"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
"Ranty, are you okay?" shouted Axel once again.Blair panicked in the bathroom. She paced around, looking for anything that could be used as a weapon. Blair thought Axel could just barge in and do something to her."Wait!" Blair thought for a moment. She turned to look at herself in the enormous mirror above the sink. "Why should I panic?"Blair approached the door and answered Axel's question. "Yes, Mr. Barney. I'm fine. I made a bit of a mess by accidentally dropping some toiletries.""Oh, okay. I'll leave a clean towel at the bathroom door. I thought I forgot to give it to you."Blair pressed her ear against the door and heard Axel's footsteps walking away. She breathed a sigh of relief."If I run away now, then I won't have the chance to go to Washington DC like I originally planned. I just need to get out there with that guy and convince him to lend me one more help."Blair inhaled the air freshener scent in the bathroom and felt a serenity she rarely had. Blair remembers hardly
"Yes, this is a contract agreement for you to stay with me until your debts are paid off!""But, you're saying… this is an employment contract, and you're going to deduct my income while working with you? You want to frame me?""Read carefully on the next point. Yes, indirectly, you will indeed work for me. And your job is to live beside me. I'll pay you for all that."Blair seemed to be losing steam."This is scarier than anything I've ever imagined about Axel Barney." Blair is increasingly convinced that Axel is a psychopath with a particular disorder."Put your sign now or…."Axel lowered his head and brought his face closer to Blair. The girl had to pull her head back to keep her distance from Axel."Or what?" Blair asked nervously.Axel grinned and was very scary. "Or I will hand you over to the assassins currently hunting you!""You're threatening me?" Blair stood up straight. Axel just stared at the girl flatly.Without thinking, Blair quickly put her signature on the agreement
Blair froze in the doorway. In front of her, a man standing towering with a tall body. The man's face was cold and covered with a beard. He was wearing an all-black suit. The speaker is in his right ear."You?" Blair just stared in horror at the man. She also glanced to the left. There was another man."Damn it!" Thought Blair. "I can't run away from here. Axel's two bodyguards stood guard at the door. Why didn't I think of this before?""Good morning, Miss Ranty. I'm Carlos. I have an assignment from Mr. Barney to bring your clothes and necessities.""My clothes?" Blair didn't understand. She felt awkward when Carlos looked at the clothes Blair was wearing."Does Carlos recognize the clothes of his boss that I'm wearing now?" Blair is very ashamed of her appearance.Carlos snapped his fingers, and four women came to the hotel room laden with things."What's all this? I do not understand." Blair was confused.In front of her was a row of clothes that all looked luxurious and well-know