Blair was sick of hearing the whispers and tone of the stranger's voice. She was also disgusted by his condescending and belittling gaze. Blair was sick of all the boys who just wanted her body.
Unknowingly, Blair had pushed the man, almost tumbling down the stairs. The underground station is deserted. Blair panicked. She almost screamed when she realized what she had done could result in the man being injured if he did fall down the stairs.
Fortunately, the man soon controlled himself. He didn't roll to the bottom of the stairs where he might break his bones. Only the man's violin fell, and he was furious. The man immediately got up to take his violin and headed towards Blair, still frozen with a pale face.
"Damn little bitch!" cursed the man. "You have ruined my only violin. You have to take responsibility. No matter what happens, you have to pay for it with your body tonight."
Holding his broken violin tightly, the man glanced around at the empty state of the station. Blair became frightened. She started to back away and tried to run to save herself.
At that moment, the man managed to get hold of Blair's hair and grabbed her, so the girl bounced with a shriek of pain.
"Let me go! Please forgive me. It was unintentional."
"Unintentional, you say?" the man hissed angrily as he grabbed Blair's hair and brought his face close to Blair's cheek. "You have to pay for it, bitch! You broke my violin, and now you're trying to escape? You want to run away?"
Blair felt excruciating heat and pain on her scalp. She tried to keep her hair from being pulled harder by the violinist.
Blair was about to give up. She truly regretted her actions but didn't want to become a victim of the sneaky predators currently trying to harm her. However, Blair doesn't know how to save herself. Coming to the police station was something she couldn't do right now.
"Let go of the girl!" rebuked a man who came from nowhere.
Blair's head, being pulled back, couldn't reach the man's position. Blair could only hear his voice and the black part of his shirt.
"Don't meddle in our business! She is my daughter," said the violinist. "This girl has done bad things, and I must discipline her!" he grins.
Blair groaned in pain. "Not! He is lying!" Blair's voice pleaded, and she was on the verge of tears. "Please save me, Sir! This man is trying to hurt me!"
The violinist who grabbed Blair's hair grew even more irritated. "And now you're calling your father a criminal? Do you dare lie to other people that I'm a stranger who hurt you? What an ungrateful girl!" the man said confidently.
"Get your hands off that girl, right now!" shouted the man who had just arrived. "This time, I'm not kidding and won't give you a chance. I know she's not your daughter. If you don't want to end up in jail or a grave tonight, you better let the girl go!" hissed the man. It was as if a wild beast's growl sounded from his throat.
It all happened so fast. In the next second, Blair's head suddenly felt very light. The male violinist had let go of his pluck, and suddenly he ran away carrying his broken violin.
"Are you all right, Miss?" A man reached out to Blair.
Blair looked at the man's hand, which seemed very muscular with long fingers. An expensive black watch adorned his wrist. Blair's gaze continued to rise until it landed on the man's broad shoulders and face, which looked as clean as if he had just shaved. A sweet scent wafted from his body. The man's reassuring smile and dark blue eyes lit up as soon as he looked at Blair.
"You?" Blair was surprised when she recognized the man's blue eyes.
"Are you going to leave my hand unreachable like this?" teased the man. "Come on; I'll help you get up. Are you hurt?"
Inevitably Blair had to grab the man's right hand. It felt so warm, strong, and at the same time protective. The stranger helped Blair to her feet and retrieved her dropped backpack.
Blair immediately snatched the backpack from the blue-eyed man's hand. She was afraid and embarrassed if her dirty things were found out by the man who looked very rich in front of her.
"Yes, I am doing okay. And thank you. This is the second time we've collided like this, isn't it?"
"Wow, apparently, you still remember me? We've met at the rest area before. My name is Axel Barney, and you? We haven't gotten to know each other yet."
"Well, I still remember you, Mr. Barney. I even still have your business card. You're a doctor on a business trip and attending a conference here. But I didn't think this town was so small that we met twice in different places," Blair said.
"How are you, Miss...? Why are you here? I see some parts of your body still have wounds."
Axel reached out to touch Blair's chin. But the girl immediately inched away and covered her bruised chin with her head down. Blair also pulled her long hair to cover other scars on her shoulders and neck from the accident. The fault still hadn't completely disappeared, even though she felt no pain.
"What do you mean?" shocked Blair. "Where am I supposed to be?" Blair was a little scared and tried her best not to look the man in front of her in the eye. Blair's heart was beating fast. She was afraid that she would fall in love with the blue-eyed man.
Axel looks very worried and so restless. "I mean, why are you here? Shouldn't you be in the hospital?"
