Glitters & Skeletons

Prologue

"With the latest events done by Binary, can you tell us Mr Jefferson, what the government is planning to these? Because based on our report yesterday, it was said he striked again and this time, going for senator Gregory."

"It's really unfortunate and shocking as of what happened with senator Gregory. You see, I'll give it to him,  Binary is an expert and is good at what he does, but that doesn't mean he is beyond the government's capabilities, because if it is to say that he exposes crime, fine. But he is still a thief, based on the fact that the embezzlement he claims to be exposing, is nowhere to be found." I increase the volume.

Is that so?

"But Mr Jefferson, we also have people claiming him to be a hero, in such sense that, without him no one would have known of the illegal acts done by senator Gregory, and it does seem he is only going after those participating in illegal activities."

"That is where the people have the misconception. Binary is not just a hacker or a hero, he's a cracker, because he decides he is exposing crime, which we have seen,  but what about all the funds?  Where did they all go? The funds which was embezzled are not in the government's accounts, which only means he is taking it for himself."

Funny, is he?

"But as of the main time, before he is behind bars and tries to strike again, I'll advice everyone to be careful as to whom they share their personal details with, because that's what he uses..."

Like hell you know!

The remote in hand, fumbling from side to side, as I watch the so called Mr Jefferson, give his advice on Binary.

Funny enough, they actually envisage giving this would curb anything.

Dumb fellows! Going after the wrong person, when they're all filled with greedy and atrocious individuals.

I switch the channel from one to another, only to get the same report going on.

Seems like this Binary is really doing something.

It's usually astonishing that money is never enough. That, the billions in your account is still never enough. That the more you get, the more you crave.

And I am no exception, but what differentiate us, is our mode of acquiring such enamours wealth.

A knock on the door brings me out of my challenged thinking. "Mr crest, the shareholders have arrived for the meeting." Kaitlin comes through the door.

"I'll be there in a minute." I reply with a hand over my temple.

"Yes sir." and with that she leaves.

They say to be ahead of a person, every action has to be calculated, every move has to be forseen, and every word has to be thought.

I get up from the spinning wheel chair, picking up my phone and other necessities as I walk to the awaiting meeting.

Crest industries has a total of 8 shareholders, with me holding 50% of the shares, Simon wassier holding 15%, Monica Trevor with 10%, Bryan Fox owning 7%, Adiya Amit with 5%, Harrison lord,  5%,  viron Chester with 5%, and Cyrus king with 3%.

Lately, it's come to my awareness that funds have been mysteriously disappearing, which is the sole intent of the meeting.

It doesn't take a wise man to know that, someone from the company has been secretly embezzling my money, to which I would not take likely, when I eventually reveal he or she.

"I apologize for keeping you all waiting." I emerge to the conference room, sighting all the shareholders present.

"Not like we're not already used to it." Simon wassier says. 

And if it isn't the piece of s**t.

"Let's just get this done. I have somewhere to be right now." Monica interrupts, stealing my attention.

"Of course" I turn my attention back to Simon with a glare. "We'll be done in a few." I add. "Kaitlin the chart please?"

"Of course sir." Kaitlin proceeded as my gaze goes back to Simon.

Just pray it isn't you.

"My reason for summoning you all, is nothing less that the fact that it has come to my awareness, someone in this company is embezzling funds and,  it seem to not have been a practice that is just going on, but have been for a while." I speak confidently, gazing at each and every of them.

"And what makes you think it is among one of us and not your employees? I say that,  because you wouldn't call us here if you didn't think one of us, is stealing money, because you could have just called your board of directors." Adiya speaks, gaining everyone's attention.

"No!  he can't think that." Harrison interrupts.

"That's absurd! That would be an insult!" Simon adds.

"It's true! I do think it could be one of us here." I defend and the whole room turns silent. " This is a chart for the past year and this year.  I'm certain you all remember the project for landscaping, distribution, and finance management.  Recently, each of them have been having a slow decrease in original attainment, up to date.   Which means, someone in this company is earning more that they should. The problem is, we don't know who, yet. I have also had a meeting with the board of directors as I am having it here with you, because I wouldn't be bias, so I do not only suspect any of you, but the whole company." I conclude.

"Okay fine,  let's say it so happens that one of us here is doing as you say,  what have you decided?" viron asks.

"We're all in this together and every loss, we face it together, so as every profit. For the time being, till we are able to reveal the culprit, each and every one of our monthly dividends would be cut off, so at to narrow down the cause of decrease."

"What! No, don't you think that is too harsh?" Monica exclaims.

"Did you also tell your board of directors that you also want to cut off their salaries, because I totally do not agree to such form of correction." Simon voices bitterly, adjusting his sitting.

