Chapter 18: Suspicion and Preparation

What he said startled me. “We must set a trap. No other way. I need your help.”

“My help? Do you have any idea?”

He nodded. “We need someone who will pretend to be a buyer of our product. Then they will offer money so they can get the lower price.” 

I clapped when I heard it. When I realized it attracted the attention of customers in the restaurant, I bent my head, embarrassed by my spontaneous reaction. But then I lifted my head after a few seconds and grinned at him. “Ah, I see! Good idea!” I whispered. 

“If we can catch the culprit, they can’t make any reason to deny it. From what my father said, it seems the money embezzlement has been for years. They offered higher prices, but they made different deals with customers. The rest of the money went to their pockets,” he explained while squinting his eyes.  

“Okay, I’ll try to find someone who can help us. If the culprit is June or Caithlyn and we can catch them, it will be a more peaceful office atmosphere later,” I said.  

He chuckled to see me clenching my hands and showing a fierce facial expression. “Yes. Do you want to eat more?”

I shook my head. “No, I’m full. You eat a lot!” 

He smiled while tapping his stomach. “Yes, I’m hungry. Normally, I eat a lot, but when I’m starving, I’ll eat more.”

So, I watched him again while he finished the food. After a while, I glanced at my watch. “Done yet? How about we return to the office? I need to recheck the bags we will bring on Monday. I prepared 25 bags containing company portfolio and fabric samples to be shared with the event’s participants. It should be twenty, but who knows if we need more?”

“Good anticipation. Have you packed your clothes?”

“No, but it’s only for three days. So, no need to bring too many clothes.”

He nodded. “I’ll pick you up at 5 on Monday, okay? So, we will go together to the airport.”

“Okay, Boss!”

Since he had other things to do, he only dropped me off at the office. Then he left again.

When I went into the room, I checked the bags and documents for Monday. After counting them all, I was confused. It was less than twenty-five. How was it possible? I already counted three times before we went for lunch. 

So, I called Andrew, the office boy (OB), in our office.

He came right away. “You called me, ma’am?”

“Did anyone enter the room?”

“I don’t know, ma’am. Why?” he asked. 

“Hmm, a few documents are missing.”

His forehead wrinkled instantly. “I didn’t go here, ma’am. I swear!” He lifted two fingers as a swearing sign.  

“I believe you. If any OB sees someone here, let me know, okay?”

“Yes, ma’am!” He nodded and left the working room. 

I contacted the storage manager to ask for more bags. Fortunately, they had many stocks. Then, I copied the documents and prepared the fabric samples. 

After everything was ready, I called Edward, “I’m sure before going for lunch, I already prepared twenty-five bags. However, when I returned, it was only twenty-two. Three are missing!”

“Are you sure? Maybe you put them elsewhere? Probably some fell to the floor?” 

“I already searched for them. I even counted the bags three times before we went for lunch. It was impossible to be wrong. I don’t get why three are missing.” I wrinkled my forehead because I was sure I didn’t make any mistakes.

He let out a sigh. “From now on, each time we will go out, we must lock our room. It is okay that the documents and the bags are missing. But if we lose important documents, it will be a huge problem.”

“Yes, I agree with you. I already made the replacement. I’m just wondering, who took those?” 

After reporting the accident to Edward, I continued with my work, while Edward left the room. 

A half hour later, Andrew entered my room. “I got news, ma’am,” he whispered. 

“What news?” I whispered back. 

“I swept on the back. Then I found these in the garbage can, ma’am.” He showed a big plastic bag with three bags and the torn company portfolios. 

I gaped to see that. It meant someone took them when Edward and I went for lunch. The question was who did it? 

“Do you know who threw these?”

“I don’t know, ma’am,” he said again. He looked around before whispering, “But I heard John say he saw Ms. June and Ms. Caithlyn from the back.” Suddenly, he tapped his forehead. “I’m sorry, ma’am. I need to prepare tea for our guests.” 

“Thank you.” I took my wallet and gave him some money. “For you. Please tell no one about what you told me, okay?”

He bowed his head and grinned. “Thank you so much, ma’am.” Then he put the money in his pocket. “Don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone!” His hand gestured an act of closing his mouth.  

After Andrew left the room, I got a headache. It seemed the culprits were June and Caithlyn. Considering it was a secret, I turned on my computer. Luckily, Edward was online on the H-messenger.  

Chubby-girl: I got news, Boss.

London-man: Oh?

Chubby-girl: Andrew found the three bags in the garbage can in the back office. The company portfolios were torn.  

London-man: Did he know who did it?

Chubby-girl: He didn’t know for sure, but another OB (John) saw June and Caithlyn from the back office. It was weird. On the back, we had nothing but the dumpsters and garbage cans. Why did they go there?

London-man: It’s because they wanted to throw away the bags and documents. 

Chubby-girl: So, what will we do?

London-man: Say nothing to them. It isn’t an urgent thing either. Let them think no one knows. When they think they are safe, it will be easier to catch them. Taking unimportant documents isn’t a serious crime.  

Chubby-girl: Fine. I’ll follow what you said. 

London-man: So, all preparations for Monday are finished?

Chubby-girl: Yes! I already prepared everything. I’ll bring home these twenty-five bags. Just in case.

London-man: Just put it all in my car. We’ll go together tomorrow morning. 

Chubby-girl: Don’t forget to bring them to your house. Who knows if someone will want to mess them up again?  

London-man: Okay! I’ll do what you said, ma’am.

Chubby-girl: LOL! What are you doing now? I don’t have things to do.

London-man: My mom asked me again. She wanted to meet you next week after we returned from Singapore. What do you say? 

Chubby-girl: Next week?!

London-man: Yes. So? Say yes, please? 

Chubby-girl: ..... 

London-man: Still unsure of yourself?

Chubby-girl: Yes …. I’m afraid your mom won’t like me.  

London-man: If it’s true, you are my lover. So, don’t worry. Whatever her response is later, it won’t be a problem for us.  

Chubby-girl: Hm ..., okay.

London-man: Okay! Since you don’t have things to do, let’s prepare to go home. It’s 1.30. There’s a half hour left before the office hours end. 

Chubby-girl: Yes, Boss!