Meeting The Helpful Stranger

CHAPTER 2: Meeting The Helpful Stranger

For a moment, no one moved. The laughters died, and all I could hear was the low hum of the air conditioner.

Nikka’s smile widened. "What’s wrong? Isn't it just a game? There's no need to leave though... you can just take a pill".

My fist tightened at my sides. I turned to Zane, hoping... stupidly... that he would say something... Anything, to get me out of this tight spot.

But when he finally spoke... I wished that he hadn't. "She is right. You can either take a pill, or take your leave."

The room blurred for a second. Zane's words echoed in my ears, causing my heart to ache.

"You heard the man." Trish said, giggling.

A guy started laughing, and others joined him.

"Damn, Nikka. You are one mean bitch..." The tall black guy said, grinning. "...and I like that."

I stood up slowly, brushing imaginary dust off my jeans. My hands were trembling, but I forced a smile. "I will do the dare. You guys should enjoy the rest of the party."

I walked out of the circle, heading for the apartments main door.

"Is she pissed?" Someone asked.

"Guess she can’t handle the heat." Nikka replied.

"Anyone would have been pissed too..." A voice cut in.

"Come on, it's just a game. Moreover she is the one who didn't want to take the pill."

I reached the door... grabbed my sneakers, and put them on. My fingers were shaking so badly it took me two tries to tie the laces.

I stepped out of the apartment and shut the door behind me. I took the elevator to the down floor, and walked out of the building.

Somewhere far off, thunder rumbled. I raised my head up... staring at the sky where heavy dark clouds gathered, threatening to weep on my behalf.

As I stepped into the night, all I could think about was that moment on the balcony... when Zane held Nikka’s hand, the way he didn’t even flinch when she kissed him.

I laughed softly, but it wasn’t real laughter. It was the kind you give when crying would hurt too much.

The clouds couldn't hold it any longer, and it soon started to rain.

I scrambled to seek cover when a small boy suddenly snatched my small handbag, and darted into an alley.

"Hey" I shouted, chasing after the boy. But I was not fast enough, and he soon escaped

"F*ck..." I cursed, stopping under a closed stall to catch my breath.

There was a man in black tailored suit also taking shelter in the stall. He had on earphones, and was playing a game on his phone.

I kept a small distance, watching as the rain got heavier. My shirt clung to me, completely soaked... I soon started shivering.

Just then a limousine pulled up. The driver got out with a black umbrella, and walked into the stall.

"I am sorry for being late, sir" He said to the man beside me.

The man didn't reply, but instead grabbed the umbrella from him. Then he turned to face me. "Hi there..."

"Hi..." I replied, my teeth chattering

"The rain isn't stopping anytime soon, so why don't we drop you off at your destination." He said.

"Don't worry... I am fine." I replied.

"Look, you are already shivering... and if you stay here any longer, you will only end up catching a bad cold." He pointed out.

I hesitated, then nodded. "Okay..."

The driver rushed back into the rain to open the limousine's back door. The man walked close to me, raising up the umbrella to cover both of us. Then he led me into the limousine.

The driver shut the door behind us, and rushed to his seat. He started the vehicle, and slowly drove us off.

I couldn't help but notice how strikingly handsome, and tall the man was. Even, the scent of his perfume was intoxicating.

"My name is Jack Of'hell." The man said.

"I am Dashmel." I replied.

He nodded, and turned on the vehicle's heater. I started to feel warm.

"So, where are you headed?." he asked.

I told him, and he conveyed the information to the driver through an intercom.

"Are you a student at New York university?" Jack asked.

"Yeah. I am studying forensic accounting." I answered.

"That's good." He said. "So do you have any interesting hobbies."

I laughed a little. "Just gaming, and tech stuff."

"Gaming, huh?" He brought his phone in front of him, and pulled up the game that he was playing earlier. "I have been playing this game called Devil craft, and it's very tricky. Since you are a gamer, can you pass this level for me?"

"Yeah, I can. Moreover, I have already finished that game." I said.

"You finished this frustrating game? Stop messing around." He seemed not to believe me.

"I am actually serious." I defended.

"Okay, you know what?" he asked rhetorically, holding out his phone. "If you can complete this level on your first try... I will give you ten thousand dollars".

I blinked. "You are joking."

"I never joke about games," he said.

"Alright." I accepted his challenge.

"But if you fail, you will have to give me your shoes." He added and passed his phone to me.

I laughed as I collected it. He had already pulled the level that he wanted me to complete. All that was left was for me to tap 'start'.

I did, and started playing the game... moving the game protagonist through all obstacles. But I ended up failing just before I could reach the end.

"No..." I groaned.

"You are pretty good at the game. Too bad you failed though." Jack said. "Do you want another try? My offer still stands."

"Okay." I said, and restarted the game.

I learnt from my mistakes in the previous round, and played smarter this time around. I ended up winning.

"Yes." I rejoiced.

"Well done." He said, and pulled out a black briefcase from a small cabinet beside him.

He opened it, and to my shock it was filled with money. He counted out ten thousand dollars, and gave it to me.

"So are you, some kind of millionaire?" I asked, wide eyed, as I collected the money.

"Of course not. Millionaires are just middle-class, who make a lot of noise on social media." He answered, as he shut the briefcase.

"So... you are a billionaire?"

"Nah... I make people, billionaires." He stated, and dropped the briefcase back where he brought it from.

"Hello sir..." the driver's voice came through the intercom. "...we have arrived at the location."

"We are at your stop." Jack said to me.

"Ohhh... okay. Thanks for the ride, and the... money". I said as I slipped the money into my jean pocket.

"Here is my card. I enjoy playing games with people who are, interesting... like you. Next time, there will be bigger prizes."

I took the black card from him. "Okay, sir,"I said, half jokingly... and half nervous.

He opened the door. But stopped me before I could leave.

"Aren't you forgetting something?" He questioned.

"What?"

"You have to hand over your shoes." he replied.

I had a confused look on my face.

"You lost the game the first time. Have you forgotten?"

"Ohhh..." I finally understood. Slowly, I untied my sneakers and handed them to him.

He took them with a faint smile. "Good. You keep your word. I like that."

I stepped out barefoot. The limousine door closed, and the vehicle drove away.

Above me, the rain had finally stopped.