Days went by as usual. Work, eat, sleep. The coming days were important to all of us as we are trying to secure a deal with a major shareholder. So everybody is busy all day around. I didn't went anywhere except home and back to office. I was a bit nervous today because i have present the idea of our new project with every head of all departments. Dalton cheered me up, giving me thumbs up as he entered the meeting room. I nodded my head and took a deep breath. The meeting was tiringly long, i took a seat when i was done. My boss who was siting beside me gave me pat on my back with a satisfied look. It felt like alk my tiredness went away at that. The meeting was over after 3 hours, i stayed in the office while the rest went away. I put my head on the table and closed my eyes, i was really tired today. Have been working day and night for the past week for this presentation. I heard the opening of the door, but i was too lazy to look up and see who was here.
"Here drink this." It was Dalton's voice.
I looked up, with my hair falling beside my face. As soon as people walked out, i pulled out my hair out of their misery. Pushing my hair back, i hold the water bottle from him. Thanking him, i drank the cold water, it made a cool pathway down to my stomach.
"You did great. Everybody liked the idea. I assure you this will be a hit. Congratulations." He said, with a bright smile on this face.
"Yeah i hope so." I said, trying to sound cheerful.
"Send me those files, boss needs them. Leta go eat lunch after this. I am really hungry, man." He said, making a sad face. Which made him look ugly.
I chuckled at him and pushing my hair back, i stood up, grabbing the files and walked out of the office. I was making my way towards my office when my junior ran towards me.
"Ma'am, there is a reporter, who keeps on insisting to interview CEO. the receptionist have been trying to deal with them but-"
"Don't worry. I will handle it. You go." I said, giving her a smile. She sighed in relief and giving a smile in return she walked away. It's not the first time, many spy from other companies, people pretending to know CEO, came before. But it wasn't necessary that people faked this time. So i need to check it.
Raising my eyebrow, biting my lower lip, i try to remember, whether it was on the schedule today or not. Pushing my now lose hair behind my ear with one hand and other held my coat. My high-heels click-clacked against the marble as i walked towards the elevator. I dialed Dalton's number but it was on another call. Rolling my eyes, i pocketed my phone and walked out of the elevator. As i approached the reception desk, i found two persons sitting on the sofa, talking quietly and hurriedly. I stopped in my tracks and walked towards them.
What were they doing here?
"Excuse me?." I called, tilting my neck to left and raised my eyebrow.
"Oh, Hello. I- "
It was Owen and Ella. I tilted my head to the side and raised my eyebrow at them in question.
"Uh as you know we both are reporters. We came here to interview Mr. Edgar Malcom." He said, fixing his black coat. He looked completely relaxed and calm.
"Let me check." I said, and walked towards the receptionist.
"Ma'am." The staff behind the desk greeted me. I nodded my head in return.
"John what is the problem here?."
"Ma'am, sorry to bother you. They keep saying they have made an appointment for interview. But there is none." He said, forehead creased as he spoke.
"Okay. Let me have a look." I said and walked around the table and went through the schedule, i didn't find any interview scheduled for today.
"Did you make an appointment?." I asked them, They stood behind me, i looked back at them with my arms crossed over my chest.
Ella looked a bit nervous but kept her composure and smiled my way. I looked at Owen.
"Yes we did. Please check again. I called myself and was given today's time." He said with his forehead creased.
I don't know, but i feel something fishy about them. Or it was just i was too tired.
"Either you are here to create a fuss or there is a mistake on our part." I told them, with a hard look.
If they thought i would treat them nicely they were wrong. I like to keep my work and personal life separate. They are here as my clients so they will be treated as it is.
"No. We- we did make an appointment." Ella stuttered with a anxious look and Owen put his arm on his back immediately as in to calm her down.
I narrowed my eyes. That was that just now?
May be i was thinking too much.
"Let me check." I said and picked up the receiver, dialing a number on the phone.
"Yes, Ma'am."
"Where is Dalton?."
"Ma'am, he went in a hurry with CEO."
