I Stole A Kiss From A Billionaire

LESLIE'S POV

I grabbed another serving of champagne and hurried out of the kitchen. I kept my head bowed as I served the guests what they wanted. Mother said no one must know I was a daughter of the Webster family. It would be scandalous if the world came to know how they treated their own daughter.

But I wondered, if they didn't want anyone to know so bad, why do they do it?

I couldn't help raising my head when I heard applause ringing out in the room. I stared at the front of the room where my younger sister, Liliana and the CEO of Guild Group, Alexander Guild, stood, their hands enclosed in a handshake, marking the beginning of their partnership.

My eyes misted over and I looked away, unable to take it anymore. I worked so hard on that project. So many sleepless nights, so many days of sending emails to the Guild Group without any response, so many days of waiting to see Alexander before my efforts were finally crowned with results.

Yet, Liliana was taking the credit for it all.

I raised my head again, unintentionally locking eyes with Mother. Her green, snake-like eyes that resembled the forest on a stormy night flashed with fury.

Shit.

I looked down and scurried out of the hall back to the kitchen. I knew Mother was going to teach me a lesson later and I shivered at the thought of it.

I leaned back on the counter and sighed. I should be serving another round of drinks but I have already offended Mother so what is one more?

My old model phone that had seen better days dinged in the pocket of my maid outfit. I pulled it out and grinned at the name that flashed on the screen.

Adam with a love and a sunshine emoji because in this endless suffering, he was the only ray of warmth and love that I had.

We have been together for five years and it couldn't have been more blissful. I have only held out this long because of him. Because at the end of the day, after all the jabs and insults I have endured, I could relax in his strong, capable arms and forget all my worries.

'I am here. I will see you soon. I have a surprise for you.' The message read.

A surprise? What could it be? Could it be that...he was finally proposing?

I used the screen of my phone to check my appearance and even though I didn't look that good, due to the running around and the sheen of sweat on my forehead, I knew Adam wouldn't mind. To him, I was the most beautiful woman in the world.

I knew Adam wouldn't mind. But it sucked that I had to look like this during my own proposal.

I peeked out of the kitchen, my eyes scanning the room for my parents and Liliana. I had been dating Adam in secret all these while, I couldn't get caught now. After Adam proposed, I would finally introduce him to them.

I relaxed when I saw Mother and Father chatting animatedly with a tall broad shouldered man, all of their attention focused on him. Even from where I stood, I could feel the aura and power radiating off him.

Good. I hoped he kept them occupied for a long time, long enough for them to not notice my disappearance. I couldn't see Liliana but I didn't want to worry too much about it.

I sent a quick text to Adam: Where are you? I want to see you immediately.

I tapped my foot impatiently as I waited for his response. What was taking him so long?

Five minutes later, his response came through: Come to the garden.

I skipped out of the kitchen excitedly, my feet pushing me forward to the garden. I have imagined the day Adam would propose to me countless times and now, it was finally happening.

I reached the garden faster than possible because I was running so fast. I expected the whole garden to be lighted up or decorated but it looked pretty normal. I noticed a dim light coming from an obscure part of the garden and the smile on my face widened again.

I walked to the place slowly, the cool breeze brushing my hair out of my face.

However, the smile on my face froze and my limbs stayed rooted to the ground as I watched the two people kiss wantonly, almost stripping off their clothes.

No, this couldn't be happening. I was dreaming, I had to be dreaming but even when I pinched myself several times, the two people in front of me were still exploring each other in such a way that would make a naive virgin blush.

I stared transfixed until Adam opened his eyes and saw me. His eyes widened and he pushed Liliana away. Liliana looked at him before following the trajectory of his eyes. Her confused eyes changed into stillness as she faced me completely.

"I guess the cat is out of the bag," she shrugged. No explanation. No apology. Just pure arrogance and indifference.

Anger filled me up. "That means you know about us. You knew that I was dating Adam."

"I guess." She stares at her perfectly manicured nails. "I have known for about three years now."

"So why did you do this? Why did you do this to me?" I scream.

"Oh, come on." She rolls her eyes. "Don't raise your voice at me. I followed you when I saw you sneaking out one night and that was when I discovered you were secretly seeing a man. I thought you were dating a loser just like you so I wanted to tell mum but when I saw my beloved Adam, I was blown away. How can such a handsome, capable man be with a woman like you?"

"A woman like me?" I repeat, exasperated.

"Why? Don't you know the kind of woman that you are? You are the illegitimate daughter of this family. Your mother was a mistress. She was a homewrecker." she laughed.

My hands clenched into fists but I couldn't find any refute for her words, after all, she was right. Since I had no comeback, I turned to Adam who refused to look at me. "How could you do this to me and that too with my sister?"

