The CEO's Contract With The Thief

"Get back here!" shouted one officer who was chasing Jasmin while she ran across the street to the other side, brushing past a few people walking on the street as well and then running ahead into the first building she came across.

Who knew stealing a diamond would be so difficult?

How she was being chased now, even when she had got in a few times, pretending to be a parent making inquiries about the daycare to be sure it was suitable for her daughter was still a shock to her. Oh yeah, she had a diamond worth so much in her hand.

She would have asked, but she doubted it would incline the owner to hand over her necklace no matter how nicely she asked.

Everything went as planned until she came out of the room and the cleaner saw her and raised the alarm. And she has been running ever since.

She dipped her hand into her pocket and pull out the blue diamond necklace and couldn't help the cheek torturing grin that took hold of her face.

What people said about the city was true.

The people were richer; the houses were bigger; and the jewellery was finer than the others, but their securities were tougher. Insert eye roll.

Her legs were hurting from running while they are being trapped in the tight black boot. But it was the one thing she had that matched with the black skinny jeans trouser and a white blouse she was wearing. She had to dress in a way that she wouldn't look like a thief at first sight.

She took the escalator, which had nine to ten people on it, and patiently she waited to get to the top of the stair. Usually, the escalator was faster, but for a weird reason being that she stole a diamond necklace; the escalator was slow, and she knew the officer chasing her would catch up to her in no time.

She finally reached the top of the stairs and she took to her heels, running off when she heard behind her.

"Hey, you, freeze!" Came the voice of one of the officer and he sounded close.

She saw red lights and prison bars staring at her, which would be where she would end up if she ended up in the hands of the officer and she couldn't have that. With her heart plummeting in her chest, she took the right turn through the hallway and then she took the left turn and she saw a woman seated at her desk across her hall.

When Jasmine ran into this floor, she thought it was empty, but seeing this woman told her the opposite. She knew there was no way she was going to sneak past without the woman taking notice of her and as she contemplated what to do the young lady got up that moment and walked to the door not far away and immediately Jasmin run into the first door to her left without even looking at the sign on the door.

She closed the door and leaned her back against it with her eyes closing. She sighed heavily when she heard the heavy foot tug on the ground fading off.

"What are you doing in my office and how did you get past my secretary?" Demanded a cold but confused deep voice and they seem to turn her on instead of terrifying her. If only imaginations could be real, then she would be on her k... Wait...

Her eyes flew open when she realised she wasn't imagining and they land on the man sitting across the room, wearing a black suit and tie and having a face so gorgeous her panties were already soaking wet.

Shit, Jasmin, you're barely out of the wood and you are already taking your clothes off?! She scolded herself.

"I asked you a question!" He reminded her.

He asked you a question Jasmin, the voice in her head echoes which doesn't help matter because she can't bring herself to remembering what the question was.

She stepped away from the door after slowly locking it further into the office and getting closer to where the strange but gorgeous man sat.

"I can't remember what you asked." She finally admitted, coldness running through her veins and she balls her hand into a first to control the nervous reaction of her body as he stared at her quietly.

"I asked what you're doing in my office and how you got past my secretary."

"She wasn't in her seat," she lied immediately.

He stared at her, and the emotions on his face were one Jasmin couldn't wrap her fingers around and at that moment a loud bang comes to the door, making her jump and her heart almost ran out of her mouth.

Sweat broke out on her skin as she turned to the door she had already locked and then back to the man in the room, wondering what he will do. "Mr Inferno," called out a feminine voice, and the knock came again.

Damn, this was probably this man's secretary whom she said wasn't in her seat when she walked past, but it wasn't a lie.

"Yes, Wura," responded the man who was yet to move from his seat.

"There is an officer here, hoping to come inside and have a word, however, your door is locked." She informed him and the man whose surname was Inferno paused and his gaze flew over to her and she just fidgeted with her finger and bit her lower lips nervously.

"I must have done that while praying earlier."

"Sir, the officer is looking for a lady, and he's wondering if you could help him find her," Wura informed with a calm and composed tone.

"Give me a minute," he called out and got up from his seat and headed for the door.

