"Are you crazy, Cindy White! How dare you kiss our client and embarrass him like that? I never saw that brazen attitude in you when I offered you employment," the manager sneered, anger coursing through his veins as he glared at Cindy, wanting to slap her again. But Nicolas caught his hand.
"Let her go," Nicolas said, his voice firm and commanding.
Turning to face Nicolas Sullivan's deadly stare, the manager bowed his head and apologized deeply. "Please forgive me, Mr. Sullivan. It's my fault that I didn't train my staff well. She will not try this again."
"Just let her go," Nicolas repeated, his voice laced with annoyance as he looked away from Cindy and strode off to the men's bathroom to wash up and relieve the tension she had stirred in him.
Aaron sat, clearly shocked as he watched his best friend walk off. He was utterly amused by Cindy's boldness and had taken a liking to her, but he didn't like cheap women, so he didn't bother to rescue her.
"You're fired, Cindy White. Get out of my restaurant before I involve the police. I'm sure you don't want to incur Mr. Sullivan's wrath. Would you pretend you didn't know he is our top-tier client?" The manager growled, his voice thick with fury.
Cindy was still trembling from the force of the slap she had just received and the fact that she had kissed a billionaire. He was on Forbes magazine's list as the richest CEO in Brooklyn City.
Unable to find words to reply, she stuttered an apology, "I'm sorry, sir."
"Get out. You're fired. Take her away," the manager ordered the men in black, who bundled Cindy up and grabbed her.
Cindy lost the strength to wrestle for her freedom. She had read in novels that some handsome rich men could save a damsel in distress and be her Prince Charming. How had she been so foolish not to look before she leaped? She had kissed a billionaire who could lock her up for the rest of her life.
Thinking about the gossip news about billionaire CEO Nicolas Sullivan, Cindy recalled that he was rumored to be gay and single. He was the only son, as his parents had died in a plane crash when he was two years old.
Cindy didn't protest. She silently prayed that Nicolas wouldn't come to arrest her. She still wanted to graduate in fine arts and take over her mother's company—the one her father wanted her stepsister, Tasha, to inherit.
Sobbing silently, Cindy watched as the men in black hurled her into their van. She saw Rachel running over to meet her.
"Cindy, Cindy! Hey! Stop the car!" Rachel chased after the black van as she called the emergency police number, but it was still ringing.
With a trembling voice, Rachel cried over the call, "Hello, Officer. Help, my best friend has just been kidnapped at Royal Hart Restaurant."
"We will be there. Do you have any information to assist us in searching for her?" asked the policeman over the phone.
"Yes. The car zoomed off, but I already snapped the plate number," Rachel said, her voice trembling with emotion and tears flowing down her cheeks.
"Good. We will be there soon," replied the policeman before the call ended.
Rachel could only pray that Cindy was fine, as she had been shocked to see Cindy kiss Mr. Sullivan.
"I hope Cindy is safe before the police rescue her," Rachel cried, waiting for the police to arrive.
***
In the restaurant, Nicolas returned to his seat. His expression was frosty, as his lips still lingered with the taste of the young woman who had unexpectedly kissed him. Her plea for help still lingered in his mind, too, and he was troubled about someone else for the first time in his life.
Nicolas blamed himself for not helping the woman, but he hadn't expected to be kissed. What if she was a gold digger who wanted to defraud him? Many women longed for his attention to become his wife, but he avoided them with reckless abandon.
"Nico, Nico, how did you enjoy being kissed?" Aaron asked, his voice bubbling with excitement as he watched his best friend settle back in his chair. Some other patrons looked at them, but they swiftly glanced away, not wanting to get on the billionaire's blacklist.
Nicolas's fist clenched. "I do not want to discuss her. I've already lost my appetite. I have to go home because my old man is calling me for an important conversation."
"What other conversation would be more important than your arranged marriage? Grandpa Daniel wants you to get married. I heard he is arranging a wife for you. Are you going to accept his choice of a bride?" Aaron asked, curiosity perched on his face.
"I do not have a choice. Grandpa raised me alone, and it's best that I accept marrying his choice if that will make him happy," Nicolas said as he picked up a drink and uncorked it. He drank from it to calm his annoyed heart.
That young lady made him restless, and her soft body still lingered in his mind. His suit was filled with her orange scent, and he wanted to take a bath immediately.
"Alright. I support you. You should marry to clear the rumors and prevent all these cheap women from lusting after you," Aaron said, his tone steady and confident.
"Mmm," Nicolas agreed, finishing his meal as his appetite returned. He caught a lady's gaze on him as she paced about the restaurant worriedly.
Unconcerned about who she was, even as he saw the policemen arrive, Nicolas stepped out of the restaurant with Aaron, their bodyguards following closely behind.
"So I'll see you tomorrow. Should I accompany you to meet your bride?" Aaron asked, but Nicolas's brows furrowed.
"No need. I will be going to see her alone. I don't like my Grandpa's idea to pick a bride, but I know he's doing it for me. He can't want a woman now that he's very old—unless he wants to die in bed," Nicolas chuckled alongside Aaron.
"Right. Then I'll look forward to you introducing her to me. Take care, buddy," Aaron gave Nicolas a reassuring pat, while Nicolas strode up to his black Maybach.
Aaron then got into a black Jeep and drove off with his bodyguards escorting him.
Nicolas glanced back at his assistant, Robin Kevin.
"Robin," Nicolas called to his assistant, his voice firm but laced with irritation.
"Yes, boss," Robin appeared; he was Nicolas's assistant and had been waiting for him with the bodyguards and driver.
"Did you see the lady who dared to kiss me in there?"
"Yes, boss. I did. I wasn't expecting her action," Robin Kevin said.
"Find out who she is and what is wrong with her," Nicolas said once he sat in his car.
"Boss, I can get her information from the restaurant's manager."
"Go on and get it. I am troubled about her, and I feel she might be in danger," Nicolas said, his voice cold but concerned.
"I will do that now," Robin replied, while Nicolas waited with the driver.
A few minutes later, Robin returned with Cindy's details from her boss.