"Don't try to guilt trip him, face me instead." Liliana stepped in front of him. "He has done nothing wrong. He just chose the better sister. If anything, I think you are the third party who is trying to come between us. Your mother's blood runs through your veins so of course, you're just like her."

"What the hell...." My voice trailed off as a small crowd started to form around us. It didn't make any sense because this was not an open part of the garden so no matter how much we shouted, it shouldn't have attracted any attention.

I glanced at Liliana and seeing the glint in her eyes, it all made sense. She orchestrated all of these.

I looked around, feeling everyone's judgemental gaze on me. They started to murmur and I could hear words like 'slut', 'homewrecker', 'third party'.

Liliana really succeeded this time.

I just wanted to run away but if I did that, I would forever have the stigma of a mistress plastered on me.

No, I can't let that happen. I have to take a risk.

So I school my features into one of indifference. "What are you saying? Adam and I never dated."

Liliana's face cracked, even Adam looked shocked. "What movie are you acting out now? You and I know the truth. If he is not your boyfriend, why did you come here to see him?"

"Who said I was here to see him?" I roll my eyes. "Have you forgotten that a garden is a very popular spot for a secret rendezvous?" I sigh. "I had to come here because this man insisted on seeing me so much so I had to give in. I don't even want to date him. Liliana, I have options so why would I go for him?" I said 'him' while looking at Adam condescendingly. "At the end of the day, only someone like you would be proud to be with him."

I heard snickers from the crowd as they stared at Liliana.

"Shut the fuck up, you bitch." Liliana screams, her face red. "Which man in his right senses would want you, huh? Where is this man you're so proud of? Where is he?"

"He is on his way," I smiled even though my heart was about to burst out of my chest.

God, please let someone come. Please, let someone come.

I turned back towards the opening where everyone had come through, wishing for some sort of miracle.

That was when I saw it, or rather him walking in.

His face was set in a frown and one of his hands was holding a phone to his ear. It was obvious he came here to make a call. My mouth fell open at the beautiful man gradually approaching us. Even the terrible expression on his face could do nothing to mar his good looks.

This was it. He was my way out.

"There he is. Have you seen what a real man looks like?" I smiled at Liliana before walking towards this mystery man. He glanced at me like I was dirt beneath his shoe and was about to look away when I grabbed his shoulder and leaned up to his ear. "Please, help me."

I didn't give him a chance to reply before I turned my face and pressed my lips to his, my hands going around his neck.

LESLIE'S POV

The man's lips were soft and felt rather good to touch. My intention was just to press my lips to his for a little while and then pull away but now....I found it hard to do exactly that.

My hands tightened around his neck as I unconsciously kissed him deeper. The man in question freezes and I couldn't feel his hands on my body, meaning that his hands were by his side.

Shit, what am I doing?

I moved my lips away from him and took a step back but the man suddenly grabbed my waist and pulled me back into him before claiming my lips again.

My eyes widened as he delved into my lips with the expertise of someone that has done this quite a number of times. My eyes closed and I returned his kisses, lick for lick, bite for bite, suck for suck. His hand goes behind my head as he angled me so he can devour my lips properly.

The sound of murmurs behind me had my eyes snapping in shock. What the hell? I pushed the man and turned back to see our audience looking at us with wide eyes.

I guessed that was really quite the performance.

"Ah, we will leave now," I grin and spare Leslie and Adam a glance before hurrying away. They looked flabbergasted and my heart swelled with pride in my chest.

I grabbed the man's hard and pulled him with me. He was a sturdy man and if he didn't want to leave with me, there is no way I could have pulled him.

When we were a safe distance away from the garden and secured behind a pillar. I dropped his hand and bowed immediately. "I'm so sorry. Please, forgive me. I didn't mean to kiss you."

The man's brown eyes that stared at me with disdain earlier flourished with intrigue now.

"Thank you for saving me back then," I continued. I dug into my pocket and pulled out all the money I had stuffed in there. "Here, take this for your trouble. This is really all I have so for me to give them all to you, I must be really sorry." I put the bills in his hands and closed his fingers around them. "Thank you once again. I will leave now."

I waved at him and hurried back to the kitchen. I hope Mother has not noticed my disappearance yet. I sneak back into the kitchen and take another serving of drinks that the bartender has just served.

I smiled at him and grabbed the drinks before joining the party. I noticed Mother at the end of the room still socializing and my heart beat finally slowed. She didn't notice.

Thank God.

I smirked as I noticed Liliana coming back into the hall with Adam nowhere in sight. I had won this round but I knew she would attack very very soon. I had to be prepared for it.

~∆~

I blinked my eyes open as I turned in bed, the small, tiny window in the attic was my only source of sunlight. I was so stupid to have regarded a human as that. Nothing can beat the actual sun.

