WHEN LOVE FINDS YOU

CHAPTER THREE

ONE WEEK LATER

NICHOLE'S P.O.V

Today makes it one week that the loan sharks called and I haven't even gathered the total money. My parents debts are actually 5,200,000 dollars. Yeah! It's that much. The initial amount they borrowed was 2 million dollars. And with an interest rate of 40% per annum, it accumulated to 5.2 million dollars in four years.

I could only gather 1.3 million dollars in total. It was already late but the loan sharks hadn't showed up and I was getting scared.

I didn't go home the usual time I was supposed to go home. I decided to work over time even when all the staffs had gone home.

I didn't know why but something just keeps telling me to stay out late.

GRAHAM'S P.O.V

I got back late from a meeting. It was already 10:45pm. I had already sent my chauffeur and Steve home because I knew we wouldn't be able to leave there early.

Steve was a married man and I didn't want his wife nagging at him. My chauffeur was an old man in his sixties and I didn't want to stress him so I sent him home since I could drive.

I knew many restaurants would have been closed, so I didn't even think of going to a restaurant to eat. I hadn't even had my dinner yet because I was so focused on work, I didn't even remember to eat.

Most times, Steve is usually the one that reminds me about lunch and has food delivered to my office. This thought reminds me how lonely I am. I wish I had a woman who would cook me breakfast, lunch and dinner. Someone who would remind to eat and take care of myself because she cares for me... She loves me.

Steve's suggestion came to my mind and I decided to go to the other side of the city to check it out. I know it's late, and driving to strange places is dangerous but who knows what might come out of it.

I had no destination in mind but I just kept on driving, letting fate and instincts lead me to anywhere.

After a while, I stopped at a restaurant. From outside, I could see it was empty but it wasn't closed for the day. I wondered why the restaurant was still open since everywhere in the neighborhood was deserted and quiet.

I killed the engine of my car and stepped out closing the door gently. I walked towards the entrance of the restaurant. I stopped at the door and looked up to read the name. And it read ‘Mi Coràzon Cuisine ’.

I opened the door and stepped into the place. It wasn't that big or extravagant, but the style was posh and it gave off a warm and comfortable atmosphere.

I walked to seat in the corner and sat down. I pressed the bell on the table and it rang. The double doors at the far end opened and out came the most beautiful woman I have ever met.

My heart stopped beating for a second before it started racing. Our eyes met and she smiled. And it was as if light illuminated my life. It felt so surreal.

I couldn't breathe. She walked towards me carrying herself with an aura of grace. Her light brown hair was tied up in a ponytail, her eyes was the shape of a cat's own. She was about 5'4 tall I think.

She wore a blue short gown. It stopped at her mid thigh and hugged her curves in the right places. My eyes trailed down to her endless long legs which looked milky and smooth.

She stopped just a few steps away from me and I could see her face upclose.

Little freckles adorned her cheeks. She had

a pointed nose and those eyes. Those damn blue eyes, I could stare at it all day and I wouldn't get tired.

They reminded me of the ocean, so serene and beautiful. And have I spoken about her lips, it was beautiful, pink and plumpy. I saw her lips move and I wanted to kiss it.

I didn't know she had spoken until she cleared her throat gaining my attention. My mind snapped back to reality. ‘How could I be fantasizing about a woman I've just met?’. I shook my head.

“You don't want anything?”, she asked. “Uhh?”,I muttered confused. “I asked if you wanted to order something and you shook your head-no”, she said explaining. And God!... Her voice sounded alluring and

sexy. “Sorry, I was thinking about something so I didn't hear what you were saying. Can I see your menu?”, I said.

She stretched me the menu. I blinked, ‘How did I not notice she was holding something?’. I collected it from her and scanned the menu but couldn't decide on anything.

I looked up at her. “Can you get me the restaurant's best delicacies? And drink too. I can't decide on the food to order”, I told her. She smiled. “OK! I would get that. Just give me about 20 minutes and it will be ready”, she replied and walked back to

the double doors and disappeared. I groaned.