Blair looked up, and this time she looked into Axel Barney's blue eyes. Blair didn't understand the situation at hand.
"How do you know I'm in the hospital, Mr. Barney?"
Axel tried to keep his distance because he saw Blair being defensive toward him. "Sorry, Miss. It's not what you think. I didn't mean to stalk you or anything. But, that night at the rest area, when I was about to leave, I saw you passed out on the side of the road. Some people say you had a hit and run and so on. That's why I took you to the nearest hospital. How are you now? Are you okay? Should we come to the police station or go back to the hospital?"
"Not!" Blair answered Axel's question too quickly. "I'm fine. Really."
Blair tried to look tough and strong in front of Axel. Even in her interior, Blair was so scared and relieved that the man who helped her was Axel.
"I thank you for helping me so much that it even went to pay the hospital bills for me. For now, I can't afford to pay it back. But I still have your business card. I'll pay you back someday."
"No, you don't need to feel indebted or guilty. Let's say that my debt to you is even because previously, I also bumped into you at the convenience store."
Blair looked down and looked nervous. She gripped her backpack tightly and wanted to get out of there quickly.
"It seems I now owe you again because you just saved me from that jerk. Trust me, Sir. I will remember all your kindness and will surely repay you someday."
Axel just sighed. "Are you going somewhere? I can give you a ride."
Blair didn't want to answer and didn't want to have any further dealings with the stranger in front of her. "Sorry, I have to leave soon because I have a lot of things to do."
Blair left the underground station in a different direction and headed for the slightly crowded highway. She was so scared. She doesn't trust strangers, whether it's who looks fine or is like a bum in general.
Blair feels someone has followed her. Now and then, she looked back even though no one was there. As she walked again, Blair felt footsteps and tremors echoing behind her footsteps.
"There are no coincidences in this world," thought Blair. "There's no way we've met by chance three times in a row. And strangely enough, he always came when I was having trouble. He must have been stalking me for a long time!"
Blair walked faster toward a darker spot and slipped into an alley.
Blair's breath hitched. She hadn't run since she realized she was pregnant. Her energy was quickly drained, and she couldn't control the adrenaline inside her. Blair was so scared. She huddled in a dark alley and hoped whoever followed her would leave soon.
As Blair tried to breathe more regularly, something suddenly grabbed her from behind. Blair screamed wildly.
"Miss, it's me!" scolded Axel, who was already standing at the end of the alley while putting on a worried face."Stay away from me!" Blair shouted. "Do not come close! I will scream if you do something bad to me. I knew from the start that you weren't helping me. There are no perfect humans in this world."Blair gasped."I realized that after I became a bum," Blair thought later."Wait, Miss. You must have misunderstood me. I didn't mean to hurt you or want to take advantage of you. But, yes, I did follow you for one reason.""What do you want from me? I have nothing, sir. I don't even have a penny to eat. If what you want is my body, I assure you before making that decision, you will regret it."Blair's voice trembled softly. She was terrified. She tried her best to keep the tears from falling. Blair had to cling to the wall between the two alleys where she was currently hiding."I'm not following you to hurt you but to help you," Axel said in the gentlest tone possible so as not to
Blair has no choice, and she accepts Axel's invitation for dinner. They sat opposite each other on one of the benches with a beautiful view of the river at night. Blair felt a little safe because she wasn't alone. Several other people were also sitting, enjoying the view of the river at night.The corner of Blair's eyes continued to be wary of her surroundings. She found two men dressed in all black who had knocked Blair out of fright. They stood not far from where Axel was."Who are they?" Blair asked. "Your hitman?""They're just my assistants," Axel said calmly. He opened the food bag and handed Blair a sandwich. "Sorry if they scared you earlier."Blair gritted her jaw. She still clearly remembers how two men pointed daggers at her in the rest area for witnessing a murder. At this time, Axel's two assistants also reminded Blair of the two criminals."You can't fool me, Mr. Barney. Tell me, what is your aim?"Axel didn't seem to hear Blair's words. "Are you okay with this? I had th
"What?" Blair shouted in great surprise. She wanted to make sure that what she heard was not wrong.Axel was still sitting comfortably in his chair. He put one foot on top of the other while leaning back confidently."You can stay with me," Axel said very calmly and confidently."Are you crazy?"Blair gulped and stared at Axel in disbelief."How can he say inviting strangers into the house so casually?" thought Blair."Do you actually want something from me? I believe the demand to pay the debt is just an excuse to ask for something more from me. What is your real aim?"Blair was absolutely terrified. She was not ready to hear the confession of the rich man in front of her. Blair didn't want to get involved with anyone right now, let alone influential people."I can live on the streets and survive for myself and the baby in my belly. I can do anything; sing, play music, or whatever. I'm sure I can survive like the rest of the homeless. They have even lived on the streets for a dozen y
