Chapter 1 The Mission

Kira's POV

The chilly night air bites at my skin as I stand across the entrance of Wolfe Enterprise, my heart pounding so loudly I'm almost certain someone else can hear it.

It is 9:50 p.m and I wait, impatiently tapping my feet on the ground. I'm hidden in the shadows, so I know the guards cannot see me.

At exactly 10 p.m. I see a beggar approaching the entrance, just as Malcolm arranged. The man's clothes are tattered, and his steps are unsteady. He starts yelling and throwing stones at the guards.

The guards shift their attention to him, their brows furrowed in annoyance. Two of them move towards him, while the third man who stays behind is still distracted by the scene. This is it-my chance. I walk hurriedly, my legs shaky as I slip through the door.

The lobby is dark, only the dim emergency lights are on, casting red shadows on the white floor. My boots click softly against the marble as I make my way to the elevator. I pass a sad glance around-the reception desk where I sign in every morning, the faint scent of floor cleaner. I will miss this place.

I make my way to my office, each step making my stomach churn. I finally reach the door, opening it with trembling hands. The room is quiet, the shadows from the emergency lights barely illuminating the space. I head to the closet without hesitation, yanking it open.

I pick out my work clothes and place them there, just the way I had packed them. I brought them here so I could slip into them first thing in the morning to make it look like everything was normal.

"Okay, that's done," I whisper to myself, my voice barely audible. My heart is pounding in my ears, and I take a shaky breath. "Now the documents."

I've rehearsed this part in my head a dozen times. Gavin keeps the documents in his penthouse, where he assumes no one will be able to get them. But thanks to Mr Wolfe–his father– I've been there before. I know my way around the whole place.

With my bag now lighter, I leave my office and make my way to the elevator. The hallways are empty, quiet, and the tension is almost unbearable. I press the button, my finger trembling as I wait for the doors to open.

Please, let this work. Please, let this be quick.

The elevator dings softly, and I step inside, pressing the button for the top floor. The ride up takes forever, every second ticking by, my thoughts growing louder. What if someone sees me? What if I get caught? What would Gavin do to me?

The ding from the elevator cuts through my thoughts. The doors open, and I step out into the penthouse floor. The familiar walls greet me, the tall glass walls which give an astonishing view of the city below.

It feels strange being here at night, and it is. I'm trespassing in a place I don't belong. My eyes dart around nervously, as if waiting to pounce on anything that comes out. I shake off the hesitation and move quickly.

I walk down the hall, straight past the living area, to the study where I know the cabinet lies. I had overheard Aaron saying the documents would be in there, right in the top drawer. My fingers tremble as I grip the handle, and I take a deep breath before opening it.

There they are, just like he said. Relief rushes through me, a bright smile appearing on my face. I reach for the documents, my fingers brushing against the folder.

Just as I pick them up, my leg kicks a flower vase which I hadn't noticed. It shatters with a loud clanking, making me wince.

You foolish girl, you're lucky there's nobody here. How clumsy can one person be?

I look down, seeing red soil all over the floor, shattered glass mixing with it. I cannot afford to leave any evidence behind. By the time Gavin realises the documents are gone, I should be out of this country.

I abandon the documents in their place and rush towards the cleaning closet on the other side. Quickly taking some materials, I rush back outside and clean up the ground and glass fragments carefully. Once the place looks good, I smile brightly at my swiftness and intelligence.

Now I can get what I came here for.

Suddenly, a noise cuts through the silence–a soft thud. Footsteps.

I freeze, my heart skipping a beat. I stare at the documents, my mind screaming at me to hurry, to take them. But I can't risk it. If I take them and get caught, it's over. I hastily shove the folder back into the drawer, my hands trembling. I close the drawer.

My eyes dart to the small digital panel on the side of the cabinet-the code can only be used once in 24 hours. It means as I have closed the drawer now, I won't be able to open it again until tomorrow night. Damn it.

The regret hits me instantly–why didn't I just grab it? But it's too late now. Anytime I waste here will just increase my chances of getting caught. My pulse pounds in my ears as I hear the footsteps grow closer.

I glance around the study, my eyes landing on a door–a bathroom. Without a second thought, I rush towards it, slipping inside and quietly shutting the door behind me. I press my ear against the wood, straining to hear.

The footsteps are growing louder. I hold my breath, my heart racing. Who could be here at this hour?

Then I hear it clearer as it gets closer, a familiar voice, deep and angry.

Gavin Wolfe.

My blood runs cold.

He's here. In the penthouse. Why is he here?

Panic floods my mind, my hands shaking as I try to figure out a way to escape this. What do I do? What do I do?

Gavin's here. My boss whose documents I'm trying to steal is here. Oh shit.