Chapter 38

The man smiled coldly, and his gaze towards her turned chilly. "So, you really are a journalist."

"N-No, I... I'm not a journalist. I'm your fan. No, you're my fan, uh, no, I'm your fan!"

Layla was usually a calm girl who didn't chase after idols, but when she suddenly saw her own idol, she couldn't control her excitement like any other fangirl. She blushed and became incoherent.

"A fan?"

"Yes, yes, I really like your work. I got into this field because of you. I'm also a designer."

"A designer? You?" Nathan didn't seem to believe it. After all, she was still too young, even though she was dressed in work attire, she still looked like a freshman. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say she looked like a high school student.

Being a designer is not easy.

"Sir, I... I'm not exactly a designer yet, just a designer's assistant, but I study architectural design. My dream is to become a designer like you."

The other person was only a few years older than her, but Layla naturally used honorific language when speaking to someone she respected.

Nathan tugged at the corner of his mouth, with a hint of mockery in his tone. "Dreams are beautiful, but reality is cruel. Not everyone can become a designer."

"I know, but I will work hard!" Layla said firmly.

Although she might not have the chance to meet him again in the future, Layla didn't want to leave a bad impression of herself as an eavesdropper on her idol. "I didn't mean to eavesdrop just now, I swear." She raised three fingers.

"Even if that's the case, you should have left when you heard the first sentence, but you didn't."

Layla was speechless. Everyone has a curious nature, and she was no exception.

"Why aren't you explaining?"

"Yes, I'm sorry, Sir." Layla bit her lip, feeling embarrassed. "Just now, when I saw you, you looked the same as on TV, but you seemed different. I thought it was just two people who looked alike."

The Nathan she had seen on TV and in magazines had always portrayed a strict and serious image, not like the playboy that he appeared to be just now.

He had peach blossom eyes, but his previous demeanor had been more serious. Now, his eyes were filled with a hint of ambiguity.

With two buttons of his white shirt undone, revealing delicate collarbones, he appeared rebellious.

It was unbelievable that one person could have two completely different demeanors.

She couldn't help but wonder: Are you a person with a dual personality?

That question was impolite, so Layla made an effort to hold herself back and didn't dare to ask.

"Heh... Everyone wears a mask." Nathan chuckled. Realizing that she wasn't a reporter, he relaxed and became very laid-back.

"Well... that's true." Layla nodded.

Nathan let go, and only then did Layla realize that he had pressed her against the wall.

Layla's young heart thumped faster, sending ripples across her inner lake, and a blush appeared on her face.

Was she feeling shy? Nathan hadn't seen such an easily embarrassed and innocent girl in a long time.

He always preferred mature women, those with refined figures and sensual beauty. He wasn't interested in young girls who were easily flustered.

Yet, at this moment, her face resembled a red apple, and she looked quite cute.

Raising his hand, he lightly touched her forehead with his finger.

"Drip, erase the memory." Nathan smiled.

Layla was stunned, her mind working slowly. Was he referring to just now...?

She hurriedly nodded, "Um, I've completely forgotten."

"Good girl." Nathan smirked, his mouth curving upwards. With one hand in her hair, he cradled her face and kissed her cheek.

He actually... Layla couldn't breathe.

By the time she recovered from her stupefaction, she only saw his back walking away.

She, she had been kissed by her idol? It felt like a dream...

If it were any other man, she would have given him a slap. But being kissed by her idol, she felt incredibly happy and couldn't contain her excitement.

Even when she returned to the restaurant, Layla still felt like she was floating on cloud nine.

Her face was flushed with an unusual blush, which didn't sit well with Samuel. What did she talk about with that waiter that made her so ecstatic?

"Gone for so long?"

"Mind your own business." Layla made a face, unable to suppress her smile, reveling in her triumph.

"Wow, I'm so hungry! The steak looks delicious!" Layla's eyes sparkled.

Samuel frowned. Just ten minutes ago, she had said that she didn't like steak. Was it because of that waiter that she was so happy now?

While cutting her steak, Layla couldn't help but hum a little tune.

She didn't idolize celebrities, so she couldn't understand the frenzy and excitement her female classmates experienced when they met their idols. But just now, she truly understood the crazy joy of being kissed by her own idol. She decided not to wash her face for a week, at least not the part that Nathan kissed.

While the sun was shining on her side, there were dark clouds hanging over Samuel. He asked coldly, "What's making you so happy?"

"Me? Nothing." Layla said, unable to contain her laughter. "The steak today was really delicious. Let's have some dessert."

Still pretending to be innocent! Did she think she could fool him? Samuel had intended to give her a chance, but it seemed unnecessary now. He wasn't a kind-hearted person to begin with.

Samuel's face was grim, and he didn't say anything until they finished the meal, and Louis brought the bill.

"Get your manager here." Samuel said in a cold, deep voice.

Layla looked at him strangely.

"Okay." Louis nodded.

The manager arrived quickly, nodding and bowing, and asked, "Mr. Holland, are you satisfied with tonight's dinner?"

"I don't want to see him in this restaurant again." Samuel said.

"Mr. Holland..." Louis looked panic-stricken, "Did I do something wrong?"

"He provided good service. He is a crucial employee of this establishment, and the customers have always been satisfied with him." Layla quickly defended her friend.

"I'm not satisfied with him." Samuel replied ominously.

"Alright, I will fire him immediately." the manager said. Although Louis had done a good job, what mattered was Mr. Holland's satisfaction.

Layla couldn't stand his irrational behavior. "He did nothing wrong, why do you want him to be fired?"

"Because I'm the owner of this restaurant!" Samuel's pitch-black eyes filled with coldness. "Ten minutes ago, I bought this restaurant."

Layla turned pale. "But, even if you're the owner, you still need a reason to fire an employee, right?"

"No, the owner doesn't need a reason to dismiss an employee." the manager said, eager to please. He was speaking the truth.

"A reason? Ha! Is harassing female guests during work hours not a reason?" Samuel sneered.

"You mean when I went to the restroom just now? Louis is my friend, we were just chatting, he didn't harass me, you misunderstood." Layla hurriedly explained.

Sneaking around and hiding in corners isn't considered harassment? Samuel scoffed.

The more she defended him, the more Samuel wanted to destroy him. "What about leaving the customers to chat with a friend? Is that not considered negligence?"