Chapter 2

Alex snapped. "I said, GET YOUR DIRTY HANDS OFF ME!"

His thunderous voice echoed through the washroom, startling Sam. Before the boy could react, Alex shoved him away. Sam stumbled backward, falling hard onto the tiled floor with a loud thud.

Moments later, Alex's bodyguards stormed inside. Seeing the boy on the ground, they acted without question.

Grabbing Sam by the arms, they dragged him out of the washroom as if he was a criminal.

"Wait, what are you doing?! Let me go!" Sam protested, but his voice was drowned out by the guards' firm grip and Alex's cold indifference.

Outside, they threw him to the ground with no regard for his dignity. Sam landed hard, this time scraping his elbow on the rough flooring. Pain shot through his arm, but worse was the humiliation. He hissed softly, clutching his arm as tears welled in his eyes.

This wasn't the first time he had been treated poorly by the rich, but it didn't make it any less painful. The weight of helplessness pressed on his chest as he wiped at his tears, desperate to hide his emotions.

Eventually, Sam rose to his feet and made his way toward the showroom where Rainee was waiting. He tried to compose himself, hastily wiping his face before stepping in front of her.

Rainee, sipping her iced American, noticed him immediately. Her sharp eyes took in the redness around his eyes and the scrape on his elbow. She lowered her cup, her expression turning to concern.

"What happened? How did you get hurt?"

Rainee's voice was filled with concern. The moment Sam heard her soft, caring tone, the dam he was trying so hard to hold back broke. Tears streamed down his face as he began to cry silently, like a little child.

Rainee's heart twisted at the sight. She moved closer, crouching slightly to meet his eyes. Even though he made no noise, the sheer pain in his expression was enough to shatter her composure.

"Nothing.... just... encountered a rude person. Let it be. I won't cry today....." he mumbled, his voice trembling as he hastily wiped at his tears with the back of his hands.

Rainee's eyes softened, but her heart burned with fury. She hated seeing her little brother like this hurt, humiliated, and trying to hide it. For his sake, she pushed down her rising anger and asked in a controlled tone, "Who hurt you?"

Sam looked at her and gulped. He knew his sister too well her anger was fierce, and she never hesitated to defend him, even if it meant creating a scene. The last thing he wanted was to make matters worse, especially here.

"No one," he lied, forcing a weak smile that didn't reach his eyes. "I tripped. It's fine. Let's go now. I don't want to be late they're about to cut the ribbon."

Rainee stared at him for a long moment, her sharp gaze searching his face. She knew he wasn't telling the truth. His forced smile and downcast eyes betrayed him. Still, she sighed and decided to let it go, for now. She didn't want to ruin his day any further.

"Alright," she said, feigning belief. "Let's go."

They walked toward the showroom, where a crowd had gathered, clapping and cheering. Rainee followed Sam's gaze and noticed the man everyone was celebrating, Alex Fraser. He stood at the center of attention, cutting the ceremonial ribbon with effortless charm and confidence.

Rainee raised her eyebrows as recognition hit her. She had heard of Alex Fraser before his reputation for wealth, power, and arrogance preceded him. This was her first time seeing him in person, and his aura practically screamed luxury. From his custom tailored suit to his impeccable posture, everything about him radiated wealth.

And she hated it....

Her eyes narrowed as she turned back to Sam, whose expression shifted. He wasn't watching the ribbon-cutting with awe or admiration like the rest of the crowd. Instead, his face was a mix of sadness and quiet anger.

That's when it clicked. Alex Fraser. He's the one who hurt Sam.

Rainee clenched her jaw, her hands curling into fists at her sides. But she kept her voice calm as she gently nudged her brother. "Let's go. It's time for us to buy the watch."

Sam snapped out of his daze and looked at her awkwardly. "I---.. I don't want to buy it from here. Let's go to a different showroom," he said, his voice low and hesitant. He tried to smile, but the pain in his eyes made it impossible.

Rainee's expression softened again as she saw his discomfort. "Why?" she asked, though she already knew the answer. "What's the problem here? Is it because of him? Alex Fraser?"

Sam hesitated, but he couldn't lie to her anymore. He nodded slightly, his shoulders slumping. "I just don't want to make him mad again. His bodyguards... they were scary. And he... he treated me like I am worthless."

Rainee's hands trembled with fury as she watched her brother try to suppress his pain. She could feel her anger bubbling up, a storm ready to explode.

She had worked tirelessly day and night, sacrificing her own happiness just to see Sam smile, to make sure he had a chance at a better life. And for what? So that some arrogant, privileged person could make him feel like he wasn't even worthy of basic decency?

Her heart ached as she watched Sam try to brush it off, his voice trembling as he said, "Let's go, this place isn't for us. I can buy a different watch. This brand isn't that important."

She could see right through him. His words weren't what he really wanted to say, but he was trying to protect her from the anger he knew was brewing inside her. He was trying to protect her. It broke her heart.

The anger surged again, this time uncontainable. She clenched her fist around her Ice American, her grip tight enough to feel the cold drink sting her skin. She could feel her own tears threatening to fall, not for herself, but for her brother's broken spirit.

