C20 The Secret Envelopes

After a while, he stood up and distributed new assignments, forcing everyone to return to work. The office finally became quiet again.

While everyone else was working peacefully, one person was in a terrible mood. Ben.

Early that morning he had gone directly to the Finance Department to ask about my reward.

When they informed him how much I had received, his face turned gray. “Father is overdoing it,” he muttered. “That’s practically double an intern’s salary.”

His gloomy expression frightened several employees. After staring at them coldly, he turned around and left.

The Finance Department employees looked at one another in confusion. The reward followed company policy. Why was the Vice Director upset?

Soon whispers began spreading. “Doesn’t the Vice Director know company policy?” “What happens when he becomes Director one day?” “He’s still young.” “He has a lot to learn.”

Unfortunately for them, Ben had not gone far. He stood outside the door long enough to hear every word.

His face darkened. Without saying anything, he returned to his office. He closed the door and made a phone call. “…Get it done.” “Make sure it looks like he did it.” “Your reward will be waiting.” After giving several instructions, his mood improved slightly.

At noon, Chris, Alicia and I headed to the café. As usual, strange looks followed us. But this time none of us cared. We laughed, chatted and enjoyed our meal.

After finishing our food, we realized we still had time before lunch break ended.

Alicia started telling us about an upcoming Kite Flying Day event. She explained how difficult it had been convincing her family to allow her to attend. “They finally agreed,” she said proudly.

I smiled. “My mother told me she and my father attended one years ago.” She said it was fun.

When it was Chris’s turn to speak, he looked confused. “Wait a minute.” “I don’t remember discussing this with either of you.” He narrowed his eyes. “Did you two talk on Weibo without me?”

The moment he mentioned Weibo, Alicia immediately complained. “Speaking of Weibo, why are you two always offline?” “I’m bored most of the time.” “You never reply to anything.”

Chris laughed. “Alicia, we come to work from morning until afternoon.” “Every day there are new assignments, new responsibilities, and new things to learn.”

He shook his head. “There is no such thing as free time for us.” “Tomorrow we’re going somewhere, which means tonight I’ll probably be awake late finishing tomorrow’s work as well.”

I nodded in agreement. “Our lives aren’t exactly easy.” “If we want to succeed, we have to work harder than everyone else.”

Without realizing it, I started talking about Tasks I have of computers and cybersecurity. To my surprise, Alicia understood almost everything I was saying.

Before long, the two of us were debating different systems and technologies. Chris sat quietly listening. he raised his hand dramatically. “Hold on.”

The two of us stopped talking and looked at him. Chris frowned. “Is Cybersecurity and Information Systems basically the same thing?” “The way you two are talking makes it sound like you’re in the same department.”

Alicia and I looked at each other. Then we both burst out laughing.

Alicia laughed. “They’re related, but they’re not exactly the same.”

Chris raised an eyebrow. “Now explain that in business language.” I couldn’t help laughing.

Alicia picked up her juice and pointed at me. “Michael’s department protects systems from attacks, hackers, viruses, and security threats.”

Then she pointed at herself. “My department focuses on how information moves throughout a company, how systems are designed, how departments communicate, and how technology supports business operations.”

Chris nodded slowly. “So you build the roads and he guards them?” Alicia’s eyes lit up. “Exactly!”

I pointed at Chris. “And your department makes sure the company actually earns money from those roads.”

The three of us burst out laughing together. “Good,” Chris said proudly. “At least now I don’t feel like the village idiot sitting between two computer geniuses.”

“Don’t worry,” Alicia replied. “You have your own talents.” Chris immediately became suspicious. “How do you know that?” “I just know.”

His eyes narrowed. “Have you been stalking us all along?” Alicia nearly choked on her drink. “Why would I stalk you?” She looked him up and down dramatically. “You’re too ugly.”

I nearly spat out my juice. Chris pointed at himself in disbelief. “Ugly?” “Look at me properly. Do I look ugly?”

Alicia nodded seriously. “See, that’s your problem.” “You only judge beauty from the outside.” “True beauty comes from within.” She couldn’t even finish her sentence before laughing.

Chris opened his mouth to argue. Then closed it again. he couldn’t find a comeback.

Watching them argue was strangely entertaining. The more time they spent together, the more they behaved like actual siblings.

After another few minutes, lunch break came to an end. We paid the bill and headed back toward the company.

As we approached the entrance, Alicia suddenly slowed down. The cheerful expression on her face vanished. I immediately noticed. “What’s wrong?” She didn’t answer immediately.

She looked ahead. Parked near the entrance was a black luxury vehicle. Several men in formal suits stood beside it. One of them appeared to be waiting for someone.

The moment Alicia saw the vehicle, she sighed. “My father’s security team.” Chris looked confused. “They came all the way here?” “My father worries too much.”

Before she could explain further, one of the suited men spotted her and quickly approached. “Miss Mooney.” Alicia closed her eyes. “Here we go again.”

The bodyguard smiled politely and handed her two small envelopes. “Your father asked me to give you these.”

Alicia accepted them reluctantly. “What are they?” “Sorry Miss, I Don’t know.” He said. Alicia opened the first envelope.

The moment she looked inside, her expression became awkward. “What does it say?” I asked. She glanced at me before quickly looking away.

Her cheeks turned slightly red. “This one is for you.” She handed me the envelope. Then she opened the second one. Her embarrassment only grew. “And this one is for Chris.” Chris and I exchanged confused looks.