"Of course, I did. To which they have understood clearly, which is why I'm having this conversation with you all. In case I didn't mention, once this is all over, each and every one of you,  both with the board of directors would be getting a 2% interest in their dividends for 6 months, as compensation to the inconvenience." I try to convince them.

The room which was once quiet some seconds ago, envelopes into something of debate and disagreement. "And, may I tell you that if this continues, the company starts to go bankrupt, when project starts to go uncompleted and funds are missing, that is eventually what happens." My tone changing.

"I still do not support the form of curbing." Simon refuses.

"I know,  which is why I'm not asking for only your opinion." my tone lacing with venom. "Those in support please clarify and those not in support, should also clarify." I order and the room becomes silent once again.

If they all decline to my solution, it won't be encouraging, because once the company fall, I get to take the most fall, and I certainly would not let that happen.

"Nay." Simon speaks first, staring at the others.

"Nay." Adiya speaks, unexpectedly. Simon turns to face me, his expression holding somewhat victory that adiya decided to pick his side. But where he is misguided is that,  this isn't about sides.

"Nay." Monica supports, breaking us out of our gaze.

"Nay." Harisson and viron joins and I find simon smirking, leaving it down to Bryan and Cyrus.

"Nay." Bryan and Cyrus decide.

I won't say I am totally surprised as to their decision, because definitely I knew many of them would disagree, which is why, I just needed one person  to have supported my decision.

I own 50% of the company, which means, I own half of it. So every decision I need to make, I just need one more shareholder to support me, thereby raising the percentage.

"Well,  I see you all love your income,  even if it's at the depth of being destroyed. But,  that's fine,  you have all decided, meaning my decision stays null." I glance at every one of them.

We'll just have to do this the hard way.

"Thank you for coming. That would be all." I announce, as they dispatch to leave.

'What are we going to do sir?" Kaitlin asks from behind me as soon as they leave.

"Something else."

-------------------

I've always had a great affection towards fashion and style. The clothes I put on,  the shoes, wristwatches, all picked with sense. But, lately I find out, that isn't my sole purpose anymore.

Not until,  I saw her.

Her figure, her walking ways, the swaying of her hips and mostly her innocence.

Bonnie Dane.

I recall the first time I laid eyes on her. I won't say I fell at first sight, because I don't believe in such fairytales, rather I am attracted to her.

The show starts, dividing my attention into, staring at Bonnie Dane, and watching the models move with effrontery.

Some of the models dressed in leather, silk, lycra, and spandex, walking down the runway with structure caved in a square sized manner. Each of them coming out after one another, dressed in different attires representing, Louis Vuitton.

As they walked, I watch as Bonnie Dane take note at each of them.

The show, after presentating their attires, comes to an end with Louis Vuitton as their ending signature, earning an applause from everyone.

Things like this I enjoy and places where you find me spending my leisure time. Well,  apart from other pioriting matters.

I stay in my position, watching as Bonnie Dane goes backstage with the rest of the team. I recall at last event also how this also happened, when I decided I wanted to talk with her, but she ended up slipping from my hands.

I get up, as the crowd is seen to be lessening and move with them,  right to where the paparazzi are taking pictures and covering the event.

And then, I sight her again, talking to other influential individuals.

This time I won't let you slip.

"Mr crest?" The sound of my name rolling off her lips, relaxing me like lullabies, that I actually stop dead in my tracks and enjoy the feeling.

I had a hunch, that she was going to call my name, to give her gratitude, considering she was doing that to other influential people here, and based on the fact that crest industries is one of the biggest and prospering industries in the country, I am quite known.

"I'm Bonnie Dane." she extends her hand. "Thank you so much for coming. It's been a pleasure having you here." she says after meeting up with me.

I stare at her for a second, watching how she manged to make me want to see her often. No doubt, she also has an explicit taste, because what's she's wearing just proves how so.

"I'm guessing you already know my full name, but anyways, I'm Shawn crest." I return the handshake, with a smirk up my lips.

"That I do. I hope you enjoyed the show?" she asks.

"It was excellent." I reply shoving my hands into my pocket. "And with someone like you here,  I doubt it's highly impossible not to." I compliment and she smiles, while I notice the dimple on her right cheek.

It doesn't take a while to know, that I'm practically flirting with her.

"Well,  that's good to know." she starts to get my point.

"Tell me Mrs Dane, what do you work as, here. If you don't mind?"

"Of course not." she shakes her head negatively. "I'm the brand strategist here." she replies smiling the more.  The way her cheeks come up whenever she smiles and how beautiful and shiny her teeth looks, making it hard for me to be able not to avoid every single detail.

"That's good to know, Mrs dane."

"Please, call me Bonnie, formalities make me feel old." she talks and I find myself smiling at her.

"Well, you're far from that, Bonnie." the sound of her name draping from my lips, and I'm thankful that she advised me to call her that.

