Chapter 0: Prologue

Nicholas was advising his friend about the females' anatomy when he heard a melodious voice that drifted him from what he was saying, and he raised his head only to be met with big brown almond-doe eyes.

"Welcome to the p&p coffee shop." The server smiled softly yet professionally at them, not casting a flirty gaze that bruised Nick's ego. The lady blatantly ignored them.

Nicholas's eyes widened in shock. He was what females wanted in a husband, and males wished for his smart-ass, but the lady in front of him made infuriated.

"I'm Reina, your server, for now. What can I get you, sirs?" she asked, smiling as she held out her book and pen to write their orders.

They stated their orders, and the lady scribbled down them without looking at any of them in the eyes, which irked Nick. He wanted her eyes on him; he wanted to see her eyes and impulsively smacked her on her butt for reaction.

A slapping sound resonated in the small cafe; other workers gasped while Nicholas smiled. Woah, a temperate. I love it, he thought, wetting his lips. Her eyes showed fury as she clenched her tiny fist.

"How dare you nitwit human error smack me!" the waitress gritted angrily, clenching her tiny fist before taking menacing steps towards him, poking his chest, "I'm different from the rest if you try this shit with me again..." she hissed and walked out.

Nicholas released a breath he had been holding when the lady neared him. He inhaled loudly, savouring her vanilla perfume. It became his favourite immediately.

A moment later, a stout man came out of the office worriedly, gulping nervously, "We are sorry for our employee's behaviour." the man craned his neck. The manager was scared for his life; he knew who the men were; they could destroy his life and everything. The manager turned to the lady, who didn't look with an ounce of regret as she could send hateful diggers at Nick with her eye; she looked defiant.

"Reina," the manager called the waitress, "please do say sorry for your action towards the customer." a pleading tone could be heard in the manager's voice, "Customers are always right." the manager tried to remind Reina of their protocol here.

"Excuse me, sir," the waitress gritted her teeth together, "how do you want me to plead when he was the one who was wrong." the lady tried to defend her action. She was outraged; how could they expect her to beg when she did nothing wrong?

She disliked him instantly.

The manager slumped his shoulder in defeat and turned to Nick, "We are sorry for the inconvenience, sir," the manager bowed.

"Okay," Nick said, with a sly smirk playing on his lips while the manager sighed in relief, sending a quick prayer to God, "but..." Nick touched his cheek, "You're Not the one who is wrong," he stated arrogantly, "it was her; I want to apologise," he ordered haughtily.

"Sir..." the manager trailed off.

"Choose her or me," Nick smiled arrogantly. He knew, and the manager and everyone knew that the manager would pick him for who he was.

"Beg or quit!" the manager threatened in a low voice.

"I would rather quit than beg this foolish, arrogant son of a nutcracker!" Reina hissed loudly, removing her apron and slamming it down on the table, then turned a glare at Nick as tears glistened in her eyes, "I hate you. Don't ever show your face to me again!" she screamed at him and walked away, not wanting to shed her tears.

Nick stood up abruptly, wanting to follow his fiery little lady; the sadness in her voice made his stomach churn. He felt terrible, "we will talk on the phone later, do go back home. and your PA informed us about what happened. We'll continue later," he said quickly and rushed out, leaving his friend at the table.

~**~

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