“Anyway, it’s not practical. It gets dirty too easily!” Evie tugged at the fabric.
“True. If I wear white and spend a day moving boxes in the warehouse, I’d come out looking like a gray suit.” Em nodded in agreement.
“Do you move things often now?”
“Not really. Just helping out during events.”
“Oh. So how do you survive the chaos in the sales department?”
“If the sales department isn’t busy, the company would go under. But no matter how hectic it gets, it’s never as crazy as your secretarial office. I’m not so swamped that I skip lunch.”
“That’s fair. But I’m not slammed every day either!” Evie laughed.
They chatted as they walked, soon reaching the company. They parted ways to start their work.
Around noon, Evie helped Secretary Amy deliver a document to the sales department.
She didn’t see Em, but she ran into Grace, who was just about to leave.
“Grace—” Evie called out, a little surprised.
Grace looked up and spotted Evie. A smile spread across her face. “Evie, what a coincidence! What brings you here? Inspecting the work?” she teased.
“Of course not! I’m here to deliver something!” Evie replied awkwardly. She glanced around and lowered her voice. “My relationship with Alexander hasn’t been announced in the company yet!”
“Why?” Grace asked, surprised.
“Because I’m still an intern. I haven’t graduated yet!” Evie explained.
Grace shook her head, amused. “That doesn’t matter!”
“Some of my classmates are also interning here. It’s better to wait until after graduation to make it public,” Evie said sheepishly.
“I understand! You’re about to clock out. Want to grab lunch together?” Grace invited.
“Sure, if you don’t mind waiting ten minutes for me!” Evie nodded.
“Of course!”
“Wait for me. I’ll just drop these off with the manager first.” Evie raised the documents.
“Okay!” Grace replied.
Evie handed the papers to the sales manager, then headed upstairs with Grace.
She made Grace a cup of coffee and asked her to wait in the reception room for a bit. Evie had a few things to finish up first.
Once she wrapped up her tasks, it was time to leave. Evie told Secretary Amy she had a lunch date with a friend and clocked out early.
Secretary Amy nodded.
Evie grabbed her bag and walked to the reception room. “Grace, we can go now!”
“That was fast!” Grace looked up and smiled.
“I got off on time today!” Evie grinned.
They stepped out of the reception room together.
Just then, Alexander and Grace Miller came out of the conference room.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Sterling. Good afternoon, Ms. Miller,” Evie greeted.
Alexander looked up and saw Evie. His gaze also landed on Grace beside her.
“Mr. Sterling, Ms. Miller—” Grace O’Sullivan said hello, then quietly glanced at Alexander, a faint smile on her lips.
Alexander just nodded. He held Evie’s gaze for a moment, then continued explaining something to Ms. Miller as they walked toward his office.
Evie secretly stuck out her tongue. She turned to Grace and asked, “What should we have for lunch?”
Grace snapped back to reality and smiled. “You know this area better. You decide!”
They walked toward the elevator.
“Do you prefer Chinese or Western food?” Evie asked again.
She had only met Grace a few times. They weren’t particularly close.
So she didn’t really know her taste.
“Chinese!” Grace replied.
“Any particular cuisine you like?”
“Anything is fine.”
“How about the Cantonese restaurant nearby?” Evie suggested.
“Sounds good!”
They left the Sterling building and headed straight for the Cantonese restaurant.
As they walked, they chatted. “Which department are you interning in?” Grace asked.
“The secretarial office. Honestly, it’s just odd jobs,” Evie said with a smile.
“That’s fine. You can learn a lot from doing chores. Besides, you’re doing them at Sterling Group. Most people would kill to get in here, even for chores!” Grace laughed.
“That’s true. When I applied for the internship, I had to go through a tough selection process,” Evie nodded with a smile.
“Did you have an interview?”
“Of course. Just like all the other interns. Written test and interview.”
“I thought you might have taken a shortcut. After all, you have a powerful backer,” Grace said playfully.
“No way. Alexander wouldn’t let me do that.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. He said if I didn’t get accepted, he’d lose face. Luckily, I made it in the end!” Evie smiled.
“That means you’re excellent!”
“Part of it was luck!”
“You’re an intern now. After it’s over, will you keep working?” Grace asked.
“I think I’d like to. I really enjoy the nine-to-five routine,” Evie replied.
“Is Alexander willing to let you keep working?” Grace turned to glance at Evie.
They had discussed this before. Alexander was very particular. He preferred a full-time wife who stayed home and took care of the family.
“I think so. Otherwise, after I graduate, I’d just be at home doing nothing all day,” Evie said, a little uncertain.
She hadn’t actually asked Alexander about it yet.
“If you don’t work, you can do whatever you like. You’re different from me.”
“How so?” Evie smiled.
“If I don’t work, I’ll starve. It doesn’t matter whether you work or not. You have the freedom to do what you want.”
“I really do like working!” Evie insisted. “And how could you starve? You’re so talented!”
Grace shook her head with a smile. “Talent is just on the surface.”
They entered the Cantonese restaurant. The atmosphere was nice, and it was very quiet at this hour. Instead of asking for a private room, they sat down at a table in a corner of the main hall.
When it was time to order, Grace said Evie was more familiar with the place and asked her to choose.
Evie smiled and admitted it was her first time there. But her colleagues had said the food was good.
So they each ordered two dishes.
“Four dishes for the two of us. Is that enough?” Grace asked with a smile.
“I think so. It should be based on the number of people,” Evie said uncertainly.
“Should be?” Grace teased.
“Haha, I’ve never been here either!” Evie said sheepishly.
“You’re so cute!” Grace shook her head, laughing.
“Don’t say that. I’m married, and you’re not even married yet!” Evie propped her chin on her hand.
“Even though you’re married, you’re still much younger than me. I envy your age!”
“I envy you instead. You’re so accomplished, beautiful, and you’ve traveled so much. To be honest, I’ve never even been abroad!” Evie said with a smile.
“Didn’t you go on a honeymoon?” Grace asked in surprise.
“Yes, but it was in the country!” Evie replied.