Stealing a Love

People can only be deceived when they close their eyes and open their hearts. But whoever is smart first opens their eyes and then lets themselves be loved. Love is born, but sometimes, that same love… can be stolen; just as it happened next.

Chapter 1

“The Arrogant Blonde”

“Good morning, Miss Montealto. Let me introduce you to your new accountant” —Silvia heard while answering an email. She didn’t bother to look up, she just kept silent and pressed “send” on the message she had written on her phone; a few seconds later she raised her head to meet the man her secretary had introduced to her.

In front of her, there was no young man. He was a mature man of about forty. White, brown hair a little messy, grey eyes, fine features, a bit of facial hair around his mouth, which made him look beautifully disheveled, dressed in elegant clothes with no tie; but best of all, he was giving her a somewhat haughty half-smile.

I told that wretch Carol to hire a young man, not this man so much older. I swear I’m going to hit her; besides, the shameless man knows he looks so good and doesn’t hide it. —she thought while looking at her friend, who was also her secretary, smiling broadly behind the man.

“Good morning, a pleasure, I’m Silvia Montealto. I’m in charge of the administrative area of Aeroejecutivos; I imagine you know what the company is about, right?” —she asked in a bad tone; she had to be quite distant and cold with her workers, otherwise with her baby face they’d see her as that, as a child, and no one would respect her. It was her father’s advice, and it worked very well for her being that way. —”You can leave” —she said coldly to her dear friend. Carol left the office without a word.

“I’m Néstor Hidalgo, an accountant with eighteen years of experience. Yes, Miss Montealto, I do know what the airline is about.”

“Good, then I invite you to get to work. My father owns everything you see, so I expect you to deliver the first report you make about the company in fifteen days, since he needs it. Whatever you need to know, doubts, questions, anything, ask Miss Vargas” —Silvia didn’t spare the arrogance. But she only got a half-smile from Néstor, who never stopped looking her in the eyes. The fact didn’t bother Silvia; on the contrary, she liked it—. “I invite you to leave my office” —she ordered without looking him in the face.

“With pleasure, miss” —Néstor answered her, walking toward the door.

Once inside his office, Néstor dropped his well-practiced smile. He thought he’d have the situation under control, but what they’d told him was true. The owner’s daughter was no child despite her age. At only 26 she ran the business like a veteran in the field. As far as he knew, she’d only been graduated for about four years.

“What a temper you have, Silvia, it overshadows all that beauty” —he murmured while focusing on remembering her features.

Grey eyes, blonde hair, thin pink lips… My God, she could be my daughter! —he thought, but a few seconds later he smiled, saying:

“But she’s not.”

Chapter 2

“The Clever Don Juan”

“Good morning, Miss Silvia” —Néstor approached Silvia as she entered the elevator; coincidentally they’d arrived at work at the same time, it was eight in the morning.

“Miss Montealto, to you; don’t be so familiar, I haven’t given you the confidence to say my first name” —Silvia’s reaction was unexpected. So he kept silent and thanked God they were alone and no one had heard that mistreatment. Getting this woman to take him to her house would be quite difficult, but nothing was impossible for him; he’d figure it out.

Silvia, in turn, was quietly amused; she was sure no one had ever treated a man like him so arrogantly. In fact, it even hurt her; the man was too handsome. That smell of the rich Dolce & Gabbana perfume had her delirious. The wretch himself looked like a model for the brand. Today he came very disheveled, but it was plain to see he had thousands of bolívares in all those clothes. A fact that made her curious, since a man, being only an accountant, wouldn’t have that much.

“Are you only an accountant? Or do you have some other job” —Silvia blurted out the question without thinking.

“I’m only an accountant” —he limited himself to saying seriously.

“Then, where do you get such elegant clothes and such expensive perfume from?” —the question puzzled Néstor; no one had ever asked him that, anywhere he’d been.

“Excuse me, Miss Montealto, how is it that I can’t call you by your first name and you ask me such personal things…? I think you’re being unfair.” —This time Néstor approached her, imposingly and with a half-smile.

It left Silvia speechless for a few seconds; she was used to being answered without hesitation. And thinking about it more, the man was right.