"Carlos, let her go."Axel ordered his two men to get out of the way and let Blair go. Blair, ready to fight, finally just quietly walked away from Axel. Before leaving, Blair glanced at Axel and nodded her thanks."Ranty, wait!" said Axel. He seemed very reluctant to let Blair go that night. "Please reconsider my offer. Save my business card if you ever change your mind or need help. Feel free to contact me whenever you need it.""Well, I'll definitely contact you when I have enough money to pay off those debts, for sure."Axel looked grim, looking at Blair's back as she walked away. The two bodyguards stood near Axel and mumbled something."Should we keep an eye on that girl like before, Boss?""Not. Tonight leaves her alone. I'm afraid she'll be suspicious and even more distrustful if she finds out that you keep following her."It was really late at night. Blair had no more chance to find a bed tonight. She returned to the station. Blair had time to pick up used cardboard from the
"Get out of here, you damn bum!" shouted the train attendant at the next station.The man pushed Blair off the train because she couldn't show the ticket or pay the fare.Blair walked away, shaking violently. She hugged herself with her arms crossed over her chest. Blair lowered her head to avoid the scornful gazes and scorn of the people at the station."I was lucky they didn't take me to the police station. I might be thrown in jail or sent to social services if that happens. Then they'll know I'm a pregnant teen dan homeless."Blair stood behind the massive pylon supporting the underground platform. She leaned against the pole, and her body slumped to the floor. Blair crouched down, hugging her knees. She was literally sobbing like crazy."What should I do from here? This city is very unsafe for me. The man kept chasing me. I have to go to Washington, DC, soon, but what can I do without money? I've lost the savings, the backpack, and the old blanket. I can't possibly survive tonigh
Blair actually stopped. Her body froze and didn't move at all. While one foot had stepped onto the bus stand."Miss, wait!" reprimanded the officer.Blair didn't dare turn around or look away. The officer walked over to her and bent down to pick something up behind Blair. He handed it over to Blair."This is your ID that fell. You should be more careful. Without this badge, you won't be able to attend Doctor Axel Barney's seminar today.""Lucky!" thought Blair.Blair lowered her head as she accepted the badge from the officer. She thanked him before getting on the bus and mingling with the other students.Blair crumpled the badge and quickly tucked it into her trouser pocket."I'm sorry," thought Blair. "Whoever among you loses this badge, I am forced to borrow it. I really need it to go in and meet Axel today."Blair sat in the very back corner where no one was. She tried to avoid contact with people on the bus. The bus drove to a hotel where the seminar was to be held.The bus carry
"What's going on here?"The two men guarding the ballroom's entrance and Blair turned together in the direction of the voice. Axel Barney stood there, accompanied by his two handsome bodyguards."Mr. Barney?" said one of the receptionists. "I've asked this girl to leave, but she refuses and insists on waiting for you here.""You don't have to worry, Mr. Barney. We will take care of it," said another officer. "We apologize for the disturbance.""What do you think you're doing?" Axel hissed at the two officers. "This girl is my guest. I was waiting for her arrival. You've been rude to my guests."The two officers stuttered and stared at each other in disbelief. They immediately lowered their heads to apologize repeatedly to Axel and Blair.Axel turned to Blair and approached the girl."What is it?" Axel's tone turned soft in an instant when he faced Blair. "Did something happen? Did they hurt you?"Blair was relieved to have met Axel. She shook her head and said, "I'm fine."Blair glanc
"You want to kidnap me?" Blair shouted."Kidnapping you?" Axel repeated Blair's words in disbelief. "You came to me yourself. You got into my car willingly and consciously. Now you're saying that I kidnapped you?"Blair was at a loss for words. She was too young to deal with a situation like this. She had no idea that Axel--a grown man she almost trusted, was so good at manipulating and twisting words."Or is it just me feeling that Axel is being toyed with?" thought Blair once more. "Gosh, I am still young and have no experience living in this world. I miss my mom at a time like this. She must have been able to give me advice and open my eyes to what was going on."After that, they didn't talk to each other. Axel focused on driving, and Blair fell silent, thinking about her plans. The car stopped at a luxurious-looking hotel in the center of the city. Axel got out of the car and opened the door for Blair.Blair had thought several times before that she would run away as soon as the c