Good friend

Sarah spent the morning in meetings with people who are handling security for White corp.

Aiden organized a team lunch since it was the last day for both Aiden and Sarah in the office, until next time. Jeff joined them.

Sarah was apprehensive toward Jeff at first, but then she noticed that he is his usual self, and she didn't feel any tension related to their previous meeting which involved a discussion about Eve. Sarah relaxed and focused on food, Aiden, and that other woman who was unusually silent, Evalina.

The overall atmosphere was good. Everyone was chatty except for Evalina who spent most of the lunch just looking at her plate or drink. No one bothered with her lack of enthusiasm.

"Do you have plans for next visit to the office?" Jeff asked while his eyes darted from Aiden to Sarah.

"Are you two coming together next time as well?" Daniel asked immediately, noticing Jeff's choice of words and that his question was directed to both Aiden and Sarah.

"Maybe…" Aiden first responded to Daniel. "For next time… I don't have plans at this point."

"Same here." Sarah responded as soon as Aiden finished.

"I want to take this as an opportunity to welcome Sarah again. In only one week here, you are already making an impact in the team and in the company. I hope you continue in this way. Your work is appreciated." Jeff was kindly offering praises and support.

"Thank you." Sarah lightly nodded thinking that she would be happier about his words if he didn't make stubborn attempts to get Eve. On the other side, Sarah thought that this might be tough for him as well. After all, he was rejected repeatedly. His ego must be hurt.

Aiden was happy to hear Jeff praise Sarah. He was proud of his girlfriend… if only he could tell all these people that she is his girlfriend! That is the only thing that could make all this better.

The lunch ended with exchanging pleasantries. Daniel and Fox said that they want to meet with Sarah to discuss more related to performance improvement. She committed to give to each of them some time in the afternoon.

Sarah noticed that Evalina is not talking, but she didn't care about her at this point. Sarah was confident that Evalina is not done with her attacks, and that her next move will come out of the shadow, and not in the open. 'Unfortunately, Evalina has access to most of my work, so I need to put extra effort to ensure that Evalina does not mess it up.'

Sarah wants to catch Evalina red handed with undeniable evidence, so that she does not have an option of getting out. At the same time, Sarah is thinking that dealing with Evalina only at work will not be sufficient, she needs to be dealt with on a personal level as well.

…

After lunch, Sarah met with Bridgette for a coffee.

Bridgette was very embarrassed after last time they met. "I hoped that earth will open up swallow me, so I don't need to face CEO." Bridgette whined.

"Don't worry. I'm sure he forgot about it." Sarah was consoling her.

"You think so?" Bridgette was hopeful.

"He is the CEO. He has a lot of things on his mind. I'm sure that one lady calling him handsome out of the blue is not on his list for retribution."

One young man passed by and greeted Sarah. He is one of the people from security team with whom Sarah spent morning in meetings.

"Oh, how handsome!" Bridgette exclaimed. "Where do you find these hunks?"

Sarah shook her head in disapproval. "You need to stop that. This is what got you into trouble, you know?"

"But they are handsome, why can't I express myself?" Bridgette frowned her petite face which made her look like a teenager who is about to throw a tantrum.

Suddenly Sarah felt like a grownup offering life advice to a child. "Not sure where you lived so far, and how you express yourself there, but here even if someone is handsome, you should keep it to yourself."

Bridgette pouted. "It's not about where I lived… it's about with whom I lived. You don't know my brother… if I even mention someone, or a guy greets me, my brother becomes devil himself, blowing them all away with his magical trident of fury."

Sarah laughed at this explanation. "He sounds like lots of fun! But seriously… People will be offended if you come at them so openly."

Bridgette lifted her eyebrow, while changing the topic. "I'm not sure if I offended someone, but I know that you did at least one."

"What?" Sarah was confused with this change in conversation.

Bridgette pointed with her chin. "That woman there is staring our way for a while now. And I don't know her. That means she is staring at you."

Sarah glanced where Bridgette pointed, and there was Evalina sitting at a table, looking their way. "Oh..." Sarah let out a sound.

"Oh? What did you do?" Bridgette was curious.

"Me? Nothing... I think she likes my team lead."

"The one who waited for you after our NEO?" Bridgette perked up.

Sarah nodded and smiled.

Bridgette didn't miss change in Sarah's expression. She leaned closer and whispered. "And... do you like him?"

Sarah thought for few seconds before responding. "He is my boyfriend." She is not sure why, but this noisy lady with a heavy French accent seems like a good and trustworthy person. That is why Sarah decided to be honest.

Bridgette looked at Sarah with a glee. "Does she know?" She was tilting her head towards Evalina.

"I think she knows. That is why she is trying to get rid of me."

"Oh? That serious?" Bridgette frowned.

Sarah told Bridgette without much details how Evalina removed some data from Sarah's report with a goal to make Sarah look incompetent.

"How sneaky! If she wants to fight for a man, she should do it while facing you openly!" Bridgette was outraged. "So… what will you do?"

"I'm waiting to see what her next move is. What she did to my report even if I confront her, she can just say it was an accident. Even if I involve team lead, she can accuse him of favoritism and make things difficult. I need to catch her when without a doubt I can prove that she is causing trouble on purpose."

"Oh, what a headache." Bridgette sighed.

"Yes, I agree." Sarah laughed.

They chatted for a while, and then Sarah said she needs to go to a meeting.

Sarah and Bridgette exchanged their private contact information and promised to stay in touch.

They just met recently, but Sarah felt that she found a good friend.