ANNATORIA

The structure of the Thorne Innovations building has always been a hot topic, and I finally understand why.

Pictures do no justice to the careful, artistic and structural touch applied to the building.

It's so appealing that I ended up spending about ten minutes staring at the beauty. I would have remained in that spot if someone had not hurriedly brushed their shoulder against mine.

After I sneered at the fool who didn't bother to apologise, I hugged my file jacket to my chest, adjusted my skirt, held my head high and headed for the recruitment office where my employment would be confirmed.

It's on days like these that I wonder how normal workers endure the first-day jitters.

Working in a new environment is never easy.

Well, for me, once I find my place, everything becomes fine. I face my job and carry out my spy duties without holding back.

"Miss Smith? Annatoria Smith?" The woman I met at the entrance of the office ducked her head to glance through her hexagon-shaped glasses, which made her look older.

I trotted closer, my right hand slightly raised. "That's me."

"Don't sweat." Her perky voice filled the room "Head upstairs. You are joining the Innovation team."

"Huh..." I lowered my body so she wouldn't have to crane her neck. "That is not right."

The woman blinked, and I noticed the roundness of her face. "Are you saying I am bad at my job?"

Oh, please. I don't have time to deal with this kind of person. But I have no choice, yeah?

If I misstep at the very start, things might get rockier than expected.

That must not happen. I want to continue being the top spy at W.O.O.T.

"Of course not," I replied with a grand smile. "The thing is..." I moved closer to her desk. "I applied to join the finance team. So..." A little chuckle followed. "Innovation team? That makes no sense."

"Look." She looked away to punch her keyboard. Like that, her attention was instantly halved. "Miss Smith."

I get irritated when people are not fully focused. "Could you not-"

"I am not responsible for giving you a job. If you have a problem with your position, direct your concerns to HR."

"But-"

"Why the heck are you even complaining? You get to be on that team." She finally looked at me again, and her sharp eyes looked bitter. "If you are not interested in working directly with the CEO, forget about it and let better-qualified people take the spot."

"Oh..." Working directly with the CEO? I cannot lose this opportunity. "Miss..." I laughed. "Really? The CEO?"

"What a fool," she scoffed. "You are finally excited? Didn't you want to stay in your amazing finance team?"

I don't appreciate her tone, but I am willing to overlook it. Besides, strangling someone on my first day won't be the best look.

So, I plastered on my face a foolish smile that screamed 'I am a big fool who doesn't realise you are insulting me'.

"I was not in my right mind. I am such a silly fool. If not for you, how would I have known such great info?"

"Look at you." She got up and reached for one of the brown boxes in the lovely, curved shelf behind her. "You are lucky I am in a good mood. You are very lucky." She tossed the box like we were playing catch. "Everything you need is there, including your work laptop. Your office is on the twentieth floor."

"Thank you, Miss."

"Mrs Kim."

"Right." My smile remained bright. "Mrs Kim. Thank you."

"Hmm." Her eyes softened, and I saw a glimpse of her true beauty.

"Is there something else?"

"Nothing," she dismissively replied. "It's just..." Her gaze became snobbish as it focused on my hair. "Your afro looks nice."

"Ahh," I laughed with great pretence. "Thank you. I got tired of stretching it every time."

She hissed. "I did not ask for the story of your life, Miss Smith. Kindly leave my office."

My wonderfully fake smile remained as I walked out.

Remind me to steer clear of that woman. If I don't, I might do worse than strangle her.

"Good morning," a stranger greeted.

"Good morning," I replied, and my smile crashed.

Smiling for insincere reasons is really fucking hard. I can feel my cheekbones threatening to fall off.

It might be better if I adopt an identity that is not easy to approach. You know, mysterious and sassy.

Earlier, I thought the character Annatoria Smith would be better played as a bubbly lady, but after that shitty showdown with Mrs Kim, that identity is now officially trashed.

So, I decided.

Annatoria Smith, a graduate trainee in the Innovation Team of Thorne Innovations, will be a mysterious and sassy lady.

The Innovation team, though...

I stepped into the fine elevator that displayed an intelligent play between cool-toned colours, selected my destination and wondered why I was suddenly moved to that team.

If W.O.O.T. was responsible for the change, I would have been briefed. So I doubt they have a hand in it.

Anyway, it doesn't matter. This is an opportunity that must be fully utilised.

And as it is my usual thing, this new mission will end up a great success.

While waiting for my journey to end, I put my file inside the box and studied my identification card. It was made out of light brown wood.

