Stay with Me

13. A difficult situation.

"Sir please wait," she uttered shakily. 

"What might be the problem Miss Safiyya?" Irene asked instead. Safiyya briefly looked at her before shifting her attention to Alfred. He looked calm and cold but she was sure that anger was bubbling in her heart but she couldn't watch Gab get in trouble. 

"Sir, I don't think that the manager is involved in this. It might be a misunderstanding. We should check other records too, it might be there," she stated, keeping her voice as straight as possible. 

Alfred didn't respond and Peter took it to answer, "It's not in the records and the delivery office has it in theirs which means that the virus was likely sent to the filing office," 

"It can also be sent from outside right? Can't we check on the purchase point?" she insisted. 

"And question one of our clients that we've been working for for years? Are you being naive," Irene snapped. 

Safiyya didn't know how to deal with that but she still returned, "That is someone from outside and we are scared of offending them but want to accuse someone inwardly," 

"Then how do you explain the missing clip?" Irene fired back in a chilled voice. 

"That…can be a setup," Safiyya said. 

"Excuse me miss, but why are you protecting this manager? This is very crucial to me and the company and should be investigated," Felix couldn't help but say. 

"Because I know him and he can't do something like that," she returned. 

"Really?" Irene scoffed  "Just because you have worked there before doesn't mean that you know him well. Give me a break, you worked there for only a month," 

"But…"

"Enough!" Alfred snapped in a deep voice. Safiyya parted her lips but no words came out. It was true that she had no evidence to back her claim with everything laid bare but she still believed strongly that this was a setup. 

"Contact the manager," Alfred instructed again. Peter quickly did so. Alfred looked at Felix and told him to leave first with the others as they investigated the issue. This might be more than they think. The company was targeted. Only four people were left around the table. 

"What are you still doing here Miss Safiyya?" Irene asked calmly. 

"I want to hear the query," Safiyya said in a low voice. She wouldn't bicker this much with Irene but today has to be an exception. The woman seemed to be stepping on her too much and she wouldn't care much if she was alone in this but it affected someone she cared about. So, she spoke up today. 

Irene curled her lips and held her chin. "You seem so adamant on protecting Gab or…are you some accomplice of his. I know him way longer than you but I don't trust him, so why?" 

She's accusing her now? Safiyya frowned and held her gaze. "I have to stay here before the CEO because I am his secretary and this case affects his project, so I believe that I have the right to stay," she uttered. Irene narrowed her eyes but chose not to retort. Let's see how has the last laugh. 

A few moments later, the door opened and the stalwart man, Gab walked into the meeting room accompanied by security personnel. Safiyya felt pained as she watched Gab who was oblivious of what was happening. 

Gab immediately greeted them feeling nervous at the stares from these people. Alfred was already standing as he gazed piercingly at Gab. 

"Show it to him," he told Peter. Peter started explaining things to Gab and the man's eyes widened with each accusation. No wonder Safiyya had a worried look.