Story of Nikki Lindsey

CHAPTER 59: I DO NOT OWN HIS HEART

Now, everything is prepared; the organizers made a last touch for the event tomorrow night.

A problem occurred during the preparation but was gladly solved immediately, and that was because of Theo's taking over the project. Since Theo replaces the first overseer, they've finally caught up to their target day.

Riding with a cart, Theo heads back to the hotel. He received a message from Matt that he was at the hotel lobby waiting for him to hand over the information he requested days ago.

"Matt!"

"Hey, man!"

"How was it?" asked Theo later after he took the empty seat across Matt.

"We finally found out the owner of the mobile number you gave me. Why are you looking for him?"

"I just wanted to know something."

"What's the matter? Did he do something to you? This man is dangerous, Theo. You should stay away from—"

"Shush…" Theo sends some signs to Matt to stop talking. 

It happens; Nikki passed them.

"Nikki, hello!" Matt greeted her.

"Oh, hi, brother Matt," she returned.

"Wow. From then on, I need used to seeing you in this hotel."

Nikki tears a smile while meeting Matt's gaze, but she avoids looking at Theo even a glance and remains her attention only on Matt.

"It was Kier who told us he is preparing your contract to work here."

"Oh, Director Lawrence?"

Matt laughs which made Theo furrows his forehead—confused by his sudden burst.

"Haven't you met him since you worked here?" he asked after he settled from laughing.

"Um. Not yet, brother Matt."

"I see. I wish I am witnessing when that happens."

"Huh? Why?"

"He'll surely faint when you call him Director Lawrence."

"Eh? But that's how everyone addresses him."

Because Nikki once was a victim of a gang assault when she was in Junior High, The Voice Foundation is the home where she builds herself again. That is why she's closer to the Lawrence family than the other men; except for Daichi, the nosy of the group, Nikki is closer to him.

"Er, Brother Matt, I have to go back behind the desk."

"Sure, Nikki!"

She partly bowed and left the two men without throwing a glance at Theo. The guy was frowning; it seemed Nikki was determined to act like she didn't know him.

"Now Nikki, leave. Why are you investigating Brandon Hale, Theo?"

A moment of silence had passed before he answered Matt's question.

"He's calling Nikki. I memorized his number one time I saw Nikki in Anna's store, and he was calling at the moment. So, it intrigued me to trace up the number of who owns it."

"Nikki? Why is he calling her?"

"I don't know what he wanted from her."

Theo peered at Matt's teasing look. Perplexed, he perceives that Matt already had a presumption in him.

"Tell me, Theo. Do you like her?" Matt tilted his head toward the Reception Desk, where Nikki assisted a guest.

He's not prepared to answer a question like this. Theo keeps silent, but his eyes gleam, staring in Nikki's direction. Matt chuckles when he does not answer, but his expression is shouting out loud.

"Theo, Nikki was considered like our little sister. So I will watch you closely."

There is a threat to Matt's tone. Yet, Theo can't find a word to speak up about his feelings and explain himself to Matt.

"All right! I will run a further investigation. This time, I will handle this matter."

"Thanks, Matt."

"No problem. I might get more information about Brandon Hale while I run the investigation of the case Jeremy asked me to."

"Jeremy? So he proceeds with the plan of opening that case?"

"Yes. He wanted to know what exactly happened ten years ago. He and Brother Karl already had meetings about the case. Don't worry. We assure you not to drop the case like the lawyers who held it before. We began tracing their whereabouts to investigate whether they received a payment to abandon the case."

Theo contemplates, and he feels mixed emotions right now. In the end, he can't just put it behind him.

"Okay. It was Jeremy who badly wanted to dig up. So, whatever you will find out, please inform me of any progress."

"Sure. Then I'll go ahead, and I have to go back to the Headquarters and study the case further." 

Theo nodded. Ten years ago, he remembered nothing from then on. Honestly, there are times he wants to do something about it. But since his current life is getting better than the first few years, he struggles to live from a blank memory. Maybe it's time for him to live on and move forward. 

"Your coffee."

A sweet voice woke him from falling into deep thoughts. Staring blankly, he looks up to peer at the woman's face.

"Nikki?"

"Your coffee." She repeated, then placed the cup of coffee in front of him.

Confusion registered on Theo's face. He seems to haven't fully come back yet, to his senses. Nikki watches him pick up the cup and sip on it. "Oh, why is it too bitter?"

