"Hey, baby."
The same weird man from earlier swaggered toward me like he owned the air I was breathing. I stood behind the counter, eyes glued to the register, pretending he didn't exist. Pretending he wasn't invading my space again.
"Woman, I'm talking to you," he growled when I didn't respond.
I felt his presence before I saw his hand—fingers inching closer, bold and disgusting. Something inside me snapped clean in half.
"If those creepy hands touch me again," I said slowly, my voice low and sharp, "I will walk inside, grab a knife, and cut them off. You clearly lack brain cells. You don't know when someone doesn't want you. Get the fuck out of my face, you moron."
His eyes widened for half a second before his ego recovered.
"You dare talk to me like that?" he barked, stepping closer. "You dare talk to me like that?"
I scanned the roadside, heart racing but face calm. People were around, but no one was stepping in. Typical. Then I saw him—a tall guy in a hoodie leaning against a pole, smoking like he had nowhere to be. His gaze was locked on me, unreadable.
Without thinking too much, I signaled for him to come over. I honestly didn't expect him to respond.
But he did.
"I'm being harassed by this man," I said immediately, pointing my thumb at the creep.
"Could you take him out of here? Make sure you kick his ass? He's been bothering me nonstop."
The hooded guy tilted his head, lips curling into a slow smirk.
"And what's in it for me?"
"Just do what I said first," I replied sharply. "Get this weirdo out of here. Then you can come back for your deal."
"If you dare touch me, I'll punch you in the guts!" the creep snapped, puffing out his chest.
He didn't even finish his sentence.
In one swift movement, the hooded man lifted him clean off the ground like he weighed nothing.
"Beat him purple and pink!" I yelled without hesitation.
Stupid idiot, I thought.
"And after you finish beating him," I added coldly, "bring him back here. I have something for him—useless goat."
The hooded man chuckled as he dragged the screaming creep away.
"Don't you dare! I'll deal with both of you fuckers!" the man yelled as he disappeared down the road.
Not long after, the hooded man returned, dragging the creep behind him like dead weight. His face was swollen, lips split, bruises blooming everywhere. Blood stained the corner of his mouth.
The man pulled down his hoodie, revealing green eyes, jet-black hair, fair skin, and a strong jawline. Handsome. I barely spared him a glance.
"Bring him here," I ordered.
"I'll deal with you," the creep spat, still trying to act tough.
"Oh, you still have a mouth to talk?" I said flatly. "Take him back and finish him. Never mind."
I stepped closer, making sure he heard every word.
"This should be the very last time you bother any lady. Next time I catch you doing this nonsense, it won't be one guy—it'll be two. Two hefty men. Moron."
I clicked my tongue in disgust.
"Honestly, you deserve to be used as a footmat for customers. But I'll let you go… for now."
Then I waved my hand.
"Get this thing out of here."
The hooded man dragged him away again without a word.
"Hina, it's getting late. Let's go."
I turned to see Henry and Zarina walking in, fingers intertwined like they were in their own little world.
"Oh, you two done?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah…" Henry replied awkwardly.
"Alright," I said, glancing between them. "So, where's the goods?"
"Oh! I almost forgot," I said, suddenly remembering. "Let me bring it."
"I'll quickly hail a cab," I added, heading toward the street.
I didn't notice the hooded man watching me from the shadows.
----
Meanwhile, Rockcell—aka the hooded man stood in the shadows, watching her with quiet amusement. In his twenty-five years of existence, and his ten years of boxing in the rings, no woman had ever asked him to beat someone up for her.
Especially with such a badass attitude, from someone with such a small frame. He took a slow drag from his cigarette, the smoke curling in the dim light, his curiosity piqued.
____
"Woah! I can't wait to eat all this, Hina!" Zarina squealed, staring at the cake and fruits.
"Let me help you carry it," Henry offered, grabbing some boxes while Zarina already had her hand deep in the cake.
"At least wait till we get home," Henry protested.
"No!" Zarina said instantly.
I laughed and joined her, grabbing a piece too.
We climbed into the cab, and Henry leaned forward. "Drive them safely," he told the driver. "These are my queens."
Zarina and I burst into giggles.
Once the adrenaline faded, I checked my phone.
"Woah… 8:30," I muttered. "Do you think Lucas has locked the gate?"
"I don't know," Zarina replied. "Hopefully not."
"Don't you have his number?" she asked.
"Oh… that's true," I said, relieved.
When we got down from the cab, luck was on our side. Lucas was still outside, radio playing softly.
"You girls are back late," he said, eyeing the boxes. "Need a hand?"
"No, thanks, Lucas," I replied. "Can we leave this one here? We'll come back for it later."
He raised an eyebrow, grinning. "Later? If you don't, I might take them to my girlfriend."
We both laughed.
"After we drop these, we'll be quick," I promised.
In Zarina's and my room, I dropped onto the bed dramatically.
"Finally!"
"Huh huh," Zarina said. "Don't forget—there's still more outside."
"I'm tired," I whined.
"Lazy ass, lazy ass!" she sang, clapping. "Get up!"
"Oh my gosh, stop!" I groaned, covering my ears, then my head with a pillow.
That didn't stop her.
She jumped onto the bed, bouncing. "Lazy ass, lazy ass!"
"Bitch, get up!" she shouted, shaking me.
"Fine! I'm up!" I laughed, surrendering.
She grabbed my arms, pulling me up.
We reached for the door
And froze.
Standing right in front of us was Olivia Magita Kent, her angry glare slicing straight through the air..