“You’re right, let’s leave it like this then… you don’t answer the question I asked… and you keep calling me Miss Montealto.” —The elevator door opened and Silvia walked out clicking her heels, walking without waiting for Néstor’s answer.

He, in turn, held back a laugh as he watched the girl walk in that short black skirt, long heels and that delicate light green shirt to match.

I think if I get close to her again she’ll bite me, better keep my distance —he thought while walking toward his office.

Chapter 3

“Among Friends”

Someone knocks on the office door, while Silvia is at the computer answering an email to her father and her trusted friends.

“Hi, Silvia, what’s up? Do you need something?”

Silvia, hearing her friend Carol’s voice, smiled.

“Wretch! I told you to find a young man, someone smart, but someone I could handle. That man is too handsome, I can barely even look him in the face. I imagine my father jumped for joy when you gave him his résumé; he was set on putting someone older in that position.”

“Oh, yes, isn’t he handsome?” —Carol answered her, sitting in front of her with a big smile on her face, ignoring the last part of what Silvia had said.

“Where did you get him? Where does he live? How is it that I hadn’t seen him anywhere in Maracaibo?”

“I figured you’d call me for that, so here… here’s his résumé, with the most important things, I already summarized it for you… Don’t thank me!” —Carol put the paper on the desk, smiling mischievously.

“You’re a bitch, how could you do this to me? What did Dad say?”

“Your father checked out his life and found nothing. He has excellent recommendations from the companies he’s worked for. He knows three languages and quit his last job because he said they didn’t pay him fairly.”

“So, to top it off, he’s ambitious, that’s not bad” —Silvia murmured.

“Yes, and did you notice how he dresses? He looks like a model… he’s irresistible.”

“Shut up! For that last one I could fire you; better get out of my office and get to work. By the way, today I’m leaving early, so arrange my schedule so I don’t stand anyone up.”

“Ok, Silvia! If you need anything else from Mr. Hidalgo, I’ll send it to you by email.”

“Get out of here now!” —Silvia shouted at Carol, while both burst out laughing.

Silvia held the paper and read all the information about the new employee her father had hired. He was forty-four years old, born on the sixth of April nineteen sixty-nine, almost twice her age.

“But he wears them so well, the damn man is handsome” —she murmured, smiling, as she kept reading the paper.

He lived in the La Estrella development, a situation that seemed unsettling to her because he lived relatively close to her, and she’d never seen him, since her house was in the Pozo Viejo residential complex, that is, their houses were only a few blocks apart.

“It’s clear to me that the world is definitely very small” —Silvia said to herself.

Chapter 4

“Awkward Situation”

Silvia was reading a book, like every third Friday of each month. That day she decided to stay up reading until dawn. It was like a ritual for her. Around four in the morning, she heard a noise coming from the kitchen. Her house had large windows, many pine trees, large and small, around it, and a huge pool. Very confidently, but she knew being alone was never safe.

She put down her book (Miss Marple and Thirteen Problems by Agatha Christie) beside the small table, and walked toward the kitchen to see what had caused the noise. To her surprise, a man dressed completely in black was in front of her. She couldn’t see his face because it was covered with a cloth the same color as his clothes.

Shit, what’s she doing awake today? —Néstor wondered in front of Silvia. She was wearing very sexy sleepwear. In his almost twenty years as a professional thief, he had never seen a woman with such a glorious and delicate body.

Why does this girl turn my world upside down? I should have found a way to come with her to her house and get to know the place better… instead of coming here on my own —he finished thinking while turning his back on Silvia to leave by the same place he had entered.

“Where are you going, shameless?… stop right there” —he heard Silvia’s demand. And he stopped. The girl had balls and that was impossible for him not to see. He turned toward her, while putting his hand in his pocket.

“How did you get in? The house has too much security. I suppose if you tell me… hmm… I’ll pay you, that way no one else like you… will be able to get past my security again.” —Silvia wasn’t afraid of the man in front of her; as she saw it, he was alone and unarmed; she was sure that with her taekwondo classes she’d knock him out in a few minutes, she just had to keep her distance so she could move her legs well.

Néstor walked toward her, but Silvia stepped back.

