Victoria

Chapter Twenty-Nine: Escape Plan

Day 18 in being stick between a rock and hard place...

"Hey in, get out. No need to socialize." Jax said once we were next in line, he looked over the passenger seat to instruct me in avoiding the Barnes family. Greg was initially going to drive me to the party, but as a concerned boyfriend that wanted to punch Eric in the face until both of their body parts were bleeding- he was tagging along. "You look beautiful, by the way."

I smiled and chuckled before tapping the tip of his nose, "I will just have a glass of wine and talk to the owner of Saint Olives and then leave."

"What kind of tech company is called Saint Olives?" Greg made himself noticeable after the long hour drive. "It's sounds like a Catholic clothing store."

"The first owner had some mental issues after a car accident, and the name was the best thing they could retrieve from that long list of mess. Anyway, they'd going to change it soon. I'm a little nervous, I'm meeting the owner and I don't even know if my idea is great. I was high when I wrote it down."

"You'll be fine, we went over it so many times and you even spoke to Annalise about it. Just breath." Jax advised before sending me a large smile and turning forward when we were next in dropping me off.

"Good luck." Greg voiced while looking at me through the rear view mirror. I took a deep breath and opened the door to get a good look at the Victorian style mansion that most likely has more ghost than the Amityville horror. I walked up the steps while tugging back my hair so I can at least look decent, my dress wasn't exactly upper class taste and it looks like I'm an outcast plus one than a person trying to get a job; I don't know which one is better.

I stepped to the door, but apparently they have guards checking for tickets and I don't have one. I knew it was too good to be true, it's stupid of me to think I can actually get this job. I sighed heavily before approaching the door, I would call Craig but the phone number was from his office- all I can do was rig my luck.

"Invitation?" A woman stood between the large guards that were dressed better than me and they know it.

"Uh, I-"

"No invitation, no entry." She voiced with a chirpy tone that confused me on if this misfortune was a good one or bad.

"No, I-"

"She's with me." Great, the last person I wanted to see tonight, Eric stepped out of the opened door with a glass of scotch in his hands. "Eric Barnes, she's my plus one."

The lady looked down at the list and nod her head in approval, "Enjoy the party." Just like that, her passive aggressive mood became welcoming as she stepped to the side.

I sighed softly before sending her a small smile before stepping inside, purposely ignoring Eric's gaze and wicked smirk, his mask covered half of his and made his eyes darker- which makes him look like a evil villain. I went straight to the back, I could see the pool house in the distance, adjusting my own mask that came cheap at the Halloween store before walking outside. Like Craig said, the big boss-  Stewart Michelson, he stood directly in front of the pool house enjoying himself a dark stiff drink while wearing all black and a silver mask.

"Mister Michelson?" I approached him with bright smile while removing the cheap mask. "I'm Victoria Sims, the computer geek Craig may have mentioned."

Stewart extended his hand, "Yes, of course, nice to finally meet you. I hear you have an idea for me."

I took his hand and gave a firm shake that I tried to pull back on because I was really nervous and I don't want to squeeze too tight. "Yes, I have many ideas but I'll pitch the best one and see if you like it. Okay," I took a deep breath. "The idea is a protection system that involves a firewall that send the information a person is looking for to a backup system and another device. It's a working progress but if you don't like it, then I can got to the next."