not happening...

21

Leila points to the locker wall opposite the reception desk as soon as they reach the bottom. “They take their company cell phones out of the lockers, which also never leave this office.” There are matching charging stations in the lockers. If someone walks out with a company cell phone, this is what happens." Leila motions for Stan to go outside with the cell phone, and when he passes through the door with the security guards, the barrier flashes red and does not open. “If the person still manages to smuggle a cell phone out, this is what happens.” Another hand gesture and Stan slips through the barrier and out the door. After about a minute, he returns and presents the cell phone. Leila hands it to Nicholas and asks, “Open the photo.” He searches through the pictures, but Stan's photo is not there. Confused, he looks up: “How?” Leila smiles: “Let's go upstairs.” In the conference room, she explains: "All rooms in this office have special markers, and if someone tries to take data out of this room or photos with the logo, address, etc., special software is activated that removes everything from the cell phones that are photos or documents. Shawn asks, “Leila, are you coming with us?” Leila shakes her head, “I have to go back to the office. Tomorrow I'll be busy with the final preparations for the trade fair, and Friday is the big day. Everyone at Future is very excited.” Stan nods and calls the driver to the door. “I'll tell my driver to follow your car.” She waves and gets into her car. Nicholas and Shawn get into their limousine and give the driver the address. Shawn: “That went really well.” Nicholas nods, “The system is incredible, and I think it will help us fix the gaps in our company.” Shawn nods, "We should keep our plans secret. We'll have the lockers installed at night, along with the cell phones. We'll also have a list of the people involved drawn up in advance. After dinner, we should discuss this in detail with Peter.“ Nicholas nods, ”I agree." At the restaurant, the two men are shown to a table, but they ask for a Miss Leila Smith to be brought to them as well. She arrives shortly afterwards and they order. The service is very good and within a very short time they have their food in front of them and begin to eat. Nicholas clears his throat: "When I was sitting with Cole on the balcony upstairs, I could see the balcony of the neighboring restaurant. It looks different from all the others I've seen. Lots of flowers and water features.“ Leila nods, ”Yes, I find the scent of flowers and the sound of splashing water very pleasant.“ Nicholas stares at her: ”Is that your restaurant?“ Leila nods, ”I opened it a year ago and it's doing well.“ Nicholas laughs: ”Doing well? That's the understatement of the year. The restaurant,“ he says, turning to Shawn, ”is ranked second on the list of the best restaurants in the country.“ Leila waves him off: ”First place. Since yesterday. But that's not so important. All I care about is that our guests feel comfortable.“ Shawn: ”You knocked our restaurant off the top spot?“ Leila: ”Well..." Shawn claps his hands: “Excellent.” He looks at Nicholas: “Why haven't we eaten there yet?” Nicholas shrugs. “It just never came up.”

Nicholas can hardly take his eyes off her during dinner. She is so radiant and vibrant. Her eyes sparkle when she talks and her hands emphasize her words.

He sighs inwardly and curses himself for ignoring her. Well, he has been thinking about her the whole time, but couldn't admit it to himself. He is torn from his thoughts when Shawn kicks him on the leg: “Right?” Nicholas has no idea what he is talking about, but he nods: “If you say so, Grandpa.” Shawn seems satisfied with that and turns back to Leila, “Of course we'll come to the fair.” Nicholas nods in agreement. Coffee is served and Shawn picks up the phone. Shortly afterwards, an old Chinese man enters the room and approaches their table. He bows, “Hěn gāoxìng (very pleased to meet you).” Leila stands up and bows as well. The man says, “Wǒ tīng shuō nǐ duì zhōngyī yǒu xìngqù? (I was told that you are interested in traditional Chinese medicine?)” Leila nods and Nicholas listens in amazement. Shawn waves and another man brings a tray with books and scrolls as well as acupuncture needles. Leila thanks Shawn and explains to the man that she can't start this week, but she will be in touch. Then she bows. The man shakes Shawn's hand and leaves.

Leila thanks him again and says goodbye. She opens her bag and takes out three invitation cards and VIP passes. She hands them to Shawn. Nicholas watches her leave. Shawn looks at Nicholas and can't help saying, “You're a complete i***t. She's not only charming and beautiful, she's also smart.” Nicholas nods, “I know, I was just so damn afraid she'd become my Achilles' heel.” Shawn watches Nicholas: “She already is.” Nicholas sighs but can't argue. Together they drive back to the company and sit down with Peter to discuss which employee needs such a special phone. Peter leans back: “Why not give everyone at headquarters a cell phone like that? I mean, it's the only way we can ensure that no one—even if it's a nobody—can smuggle information out.” Shawn nods. Nicholas confirms this. Then he explains, "Peter, I need a list with everyone's name on it, and then we'll pass this information directly to Leila. Her team will come here and make the modifications, and you'll decide which IT staff members will be trained on this. We could outsource the service, of course, but no, it's better to have our own people do it."

Peter gets to work and Shawn says goodbye.