Jasmin knew he was going to rat her out to the officer, and she knew she would see the bars of prison and making new friends there in no time. Why on earth did she even run into this room again? She wondered to herself and almost slaps herself in the face. Mr Inferno over here didn't look like one who would lift a finger to help a stranger, much less a stranger who was a thief. He would probably throw her under the bus and feel better about himself afterwards.

Cainan contemplated the thought he first had the moment the knock came to the door which was; handing her over to the police waiting outside because he knew without a doubt she was the one they came for. But watching her struggle with both the look of fear and regret made him want to reconsider. He could see tribulations in her desperate eyes and he knew there was more to her story than he would ever know and as much as he wanted to judge her, he couldn't.

He stopped walking when he got up to where she stood and then stretched his hand out to her. For a moment Jasmin didn't know what he was doing and almost gave him her hand for a dance. He was tall probably around six feet one inch and had a thick build to go with it and if he could dance, that would take gorgeous Mr Inferno to a whole new and dangerously sexy level. But he wasn't asking her to dance with him because one, there was no music, two, he didn't know if she could dance, and three, he didn't know her. The only time strangers dance with each other was in movies.

She stopped herself from giving him her hand and pushed her blonde wig away from her face to stupidly mumbled an "Eh?" instead.

"Hand it to me," he commanded with a low but firm voice.

Her eyes narrowed, wondering how he knew she had stolen something. Did she look like a thief or did he just assumed she was? If yes, then she would be offended.

The knock came again and this time she had no choice but to hand him the diamond, so dipping her hand into her pocket, she pulled it out and gave it to Mr nice guy which was earlier said than done because she felt as though she had just pulled her heart out while it was still beating and gave it to him

He stared down at the piece of jewellery in his hand and his teeth clenched in annoyance. He then pointed to the closet door not too far from where she was and, seeing it, she hurried over and hid away. There was a small opening in the closet and she could peep through and see what was happening.

He heaved a deep breath, slide the diamond into his pocket before unlocking the door and opening it wide. "I'm sorry I wanted to meditate a little when you knocked." He said to Wura before turning his attention to the officer with the name tag Sule and nodding at him, "I'm sorry, what can I do for you, officer Sule?" He politely asked.

"We were chasing down a thief. She stole a diamond necklace worth over a hundred thousand from the owners and she ran into this building and we have checked the other room where she but she wasn't there."

"We were wondering if you saw a young woman with blonde hair come here? I told them no one did they insisted on talking to you." The other officer standing beside the door asked and Jasmin couldn't see his name tag because he wasn't fully in the office.

"Officer Sule, Mike," he seemed to know who they were, and Jasmin couldn't be surprised. "I didn't, but I heard footsteps running around my door earlier and when I open the door, I only saw this on the floor." He said and pulled out the diamond necklace from his pocket. "I think she must have dropped it or something." He handed it back to officer Sule.

Jasmin's heart clenched in her chest as she watches the officer take the necklace. The effort put into today just went down the toilet. She didn't steal the diamond because she loved it; she had no other choice. Maybe she should have gone for something lower than diamonds, but she needed the money a lot of it

She had made plans to sell the necklace and make money for herself and her baby. She didn't want to be ungrateful, but she believed there were other ways this could have gone that she would still have to keep the necklace. But she had put in too much time to go back empty and it sucked and this man in an expensive black suit would never understand.

"Thank you, Mr Inferno," Mike the other officer said with a cheerful smile on his face.

"This is all I can do, but I hope you catch the thief soon."

Sule nodded, "Yeah. Thank you, this alone would make Ms Francesca happy." The men shook hands before taking their leave and Wura closed the door.

After a while of them being gone, Jasmin pushed the closet door open and walked back into the office. She was silent for the first few moments that passed, staring at the man who didn't even bother to look at her as he focused more on the calendar on the wall.

"You know, when someone saves you from going to jail, you show gratitude by saying thank you." He pointed out, walking back to his desk.

"I didn't ask you to help," she mumbled under her breath, but he must have heard because his head twirled around swiftly, it almost startled her.

"You're welcome." He said, regardless of her attitude. "And a thief with your attitude will not get very far." He said before taking his seat.

She didn't like that he called her a thief even if it was what she was, but hearing him say that created a sad feeling in her. "I'm sorry and thank you for helping me." It wasn't a genuine apology or gratitude, but that was the best he was going to get after calling her a thief.