Feeling that he's observed, Theo looked up with a question registered on his face.

"Brewed coffee remains bitter without you adding any sugar." She reasoned. Stretching her arm toward Theo, Nikki opened her palm and asked him. "Your card, Director Shang."

"Huh?"

Raising one brow, Nikki stated. "Director Shang, it was just my first week since I started working, and it means I don't have my paycheck yet to pay for your coffee. Anyway, that is for 35 dollars." Nikki is using a formal tone at him.

Later on, Theo laughs after fully understanding what is going on. Actually, it amused him the way Nikki treated him now. And the coffee seems overpriced. Besides, he did not order one.

Theo reaches into his pocket and takes out his wallet to get a card. He handed it to Nikki, who made a quick turn and walked toward the Coffee Shop across the lounge he was seated at.

Nikki came back, and it surprised him when she placed a plate beside his coffee.

"Caramel Chocolate Cake?"

"Here is your card, Director Shang," Nikki handed the card back to Theo. "That was 36.00 dollars in total," she went on.

Took the card from her hand, Theo's gaze never left Nikki, and she was averting her eyes from him.

"Are you planning to fatten me?" 

Theo asked her suddenly. Meeting his serious gape, Nikki wrinkled her forehead. "Huh? And why would I fatten you?" she asked out of confusion.

Theo laughed sexily, and she wanted to shove her hand to cover his mouth. 

What is his problem? Why does he always make fun of me? Nikki murmurs to herself. "Humph! I'm going back to work," she said. In a hasty, she turns away.

"Hey, Nik, wait a minute!" Theo halted her.

"What?" she snaps.

"Would you slow down?" Out of the blue, Theo suddenly reminded her, and his concerns confused her. 

"Slow down? For what?" Creasing her forehead, she asked. 

Theo lowered his gaze and looked at her two-inches black shoes. "You are walking too fast."

"And what's wrong if I walk fast? My job requires me to be attentive, so it is not being walked fast," she explained irritatedly.

"I'm just worried you might slip on the floor," he reasoned.

"Huh?" She was dumbstruck. 'And why would he worry about it? It seems every minor thing is an issue for him.' Nikki frowned at Theo, who was just grinning at her. "If there's nothing else you need, Director Shang, can I go back to my work now?" she asked calmly, suppressing her irritation.

"None, for now. But remember to be careful with your steps."

Nikki dropped her jaw. What is she? A two-year-old toddler? She can't take this anymore. She turned around and left Theo, who remained to grin.

She has no plan of serving him. But Matt informed her that Theo ordered a coffee, so she went to get him a coffee.

Meanwhile, observing from the corner, Min Xi was throwing cynical glares at him. Instantly, his smile wipes out from his face, and shifts his gaze to the cake on the table.

"Theo!" Min Xi casually sat on the sofa across from him. She put on her black sunglasses to cover her furious gaze. "Do you really have to flirt in public?" Min Xi commented, using a sarcastic tone. Her voice is full of rage, but she can't start a scene when she is protecting her image.

On the other hand, Theo just ignored her but continued putting the spoon in his mouth.

"And when did you like a Caramel Cake? You hate sweets."

Theo heaves a sigh before he replies to Min Xi. "There's salt on it. Besides, you don't know everything about me."

"Whatever!" Min Xi snapped out.

Theo finished the last portion of the cake on the plate before he put it down. "If you already finish your rehearsal, then I will drop you home."

"I'm going to a Spa."

"Okay." Theo picked up a tissue to wipe his mouth, then got up. "Let's go."

"Can't you even bring me to a restaurant for dinner?" She remained seated. Theo's dark glare flashes in her direction. Min Xi gulped and clenched her shaking fist.

"Min Xi?"

Theo is looking at her coldly. She gathered her strength to stand on her feet and followed Theo, matching his pace toward the exit door. Behind her sunglasses, she spotted a few paparazzi in the lobby. 

Min Xi stretches her hand and hooks up at Theo's arm, hiding his fist inside his pocket. She then smiled sweetly and greeted the other guests as they passed. In a situation like this, Theo knows that he can't shove her to the side but maintains an expression he usually shows in public. 

'How many tears I must shed? How many fake smiles do I have to show? On the surface, we may be a perfect couple. But deep inside, I do not own his heart.'