CHAPTER 3

  "Ahmm Hanky, let's talk about what happened back there," she said, while cleaning Hank's bruises. 

 His silence frightened her, he didn't seem to be her best friend when he acted this way. 

Hank was a very cheerful person, there's no dull moment when she was with him.

"That bastard deserved that," he said while clenching his fists.

"I did it for my brother, and for our company, that ass*ole was ruthless."

 She went to the kitchen, and found a slice of carrot cake and orange juice. She served it to him, her father will surely ask them what happened. 

After more than thirty minutes, John Sullivan entered the living room and asked what happened. She told him the story, he had no reactions. 

"Who was the man, Hank?" he asked. 

"The certain Nathan Wolfe, uncle John, the man who almost had everything, but never  happy with his accomplishments." 

 John Sullivan stares at her blankly, as if he knew the man, he never said even a single word. After a few minutes, he stood up and tapped Hank's shoulder. He walked away silently, and never commented about the fight.

 It was Sunday, twelve noon, and many customers were coming to their restaurant. 

 They are serving both American and Asian Cuisines. This is their main branch, and another two are going to open soon.

 "Miss Sullivan, someone is looking for you," the kitchen staff said. 

"Who's that Annie?" she replied while busy doing her plating.

 "A customer who wants to talk to the chef, I told him that you are busy, but he insisted, he said he wants to compliment the chef for the food."

"It's okay, I'm finished," she smiled.

 She didn't bother to remove her apron and went out of the kitchen.

 Her eyebrow raised when she saw the man, Oh yeah!  Nathan Wolfe is his name.

 He looks so dashing and dangerously handsome. He is wearing a dark grey polo shirt that emphasizes his toned muscles and big biceps. 

 He is also wearing dark shades, he looks different from last night. He looked younger this time, but his authority and strong aura was floating.

 She is sure that his eyes focused on her, from the time she left the kitchen. On her arms appear goosebumps, she is shaking a little while walking.

"I am the chef, sir, so how's the food," she tried to be more civil, ignoring what happened last night.

"The food and the chef looks great to me," he said while referring to untouched foods on the table. 

"I don't have time for this nonsense conversation, I am so busy, and yet you told me to come out, what is it you want Mr. Wolfe?" 

 She really doesn't know why her blood boils when she sees him, maybe her first impression last, as the cliche says.

 His every word was like an acid to her ear, even if he didn't mean anything about what he just said.

 He chuckled and took off his shades, revealing his dark gazes, his sensual lips looking delicious to taste. 

 She tilted her head for her thoughts.

 "Let's get out tonight, do you see these bruises? It's your friend who made this, and you need to take me out for dinner,"  he said seriously. 

 "But it's Hank who punches you and not me, so why would I take you out?

 Besides, we have a restaurant, just eat here, and I won't make any charges," she replied.

 "I want to go out to a party tonight, I need a date, and it's you that I want, and I won't take no for an answer," he said arrogantly.

 He crossed his arm on his chest, giving her his dashing debonair smile. He is a really drop dead gorgeous guy, and his smile is like a panty dropping.

 She took a heavy sigh, he is really annoying, is it true that Nathan Wolfe is inviting her? Her? A plain lady Yana Sullivan?

  What is he really up to? Is he sick? Or does he just want to play? Knowing that he always gets what he wants. But I'm different from those women! For Pete's sake!

 "Do you even know my name Mr. Wolfe? You are asking me out, and you didn't even know my name," she said, while pouting her lips and raising her eyebrows.

 "Yes, Ms. Sullivan, Rhianna Sullivan, right? Only daughter of John Sullivan, he said confidently. She wondered why he knew her father.

 "Your father and I met years ago, he is so kind and clever," he said, as if hearing what is in her mind.

 And because she had no choice, she agreed to go on a date with him. 

 Besides that would be the first and last date with him. 

 She took a deep sigh, she just met him less than twenty fours ago, but he is totally giving her a roller coaster ride!

"Looks like you have a date my princess," John Sullivan said, while smiling at her.

"Is it Hank? Is that young man courting you princess?" Her father asked her, as if he wanted to corner her.

"No daddy, Hank and I are just friends, and he's not my type," she giggled.

 He just nodded, he was about to leave her when he faced her again.

