Taming the Billionaire

"You are so happy! It would be a lie if I told you I am not jealous!" Sara squealed. Elise did not reply to that. She felt happy, excited, and proud to hear such a compliment. "Mike would love the gift! It is the perfect gift for your third anniversary. Since how long were you saving for this? Do you think he will propose to you anytime now after getting this? If he doesn't, I am going to knock the senses out of him." Sara probed. Sara looked at the branded watch one more time. It wasn't like Elise was from a wealthy family. She had a tough childhood growing up. But what she has achieved now on her own was commendable. Sara had been Elise's only constant. Mike only met Elise at their workplace when she was in a more stable place in her life. Even if Mike admires Elise for her struggle, he hardly understands any of it. "There is no need to rush him. He will propose when he is ready. I am in no hurry." Elise blushed. The truth is that Elise wanted to get married and start a family. She had longed to have one. But she wasn't a pushover either. She was trying to be as patient as she could. Mike had big hopes and ambitions for his future. Their future. She was a supportive girlfriend. As long as they were together, she was fine. "Hush!! But..." Sara made an annoying face when Elise ignored her remarks to divert her attention to the salesperson. "How much would this be?" Elise asked. The salesperson gave an unpleasant look at Elise. Perhaps she was not very interested in attending her. From her regular clothes, it didn't look like she could afford a luxury brand like Tutime Flieger, Tudor, Longines, or Nomos. She was more inclined to serve the new guest in the shop, the handsome man her colleague was attending. His dreamy eyes, tall and sturdy charisma made her feel more agitated to serve Elise and Sara, who had squandered almost every watch in the shop, only to hop on to the next item. She knew they were passersby who couldn't even dream of affording a watch in their shop. "Ma'am, the items in our store are timepieces that often provide a utilitarian or classic look. They are high-end Swiss or German-made watches and luxury items. Why don't you look at something more viable in the shop nearby? They have great designs in your range." The girl finally spoke her mind. She simply wanted to get rid of Elise and Sara so that she could tend to the handsome man. The salesgirl's remark snapped Sara. She could be as ruthless as needed. She was about to spit some harsh words or make a fuss when Elise stopped her. She didn't want to create a commotion. She understood why the salesgirl would make such a cruel remark. Indeed, they have been looking at every piece to fit their budget, which has already exceeded her range. But she wasn't willing to settle for anything plain, either. Mike was from an affluent family. He wouldn't wear anything trivial. So, she had never gifted him anything in all three years. She had been saving money for that day. But still, she was having a hard time choosing something that costly. Also, she kind of did not look like one who would come to shop for a luxury brand. "How much is this? We would settle for this." Elise smiled gently, unsure if she would be able to afford it. If not, she would rather leave the shop than create a scene. Sara glowered at the salesgirl, who huffed but tried hard to be gentle. "This is a German-made Tutima Flieger watch. It would cost you 4099 dollars." Her smile at the end wasn't pleasant. It was as if she was mocking the two. It only got wider when the two friends exchanged a sad look. Elise swallowed hard. She wondered for a while if she should still buy it. "Ma'am, shall I pack it for you?" The salesgirl was now openly ridiculing her with her lewd faces. Sara wanted to punch her, but Elise was still in a stupor, conflicted. It was not like she didn't find the girl irritating. She was just keeping up with her since she was experiencing a tough time choosing the watch. "As I said, you should go to the shop nearby. They have products in your range. I have other customers to attend." The salesgirl gave them an annoying look. Sara was about to throw a fit. But this time, Elise spoke first. She had enough of the salesgirl's mockery. "Are you supposed to behave like this with your customers? I am even in the hospitality industry. So, I expect a little better from you." Elise was rather gentle in her approach, but her stern look confused the salesgirl. Elise had been the subtle one till one. So, hearing her speak like that startled her. Sara twisted her lips, giving a happy look. "Is there a situation?" A manly, seductive voice came from the side. It was so dreamy that it grabbed the attention of all three ladies. But when their eyes met his face, they could only dream of such perfection. Sara and the salesgirl looked at him dreamily. They couldn't help but admire him. Elise tried to prompt Sara, but she was too busy gaping at Mr. Perfect to pay attention to her. The sudden intrusion rather irritated Elise. Was he there to mock her, too? The man was dressed in limited edition clothes. Perhaps he was there to complain about how she shouldn't be here wasting time. Also, he was very handsome. She didn't want to look and admire another man when she was dating Mike. She couldn't help but feel attracted to him. The man grunted to make his presence felt. It made them more aware of their surroundings, but still, they couldn't help but keep stealing glances at him. "I would like to buy the watch," Elise said, still feeling a little jittery. She completely ignored this man. "Yes?" The salesgirl couldn't understand what was happening. She was slow to process that the poor-looking girl wanted to really buy that watch in the presence of