"Thawing the Billionaire's Heart"

Chapter 12: I Won't Be Swayed

The unexpected impact left Lugard stunned, his eyes locked onto Selene with a cold, unreadable expression. Selene, realizing her mistake, turned to apologize, but her words were stuck in her throat.

Jonathan and the bodyguards watched with wide eyes and open mouths; they never saw this coming.

"Oh no!" she exclaimed, mortified. "I'm so sorry!"

Flushed with embarrassment, she apologized profusely and turned to flee the scene, exclaiming, "I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry," her voice echoing through the supermarket, before running away quickly as if she were a flash.

Kaiden's expression remained icy, his eyes never leaving Selene's retreating figure. Jonathan, however, couldn't help but chuckle at the unexpected encounter. "Well, that was interesting," he said, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

The bodyguards, Max and Leo, flanked Lugard and Jonathan, their faces stern and professional. Together, the group left the supermarket, leaving behind a trail of whispers and stares.

Nadia and her friends stood frozen, their mouths agape as they watched Lugard and Jonathan depart. "Wow, did you see that?" Nadia breathed, her eyes wide with excitement. "They're so hot!"

The supermarket patrons couldn't help but agree, their eyes following the two men as they walked out into the bright sunlight.

As Kaiden and Jonathan walked away from the supermarket, they quickly forgot about the minor bump.

"She didn't mean to do it," Jonathan said, shrugging it off. "No need to make a big deal out of it."

Lugard nodded in agreement, his mind already focused on more important matters as they left.

Meanwhile, Selene rushed to the hospital, her heart still racing from the encounter. She found her sister, Lily, and her best friend, Emilia, in the waiting room playing games seriously.

"Guys, you won't believe what just happened," Selene exclaimed, out of breath. Looking back to see if someone is following her.

Didi and Emilia looked up from their phones and exchanged worried glances. "What is it?" Didi asked concern etched on her face.

"Where is the stuff you went to buy, woman? Why do you come back empty-handed and breathing and look back like a criminal who had run from miles away to save his life?" Emilia asked, staring at Selene, startled.

Selene collapsed into a chair, her eyes wide with excitement and fear. "I was at the supermarket, and coincidently, or not, I don't know, Nadia was there, taunting me like usual. And then...and then I left the shop angrily because people were watching and Nadia was not alone, she came with her friends and bodyguards, so I was powerless. I walked away angrily but I wasn't satisfied because I didn't say anything to Nadia, so I turned back to look at them while walking backward, and I bumped into this guy, thinking it was a wall or something. And I kicked it in frustration."

Emilia's eyes widened. "Oh no, what happened next?"

Selene's voice dropped to a whisper. "It wasn't a wall. It was Lugard. And he looked at me with this cold, angry expression. I was so scared, I just ran away as fast as I could."

Didi's eyes filled with sympathy and surprise. "Oh, big sis, I'm so sorry. That must have been terrifying."

Selene nodded, her heart still racing from the encounter. "I thought he was going to hurt me or something. But then I realized who he was, and I felt even worse."

Emilia put a comforting arm around her shoulders. "Don't worry, Selene. You're safe now. And we're here for you."

As they talked, Selene's fear began to dissipate, replaced by a sense of wonder and awe. She couldn't believe she had kicked Lugard, and he didn't say or do anything to her, he just stared at her with his cold and terrifying gaze. The man who had saved her life all those years ago. And she couldn't help but wonder what would happen if she ever saw him again. She thinks with a smile.

Lugard returned to the company, entered his private elevator, and headed to his office.

Lugard's office was a sleek, modern space with a stunning view of the city skyline. As the CEO of his own company, he spent most of his days brokering deals and managing his empire. But on this particular afternoon, he was distracted. His mind kept wandering back to Layla, his love interest.

Just as he was lost in thought, his phone rang, breaking the silence. He checked the caller ID and saw that it was his butler, Jenkins. He sighed and answered the call, his tone curt.

"Hello, Jenkins. What's up?"

"Good afternoon, young master," Jenkins replied, his voice formal as always. "The madam, your mother, is here to see you."

Lugard's face turned cold, his expression hardening. He and his mother, Lilian, were not on good terms.

"What does she want?" Lugard asked gruffly, his heart racing with anxiety.

"I'm not sure, sir," Jenkins replied. "But she said it's urgent."

"Tell her I'm busy," Lugard said finally, his voice firm. "I won't be able to see her today."

"Yes, sir," Jenkins replied, his tone neutral. "But, sir, if I may suggest..."

"No, Jenkins," Lugard interrupted, his tone cold. "I won't be swayed. Tell her I'm not interested."

With that, Lugard hung up the phone, his heart racing with a mix of emotions. He knew his mother would not give up easily, but he was determined to avoid her. He would stay in his office and work late.

As time passed, Lugard's mind was a whirlwind of emotions as he tried to focus on his work. But his thoughts kept drifting back to his mother and what she might want. He knew exactly why she was here - she wanted to nag him about getting married and giving her grandchildren. Again.

It was a conversation they'd had countless times before and one that Lugard was thoroughly sick of. He had no interest in settling down or producing heirs, at least not yet. But his mother couldn't seem to accept that.

As the hours dragged on, Lugard's anxiety grew. He knew his mother wouldn't give up easily. She would keep pushing, keep manipulating, until she got what she wanted.

Finally, unable to take it anymore, Lugard stood up and paced around his office. He needed a distraction, something to take his mind off his mother and her constant demands.

But as he paced, his mind kept wandering back to the same topic. Marriage. Children. His mother's incessant nagging.

Why couldn't she just leave him alone? He was happy with his life as it was - successful, independent, and free.

Just then, his phone buzzed again. It was Jenkins, his butler.

"Sir, your mother is still waiting," Jenkins said, his voice firm. "She's getting impatient."

Lugard sighed and rubbed his temples. He knew he couldn't avoid her forever.

"Tell her I'll see her now," he said finally, his voice resigned.

And with that, Lugard steeled himself for the confrontation to come. He knew exactly what his mother wanted, and he was determined to resist.