I believe my eyes will feast on a lot of aesthetic items in this place. I am not complaining. Compared to blood and bullets, it is a better view.

The elevator tinged, and the doors slid open. I stepped out, and a chill embraced me. It shook me so much that my box fell to the ground, attracting the attention of everyone in the room.

"Uh..." I struggled to comprehend why they made the room that chilly. I also could not figure out why I reacted wildly. As far as I know, I can endure terrible weather conditions to some extent. A measly air conditioning chill should not affect me.

"Sorry about-" Wait, I am meant to be sassy, not endlessly apologetic.

I straightened my back, pressed my lips and without another glance at the folks staring at me, I graciously lowered my knees and picked up the things that fell out.

"Let me help you with that." That deep voice was followed by the sight of masculine hands. "First days are usually filled with nerves."

"I am not-" I looked up, and the boyish charm before me reminded me of my crush in high school.

The man smiled with ease and picked up my ID card.

"Annatoria Smith? You are the recruit," he pointed out.

His blonde hair worked well with the brownish hue of his eyes, which possessed a natural smile that made him approachable. I watched as he stretched his hand to me. His smile still intact, he gestured, asking me to accept his offer. I put my hand in his, and he gently lifted me.

"I am Kaelen. The project manager."

My eyes narrowed. "Kay...?"

"Kaelen..." He pointed at the card hanging off his neck. "The spelling is uncommon."

"I see. Can I have my box back?"

"I will walk you to your desk."

I shook my head. "There is no need." I have to be wary of friendly people like this. "I don't want to bother you." He could be a potential danger to my mission.

"Annatoria, don't be silly." His teeth flashed so much as he talked, I was almost blinded. "Allow me. It is my duty to take care of every person in this team. So-"

"Hand the box to her, Kaelen."

That voice came from behind. But that was not the surprising part. The moment my ears picked up that voice, something in me reacted.

The mark... the one I have been trying to decipher since I came back from The Desert Mission, started to throb, as if it had a heart of its own.

Then, my heart decided to join the train. It started to beat like... crazyyyy.

What the heck? Why am I acting like this because of a man's voice?

After glancing at Kaelen, who took a step back, I placed a hand on my chest to tame the strange feeling. Then, I turned.

"Shit," was all I could whisper while the rest of my body turned fiery.

The eyes staring at me smiled, and my reaction to the man's presence worsened.

This man.

He is the...

Could he... Could he be?

ANNATORIA

Could he be the CEO?

Darius Thorne of Thorne Innovations, who has always managed to evade the public eye?

With this much gorgeousness and charismatic aura, how did he hide himself for so long? He is just so alluring.

But wait... What's with my body?

I could feel my pussy heating up with desire. The desire to be touched by this man- a thoroughly, utterly, complete stranger.

I don't know why, I doubt I would figure out why, but I just want to close the gap between us and kiss those pinkish lips till my soul is satisfied.

I want those big, veiny hands mapping every part of my...

God, Annatoria! What is wrong with you?

"You must be Annatoria Smith." His savoury voice added to the chaos building within me. My legs could have turned jelly if I wasn't firmly holding on to the little shred of dignity I had left.

"You are welcome to the Innovation Team." Even his smile makes me want him to do things to me. "I am Darius." He stretched his hand. "Darius Thorne."

I was right.

The radiance of a CEO is written all over him.

But why? Just why am I so primally pulled to this sexy man? Why is my always neglected pussy aching to feel him?

Something must be wrong with me. Or am I finally facing the fate of a woman with growing hormones?

"Annatoria," Kaelen, the project manager, called, and I turned to him. Like a switch, every desire I was feeling died, so I focused on him. "The CEO's hand. Shake it."

"O-oh." My body reluctantly faced Darius Thorne. As much as I tried to evade his gaze, I couldn't. I saw the amusement in his eyes, and like that, the desire switch turned back on. "Hmm." I stopped myself from crossing my legs. "Nice... nice to meet you. Oh my." A sharp pinch held my clit, and my unsteady voice almost moaned. "Oh my."

"Are you fine?" Darius, with subtle concern in his eyes, asked, and I deduced that he was not one of those snobbish CEOs who look down on people.

What could he be hiding behind that niceness? And why on earth am I more turned on just by thinking about his niceness?

"Miss Annatoria?"

"Of course." I laughed at my weirdness. "I am just... You know..." My feet were already backing away from the man before I could become a bigger mess. I exhaled hard, and shrugged nonchalantly as I said, "First day jitters? I guess?"

