46 Scrubbing the company

After a while, Leo calmed down. Nicole made a cup of coffee for him to drink, ''here, drink this''

''Thanks. It's Lizzy still here?'' Leo asked looking around the hall.

''No, she couldn't bear to watch you cry, so she left''

''Let's scrub off the company and start up a new one'' Leo said with a determined gaze.

''What? That, you might end up losing more than you would gain''

Data scrubbing also known as data cleansing is a process of amending or removing data in a database that is incorrect, incomplete, improperly formatted or duplicated. Organisations use data scrubbing to systematically examine data for flaws by using rules, algorithms and look-up tables. A typical database tool includes programs that are capable of correcting a number of specific mistakes, such as adding missing zip codes, finding duplicate records.

''I'm willing to take the risk. if I need to remove all the weeds, then I would have to do complete scrubbing of the entire database. I understand the risk involved in that but I am willing to take it''

''What if you lose everything? You will be in debt, Leo. You have to think about this carefully'' Nicole was warning him because she knew what it meant to scrub a company completely.

''As long as I can pay the principal cost I am willing to do it. I still have insurance that I did with Lizzy five years ago. it will be enough to take care of the initial debt. I have a friend who will also be willing to help me out''

''You need a lawyer too, because Priscy will not allow you to scrub the company that easily''

''I will get a lawyer.

''Then, we first of all have to get our hands on the company's latest income statement. If there is something missing in the company's bottom line, it could alter the overall analysis. The risk in this is that we end up finding out the depth at which the company is already ruined but the good part is, we will be able to know how the money disappeared and whose accounts they are going into''

''Let's do that then. If I am going to start anew, then I need to get rid of everyone that's not for me. I think this is the reason why Lizzy started this investigation in the first place. If she really found out something and those two had to get rid of her in order to keep their secret safe, we will find out''

''You won't regret this later on, right?''

''I don't do things I regret. Let's have a good collaboration. Off course, you won't be working for free. I will pay you the right remuneration that you deserve''

''Sure'' they suddenly heard the sound of rain and looked outside and noticed it was raining.

''It keeps raining a lot lately'' Nicole murmured.

''I know, right?''

''Legend has it that when it keeps raining almost every day, it means that someone is crying out for help. I wonder if there is someone out there really crying out for help?''

''You are so superstitious''

Nicole stood up and lightning flash across the hall. she screamed and held unto Leo, startling him. The way she hugged him tightly made his chuckle.

''Are you being straightforward with me now?'' Leo asked and stood up with her still clinging unto him. Nicole quickly stepped back from him and looked away.

''I am not. I just fear the lightning that comes with heavy rains''

''What can I say, you're really tempting me right now'' Leo said and took hold of her hand and they look at each other. Do you still like me that much?''

Nikki pushed him away and went to sit on the couch, her face turning red as she spoke, ''who likes you? I have my own type; you know; besides I don't like men who don't want me okay?''

''Really?'' he asked and sat next to her, ''I'm here, you don't have to be afraid of anything anymore'' he said and held her hand.

''I wasn't scared''

''You don't look fine to me. Your eyes…''

''My eyes, what is wrong with my eyes?''

Nicole blushed when he looked at her.

''They are selling you are. Your eyes are telling me that you are happy I'm next to you''

''Do you have a spare room, where I can sleep in?''

''I only have one bedroom. I don't mind sharing it with you'' Leo said and winked at her. Nicole coughed and stood up away from him immediately.

''You are such a womanizer''

''What world thoughts are you having? I was just teasing you'' Leo stood up and starting walking towards the guestroom, ''follow me. I will show you to your room''

Nicole gathered the papers on the table to take with her. she wanted to look at them again before going to bed. She loved to work in a quiet environment.

…..

Leo arrived at Nick's bar the next morning after sending Nicole to her apartment. He wanted to meet with him and inform him of the things that happened last night and the decision he came out with.

''What did you find?'' Nesli asked the moment Leo sat down next to him.

''Lizzy was investigating my company before she passed away. I think she found out something and was about to tell me before she passed away. We found some documents in both Ray and Priscy's apartments. Nicole took them home to look at them again''

''Can you call Nicole to meet with us here? I want to make sure she will be able to be the witness in this case. Since she is the only link we have, we can't afford to let anything happen to her''

''Don't worry. Nicole is safe. Tomorrow, she will officially start work at the company. I have already asked someone to set up a new desk for her and it will be ready by tomorrow''

As they were chatting, Nesli saw Nicole walk into the club. She went over to sit at a far end of the counter and didn't seem like she had seen them.

''Is that not Nicole?'' Nesli pointed at her and asked Leo. When Leo turned and saw her, he was surprised to see her. She was still wearing the dress he picked for her from Lizzy's closet.

''Is that her boyfriend?'' Nesli pointed at Nick who was chatting happily with Nicole. Looking at them, Leo furrowed his brows and got down from his high chair.

''She has a lot of explanation to do'' he said and walked over to them.

Nick leaned towards Nicole's face and touched her eyelids, ''don't move or it will fall into your eyes again'' he said to her as he tried to separate her long eyelids. One had entered into her eyes and it was making her uncomfortable.

''Hurry up, it feels uncomfortable'' Nicole said and Nick stepped back.

''It's done. Whoa, now that I'm looking at you, you are so pretty''

''You were always blind. You and those stupid men are all blind''

''Is he your boyfriend?'' Leo asked and stood in front of them.

''Leo?'' Nicole turned to look at him, ''what are you doing here?'' she asked.

''Is he your type? Last night you said I wasn't your type'' he asked and looked at Nick who was confused.

''You, I remember you? You come here every other day'' Nick recognised him.

''Yes, I do''

''Nicole, how do you know him?'' Nick turned to Nicole.

''He is…''

''I am her first love'' Leo said, interrupting Nicole.

''You…'' Nicole suddenly felt speechless.

Nicole jumped up from the counter and stood between Leo and Nicole, ''finally, I get to meet you, so you're that guy who cursed my sister right?''

''Sis… sister?'' Leo stretched his neck to look at Nicole.

''What is wrong with the both of you?'' Nicole pushed Nick aside and sighed, ''he is my twin brother'' she explained and Leo pursed her lips.

''Why didn't you tell me that earlier? I totally misunderstood you''

''Did you even give me the chance to explain?'' Nicole asked him.

''Nicole, what are you doing with him? He is the one who dumped you''

''He didn't dump me. can you choose your words carefully?'' Nicole glared at her brother.

''Nicole, hi'' Nesli went over to them.

''Hi, Nesli. We meet again''

''Tell me, what are you doing with my sister?'' Nick glared at Leo.

''Nothing, I'm sorry for misunderstanding the situation just now''

''I still don't like you for my sister. Nikki, what business do you have with him?''

''I have no particular business with him. We are just working together''

''I am her employer. She is my accountant'' Leo answered.

''Accountant? When did you get a job without telling me?''

''Oh, it just worked out that way. Nick, I will call you later. You, let's go'' she said to Leo.

'Where are we going?''

'''Are you going to sit here in front of my brother after what you did? I can't guarantee your safety''

''Let's go. I also need to talk to Nicole about something'' Nesli pulled Leo along as they walked out.