The Innocent Girl Who Stole His Heart

Chapter 12

Neeve had just made her way down to the company’s cafeteria. She hadn’t had breakfast, so she quickly grabbed some snacks, her stomach rumbling in protest. After humming a tune while munching, she boarded the elevator back to the office. She was in a hurry to return; James had just called, telling her the CEO would be there "in a jiffy." She had to get back quickly so as not to annoy the CEO on her very first day on the dreaded 200th floor.

She alighted from the lift, her mind preoccupied with her new role. Not watching her way, she bumped into someone with a soft "oomph."

"I'm sorry," she mumbled, already turning to leave, eager to get to her desk. But at that moment, her eyes were drawn to a tall, imposing figure. Her breath hitched, and she gasped in great bewilderment.

Adrian had taken the elevator, heading directly to the 200th floor. As he ascended, everyone in the lobby and lower floors instantly straightened, offering hushed greetings. "Good morning, CEO," came from different angles, but he barely acknowledged them. He was known for being rude; he rarely replied to pleasantries, preferring to maintain an aloof, formidable aura. Not everyone at the company even recognized Adrian, only the board of directors and the senior workers on the 200th floor. He kept a low profile and wasn't a fan of social media, preferring to operate outside the public eye.

As the elevator doors opened on the 200th floor, he saw a clumsy lady from afar. She wasn't seeing her way, her head slightly down, engrossed in something. Looking at her face, she looked familiar, but he doubted his sight. It couldn't be that thief, he thought, dismissing the possibility instantly. How could Dolly Group of Companies hire a thief to work at Dolly Corporation, let alone on the 200th floor?

His sight, however, wasn't wrong. Truly, it was Lia. She bumped right into him, the polythene bag of condoms still clutched in her hand.

Neeve's eyes met with the figure that stood imposingly in front of her. She couldn't help but notice the impeccably fitted dark blue retro-suit, which complimented the muscular body underneath, hinting at the power and strength it contained. Out of his chest pocket, the corner of a red wine handkerchief subtly peered out, a touch of refined elegance. Glancing down, she could see a pair of freshly polished brown leather shoes that glistened in the ambient light. The man had such a strong presence, like that of a medieval king, especially as he leaned forward, their gazes meeting, none of them blinking. Neeve was mesmerized, momentarily drowning in his perfectly chiseled face and sexy lips, which were enough to drive any woman crazy.

Neeve recognized him instantly. "You! This man again!" That was the statement she uttered, a mixture of disbelief and exasperation.

"Are you surprised I'm here, criminal?" Adrian replied, his voice a low, dangerous growl, his eyes staring deep into hers, scornfully.

This lunatic is here to abuse me again! Neeve thought, a wave of panic washed over her. I can't have a bad first day. I won't reply to him and play the fool. She forced a saccharine smile. "Mr. i***t, I think you've gotten the wrong person. What offense have I committed against you that made you call me a criminal?"

"Ho... ho... now you want to play the actress in front of me?" Adrian scoffed, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "You think I will buy your lies again, Criminal Lia?"

Neeve let out a bright, artificial laugh. "I'm sorry, I don't understand you. "If you've got nothing important to discuss, I better take my leave." She began to walk away, a desperate attempt to escape.

Adrian had underestimated her audacity. Now she pretended not to know him at all. He moved to catch up with her; both of them were in the middle of the busy showroom on the 200th floor, surrounded by curious, watchful eyes. Adrian grabbed onto her wrist, his grip firm, his eyes turned red-rimmed with barely suppressed fury. His aura was that of an evil prime minister ready to devour his prey.

"My dollars!" "My clothes!" "And... the condoms!" he hissed, his voice low and menacing, pulling her closer. Why did you steal them? "Return everything, henceforth, or else I'm going to embarrass you!" he threatened, his gaze piercing.

Neeve yanked her wrist free from Adrian's grip, her eyes blazing with indignation. "What... what... are you talking about?" "Do you think I'll believe you?" She tried to sound innocent, but her voice wavered slightly.

