chapter 5

Natalie didn’t have time to think before she dashed out of the house. Her mind racing with different thoughts. What could have happened? Did the company’s system have a fault again? 

‘No.’ she shook her head since she was sure she did the right thing. 

She has done something similar countless times, so there was no way she could miss out on anything. 

She booked a cab and called Mr. Carter back for the upteempth time, to see if there would be a proper explanation of what had happened, but he didn’t answer. 

Her thoughts drifted back to Lily and the twins. She quickly dialed Lily’s number, her hands shaking from confusion.  

Lily answered on the second ring. “Hey, Nat, I'm about to…” 

“Can you keep the twins with you for a little while, Lily?” she said, cutting Lily off unknowingly. “Something happened and I need to attend to it. I promise, I won't be long.” 

Natalie didn’t wait for Lily to respond before she ended the call, knowing Lily might come up with an excuse or want to take the twins to their parents.

Natalie heaved a sigh of relief when she entered BOLD Innovation and discovered that everything was calm. Even the staff were working without a problem. Natalie knew the company would be in chaos if their system had been breached again.

She was still speaking to the receptionist asking about Kingsley again when she began to hear commotion noises outside.. 

She looked back and saw eight men dressed in black coats surrounding a Lamborghini outside. The men remain standing, waiting for the person inside the Lamborghini to come out as the door opened itself. It was obvious that those men were the security of whoever was in the Lamborghini.

The security at the gates were already standing and everyone in the company’s lobby were already going, while others were trying to get things done quickly as if someone scary was about to enter. 

She watched as a figure whose appearance emitted elegance emerged from the car. He exudes so much power that anyone watching him could tell he’s someone important. Natalie couldn’t see his face well but she could tell he’s a man of power and definitely one of the richest in Bell City. 

“Mr. Wellington is coming,” Natalie heard one of the staff say, making her even more curious about how special and powerful the person could be. 

“You can go inside now, Miss, Mr. Kingsley is waiting for you.” the receptionist said, shifting Natalie’s attention from the man.

Natalie turned to leave, ignoring the lingering thought about seeing the man. Soon she arrived at Kingsley's office and continued to knock at the door without getting a response.   

“I was told to report back here, Mr. Kinsley,” she said, as she opened the door, but she was welcomed by silence as Kingsley wasn’t in his office. 

She headed down to the control room where she had previously worked.

“The woman is here,” Kingsley said, pointing to Natalie when he saw her. “She's the specialist who worked on the system. I bet she knows something.” 

Natalie halted in her tracks, shocked by Kingsley's accusation.

“What the hell have you done to my system? Who gave you the right to….”  A man’s voice echoed, but trailed off when his gaze landed on Natalie. His brows lifted slightly, but he quickly masked it. 

'What a joke!’ the man chuckled.

Natalie’s heart skipped and she froze on the spot when she saw the man that was speaking.

Matt? She mused inwardly, her eyes grew wide. What the fuck is going on?

“Natalie?” Matt, pointing at her. “How dare you come here and pretend you know anything about hacking and even worked on the system?” 

Natalie's mouth opened, but she couldn't talk. She had thought she would enter Bell City, do her job and get out, never did she imagined she would see Matt, talkless of knowing he works at BOLD Innovations. 

Wait, did he say my system?

But how is Matt here? He can’t possibly be the CEO of this company, can he? Different thoughts ran through her head as she remembered that she didn't know anything about him other than he was her boyfriend and was doing a part time job in a small company. He didn't tell her about his family, or let her meet any of his family or friends. 

“Cat got your mouth, Natalie?” Matt spat, but Natalie ignored him and turned to face Kingsley.

“With all due respect sir, you were there when I fixed the breach and you even confirmed that everything was working fine, and nothing could have gone wrong if someone…..” 

“Do you think those of us that have worked for 48 hours without getting results are stupid? You came and announced everything was fine after just one hour and you think everything will be fine….”

How could he lie like this? 

“I worked with you and your team for hours, Mr. Kingsley and you confirmed that everything was okay. Why are you….” 

“Then explain why I received a report of unauthorized access even to my personal files from a remote login.” Matt asked, cutting her off angrily.  "Do you have an idea what you've just done to the company?” Matt said, his eyes dark with fury.

Is he accusing her of something she didn't do now? 

“I'm sure it's what i can fix…..” 

“I just knew you're the one,” Matt spat. “You know what, the CEO wants to see you. I'm sure he'll teach you lessons you won't forget easily.” Matt said, hissing as he walked out.

Natalie sighed when Matt mentioned the CEO. She was happy he wasn't the CEO,  but her heart thumped when she remembered the man who everyone was scared of earlier at the reception.  

Natalie remembered that she read about  CEO of BOLD Innovations as the richest man in Bell's city, but couldn't remember what he looked like.  But what if the man from earlier turned out to be the CEO? How will she explain that she didn't do anything wrong when they won't allow her access the system again?

But knowing she hasn't done anything to deserve the treatment she's getting, she turns back and find her way to the CEO's office. 

At least, no matter how strict the CEO is, he'll still be more logical than Matt and Kingsley. Clueless men like them will ruin the company in no time.  

She knocked the CEO's office for the third time before the door opened. She didn't know if the door was an electronic one, but she entered. 

She saw a man whose presence carries the same aura and power as the man she saw earlier. He crossed his legs on each other as his gaze was fixed on the laptop in front of him. 

She needed no one to tell her she's in a deep shit.

“Good evening sir! I'm the cybersecurity specialist….” her words trail off and her breath caught in her throat when the man looked up and she saw him.