Conspiracy

Third Person's POV

There was a silence when both Mike and David uttered Frank's name. Jeff broke the silence by asking "so this Frank guy...Is it your enemy or something? Why would he help Catherine?"

"I guess I know why. Since we ruin his plan of harming Kelly's image during fashion show." Mike said

"Absolutely." David agreed

'Hey, David I need a favor from you." Mike said thinking for a while

"Ya tell me."

"To prove my innocence I need evidence against Catherine and Frank. Since I am suspended I cannot go to the office so I need you to watch Catherine and Frank and see if we can get to the bottom of this."

"Do you think Mike you have to tell me this? I am definitely gonna do that."

The Next Day in the Office David reached the office and headed towards Alandra's cabin.

"Hi, Alandra. You called."

"Yup David. Actually, by afternoon, my new laptop will be ready so I need you to set up my new system."

"New system?"

" Ya the admin guy told that the bit locker password issue cannot be solved due to some system corruption so they are giving me a new laptop."

"Ok" Saying so David was getting up to leave when Alandra asked "Any news on Mike? How is he?"

David sat again and said, "To be honest he is still in shock as he was trying to help Catherine and she put false allegations on him."

"Ook. But why do Catherine will do anything against Mike? Mike is from IT and she is from PR. There is hardly any connection between these two departments."

"Ya but Catherine and Mike became friends by chance." David hinted

"Oh. Now I got why Mike needed a break. Let me know David if I can do anything to help." Alandra said with genuine concern.

"Ya sure. Hey Alandra. Can we get your laptop before they give you a new one? Maybe we can find some traces of the mails on it or something which might prove Mike's innocence."

" I guess I can ask the admin team to give me an old laptop temporarily so that I can mail my important docs to me and then probably we can get the fingerprints checked."

"Omg. It didn't cross my mind... Fingerprints. Yes, we might be able to find the culprit. Not bad Alandra. You are our sherlock."

"Do you want me to mail you additional tasks, David? Seems like you have all the time in the world to chitchat."

"Sorry I will get going."

"Yes. I will come to your department once I get hold of my current laptop and then we can get in touch with forensic departments. I hope this conversation will remain confined to these 4 walls only."

"Yup... Cya"

Meanwhile, At Mike's Apartment, The doorbell rang. Mike opened the door and was shocked to find Mary standing at the door. Mary glanced at Mike who was in his tees and shorts with messy hairs.

" What is wrong with you Mike? Why are you not answering my calls and messages."

Mike hugged Mary. Mary was stunned but she figured that something is wrong. She hugged him back.

They both came into the living room and sat on the couch. Mike narrated the whole incident to Mary. Mary was silent for a while and then said "Why you didn't tell me all this before Mike?"

"I didn't want to bother you. Moreover, I didn't know how you will react."

"Mike look at me. I trust you completely. I know you cannot do anything like this. I was wandering with you alone on a solo trip and you have always been a gentleman to me."

"Thanks, Mary for trusting me. But I don't know how to prove in the company my innocence."

"Mike you are talented. Why don't you resign?"

"I have signed a bond of 2 years. Also with the salary here we can plan our future and assets building."

"Our future?"

" I am sorry Mary. I know It's not the right time to talk about these things but it's true. I see my future with you. I really like you. I know you are not ready for a relationship at the moment and I understand that."

"Don't worry Mike. We will get through this problem."

Mary drifted the topic. Mike understood that she is not ready to talk about the relationship yet but her assurance gave Mike a new strength. Both hugged each other.

"Did you talk to your office friend David?" Mary asked

" I did and we both know who is supporting Catherine. But we still need evidence to prove my innocence."

As Mike and Catherine were talking, Mike received a phone call. It was from David. Mike picked up the call. David narrated his conversation with Alandra to Mike. In the end, Mike said "That will be great. But still, we will need to speak to Frank." After a few minutes, Mike disconnected the call.

Mary was looking at Mike's face like a curious cat.

" It was David." He said

" I know. What he said."

"He said maybe we can check the fingerprints on Alandra's laptop."

" Alandra as in your manager I suppose. She doesn't sound like a witch to me."

Mary winked.

" guess I judged her too soon. She is really good. But I am worried."

"About what?"

"The fingerprints are only my hope to prove my innocence. What if the forensic department get influenced by Frank and Catherine and they hide her fingerprints?"

Mary thought for a while.

" Well, I know someone who can help you and will give you the correct information."

"Who?"

"I can do the tests in forensic lab with my colleague," Mary suggested

"That will be awesome."

Suddenly Mike's phone buzzed and as he looked he saw It was a call from a private number. Both Mike and Mary looked at the phone. Mary asked him to pick the call and put it on speaker. He did that. Hearing the voice at other end, the color on his face fade away. It was Catherine who was sitting in a dark room playing with rose petals with her manicured hands. she was removing the petals of rose one by one with her polished red nails.

"Hello, Mike. How are you?"

"Cut the crap, Catherine. What do you want?"

"Omg so angry...I told you to consider my proposal. You know I don't like doing these kinds of things but you guys force me to take this step."

"You are a horrible person Catherine."

" I may be a horrible person but a good charmer. Isn't it? At this point, I am the only person who can take you out of this mess. So consider my proposal. Come to my place and I will sort everything tomorrow. I promise."

"You know what. You are insane."

"O baby...You want me to leave Lucas and be with you and now I am ready to be with you. Also, I have sent you a gift. It should be arriving soon."

"What gift," Mike asked with a shock

As Mike said this, the doorbell rang. He rushed to open the door and there was no one. He saw a closed envelope on the doorsteps.

"Looks like your gift has arrived. You can have a look before making your decision."

He opened the envelope and was shocked to find a cd. He put the cd on the laptop drive and played it. He was shocked to see the recording of his and Catherine's from her birthday party. The phone was still on.

"So it's not the first time Mike you have taken advantage of me. In the party also you took advantage of my drunk state." Catherine said with a laugh

"What nonsense are you talking about? You seduced me on bday and everything happened with consent."

"But guess what. Only I know the truth. So It's up to me how I present it in the conference meeting. Think about it, Mike."

Saying so she disconnected the call.

Mike sat on the couch dumbstruck. Mary who was listening to all this confronted him.

"I am over Mary. My career is over." Mike said in a sad low voice.

"Mike nothing is over. We will defeat this bitch." Mary assured him

"But Mary..."

"Trust me. Let's meet David and see the laptop. We will find the fingerprints traces."