"Princess, you know that daddy loves you, always remember that," his voice was full of sincerity and love for her.

 It was soothing and really caring, his voice able to erase her fears.

 "I may never be a perfect father, I have flaws and imperfections," he paused.

 "But please never ever doubt my love for you." 

 His eyes were almost pleading, in her eyes, he looked older, as if he was defeated for a long time.

 "Since your mother died, you are the only memory that she left, all I want is your happiness," he was teary eyed, his lips trembling. 

 And her tears started to fall down, even if she tried to stop it.

  She never had a serious conversation with her father, he always makes her smile, as if everything will be all well. 

 But this time was so different, she saw a very lowly man, he looked so down and defeated.

 "Forgive me if sometimes I failed to be a good father," he said while tears came down from his eyes constantly, sadness was visible all over his face. His shoulders moved while sobbing.

 She hugged her father tightly, "I will never ever doubt your love for me dad, I'm so blessed because you are my father, and I never saw any flaws and imperfections," she assured him, she buried her face on his chest.

 She can feel his irregular heartbeat because of nonstop crying.

 "When I get married someday, I want a man who is exactly like you dad," she said while crying and smiling at the same time.

 Why does she have a sudden feeling of longing for her father? And with this thought, she cried even more. 

 A black limousine entered their driveway, and the driver went out, and opened the door for her.

 And there he was, sitting comfortable inside, wearing his three-piece suit, and directly looking at her. Looking so breathtakingly handsome.

 He raked his eyes all over her body, as if checking how she looked.

 She is wearing a backless style yellow gown, its slit almost reaching her upper thigh revealing her long and shapely legs.

"Hop in!" he said, and so she did.

 Parties really bore her to death, especially that she didn't mingle with the folks Nathan ran with. 

 She wanted to go home, but Nathan was so busy talking about businesses. 

 She thinks he only came to the party to do business.

 "A penny of your thoughts?" A tall guy approached her, he was good looking too, he had greyish eyes, upturned nose and kissable lips.

 This man was also big, and looked like a celebrity in a magazine.

"I'm Scott Langley," he said in his baritone voice. He was intently looking at her.

"Rhianna Sullivan," she said.

 He kissed the back of her hand. It's so awkward, she thought.

 "Why are you alone in this party milady? Who's with you?" 

She looked around, but she couldn't see where Nathan was.

 "I'm with Mr. Wolfe," she said in a small voice. 

His face changed, his jaw moved, she wasn't sure if it's just an imagination, but she saw a glint of bitterness in his eyes. Was it hatred? Remorsed?

 He smiled. "If I were him, I wouldn't leave you alone, I'm not sure, but I think I saw him earlier talking to Melissa James, the supermodel." He directly told her.

 She did not like what she just heard. He invited her, then just left her alone, for another woman?

"But I'm here, we can talk if you like," he said, touching her arm.

 It makes her feel uneasy, she feels afraid and awkward at the same time.

"Only if I allowed you to talk to her," a familiar voice intervened.

 "And get off your filthy hand of her, Langley."

 She saw Nathan standing just a few steps away from them, his eyes releasing fire, while his jaw was clenching, he was fisting his hand.

 But Scott didn't seem bothered by his presence, both men stared at each other seriously. And no one dares to break the stares.

 "Take care of your woman, Wolfe, you should not leave her alone," he looked at her and smiled. 

"I'm going, 'till next time, Ms. Sullivan."

 Nathan came near to her and held her arm, his facial expression didn't change. His eyes look dangerous, and he's breathing heavily too.

 "I just left for a while, and you flirted with that bastard!" His voice was like thunder, that made her tremble. 

 She stepped backward, but Nathan held her waist, and moved her closer.

 "Why are you so furious? You talked to Melissa James, and left me alone in this boring party, but I didn't react the way you reacted!" she hissed, she is not a robot, and she will not bow down to him! Over her dead body!

 Nathan's eyes turned into one line, making him more angry. 

 His face and neck turned red, his Adam's apple was moving, she saw in his arm protruded veins, and Nathan clenching his teeth.

 "Well then, I'll show you what disobedience means to a woman," he said dangerously, that she wanted to run.

And in an instant, Nathan pulled her even  closer, touching the back of her head, and kissed her lips.