02

Chapter two

Astrid's POV

Instead of the pain and impact I expected, a strong hand grabbed me, pushing me violently to the other side. We both fell, tumbling to the sidewalk and rolling off. The person who had saved me wrapped me in his warm embrace, as if to shield me from scraping my skin against the concrete.

My breathing halted as I took in his face mere inches from mine, his gaze locking onto mine. He held it for what seemed like forever.

Woah. This guy is an adonis. He's so attract-

"Are you crazy, you foolish girl? Why would you stand in the middle of the road?" The driver of the car that almost killed me exclaimed as onlookers rushed toward the scene. "Do you want me to be the one to kill you? Let me tell you that you’ve failed, okay? Although I wish you’d have died to have one less fool to worry about."

My heart beat spiked. I was still not over the shock of almost dying, yet this man was being so rude.

The stranger, whose arm was still around my waist, stood up, grabbed my wrist, and pulled me along with him.

I tried to pull my hand away, but he didn’t let me. He walked to a quiet alley and threw me up against the wall, my back slamming against it as he placed his hands on either side of my head.

I looked up at him, my lips parting as I saw him up close. His eyes were a dark shade of blue, focused on mine. His jawline was firm, and his lips were full. He wore a hoodie and sweatpants, with a muddy pair of sneakers.

My heartbeat was so loud I was sure he could hear it. Trying to ease the tension his presence was effortlessly arousing, I muttered, "Thank you for helping me back there—"

"Be more careful next time will you?!" he interrupted, then turned on his heel and walked away, my eyes following him as his towering figure disappeared down the street.

My heart didn’t stop drumming in my chest even as I pushed myself off the wall and started walking down the street. Cars zoomed past, people walked by, but I paid no one any attention, even though I could feel their stares on me.

After wandering for a while, I spotted a cozy, yet expensive-looking restaurant and walked in. I ordered something and started gobbling it down as my stomach grumbled in appreciation of being fed.

Just as I was almost done, a commotion outside caught my attention.

It looked like paparazzi swarming around someone stepping out of a fancy car—an Audi, I think.

"Mr. Starkov, is it true that you’re gay? Is that why you haven’t been seen with a woman in public for the past four years?"

"Sir, are you secretly married? Who's the bride? Is there any woman in your life? Are you hiding her on one of your private islands?"

I rolled my eyes at the ridiculous questions. The man they were chasing walked into the restaurant, making the whole place fall silent. He was dressed to impress in a blue three-piece suit that covered his broad shoulders. Three men in black suits tailed him, carrying suitcases in their hands.

He walked to a corner, and only when he was out of sight did conversations resume.

I focused on finishing my food, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was staring at me. It made the hairs on my skin stand up. I looked around the restaurant but didn’t notice anyone. However, when I glanced toward the corner where the man had gone, I felt like someone was watching me from there. I shook my head at my absurd thoughts.

The waiter soon came for the bill, but when I handed him my card, he checked it and handed it back with a frown. “Ma’am, I’m sorry, but your card has been declined.”

“What are you talking about? Just check it again.”

“I’m serious. Your card has been declined.”

At the same time, my phone pinged on the table. I picked it up, my blood running cold as I saw the message: I am so disappointed in you Astrid. You've embarrassed my company and your sister today. This will teach you a lesson. Do not bother coming back to my house unless it's for an apology to Fiona.

Another message followed. This time from Fiona: Let’s see how you survive in poverty. I'd love to see how you carry out that silly revenge scheme.

No. They couldn’t have done this to me, right? I closed my eyes, hoping to open them and see that this was all just a nightmare. But when I opened them, the waiter was still there. “Ma’am, you have to pay now.”

My face flushed as I felt eyes on me. Oh, God this is embarrassing.

"Uh, sir, you see, I didn’t know my card was frozen. Maybe I could work it off somehow because I have no money." I stammered, my voice coming out lower than I planned.

The waiter scoffed. “Ma’am, what do you mean? Are you saying you came here—to such a luxurious restaurant without money to pay for your food?”

His voice caused all eyes to snap to our table, and I had to focus on my empty plate to avoid the judgmental gazes from the people around me.

“No, I… Look, I’m sorry. I’ll—" Just then, I saw some crumpled bills in my purse, and I quickly counted them to see only a few dollars. I gulped as I thought of how to tell him.

Just then, the waiter received a call, and after a few minutes, he turned to me. "You can leave. But never come back here."

As I got up and walked out, tears gathered in my eyes. This time, I didn’t hold them back. I let them flow freely down my cheeks as I trudged along the street.

Eventually, I found myself back near the place where the car had nearly knocked me down—just a few blocks from Adrian’s hotel. I sat down in the same alley and let the tears flow, rocking myself back and forth. How had my life fallen apart like this? Just yesterday, everything was fine. Now, everything seemed broken. This was the worst birthday ever.

The sound of cars rolling to a stop made me look up. Three black SUVs and an Audi had pulled up to the curb, and a familiar figure stepped out of one of them.

My eyes grew wide as I recognized the man from the restaurant. Mr Starkov I think.

I scrambled to my feet, peering at him under my lashes as he walked toward me, his footsteps calculated. Why was he coming here?

"Why are you crying?” he asked, his voice low yet intense, causing goosebumps to form on my skin. My eyes popped open further as I recognized his voice, looking into the same blue eyes that had saved me that morning.

Without thinking, I threw myself into his arms, letting the tears flow, soaking his shirt. I felt him freeze for some seconds before his arms came around me. Though in an awkward manner.

After what felt like forever, I stopped crying and forced myself to pull back from his embrace. “Thank you and I'm sorry about your shirt.”

He didn’t respond but pulled me to sit with him on the wooden bench at the entrance to the alley. The area was deserted, with only his guards spreading around to keep watch.

“You still haven’t told me why you were crying,” he asked with a cold look on his face. His question brought another stream of tears down my face as I quickly explained everything that had happened.

When I finished, he asked, “So what do you plan on doing?”

“I want revenge. I want them to pay for everything they’ve done,” I replied in a determined voice.

“Revenge, huh. What if I help you?” he asked.

My eyes snapped to his. “Help me… how?”

“Well, you told me you’re broke, right? What would you say if I gave you all the money and resources you need for your revenge plan… in exchange for something of high value?”

I gulped as I considered his offer. He’s clearly rich, and that would mean enough money to start up my plan.

“In exchange for what? I have no money. I don’t have anything to give unless you want me to pay you back in the future, but I don’t think—”

“Marry me.”