Chapter 1 : Chloe's Pov

I rushed out of the house, as I was looking for a public that will take me to the office, I was running out of time and I don't want to get to the office late.

I quickly entered  the available public bus, hoping to get to the office as soon as possible to avoid queries.

People had occupied the seats in the bus, but I managed to secure a seat beside the window. When the bus was moving I was thinking about the projects that I had to attend to when I get to the office.

"Beep-beep, our bus made a loud noise  suddenly, as it stopped on the road. The people were complaining and angry because of the issue that the bus developed. We stood outside waiting for them to fix it.

"You are supposed to check the vehicle and the components before  bringing it out on the road!!" A passenger shouted from the back.

"Do you realize that you are putting the lives of people in danger by driving a bus that has somel issues?" Another passenger said with an angry countenance.

"I'm so sorry, I checked everything before I drove it but sometimes vehicles  can be unpredictable, I apologize for any inconveniences that I may have caused." The bus driver responded.

Everybody got down from the bus, I was very worried because I didn't want to get to the office late. I had always been a punctual staff member and I wanted to continue that way.

We were all standing beside the bus, I was checking if I could see another bus that can take me to the office. Suddenly I saw my boss's car, I waved and shouted hoping that he would see me. Luckily for me, my boss, Mr. Williams Robinson, saw me and told me to come inside his car.

I sat down in the car with the relief of finally getting an alternative. "Good morning Sir."

I greeted my boss with a smile.

"Good morning Chloe, what happened? Why are you just going to the office?" My boss asked me, while  he was driving.

"I didn't board the bus on time and when I finally got on the bus, it developed a mechanical fault. We had to alight from the bus which delayed me." I responded,while using my seat belt for safety.

"Ohh, public transportation can be unreliable sometimes. Before I got my car, I faced similar issues which made me lose some job opportunities. But the story is different now." Mr. Williams said, as he laughed.

"Maybe I should get my car soon." I told him with a smile.

"It's a matter of time Chloe."

"Yes sir."

Mr. Williams drove, as there was silence in the car, he played solemn music. When we finally got to the office, I was happy that my lateness would not be recorded since I came in with the CEO, I would use his influence. As we entered the office vicinity, I quickly wanted to cover up for the time wasted but I didn't know that there were more challenges ahead of me.

My boss, Mr. Williams Robinson, went to his office to resume duties as I passed through the reception.

"Good morning Annabel." I greeted my colleague with a smile.

Annabel was the receptionist, we had a lot in common and we related like sisters.

"Morning Chloe, you came late today, hope nothing?"  Annabel asked me.

"Yes, the bus I boarded had mechanical faults, we had to come down for them to fix it, so it took my time. I was fortunate to see the boss driving by, he was the one who drove me to the office."

"Ohh, I'm sorry you had to go through all that stress."

"Thank you Annabel, we will talk later."  I said, walking towards my office

As I was walking towards the corridor, the atmosphere was unusual, I felt uncomfortable and restless, I ignored the feeling thinking it was because I was stressed out.

I got to my office and settled down to attend to the work I left undone the previous day. I was the personal assistant to the CEO, so the work was laborious and extensive.

A few moments later, I was about to leave my office to submit some documents to the CEO when the office lights suddenly went off and the receptionist made an announcement on the intercom. "Emergency all staff members, this is a security announcement. Please leave the office vicinity and follow procedures, armed robbers are on the premises."

I was afraid when this announcement was made, everybody was panicking and running helter skelter. The office that was calm now became a terrific place.

"Chloe! Chloe" my boss called me, as he ran out of the office after hearing the announcement.

"Sir!" I responded, as I was trembling.

"Call all the staff members here, we need to go to a safe place."

I managed to call everyone within my reach as the boss led us to a hidden emergency room.

"Why are the armed robbers attacking us? Is it a general attack in the area or they targeted us specifically?" I asked my boss, as we got to the secured room.

"Chloe, I don't have any answers to your questions, I am confused just as you are." Mr. Williams Robinson replied to me sharply.

As we were inside, we heard noises from outside. Mr. Williams Robinson placed his ears on the door, in order to hear what was happening outside. He was calm,but definitely disturbed about the robbery.

"Hope the security guards will be able to stop the armed robbers?" Olivia, one of the staff members asked.

"Let's be hopeful Olivia, we don't know the kind of weapons in the hands of the armed robbers" I responded.

Suddenly, the lights in the secret room went off, everywhere became dark and silent. We heard loud footsteps coming towards our direction and there was a heavy knock on the door.