Corporate Love

Chapter 20

MARK POV

Currently, Prom bringing me to Ploy's house as we are going to confront her about this whole situation. Everything that happens right now feels so surprising and upset at the same time. I was not even expecting that Ploy could do this to me.

I'm still shocked after viewing and playing the CCTV video repeatedly of the actual footage on the day Vee's pen drive missing. 

We have been childhood friends for a long time and I truly can't believe this has been done by someone that I truly treasured as my best friend.

"Apparently, she edited the footage and bargained with whoever was there on that day in the CCTV room to change the footage," Prom's sudden voice filled the silent car.

"Prom, can you promise me something?"

"Yes, Mark."

"Whatever happens just not let Vee's know about this thing yet."

"What are you saying Mark, the reason why we doing this is to let know Vee the truth but now you saying not to tell him." Why?"

I sighed and slumped my shoulders "I know, Prom, but this is complicated. Vee's been through so much already. I just don't want to add more stress to his life."

Prom shook his head, his expression firm. "Mark, what about you? Aren't you going through the same as him? 

I looked down, my gaze fixated on my fidgeted fingers. After a moment of tense silence, I finally spoke, "I'm sure I'll tell him about this but let's find out what the actual purpose of all this by Ploy and later I'll find the right time and place to tell Vee. I don't want to drop this bombshell on him without any preparation."

Prom nodded, relieved that Mark had come around. "Agreed. We'll approach this delicately. But remember, Mark, we can't keep this from him forever. It's better that he hears it from us rather than discovering it later on his own."

I sighed again, "I know, Prom. I just hope he accepts and truly believes me this time."

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As we pulled up to Ploy's apartment, I took a deep breath before confronting her. 

"You can do it, Mark, I'm here." Prom side while patting my shoulders.

I gave him a short smile to assure him that I was all right. Come to think of it I can't able to express my gratitude to Prom as he helped and supported me until this day even before the truth was unrevealed. 

The air outside was cool, contrasting with the heat of the moment. I knocked on the door, and after a few moments, Ploy opened it with a curious look on her face.

"Mark...Prom, what brings you here, especially at this time?" Ploy asked.

"Can we come inside for a while, it's freezing outside," I asked.

"Yes." As she said while guiding us inside her apartment.

As the whole apartment filled with an uncomfortable silence, Ploy's voice rang,

"What brings you both here? Are you and Vee okay, Mark?" She asked while an unrealistic concern peeked through her voice.

The audacity to ask if my boyfriend was fine or not was the end point for me. As I turn my back to face.

"We need to talk, Ploy. About Vee and the missing pen drive."

Ploy's expression shifted from concern to curiosity. "What do you mean? What it has to do with me?"

"I need to know why you did this," I asked, my voice getting firm. "And I think you might have some answers."

Ploy, however, remained composed and denied any involvement. "What are you talking about Mark? 

"Don't act like you're innocent Ploy. I have the original footage." At that moment Prom plays the actual CCTV footage in which he discovers the revealing truth about Ploy who actually rummaging and takes the pen drive from Vee's bag.

As the video stopped playing I sighed heavily while facing her "Ploy, we know it's you. This footage is clear. Why would you do this? What are you hiding?"

Ploy's expression hardened. "I have no idea what you're talking about. Maybe someone is trying to frame me. I've never done this, Mark." As there is no pleading or guilty looking can be seen through in her emotions. 

The Ploy I'm seeing right now is a person with no emotion as she looks so unbothered about this whole situation.

"Look, the evidence is right there. You need to explain yourself, Ploy. We want to understand why you took the pen drive. Please explain." I pleaded.

After a long silence, Ploy scoffed, crossing her arms defensively.

"You know what, Yes I did it," Ploy finally said, her voice choked with no remorse for her wrongdoings. "I took the pen drive and edited the entire CCTV footage projecting you as you took the pen drive.

"And Mark I don't owe anyone an explanation. Arghhhhh! This is ridiculous. Her evil laugh peeked and that was the first time I saw the other side of Ploy after being a best friend for more than 10 years.

I was totally stunned by the whole confession she made as my mind still getting digested from all the divulge that spilt by Ploy. The room remained engulfed in the heavy atmosphere and the only question was arose was-

"Why Ploy?"

"You ask me why Mark? Seriously! BECAUSE I FUCKING LOVE VEE. She shouted with frustration by swinging her hands in the air.

"I love Vee so much, and I was terrified of losing him," Ploy confessed, her voice breaking. 

"I saw you as a rival as this person was too perfect for Vee and yes I regretted when I rejected him in the first place-

"But I felt that I wanted to be in your position to receive Vee's love. So then this is when I found out about the pen drive and the conspiracy, I thought it was a way to keep Vee by my side at the end of the day."

The room filled with another of silence as the only sound was hearing Ploy sobbing. And then when she spoke again.

"But I could provide and fulfil him that something you can't do." She said while giving a smirky smile.

"What is that," I asked

"I could fulfil his pleasure needs and provide a FAMILY. Could you provide a family Mark?" Her teasing face appeared.

The judgemental question brings a pang of realization at that moment as I could not be able to  provide a complete family for Vee in future.