The Dawn

Chapter 9

(Unedited)

Ria's Pov

The sounds of drawers opening and closing made my head hurt. Whoever it was, was treating the furniture very, very cruelly. I tried to see through the glass door who exactly it was but failed everytime. I felt panickstricken.

I should do something. But what?

I frantically looked around but it was so dark in here, I couldn't even spot my phone. Grabbing a weapon and heading out to beat his ass was out of the question. He sounded pretty rough and maybe he might not hesitate in jabbing a screwdriver in my throat.

Suddenly his phone rang again. This time he let it blare a good few times before eventually receiving it. I found it odd how he was so easily letting it ring like that. Shouldn't he be afraid of being caught if somebody heard it ring? He didn't sound like he was even cautious about it.

"What?! I haven't gotten it yet. Fine. I'm coming. I think the prick took the key to the vault with him. And I couldn't get the password from the white gross stuff you gave me. Guess he cleaned the keypad with something." He grunted before opening the door and walking out. He made sure to slam the door behind him as he left.

What kind of a thief is so noisy?

I quickly got up, grabbed my boots from the floor and dashed outside. If I could catch even a slight glimpse of his face, I could report about it to Andrew.

This dude didn't sound to me like someone from outside. It seemed to me as if he was someone close to Andrew. Otherwise, he wouldn't have gotten in here without the fear of being caught. I raised down the stairs and reached the lobby. I think my legs might crack one day from taking stairs for 8 floors.

By the time I reached the bottom, I was out of breath and a second away from fainting. But I must know who was this guy.

Maybe he was the noise I heard at the day of the party!

I slipped on my boots and somehow stumbled to the glass sliding doors. But the only thing I saw as I reached the parking lot, was a white Camri with black rims speeding out.

I c****d my head. A rich thief?

I stood back in the hall, giving the stairway door a vary look. I'm going to have to climb 8 floors back up again. At times like this, I really wished I hadn't developed this stupid phobia. After dragging myself back up, I reached Andrew's office. He had left everything so deranged.

Who does this?

I say down on the chair, determined to dig out this snake.

The next day, I kept my eye on each and every employee of J.C. No matter who they were or how they were, I made sure to keep check of everyone coming in and out of Andrew's office floor.

The entire day passed by and the only people to visit his office or the 8th floor was the janitor, Mr. Simms a really kind, old man, and Fiona. No one came up, not in Andrew's absence they didn't. Andrew still hadn't come back from his trip outside. So I didn't have anyone bossing me around and that gave me time for some sleuthing.

But I'm no Nancy Drew. All I remembered was that white Camri with the black rims.

That gave me an idea. I quickly headed down to the parking lot. If that person was a frequent visitor, maybe I could find the car parked back here and trace him down. I scanned each and every car. I found a golden Camri but no white ones.

Dejected, I packed up for the day and headed back home. Before leaving though, I took the contract file with me. That guy would surely come again tonight but I wasn't going to catch him until I had a plan up my sleeve.

Three days passed by. Andrew came back too. I made up some excuse about why I took that file home. Of course he ordered me to bring it back. I told him I'd bring it back by tomorrow to get him off my back. I hadn't even found that car yet.

As of now, I was standing in my office, arranging a small snack party for my boss and his friends, Parker and Drew. Drew had become a good friend of mine. But I had never even heard Parker speak. He was so shy. He wouldn't even greet me properly and would always respond in a small voice.

As I leaned over my desk, too tired to even just breath, Drew waltzed in.

"Hey, Ria Mia! Won't you eat with us?" He sang.

I straightened up and gave him a tired but full smile.

"No, I think I'll pass. I got some work piled up."

He made a sad face. "Aw come on. You arranged it all and now you won't eat."

I laughed and shooed him away before he could get me in trouble with Andrew. After finishing my report I picked it up to deliver it my boss. Drew had left owing to family emergencies, or in other words, boring family gatherings, but Parker was still here. I knocked on the door and Andrew's familiar voice yelled.

I entered and found him standing near the window with his back to me. I couldn't see Parker anywhere.

"You're still here?" He grumbled.

What a grouch. I thought unpleasantly.

"Yes sir. I was complete the report. Here," I placed it on his desk top, "check it. I made sure not to make any errors."

He turned around and walked towards me. But his foot caught in the wheels of the chair and he stumbled forward.

I opened my mouth in a silent scream as he fell on me. I fell back, unable to hold his weight. He wrapped his arm around my waist and it hit the hard wood of his desk. My head hit his chest while his chin landed on the top of his head.

Both of us froze in that position, wide-eyed. It was as if time had stopped completely. His intoxicating scent began to cloud my senses again. He pulled a bit back, staring down at me. I looked at him.

As I gazed into his steel grey eyes, I noticed how beautiful they actually were. Even his face with his chiseled jaw and perfect nose. My eyes dropped to his full lips, which looked so plump and delicious. My heart beat escalated uncontrollably.

Am I having a heart attack?

The sound of the door opening made me snap out of it and I quickly pushed away from him. He also composed himself and fixed his jacket.

Parker stood in the doorway, a confused look on his handsome face. "What are you guys doing? Do you want me to come back later?"

"No!" Both of us screamed at the same time. We looked at each other and exchanged awkward looks.

