Chapter 6: Her struggling figure, hidden in the night...

Rebecca looked at the contract floating in front of her, still unable to believe what she witnessed: "Signed for real?"

Anne nodded, her expressionless face gazing out the shop's glass window at the busy stream of people. Her gaze was drawn to the silhouettes of lovers embracing each other as they walked down the street; even the air around them reeked of love. Anne suddenly felt admiration, regret, and pain. She'd just signed the bus paper and never had the chance to taste that sweet love again.

"When does it begin?" Rebecca asked softly.

"Tomorrow night," Anne replied after a long pause.

"Could I help you?"

"Can you help me with my makeup and a little better outfit?" Anne wondered.

Rebecca knew Anne was thinking of herself as a makeup commodity in her heart, but that was probably all she could do to help this poor girl. Rebecca assists Anne in selecting a glamorous yet elegant gown for her first night out. They also set aside an afternoon to do their makeup and decide on their best hairstyle. Daniel noticed a different Anne than usual when he went to the grocery store. Anne had transformed into a much more beautiful swan. Daniel felt like his heart seemed to be out of control again and began to beat because of her. Rebecca noticed him and jokingly asked:

"Doesn't Anne look so pretty?"

"Very pretty," Daniel responded robotically.

Anne didn't seem to hear or respond. "Why are you suddenly dressed so well?" Daniel inquired of the two.

Rebecca glanced awkwardly at Anne and noticed where she was relaxing, so she quickly nudged her elbow. When Anne noticed Daniel staring at her, she inquired:

"What exactly are you doing here, Daniel?"

Daniel looked passionately at the girl in front of him; he had secretly loved her for many years. Daniel believes that now that she is becoming more beautiful, the love will not be hidden. He quickly turned away.

"I will see what the bar needs to do. Is everything okay, Anne?"

"It's all right. However, I'd like to take tomorrow afternoon off."

"What's wrong with you?" Daniel inquired reflexively. Anne rarely takes time off unless she needs to go to the hospital to care for her adoptive parents. Nevertheless, Anne had only recently returned from the hospital.

"Ah, some personal business," Anne explained.

Daniel could also not ask more questions because he was trying to find some topics to keep him at the shop longer. After that, some customers entered the shop, and Anne had to assist them with making their purchases. Rebecca had a phone, so she left Daniel alone. He had already left by the time Anne had finished paying the guests.

As always, Anne waited for the last guest to leave in the evening and double-checked the lock before leaving. Water can fall from the shelf and land on the floor. When Anne bent down to pick up a water bottle, she was surprised by a hug from behind. The pungent odor of alcohol combined with a typical male smell. Anne wanted to scream, but her mouth was covered by his hand. She tried to wiggle free, but she couldn't.

Anne's helplessness and pent-up suffering were like a tidal wave, hot tears falling down the back of the man's hand. As if excited, he yelled at Anne: "Why? Why would you do that?"

The voice sounded vaguely familiar, but she couldn't place it. She desperately shook her head, her mouth closed, unable to speak. The man did not appear to want to hear her explanation, either, and continued to monologue:

"Why don't you love me back? I've loved you for so long. Why would you do such a heinous thing? Why would you want to spend time with another man? Why?"

The more he spoke, the crazier he became, and his grip on Anne made her feel uneasy. The more she struggled, the harder he squeezed. His hands moved slowly across her body. Anne worked in despair.

Anne's actions enraged the man, who shoved her to the ground. He pressed on Anne and engaged in bestial behavior before she could flee. Anne tried to keep her lips from smelling like alcohol and tobacco. His legs tried to kick him away, but the guy didn't notice and continued. His hands brushed against her shirt. The first button popped open and landed like Anne's hope.

A woman's strength is incomparable to that of a man. Anne could not escape this guy's evil hand, no matter how hard she tried. She opened her eyes wide to see the demon's face clearly, but she couldn't. Because Anne had turned off the lights, the space between these two shelves was quite dark, making it difficult to see this bastard's face.

The sound of buttons falling to the ground sounded like Anne's broken hope. She was able to keep the first night and sell it to raise funds for her adoptive mother's medical treatment. This incident has now crushed this sliver of hope. Anne felt defeated.

Anne prepared to accept her fate after much futile resistance. The sound of heavy objects striking the glass door rang out with a clear shattering sound at this moment. The sudden light slowed the man's movements. Anne took advantage of the situation, shoved her knee with all her might, and ran away. The other guy quickly endured the pain to pursue her again.

"Help! Please assist me! Someone, please assist me!" Anne ran, clutching her coat and yelling for help. Her screams were drowned out by the sound of construction machinery from the next-door construction site, and no one could hear her. The furniture on the shelves fell everywhere while the two struggled, causing Anne to run and fall again. The man's claws are closing in on Anne, and his hair hides most of his face. But the frenzied expression terrified Anne, who was determined not to fall into his hands again. Someone or something appeared to have knocked him down as that monstrous hand was about to grab Anne again. Anne paused for a moment, but seeing the man fall to the ground as if she wanted to get up, she turned and ran away. But the frenzied expression terrified Anne, who was determined not to fall into his hands again. Anne, daring not to look any longer, dashed out of the crowded stalls and scattered furniture and ran out of the shop. It sounded like punches and male growls behind it. Anne had to flee the devil's clutches once more. Her struggling figure, hidden in the night...