The Innocent Girl Who Stole His Heart

Chapter 15

"Neeve!" My mother's voice, laced with concern, pulled me back from the brink of despair. "You didn't inform me you were coming?" Ruth moved closer to my frozen form, her eyes following my gaze to the smoldering pile.

"Mother, you just ruined me!" I cried, my voice cracking with anguish. Everything that happened today is because of you! "Why, Mother, why must you do this?" I pointed a trembling finger at the burning remains of the CEO's clothes.

Ruth hesitantly traced her hand towards the dying embers. "I thought it wasn't useful, that's why I burnt it." Her explanation was simple, innocent, yet it felt like a fresh stab to my heart.

Tears streamed down my face. "Did I tell you it wasn't useful?" Did I? I barked at her, my voice raw with desperation. "I hate you, Mother!" I screamed, turning on my heel and rushing out of the big iron gate, sobbing uncontrollably as I hopped into my Camry.

"What am I going to say to the f*****g CEO?" "He's going to screw me over!" I lamented, gripping the steering wheel as I drove through the deepening twilight. The darkness enveloped me, but my mind raced, endlessly replaying the scenario, searching for a solution, for any plausible excuse to tell Adrian. I was lost in thought until sheer exhaustion finally claimed me, and I dozed off.

Meanwhile, Adrian had showered and now lay on his king-sized bed. How could such an arrogant woman exist? He thought, the image of Neeve's defiant face burning in his mind. He couldn't sleep, tossing from side to side. Last night, I could fall asleep peacefully. Why is it so difficult tonight? He finally dozed off, drifting into a turbulent dreamland.

Adrian's dream:

"Happy birthday! Happy birthday! Happy birthday to you!"

"Woooo!" his father, Matthew, cheered, while Abigail, his mother, clapped joyously as Adrian, a sixteen-year-old, blew out the candles on his cake.

"Now make your wish," his father prompted, a happy pout on his lips.

"I wish Mother and Father long life and prosperity!" Adrian declared loudly.

"Adrian," his father corrected gently, "it's a wish one doesn't say out loud."

"What will happen if someone says it?" Adrian asked, curious.

"The wish will never come true," Matthew stated, then playfully pinched his son's cheek. "But yours will be different, my boy."

"Father!" Adrian pouted, but a smile touched his lips.

After eating dinner around five that evening, Adrian insisted they all go watch the sunset.

"Adrian, it's not necessary," his father reasoned, but Adrian was adamant.

"I want that, Father! Mother, talk to your husband!"

"Okay, I will," Abigail conceded. "Matthew, let's all go watch it, and once Adrian is done satisfying himself, we will return home."

Matthew, after a moment of rumination, agreed. "Alright."

They enjoyed the breathtaking view of the sunset, watching as the first stars began to emerge in the darkening sky. They were heading home when, suddenly, police sirens wailed, and cops were running after thugs. Matthew quickly hid his family behind a parked car, hoping to avoid detection. Adrian was leaning in the car, tired after their long excursion.

"Father, can you help me sit over there?" he pointed to a large stone that looked like a perfect seat.

"Adrian, you're too lazy for a man," Matthew teased, but he walked towards his son. The next thing they heard was a deafening gunshot.

"Father!"

Adrian sprang up from his bed, drenched in sweat. The same nightmare. It was half past two in the middle of the night. He opened his drawer, pulled out his pills, and chewed them, his mind racing. Why was last night different?

The radio clicked on at six thirty. I reached out, groping for the button to tune out the insistently cheery voice of the newscaster, then froze as the import of what he was saying sifted into my consciousness: "Eight inches of snow had fallen on the city during the night. Do not drive unless absolutely necessary."

I swiftly climbed down from the bed. "Not today, when I'm f*****g tired!" I groaned. "I have to go by foot to my workplace."

"Neeve, Neeve! It's just a thirty-minute walk to your office! "Why are you complaining?" My stupid parrot's ruffling voice chirped, annoyingly cheerful.

"It's none of your business! I hate hiking"! "My delicate legs can't walk on this snowy ground!" I snapped.

"Fly… Neeve, fly!" the parrot ruffled again.

"Will you shut up, stupid parrot?"

"I won't shut up!" the parrot chirped defiantly.

I ignored it and dragged my feet into the bathroom. Today is Friday. Tomorrow, I can sleep all through. I stared at myself in the mirror as I had my bath, my sight catching on my breasts. I shook my head. These are too small, I sniffed. I washed my ass with the cold water. Wow, my buttocks are superb, a moderate figure I praised, giving it a playful spank. No wonder those company guys look at me twice. They must be admiring my god-damned butt.

My mind drifted to Adrian. I stopped bathing and sniffed, a sigh escaping my lips. Only God can decide my fate. Neeve, preparing for the worst, I consoled myself and continued bathing. I rinsed the soap from my body and went into my dressing room. I rummaged through my closet, searching for clothes to wear. It was such a cold day… what was I going to wear?

