CHAPTER FIVE

I woke to the sound of my alarm and noticed the beauty from the night before was gone. I knew she was indeed beautiful, even though I didn’t want to admit it to her. Jumping out of bed and grabbing a towel, I spotted my empty vodka bottle on the table. Despite my irritation at the staff for not removing it, I knew I was running out of time.

I had to return home and prepare for work. While I trusted my assistant to handle things at my company, I preferred to be there myself. I had recently taken over the company under my name and needed to get to know my employees. As I passed the table where I’d placed my watch last night, I paused. Why?

My table stood empty, completely devoid of any items. My wristwatch, however, was conspicuously absent. I began to wonder where it might have disappeared to, when suddenly, a thought crossed my mind. What if she had taken the watch? No, 'taken' didn't do justice to the situation. What if she had stolen it? I clenched my fist tightly, and a frown crept onto my face.

"You sneaky thief," I muttered under my breath before running my fingers through my hair and sitting down on the bed, contemplating my next course of action.

I couldn't believe that she would steal from me, especially after my gesture of kindness. I had one unbreakable rule, known to everyone: never, ever steal from me, or you would come to regret it. I couldn't believe I had been taken in by her innocence, allowing a thief to sleep beside me. My gaze landed on the telephone on the table, and soon, I was dialing the reception.

I instructed the staff to come to my room. When the staff arrived, it was the same person from last night. She appeared nervous as I glared at her, but noticing her fear, I decided there was no need to torment her for someone else's actions.

"“Where is she?” I asked, clearly annoyed.

“The girl from last night?” she inquired, but I remained silent. “She left a few hours ago,” she added.

“How long?”

“Three hours,” she replied, and I waved her off. However, just as she was about to leave, I halted her.

“Inform the chauffeur to prepare my car, and check the camera room footage. I need to know what happened in my room,” I instructed, and she nodded.

“Should I send someone to get you breakfast, sir?” she inquired.

“No, just do as I've instructed,” I declined, and she left after nodding, closing the door behind her.

Soon, I was in the elevator, my hair neatly combed and wearing sunglasses. As I entered the party hall, the scent of alcohol filled my nostrils, but I paid it no mind, acknowledging the greetings from the staff cleaning the area. They all appeared content with their work, which provided me with some relief, even though I wasn't entirely content myself.

Nevertheless, if there was one skill I excelled at, it was tracking and finding people, and I intended to locate her – the black-haired beauty named Chloe, the thief. My destination was the camera room, as I needed to confirm if my suspicions were valid or if I had simply misplaced my watch elsewhere, allowing paranoia to take over. Upon entering the camera room, two males who were obviously monitoring the room stood up as soon as our eyes met, offering a slight salute.

"Morning, boss,” they greeted in unison, but I ignored them.

“Did you find something?” I asked, and they nodded.

“Well, it was difficult to notice since the room was dark,” one said as he began typing on the system, bringing up a footage of us sleeping. “But luckily, we were able to spot it. The lady stole your watch,” he added. He then showed another footage, revealing her taking it and walking out.

Was that the reason she showed interest in the watch – to steal it? But why? I couldn't help but wonder as a multitude of questions raced through my mind, pondering the motives behind someone from a privileged background stealing.

“That will be all,” I said as I walked out. My phone rang, and it was my assistant, which I expected.

Earlier, after the staff left, I had instructed my assistant to conduct a background check on the mysterious lady I had been with in my room. I had sent him a photo and her name, though I hadn't provided much information. Now, it was time to find out if he had managed to locate her.

“Boss,” my assistant began, and I waited in anticipation, hoping he had found her. “I have found her.”

***

My chauffeur pulled up in front of a building, and I couldn't help but wonder how someone from her background had infiltrated my party. Stepping out of the car, I leaned against it with my arms crossed, a frown on my face.

My assistant and a few guards had entered the building some minutes ago, and from the sounds of moving objects and breaking glassware, I could tell they were searching for her. Impatiently, I tapped my leg in the snow, while the chauffeur held an umbrella over my head to shield me from the falling flakes.

“She's not in here, boss,” my assistant reported as he exited the house, anger etched on his face. I noticed a group of onlookers staring at us from a distance; some seemed to recognize me and were excited. I would have been surprised if they hadn't.

“Are you sure you have the correct address?” I asked, and he nodded.

“If I may, boss,” he started, and I remained silent, indicating my consent. “What's so special about that watch? You can always buy another one.”

He wasn't wrong; I could easily purchase another watch if I wished. However, that wasn't the point. My father had given me that watch before he passed away, and it was the only tangible reminder I had of him. It wasn't just an item to be bought and sold; it was priceless. Even if I owned thousands of replicas, none would compare to the original.

I wanted to respond, but then I heard the sound of an approaching car. I watched as the black-haired beauty stepped out of the car and froze when she saw me. She appeared tense and nervous but even more beautiful. Despite her charms, I couldn't forget that she had dared to steal from me.

“Let go of me!” she ordered as my guards forcibly brought her closer and pushed her to the ground in front of me.

I crouched down to her level, lifting her chin to meet my gaze. She looked disheveled, and faint tear streaks adorned her cheeks, but she remained stunning. Time seemed to slow as I absorbed the details of her face.

“Where is my watch, you naughty thief?” I asked, but she didn't respond. “Cat got your tongue?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

“I... I sold it,” she replied with difficulty, and I leaned in closer, searching her eyes for signs of deception. However, her gaze was fixed on my lips.

“I'm here to interrogate you, not to kiss you,” I informed her. She stared back at me with a furrowed brow. “Now, tell me, how do you intend to repay me?”

“I don't have anything on me, except $4 million. I can pay you that and work to get the remaining $2 million,” she replied. I raised an eyebrow.

“$6 million for my watch?” I asked, and she looked confused.

“Well, you mentioned your watch was worth above $5 million, so I assumed $6 million and sold it for that amount,” she explained innocently, clearly unaware.

“That 'watch,'” I emphasized, searching her eyes. “Is worth approximately $55 million,” I informed her, and she gasped.

“That's a lot,” she muttered, but I wasn't interested in her mumbling.

“How do you intend to repay?” I inquired, and she looked at me, swallowing.

“Please, I'll do anything,” she said. “I can be your servant until I can pay off my debt.”

“Why do you assume I'd need you?” I asked, beginning to enjoy her reactions.

“Please,” she pleaded as tears welled up in her eyes. “My mother is dying, and I needed to help her,” she explained, and I froze. Now, I felt guilty upon realizing that she had stolen my watch only to assist her mother. She wasn't a thief, and it brought me great relief.

I snapped my fingers at my assistant, and he approached with a document and a pen. I handed it to her, tapping a specific space.

“Sign right here and become my contracted girlfriend,” I told her, and she stared at me.

“Huh?” she muttered, glancing at the document and the pen.

“You said you'd do anything, right?” I asked, and she nodded. “Then, sign right here,” I instructed, and she complied, taking the pen from me and signing the document after a few minutes of hesitation. She returned the pen, and I handed everything to my assistant.

“Now, little thief,” I said with a smile, “you're mine and mine alone from the moment you signed those papers.”