The Stolen Heart

Chapter 1: The Ruthless Media

Merrina:

Everywhere I looked people were in a frenzy, running around. After all, today was a historic day. No woman had ever occupied such a high position at Malcerk &Co, one of the world's largest audit and law firms, earning billions every year. And I did it! Me.....Merina Thomas, the new CFO of Malcerk & Co. I still couldn't believe it. I felt a sense of achievement pass through me when Mr Malcerk had called me into his office to give the good news. I was happy beyond any words. Who would have thought that the daughter of the in house maid of the Malcerk Mansion would one day be the CFO of Malcerk &Co.

I looked around me and saw that the staff were busy prepping for the press meet in which Justin Malcerk, the managing director of Malcerk & Co ,would announce my appointment. It is a big deal, because never had a woman been in power at Malcerk's.

" Merina! What are you doing? The press meet will start any minute now. Go get dressed......NOW...." Nicolas, my annoying little brother[ also the CEO of Malcerk] yelled at me.

Though I call him my little brother, he is actually my twin. But I am elder than him by two whole minutes, so that counts right?

I rolled my eyes at him and said, " Yes, your highness"

Then before he could say another word, walked past him, heading upstairs towards my new office.

Man! I could get used to this view! My new office was not only huge, it had an amazing view of New York's busy street life, fully equipped with two tables, shelves which was already full with my books, a luxurious sofa set and a Victorian style tea table to host clients, if needed.

I could see the traffic looking from my office. I sighed and started getting ready. I had took of my dress and was about to wear the peach dress which was designed by none other than Ralph Lauren, when Justin Malcerk opened the door without knocking and shoved himself in. His eyes bulged when he realized I was butt naked.

I immediately shrieked and held the dress I had just removed in front of me, shielding my body from his view. He cleared his throat trying not to look me in the eye, but couldn't resist a quick sweep of my body. His gaze was fixed firmly on my neck for a few long moments which made me frown. There was no way he was checking me out, after all he treated me like his sister in law. So, I followed his gaze and saw that he was eyeing the chain around my neck and not my cleavage.

I cleared my throat bringing his attention back to my face. He blinked his eyes rapidly ,visibly flustered, murmuring a few apologetic words on his way out.

I sighed and put on my Ralph Lauren dress. Justin in addition to being the Managing Director was also my almost brother in law. I was his brother's fiancé. His face as he exited, had a pained and conflicted expression on it. I frowned wondering whether I had reminded him of his dead brother on this joyous occasion?

Richard......my fiance....no! don't go there......not now.....you have a press conference in a few minutes. Get yourself together. I quickly shook myself out of the daze. Today was a special day and I am not going to ruin it by replaying the past in my head. I let out a deep breath, willing myself to calm down. I fondled the chain I was wearing around my neck. I was wearing my engagement ring on a chain in my neck. After Richard died it didn't feel right to wear the ring on my finger as it usually attracted a lot of questions, then a lot of pity stares as I gave the answers to those questions. So I always wore the chain instead, hiding it by pushing it inside my cloths so no one will ever notice. Well, Justin definitely noticed it today.

I blinked back the tears that were threatening to emerge and quickly did my makeup, then headed downstairs as quickly as my heels could carry me.

I preferred taking the stairs to the lift as everyone usually avoided the stairs and took the lift. I am not comfortable in making small talks and usually avoided conversation with people if I could. I was sick of them treating me with pity.

I quickly rushed through the stairs in my stilettos and bumped right into Justin. Ugh, not again! Why do I always keep bumping into him? Though Justin was always protective towards me and acted like an older brother, he was also weary of me at the same time. Though the rest of his family had already accepted me as part of their family, as Richard's bride even though we didn't get married, Justin always stuck to the basic etiquette, while avoiding me as like the plague.

" Uh.....sorry...didn't see you" I muttered, still a little bit awkward at him walking in on me naked.

" Uhm...Right.....So shall we?" he asked , fidgeting nervously while pointing to the conference room.

I nodded and followed him in. Flashes immediately went off and for a minute I was blinded. I stumbled my way through the reporters who were surrounding me like a bunch of mad hyenas

Justin quickly wrapped a protective arm around me and lead me on to the stage. After ensuring I was seated properly he went towards the mic and started his speech.

I was turning a deaf ear towards his speech, because I found that the media wasn't concentrating on Justin but rather on me. I gulped hard and pulled my shivering legs together in a bid to steady myself.

Even though Justin was the one giving the speech, the cameras were pointed towards me firmly. I frowned, digging my nails into my thighs, feeling on an edge. I had a foreboding that something is going to go wrong.

Out of the corner of my eyes, I found Justin eyeing me. Oh my turn already?

"I introduce to you, the new CFO of Malcerk & Co, Miss Merinna Thomas" He repeated again, looking confusedly at me.

I blinked rapidly and got up on my wobbly knees and starting making my way towards the podium.

"She is not only the the first female to be in a higher up position at Malcerk's , she is also the youngest to do so" He said to the mic again as I took my time to reach the mic.

I looked at him nervously, and Justin immediately patted me on the back as he handed me over the mic, then went ahead and seated himself.

I clutched the mic hard, while looking around the room and spotting all the people holding their cameras and mics at me with a disgusted look on their face. What on earth did I do to them? Shouldn't they be happy that finally Malcerk got a female CFO? Then why the hell do they look ready to burn me alive?

I tightened my grip on the mic and opened my mouth to start the well versed speech I had practiced countless times. I closed my mouth shut when I saw that the media had the audacity to not even wait till I finished my speech to start bombarding me with questions.

"Do you think you are worthy to sit in that position when countless other strong woman had been turned down for it" A man in his middle aged spat at me.

While a blonde woman in her late twenties plunged forward from the crowd and asked with venom in her voice, "Is it your relationship with the Malcerk family that set you apart from others? You have an amazing story from being the daughter of the in house maid of the Malcerk family to being the fiance of the late Richard Malcerk to being the new CFO of Malcerk &Co."

"I...Uh.." I stuttered, widening my eyes with panic as I looked at Justin, my eyes pleading for help.

Justin however wasn't looking in my direction. He was busy glaring daggers at the blonde woman who had just asked me the question, with his hands clutched into fists in his side. The way the woman twitched her lips and smirked at Justin made me think that she and Justin were familiar with each other.

I frowned at her as she gave me the most dazzling smile as she opened her mouth again, "You Miss Thomas, have not only used your relations to the Malcerk family to get you one of the highest posts at Malcerk, but have also shamelessly like a gold digger made your way through the Malcerk brothers. What happened? Did you think Justin Malcerk would be a suitable prospect since Mr Richard Malcerk didn't exist anymore?"

I gasped out loud at her insult,clutching my chest, shocked to my very core. I quickly realized that I wasn't the only one gasping. The entire room was filled with the sound of shocked gasps erupting. What the hell was she going on about? Did she just accuse me of being a gold digger? And what relations do I have with Justin? We are very rarely even in the same room together. What nonsense is she spewing?