My tears teared up and I buried my face in my pillow. Due to my daring actions yesterday, adrenaline coursed through my veins till the party ended and after it ended, I just dropped in bed and slept off. I was too tired to mourn the loss I felt.

But this morning, I had none of that and my sadness finally crawled to the forefront and spilled through my eyes.

What was I to do with Adam? He was everything I knew. He was the person that I have known and loved for five years. Yet, I was supposed to live without him now?

A knock sounded on the door, interrupting my moment of vulnerability.

"Yes?" I reply, my voice shaky with tears.

"It's time to prepare breakfast."

"Alright, I'm coming," I sat up and wiped my eyes. I had forgotten that in this house, I don't even have the luxury to be sad.

I grab my washing materials and leave the attic to go to the bathroom at the end of the hall, one that I share with the rest of the servants. I washed within ten minutes, any longer and I would be late to the kitchen.

I put on my dress that had seen better days and hurried to the kitchen. I immediately put on an apron and join in the frenzy. I managed to get there on time.

Mother won't be able to hit me too much.

Due to the many hands involved, the simple breakfast of pancakes, bacon, sausages and eggs got done in no time. According to Mother's orders, I always have to be the only one serving breakfasts.

When I carried the stack of pancakes out, Mother, Father and Liliana were already seated. As I set the plate down, Liliana glanced at me and laughed before looking away.

My eyebrows furrowed as I pondered over her reaction. I expected her to look at me with contempt and anger, not this look of....mockery and pity.

I won last night, didn't I?

I hurried back to the kitchen even though I was full of questions and eventually the breakfast table was full. I stayed around while they served themselves in case they had orders for me.

Father's daily newspaper vendor came in and handed over the day's edition to him. He left afterwards. Father immediately stopped eating, put on his glasses and started to read as he always did.

Breakfast continued quietly until Father frowned and sat up. He adjusted his glasses and read whatever shocked him again.

"What is this?" He muttered before looking at me, the first notice from him in months. "Leslie, why does this person look like you?"

"What do you mean?" Mother asked him. Liliana on the other hand, hid her face behind her palm to hide her laughter.

My heart started to palpitate as Father passed the papers to Mother and she read it. Her eyes blazed as she looked up at me.

"You bitch, what the hell have you done?" She stood up and walked over to me. I only had a chance to blink before her hand met my cheek and I collapsed to the floor from the force.

She threw the newspaper beside me and I finally had the chance to find out what I did wrong.

'Mysterious Kiss Shocks High Society: Elusive Billionaire Saint Baxter Caught in Midnight Scandal With Unknown Woman!'

The Headline on the page is bold and hard to miss. Two things had my blood running cold.

One, the picture on the page is one of me and the mystery man.

Two, the name Saint Baxter.

I didn't know the face but I knew the name.

Saint Baxter. CEO of the Baxter empire and head of the Baxter clan. Billionaire. A man that terrorizes the heart of men in the boardroom and the heart of women in the bedroom.

I had kissed that Saint Baxter.

LESLIE'S POV

Was I dreaming?

Have I woken up in a parallel universe where I could have been so daring as to do something like this?

"This...this," I said as I grabbed the newspaper. What could I possibly say? It's not true?

Liliana laughed loudly, attracting my attention. No wonder she had that look in her eyes earlier. When did she find out? Was it immediately I took that stupid move or did she discover through the blogs too?

"Mum and Dad, I was there yesterday when it happened. I tried to stop her but she stupidly clinged to him, claiming he was her boyfriend," Liliana chuckles. "I had to let her be."

I closed my eyes as mortification washed over me. And there I was thinking I had won, the whole time she was mocking me and watching me dig my own grave.

Why did I ever try to rebel? I should have known someone like me could only sit back and watch when I was being bullied and mistreated.

"Do you have any idea what you've done?" Mother screamed in my face. "If not for the Guilds' close relationship with the Baxters, do you think such a powerful man would come to the Webster's lowly celebration banquet? Yet, you went ahead to do this? Won't you be satisfied until you run this family to the ground?"

As always, I lowered my eyes to the ground and didn't dare look up when she was scolding me. This time, she was right.

How could I have been so stupid and careless?

"Honey, say something." She turns to her husband. "I already told you to chase this fool out of this house and remove her name from the family register but you refused. Have you seen the consequences of your choice now? The Baxters will ruin whatever is left of us. All for this mistress's daughter."

"Can you keep quiet and let me think?" Father yelled. "Do you think I don't know how grave this situation is?" He turned to me. "Raise your head up, Leslie." I did as he asked. "Why did you make this mistake?"

"Why are you still asking her? It's obviously because the blood of a mistress runs in her veins. It's because she's a whore like her mother. She is ready to cling to any wealthy man so she can pave the way for herself," Mother sneers and literally spits on me.

I looked down to avoid the slimy liquid from getting in my eyes. I didn't dare wipe it off.

