Page 69 of Paparazzi Perfect
Secretly, adrenaline pumped through me.
I’d discovered something important about the mysterious company registered in my name. I’d checked the system. All the files were encrypted. I wasn’t sure what my next move was, but I knew I needed to access those files.
Somehow.
Relief flowed through me when the semester break ended. I returned to my studies, where I was less trapped and could figure out a plan to access those files. Getting to the bottom of Karlos’s sneaky new company was my priority.
After a grueling economics lecture, I texted Gus that a group of us were heading to the cafeteria. Thankfully, he was fine with me hanging out with the friends I’d made, despite my father’s overbearing reach.
I set my coffee down on the table just as my phone beeped.
IVY: Wish you were here. I miss you, city boy. I’m going to yoga tonight, so call me later. Hope you’re enjoying being back at uni xx
KARSON: Missing you more. Yeah, glad to be back. Much better than doing paperwork. I’ll call you tonight… I don’t want to interrupt you in the middle of a downward dog haha xx
She sent a laughing emoji and a purple heart. I turned to look at Tyler sitting opposite me.
He was studying for a double degree in Advanced Computing and Commerce and always seemed to have a pile of books within reach. Like his chinos and button-up shirt, his brown hair was, without fail, perfectly arranged. He was telling the sporty-looking young woman beside him all about some guy from class.
“Honestly,” Tyler declared, “I don’t even know why Kelvin bothers with uni. He was some kind of child prodigy. This must beso basicfor him. He could have made millions by now. My guess is he’s trying to play it straight, after all the trouble he got into when he was a kid.” His eyes bulged with excitement.
The sporty blonde girl beside him laughed and, seeing that I was listening in, gave me a little wave. “Hey, I’m Jamie.”
“Hey, good to meet you. I’m Karson.” I smiled. “So, who’s this Kelvin guy? And what happened when he was a kid?”
Tyler sucked in a breath. “You don’t know? Bro, he’s like hacking fucking royalty. I bet you’ll remember the stories after I tell you.”
“He is.” Jamie nodded as she took a sip of matcha.
I smiled. “Okay, fill me in. The suspense is killing me.”
Tyler leaned in and whispered, “Remember when all the online systems went down long enough to piss everyone off, about five or six years ago? Banks, supermarkets. A bunch of other shit.”
“Yeah, I vaguely remember reading about it.”
“Well, they traced it all back to some skinny kid. He was running the entire operation out of his dad’s basement. Brought everything to its knees,” he breathed, shaking his head.
“Oh,thatkid! He was all over the news, some kind of kidgenius. Didn’t he get locked up or something?” I asked, squinting as I tried to recall.
“Yeah, well,thatwas Kelvin. And nah, they didn’t lock him up. He was just a kid, so they let him stay home, but they basically put him under house arrest,” Tyler said, between sips coffee. “But that was ages ago. Kelvin’s one of us now. He’s quiet, but he’s a cool guy. Just don’t leave any of your devices lying around near him, or your bank account might end up drained.” He grinned.
Jamie laughed. “Yeah, Kelvin’s a bit of a legend around here. I don’t think there’s anything hecan’thack.”
“Shit!” Tyler blurted. “Here he comes. Shut up.”
A pale, lanky, red-haired guy wearing dark-rimmed glasses and dressed in all black approached our table, a motorcycle helmet in one hand.
“Hey, Kelvin. How’s it going?” Jamie said, looking up at him.
“Good.” He shoved his phone into his pocket. “How about you guys?” he asked with a one-sided grin.
“We were just talking about the assignment due on Monday.” Tyler opened his laptop. “Obviouslyyou’reall over it, Kelvin, but have you got any tips for us mere mortals, mate?” he joked.
“Sure, man.” Kelvin grinned. “What are you stuck on?” He put his helmet down and sat beside me. “I’ll see if I can help you out.”
“Thanks, Kel,” Tyler said. After a quick introduction around the table, Tyler worked through the questions. Kelvin answered them one by one.
Eventually, Tyler stood up and stretched, thanked him, then made his exit.
