Lia had been naive, fooled by his charm, charisma and fake promises. She would bring Nash Global to its knees.
'Eeny, meeny, miny, mo. Catch a tiger by the toe. If he hollers, let him go. Eeny meeny miny mo,' the nursery rhyme repeated in Lia's head, her high heeled shoes clicking and clacking as she made her way to the nearest elevator in the Nash Global towers.
She could not wait to get out of the building so that she could remove these beautiful red bottoms that so many women would drool over, yet she found them to be unnecessary torture. All she wanted were her trusted sneakers. She looked at her reflection in the mirrored elevator and could barely recognize herself; heavy make-up and a blonde wig, with bangs so low they kept getting caught up in her nonsensically long eyelash extensions. “Why is this considered the 'beauty' standards women have to contend with?" She blew a raspberry in the air and frowned at her mirrored self, she looked like a glam version of Mary Poppins.
The panty hose she had worn under her pencil skirt suit were riding up again, giving her a painful and uncalled for wedgy. She reached her hand behind her and tugged at it impatiently. “So 'unlady-like' Lia," she chuckled mimicking her aunt's' British accent. How did these corporate and fancy women manage to dress like this daily and get work done, still looking like they had just stepped out of a Vogue magazine?
Nash Global's cyber security had found her spyware and uninstalled it. Lia had been hacking their system for six months, and so far, had evaded their capture. She had come in today to install better ghost spyware directly into their main servers. It was both a brave and stupid move but necessary if she was to take her sweet revenge on the man who had hurt and subsequently ruined her life years ago.
Every intern and woman who worked at Nash Global towers dressed like they were going to a modelling contest or a centerfold fashion shoot. The company CEO was an eligible bachelor, and every woman here probably dressed up to the nines, with hopes that they would be that girl, who would have that Cinderella story of how they became, 'Mrs Nash.'
Lia had felt stupid sitting in front of her computer, taking a step by step instruction manual from a YouTube make-up tutorial channel, on how to do her make-up. Today she had stripped off her ripped jeans casual look and messy bun for this fancy attire to blend in. “My name is Bond, Jane Bond," she laughed at her goofy self.
Suddenly, the elevator doors opened, and two men stepped in. Her heart skipped a beat as she quickly shrunk into a corner wishing she could do a 'Houdini' and disappear at the sight of Nash Global's CEO, Ryan Nash. The men were in a serious discussion and hardly gave her a second glance, to Lia's relief.
She took the opportunity to drink in the sight of the dark tall man. He had broad shoulders, and she couldn't help but notice his biceps protruding through his white crisp shirt. The man was devilishly handsome. She had last seen him years ago, and to her utter disappointment, like fine wine, Ryan had just gotten better looking with age. She had hoped he would have turned into the Grinch that he was, but alas....
“Get a grip, Lia. He is the same man who hurt you and left you without a second glance," she cautioned herself. “You hate him. He ruined your life, and here he is living the life of glitz and glam. Don't lose focus. These heels are pinching your poor toes for a mission, you must not fail at."
She pouted with frustration., The truth could not be ignored, Ryan was a gorgeous man. Lia didn't realize she was still starring until she felt as though someone was looking at her. She brought her mind back to the elevator, and suddenly her green eyes were staring into a pair of hazel eyes. She wanted to look away lest Ryan recognized her, but she found herself transfixed as his eyes cast a spell on her. She started to choke on her saliva. “What is wrong with me? I even forgot how to swallow." She was angry at her weakness towards this pitcher of dark chocolate in front of her.
“Are you ok?" Ryan asked as he took a step towards her, his features lined with worry. Lia tried to step back but realized she was trapped in the corner of the elevator. She nodded her head, as she didn't trust her voice. If she spoke, he would probably recognize her, and besides she did not think she even remembered how to speak. D*mn Ryan for still having this hold over her.
“Are you sure?" Ryan asked as his eyes searched hers. He was so close, she caught a whiff of a delicious scent of pine and coffee. The man was a selfish bastard, who cared about no one but himself, but then he smelled so good.
“Lia, what's wrong with you? Ryan is a bad man...but he is mighty fine. He hurt you...but he smells so good." She found herself having an internal argument. “He ruined your life!"
The bell chimed as the elevator door swung open. Lia quickly sidestepped past Ryan, as she hurried out. She would use the stairs the remainder of the way to the ground floor. She was winded by the time she reached the lobby She was sweating, and she could swear her ridiculously thick make-up was melting off her face. “How did other women do this?" she wondered yet again. Her feet were throbbing. Whose clever idea was it to make women wear these shoes from h*ll? All in the name of beauty. Who even defined beauty as having to walk on skeleton sticks the whole day?
She walked across the lobby, the exit right in front of her. She had been inside the enemy's domain and had gone unnoticed. She smiled, giving herself a virtual well-done pat on the back. A few more steps, and she would be safe, outside on Pritchard Street, blending in with all the people walking up and down Johannesburg City Centre. With the new spyware, she would be able to make Nash Global lose more money and clients. Ryan had taken from her once, and now she would take from him what he valued most.
“We got a lead! We have located the hacker!" someone shouted from behind her as she heard footsteps rush in her direction.
She froze, the big clock above the exit in front of her, everything and everyone around her seemed to suddenly be moving in slow animated motion. She was caught.
