Chapter II: Knight In Shining Red Car

“What will we do if he really killed himself?” With his arms crossed and eyes both pinned on me, Sir Atlas unbelievingly asked.

The whole hour he’s scolding me, I was just polishing my fingernails before I counted all the money I got from my customers earlier. For all the years I’ve been here, it’s not a surprise if I act deaf in front of him.

“Hey, Gia?! There’s even a video of that incident spreading on the internet,” he blabbered.

I looked at his eyes, blankly. “Are we done?”

Sir Atlas already knew he won’t get any explanation from me so he just nodded.

“By the way, I need you to compensate for the mess you lit up last night,” he added.

“You can fire me if you want,” I replied and stood up. But before I could step my feet, Leila, the receptionist of The Blue Apple, entered the room, and seems like she’s looking for someone.

“Yes?” I heard Sir Atlas ask.

"Sir Felix is asking for Gia,” Leila said and smiled sweetly.

My brows furrowed in an instant. “I’m busy!” I instantly reasoned out.

“She’s not. Please tell Sir Felix that his wish is our command.”

My glare landed on Sir Atlas whose smile was over his ears. Then, Leila immediately left the office after hearing his response.

“I’m sure you know your brother likes me,” I said.

“Felix is married. You’re just his bitch. So, there’s nothing to worry about,” he confidently expounded and smiled. Him raising his thumb made me roll my eyes in disgust. “Do well!”

I just shook my head then walked out his office.

Even if I don’t want to, aside from he’s his biological brother, Sir Felix, is one of the loyal customers who sustains this our pub financially. And one more thing, it’s been publicized that Sir Felix will run as Mayor of Anbridge City, reason why Sir Atlas couldn’t just let him go.

Having a plan to waste no time, I went out the pub wearing a red twinkling dress that falls before the middle of my thighs. For sure, it’s just another funny business inside his black Land Cruiser parked a half-mile away from The Blue Apple. Thus, as I saunter towards his location, I tied my hair in a high ponytail.

But even before I walk near his car, I was taken aback when my ponytail was bleakly hauled from behind. “You f*cking asshole, where do you think you’re going, huh?!” a voice of a lady ricocheted along the road.

As I face her, I harshly pushed her off my body. “Who the hell are you?!” I boldly questioned.

A fair-skinned and well-dressed woman in her 40s snorted. “Just so you know, I’m Victoria! The wife of the man you’re trifling with!”

That’s why she looks familiar. She was on the lockscreen of Sir Felix’ phone. But I have to show her I’m not fazed at all.

I just grinned. “Oh, if I were him, I would’ve found myself a mistress too.” I tried utter hard to insult her.  

Her jaw dropped after she heard it. “You must be ashamed of yourself, you parasite!” she grumbled before whacking my face.

Without any reluctance, I pulled myself together and slapped her back. “You have no right to touch any part of me, old witch!” After I pointed her, I left the place and ignored her several shrieks at me.

"Ma’am Victoria, let’s go. A lot of people are seeing you here,” I heard the other lady convince her since her behavior started getting the attention of the crowd. I continued strolling away from them.

Surely, Sir Atlas will scold me again for ditching Sir Felix’ call, but I just don’t want to see him after his wife emptied sanity. Why they don’t just f*ck each other, huh? I just shook my head in disbelief.

Then, I ended up in a beerhouse slightly far from my workplace. I tried calling Celine to accompany me here but she said she has a customer by this evening. I already emptied a lot of beer mugs.

As I try to peek around the bar while chugging another mug of alcohol, I felt infuriated when I saw a young man who seemed to be staring at me for a while. I just swallowed when he suddenly winked at me and grinned. My face just crumpled when I looked away.

“Hey, lovely angel! Seems like you’re lost here, do you want me to---”

I immediately looked at the bulky man who just stood near me and offered me a glass of cocktail, and then I raised my middle finger in front of his egotistic face. I heard his friends mocked him from behind. I picked up my handbag and walked away.

When I met the eyes of the young man staring at me earlier, I raised my left brow, making him gulp his beer and looked away.

I went out of the pub, and the shivery night breeze embraced my body.

As I walk along the dim and empty streets, I noticed some drunk old men from afar. I had no choice but to walk in the same direction where they are. That’s why I walked even faster. But when they saw me, they started catcalling me which rang my ears.

“Hey, darling! Join us here.”

I acted like I didn’t hear it. The four of them stridden wildly towards me, and one of them placed his arms over my shoulder.

“We’ll just have fun---” the red-haired guy mumbled inaudibly. I could smell all of them reeking of alcohol.

“Leave me alone, motherf*ckers!” I screamed as I fight back.

With all force, I tried pushing them away. I even whacked my bag on their faces but their drunkenness made them insane. They held me tighter. I felt like my body frozen at the moment.

But we’re all dazzled when a light coming from bright red car rushed by. I started shouting in frustration, as if it’s the only way I could be saved. Unfortunately, the vehicle just passed us by.

“Hey, shut your mouth!”

And once again, our attentions were caught when the car rushed back and the driver even blew the horn deafeningly.

A young man wearing a black polo shirt, jean shorts, and glasses, went out of the car, and asked, “What’s going on here?” Then, the drunk old men suddenly took their hands off me.

“We’re just having---”

“They’re as*holes, please take me away from here!” I screamed on the top of my lungs. I grumbled continuously as if I was a kid.

The guy took something from his car and we’re all surprised when he suddenly pointed a gun on the men. They all started panicking and they denied everything I said.

“Leave her alone,” he said. And just as he speaks, they released me and they even apologized to me. I ran towards him. “Get inside the car. It’s not safe here,” the man said before he opened the door for me.