CHAPTER 3: THERE'S A HERO

NATASHA

As the rain poured down heavily in the middle of summer, the night sky was shrouded in thick clouds, and the thunder rumbled ominously.

Flipping the sign from OPEN to CLOSE, I untied my apron and placed it in my locker.

"Here's your wage for today," Doris handed me the fruits of my hard work, not even bothering to put it in an envelope. "After tax, and deducting the daily installment pay for your rent."

Doris, my boss at the diner where I had been working since I fled the city, also happened to be the landlady of the apartment I sought refuge in.

"Thanks, Doris."

"Don't thank me," her snobbish face and strong voice made her seem like a terror witch, but in reality, she had a heart of gold. "You earned it."

She gave me a wide smile and shooed me out of her diner.

"Watch out for the dark corners, you know how dangerous this place can be at night, especially when you're as pretty as you are."

Shaking my head, I brushed off that thought.

"See you tomorrow!" I waved my hand at her before making my way outside.

It had been three months since I left Manhattan. Although I was still in New York, I was miles and miles away from my family.

According to Laura, they hadn't uttered a word about how they felt about my departure.

Mom knew she had seen me leave, but it seemed like her lips were sealed on the matter.

Laura mentioned to me that my family's business had managed to recover without the help of the Monteros.

As for me, I had been living my life independently, and that was my comfort.

"Lookie, lookie here!" a perverted voice spoke.

My pace came to a halt as three lanky guys blocked my path.

This was exactly what Doris had been warning me about since day one, and it wasn't the first time I had heard them catcalling. But standing in my way? My heart had a reason to race.

"Could you please let me through?" I asked politely, but my words didn't reach their ears over the sound of the pouring rain.

"You're done with work? I think it's time for you to give me a job," one of them said, clutching what was between his thighs.

I gasped when a hand grabbed my arm. "Don't touch me!"

"She's feisty!"

"Don't come any closer!" I shouted, but it didn't deter them.

Desperate to escape the situation, I used my umbrella to bash them, but my strength was no match for theirs.

"Stop fighting, you'll enjoy what I'm about to do to you."

I screamed as they started dragging me into a dark alley. "No! Let me go!"

"She squirms like a rat!"

"And we're going to have some fun here, just like dogs."

One of them ripped my cardigan, leaving my bare arms exposed, which made them grin evilly. They pushed me onto the floor, and the sharp pain in my hip radiated throughout my body, leaving me drained.

"We're going to do this in the rain!"

"No!" I kicked my feet, and it hit one of them in the groin. But the pain I inflicted on him only earned me a painful slap across my face.

My lip bled, and I could taste the metallic tang of blood.

"You bitch!"

My left ear couldn't hear properly, as a high-pitched tone deafened me. My head spun, and dizziness overcame me.

One of them undid his fly and zipper, my vision blurred, but I didn't miss the sight of them collapsing to the ground one by one.

"Hey," a familiar voice caught my attention. "Are you okay?"

Shock coursed through my system, and when my eyes landed on his face, a glimmer of recognition hit me.

I knew him.

"Come on," he said.

Carrying me like a bride, he carefully slid me inside his car before returning to the thugs and scaring them off, sending them scurrying in every direction.

I soaked the seat of his car, just as he did.

"Here, take this."

He handed me a flannel from the backseat and wrapped it around me, his worry unchecked.

"Let me see your face," he softly told me.

Cupping my chin, he frowned as he noticed something on my lips.

"Your lip is cut," he informed me, gently caressing my cheek where I had been slapped.

Trembling, not from the cold, but from what had just transpired, I hadn't realized that we had stopped at a drugstore. He returned with a brown bag and asked me to get into the back seat.

I had no idea why I allowed him to take charge. Maybe it was the shock, or perhaps it was his aura that exuded calmness.

"It's swollen," he said. "This should help, I guess?"

Scooping some ointment from the tube he had bought, he carefully applied it to my cheek. When he accidentally pressed too hard, I winced in pain.

"Sorry."

Suddenly, sobs escaped my lips, and my body felt as if it had lost all its strength. Leaning towards him, I cried.

"It's okay, you're safe now."

I felt his hand caress my back, the warmth of his palm sparking something within me. And somehow, I found myself trusting a stranger.

I must have passed out because when I woke up, I found myself in an unfamiliar room.

"Oh my..."

Lowering my gaze, I realized I was wearing a white robe. And nothing else.

Gasping loudly, I cupped my womanhood to check if something had happened. But I felt no pain, only dizziness and a slight chill.

"I'm safe," I murmured in relief.

Just then, the door swung open, and the savior who had come just in time entered, clutching a paper bag in his hand.

"Morning," he greeted with a charming smile.

I never thought I would cross paths with him again.

"How's your cheek?"

Instantly, my hand flew to my cheek, feeling a slight sting. "It hurts a little."

Nodding, he placed the bag at the foot of the bed. "You had a fever last night, and you were... you were shivering, so I, uh..."

He gestured his hand towards me, his words trailing off.

Pulling the robe closer to me, I bit my lip.

"I didn't look," he defended himself.

They didn't know how to react, and an awkward atmosphere enveloped us.

"I ordered room service, and these are some new clothes you can wear. I'm just gonna... wait outside."

As he reached for the doorknob, I couldn't help but say something. "Hey, wait."

"Huh?"

"Thank you," I uttered, pushing myself off the bed and standing close to him. "I don't know where I would be if you weren't there."

Letting out a soft chuckle, he flashed a grin, his beautiful face lighting up. "You're welcome."

"And, uh..." I played with my finger behind me, mesmerized by his towering presence and the way his gaze melted me.

"Are you hungry?" He chuckled and was about to leave when I pulled the hem of his shirt, causing him to pause.

"No, I mean, I don't know if saying thank you would be sufficient."

The amusement in his eyes danced. "Is there another way you'd like to express your gratitude?"

I couldn't explain the sudden urge, but my body seemed to have a mind of its own.

Placing my hand on his chest, I tiptoed and planted a gentle kiss on his lips. I could see the surprise in his eyes, and I must admit, he looked absolutely adorable.

"There, thank you," I mumbled before grabbing the paper bag from the bed and heading into the bathroom.

As soon as the door closed, I couldn't help but gasp.

"What on earth was that, Nat?"