"Hand over everything you stole from me, and I will pretend it never happened," Adrian insisted, his voice unwavering.

"Mister, stop slandering me!" Neeve forged innocence, her expression one of utter bewilderment. I will embarrass you if you keep on clinging to me. If you're here to beg, go in there and talk to the Director. He might help you. As for me, I'm a mere transferred worker. "I have no power to help you on the 200th floor." Neeve hissed, giving him a disdainful glare, subtly hinting that he looked like a vagrant.

Adrian leaned forward, his mouth twisting into a smirk. "Well, if you... keep on playing the fool, that night's video will go viral," he threatened, his voice dropping to a chilling whisper.

Neeve's jaw dropped. She blinked twice, her eyeballs widening as usual, a look of pure terror replacing her defiance. "What... what video is that?" she stammered, her voice barely audible.

"s*x video," he stated, enunciating each word clearly for her to understand.

Neeve nearly peed on her body. This guy can't tell the truth, or could he? A cold wave of fear washed over her. "I know you're a con artist who scams people out of their money," she retorted, desperation lacing her voice. "Don't think I'm vulnerable!" That night, you couldn't possibly have recorded anything!" she said restlessly, trying to convince herself more than him.

"You think I'm a liar like you?" Read my lips: "I have gotten the video, from the way you stripped naked down to when everything happened." He leaned back, crossing his arms, an air of complete triumph about him.

Neeve swallowed hard, the last vestiges of her pride dissolving. She brought down her ego, her shoulders slumping in defeat. "Please, don't allow my naked video to go viral," she pleaded, her voice trembling. "I admit, I am Lia. I am the lady from the hotel last Friday... and your clothes and money. I will return everything, I promise."

Adrian let out a slow breath, a satisfying sound. "Now you know how to beg," he scoffed. "I thought you would keep on forging innocence. "I know you're a big-time w***e", but must you steal the condoms? "Are those f**king you so broke they don't have money to buy condoms?" he scorned, his words cutting deep.

Neeve was utterly embarrassed, her face flaming. "Nonsense"! "I'm not a w***e, I repeat!" she eyed him, her voice trembling with indignation. "Don't think that," because I gave myself to you at the hotel. It defines me as a cheap slut. "Circumstances caused it!" she revived, trying to regain some semblance of dignity.

Adrian took another step forward, closing the distance between them until they were mere inches apart. "I give you twenty-four hours to return everything you've stolen from me." His voice was low, threatening, yet almost seductive in its proximity. "Then I could consider deleting your nude video."

"Okay, Sir," Neeve bowed her head, utterly defeated. When she raised it again, he was no longer there, having disappeared as swiftly as he'd appeared, leaving her alone in the middle of the bustling, silent 200th floor.

Neeve staggered back to her spot, slumping into her chair. She saw the angry, smug looks on Elimmy and Deborah's faces. "Don't you have work? "Why are you staring at me?" she jeered, finding a sliver of defiance. The two girls immediately looked away, giving out a loud hiss of displeasure.

Just then, James came out to her desk. "Neeve," he called out, his voice jolting her out of her panicked thoughts. "Beauty, what are you chewing on your mind?" he asked, using a familiar endearment.

"Nothing," she responded, her mind still lost in thought about her one-night stand and the horrifying video threat.

"I regret that night," Neeve mumbled, frustrated. She didn't realize her words were audible.

"Which night?" James asked keenly.

"Let's go for a brief meeting with the CEO," James quickly changed the subject, sensing her distress, but also the urgency of their schedule.

"Oh, the CEO is here?" Neeve asked, a faint glimmer of hope sparking within her. "I could finally beg him to dismiss me back to the 13th floor," she thought, clinging to the idea of escaping this new hell and the tormentor who seemed to rule it.

"Let's be on our way". Everyone was already in the conference room. "We are running late," James urged, pulling her gently by the arm towards the large conference room.