"Leslie, answer the question I asked you."

"I didn't know. I'm sorry," I said, my throat starting to get clogged.

"There she goes again with the crocodile tears," Liliana rolls her eyes.

"See, Richard, we have to save ourselves before the Baxters come for us. We are innocent." Mother returned to her seat. "Post a press release and let the world know our stance on this. We have no idea about what happened but we are willing to release the lady unto the Baxters to punish as they see fit."

It was what I expected Mother to say but my heart still clenched at her words. The people who were supposed to be my family were throwing me out to the wolf.

"Who is there?" Mother calls out. I heard footsteps behind me but I didn't look back. "Lock Leslie in her room. Don't give her food or water until I say otherwise."

"Yes, Madam."

I didn't bother crying and pleading when they picked me up and started to drag me up the stairs. I have learnt from experience that it was of no use.

I curled up into a ball when they pushed me inside and the click of the door sounded behind me. I turned to the door, noticing the amount of nail scratches on it from the number of times I have been locked up.

I lean my head against it, my eyes tearing up. I was torn between sadness and fear. Sadness from the way I was being treated and fear from what Saint Baxter will do to me.

He should have pushed me. At least embarrassment would be a better fate than whatever punishment would be meted out to me.

I was stupid enough to give him all my money too. As if money was even the least of his worries.

"Mum," I sobbed. "Where are you? You're alive, aren't you? Then why are you hiding from me?"

Mum would never have let me be treated like this. Mum would have fought for me.

~∆~

I blinked my eyes open as I heard the door clicking open. That was weird. Anytime Mother locked me, I was usually left for days, so long sometimes that I started to get worried that maybe they had forgotten me here. If my room didn't have enough ventilation from the small window, I would have died from suffocation.

How long has it been this time?

I moved back from the door just as a maid entered. "The whole family is waiting for you in the sitting room."

My heart dropped to my stomach again. That couldn't be good.

"What time is it please?" I grabbed my aching head.

"It's almost dinnertime," she replied. I slept throughout the day, it seemed.

I nodded and followed the maid down to the sitting room. Unlike the tense atmosphere during breakfast, everybody was relaxed as they lounged around on the sofa.

"It's good that you sent out that press release on time," Mother was saying. "Else, we might have been implicated in this lawsuit too."

What lawsuit?

"Oh, you are here?" Liliana grins, announcing my presence. "That, right there, is a present for you." I looked at the coffee table she was pointing at. There was an envelope on it.

"Yes. Go ahead and take it." Mother urged. Father, as usual, stayed silent and read the newspapers.

I walked slowly towards the table, my legs shaky. I grabbed the envelope and opened it. A stack of papers was in it. I pulled them out and read the front page.

'IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF BELLEVIEW

STATE OF AURELIA

SAINT ALEXANDER BAXTER,

Plaintiff,

Vs.

LESLIE MARIE WEBSTER,

Defendant.

Case No.: 25-CV-9817

Assigned Judge: Hon. Rebecca M. Carlisle

CIVIL COMPLAINT FOR:

1. Public Harassment

2. Unlawful Physical Contact

3. Emotional Distress & Reputational Damage

4. Public Misconduct.

My eyes widened and I instantly turned the page as if to prove myself wrong but the words on the next page stared back at me as if mocking me.

'The plaintiff, a well-known public figure worldwide, claims that on the evening of September 14th, at a private Guild Group banquet, the defendant aggressively approached, made unwanted physical contact, and then caused public disturbance, resulting in serious damage to the plaintiff's reputation and financial loss. Plaintiff claims that because of the Defendant's deliberate, careless, and emotionally unstable actions, unapproved photos and media conjecture about Plaintiff's private life were circulated.'

I turned the page again and kept reading until I got to Plaintiff Demands.

1.$25,000,000 in compensatory damages for damages resulting from the incident to the plaintiff's psychological distress, business reputation, and emotional well-being.

2. Punitive Damages of $50,000,000 to "reflect the gravity of Defendant's actions against a high-profile figure" and "discourage future misconduct."

3. $5,000,000 for the cost of a security upgrade for increasing the size of his private security detail as a result of heightened public awareness.

4. The costs of emotional distress therapy, which include mind-body treatment sessions, therapeutic retreats, and private psychiatric consultations, total $7,250,000.

5. A Full-Page Public Apology Is Required.

6. A Legally Binding No-Contact Order for 5 Years Barring Defendant from approaching within 100 meters of Plaintiff or any Baxter property worldwide.

7. A civil penalty of $13,000,000 for reckless endangerment.

TOTAL MONETARY RELIEF REQUESTED:

$100,250,000 (One Hundred Million, Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars)

+ Non-monetary penalties, public disclosures, and long-term restrictions.

My legs gave out from under me and I collapsed to the ground.