"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 frighten Blair.
Blair laughed. "Who are you? Are you from social services? I don't need you!"
Blair leaves there. However, Axel grabbed Blair's wrist.
"Let me go. If you're not from social services, why are you following me and even offering to help me? Why should I trust you? It is precisely among the humans in this world the one who offers help without cause is the one who cannot be trusted the most."
Axel raised both his hands in exasperation. He let Blair go. "When I first saw you at the rest area, I was determined to help you, Miss."
"Help me? For what, sir? You keep repeating those words. I don't need your help. I can stand on my own two feet."
Just then, along the quiet and dark alley, the two fell silent as Blair's stomach growled very clearly.
Blair was embarrassed to admit that she was starving. Blair is pregnant, and she is always hungry. The presence of a baby made her always want to put food in her mouth, but there was nothing she could do right now.
Blair could only look down and try to look away from Axel. "You've wasted my precious time. I have to work!"
"Wait!" said Axel. "At least accept my offer for dinner."
Blair was fed up. "I'm penniless right now. But I will not run away from responsibility. I will pay all my debts, Mr. Axel. Just give me two months. I will contact you and pay everything back."
Axel had no choice. Blair is very stubborn and cannot be persuaded. Axel snapped his fingers, and two men in black suits immediately appeared, facing Blair.
Blair was terrified and had no road ahead. The two men blocked her. Behind Blair was Axel, who was also waiting. Blair bit her lip as she gripped the backpack tightly on her shoulders.
"The night is getting darker and colder. Winter is coming soon," said Axel. "Are you sure you can survive out here?"
Blair didn't listen to Axel's words. She focused on finding a way out of the encirclement.
Two stout, tall, handsome men in all black walked up to Blair. Blair looked at them in horror. The two men came closer and held Blair's arm tightly.
"What do you want?" Blair screamed. "They're going to kidnap me? Will Axel sell me? They will dissect my body, take every part of my organs, and sell them?"
Blair panicked at the worst that could befall her life. Blair struggled and even had time to kick one of the men holding her.
"Of course, he would do all of this!" Blair was crying and screaming inside her head. She couldn't fight the strength of the two men. "Axel is a doctor. He will kill me and take all my organs!"
The two men took Blair into a luxury car. She was still struggling and fighting.
"My life is over tonight," thought Blair.
Blair was completely immobile and was wobbling from exhaustion.
"Maybe it's better than me living on the streets with a baby in my arms. Life is too cruel for both of us."
Blair's eyes dimmed before she ultimately passed out.
***
"Are you all right, Miss?" Axel looks furious. He checked Blair's unconscious state.
"What have you guys done?" shouted Axel to his two bodyguards. "You guys are too rude to her!"
Axel grabbed Blair's unconscious body and carried her to the car. Axel's two bodyguards immediately retreated. One went behind the wheel, and the other opened the back door to make it easier for Axel.
Axel laid Blair down and rested Blair's head on his lap. The girl still looked pale and exhausted.
"Boss?" asked one of the guards sitting behind the wheel.
"Just ride!" said Axel in a huff.
"If you had told the truth, maybe she wouldn't be so scared," said the second guard.
"And make her stay away from me even more?" replied Axel in annoyance.
They fell silent and focused on the road ahead. Axel's black car stopped at the river bank, lined with park benches. Tourists often visit the tourist area. Some come to sit and enjoy dinner or enjoy the atmosphere of the river, where many boats are decorated with beautiful lights.
Blair blinked her eyes. She could faintly see a yellowish glow from outside the dark car window. She also heard the voices of people conversing in the distance.
The girl stuttered and sat up for a moment. She removed the blanket wrapped around her body and breathed a sigh of relief.
"My clothes are still intact." Blair was thinking bad things.
Blair's head throbbed violently, and her belly ached with nausea. She started to look around and realized she was in the car alone.
"Where am I? Where is that man? Can I go now? I have to run before he comes back."
Blair glanced around at the windshield. She was utterly alone. Convinced, she started to turn the doorknob.
"Unlocked?"
Blair looked down at the car's floor, and her backpack was there. She grabbed the bag and walked out. She was surprised because many people were sitting on park benches outside.
"Are you awake?" said Axel.
Blair was taken aback. Axel stood in front of her carrying two bags of food that gave off a sweet and warm aroma.
"You must be hungry. I brought some sandwiches. Do you mind if we eat there?" Axel pointed at the rows of neatly decorated benches near the river.
Blair was confused and doubtful. "What are you trying to do now? You want to manipulate me?"
Axel sighed. "I just wanted to treat you to dinner. You fainted earlier. I thought you needed food to restore your energy."
Blair couldn't refuse the tempting dinner offer. They sat opposite each other on a bench with a yellowish glow that adorned it.
"Where are we?" Blair was confused.
Axel pointed to their left. There was a motel building that was quite luxurious. They were not far from the motel building. On their right was a beautiful flowing river separating the two cities. The river is used as a tourism route for boats that pass there.
"I thought about taking you to that motel to rest. But, when you wake up, you might think of me as a bold man. I also thought about taking you to the hospital, but it looks like the hospital will only make you angrier. I don't know where else to take you. So I decided to stop here. Do you mind if we have dinner here together?"
"This is such a crazy idea!" thought Blair.
Blair couldn't predict Axel's current state of mind at all. Just a moment ago, Axel looked very threatening and could kill anyone he wanted. Right now, Axel is charming.
"Is he a psychopath?" thought Blair. She was getting increasingly scared, and a chill ran down her spine.
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
"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