“No, I’m good. Please. Um, I’ve not eaten properly for a few days, finishing off the collection, but I’m craving prawns,” I murmured. My friends nodded, and we ordered. Some of the members glanced over, but I wasn’t photographed or stared at. Respect was enforced here; you showed it or were kicked out. Membership was a privilege, not a given.
“Any news?” Saska asked.
“Well, I’ve heard something, and Dax is checking the rumour out. Wisemans, the company that does internet security, had a massive breach. Someone’s hacked in and downloaded loads of data. There’s allegedly mass panic over there,” Zinnia announced.
“Oh no. Eliganz uses Wisemans,” I said as worry descended.
“By all accounts, it was a substantial hack. Thousands of personal details got stolen and possible bank account numbers,” Zinnia elaborated.
“Oliver needs warning. Luckily, I went with Aaron’s security recommendation, and Mystique isn’t with Wisemans. Did any of you use them?” I asked.
“No, Cyber Safe for us, too. However, a lot of big businesses used Wisemans,” Winona agreed.
“Guess I’d better warn Oliver,” I said and patted my lips with the napkin. I didn’t particularly want to, but this could damage the company. This information might get me back into Oliver’s good books.
After lunch, I excused myself. I knew what the girls were hoping for, and I couldn’t stand disappointing them. They wanted me to give up on Oliver.
Not yet. I loved him. Distracted, I called an Uber and headed to Eliganz’s head office. Quickly passing through reception, I waved at the security guard who recognised me. He did get on the radio, so I guessed someone would be aware that I was in the building.
As I reached Oliver’s office, Heidi, his secretary, looked up with a strained smile. “Mrs Kensington.”
“Is Oliver in, Heidi? It’s urgent.”
“No. Mr Kensington’s in a meeting. Can I take a message?” Heidi asked, appearing on edge.
“No, it’s okay. I’ll leave a note.” I strolled past her desk and entered Oliver’s office. It was ultra-modern and very much in line with his personality. Professional and cold. I hurried over to the desk and grabbed a notepad. Quickly, I began writing down what I’d heard about Wisemans’ underlining the security breach. As I finished, I stood, and surprisingly, Eve walked in like she owned the place.
“Oh, hello. Can I help, Mrs Kensington?”
“No, thanks, Eve, I was leaving a note for Oliver.”
“Oh, I can pass it over,” Eve offered, staring. There was something I instinctively didn’t like about Eve.
“It’s fine,” I said, opened a drawer, and pulled out an envelope. Eve watched avidly, and I felt tingles down my spine. “Is something wrong, Eve?”
“No. I’ll see you out,” Eve offered.
“Eve, this is my husband’s office. I know the way out.” As I began to leave, Eve reached out and grabbed me.
“Oliver will be mine!” she hissed. With a hard shove, Eve pushed me backward, and I lost my balance and fell. My head cracked against Oliver’s desk, and I cried out in pain. Eve dashed around me and snatched the letter.
At the same time, the door opened. Eve shrieked and stumbled, going down close by.
“Oliver!” Eve wailed as my husband entered. “I’m sorry. I was trying to help Alicia, but she took offence!”
“What?” I gasped, holding a shaking hand to my forehead. I was horrified to see blood coating my fingers.
Oliver rushed over to Eve and helped her sit up. “What happened?” he demanded as Eve put a hand to her chest.
“Alicia tripped and fell, and I tried to help. She pushed me away, and I was only trying to help!”
“That’s a lie,” I stated as my hands shook.
Oliver turned, hatred on his face. “How dare you attack Eve? Eve’s done everything possible to ease my workload, and this is how you behave?” Oliver helped Eve stand up, then caught her in his arms as her legs miraculously gave out.
“Oh, I feel faint,” Eve murmured, and my eyes narrowed. Oliver swept her up, and I stared in sheer disbelief.
“Oliver, I’m bleeding and hurt,” I whispered.