"Do you know where they went?." My forehead creased in confusion.
Where did he go. We were supposed to eat lunch!
"No Ma'am. He told me to only inform you of his absence ."
"Okay, Please check the schedule on his table and tell me if there is any interview for CEO today."
"Okay Ma'am. Please give me two minutes."
I looked back at them as they were looking around, especially the upper stories of the building. I followed their site and found nothing out of particular, people walking here and there. They must be looking at the style of our building. It was quite unique out of all the building heres.
"No Ma'am. There is no such appointment." He said,
"Okay. Thank you." Putting down the receiver, i looked back at them. I sighed, i couldn't understand what was going.
"There is no such appointment. If you want to interview him, make appointment and come back again. John, next time check the schedule and if you find nothing then simply send them away and if they still keep on insisting then call the guards on them. Okay?." I told him and looked back them.
"Yes Ma'am!."
"Leave now. You have wasted a lot of my time already. Before i call guards." I said with a stern voice.
"Okay. We will leave. It must have been our fault. Sorry for creating an issue." Owen said feeling guilty and they both walked out in a hurry.
I tried Dalton's number again and he picked up after one bell.
"Hey, Monica. This is urgent, don't ask questions. Just listen to me. Go to Boss office and grab all the money from the safe. I will send you an address, bring them there. Okay, hurry up" He said and cut the phone.
I blinked my eyes in confusion. Quickly walking into the elevator, i pressed button 8 and bit my lower lip in nervousness.
What was even going on?.
Gosh, it was making me sweat in anticipation. I started to run towards the empty floor and turned to right and collided with a hard thing.
"Oumph." All air left my lungs due to impact and i fell on my hand against the cold floor. The phone fell from my hands and with a thud it, it slided against the floor.
"Hey!. Don't you have eyes!" I yelled
"Sorry!" That's what they all said and quickly walked into the elevator.
Picking up myself from the floor, dusting my clothes, i almost ran to my phone which was lying pathetically at the end of hallway. Quickly fixing the battery inside and closing the case, i switched open my phone.
Remembering i have an important work on my hands. As i walked into CEO's room, the lights went off and alarm went off. The sunlight coming from the windows were enough for my eyes to see. Quickly walking towards the Safe, my heart was in my mouth as i punched in the numbers and opened it. I froze on the spot as i saw absolutely empty Safe.
Oh my god, we are robbed!
Quickly getting on my heels, i dialed a number on the phone.
"Shut off all the entrances and exits this instant! There has been a robbery!" I yelled into the phone.
I heard sounds of several shoes coming this way. I dialled Dalton's number but it kept on going to unavailable.
Was he okay?. Did something happened?.
Palms sweaty, heart beating rapidly as i continued dialling his number.
"Ma'am!. The cameras were shut off suddenly and then the lights!." A security guard told me.
"I know. Where is Ma'am Emma?." I asked them, walking past them as they followed me behind.
"She is currently looking at the situation with the Head security."
I nodded my head and quickly descended the stairs.
Please be safe, Dalton.
......
I sat on the sofa completely drained, with my head in my hands. The atmosphere in the office was critical as our company went bankrupt within hours.
After descending the stairs, the power came up. I walked into the CCTV- control room and found my boss and Head security pacing there in tension.
"Ma'am, Sir. Ma-" I stopped abruptly as she gestured me to stop speaking by putting her finger on her lips. Her other hand, was holding a phone close to her ear.
"Yes. I will check into it right now Sir." She said and hung up.
Sighing, she stumbled on the chair behind her. Running towards her, my knees pressed against the cold marble floor as i looked up at her.
"Ma'am!. Are you alright?." I asked her, grabbing her hand as my worried eyes looked at her angry expression.
"Miss!."
"Emma!." Several people spoke as she nodded her head indicating she was fine.
"CEO just informed me that it was a work of Con Artists. They called him and threatened to kill his daughter in their grasp. They asked for 5 billion and CEO gave them without investigation and later they find out it was all spam. His daughter was at home." She sighed in stress and rubbered her face.
