Chapter 3: Stranger Danger

I am really doomed. Looking down to the phone in my hand, I find that the time is already 12:04 AM. I didn't realize myself that I had been wandering around the streets for hours, no wonder my feet and legs hurt. I needed to take a minute or two to sit down and rest.

With yet another sigh, I formed my hands into a prayer and closed my eyes; leaning my forehead against my arms. I really don't know where I should go.. there is no one that I know that will gladly take me into their home, let alone let me stay there for the meantime until I finally have enough money to rent myself an apartment.

Pulling a little notebook from the side of my hoodie, I opened it up to check how much I have earned so far -- unfortunately, it still is not enough. Living by yourself is much harder than I think it is, because not only the rent is your problem, also your stuff. I know that I've got to at least buy myself a futon, a blanket, a pillow etc. Life is super exhausting.. I wonder when I could finally be free from all this misery?

"All alone?"

My head springs up only to see three men encircling me; they are wearing jackets and caps over their heads as well as evil grins across their faces. One even has a toothpick in between his teeth.

"Of course she would be, she ran away from home!"

I gulp while they laugh. I am scared.. is this going to be the end of me? Is this my fate?

The one with blonde hair looks down on me once more, suddenly spitting out the toothpick and let out a dark chuckle - one that you know is not with good intentions.

"You can come along with us, we've got one more room in our place." He smirks, "What do you think?"

I immediately shake my head. "No thank you, I appreciate the offer though.."

"Aw man, that's too bad," he sighs; then glared back to me. "Because you're gonna be coming with us whether you like it or not."

The other two men grab my arms as I scream for help, but to hope that somebody would actually hear me at this late of time is stupid. There are no buildings or houses around this place, and I doubt that people walk pass this street for it is dark. I shouldn't have taken this road! No- I shouldn't have ran away. I shouldn't have screamed at dad.

Another arm has grabbed mine and I look up, gasping to see the man that has kept me company a little earlier. It is a surprise that he is around here, I was sure that he had left the park before I did. Does he live here somewhere? Anyway! That is not important!

"Help!" I shout; the three men glaring down to me. They are clearly telling me that I should not do that, or else.. who knows what they could do to me.

"Please.." I cried, looking into the eyes of the stranger I was with a few hours ago. His grip around my arm tightened as he strongly pull me to his side, the three men were caught off guard. I just hid myself behind this man.

"She is with us," one of them said.

"Are you?" I quickly shake my head when he asked me then turn back to the three gangsters. "What's her name?"

They are all stunned, they did not expect him to ask them about my identity. "Uh, um.. Gloria!"

I whisper, "Gloria's not my name, not even close, you giant loser."

I can hear the man shielding me away from the three chuckle as he replied, "I'm calling the police."

"Woah wait, man! You don't have to! We're going!"

"Oh really? You must hurry now, it's ringing," he smirks.

The gangsters did run away, one even toppled over my luggage which caused me to laugh. I always knew that there are bad people everywhere, but I did not know that even the homeless ones could be like that. As I grab my stuff from the ground, I look up to the person who saved me from those thugs.

"Thank you, I owe you my life." I smile, "Is there any way that I can repay you? Just please, not money.. I do not have that."

He then giggles, "You really don't remember me, do you?"

I raise an eyebrow, "Are you making fun of me again?" He shakes his head no and leans forward to me, which made my heart jump and I freeze.

"We've met before - at the wedding."

His green eyes are so captivating, I could not look away from them - and that is when I finally remembered that this man in front of me was the same person that I had met at the Guins' wedding!

But what is he doing here? Is his home here somewhere?

"What's your name?"

I snap back to reality. "Oh um, Sef."

"Name of a man, huh, I like that."

I chuckle, "Thanks. What about you?"

"You better not learn about me," he smiles.

"Why is that?"

"You'll know," he responded. "Well then, have you got any place to go?" I look down, embarrassed but I answered no and I heard a heavy sigh from above me.

"Come on," he snatches the suitcase from me and started walking ahead. I am still a bit hesitant, I mean we have only met recently and I am going with him. What if he actually is a bad person? What if I am wrong about him?

Then he turns his head over his shoulder and shouts, "You coming, Sef?"

His voice sounds soft and sweet, but also cold and stern. He can be scary at some times too, which I think is normal because he is a man. And that reason alone is why I am hesitating to go with him - he is a man.

"Whe-where are we going?"

"I'm not a bad person," he glares at me and I blush.

"I-I do not think that!"

He smirks. "Yes, you do. You cannot lie."

"Where are you really taking me?"

A card was in between his index and middle finger, he showed it to me as I gasp in shock. It is the business card that I got the other day from Steven, it is all wet. It must have fallen out of my pocket earlier.

"We are going there," he begins. "Since you know this person, there is already a room that is reserved for you. He must have promised to come back to you, but it is going to be you, surprising him." He laughs.

"I am confused, you know Steven?!"

He nods. "He and I work together."

Who exactly is this person?

The car came to a stop as he hops out, going to the other side and opening up the door for me. We are standing in front of a big mansion right now - it is three o'clock in the morning and yet I can see clearly how big and wide this mansion is, thanks to the moon.

"What is this place?"

"You'll know by tomorrow," he smiles and guided me inside. He had brought me into a specific room, thrice as big as Ayumi's bedroom back in my house, as I leap in joy! Is this truly happening? Or am I only dreaming?

"You can rest here, remember to keep the doors and windows locked. Am I clear?" He, again, sounds cold and scary so I just nodded my head. After slamming the door shut, I sniffed in the scent of this princess room.

Oh my goodness.. I can't believe this is happening! This must be a dream! But if it is, I definitely do not want to wake up!