‘Twenty minutes before I get to see her face

again? That's torture!’

NICHOLE'S P.O.V

Immediately the double doors closed fully, I put my right hand on my chest to calm my racing heart - releasing the breath I didn't know I was holding.

That man would be the death of me. Gosh!!... He is so handsome.... Like devilishly handsome. Chiselled jaw, sculpted face... Deep magnetizing grey eyes... muscular frame and I'm sure he has six packs... And those lips- thin straight lines which looked cold and I wondered if I kiss them, they would

soften and feel warm on my lips.

‘Gosh! what was I thinking?’, I mentally slapped myself.

“Stop fantasizing rubbish, Nichole Smith. That man is way out of your caliber. Can't you see the way he is dressed? His suit probably cost thousands of dollars. He would like beautiful and sophisticated ladies of his

class”, I muttered to myself.

‘But the way he was looking at you says otherwise. He was staring at you like he wants to devour you’, a voice said in my head. I shook my head.

“Stop imagining things. You are being delusional”, I said to myself and went to prepare the food he ordered.

★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★ ★★

When I was done preparing the food, I dished it out in plates, took a bottle of red wine and went to serve him. I arranged the dishes on the table aware of his eyes on my every move. It made me feel uncomfortable even though

I kind of liked it. I opened the wine bottle and poured some into a glass cup. I set the bottle down and stood up straight.

“Your food is served sir. Enjoy your meal. If you need anything, call me. There are no staffs around because it's already late, so just press the bell and I would come here immediately”, I informed him and smiled gently.

He nodded acknowledging what I said to him. He picked up the utensils and started eating.

I turned away from him and just took a few steps when the entrance door opened and Mr Rodriguez entered with two men.

I froze. I didn't know what to do so I didn't move for a few seconds. Mr Rodriguez spotted me and gave a cynical smile. I've seen that smile so many times - it was up to no good.

I turned my head to look at the handsome guy

and saw that he was staring up at me and his eyes flickering to Mr Rodriguez wondering what's going on. I quickly walked to where Mr Rodriguez stood and spoke in a low voice. “Can you come outside with me? There's

a guest here and I don't want him hearing anything”.

His smile fell instantly. “Is he your boyfriend?”, he asked frowning. I instantly shook my head wondering why he was suddenly. “No, he isn't. Now can we

step outside please?”, I asked again.

He turned with his men and walked outside with me trailing behind. When we got outside and out of view, I immediately went on my knees with tears in my eyes.

“Please I beg you Mr Rodriguez, give me a few months. I only have quarter of the payment with me currently. I couldn't raise up to half but I promise you, I would raise everything in those few months”, I promised crying.

He just stood there staring at me with a smirk...

Then he nodded. My heart skipped a beat. Does that mean he accepted my pleading? I quickly stood up.

“Do... Do you agree?”, I asked cautiously. “Yes, but on one condition”. “What condition? I would do anything!”, I said desperately.

“You would do anything?”, He asked. I nodded. “Okay! The condition is spend a night with me and I would give you a few more months”, he replied taking steps towards me.

My brain froze trying to process the information. What does he mean by spend a night with him? I didn't even notice he had come close to me until he caressed my cheeks with his right hand.

I pulled away disgusted. “I can't sleep with you. I would never sleep with you - I can do any other thing but I won't have s*x with you! Ever!”, I answered him, my tone serious.

“If you don't agree to my condition, then I have no choice but to take over the restaurant”, he said seething. I shook my head rapidly, tears beginning to well up in my eyes.

“No I can't let you take this restaurant from me. It's the only legacy my parents left for me. Please don't do this. I beg you”, I started pleading again, crying.

The bodyguards with him snickered. He came

close to me and grabbed my waist tightly.

“Then have s*x with me. Use your body to pay up the debts”, he snapped at me looking dangerously mad.

“What the hell is going on here?”, a voice spoke up and I froze. I knew who owned that voice.... It was the handsome man in my restaurant.