"Oh, wooo!" I exclaimed, pulling out a long bright yellow jumpsuit. This fits me well! I twirled around the room and then put on a thick jacket over it. I walked out of the room, letting out a gasp. However, don't think too much… I shut the door behind me.

I arrived at the company earlier than usual. The whole place was empty; no one had come yet, only the security guard and the cleaner were at work.

"Good morning, Miss Neeve," they greeted them, and we exchanged pleasantries. I settled down at my desk and switched on the system.

"Miss Neeve?" someone called my name.

I glanced back. It was the CEO. My heart leaped into my throat, and I nearly wet my pants.

"Good… go… good morning, CEO," I stammered, my voice barely audible.

Stephen had come to pick Adrian up, and they were preparing to leave for the office.

"Wait, I'll be right back." Adrian went back inside his house. He had revoked his order from last night, telling Mrs. Adam not to burn Neeve's clothes. He would return her clothes to her and collect his. With the kind of woman Neeve was, she might tell him to "find her clothes" if he didn't return hers.

The journey to the office was silent until Adrian finally broke it. "I had nightmares last night."

"You did?" Stephen replied, a question in his voice.

"Yes," Adrian nodded.

"CEO, I thought you told me you didn't have nightmares the day Miss Neeve slept over? "How come it was different last night?" Stephen inquired.

"I have no idea". "Could Neeve have something to do with my sleeping Wednesday night?" Adrian pondered aloud.

"I don't know, CEO. Let time tell," Stephen suggested as he parked in the company garage. "Sir, I'll be back," Stephen said, alighting and opening the door for the CEO.

Adrian walked inside the company, acknowledging no one as everyone greeted him as usual. He saw a familiar figure sitting at a desk. Who could come this early? He thought, as he moved closer to her, carrying the polythene bag where he had put Neeve's clothes.

"Do you always come this early?" he asked, his voice unexpectedly calm.

"Yes… yes… yes, sir," I replied, stammering again.

"Why are you different today?" "Have you seen a monster in your dream?" he teased, a slight smirk playing on his lips.

"No, sir," I managed to reply, still stammering.

Adrian reached out and gently tilted my chin up, raising my head, so I had to look him in the eyes. "Where are my belongings?"

My mouth opened, but no sound came out. My mother burnt it… and there is nothing I could do to reverse it; to turn it back into cloth, because they all turned to ashes. I wanted to say it, but I didn't dare.

"Actually… Hmmm… what happened is…" I fumbled for words.

"Did you sell them?" he cut me off, his eyes narrowing.

"Huh?"

I asked. "I know you're a peasant". "You sold my clothes?" he pressed, his voice laced with disdain.

I bit my lips, my anger flaring. "I'm not that poor to that extent," I retorted, regaining a bit of my composure.

"Here's your trash," he said, roughly dumping the polythene bag on my chest. I caught it reflexively.

"What's in there?" I asked, confused.

"Your clothes," he spoke irritatingly, already turning to leave.

I was embarrassed as I quickly checked if everything was intact. Then I realized something was missing. My pants.

"Do you also sell them?" I taunted him, a flicker of mischievousness in my eyes.

"What?" Adrian scoffed, glaring back at me.

"My panties!" I shouted, the word echoing in the quiet office. Adrian swiftly moved, clamping his index finger over my mouth to silence me, causing me to accidentally bite down on it.

"I… I…" I tried to speak through his finger.

Adrian sighted one of the other employees approaching. Without a word, he grabbed me by the wrist and dragged me into his office.

"What are you doing?" "Let me go!" I protested, struggling against his grip.

Adrian finally let go of my hand once we were inside his office. "Your… panties… I didn't see them!" he stammered for the first time, a blush creeping up his neck.

Actually, there weren't any pants at his place. I remembered I had taken it when I left because I washed it after bathing. I just wanted to get even with him.

"So you mean I didn't wear pants that night?" I pouted, deliberately trying to provoke him.

"I'm not disputing the fact…" he scratched his head, clearly flustered.

Then where is it? "Where are my pants?" I demanded.

"You're shameless," Adrian muttered, a hint of exasperation in his voice.

"I think you are!" "What did you want to use my pants for?" I countered, enjoying his discomfort.

"Pant! Pant! "I didn't see your pants!" he shouted, his frustration mounting. Where are my condoms? Return it! Since you sold the clothes, "give back my dollar too!" Fine. "There's a condition," I said, a sly smile playing on my lips. "Return my pants, and I will return everything I took from your house!" I said sarcastically, knowing full well what I was implying.

Adrian glanced up and down, his face a mixture of disbelief and annoyance. What have I gotten myself into? I shouldn't have taken this damn woman to my house! Now I have to find her pants! Holy f*****g s**t!

"CEO, find my pants!" I declared one last time.

"Get out!" he barked, pointing vehemently towards the door.