"There are other ways to earn money that don't involve you stealing and being chased by the cops every single day, you know."

"First off, I don't get chased by cops every day. This is the first time that's happening in my twenty-six years of being born, so why would I consider your advice?"

"Because as energetic as thievery is, it isn't a job?" He asked, rubbing over his jaw and Jasmin couldn't help noticing the Rolex on his wrist. It would cost nothing less than thirty grand. The diamond she lost was worth more than his man's Rolex, but it was a start.

She stepped towards him with determination. He looked rich and definitely capable of getting himself another one without raising an alarm. She strolled towards his desk, her hips swaying from side to side, and he remained silent and watched her intently with his adorable green eyes. She placed her hand on the desk and made small circles on the desk and watch as his gaze flicked between her finger and her face.

"If you would pay me, I would not mind stealing your heart away," she bit down on her finger slowly, her eyes closed as she seductively sucked on it. "I could take care of your business. I'm a fast learner if you teach me." Her eyes slowly part open and she saw him staring at her closely even though his body gave nothing away.

She slowly lowered herself into his legs and he didn't resist the advance she made. She brought her lips closer to his ear and whispered. "I can do more than steal. I'm quite good at pleasure, I have been told."

Her breath touching his neck sends shivers down his spine and his body awakens in a way it hasn't for a while and against his sound judgement, he moaned in response even though it was only her breath touching him.

Knowing she had him under control just like she wanted, she caressed his neck with her parted lips and the hot breath from her mouth descended and goosebumps broke out on the skin of his neck while she unbuckled his wristwatch and taking it off she slid it into her pocket. He hissed out in need and grabbed her hair and he pulled her off so he could look at her and for a moment she thought he had figured what she was trying to do, but he just stared into her eyes with his stormy ones, trying to search out things she didn't know.

"I can be more." She cooed, leaning back in to kiss his neck and her tongue darted out and licked him there.

He pulled her back, so that she looked at him again and he didn't look as lost as he did before. "If you're trying to seduce me, you're doing a very terrible job."

"Why? Because you're gay?" She asked with her brow raised.

"Because I know better than to fuck around with a thief." He answered, and she pulled away from him.

"No," she said, getting up from him and adjusting her clothes, "you want to fuck a thief, but you are just too boring for this one." She says before walking out of the door.

He stared down at the piece of jewellery in his hand and his teeth clenched in annoyance. He then pointed to the closet door not too far from where she was and, seeing it, she hurried over and hid away. There was a small opening in the closet and she could peep through and see what was happening.

He heaved a deep breath, slide the diamond into his pocket before unlocking the door and opening it wide. "I'm sorry I wanted to meditate a little when you knocked." He said to Wura before turning his attention to the officer with the name tag Sule and nodding at him, "I'm sorry, what can I do for you, officer Sule?" He politely asked.

"We were chasing down a thief. She stole a diamond necklace worth over a hundred thousand from the owners and she ran into this building and we have checked the other room where she but she wasn't there."

"We were wondering if you saw a young woman with blonde hair come here? I told them no one did they insisted on talking to you." The other officer standing beside the door asked and Jasmin couldn't see his name tag because he wasn't fully in the office.

"Officer Sule, Mike," he seemed to know who they were, and Jasmin couldn't be surprised. "I didn't, but I heard footsteps running around my door earlier and when I open the door, I only saw this on the floor." He said and pulled out the diamond necklace from his pocket. "I think she must have dropped it or something." He handed it back to officer Sule.

Jasmin's heart clenched in her chest as she watches the officer take the necklace. The effort put into today just went down the toilet. She didn't steal the diamond because she loved it; she had no other choice. Maybe she should have gone for something lower than diamonds, but she needed the money a lot of it

She had made plans to sell the necklace and make money for herself and her baby. She didn't want to be ungrateful, but she believed there were other ways this could have gone that she would still have to keep the necklace. But she had put in too much time to go back empty and it sucked and this man in an expensive black suit would never understand.

"Thank you, Mr Inferno," Mike the other officer said with a cheerful smile on his face.

"This is all I can do, but I hope you catch the thief soon."

Sule nodded, "Yeah. Thank you, this alone would make Ms Francesca happy." The men shook hands before taking their leave and Wura closed the door.

