Chapter 258 The Knight in Shining Armour

Chapter 258 The Knight in Shining Armour

“Shit! Shit! I don’t want to go to the office. Oh god! This is so frustrating. Can’t I just quit!” Maeve kept pouting and sulking the moment her alarm woke her up.

Valeksa wrapped her tiny hands around Maeve and buried her face into her side. “Mommy! Then don’t go. We will play games.”

Maeve kissed Valeska’s head and sighed, “No, baby! I have to go. If I don’t show my face to that stupid man, he will fire my whole office.”

“Mommy! Are you afraid of him?”

“What? No! Mommy is not afraid of anyone. That goes for you too – never be afraid of anyone, okay?” said Maeve, softly running her fingers in Valeska’s hair. She thought while staring at Valeska, “I am just afraid that he will take you away from me, or try to hurt you. If he does that, I will kill him.”

“Don’t worry, mommy. I am very strong. I will protect you. I will come to your office to protect you. Okay?” smiled Valeska and looked at Maeve.

“Really?” sniggered Maeve.

“Yes, Grandma is taking me grocery shopping. I will learn name of vegetables and fruits. I know five of each. Apppe, bananana, grape, um… urange, and… and… yep istarawverry,” said Valeska.

Maeve laughed and kissed Valeska all over her head and face. “My daughter is so smart.”

“I even know 1 to 100,” smiled Valeska.

“Good! Good! So, when you come to my office, what will you bring?” asked Maeve.

“Hmm… I will bring… myself,” laughed Valeska.

“Oh, that much sweetness. How will I even live after that?” asked Maeve, teasing Valeska. Valeska kept giggling. “Vale! Don’t come to the office.”

“What? why? But everyone likes me there,” pouted Valeska. How was Maeve going to tell her daughter that she didn’t want her father to find out about her? She wanted to keep her safe. “But I want to!”

“Okay, okay, you can come. But you will not go to any strange man. Understood?” asked Maeve.

“I never talk to a strange man,” sulked Valeska.

“Yes, my daughter is intelligent. Sorry for doubting you. Now I have to get ready. Go, help everyone in the kitchen,” ordered Maeve.

“Yes, ma’am!” teased Valeska and jumped out of bed.

Maeve kept sighing every minute while she was in the bathroom, while brushing her teeth, while sitting on the toilet, while taking a shower, while dressing. She just could not stop sighing. She finished her breakfast and drove to the office. Before jumping out of the car, she messaged her mother that she was sending money for the grocery shopping. Her mother protested, saying she had money in her account and in her wallet, since Maeve had made a habit of sending a fixed amount of money to her grandmother and mother every month so they wouldn’t have to ask her for money every time they wanted to buy something. That way, everyone was treated equally and had money for emergencies.

Even after Eleanor protested, Maeve sent money into Eleanor’s account. Maeve got out of the car and pushed the door in. Before she could reach the lift area, Thessia stepped in front of her and blocked her path. “Finally, I caught you.”

Maeve flinched and stepped back. “What are you talking about?”

“We have been humiliated by that rich, spoiled boy. And you keep running away from him. Everyone! Everyone in the office has failed his test. Where is your sense of loyalty? Do you not care about us anymore? Do you want to see us humiliated even more? Now you are here; show that son of a moron that we are not stupid. Go give that test,” yelled Thessia. A lot of people had surrounded Maeve and Thessia by now. No one wanted to get into the elevator.

“But Thessia…” Maeve tried to protest.

“No but!” shouted Thessia. Her tone suddenly shifted, “Please. He will shut the office down. You didn’t meet with him at last night’s party also.”

Maeve’s eyes grew wide. She indeed met with him, and then the image of everyone kneeling flashed before her eyes. “Wait! What was happening at last night’s party? Why were all of you kneeling?”

“Kneeling? What? I don’t remember. Don’t try to change the topic. Put your things in your seat and come to the top floor. I will be waiting. If you run, I will go complain to Vale. Is that understood?” warned Thessia.

“Oh god! Fine! I will protect your honour. I will be your knight in shining armour. Can’t even complete a mere code. What is so difficult about it?” Maeve kept mumbling and walked into a lift. She dumped her bags on her seat and walked to the top-most floor. The moment the lift opened, she was shocked to see that the whole floor was crowded with people.

“What the hell?” she shouted, and everyone parted into two sections, leaving the path clear for her. She saw Thessia, Vella and two other programme managers standing outside the glass door, waiting for her. “Is this really necessary? Why is everyone here? Go back to your station?” she shouted.

“Just get in!” yelled Vella, frustrated.

“My god! You guys are impossible,” sighed Maeve and stepped right before the door. Thessia pushed the door open and stood before Thorin. Maeve slightly hid behind Thessia and tried to avoid Thorin’s gaze.

“She is here. Start your test!” announced Thessia and stepped away to reveal Maeve’s face. Thorin’s eyes widened in shock, and he urgently stood up from his chair. The chair flew back and hit the wall. “This is Maeve Arrendale!”

Thorin was too shocked to speak. The girl he had been looking for was the girl he was jealous of. He was still thinking that thought when Corvin burst out laughing.

“You… you are… your full name is Maeve Arrendale?” Thorin’s eyes were ready to come out of their sockets. He had never been shocked to this extent in his life. He was shocked to realise that he was so close to finding her, but he let his jealousy take over him.

“Yes! Nice to meet you,” Maeve gritted her teeth in anger. Thorin almost ran towards her to shake her hand. For a second he hesitated, but he took her palm and shook it. “Don’t think I forgot what you did last night. I will break your teeth if you ever touch me again,” she whispered near him.

“Can’t wait!” Thorin replied. Maeve looked at him with anger and confusion. He was happy that she just threatened him. What was wrong with him?

“Let’s start the test, please!” interrupted Thessia.

“I don’t think that is necessary. You all failed. What can she do? I think I will have to shut the office down. We judged you all wrong,” taunted Thorin.

Maeve gritted her teeth and challenged him, “If you are so sure everyone will fail, then give the opportunity to everyone to fail. Why deny me the pleasure of failing? Are you scared I will figure out your betrayal?”

“Excuse me! Betrayal?” asked Thorin, shocked.