To marry a Billionaire

chapter 3

Gary's POV

You could sense the anxiety in the air, it was that real. The girls exchanged glances as if the term 'thief' would be permanently etched on the offender's forehead.

"I see how it is," The manager eventually said in a harsh voice.

"If it's anyone, it must be the cashier," Abruptly, one girl spoke, and the other girls were silent for a moment before nodding in agreement.

"She should be searched." That same girl stated.

Time was not wasted by the manager.

"Step out, cashier."

With trepidation, the girl emerged, gripping her bag tightly and avoiding eye contact with others.

"What is your name?" The manager enquired.

"A…Amber Leonard." Her speech trailed off.

Even by my standards, she was quite the sight, so it would be unfortunate if she was the thief. She was endowed in all the right places and had a toned body, likely from her employment. Her blonde hair was pulled back into a ponytail, but I thought about what it might look like if I let it cascade over her shoulders.

When I emerged, it was completely quiet. I moved to stand right in front of her.

"Look up." I placed a bid.

She lifted her head to look up at me, nervous. Her eyes were a lovely amber, the color of the sky at dawn. Her mouth quivered, and the thought of kissing her till she passed out crossed her thoughts.

"Upturn your bag," I requested.

She obeyed the order without question, and nothing of note was discovered within the bag. There was no money.

"It must be in her clothes then." The girl who had previously spoken up did so once more. "She'll need a full body search."

I felt suspicion stab me in the back as her speech irritated me.

"Come out." The girl complied when I informed her.

"Get your bag," I ordered.

Reluctantly, she turned around to retrieve her suitcase. When she returned, I arched an eyebrow, and she understood my intentions. She did that, but nothing changed, so I went to the initial accused.

"Take her into the dressing room and search her."

The blonde and the complainant headed for the changing area. The accuser was apprehensive at first, but after glancing at me, she crossed her legs.

Upon their return, the accused knelt down and started pleading. The blonde discovered the cash on her.

"The police will be on their way so stay put or else…" I said, her cries going unanswered.

It was shocking that someone would have the arrogance to rob both my store and a new one. Although it wasn't entirely mine yet, I would eventually own all of Diamondz's shares.

My eyes landed on the girl who was walking out of the business; she had her head lowered, most likely trying not to cry after what had happened on her first day of work. She was bumped into by someone; it was obviously their fault, yet she still apologized. bending her head slightly even. had a lovely face, a fantastic figure, and was obedient. She was fascinating.

"Hey, Trent," I said to my closest pal over the phone.

"Yeah?"

"You see the blond in uniform?"

Trent looked up and noticed her. "Got your sight on another one?"

"You know me so well."

"I'll run a background check." Without prompting me, Trent said, and I grinned.

_________________

Amber's POV

My grandmother saw that something was off when I got home and wouldn't let it go until I told her.

"I am not giving you an option," She spoke in a firm tone. Even being older hadn't made Grandma any less strict than she had been in her earlier years.

With a sigh, I gave in and told her everything.

A minute passed before she could speak up. That sharpness was still in her voice.

"You still refuse to defend yourself, child." She chastised.

"I am sorry but I…"

"No, I'm not picking that up. You are mature enough to know when to assert your own opinions. Not even I will take care of that for you. You have to remember everything at all times." She said.

I gave a nod.

"I did not hear you say 'yes', Amber."

I said, "Yes," with my tongue stuck firmly in my mouth.

OK, let's get something to eat. You have to be very hungry." Her grandmother spoke again, her voice warm and sweet.

I said, "I am," and we headed to our meal.

_______________

I took careful not to leave my station to even use the restroom the following day at the store. Even though it was just the second day the store had opened, there was still a lot of traffic. I had a full day ahead of me. My attention was diverted only when Gary Kingston walked into the store. My heart began to beat more quickly on its own. I thought back to that scary man and how, when he got close, a shiver went down my spine.

His tone was strong and his eyes were piercing. The gossip about him was accurate; he was a frigid individual. The memory caused dread to gather in my stomach. My heart felt like it was about to burst through my throat as soon as our eyes locked.

I tried to focus and glanced aside, but for some reason, I could still feel the prickly, burning sensation of his eyes on me. What was it he wanted from me? Horrified, I thought.

I inhaled deeply and turned away from him. My stomach fell when I read the caller's ID when a call came through on my phone. The caller was a mystery; it was one of the loan sharks. I answered the phone.

"Hello?" I muttered quietly in fear.

"b***h, you want a death wish, don't you?" The other person's voice had become blunt and had abandoned any manners.

"You have until tomorrow or you and your grandmother will pay with blood."

As soon as my granny was mentioned, my stomach fell dramatically, and the call was cut off.

My mind started to swirl as sweat beads formed on my brow. Tomorrow? It was utterly hopeless. The thought of what they had in store for us made me shudder. I was in such a panic that I failed to notice the big man in front of me.

"Follow me." Even though he was speaking softly, the command was clear. Despite my nervousness, I followed him till we were hidden from the other people in the changing room.

"Miss Leonard, I have a proposition for you." Although his tone was soft and low, there was an evil undertone.

I stepped back, looking up at him, confused. I remained silent.

"Be my wife."