Unexpected 4: Digital Purge

Chapter 4: Trapped

24 hours before, Community Center

"So" Hondo paused, as he stretched his back and upper torso, "are we done now?" he asked jokingly, with a grin from ear to ear.

He was trying to stay positive. Supporting Nichelle wasn't always easy, especially when it usually ended up with him trapped into one of her 'amazing ideas', at the last minute. He was the muscle and the smile...she knew it!

This time she had promised him a nice quiet lunch, where they could talk and enjoy the beautiful day. He suggested a walk in the beach, but she quickly diverted his idea to a Mexican restaurant near the center. She told him one of the girls from the night support groups had brought her food from there and it was amazing, plus it was next a city park where they could take the food and eat it picnic style. Everything seemed perfect for Hondo, who just wanted a pleasant afternoon with his girl, while he continued to plan out his next step for their relationship.

But...it was all a trap! Once again Nichelle and her beautiful charm had sucked him into helping her with some activity down at the center.

"It'll just be a couple of minutes. I just wanna make sure everything's perfect" she had said as he shot a look of skepticism. She rolled her eyes, and continued "C'mon, babe. I just...need you to help me with a couple of things. It'll be quick, I promise!"

This woman's the devil! Hondo thought as he knew for a fact: it ain't't going to be no damn minute. Still, he loved her. He wasn't gonna make a big fuss about it.

It wasn't! She had him move chairs, unfold tables, set up stations, put up decorations...a lot! After 35 minutes she was still bossing him around.

Man, she lucky I love her. For real! This ain't even fair right now! he thought as he moved the ladder to put up even more decorations. Turns out she wanted to throw a surprise birthday party for one of the ladies that worked in the center.

"Thank you, honey. I hope Mary Anne likes this!"

"She better!" he responded as he came down the ladder. She smiled at him, as he grabbed her by the waste and moved her closer to him. "You, ma'am, owe me lunch! And...it better be some good Mexican food!" he said as he slowly kissed her. Nichelle just giggled and nodded.

"Uh hum..." she responded quietly

"Hey! We have a problem!" called Emma, a close friend, as she rushed towards them. She had been the center's accountant for years. She runs all the papers and economics of the center.

All three immediately rushed to one of the small offices to the side. They stood behind her, as she sat down to face the computer. Apparently the IRS had sent a very strong letter of warning.

"What happened? What's that?" Nichelle said as she tried to read the email

"It's an warning for License Revocation from the IRS." said Emily, dead serious

"What? Why? I thought we were on track." Nichelle said as she panicked.

"So did I." she hit some buttons in the keyboard, and opened several tabs and windows. "I went over all the books, receipts and documents last week. The problem is, they're not here anymore."

"What?" Nichelle asked again, panic was definitely settling in

"Woah! How could that happen?" asked Hondo

"I have no idea. Everything was here." the woman kept hitting keys and opening windows, documents etc with no avail. "I sent the email with the documentation to the CPA of non profits, but she says she never got it. Now, I'm looking for it in the sent folder and it's not there. We were suppose to submit those files last week, on Monday. She sent two more emails, according to her, but we didn't get those either. Now the IRS is threatening to revoke our permits." Emily explained quickly, still glued to the screen