But she refused to show weakness. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down, and turned to walk away. Sam followed, visibly relieved that she was backing down.

Yet, her eyes fell once again on the red mark on his elbow the stain on his favorite white t-shirt. That shirt, which he claimed was his lucky one. The one he only wore on special occasions.

That was the breaking point.

All of the anger, all of the helplessness, boiled over in an instant. Without thinking, she spun around and started walking toward Alex Fraser.

Her steps were determined, the fire in her eyes unmistakable. Sam's heart skipped a beat as he saw the look in her eyes and realized exactly what was happening.

"Rainee!" he screamed, his voice filled with panic, but it was too late.

She was already there.

In one swift motion, she raised her drink and splashed it across Alex's face. The crowd gasped in shock, and the room seemed to freeze for a moment as everyone took in what had just happened.

Cameras flashed, reporters scrambled for the perfect shot, and Alex stood there, momentarily stunned, the cold drink dripping down his sharp features.

Rainee didn't flinch, didn't back away. Her heart was pounding in her chest, but her stance remained defiant. Her eyes locked with Alex's, and she didn't flinch under his gaze.

"Touch me once," she said, her voice low but fierce, "and I will show you what I'm capable of."

Her words hung in the air like a challenge, and for the first time, Alex felt the smallest hint of hesitation. The 20 bodyguards who had been poised to drag her away stood still, unsure of how to proceed. They were trained to deal with threats, but Rainee's confidence made them pause, made them question if they should even attempt to touch her.

They sensed something something that made them think she wasn't just another angry bystander. She wasn't scared of them.

Alex's personal assistant quickly moved to shield him from the cameras, pulling out a handkerchief to offer to Alex. But Alex, his jaw clenched in irritation, waved him off. He stepped closer to Rainee, his gaze cold and calculating, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes.

He didn't speak immediately. Instead, he took a few steps toward her, closing the distance, his expression unreadable. But Rainee stood her ground, jaw clenched, ready for whatever came next.

The tension in the air was palpable. Everyone watched, breathless, waiting for what would happen next. The crowd had never seen anything like this an angry woman standing up to one of the most powerful men in the room, and doing so with a quiet, yet unmistakable confidence.

Alex stopped just a few feet away, his eyes narrowing as he met Rainee's gaze. There was no fear in her eyes, no hesitation. Only fire. And for the first time in a long while, Alex Fraser was faced with something that intrigued him.

"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?!" Rainee's voice rang out, sharp with fury. "JUST BECAUSE YOU'RE RICH DOESN'T MEAN YOU CAN DO WHATEVER YOU WANT TO ANYONE!"

Alex tilted his head, clearly confused by the woman's outburst. He was still wiping his face, having just been doused with her drink. He couldn't place her and had no idea why she was so enraged. His mind raced to catch up, and despite the mess he was in, he knew he had to maintain his public image. With a calm, practiced tone, he tried to regain control.

"Sorry, I didn't recognize you. Could you tell me your family name?"

Rainee's brow furrowed in confusion. Why would he want to know her family name after she had just humiliated him? Before she could respond, a realization seemed to cross Alex's face. His smirk returned as he stepped closer to her ear, his voice lowering into something almost mocking.

"Are you here for more money? After spending a night with me? Didn't my assistant already give you enough?" He paused, his eyes scanning her face with an unsettling gleam. "Or are you selling yourself again for more?"

Rainee's eyes widened in shock, followed by disgust. The nerve of this man. She couldn't believe the words coming out of his mouth. Without thinking, she slapped him hard across the face, the sound echoing across the room. Everyone in the vicinity gasped.

"HOW DARE YOU?" she shouted, her voice trembling with rage. "Say that again, and I'll show you why I'm here!"

The room fell into stunned silence as Alex's face turned to the side, his jaw tightening. He hadn't been slapped in years, let alone in front of an audience.

The unexpected sting of humiliation caused his anger to flare. He clenched his jaw, his eyes burning with fury.

"Stop," he growled, holding up a hand to stop his bodyguards, who had moved to intervene. "Stay back."

His mind raced. He couldn't remember the last time someone had dared touch him, let alone humiliate him in front of so many people. His gaze shifted from Rainee to her brother, who stood off to the side, watching anxiously.

Rainee stood her ground, her breathing slow but steady as she faced Alex, unflinching. "I'm not going anywhere until you apologize to my brother," she said firmly.

Alex, his expression now one of curiosity mixed with amusement, glanced at Sam. He recognized him as the same odd guy from the washroom earlier. Now everything seemed so much more absurd to him. A faint laugh escaped his lips, the situation becoming almost comical in his mind.

"So you're here to fight me just for your brother?" Alex asked, his voice dripping with condescension.

Rainee met his gaze without a trace of fear. "Apologize to him, and I'll apologize to you in front of everyone. If not, I'll make sure tomorrow's headlines will give you a headache."

Her words hung in the air, her confidence unshaken. She wasn't just making demands; she was putting a challenge before him, one he couldn't easily ignore. She didn't care about her image, but she knew Alex cared deeply about his. This was her leverage.