"Check who came and went, anyone suspicious. Find it!." She yelled, moving my hand from her's harshly and stood up.
"Monica, follow me." She said and walked out of the room.
I looked back at Head security who sighed and closed his eyes, trying to control his anger. I bit my lip and quickly walked out, followed Emma.
"Call in Mister David and tell him to come to my office right now. Call Police and handle them yourself." She said and walked out of the elevator to her room.
Quickly dialling David's number, as i made way towards my office.
"Yes."
"Hello, Sir. Ma'am Emma is calling you. Please come immediately!." I said and called the police next.
After sometime they arrived here and explaining the Police everything, they took photos and finger prints and left. I quickly stood up from the chair as Dalton entered the hall after a while with an angry looking CEO.
"Where is Henry!?." He yelled around. His hair and eyes were wild with anger.
"Here Sir." Henry who is the Head security said as he stood a few feet away from us.
We all were gathered in the Hall, waiting for CEO to arrive.
"What the hell happened here!?. How did they came in!?." He yelled, veins popping from his neck. His face was red from anger. If i were to think of him as an anime right now, smoke must have been coming out of nostrils.
I fidgeted in my spot because i know what was coming next.
My turn.
"We checked all CCTVs and - " He suddenly looked at me with his galring eyes.
"Where were you!?." He yelled at me, cutting Henry off.
I jumped in surprise and licked my dry lips to make them wet.
"Sir, there was an issue at the reception. I was dealing with it when it all happened. I am sorry, Sir." He sighed loudly and didn't said anything more.
Thank god.
He waved his hand in the air, telling us to get lost as he made his way to sofa in the Hall.
Squeaking and clicking of shoes was the only sound in the arena, as people walk-run to their offices. I looked around and didn't find Dalton. Creasing my forehead, i decided to look for him. As i turned around, found him coming holding a cup in his hands, his eyes down as he walked.
"Dalton." I called him as he walked past me.
He was so engrossed in his thoughts that he didn't realize i was standing in front of him.
He stopped and turned to face me. His eyes held anger and sadness and an expressionless face greeted me. I took few steps towards him as he stood there rigid like a stone.
"Can we talk?." I said, softly. My eyes meeting his.
"Sure. Let me give this to Boss." He said, his voice held no emotions.
I nodded my head and waited for him.
After a few seconds, he came back.
"Let's go and see CCTV footage." He said and started to move without waiting for my response.
I sighed and run my fingers through my hair. Opening the door of Control room, he walked in with me closely behind him.
"Show us the footage of Hall first." He said and took a seat beside the staff.
Taking a seat beside him, i too started to watch the screen and looked at each person closely.
It's been 15 minutes, we have been looking at the footage and i was out of it already. Blowing air my mouth and my baby hair flew in air and i sighed.
"Will you stop it?. You have been doing it for a while now. Please let me concentrate." Dalton said softly. He was stressed out and looked desperate to find the culprit.
"Sorry, Dalton." I said, face palming myself for being careless.
Pulling my hair into a lose pony, i sat straight and looked closely on the screen.
It was when Owen and Ella came in, my eyes watched the screen like a hawk. They were talking to John, who was waving his hands and speaking to them. Then the cameras were cut off, black screen facing us. Dalton sighed beside me. I creased my forehead in confusion, something was off. I replayed the footage and picking up the pen which was laying on the table and started to write on the notepad.
Dalton and CEO left the office around 11am.
Owen and Ella came in around 11 am.
Cameras of top floor went off around 11:10 am.
I came to reception around 11:15 am
Means the entire office was empty. Emma was Chief Information Officer(CIO).
Who came then?
Two men was in black clothes, black hats and wore black face masks, came holding two boxes.
What did they came here for?
Replaying the footage for the third time, i noted the time they entered the building, they showed security a card and came in. I titled my head in curiosity.
"Who are they?." I asked the security staff.
"Ma'am they came to fix the cameras."
I nodded my head and looked back at the screen.