this god-like person. "She said you should pack the watch!" The man was louder this time but still gentle at the same time, making the salesgirl and Sara flinch. Elise glared at this man. Why was he trying to be nice? Was he the shop owner? Probably! "You are sure about buying the watch?" Sara, too, couldn't believe it. "Yes," Elise looked elsewhere and walked towards the counter. Elise didn't want to admire another man while she was committed to Mike. After all, she wanted to get married to him. She felt as if she was betraying him by just looking at that perfectly gorgeous man. She was afraid he would make her feel flustered. The man did not say anything and went to look for watches in a rather more costly section of the shop. But he would still steal some glances at Elise. For the first time, he felt as if someone had rejected him. He knew he had a powerful impact on her. But still, she superseded that desire to overlook him, trampling his male ego. He chuckled. Indeed, how fragile his male ego was. But was it his fault? He had always been the center of women's desire, without fail. Had he not loved what he was doing, he would be giving a run for money to all the male models and Hollywood stars out there. Such was his confidence. But this woman with plain clothes, no makeup, and an ordinary style was standing upright. It was attractive to him. In the world that he lived and grew, relationships were fickle. There was no meaning to love. Temptation, desire, and pure lust governed his world. So, experiencing something like that was stimulating and surprising. "Nolan! Baby, I have been looking for you everywhere!" An exquisite woman walked inside the shop, making her presence felt. All eyes looked at her, envious and miserable. Of course, a perfect man like that deserves nothing less, they realized. She was covered with high-end products from head to toe. The price of the makeup she was wearing would probably be more than the watch Elise bought. But she didn't mind. Elise was the first to overcome it. She had a harsh life where everyone had better than what she had. So, she was quick to let go of it, even though she was a little jealous. Not because she knew this handsome man, Nolan. But she was envious of how unfair life was. Everyone in the store practically rushed to tend to her while, when she insisted on leaving the shop every other minute, several salespersons switched between her and other customers. "Mr. Miller, should I pack this for you?" The lady attending Nolan probed, looking a little hurt by the fact that he was probably not single. Not that she dared to imagine she had any chance with him. "Yes, and also that," Nolan said in an affirmative voice. He glanced at Elise. She was the only one not looking in his or Gianna's direction. She quickly settled her bill and dragged her friend out of the shop. He couldn't believe there was someone like that. She intrigued her. He wanted to follow her, know her, and make her his. It infuriated him that he felt tempted by her. He had seen better and dated many beautiful women. He had never felt the desire to be with anyone more than what he was then feeling for Elise. He sighed. Perhaps it was a good thing that they met in a watch shop in broad daylight. He would never have to cross her. Soon he would forget about her. However, much to his dismay, for the whole day, Nolan couldn't forget about the plain girl he briefly encountered in the watch shop. He could tell she wasn't from an affluent family. She didn't look like she used luxury products. Also, she bought a man's watch. It was rather expensive for her. He was naturally curious to find out who it was for whom she bought that watch. He wondered if she was there to purchase in place of someone else or if she had a rich boyfriend. He was strangely curious about her. Also, Nolan had a tough day because of Gianna. She wouldn't give him space or leave him, even after his disinterest. It was as if she was glued to him. No matter how many times he escaped her, somehow, she always managed to find his new location. She constantly nagged him, making him irritated. He had the longest relationship with Gianna. She was his first girlfriend. Probably the only one. But it was a very long time ago. But now, there was nothing between her. So, he couldn't understand why she kept trying so hard to get back into a relationship with him since she returned. He was no longer someone who wanted to court anyone. Love is an illusion. Later that night, Nolan was in his pub after escaping Gianna. He had asked her to wait for him at fine Italian dining without any intention of visiting her. While she would be waiting for him, he was in the pub, engorged in alcohol and women, trying to take Elise out of his system. Good girls are not a part of his world. Who would want the playboy billionaire to be a one-woman man? How would he get all those deals and get his way if he was faithful to only one? And most of all, why? He had seen people claiming to be in love all the time, only to break up or cheat on their partner later. His family was no different. In the front, they were ideal. But the never-ending saga of betrayal, cheating, and dysfunction was their only truth. The only hint of genuine love that Nolan could hardly recall was from his late mother. But he was too small to make out anything of it. He misses her warmth and the comfort of her embrace the most. His father did not waste time before marrying his first stepmother. It was a marriage of convenience and business with no boundaries or loyalties. As he grew up, he felt like an outcast. Even his father was more inclined toward his stepbrother. Nolan saw Gianna walking toward him. Every man in the pub eyed her with lust and desire except him. Her presence