They reached the thirty ninth floor with C and Ruby staring at each other and Sophie giggling throughout the elevator ride.
Sophie and Ruby had their office in the same direction albeit in the opposite direction. So, Sophie cleared her throat, "Cough, cough, Ruby, do one thing. Come to my office and brief me the ongoings. I'll be able to catch up."
"Alright."
"Come to my office after 10 mins. Have coffee in my office. And you, follow me.", she turned and spoke to C who was busy staring at Ruby.
"Will you stop staring at her? You're making the poor girl uncomfortable.", she punched him hard on his arms.
"Ah?", C broke our from the reverie and returned to his cool self. Sophie raised his eyebrows at his behavior.
Her high heels clicked on the marble floor, as she walked to her office. As she entered the password, scanned her fingerprint, and turned the knob of the door, it opened with a chime.
Sophie entered her office first, followed by C. She settled on the recliner and ordered coffee for three of them. Giggling, she asked him, "Are you interested?". C was fiddling with his ring and absentmindedly answered,"Ah?"
Sophie raised an eyebrow and asked, "Did your heart leap right now when you saw her?"
"Uh huh.."
"Are you trying to find ways to cherish her?"
"Mmm hmm.."
"You are in love man!"
"WHAT?"
"I mean look at the symptoms, all points to love."
"Wait a second... Who am I in love with?"
"You don't know?", she asked sarcastically.
"Um...", he was interrupted when the door of their office chimed, and Ruby entered carrying a lot of files.
C got up from his seat when he saw her but sat back down instantly. Sophie was amused upon seeing such a reaction from him. It was clearly refreshing for her. The corners of her lips hooked up into a smile.
"President, these are the files that you requested. These are the proposal for Incoda Technologies' new project. Mr. Atkins held this project as you were not available. She was going to explain more when Sophie cut her off.
"Ruby, this is the project I personally asked you to handle? Are you trying to disobey me?", Ruby was startled upon hearing such a cold tone from her boss. This was the first time, she pressurized her as a superior. This was quite unlike Sophie. She was in a good mood previously, but now she spoke with such a cold tone, and she couldn't help but shiver from the tone.
"I'm sorry, President. It won't be repeated. These are the other files which needs you attention."
"Okay, I shall go through them and sign them. Anything else?"
"Um, actually, we have a deal with the Gulf Oil Corps, but they are encountering some problems at their end and are asking for our help. They asked for an appointment, but you were unavailable, so, I delayed it. How should I reply?"
"Fix a meeting with them next week. You shall be present with me."
"Got it, President."
Ruby understood that something was bothering Sophie or she wouldn't have spoken rudely to her, but she didn't question her. She glanced and C once, nodded and left. Seeing C glaring at her, Sophie took the initiative and said, "Ruby, stay for a while, finish your coffee and then leave. Okay?"
"Hmm." she sat down onto the nearest couch and rested her arms on her lap, her perfectly fine fingers clutching her clothes and then resting it finally on her lap again.
After drinking up the coffee, when she was going to leave again, Sophie said, "Um, Ruby, do me a favor, and please take C along with you."
Ruby was nervous.
"He came to this company for the first time, and is not acquainted with anyone, please take him on a round. "
'Why is she asking me to escort her friend through this company? Especially this grim faced man!', Ruby inwardly grumbled but could only politely nod.
"Actually, I was absent for so long and I have lots of work to do."
'As if I don't have any work! Hmph!', she grumbled inwardly again. She smiled and made a polite gesture to C to follow her.
He gave a thumbs up to Sophie and left along with Ruby.
Sophie sighed again and buried herself into the files on her desk and a knock sounded on the door.
"Oh? You are back so soon?", she lifted her head from the files and said.