The two men came around 11:15am
Suddenly i remembered, the person's i bumped into had same get up as them. If that person are these men, then the time when i left the office and when i came back they were leaving CEO office, but the camera is on the other side of his office.
Did they really came to fix the camera?
I leaned back in my chair, pen between my teeth as i bit on it, deep in thought.
Owen and Ella came with an excuse. Creating a fuss for no reason, in the end i told them the same thing what John had been telling them from the start.
The two men came in when they were creating a fuss, to buy them time.
They must have known i was there in office, so they called for Head which was me and office was evacuated, ideal for their plan.
They barge in CEO office with cameras shut off, nobody was able to see them as they took all money and left.
Wait. The locker.
I shut my eyes and tried to remember the scene when i entered CEO's office.
I walked in as the light went off, i moved towards the locker.
The grey colored locker was not broken it was like how it was from the start. Not a single scratch on it.
Means- They opened the Safe without breaking it, they knew the code of the Safe.
How?
I sighed and rubbered my face in amazement. I then watched the whole cctv footage after the lights came back and the two men and Ella and Owen got out of building. My hands froze on the mouse, as my eyes without blinking kept looking at the screen which displayed Eric smirk face staring right back at me. Who had his mask below his chin, exposing his whole face, it seemed he done it on purpose. He was mocking me.
So the two men, one of them was Eric, other muse be one of them.
Ella being nervous, Owen making a fuss and two men did the robbery. It all makes sense now. The other men seemed to be either Josh, or Russell. Then sudden realization fell on me.
They were the Con artists.
"Fuck!." I grinded my teeth and slapped my palm on the table as i stood up.
"What happened Monica?." Dalton asked, curiously.
My eyes glared at the face of Erik who had a smirk on his face, on the screen.
"Please everybody leave Dalton and me." I said and looked down at the notepad.
The security staff didn't ask any questions and left the room. I looked at Dalton's confused expression.
"Here look at this first." I said, holding the notepad out for him to grab it.
He grabbed it and started to read what i have written.
"When i was going towards the office, they were coming out of it. I didn't think about it then as i was in hurry. And the Safe locker wasn't broke, it was opened by using the code." I told him, as he had his eyebrows raised in surprise.
"Means they knew the code and are Con Artists. " he said and threw the notepad across the table in anger.
"But how is this possible!?. CEO, Emma, you and i are the only one who knows about the code." He said, running his fingers in his hair in stress.
Suddenly flash backs started to make their way to me.
.....
I
was laughing and was completely out of my senses. I was heavily drunk.
"Monica. So what do you do for living?." Owen asked me,
"I am a Personal assistant of Chief Operating Officer(COO)." I told them with a big proud smile on my face,
"Good. How much do you know about CEO personal information." Eric asked me.
"I know a lot of things. My friend, Dalton is his Personal Assistant and my boss, is a really close friend of CEO."
"Things like what?."
"Like, umm the safe in CEO's office has 3 Billion won. Isn't it great. So much moneyyyy." I said as i started to laugh like an idiot.
"That's all you know?."
"Yep." I said, emphasizing 'p' . Take a large gulp of drink as i looked at them with my blurry vision .
"So you don't know the Code of the safe?." I don't know who asked me, as my mind started to spin.
"No. Yes. Maybe." I shrugged as i laid my head back against the sofa.
"You are just an invisible person who no one cares about. That's why they didn't tell you about the code, because they don't trust you." Eric said with a laugh.
It hurts. I felt my heart breaking, my eyes started to water.
"No!. They have trust in me. They care about me!." I yelled angrily, warm tears spilling from my eyes.
"Oh really?. Then prove us?." He said with a sarcastic laugh.
"Okay. You want prove, here you go!. The Code is E2d5g9a6r3. See i told you." I shouted, brushing my tears away angrily.
"Oh, you were right. I am sorry, i didn't mean it. You are really an amazing person and beautiful." Eric said, caressing my hair with his hand softly.
For a moment he and i froze in spot as soon as my eyes met his. We keot staring at each other, like reading each other souls.