only irked him and brought back memories he wished to forget. A pissed-off smile rolled over his perfect face. How could he possibly escape the devil? She knew all his hideouts. "You ditched me again!" Gianna said with a smiling face, hugging Nolan forcibly. But he pushed her back, making her squirm. "This isn't how a handsome man like you should treat a beautiful lady." Gianna forced another smile on her face, sitting beside him. "Gianna, I would want to call it a night. I have to join the Miller Hotel as the new president tomorrow morning. I don't want to look tired. Let's see each other some other time." Nolan put his alcohol glass on the table, giving no expression to Gianna. He got up to leave even without waiting for her response. But Gianna grabbed his hand to stop him. "How many times more do I have to apologize? We were young!" Gianna said in a cracked tone. It was dark, but still, Nolan could see her teary eyes. Nolan huffed. There go the crocodile tears again! "There is nothing for you to apologize for. It's just that I am very young now, and I love this way of life more. It is freer. You must enjoy the night. I really have to leave." Nolan did not have to reply to her, but he did it anyway. "Fine! But one day, you will come back to me," Gianna retorted. "Mmm-hmm..." Nolan did not even look back when he responded coldly to her optimistic outlook about their relationship. He would be in a relationship with a goat rather than her. Nolan was walking down the stairs when he saw a man trying to take advantage of a drunken girl. At first, he thought about ignoring it. He would intimidate the bouncer on his way out. But not more than two steps later, he couldn't overlook it. He might be a playboy. But he understood what consent meant. The girl clearly didn't look comfortable. She was struggling to escape while the man kept persuading her. As he got closer, he was stunned to see her face. It was the girl who was accompanying Elise. Was her name Rara? Myra? Sira? Sara? He couldn't remember her name. Nolan tapped on the back of the man. The man pushed his hand, continuing his efforts to get inside Sara's mouth. Then a loud thud followed. Nolan had pulled the man apart from Sara and punched his face hard enough for him to fall to the ground. Blood spurted out from his mouth. Nolan turned to leave, wondering if the girl was with Elise. The man spits the blood gathered inside his mouth and rose with a rage to hit Nolan. He grabbed a liquor bottle to hit him from behind. But before he could hurt Nolan, someone grabbed him from behind and kicked him on his knees to hold him tightly. He squealed in pain as the bouncers rushed to aid him. Nolan wasn't expecting the man to attack back. He turned to punch him again, and this time harder, only to find him dealt with by the one he had been trying to get out of his mind. It was Elise. She had pinned him down, hurting him enough to make him whimper in pain and cry to release him. Nolan was astounded. This woman continues to surprise him more and more. He wasn't expecting to find her in his pub, out of anywhere that was possible to cross paths with her. More so, he would never have imagined her to have such superb fighting skills. She looked like a professional. Also, she looked more beautiful in that body-hugging red dress. He couldn't help but feel even more attracted to her. He wondered if she was with the one for whom she had bought that watch. As soon as the bouncers took over, Elise went on to Nolan to thank him. But it was too short. She left to tend to a drunken Sara. She wasn't expecting to see Nolan again, but it was the least of her worries. It was the worst night of her life. She wouldn't even care if Chris Evans visited her. "Let me send her to her home," Nolan offered. "No, thank you." Elise was direct. She didn't trust Nolan or anybody. All men were jerks. "I insist!" Nolan pressed. Elise glared at him. "Are you interested in my friend? Well, she is drunk." Elise glowered. She knew she shouldn't have done it. He saved Sara earlier. But she was in a terrible mood. "No! Not at all. But I am interested in you." Nolan chuckled. He got closer to Elise and said in a seductive whisper, "very interested." Elise couldn't believe her ears. Was it ringing? Why would someone like Nolan ever want anything to do with her? Even her boyfriend wasn't interested in her anymore. She must be drunk. Of course, she was imagining. "Stop playing your games, rich boy. I really don't have the patience today!" Elise warned. She was about to leave when Nolan stopped her again. "My people will take care of your friend. We have a few rooms on the top. At least join me for one drink. It won't be long, I promise. It is the least you can do to pay me back for saving your friend." Nolan bargained. He was a businessman. He knew when to ask and how to ask to turn things favorable to him. Elise knew he was bluffing. But she also knew there would never be another night when someone like Nolan would be interested in her. She looked for her options again. Did she want to go back, really? No. She didn't want to think about anything. Sara was supposed to listen to her while she got drunk. But the reverse happened somehow. She was too tired and frustrated mentally to care for Sara. She wanted to do something she had never done. She wanted to prove she could be fun, too. She was keen on doing something reckless to forget how much it was hurting. "Alright!" Elise replied. Nolan ordered his staff to take care of Sara. He did not know what had changed, but he was going to find it out. He smiled at his first victory, only to make Elise's heart flutter a little. From the top, Gianna glared at the two as Elise followed Nolan to a more cozy private area. The night had just begun...