“Better that I leave you an email, I won’t hurt you, and I don’t want you to hurt me either” —Néstor murmured. He knew the girl was a black belt in a martial art; he was aware that if he got close she could knock him out. But desire was stronger in him, so he was going to take the risk.

“Ah! you’re a professional, I have friends who are like you, I have nothing against that. Someone has to do it, right? There’s too much economic disparity in society; taking from someone who has a lot isn’t wrong.”

The words confused Néstor; he had never met someone with such an open mind. Néstor still silent and immersed in thought, making sense of what Silvia had just said, got too close and Silvia… acted.

She kicked him in the face, leaving him dazed. He fell to the floor and with a sweep knocked the now-confused Silvia to the ground, since she hadn’t expected that move. On the floor she’d be at a disadvantage, she knew it. Néstor quickly got on top of her, exerting all his strength.

“I told you I wouldn’t hurt you. Why the hell did you do that?”

“Nobody robs a Montealto” —Silvia said, struggling— “not without leaving unscathed.”

“You forced me to do this.” —Néstor pulled the mask covering his face down a bit and kissed her. To his surprise she returned the kiss. He hadn’t expected that in a thousand years. It left him breathless and with a prominent erection. When he stopped kissing her Silvia smiled; she was going to say something to him, but he needed to get out of there… fleeing! So he put his handkerchief full of a powerful sedative over her and watched, before his eyes, as Silvia fell asleep.

He carried her and placed her on the couch. And he left, too confused to do what he knew best in life, which was being a professional thief.

Chapter 5

“Hiding the Truth”

Shit, everything went absolutely wrong. Here I am, with my face swollen, and in a few hours I have to go to work. I’ll have to call and say I can’t come; I can’t let myself be seen like this —Néstor thought, while applying ointment to his face.

When it was nine-thirty in the morning he decided to call the office to explain his absence. On the third ring Carol answered:

“Administrative department of Aeroejecutivos, good morning, how can I help you?”

“It’s Mr. Hidalgo, I wanted to inform you of my absence today; on Monday I’ll bring the doctor’s note, I need you to inform Miss Montealto.”

“Yes, don’t worry, as soon as the miss arrives I’ll let her know.”

Hasn’t she arrived? How strange. As far as I know she’s one of the first to arrive at the company. Could it be she still hasn’t woken up from the sedative I gave her? —he thought, worried. He preferred to keep silent and say goodbye.

“Thank you very much, Miss Vargas.”

“Don’t call me that, just call me Carol” —Néstor heard a giggle on the other end of the line—, “see you Monday.”

“Ok, Carol, see you, have a good weekend” —He hung up the phone. Carol was very outgoing, he was sure of that; he also knew she was one of Silvia’s best friends. His informants had given him a lot of information. But nowhere did it say she was easy or a tease.

That she returned his kiss had left him beside himself. Now he had more questions than answers, and for the first time in years he’d lost the desire to rob anyone. He’d never go to that house again. He loved the young woman and had to stay away. In a few weeks he’d quit his job and look for another victim, but if he wanted to stay solitary as he had for the last fifteen years, he had to leave this city as soon as possible. Sell everything and leave.

Chapter 6

“Unexpected Visit”

The doorbell rings.

Who could it be? I’m not expecting visitors… Truth be told, in the month I’ve been living here, I’ve never received one —Néstor thought, getting out of bed. He glanced at his face and it was less swollen. It was already Sunday and the ointment had done its job. By Monday he’d be sure he had nothing. That way he wouldn’t let Silvia see him, and risk her putting things together.

When he opened the door, he fell completely silent. Silvia was in front of him, in low sandals and a simple pink dress. Her hair loose and she was barely wearing makeup. Seeing her like that left him stunned.

“Listen, how great! You don’t have swelling on your face anymore… how good” —she dragged out the last part, and the tone was so ironic he went blank— “aren’t you going to invite me in, wretch?! Or what? Are you going to cover my mouth with another little cloth with sedative?”

Shit… Am I awake? Damn it all —Néstor thought, feeling his heart beating a thousand miles an hour. He did nothing but step back so Silvia could come in.

“Listen… Silvia… I—” —Néstor began to say, embarrassed. He didn’t know what to say; he felt disarmed, with nothing to defend himself. Nor anything smart to say.