Alex studied her carefully, intrigued. No one had ever dared stand up to him like this. Everyone else cowered, whether out of fear or respect, but not her. There was something bold, almost dangerous, about her. Still, he couldn't let her see that she was getting to him.

He smirked, the amusement returning to his eyes. "Tell me the amount," he said, his tone cold and dismissive.

Rainee's expression faltered for just a moment, her disbelief turning into frustration. She couldn't understand how someone could be this detached from the emotions of others.

"I don't need your money," she replied, her voice calm but resolute. "You hurt my brother, and you've hurt his feelings. All I want is for you to apologize to him."

Alex glanced at the tiny scratch on Sam's elbow, barely worth noticing. He smirked again, clearly unfazed. "You don't need to pretend," he said with a scoff. "I know why you're so upset over a little scratch. Just tell me the amount, and I'll compensate you. Don't waste my time with your... presence."

He sighed theatrically before continuing. "I'm just being practical. You're negotiating, and I'm doing the same. When money can solve everything, why bother with an apology? Take the money, and apologize in front of the media. It's really that simple."

Rainee's blood boiled as Alex's words sliced through the air, each one more insulting than the last. She had been patient up until now, but the way he spoke like she was beneath him, like her anger was just a ploy for money pushed her past the edge. She stepped forward, her hands trembling with rage as she shoved him hard, making him stumble back, his eyes widening in shock.

Her brother, Sam, immediately grabbed her arms to stop her from doing something worse, but she jerked free, her voice a furious scream that resonated through the room.

"I'VE NEVER MET SOMEONE SO CHEAP IN MY LIFE! YOU THINK YOU CAN BUY EVERYTHING WITH YOUR INHERITED MONEY?? YOU THINK YOU CAN BUY MY APOLOGY??!"

Alex was caught off guard, his confusion mixing with irritation. He'd never been spoken to like this, never had someone so openly challenge him. Yet, somehow, he was still standing there, listening to her. His bodyguards and personal assistant looked on in stunned silence, unable to believe he was allowing this to happen.

With a scoff, Alex regained his composure. "Yes, you're absolutely right. I can buy anything I want. Apology?" He let out a mock laugh. "I could buy thousands of cheap personalities like you and your brother-"

Before he could finish, Rainee slapped him again, the sound cracking through the air like thunder. Her disgust was palpable, her hands shaking with the intensity of her emotions. She could no longer care about anything except making him realize the depths of his ignorance.

Alex's face turned red with anger, the sting of the slap still echoing, but he didn't react physically. Instead, he just stood there, fuming, his composure slowly slipping away. Rainee wasn't finished, though. The words spilled out before she could stop herself.

"I forgot... you can't even understand what it means to be human. Alex Fraser, listen to me very carefully. People like you don't deserve to be treated like humans. I don't care about my image, but I have dignity, self-respect values I hold above everything else. So mind your tone when speaking to someone like me. You want my apology? Well, guess what, now you'll never get it."

Alex's heart pounded in his chest as he heard her words. His face remained stoic, but the fire of fury in his eyes was undeniable. He clenched his fists, willing himself not to lash out. But inside, something inside him was stirring, something unfamiliar and unsettling.

"Do you really think I care about your apology?" His voice was colder now, laced with disdain. "You think I care about your pathetic, middle-class sensibilities? If I wanted, I could buy every news outlet in this city. I could make them sing your praises or destroy you with a single phone call. Do you really think your apology matters?"

Rainee shook her head, her disgust building again. "I know my place, Mr. Fraser I know I come from a family that's worth nothing in your eyes, but I'm thankful for it. At least I'm not like you, trapped in your own bubble of money and arrogance. Your wealth has bought you everything, but it's never bought you anything that actually matters. You have no real feelings nothing that could possibly compare to the human decency that I hold dear."

She grabbed her brother's hand, pulling him along as she turned to leave. "I feel sorry for you, Mr. Fraser. You will never understand me, just as I will never understand you. I hope you get all the money you want, but maybe you should try using it to buy some manners, if that's even possible."

The crowd around them stifled their laughter at the way Rainee had turned the tables on Alex. The surprise on his face was evident, his eyes wide with disbelief, yet he remained eerily silent as she walked away. No words came from him, no retort, no defiant stance just the realization that for the first time, he had been completely and utterly humiliated.

Alex remained standing there, drenched and smelling of coffee, his hand slowly touching the imprint of her slap on his cheek. He watched her leave, his heart pounding in his chest not from the physical discomfort, but from the storm of emotions she had stirred in him. His mind raced, replaying every word she had said.

His bodyguards and assistant quickly moved to cover him, blocking the cameras from capturing any more of the scene. Andrew, his personal assistant, leaned in, ready to discuss the media fallout, but Alex wasn't listening. His mind was consumed by thoughts of that fiery, defiant woman.

"Forget the everything," Alex said suddenly, his voice low and intense. His assistant looked up, startled by the change in his tone.

"I want her in my bed tonight."

Andrew blinked in disbelief. The words hung in the air, and for a moment, he wondered if he had misheard. But Alex's eyes were dark, filled with a mix of anger and something else something more dangerous.

He wanted her. He wanted her in ways he hadn't expected. And it happened for the first time in his life.

to be continued