Eavesdropping

Walking through the pavement during winter morning was cold as expected but the little bit of sunshine today brought some warmth at least. I didn't go by car today as I wanted to do something and I have to be lowkey. My phone rang while I entered through the revolving doors in HQ.

"Morning Heather," I answered while I swiped my ID on the machine to enter through the employee section unlike my usual routine.

"Good morning, Miranda. I'm calling regarding your message this morning."

"Yes, I'm in the company already but I'll be observing around first before going up to the office later when I'm done. By the way, please schedule me a general check up," I told her while I looked for the toilet.

"Sure. Which day do you want?" Heather asked.

I contemplated for a moment, "As soon as possible."

"Noted. I'll let you know once it's set."

I hung up after saying goodbye to Heather. I looked in the bathroom mirror and adjusted the glasses on my face. I brushed my short hair today to settle down some imaginary tangles.

When I was finally satisfied that nothing was amiss, I went out in search of my source of energy. There was a line at the coffee shop so I just took my phone to look at it for appearance's sake but my ears were perked up for the conversations around me.

"Espresso. Double shot please in a takeaway cup," I ordered when it was my turn at the counter.

The line moved fast so I didn't get anything useful but the place I was targeting was different anyway. Moving on, I rode the elevator to the 3rd floor to get to the cafeteria.

Once inside, I chose an empty table where most of the employees sat and sipped coffee while their talks flowed around me.

"Have you heard about that evaluation team they announced?" One employee from the group to my right asked.

"Don't talk so loud about it. You never know. Someone might be listening here," the lady in front of the employee who asked hushed him.

"Why shouldn't we? It's not like we did anything wrong," another guy chimed in.

"Someone told me that they can inspect every department. Isn't that a pretty powerful team?"

"Lots of people have been trying to get transferred there but the requirements were stringent," the lady sighed in disappointment.

"Don't be ridiculous. They won't let that kind of team without counterbalance be created. It would be difficult to be in that kind of team because they would all be in the spotlight from the start because of their special status in the company," Another one butted in the conversation.

I sipped my coffee while I gave an approving nod mentally. The board wouldn't have let me pass it even though it would be for the sake of the company. In any case, my plan was for them to do the inspection instead of external auditing firms. The information they collect would go through me and if it needs radical action then the board would decide over it.

My attention was all on that group of employees so when the chair beside me moved, I stiffened in surprise.

I turned to the side and lost my voice at the sight that welcomed me.

"Why are you here in a wig and glasses? Ah. Am I finally meeting the infamous Ms. Ada?" Ethan with his arm on the table supported his head as he looked sideways at me.

"How did you know it was me?" I dumbfoundedly asked.

But how?!

Today, I especially disguised myself to conduct an observation regarding the current pulse of the company. I wore a short wavy black wig that was different from my long brunette hair that was frequently up in a ponytail. I even donned non-prescription glasses and put a mole near my left eye. To complete the look, I just went with a simple blouse and skirt but he still managed to recognize me.

It was also the first time that we saw each other after that night in the party since I told him to go to the company first. It was a weird night for me so I hope he wouldn't brought it up.

"It's cute. You even put a mole. Also, you're actually eating breakfast?" He ignored my question but threw his own instead.

"I eat sometimes," I frowned at his words.

"Emphasis on the word 'sometimes', seeing how your fridge is mostly empty," He shook his head as if he was seeing it again.

He was still talking but I was distracted by something else. My eyes kept straying to his lips or his eyes. Ever since that party, his face just randomly pops out of nowhere at random times in my head. Maybe because I stared too much that night so now I can't forget it but I can't deny that this was an unusual behavior for me. I couldn't find a reason why so I shrugged it off for now.

I snapped out of it when a hand waved in front of me, "What?"

Ethan had a contemplating look before he said, "You were spacing out while I was asking you a question."

I ignored him as well like he did and just concentrated on eavesdropping conversations.

"Who was that?" He spoke again.

As usual, my stupid curiosity got flipped on so I unwittingly glanced over and saw him casually sipped iced americano from a straw. I had just noticed that this was his way of inciting a reaction from me.

"Who are you talking about? Also you're actually drinking cold coffee in the middle of winter?" I muttered, eyeing his choice of drink.

"That guy you called uncle last time. Isn't it fun defying the weather? Wait, not you though, since you just got sick," he answered playfully but turned serious at the end.

"Didn't you already know?" I evaded his eyes.

"Not yet. Google disappointed me and even though your employees gossip like crazy, I haven't heard anything about it yet. You've a rather fierce nickname though. Tyrant, huh. "

I rolled my eyes.

"It was Alan Sanders, one of the shareholders," I finally told him to stop his speculation.

He replied while nodding, "He wasn't your real uncle, right? Since your father doesn't have any brother."

"Where did you even find that information?" I casted a suspicious look.

"It's on the internet but I actually heard it from your employees," he grinned, not the least bit ashamed for telling me about it.

He was being extra cheeky today since I wouldn't be able to react that much because of my disguise.

I fled Ethan soon after because I couldn't do any more observation in peace as he kept distracting me. I went to my office, dressed in my usual attire this time. The disguise was stored carefully for future purposes.

Heather entered after a few minutes, holding several folders. Based on the thickness, it's bound to be a long day.

"How was your observation today?" Heather pleasantly asked, putting the folders in front of me.

I sighed, "I couldn't do much of it. Anyways, regarding the Evaluation Team, leak the team's duties to stop the speculation that was going around. It's better to be transparent about it instead of letting them be paranoid."

"Will do. The schedule for the medical check up is reflected on your calendar already. Also, the secretary of Mr. Leon Sanders called to ask what time is convenient for the two of you to meet," Heather informed.

"Make it tomorrow at lunch," I wanted to get it over as soon as possible.

Without calling me personally and letting his secretary set the meeting even though our families were close, already set the mood that it was going to be pure business. It looked like he was a reasonable man

This is going to be easier than I thought.