SIX

I was wearing shorts and a spaghetti-strap top while looking out my open window. My room overlooked the plaza, where in the afternoon, a lot of vendors would hang around. They sold fishballs, ice cream, street food, bread, and more. Meanwhile, Mum’s bubble tea shop stayed open twenty-four hours a day because the staff worked in shifts.

I went to my veranda and opened the door wide to get a better view of the plaza and the people below. A lot of children played along with their guardians; others were teens, and there were students too. Everyone looked to enjoy what they were doing.

When I was done looking, I went inside but left the door open. I turned on the music and danced seductively. After all, no one could see me up here. I enjoyed the music, dancing softly. When I got tired, I turned off the music and lay down on the bed.

I thought of going down to the plaza to hang out for a while, so I immediately got dressed. I just wore a simple dress to stay comfortable since the weather was hot. I thought about taking Janel with me, but when I went downstairs, I saw how busy she was. I noticed she was deep into her studies, so I decided not to bother her. She was very dedicated to her schoolwork, and even if I tried to force her, I knew she wouldn't budge.

I was near the tempura cart when I suddenly saw a commotion near the fishball stand, and people started running away. I even crossed paths with some of them who were obviously terrified. I looked over at the stand and saw the arrogant jerk holding the vendor by the collar, aiming a knife at his throat. I could clearly see the fear and panic on the poor vendor's face. It is like begging for his life.

I was shocked by what I saw because I hadn't expected it at all. I couldn't believe he was such a savage; he would actually hurt a vendor who was just trying to make a living. The vendor was a bit old and completely helpless against him together with his friend. That jerk was really hot-headed—a total war freak. It was a good thing he hadn't done that to me before. I didn't know what would have happened to me if he had directed that temper at me.

He glanced in my direction, and the moment he saw me, he roughly threw the vendor aside. He shot me a deadly glare like he wanted to eat me alive before gesturing to his companions. "Let's go," he called out to them, walking ahead.

"Don't repeat what you did!" one of his companions shouted back at the vendor. 

The poor old man had no one to help him. He did nothing to defend himself, and the bystanders didn't bother to help either, probably because they were all terrified.

They passed right in front of me. As the jerk walked by, he stopped and stared at me while clenching his jaws. My knees were shaking a little bit because I thought he might do something to me, but I refused to let it show. 

I met his gaze and forced myself to stand my ground. I let him know that someone as oppressive as him wasn't going to rattle me.

"I can guess what you're thinking. We're bad people because of what we did to the vendor." 

I glared at him, still hiding my nervousness. I wanted to snap back, but I chose to remain silent because he might take his anger out on me. Besides, what he said was true. They looked evil in my eyes because I had just witnessed them terrorising an old man. 

"Judgemental," he added mockingly, before calling out to his friends.

I watched them walk away as if nothing had happened. It was as if they hadn't just traumatised someone—an old man who tried to live fairly. I wanted to go to the vendor, but when he saw me, he quickly packed his things. Like he is in a rush and wants to leave. 

Because of what I saw, I completely lost the urge to hang out after what I had witnessed. So, I decided to just head back and go straight to Mum’s shop. Better, I will stay there with Marla—Mum's chitchat staff.

But unfortunately, the animal and his comrades were already there, drinking bubble tea. The thugs were laughing loudly; one was even slapping his hand on the table. Another was practically foaming at the mouth from laughing too hard. They were perfectly fine after scaring the old man, acting as if they hadn't done a thing. And now, here they were, probably planning to cause trouble again.

Did they intimidate our staff? Maybe they did something to Marla; that is why they looked so happy.

Suddenly, the arrogant jerk turned toward me. The moment he spotted me, he quickly grabbed some cash and shoved it toward his friend.

"Pay now, Clark, before someone accuses us of something," he told his friend while keeping his eyes locked on me. "And tell Marla to keep the change." 

His companion handed over the money and immediately went to the counter. The jerk still wouldn't take his eyes off me, so I stared right back at him. 

Someone like him wasn't going to intimidate me.

When his companion returned, the jerk took one last sip of his drink, set it down on the table, and immediately stood up.

"Let's go; it's almost dark." He walked out first, and his companions immediately followed him, chuckling. He passed right in front of me and paused for a second. He looked me up and down from head to toe but then left immediately, his friends trailing close behind him.

I wasn't affected by him because I didn't care about him. He was nothing but an arrogant guy who did nothing but scare people. He couldn't frighten me with his looks.