Down to business

While Noah bent down to give Laila a kiss, the only person whose greeting he had looked forward to and cared about, the one who his eyes had been focused on from the moment he had walked in. With a loving smile on her face Laila said, "Welcome back honey." as she received his kiss on her forehead. When he straightened his back again she asked, "How was your day?" but she didn't get the chance to hear his reply because before he could say a single word, Steve got his greeting ready and said, "Hello there boss. Done already? I was just starting to get used to spending time with these two lovely ladies."

Noah turned around with another glare in his eyes, this time aimed at Steve, and replied harshly by saying, "If you like being among women so much, maybe I should turn you into an eunuch so that your unhealthy interest in another man's wife at least won't pose any kind of threat. Otherwise go get one of your own and stop bothering mine." Causing Steve to immediately shield his private parts.

Laila chuckled and playfully slapped his arm and said, "Stop it. He has not been a bother at all. He was just keeping us company and he even planned this high tea for us. Besides, I have a feeling that it won't be long before he has someone of his own that he can call wife." After saying this she gave a meaningful look at Steve and Maria, revisiting the topic that had been swept under a thin blanket just moments before. While Steve responded to Laila's remark by patting his biceps and saying, "You can count on me.", Maria just blushed and looked away.

Noah, who had by now taken his seat next to Laila and had put his arm around her, had noticed what was going on. Though one had to be blind not to notice that there was a certain mood hanging in the room, Noah didn't need long to notice what mood this was and who had caused it. He chuckled and said in a soft voice, "I see you have been having your fun over here.", before turning it in a whisper and saying in her ear, "Be careful you don't push your friend too far, before she gets mad and you lose her a second time."

Laila grabbed hold of Noah's hand that was hanging off of her shoulder and rested her head on his chest as she replied, "I know. I'll stop. It is just so hard not to tease them when it is so clear they both like each other and Maria insists on denying it." Another chuckle came out of Noah and he pulled her body closer in what looked like a playful headlock.

Now that everyone was there, Noah decided to get down to business. "So, now that we are all here, shall we discuss the matter of Olivia and her backer. I know that Steve and I have a lot to tell you two." The looks on everyone's faces turned serious and the mood in the room turned a bit grim.

Maria was the first to respond. "Yes. I almost forgot that that is what we had gathered here for."

Noah's words had reminded Laila of something that she had almost forgotten as well. "That reminds me. I am surprised that she didn't show up here today. Usually she makes sure to get here before you do. What managed to throw her timing off?"

Noah was the one to answer that question and said, "That is the proof that our little plan worked. Do you remember how I told you that you were right and that there was indeed someone spying for her inside the company. Steve discovered who had been filling her in on my private matters and we got them to switch sides. So, now they are using her arrogance in thinking she has the upper hand and sending her on a wild goose chase by giving her false information."

This one piece of information immediately broke the serious vibe and caused Laila and Maria to start laughing at the idea of Olivia running around in hopes of running into Noah as well as her disappointed face when she fails.

"That serves that plastic witch just right. Let her waste some time and energy while we prepare to take her down properly. Do they do this every day?"

Noah shook his head and said, "No. If we did that she would get suspicious. Fortunately Laila was away the past few days. So, she didn't have her as an excuse to come over here and she didn't ask much about it. She did try to visit at work but that was of course with no success as well. The one time that she got close, Steve happened to be there and he managed to get her to leave. Today was the first day we went all out. We plan on using them to bug the phones of both Olivia and the two traitors that still work at the company and have no way to be saved. That should certainly help us with our plan and the timing of it."