Chapter 123 Two Days Before The Gala

Peter placed a laptop on his boss's desk before playing the break in footage. A tall and lean man was seen in the video in a black outfit that covered him from head to toe leaving his grey eyes exposed. 'What is he a ninja?' Peter mused.

"We don't know how he came in, but as you can see, he suddenly appeared into one of the hallways leading to the lab. He disappeared again, but five minutes later", he tapped on a key to fast forward the footage before pressing play. "He was seen leaving the lab. And that's all we have on him."

"He walks funny", the boss commented and let out a humorless chuckle. They plopped their elbows on the desk and rested their chin stop their intertwined hands.

His heels never touched the ground and were full of stealth and nimbleness practically mimicking a cat's movements. Had he at least walked properly, it would make things a lot easier. Peter cleared his throat and got to the important part.

"But luckily, nothing was taken. I had the men do a clean sweep of the place to make sure nothing was missing", he said with his heart at ease because of the news.

"It's not a question of what he took, it's a matter of what he saw, what he knows", the boss pointed out. How could Peter be so shortsighted?

"But there's no footage of him in the lab", his tone was laced with doubt.

"Nor is there footage of him breaking into our building! They're trying to sabotage us", the boss scoffed as they looked away from the computer.

"I thought you said Miss Harper wouldn't dare be so careless?"

"And she isn't. You saw how quickly she hid her little assistant, this isn't her. If there's one thing I've come to understand about her, she relies on the digital world too much!" The boss shook their head before a serious expression settled on their face. "Can you find out who he is?"

"If we use his eyes and run a face analysis, its possible and we'll be able to know who he's working for", Peter answered without missing a beat.

"Two days."

That means his deadline would be on the day of the gala. That would ensure that they stop whoever it is that is waiting to sabotage them. Their technicians will have to work overtime. If Miss Harper was not their enemy, he would have asked her for help. Peter sighed at this thought as he took his leave.

But, if they use their system, won't it risk Miss Harper spying on them and possibly working with their new enemy? Oh wait, that person said they would know should she make such a move. Peter felt at ease with that thought as he made his way to the IT department.

Back in West Village

Amy and Ian were locking up as Adrianne had left earlier since her husband was still down with a flu. Ian fished out the car keys and made to give her as he finished locking up.

"No need. I'll walk. You go on your way", she said.

"It's late. Let me at least call a cab for you", he made to move when a hand snatched the keys away from his hand before hooking around his arm. He looked down to find Mona standing by his side.

"She said she'll walk Ian. If you do that, someone might think you're being clingy to a married woman", she spoke with her eyes trained on Amy. She smiled but it didn't reach her eyes. "Long time no see Mrs. Standford."

"Right", Amy let out a less than amused chuckle. "Well, I'll see you tomorrow Ian. See you around Mona."

"Mm", Mona forced a fake smile as she watched Amy's retreating figure.

The two silently watched her walk on until she was out of earshot before Ian pulled away his arm. He glared at the girl before him.

"What was that?" He snapped.

"I should be asking you that! We've talked about this Ian!" She snapped back.

Ian let out a heavy sigh as he rub his hand through his hair. He didn't want to fight with her. "Go home Mona."

She unlocked the car as she walked towards it and sat in the passenger seat. Ian was annoyed when he saw this and dragged himself to the car. She threw the keys in his lap before looking outside her window.

"I'm taking you home", he said.

"And I dare you."

Meanwhile, Amy felt like stretching her legs by walking home. She looked around the pavement she was walking on and was about to pass by Jim's shop. She stopped and looked at the store before nodding to herself as she turned and pushed the door open.

The bell at the top rung as she walked in. The cameras turned away from her as she did.

"Emily!" Jim called out when he saw her.

He was walking out of the storeroom in his khaki apron. The corner of the man's eyes wrinkled as he smiled at her. His brown hair had started to gray and some parts of his face seemed to have grown wrinkles too. 'Has it been that long?' Amy mused.

"How are you doing Jim?" She smiled back.

"Oh, you know? One day at a time. How's Stella doing? I heard about the fall", his face pulled into a frown as he spoke.

"She's getting there. Actually, I needed something to cheer her up", she looked around.

"Baby's breath?" He asked with an amused smile.

"How did you know?" Her face lit up in surprise as she watched him turn to go get the flowers.

"You were not the first to ever get a baby's breath recommendation from her but you were definitely the first to get a cactus. And how's the little guy doing?" He looked back at her as he arranged a bouquet of baby's breath.

Amy chuckled when she heard this. That sounded a lot like Stella. She paid for the bouquet once it was set and went on her way. She caught a cab right outside since she was still in town. The sky had been decorated with a beautiful orange sunset. She sniffed the flower and smiled to herself.

Not too long after she arrived at the hospital. All it took was passing by Jim's flower shop to decide on going to see Stella at the hospital. They had talked earlier but she remembered she had yet to buy the flowers. And the look on the older woman's face was priceless when Amy walked in.

"Oh! My goodness! How did you know these are my favorites?" Stella had her arms out wide waiting for the flowers which Amy gave her.

"Everyone knows they're your favorites mom", Alex deadpanned.

Nora winked at Amy as she walked out of the bathroom, "Hey, hot stuff."

"Can't we have Alex stay with us instead? Or I can just handle everything myself", Richard complained to his wife before giving a disapproving look at Nora.

Amy was about to ask when Nora spoke, "Mom's getting discharged tomorrow. It was meant to be a surprise for you once you get home but the real surprise is me staying with them. That means we get to be next door neighbors."

"On that note, Emily I got you these", Alex gave her a gift bag.

Amy was surprised by the heavy weight of the bag. She put a hand inside only too find padlocks of different sizes.

Amy: "... Thanks?"

Nora run over and took the bag and inspected what was inside. Her brows knitted in displeasure as she glared at her sister.

"Wow! I thought you were joking when you said you'd get these for her? I'm so offended. It's not like I'm some animal!" Her fierce eyes quickly turned flirtatious when she looked at Amy. "By the way, what are you doing this Saturday night? We could hang at your place?"

Amy only smiled. What was she doing Saturday night? The Corporate gala was happening that night. And speaking of which, there is something else she needed to do before that day arrives.