After a while of them being gone, Jasmin pushed the closet door open and walked back into the office. She was silent for the first few moments that passed, staring at the man who didn't even bother to look at her as he focused more on the calendar on the wall.

"You know, when someone saves you from going to jail, you show gratitude by saying thank you." He pointed out, walking back to his desk.

"I didn't ask you to help," she mumbled under her breath, but he must have heard because his head twirled around swiftly, it almost startled her.

"You're welcome." He said, regardless of her attitude. "And a thief with your attitude will not get very far." He said before taking his seat.

She didn't like that he called her a thief even if it was what she was, but hearing him say that created a sad feeling in her. "I'm sorry and thank you for helping me." It wasn't a genuine apology or gratitude, but that was the best he was going to get after calling her a thief.

"There are other ways to earn money that don't involve you stealing and being chased by the cops every single day, you know."

"First off, I don't get chased by cops every day. This is the first time that's happening in my twenty-six years of being born, so why would I consider your advice?"

"Because as energetic as thievery is, it isn't a job?" He asked, rubbing over his jaw and Jasmin couldn't help noticing the Rolex on his wrist. It would cost nothing less than thirty grand. The diamond she lost was worth more than his man's Rolex, but it was a start.

She stepped towards him with determination. He looked rich and definitely capable of getting himself another one without raising an alarm. She strolled towards his desk, her hips swaying from side to side, and he remained silent and watched her intently with his adorable green eyes. She placed her hand on the desk and made small circles on the desk and watch as his gaze flicked between her finger and her face.

"If you would pay me, I would not mind stealing your heart away," she bit down on her finger slowly, her eyes closed as she seductively sucked on it. "I could take care of your business. I'm a fast learner if you teach me." Her eyes slowly part open and she saw him staring at her closely even though his body gave nothing away.

She slowly lowered herself into his legs and he didn't resist the advance she made. She brought her lips closer to his ear and whispered. "I can do more than steal. I'm quite good at pleasure, I have been told."

Her breath touching his neck sends shivers down his spine and his body awakens in a way it hasn't for a while and against his sound judgement, he moaned in response even though it was only her breath touching him.

Knowing she had him under control just like she wanted, she caressed his neck with her parted lips and the hot breath from her mouth descended and goosebumps broke out on the skin of his neck while she unbuckled his wristwatch and taking it off she slid it into her pocket. He hissed out in need and grabbed her hair and he pulled her off so he could look at her and for a moment she thought he had figured what she was trying to do, but he just stared into her eyes with his stormy ones, trying to search out things she didn't know.

"I can be more." She cooed, leaning back in to kiss his neck and her tongue darted out and licked him there.

He pulled her back, so that she looked at him again and he didn't look as lost as he did before. "If you're trying to seduce me, you're doing a very terrible job."

"Why? Because you're gay?" She asked with her brow raised.

"Because I know better than to fuck around with a thief." He answered, and she pulled away from him.

"No," she said, getting up from him and adjusting her clothes, "you want to fuck a thief, but you are just too boring for this one." She says before walking out of the door.

"How much does it go for?" She asked the owner of the pawnshop, Usman, as he carefully examined the Rolex with his glasses.

He set the glass down and looked up at her, "I'd give you fifty thousand naira."

"Fifty thousand naira?" Jasmin exclaimed in disbelief, this was obviously a rip-off "I know it's worth four times to that money, I googled it before coming over here."

"Okay, go right ahead and sell it to Google then." Usman replied and handed the Rolex back to her, but when she didn't collect it, he sighed and added, "sixty thousand and that's my last offer to you."

Knowing her back was against the wall with her piled-up bills for home and check-up, she nodded and he went to his drawer and counted out the money before handing it to her.

Three weeks later

"The dinner would be a great way to earn extra cash because we will get paid two thousand naira an hour and the program I heard is going to last for over three hours," Anita informed Jasmin who was taking a customer's order over to them.

Anita was the only one she had managed to bond with since she had been here in the last few weeks. They weren't friends, at least not in Jasmin's eyes, but they did talk every day she came to work. They were both twenty-six but unlike her, Anita was married and also taking a part-time accounting course and very soon would be able to get a better job. Jasmin however was still trying to adjust to the lifestyle of earning a living as well as providing for her unborn child and even if she was provided with the opportunity of going back to further her education, she was sure she wouldn't take it because education wasn't meant for someone like her.

