Burning Passion

CHAPTER TWELVE: WRONG OFFENDERS

The text messages she receives too disturbed her. Now Nikki was losing her mind for raising her guard, and she even bought a hot coffee holding her right hand.

If someone attempts to touch her or plans to kidnap her, she is prepared to splash this hot coffee on them.

Yeah. She now began panicking; she admitted to this. There are still sexed offenders around this city. It may be fewer after Isagawa Clan lead the Mafia Association and the powerful Corporation having a new Chairman; many things have changed for the better in this country. That is why illegal activities are far less now and have a severe punishment.

"Nikki—"

Someone holds her shoulder. Combining her reflexes and demented brain, she promptly splashes the coffee to the person who approaches her.

After she realized who it was, Nikki quickly pulled her hand and dropped the coffee cup to the ground but covered her mouth in shock and shame.

"Theo Shang!"

Theo is now drenched from the hot black liquid, and it stains his designer business suit. Nikki cannot believe what she had done. She was sure that famous designers tailored it to its looks, just made it to a person like him.

"Oh, I'm so sorry!" while saying this, Nikki reaches the handkerchief behind her short pants. "Here's my handkerchief! Please, wipe your face!"

She may say this, but Nikki was already struggling to wipe Theo's face. He was very tall, and so, she tiptoed her foot to reach his face.

"Please, it's okay. Let me continued." Theo smiled partly and take the handkerchief from Nikki's hand.

"I'm really, really sorry! You startled me, so I was surprised and thrown the coffee on you," she apologizes.

"It's alright. It looks like I was at fault as well."

My God! Her freaking mind now causes her too much trouble. Although she prepares the coffee for offenders, she will meet on her way home. But never in her wildest dreams will she meet Theo Shang in her neighborhood.

"What are you doing here, anyway?" she asked afterward.

Her heart is pounding so loud she doesn't understand why, when she was actually in a tough situation. But why does her heart flutter this way?

"Um. I was on my way to a business meeting, but I was jammed in traffic, so I tried to look for a shortcut when I realized I was lost. Then, I saw you, so I approach you from behind."

"Oh, my god! Then, with this?" she gestured her hand from Theo's head down to his long pants. "You are soaked with coffee. You can't show up like this to your meeting. You should change clothes."

"Um, I guess..." Theo looks troubled about what he should do. Really, he's thinking about where to get a change of clothes as soon as possible.

"Hmm... that's right! There is a store not so distant from here. I better buy your clothes you could change to, but it won't be as classy as this," she said cutely. She felt shame for what she'd done, and it is only what she could offer to him.

"Um, okay, that would be fine..."

He sounded polite even she put him in an awkward situation. Probably, if it is the other rich guy she messes with, she was yelled at already. "Where's your car, by the way?" she asked afterward. "I will—"

"Oh, my gosh! Is that yours?" Nikki bursts out after seeing a shiny black mustang was about to pull by a tow. She presumes it was Theo's car as no one could afford this kind of vehicle in her neighborhoods.

"Wait, a minute!" she screams while running toward a patrol officer.

"Officer— eh, brother Chris!"

"Nikki? What's the matter?" Chris wondered when Nikki is running toward him with a troubled face.

"Please! Don't take this car!" she begs.

"Is this yours?"

"Oh, no! But someone I know," she replied, settling her breaths.

"But it was wrong parking in the lane. We have to pound this car and give a ticket to the owner," Chris demanding to implement the strict law to whomever it was, like someone he knew in the neighborhood.

"I understand it was your job, brother Chris. But it was part of my fault. There is a coincidence that happens, so we figure out how to solve it first. Look, my friend just came back from abroad after ten years, so he doesn't know much about the new laws in our city. Perhaps, can you put it on me?" She remembered how Matt Lawrence introduced Theo to her. She used that as an alibi, and yes, she wants to claim the mistake and the ticket to address her.

Chris peered at Nikki too keenly. He then heaves a long sigh. "Alright, Nikki. I know you since childhood. But you must remind your boyfriend to park it properly next time."

Chris emphasizes the word 'boyfriend' with a firm tone while looking at the person behind her.

"My boy—" confused, she hadn't had the chance to finish her sentence because someone called for an emergency and Chris has to reply.

