Is it love? Ryan Carter - His side of the story!

Chapter 33 - The Proposal

"We've been under a cyber-attack" – Colin announces in an annoyed tone. How come that again? Colin is not the kind of person that makes this kind of mistake for Christ's sake. - "Another one? Colin, I thought we had..." - He cuts me off before I could remind him of a failed mission. - "Yes, I thought that too, and I apologize. Apparently, it was coming from everywhere, Ryan. I have a feeling that this new virus was planted on our system while we were recovering our network from Safe Planet attack." – He says looking sorry, running a hand through his hair. - "That long?" - I ask him astonished. - "Well, for the number of corrupted files we have, and the timing some information came to light I suppose yes, that long. Apparently it's not a virus that destroys our system like the one Safe Planet plant on our network. It works like a door for network and system intrusion. It's discreet and subtle. I'm still trying to figure out who and how, but I have a feeling it happened right after that infamous attack. We were vulnerable, and unfortunately, you couldn't manage that stupid video and the incident to go public. They, whoever they are, took advantage of it and sent us this ghost virus. You don't have the slightest idea what I had to do to find it..."

Suddenly, my phone rings interrupting Colin's explanation. It's Stewart. What the heck. He knew I was in a meeting. As much as I'm suspicious of him, it's not like him to call me like that. Don't give it a second thought I answer the phone. - "Stewart?"

"Sir... " - He answers probing. - "I'm in a meeting Stewart. It's urgent?" - I say in a firm tone. I don't like to be interrupted. - "Miss Turner is downstairs, a car just tried to run her over." - He doesn't beat around the bush, does he? Straight to the point. No sugar coating making my heart almost jump over my throat. - "What? Are you kidding me, right? What was she doing downstairs? It's raining and she was supposed to leave with me today. She's with you?" - I ask worried sick running a hand over my hair. - "Yes..." - What kind of succinct answer is that? - "I'm finishing this meeting." - "Okay." - My god. If he keeps these monosyllabic answers, I'll lose my shit. - "There still are people around?" - I ask him, waiting for more information. - "Yes." - But he keeps giving me one-word answers and that's unbearable. And then occurs to me she may be hurt. That's why he's being so short. - "Is she hurt?" - I ask waiting for his answer expectantly, never so afraid in my entire life. - "No." - Oh, thank God. -"I'm on my way." - I inform him. - "Fine."

I turn to the crowd on my office not reminding exactly why we were gathered here. My only thought is Rory. That I need to be with her, to see her. - "Gentlemen's" - I address Colin, Mark, and Sanderson. - "I'll need to cut short this meeting. Apparently, My PA was attacked in front of the building."

"What? Miss Tuner?" - Mark asks dumbfounded. - "Yes, I'm going downstairs to check on her. We'll finish this meeting tomorrow. Colin, in the meanwhile, look at the cameras in front of the building to try to track who tried to hurt Rory, please?" - He let a sigh and nod. - "I'm sorry Sanderson, I know you need to get back to DC..." - He raises his hand to stop me. - "Don't worry Carter. I understand. I'll be here tomorrow." - On that note, I turn to leave my office and run to the elevators. It takes an eternity to the metal box arrives, then to run down to the lobby. When the doors open, I see a commotion close to the reception desk. When I see her, she's a mess. Soaking wet, pale, looking like a small animal cornered. - "Rory!" – I call her, and she looks at me relieved. - "Ryan!" - She gets up and throws herself into my arms.

Never mind the spectators all around us! To tell the truth, it doesn't matter anymore to me. She buries her face against me and wraps her arms around me, holding me tightly up against her. I hug her with the same intensity. - "Come on... Come on... I'm here now... All is well..." - I say more to sooth me than her. I was in panic that something could have happened to her. She then backs away from me a little and looks over to Stewart. - "Jake... saved my life." – She says softly. The latter stands beside us, impassive. I look at him for a moment thinking about what happened. Soon I'll know. Colin will retrieve the security cameras' image. For now, I'm relieved that he was with her and managed to save her. But it bothers me they were together. I don't like how he's always hovering around her. Suddenly the blond secretary, Miss Parker, friend of Rory appears with a small tray with cups of steaming tea. She freezes when I look towards her.