Always Been Yours (Tessa and Nicholas)

Chapter 12 Too Many Coincidences for Comfort

“Yes, sir!” The bodyguards immediately moved in synchronization as they dragged Sophia and Lauren like the women were two burlap sacks of potatoes. Upon reaching the entrance, they unceremoniously threw them out the doors.

The members of the orchestra who had gathered around to watch this were stunned speechless, and a stifling hush followed Nicholas’ ruthless and unforgiving gesture.

Tessa, too, took a while to recover from the initial shock of it all, and she didn’t snap out of her daze until Nicholas spoke again.

“Greg, are you hurt?” Nicholas drew closer to Gregory, a warm, fatherly concern filling his dark orbs. He looked entirely different from the intimidating and domineering president he had been moments ago.

“I’m fine, Daddy,” Gregory answered with a gentle nod of his little head.

When everyone heard this, they let out a collective sigh of relief.

Knowing that she was the cause of this fiasco, Tessa stepped forward with her shoulders squared and said apologetically, “I’m terribly sorry, President Sawyer. Those two were after me, but Gregory nearly got hurt in the midst of the chaos. This is all my fault!”

When Nicholas heard this, he gave her a brief, frosty look, then retracted his gaze as he replied stoically, “Yes, this all happened because of you, but since somebody else has been punished for it, I’ll let you off the hook.” He paused, then added in the same frigid tone, “It’s almost time for lunch anyway. I’ll bring Gregory home after we dine at the restaurant. Come along.”

With that, he deftly picked Gregory up into his arms and headed for the doors.

As Gregory leaned against the curve of Nicholas’ broad shoulder, his mind began to race. He was desperate to come up with a plan to stay by Tessa’s side for the rest of the day.

Tessa, on the other hand, dared not dawdle as she straightened her clothes and followed Nicholas out of the building.

…

the kitchen was as good as any Michelin-star chef, and he had once been involved in the food preparation for a

and his powerful

stiffly in her seat, unsure if breathing was something she could afford to do in the presence of a world-renowned

ease, if not overtly impassive. He ordered a few dishes, and when he

herself, but when she saw the prices on the

with a three-digit price tag? What, was the broccoli

at the thought of the bill that would come at the end of this meal, she made a small order and picked out the cheapest fruit juice there was, then shakily handed the menu back to the waiter. “Thank

to be served, and all of them looked as delicious as they smelled. They were arranged neatly at the center of the dining table, so aesthetically pleasing that it

small amount of surprise

dishes before her would at least fetch a four-digit

finding herself at a loss for words as she mused wistfully to herself, These rich folks sure live differently. This meal alone

voice pulled her out of her thoughts. “Lunch will be on Daddy

flashed him a gentle smile upon hearing his

dig in, but she hardly ate anything

aren’t you eating,

“What is it? Does the food not agree with your palate,

no, it’s not that. Everything’s delicious,” Tessa said hastily, then promptly shoveled

said nothing more after this, and the three of them ate

though he did help Gregory