"Alright, I'm on it, copy," Chris responded. "Nikki, I will let this off by now. But there is no pardon in next time."

"Understood, brother Chris!" she answered cheerfully. "Thank you!"

"Okay, I have to go. There is an accident on the main road." Chris glared at the guy standing behind her before he ordered the tower to leave the car.

Nikki let out a relief sighed. "That was too close!"

She turned around with a broad smile on her face and noticed Theo did not move.

"What's the matter?" she asked when Theo seems was just staring at her with marvel.

"Ah, you are amazing to convince him to give me consideration."

"Oh, well. Brother Chris lives downstairs of our apartment," she tried to explain that she has no different meanings.

"I see. I was lucky then."

"Not really! Look at you," Nikki cannot avoid feeling bad. Her face seems about to tear up in embarrassment upon remembering what she had done.

"It's just a coffee. I'll just get something to change on."

"Oh, right, your business meeting! You have to change your clothes now! Let's go!" Nikki pulled Theo toward his black mustang. She was actually nervous about riding alone in his car, but she must bring Theo to a clothing store on her neighborhood's next avenue.

Arriving at the store, Nikki immediately went to the Male Section and looked through all the clothes in there. She picked up one suit and showed it to Theo, who was just following her quietly.

"I'm sorry. It is not as fine materials as the same one you wear but can you bear it until your meeting is over?"

Theo chuckles, peering at her amusingly that made Nikki's cheeks flustering red.

"Don't worry. Any material is fine."

"Um, okay! Let me help you find your size. Is it XL or larger than that?" Nikki began scanning the suit hanging in a branded section. After realizing she was talking awkwardly, she quickly corrected it.

She turned to Theo, who instantly removed the charming smile on his face.

"Oh, I mean your suit and long sleeve! Um, I need to know their sizes," she said, blushing while praying that hopefully, Theo would not think of another meaning of things that suddenly came from her mouth.

She already had a heart attack after making such a move, and she strikes a different person. Now she was like an idiot in front of him. What a terrible impression she is showing to him? He must now be thinking about how weird she was.

In the next moment, Nikki was careful that cause her anxiety the whole time, but she admitted she enjoyed Theo's company, most special that he is not a picky person. She handed him a damp towel Theo could use to wipe his body. Finally, they found something in his size.

"Okay, I'll pay them, now." Nikki turned around to go to the cash register when Theo hold her on the arm to stop her.

"Let me pay for them."

"Huh?" Nikki insisted. She wants to pay for her mistake. "But I was the— no, let me pay them at least."

"Nikki, stop."

Stunned, she was staring at Theo with a wonder registering on her face. Now there is something wrong here. She thought.

"Um… I heard about your mother's medication. So, you don't need to pay me. Just keep it for your mother's needs." he explains with a warm smile.

Looking up at this tall guy standing in front of her, Nikki tried to process what Theo told her. Is he showing kindness to her instead?

"Oh, but—" words won't come out from her mouth, but she felt pats on her head. Theo petted her before he walks toward the cashier to pay for his clothes.

Stunned, Nikki still has no words to say until Theo has to the left for his meeting.

She scanned her for the last time. Theo must be 6'1 foot. He has a built body, and although he can't compare to men who have bulked physiques like Doctor Ben Ryan, she finds him perfect. His tan complexion and Asian features just perfectly combining with his almost shoulder-long black shiny hair.

"Nikki? Is there something wrong?"

"Ah, no!" she shook her head. "I am just sorry for what I've done. I hope you are not late for your meeting."

"About that, I texted my assistant to move the meeting to one hour."

"Oh, I see. But still, I really feel bad about it." Nikki is unconsciously biting her lips in front of Theo.

"Then, how about coffee?"

"Huh?" It made her dumbfounded. Now, the word coffee is the last thing she wants to hear.

Peering at her cute flustered face, Theo chuckled. "Buy me a cup of coffee next time we meet."

"Oh, I will promise I won't splash it on you next time!" Nikki seems to joke, but just to hide her embarrassment.

Both of them laugh. Agreed to have coffee next time, Theo dropped her in front of her apartment building. She waves at him, then Theo speeds up his car and disappears from her sight. What a day… she sighed.

Now, she needs to wash Theo's clothes.. She begged him to do this the least.