He smiled. "You will adjust in no time. The Innovation Team is-"

"Excuse me!" I screamed when my nipples pressed against my shirt, igniting greater pleasure. With my hands holding my waist as painfully as possible, I announced, "I need to use the restroom."

"So rude," someone in the office commented, but I ignored that, and all the stares pointed at me. And rushed to the nearest door in sight.

"Annatoria?" Kaelen's gentle voice called.

"I can't wait!" I kept rushing.

"The restroom is that way." I turned. He was pointing in the opposite direction. "You should-"

"Thank you!" I ran in that direction without sparing the CEO another glance.

Once I reached the restroom, I located the last stall, locked the door, pulled up my skirt, rolled down my pantyhose and gasped at the sight of the wetness that had formed within those few seconds.

What on earth kind of sexual frustration am I dealing with here? And why did it choose to show up at this crucial time?! And why the fuck does it only activate when I look at Darius Thorne.

Well, to be truthful, Darius Thorne is my type of man.

His sleek wolf haircut will be perfect to run my hands through when we go on dates and have good, sexy times. His greenish-almost hazel eyes are ones I always wished to wake up to see. And those lips of his...

Ahh... I am doomed. This sexual frustration of mine will be the death of me.

"Annatoria," I started to give myself a pep talk, "focus. Don't let horniness ruin this for you. You are better than this." I slapped the tiled walls. "Darius Thorne? He might be your type, but consider him your enemy. You are here to ruin him, to expose the shady deeds of his company. Stay focused. Don't think about wrapping your legs around him. Okay?"

After a grunt of determination, my inner soul found peace. I then urinated, cleaned up, and adjusted my clothes.

In front of the mirror, after washing my hands, I loosened a button on my shirt to see what was going on with my mark.

Shockingly, it was shinier than before. The gold looked like it would make me good money if I carved it out of my skin.

As it is, I think it is time for me to find answers to this strange mark. What if it is some sort of disease, branding itself like a treasure? Also, the way it ached when I saw the CEO was not normal.

Anyway, I am calmer now. Thank God.

I adjusted some loose strands of my puffed afro, straightened my posture and headed out to get acquainted with my new workplace.

"Are you feeling better now?" Kaelen's voice met me halfway.

I scanned the room, confirmed that the CEO was no longer in sight, then I answered, "I needed to go number two. The stuff I ate this morning must have messed me up."

"Oh, that's not good. I have some medication for digestion if you need it, I-"

My feet suddenly stopped. I maintained a grim look and stared at the man.

"Mr Kaelen," I said, "I appreciate your assistance. But it makes me uncomfortable." Someone gasped, but I ignored it. "I am here to learn how to be better at my job. Please, refrain from being too friendly."

Kaelen's eyes fluttered with brief sadness. If he had not hidden it fast enough, it would have swayed me a bit.

"I see. Your desk is at the end of the room." I followed the finger he pointed. "The seat opposite the CEO's office."

"Huh?!"

"Have a great day."

I did not get to ask if he was joking about my seat placement. He walked away without flashing another wide smile.

Thank God he took my message seriously. Curbing his niceness this early is for the best.

That aside, I think I might be in danger.

If my seat is that close to the CEO's office, what's the point of that pep talk? It won't work!

You know what? Let me confirm it first. I need to see with my own eyes that my seat is indeed where Kaelen said it is.

I moved a few steps past the seated staff, who kept trailing me with their eyes.

When I found my desk, I confirmed that I was indeed in trouble. Opposite my desk was the huge, glass office of the CEO. Darius Thorne was thankfully not there.

But what do I do when he is in his office and I have to work at the same time?

Should I turn my desk to face the wall? Or should I ask Kaelen or whoever to change my seat?

I have to do something. I cannot take risks, allowing my sexual desires to take over me. This mission has to be seamless and problem-free as much as possible.

Speaking about the mission, I have to find a good time to search this office. The chances of finding something useful are low but never zero.

"What are you staring at?" The heavy accent in that voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

"Do you have something to say?"

"Are you a dumb human?" she asked, flexing her height, her blue eyes and crimson lips glinting with mischief.

"Of course not," I calmly responded.

"Then answer when I speak to you." I might be crazy for saying this, but I think she wants to pick a fight with me. "If you are going to be useless, leave this company before I make a mess of you."

"I just got here." Her eyes wrinkled with brief anger at my smug reply. "Why on earth would I leave?"

"Whatever." Without a glance more, she sashayed out of my sight, headed into the CEO's office, and the glass walls turned non transparent.

Oh well... If covering the glass will always be the case, that would be for the best. If not, I will have to find a means to survive my surprising attraction to Darius Thorne.