......
"Monica!?." Someone shoke me aggressively.
"Oh my god." I whispered as i felt my knees buckle and i fell on the floor.
"Monica!. Are you okay?. What happened?." Dalton's worried voice reached my ears.
"Dalton." I spoke, my voice thick with guilt. I could feel my eyes started to get wet.
"Yes. I am here." He thinks i am having a panic attack.
"I am fine. Listen to me!." I yelled and grabbed his arm and shoke him lightly.
"I am listening." His curiosity filled eyes looked at my vulnerable ones.
"It's my fault Dalton. I remembered everything. They asked me questions to my work when i was completely drunk and i told them the code as they kept asking." I whispered,
"Who asked you?" He asked, confused
"These people. Remember i told you i made new friends, it's them!."
His eyes widened with shock and surprised look. He blinked his eyes as he was not believing what i just told him.
"Damn it, Monica!." He cursed and started to pace the floor.
I covered my face in shame and closed my eyes shut.
"What's done is done. Now listen to me, Monica." He said as he came to kneel in front of me.
I looked up to his eyes burning with anger. And i knew this anger was not directed towards me.
"Don't tell this to anyone. I meant it. Don't you speak. Just stay silent, we will look at it and catch them" he said, looking into my eyes.
"No, Dalton. How can-"
"Monica!. He will sue you!, if he gets to know this. He will think that you are just like your dad, he won't think twice before probably believing you did this on purpose. Please just remain silent." He said, almost begging me.
I looked at him, supporting me in my wrong. I pursed my lips to stop myself from crying in anger.
"Okay. I will do as you say." I said after a while, wiping my nose with my selves.
"Good. We will go out and tell CEO about what you have found out, without telling him that we know them. Okay?." He said, standing up and helped me stand up as well.
I nodded my head and glanced back at the screen to his smirking face.
Bastard.
I will take you bitches down. It's my promise.
You better run.
I grinded my teeth and followed Dalton out of the room. We remained silent as we waited in the elevator.
We reached at his office and i took a deep breath and nodded to Dalton. He walked in with me following behind him.
Emma sat there with warn out CEO on the sofa.
"We found something." Dalton said, looking at them.
Emma nodded her head and Edgar- CEO looked up at us in hope. It broke my heart to see this.
"Two persons came in as reporters from News Today....." I zoned out as Dalton started to tell them
What i hated the most is giving false hope to anyone. And right now i was doing it. I felt pathetic.
I fisted my hand in order to stay calm and swallowed my saliva.
"What!?." Edgar shouted as he stood up immediately from the couch.
I took a step back subconsciously and blinked my eyes, coming back to the scene.
"But how?. Only four of us know about it!." Emma said, looking at far end of the office where the Safe was located.
"We don't know Ma'am. We didn't tell anyone." Dalton said, his hand brushed mine, indicating me to agree with him.
"Yes ma'am. We didn't tell anyone. I don't know how this all happened." I said, my tongue was burning as lies kept coming out of my mouth.
"Damn it!." Edgar yelled and punched the wall in anger.
"Edgar, Calm down. Please we will-"
"CALM DOWN!?. They took all the money we invested, including from the deal we just made today!." He said as he started to pace the office.
I looked down at my shoes in shame. My heart started to beat rapidly. I felt Dalton's hand on my back, telling me to stay calm.
"If i get to know any of you leaked the Code. I will make sure you rot in jail forever!." He shouted and left the room with door banging against the wall.
"Egar!." Emma called after him and followed him out.
I released the breath which i was holding in and fall on the sofa with my head in my hands.
"Monica."
"Dalton, i am going to catch them and being back the money no matter what." I said and stood up back again, adrenaline pulsing hard in my blood.
"Monica, wait. No." He said, grabbing my arm stopping me from moving forward.
"I am not a coward, Dalton. I will catch them." I shrugged his hand off me and walked out of the room.
I will bring Edgar's hope to life.
And erase my guilt.
I will surely catch those bastards.
-------
