CHAPTER 1-GAMES JUST STARTED–SUMMER

            Merina MacGregor, now going by the name Summer McNeil, sat eating lunch with her friend, Ana Davies. They knew each other from boarding school. Since then, they’d confided everything in each other. Summer glared at her food as she stabbed her salad. She brushed her short, dark hair away from her cheek. “I don’t recognize him anymore. He’s not the guy I remember. He’s a complete asshat for a boss. It’s been a week, and he’s a slave driver.”

            “We’re talking Conner O’Keefe?” Ana asked. She set her fork down and watched Summer with a look of concern over her dark-rimmed glasses. Summer teased her about looking like the young librarian all the boys at school would chase. Ana didn’t see what Summer saw.

            “Well, it’s not his father. His father calls to change what Conner has ordered. Then I must remind him to take it up with Conner. Because he hired me to work for Conner. I don’t feel right getting in their problems. Add to that, Conner hasn’t recognized me.” Summer tried to eat as she caught up with her red-haired friend on her time at O’Keefe Industries. They sat whispering to each other in a quiet restaurant, away from other patrons. Summer couldn’t afford anyone from O’Keefe Industries overhearing her conversation with Ana. Both women sat in the pleasant restaurant in corporate attire. Summer found it difficult to dress nondescript every day and not wear something too expensive for her personal assistant position. It became more difficult when Conner insisted she must attend formal work functions with him. He wasn’t paying for her evening clothes, and she struggled to keep her budget within her salary, which wasn’t simple since she wouldn’t see her first paycheck for weeks.

            “It’s good, right? Merina. I mean Summer. It’ll take time to adapt, unfortunately. Don’t glare at me, girl, it’s only been a week.” Ana knew her as Merina during boarding school. They were home again. Both women were trying to establish themselves. When Summer first told Ana about her father’s demands. Ana thought Summer or her father, Andre MacGregor, was joking. Ana hadn’t stopped showing concern for Summer’s safety and the possibility of her arrest. Which would happen if Conner discovered Summer’s identity.

            “Yes, you’re aware I can’t afford someone overhearing that mistake. They could have me arrested for corporate espionage and using a false identity. Please be careful.” Summer whispered this. She hid her mouth from everyone behind with her hand. Summer acted like she hid a mouth full of food while she spoke. This restaurant emphasized manners and privilege along with excellent food. In her position, as Conner O’Neil’s personal assistant, Summer wouldn’t eat at this restaurant because she couldn’t afford to eat there, and Ana would not be a friend of hers. They wouldn’t mingle in the same circles or meet. As a personal assistant, Summer wouldn’t make enough money to live the lifestyle needed to eat there.

            “I don’t understand why your father insisted on you proving your worth. Whose father does that? It’s like he’s trying to get rid of you without killing you. It’s rude if you ask me.” Ana had a keen sense of fairness.

            What Summer’s father insisted she do was so far from legal. Ana had called his decision an abuse of his power. He was using Summer to avoid the prosecution himself for spying. By forcing her to take the risk and blame if someone caught her. Summer agreed with Ana. If Summer wanted to take her place within the family’s business. She must prove to her father she’d go above and beyond to protect MacGregor Industries, a direct competitor and family enemy of the O’Keefe family.

            “My father’s too desperate to stop what’s going on. We’re losing money every day to corporate sabotage. I warned him I couldn’t find any evidence. I don’t see Conner as the dishonorable type. But I’m questioning that belief now after I’ve seen how Conner’s changed. But the report which crossed my desk this morning.” Summer shook her head, remembering the report. “It detailed how O’Keefe Industries has suffered from similar attacks. I’m more confused about who’s attacking both companies. The attacks appear identical, as if they’re using the same plan for both companies.” Someone needed to discover the guilty party, despite Summer’s hatred. It fell on Summer because her father wouldn’t listen to reason in how he hated Conner’s father. At one time, their fathers and families were inseparable. For an unknown reason, the two families separated. Following that, they became rivals in all aspects.

            “Well, if that’s the case, you can use that knowledge to your advantage. Tell your father and Conner, I’m sure they can use it to find out who the real criminal is.”