I quickly walked out before he could embarrass me even more. But I just couldn't get Parker's voice out of my head. It was the first time I ever heard him speak but it didn't feel like it. Also, his idle visits to Andrew seemed terribly off. Drew didn't even visit this much even though he is more of a jokester than Parker.

Brushing it aside, I tried to focus on finding this dude who could waltz easily in and out of Andrew's office. And most importantly, who knew where the vault was. It was hidden perfectly yet he knew where it was and how it opened.

I sat in my office, trying to think of ways I could discover this person, when I heard the door to Andrew's open. Since the door to mine was wide open, I could hear his voice crystal clear.

"You can come anytime you like. After all, you are family." Andrew spoke softly.

I grunted. So this guy can speak nicely too?

"Thanks man. You really are the best." Parker replied. I watched as they did the bro hug thing and then Parker turned to leave. Andrew went back and shut his door while I remained seated.

My phone rang and Devon's name flashed on the screen. I picked it up with a smile.

"Hey. Could you come down for a minute? Andrea sent homemade sandwiches for you."

I yelled in happiness and made a bee-line for the parking lot. As I ran out, I scanned the rows of colourful cars for Devons'. I spotted it next to the electricity pole and rushed over.

"Thankyou! Her sandwiches are the best!" I screamed enthusiastically as he rolled down his window and handed the bag to me.

"I know. I told her to pack some for you and when I'd find some free time, I'd drop them by." He chuckled.

I opened the bag, pulled the box out, pulled its lid off and picked one out. I took a bite and groaned at it's deliciousness.

"Seriously. They are amazing!"

Devon laughed. "Go on back now. Andrew might get angry."

I nodded and quickly wrapped them back up again. "Thanks again for this!" I shouted, waving at him. He waved back and then drove out. I turned around, excited to go back into my office and devour these delicacies.

As I turned to head back, however, I spotted Parker walking towards his car, black shades on. He walked with pride, like a model. Infact, if I hadn't interacted with him personally, I would've mistaken him as a proud chaebol heir rather than the shy person he is. I watched as he strutted to his car.

And my jaw hit the floor when he opened the door to a white Camri and slid in. I rubbed my eyes and squinted in the sunlight, trying to make sure my eyes weren't playing tricks on me.

As the car peeled out of it's parking spot, I gasped when I noticed the black rims.

No no no no no way.

I felt slightly dizzy as the car whizzed by me. I timidly walked back inside the building and felt unsure what to do. It was as if my whole body felt confused. As if my brain had stopped sending messages to any part whatsoever.

I think it took maybe 2 hours, or so, for the shock to finally wear off. And when it did, it was replaced by determination.

Whether Parker was the one paying frequent visits to Andrew's office to steal the contract or not, I was going to find.

First thing I did after I got off work was to call Drew. We agreed to meet at Subway in about half an hour. Since he was at the gym, it was hard to convince him. Apparently he is pretty serious about his abs or what he calls 'the babe magnets'.

I nervously tapped the table as I looked around the snack place. People, in couples and even by themselves, were eating and chatting away carelessly.

I was in the middle of a serious plan formation when a bang made me look up. Drew sat across from me, a huge excited smile on his face. His hair dripped wet as he had just come out of a shower.

Or was that sweat?

I made a face.

"So what are we here for? And stop making that face, it's water. I just came out of the shower." Drew stated. I gave a sigh of relief and smiled at him.

"Oh nothing. I was just tired after work so I thought why not hang out with Drew. He always cheers me up."

"Awww. I'm so touched Ree Ree." He cooed, placing a hand over his heart. I rolled my eyes at the nickname. He'd come up with that the day after we went to play paintball.

"I see you decided to stick with the nickname." I said through gritted teeth.

He nodded proudly, as if he had just come up with something so genius. He began to scan through the menu. "Did you order? What do you want? It's on me today." He peered from the top of the menu at me.

I just stared at him before happily obliging. "Okay!" I chirped. After we placed our orders, the food came in about 15 minutes.

As I bit through my sub, I kept wondering how to start my investigation on Parker without seeming suspicious.

"So, what's new with you?" I asked casually, sipping my coke.

He shrugged as he hungrily chugged down his extra large sub and sprite. I scrunched my face in disgust. For someone so hot, he sure eats like an animal.

"Nothing much. Just the usual. Hanging out with friends, meeting pretty girls in my mum's parties."

I rolled my eyes at the last part. "Friends as in you, Parker and Andrew right?"

He nodded. I watched in astonishment as he grabbed a handful of fries and shoved them in his mouth before washing them down with a big gulp of sprite. I sighed.

"So how's Parker like? I mean, I heard his father was also trying to get a contract signed with Global Constructions. Wasn't he competitive?" I hadn't heard. I had deduced that on my own.

Drew nodded. "Yeah he was. But since Andrew won, it was obvious that he lost. There has always been a silent competition between Andrew and Parker's father. Sometimes, I wonder if Parker made the right choice."

"Choice? What choice?" I asked, getting eager to know more.

"Parker told us that he chose Andrew and his friendship over his father. His father kicked him out of the company but didn't cut him off. Poor Parker. He never even asked Andrew to give up the contract because of his father's unjust behaviour."

I nodded.

There's no way it could be Parker. He was such a warm, caring friend. How could he be possibly the one I heard in the office that night?

But then that car and those rims entered my mind again. Something's definitely up. And I'm going to get to the bottom of it.