“Did you think you were so clever? Next time, be more careful with those sedatives you use; yesterday I almost died of a migraine” —Silvia smiled, but this time her features softened.

“I’m sorry, I don’t know what to say. Tomorrow you’ll have your balance sheet so your work with your father won’t be delayed, and on Tuesday I’m leaving your company. In fact, I decided that yesterday.”

The confession didn’t please Silvia.

“Hey, what I told you that day was true, I have nothing against professional thieves. At least the ones like you, who don’t hurt or destroy anything, just take what they want and that’s it.”

“How did you know about me?”

“Your smell… that Dolce & Gabbana you wear, not just anyone wears it” —Silvia burst out laughing—, “besides, I called yesterday and you didn’t come to work, so I figured it was because of the blow I gave your face… on the other hand, your way of dressing didn’t add up, so the day I saw you in those fine clothes I investigated the balance of your bank accounts, you know, I have good friends… and lastly, I contacted a few mutual friends we have and they told me you looked into my life, so I felt entitled to do the same and clear up any doubts I had about you.”

“Are you going to report me? Let me tell you I admire your cunning and analytical ability. Now I see why you’re so good at business.”

“No, of course not” —Silvia approached, smiling mischievously—, “thanks for the compliment.”

“I see. So why did you come? I want you to know that you have my word that I won’t rob your house, or your company, and that I’ll leave on Tuesday and you won’t hear from me again. Anyway, you have no proof; it’ll be your word against mine, besides I didn’t take anything from your house. And about the bank accounts, I can justify the income; I’m clever with accounts and numbers.”

“Shhh… you don’t have to explain anything to me” —Silvia stood in front of him— “I came for you to return what you stole from me” —Silvia pulled him toward her and kissed him. The kiss was more intense than the one they’d shared days ago. Néstor didn’t hold back and caressed her. Her breathing could be heard in his small but luxurious house. He always bought very comfortable properties, but ones that didn’t draw attention; that way he covered his back and had to give fewer explanations.

Between kisses, Néstor couldn’t help asking her:

“Why are you doing this? What do you want?” —Silvia pulled away from Néstor, showing reddened lips and ragged breathing. Her chest rose and fell; she looked so different from how she was at the office.

“First, before you take me for crazy, I want to tell you that I know as far as where you were born, I know you’re not dangerous” —she kissed him again, this time near the corner of his mouth, while Néstor smiled—; “second, you can call me Silvia from now on” —Silvia caressed his face sweetly—; “third, I know I’m more beautiful than the money I have, and I also have to consider that you’re more handsome than those two professions you practice, which by the way you do all too well” —Néstor burst out laughing and picked her up, wrapping her legs around his waist and walking to lay her on the sofa in his living room— “I’ll make the effort just this once… and I won’t pay attention to all that business about morals.”

“You’re wrong, I like all that intelligence of yours even more, not to mention that I love this young woman you’re showing me right now… you even look sweet” —Néstor pressed his erection against Silvia’s body and she moaned in anticipation—, suddenly an idea came to his head— “Are you hiding something from me, right? Ohh, ok, ok, so you knew the thief was me… when you saw me in your house, that’s why you returned that kiss, right?”

“Uh-huh!” —Silvia nodded. That answer delighted him. He could, for the first time, be honest with someone without fear of being judged for what he did. And he couldn’t deny it, the fact made him crazier about her.

Letting themselves be carried away by all their feelings, tastes and attractions, they made love for the first time, and so they remained for years… together and always working.

Silvia learned many things about Néstor’s life, including that poor life full of needs he had as a child. So she convinced him to make appointments with a psychologist. It was clear Néstor stole to accumulate more than he already had; and now, married to her, he absolutely didn’t need that stolen money.

After five years of marriage Néstor stopped stealing and decided to work only as an accountant. But with the difference that a large part of the money he’d accumulated over the last years, he gave to organizations that helped street children; that way he felt good about himself, that he’d keep those defenseless people from falling into the world in which, cleverly, he himself had known how to get by.

THE END

When there is desire, some moral aspects can be set aside. On the other hand, there is always a way to draw something good from the bad things we do or that happen to us; you just have to open your mind and learn to accept reality.