lose his mind. He approached her and knocked on her cubicle. Without a word, he signaled her to follow him inside the office.

"Good afternoon, Sir," Miranda greeted as she enters the room.

"Miranda, what have I told you about the uniform?" Lawrence asked.

"I'm really sorry, Sir. I already followed it up with HR and they said they'll have it with me by next Monday. Apparently, they don't stock a lot of women's uniform as the company doesn't employ a lot of girls," Miranda explained.

Lawrence sighed. "I can't believe them, this is such a petty problem. Why can't they have an immediate solution to this."

"Pardon my audacity Sir, but I actually think that this is a big company problem," Miranda said, straightening her back.

This comment caused Lawrence to do a double take, he frowned at Miranda and asked her what made her think that.

"Well Sir, at this day and age, the company should really improve its hiring policy and equalize work opportunities for both men and women."

"You don't strike me as a feminist, Miranda. I can honestly say I'm surprised," Lawrence said, letting out a sigh again.

In the short time that he's known Miranda, she has been nothing but full of surprises. He thinks he can see now why HR hired her. She is not a push-over, she is nothing close to a stereotypical secretary who sits around looking pretty but with nothing between her ears. She's got a mind of her own and she surely takes every opportunity to make it known. 

"I wouldn't say I'm a feminist, Sir. I don't favor girls over boys, as it is. What I want is equal opportunity for all sexes," Miranda said.

Lawrence laughed out loud and Miranda looked at him, confused. Did she say anything wrong? She thought.

"Well, I guess at least you set something straight with me Miranda," Lawrence said, smiling at her and trying hard to control oncoming fits of giggles.

"OK," Miranda said, dragging the word. "I'm glad you think so, Sir," she continued, still in doubt as to what was suddenly made clear to Lawrence.

As Miranda stood in the middle of the office, Lawrence walked towards her and gently grabbed her left arm. He turned her around and slowly walked her to the door.

Miranda fell into step with him as she tried to search his face for answers. She glanced at him and she caught a whiff of his male cologne. She breaths in his smell, making her feel a little giddy.

She spoke and he turned his face towards her, making her notice his five 'o clock shadow and  the glint of browns in his eyes, highlighted by the ghost of the smile that earlier touched them. Gosh, he's so close that if I move an inch closer, I can kiss him, Miranda thought. She shook her head and made the stupid notion go away.

"I don't see what's so funny, Sir."

"It's nothing Miranda," he said flashing his white teeth at her.

"I'm just glad you don't favor girls," Lawrence said as he softly closed the office door behind her.