9 Is that Love?

There was an ominous aura emanating from Khane's body. I could see his anger as the security guard gripped my hand. The grip indeed made me wince, but I couldn't imagine what might happen to this guard if Khane truly showed his fury.

When the security guard saw who had spoken from behind him, he quickly released me and stepped back nervously. As I looked at Khane, I felt a silent command urging me to move behind him, like a child seeking protection.

Khane asked, "What's going on?"

"I'm not sure. This store refused me, and they took the card you gave me. I just wanted to pay for the items I wanted," I explained to Khane.

Without another word, Khane called one of his guards and instructed him to contact the store owner. As an ordinary person, I was very surprised. In my mind, how could Khane know the owner of this store?

For a moment, I looked like a foolish girl, and then when I realized it, I cursed my own stupidity. Of course, Khane could easily obtain information from anywhere. He was a mafia, the most feared leader of the Royal group. No wonder they took a step back when confronted with Khane.

"Sir, what are you going to do? Can't we just leave this place?" I asked, trying to save the employee who had humiliated me earlier.

I didn't want anything bad to happen in this store. However, Khane couldn't be softened so easily with a mere suggestion.

I now saw Khane's target was the pretty employee who stood with trembling legs. She took a few steps forward, then extended Khane's black card with her hand.

"Sir… this is yours." The employee's intention was ignored by Khane, and instead, one of the guards took the card.

Not long after, the store owner arrived and hurriedly approached Khane. He took a handkerchief from his shirt pocket and wiped the sweat pouring down from running.

"Mr. Khane… welcome. Is there something wrong here?" the store owner asked, panting.

"Ask her," Khane replied, glancing at the neatly dressed woman behind the store owner.

The woman looked nervous and stepped forward. She bowed and knelt, asking for forgiveness.

"I'm sorry, Sir. I really didn't know this lady was with you. Truly, I didn't know." I could see her fear, just like I felt when I first met Khane.

Khane didn't respond to her words, but the store owner scolded her harshly. I felt pity, but when I wanted to defend her, Khane stopped me. I looked at Khane, who was now watching the store owner's treatment of his employee.

"Sir, please don't fire me. I have a family that needs money to live," the woman pleaded, begging for mercy.

"Unbelievable! If you have that, why do you work so poorly? You even made a VVIP guest disappointed! Fool!" The store owner didn't let the woman go without a curse.

I didn't want to watch, so I hid my face behind Khane's large body. I saw Khane turn and look at me.

"Let's go!" he said, grabbing my hand and leading me away.

"Can we just go back to the penthouse?" I asked for confirmation.

"Why? Don't you want to look around more?" Khane asked, scrutinizing me.

I was confused. I still wanted to be there, but I was too afraid that everyone would reject me like the previous store. I shook my head in response.

Khane nodded and continued walking. As we passed a jewelry store, I paused for a moment. I saw a beautiful necklace with a green pendant. It was the most beautiful emerald I had ever seen.

"Do you want it?" Khane's sudden question surprised me, and I quickly shook my head.

"No! Let's go home!" I urged, pulling Khane's hand.

We continued walking toward the exit. However, before the car drove off, Khane said he wanted to take me out to dinner. I nodded, and sure enough, the car soon entered the yard of an upscale restaurant.

We were in a private room, the restaurant provided a VVIP room for important guests like Khane. Even the dishes were different from those ordered on the lower floor.

When the food began to arrive, we started to eat the dishes on the table. For the first time, I felt like I was living a normal life again. However, I shouldn't feel content or happy yet. I was sure there was something more to all this.

"After dinner, are we going back to the penthouse?" I asked for assurance.

Khane didn't answer and just nodded. The atmosphere at dinner was so romantic, but unfortunately, I wasn't his partner. After dinner, we returned to the penthouse.

Once we were at the penthouse, I went to the room to change clothes. I was startled when Khane walked in.

"Sir, what are you doing?" I asked, holding the clothes I was about to take off.

"Put on your clothes first," he said, and I quickly complied.

Khane approached me, one hand in his trouser pocket. Then I saw him take something out of it.

"For you," he said briefly, handing me a decorated box.

The surprise left me speechless. I slowly opened the box and peeked at the jewelry inside. My eyes widened as the emerald stone came into view.

"I-isn't this—" My words caught in my throat. I couldn't speak any further.

"I saw it. It's very beautiful, isn't it?" Khane took the necklace and helped me put it on.

I brushed aside my hair that was in the way of my long neck. Slowly, from the reflection in the mirror, I saw Khane seemed to be looking at something on my neck, but I didn't know what.

When the necklace was in place, Khane hugged me from behind. His head rested on my shoulder, and I saw in the mirror that he kissed my neck. My body tensed, and I shivered from that single gentle kiss.

"S-sir, what are you doing?" I asked, anxious.

Khane turned me to face him. Our eyes met, and Khane grabbed my waist, pulling us closer. "S-sir, let me go."

No matter how hard I tried, it was futile. Khane's body was too large and strong, and my strength was nothing compared to his. Even though he didn't speak, his body language already conveyed something terrifying for me to imagine.

"S-sir, l-let me go," I said fearfully.

Khane brought his face closer and kissed me gently. So gently that, without realizing it, I kissed him back. Yes, I had gone mad; how could I do that? I didn't know!

Khane was so skilled at making me succumb to his touch. His kiss deepened, causing my blood to surge. I could feel my body temperature rise instantly. Hot and flushed, this kiss made me want to shed my clothes.

"Hmph, S-sir. S-stop," I stammered because it felt so warm.