"Forgive me Mr crest, I've kept you waiting, I'm sorry. It was a pleasure again having you here."

'Not at all, I'm happy the night ended the way it did. It was a pleasure meeting you, Bonnie and I do hope to see you again." I speak confidently, not ashamed of the fact, that I just confessed I enjoyed her company.

"As do I, Mr crest"

------------------

The typing of keys is the only thing that can be heard at the moment, such that if a pin drops, the whole room would echo.

And that's just how I like to work.

The night didn't just end with seeing Mrs Dane....... Actually, bonnie. And it seemed as though I felt satisfied after our little conversation.

The first real conversation I had with her.

Yes, my eyes has been trained on her for a while, but it didn't mean I was yet to approach, not until today.

That would just be rushed.

I stop typing, regaining my mental composure of the little diversion it has seemed to noticed.

Like I said,  if the shareholders are not willing to let me do it the easy way, I will just have to do it the hard way. After senator Gregory unfortunate event, I built a program that when accessed, enables me to override that particular system.

And who says I can't use my program, for my own company.

Every action and transaction that goes through crest industries, I get to see it. Every computer used is connected to each and every employees email, giving me access to their own personal activities.

Every one has their skeletons and so do I. My skeleton is bringing out the illegal activities done by those in higher power.  The embezzlement, the corruption, the terrorist activities, yes that's what I do.

And who least would anyone suspect, than a CEO in public and a hacker by secret.

That's right, I'm Binary.

I am no saint, but every time I see people in high power getting off easily after a major offence, just because they have the connection, makes me weak.

Senator Gregory is a corrupt,  atrocious, dreadful and cheap man, who posed to be a different person than he actually is. Not only did he embezzle the people's money, but also does he have hands in human trafficking.

Now, I have only released the statements of accounts for his embezzlement only and other accounts, which would be able to bring him down from his position, but I don't just want that.

I want him behind bars.

And if that isn't enough, then I will release the audio calls leading him to human trafficking earlier than I envisaged.

Just because you're rich and in a high position, doesn't give you or anyone the right to do bad things. The public may see Binary as a bad person and Mr crest as a hero, but both are the same persons.

Both are striving to make the world a better place. So, I don't regret what I do.

Back to my immediate problem as to who is stealing from my company, I'm tracing it down to my employees first, starting with Kaitlin. Even though she is my PA and doubt she would do that, it doesn't mean I trust anyone.

Her records come back clean, no suspicious increase in her bank account, and so do other employees, whom also come back clean. Then down to the board of directors whom also comes back clean. I run a hand through my hair, as I glance at the time.

Almost dawn.

But it didn't matter.

Since everyone came clean, that leaves the shareholders. Could it really be one of them?

Oh God save their souls if it is,  because I would not take it a damn lightly.

I run through adiya's accounts, shares and investment in other companies as I do mine, and there seem to be a surprising rise and fall in cash flow.

Could it be?

Fortunately, it isn't. The increase and fall in Cash, apparently is based on two of more other companies which she has shares in, and are going bankrupt, but managed to get back on their feet, and the hospital she's currently building, which would explain why she would decline for the cut off dividends.

I move down to Bryan, Cyrus, Harrison and viron,  all coming back with nothing, so I'm left with Monica and Simon.

Monica's account seem suspicious, but not suspicious enough for what I'm looking for, which means she's also out the list. 

Which leaves Simon.

Simon's income from the company seems normal, and other of his shares with different companies. He's account checked and up to date,  but the problem that baffles me, is that it seems to perfect to be true.

As of the others accounts, just like adiya's there was a rise and fall, but Simons own seem to remain stagnant.

If that's the case, that means he doesn't spend money?

With the lavish lifestyle Simon wassier lives, this is too little of the money to be deducted. What baffles me again, is the fact that, he recently purchased a new Aston Martin, latest version and I can't see it deducted in any of his accounts.

Since I'm able to access his emails,  I'm able to access his phones, laptops or any other device, but I soon find nothing.

Theres definitely something fishy, and I will find it.

I will find out what you're hiding Simon,  I will.

But that's not for today.

I close my laptop, after erasing all my tracks from any of their activities and I glance at the time to be, 5:45am.

I was tired, no doubt, because today has seriously been hectic, and the only thing that seems to have made it better, was seeing Bonnie.

Her smile, her words, her beauty and everything about her seems to enchant me, no doubt, I have taken a liking in her. And I always go after what I like.

The question is now, am I ready to build something serious with her or let her be one of my other flings?

Am i ready to let her find out about who I really am?  Because eventually, she will.

Am I ready to have a serious relationship with Mrs Dane?

Because i have secrets, and I have absolutely no idea how she'll react, when she finds my skeletons.

But as of now, let fate take it course, and let the story begin.