Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 66184 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 331(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66184 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 331(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
CHAPTER 29
ANA
Though I’m not a person who minds Mondays, this one is definitely testing my patience. A few hours after dealing with the carpet mess, I’m at my desk working when I hear someone complaining that their lunch was stolen. Typically, I don’t hear conversations taking place outside of my office, but the person is upset and speaking loudly nearby.
It turns out to be Evelyn, the receptionist I met the first time I came to the office. She’s standing at Jackie’s desk, gesturing broadly with her hands, and when she sees me, she turns and repeats her words.
“My husband and I went out for a very nice dinner last night—at Mosaic, have you heard of it? Very fancy restaurant, and I had a delicious meal, and all morning, I’ve been looking forward to eating my leftovers at lunch, but when I went in to heat them up, they weren’t there. This is the third time my food has been stolen, and it’s got to stop!”
“Did you have your name on it?”
“I did, though I shouldn’t have to, and obviously, it doesn’t even matter.”
“Is there a bag or anything left, or did they take everything?”
“They left my bag, but took everything inside it. Come on, I’ll show you.” Evelyn starts toward the break room, and I have no choice but to follow her down the aisle, across the office, and past the corner that still smells like rose-scented dog pee—the cleaners will come tonight after five.
She shows me her bag, points out exactly where it had been positioned inside the refrigerator, and makes sure I see the prominent label that marked the bag as hers. “Even if I can’t find out who’s doing this, I’m going to find a way to get revenge,” she says.
Her wording sends up alarms, and I realize I need to diffuse the situation. “What exactly do you have in mind?”
“Maybe a glitter bomb. I’ll rig up a trap, and the next time the thief opens my bag, they’ll get covered in bright pink glitter.”
After this morning, the thought of another mess has me cringing, though I do admire the woman’s creativity.
“That sounds a bit extreme. Maybe we can post a note on the refrigerator door, reminding people to only eat what’s theirs.”
Evelyn shakes her head, dismissing my idea. “How about installing a security camera? And if I can’t figure out the glitter explosion, I think I’ll make a sandwich that looks delicious but is actually filled with Carolina Reapers. That’ll teach ‘em.”
Remind me to call Evelyn if I ever decide I want to get revenge on someone.
“I’ll look into the camera idea, and in the meantime —”
I’m interrupted mid-sentence by the day’s second appearance of both Derek and Jansen. Why are they out and about again? Are they trying to meet a step count today, or something?
“Now what’s going on, Ana?” It’s Derek, sounding annoyed
It’s clear we’re not in here eating lunch, and we’re not making coffee, like most people do, but there’s no reason he should walk in and immediately be annoyed by our presence. Not that he’s ever needed a reason to be irritated.
“Evelyn’s lunch was stolen, and we’re talking about strategies —”
“Strategies for a stolen lunch?” Now it’s Jansen interrupting me. “How about ordering delivery and getting back to work?”
He’s being rude and unfair, but I’m not in the mood to argue, and something tells me now isn’t the time.
“You’re wasting time on petty issues, Ana,” Derek says. “I know you have much more important work to attend to.”
I give him a small nod, and when he and Jansen turn their attention to the coffee machine, Evelyn and I leave. “Sorry about that,” I tell her when we’re out in the hall.
Evelyn shrugs it off. Luckily, she seems to be one of the people who lets the CEOs’ bad attitudes roll off her back, and the two of them should be very grateful, because the woman just might know her way around a glitter bomb.
As I’m packing up to leave at five-thirty, I catch sight of the new dolphin figurine and think back to the curious way my day started. Things have been so busy that I’ve hardly had any time to speculate about the sender of the anonymous gift.
It seems pretty clear after my encounters with Derek and Jansen today that they weren’t the ones who gave it to me. They’re so freaking grouchy. So much for animals softening their hearts.
My top suspect is Owen, based on the looks he gives me sometimes, but I don’t understand why he wouldn’t say anything. He certainly doesn’t seem shy. On the other hand, if it is him, I’m glad he doesn’t say anything, because I’m not actually interested in him, even though being attracted to Owen would make much more sense than lusting after Grump and Grumpier.