            Ana wished for Summer to leave her current position and pass it onto the men who created it. Let them bear the repercussions. Yet, Summer understood she would bear the blame and potential legal consequences. All so she could secure a position within her family’s business.

            “Ana, they will never cooperate again. I know this for a fact. My father won’t believe me, and he’s insisting I find something that points toward Conner or his father’s guilt.” Summer said. She shook her head even as she shoveled another forkful of salad into her mouth.

            “What are you going to do?” Ana had run out of suggestions to give Summer. Even though Summer didn’t ask for help to solve her problems. She’d gotten into this, and she’d get out of it with success in solving everyone’s problem. She’d have a place secured in her family business, too. Even if, she could never get back her friendship with the gorgeous Conner O’Keefe.

            “I don’t know. I cannot fabricate a falsehood. Everything will worsen and guilty people may escape justice. His father tasked Conner with finding the guilty party by his father. I’ll stay to learn what Conner discovers, then I’ll return to my father with a name to confront them. I just hope it’ll be in time to save both businesses.” Conner was the son of her father’s ex-friend and, at one point, both families expected them to marry and blend the two families into one. Until they ended their longstanding friendship.

            “That’s a tall order, Summer. But I also know you. You have intelligence and a wide range of capabilities. You transformed a bunch of spoiled haters into devoted friends. Just handle him the same way. What’s on your agenda this afternoon? Ana shifted in her chair. Unlike Summer, Ana’s body was curvy and considered plus sized for her short stature. She had problems sitting at most tables and often complained about feeling like she’d never grown out of her childhood body. Summer always reminded her she’d not needed a bra back then. Which made Ana snort with derision.

            “Conner will make changes. We know it. I’m stuck trying to avoid any recognition. He’s insisted that I attend another social event this evening. Which gets me back to why I asked you to lunch. I’m sorry, if he doesn’t change his mind, I’ll miss another girl’s night out.” He surpassed the women Summer knew in his indecisiveness, expecting everyone to adapt. It annoyed her to the point she wanted to scream. But she’d bite her tongue and do her best. She half expected to find out he deliberately did it to annoy her into quitting her new job.

            “You’ve not attended a girl’s nights since we’ve returned. It’s because of Conner or your father. When will you have your own life?” Offended by the men around Summer.

            “Your guess is as good as mine. I haven’t got a clue. I feel like a candle they’re burning from both ends.” Summer didn’t look any happier about it than Ana.

            “Not worth it. If people found out about your father’s involvement, they’d condemn him. Just retrieve the proof and leave. What if Conner remembers who you are and assumes you’re guilty of the sabotage? I doubt the courts would blame your father. They’ll see you as the guilty party and you’ll go to jail.” Ana hated how Summer took all the risks and never resisted. She gave Summer the reminder.

            “I’m sure Mr. O’Keefe Senior will assume I’m the criminal. I don’t think I’ve seen him happy about anything since I arrived there for my interview.” Summer nodded to Ana with her agreement. There wasn’t anyone willing to see reason or help her if she got into trouble.

            “Yes, I remember you saying you couldn’t work for him. Then you panicked when you found out you were working for Conner. It didn’t become better when he did not recognize you. I still say you look unrecognizable in that wig. Short, dark hair changes your look,” Ana said. She admired Summer for how versatile her appearance was.

            “Damn it. My time lunch is ending. I must get back to the office before Conner reprimanded me. I’ll call tomorrow. We can talk more. You can fill me in on what I missed. The alarm on Summer’s phone went off, and she flipped it over. She stopped eating and wiped her mouth with the napkin from her lap.

            “You better call or I’ll be calling you to learn everything I can. You’re better than anything that’s on television right now.” Threatened Summer in a friendly manner as she wagged a finger at her.

            “Please keep this to yourself. The fewer people are aware, the safer I’ll be,” Summer expressed. Her words begged her friend.

            “I agree. Love you, babes. Take care. I’ll handle the bill when I leave.” She stayed seated while Summer stood.

            “I’ll get the next lunch.” Summer said. She promised this and she would.

            “Of course you will. Later.” Ana gave her a half wave and smile as Summer left the table for the restaurant’s exit.