Anita took likeness in her the first day she saw her applied for a job at the restaurant which was four weeks ago and though she was yet to be given a job, she told her about the pay order job which she had that night and asked Jasmin to come along even when she barely knew her and that was where she saw Ms Francesca. Though she earned good money for her services as a waitress that night and was grateful to Anita, it wasn't enough to cover her bills and that was why the old woman's diamonds was the perfect plan.

She got a call back three weeks ago which was a week after she applied for a job and she had been there ever since.

"So what do you think?" Anita asked after a moment of Jasmin coming back to the kitchen and remaining silent.

"We could make about six thousand extra right?" She asked, after a quick thought.

She nodded with a smile, "Yeah, two thousand an hour."

The pay sounded good especially when she could spend those hours at home doing nothing and not receive anything at the end, "Okay, I will do it, but how do you come about these jobs though, if I may ask."

"George, I told you he's an event planner and he always gives me heads up when the event he organises require services I can render."

George was Anita's husband, he was a few years younger than Anita and though the idea of love irked Jasmin skin, she could see love every time she saw them together. It was so obvious that he loved his wife and would do anything just to make her happier and she only wished she would find a man that would do the same for her.

She had been in a relationship ex, Dennis Ojo, who was nothing to write home about and it hurt that she did love him. She left him four weeks ago after she caught him in bed with another woman and Jasmin did the only sane thing she could think of, leave.

Without warning or word, she gathered her things together after Dennis left with his team members to go rob a store and she ran away, bringing their six years relationship to an end.

Relocation and starting over didn't go as great as she thought it would and she found out a few days later that she was four weeks pregnant which made matters worse for her. Many nights she contemplated going back to Dennis and telling him that she was pregnant with his child but she knew he would careless or even believe her, they had talked many times when they were together about family, but he was never interested in getting married or having children. She knew he would either ask her to get rid of it which she didn't want or accept the baby and train him/her up to be just like him and that was the last thing she wanted. She was frustrated and didn't know what to do, but she had to find a job that would sustain her and the baby and when she saw a vacancy at the restaurant she took the chance, and here she was.

She hadn't told Anita about her pregnancy because though she clung to her and seemed genuinely fond of her, she didn't want to make things awkward yet. She wanted to give time to their friendship.

"Well, thank God for George then." She said. "When is the dinner starting?"

"The dinner starts at eight p.m., but just like the job at the party, we are to be there an hour before."

The restaurant door opened and a couple walked in hand in hand, smiling warmly at each other and it was Jasmin's cue to leave. "Okay, thanks again, Anita."

She smiled at her before walking out of the kitchen.

Jasmin was dressed up in black trousers and a white long sleeve with a black vest. She had a red bow tie on and she's already wearing a black boot. Her natural red hair she made into a neat bun.

Anita fed her in detail the dress code of the event and had given out the uniform for the night after their shift ended as well as the address of the venue but told her they would both go together, to ensure that Jasmin would not get lost on the way like she did during the birthday party.

She stared at herself in the mirror, taking notice of the few freckles on her cheeks and the red spots of the pimple on her forehead as well as jaw. There were also a few blemish and undereye circles, but she didn't like the idea of hiding her imperfections so she refrained from using makeup. Make-up was supposed to make a girl pretty and secure but that wasn't how she felt, and after the first time, she did not go back to try again.

She didn't have a perfect face, but it wasn't always this imperfect. She read somewhere that pregnancy also contributed to changes in skin and she was going to go with that because pregnancy and changing environment were the only things that had changed so far.

She took three deep breaths before walking out of the room. She grabbed her purse and made her way out to the park where Anita told her she would be waiting for her at six forty p.m.

"Thank God you're here, I was about to call you," Anita said, poking her head through the car window as she saw Jasmin approaching where she was. "Get in."

Doing as she was told they both drove off to the venue which was a fifteen minutes drive. They entered the Royal Palace hall where the dinner was taking place the hall was already set with tables and chairs decorated and arranged and with white cloth and a red ribbon at the centre. Jasmin thought about those who would be present for the dinner they would be classy men and women for sure and she couldn't wait for the night to begin.