Chapter 21 I’m Braver
ranteeds in for something,” lied.
When I finally arrived at Vinestone Hotel’s parking lot, Benjamin was covered in bruises. Three or four beely mea with gold chains and cigarettes laughed derisively when they saw the, Cue asked, “Is this your burlap, punk? A woman?”
Another said lecherously, “Don’t tell me you asked her to come to sleep with us to make up for what you’ve done]”
Tapproached Benjamin and helped him up. His face was black and blue from the men’s punches, and I alinos conldn’t recognize him. He looked terrible.
“I was working part–time here as a valet, and 1 accidentally scratched their car, I said I could pay them for the repairs, but they asked for ten thousand dollars. 1 don’t have that much money-“heesplained in a low voice.
“Where’s the ca? Let me see it,” I said.
He pointed at a white Volkswagen Tiguan that was pailed nearby. Was that it? The car cost to thousand dollars at most, yet they’d asked Benjamin to pay them ten thousand dollars for a time ratch Did they take him for a fool?
“What do you say, little lady? Have you thought about how you’re going to pay us back?
Benjamin straightened up at their words and pointed a bloody finger at them. “Watch your mouths, assholes. If you want to lay a finger on her, you’re gonna have to do it over my dead body!”
I was surprised. Were versity students all so manly? I thought he would only hide behind me and pitifully wait for me to resolve the issue after calling me for help.
His manliness pissed the beefy men off, I stood before him and looked at them coldly. “Give me thane minutes.
Then, I made a call. This was Vinestone Hotel’s territory, and hemjamin had been working part–time for them. The hotel’s person in charge was the one who had to step up to resolve this, but no one was around
“My are wecalling for more backup? We’re considered infamous in Alton City, chick. Why don’t you ask around and see how many people have heard of me, Larry
“If you ask ten people to come here, I’ll get a hundred. Believe me–I’m capable of doing that! The beetlest man sounded confident, but it was too bad I’d priminely never heard of him
He and his buddies were just society’s trash. I hung up and smiled at
Less than three minutes b hour, Ms. Saded?”
later, Vinestone Hotel’s general manager appeared
thefore
When he saw me, he smiled and said politely, “What brings you here at this
“A friend of mine was working part–time at your hotel, and he’s been beaten up by these bastards. Do you know how you should handle the situation?” I asked, my
“What? How dare anyone bully a friend of yours! The general manager immediately turned to Larry and his gang. “Are you the ones who did at?
They were stunned. Vinestone Hotel was a five–star hotel and one of the largest and grandest in Alton City. They knew very well they couldn’t afford to offend the hotel’s management
we in to someone mot
to someone more powerful than them Sometimes, power was a useful thing. No matter how stubborn and arrogant a person was, they had no choice but to give Larry and the others, who’d been so obnoxious just moments ago, respectfully apologized to me and compensated Benjamin for his medical bill. They didn’t even know who 1 was the general manager’s oppressive air was enough to rate them.
They were about to leave whent said, “Holdit.”
I turned to Benjamin “do and give them each a slap.
Ms. Sadler.” He was taken aback. A trace of fear and hesitation flashed in his bloodied and swollen eyes, the probably thought it was good enough that they’d compensated him–getting back at them hadn’t occurred to him at all.
“What are you so scared of?” I grabbed him and pushed him toward Larry and his men. “Watch and leam!”
I slapped Larry hard before doing the same to the other two men. Their eyes were filled with fury as they glared at me, but they didn’t dare retaliate.
“Fuck off.” My palm was numb from the slaps. impatiently told them to get lost.
Silence soon descended upon the parking lot. The hotel’s general manager invited me into the hotel for a cup of tea, but I turned him down because I wasn’t interested in having tea with a stranger in the middle of the night.
Meanwhile, Benjamin was thoroughly shocked. He seemed to have become dazed from the moment I’d started slapping Larry.
“C’mon, F’ll take you to the hospital,” I held his hand naturally and pulled him out of the parking lot, where my car was.
“I can head there myself, Ms. Sadier!” he said anxiously
“Out the crap.” I purposely glared at him. On the way to the hospital, I chatted with him, finding out that he’d picked up another part–time job to cam a bit more money for his fees before the semester started. His father had fallen a couple of days ago and had been hospitalized.
He’d chosen to call me for help because his instinct told him I could help. Suddenly, I could understand why Ashley had gradually fallen for Rowan Who wouldn’t be moved by someone who could resolve issues one had thought were impossible to handle with just a few words?
No one could choose the life they’d been given, but they could choose to take a few shortcuts
After staying by Benjamin’s side as his wounds were tended to, I dragged myself home, feeling exhausted. It really wasn’t a great idea to stay up late.
2/3
Rowan Lay on his side on the bed. After a quick shower, I snuggled under the covers and got ready to drift off.
Suddenly, he asked a little hoarsely, “Did you have fom?”
Topened my eyes just after shutting them. “Did I wake you up? Stick it out for a couple more days. This won’t happen again once your parents leave.”
“Don’t challenge my patience, Ivory.” Rowan’s words were enough to show he was in a bad mood.
“What have I done to you now?” I was exhausted and didn’t have the energy for guessing games.
“How dare you go partying with my parents here? Do you have a death wish?” He turned to face me, his eyes burning with rage.
I stated at him for a few seconds before a wave of diffidence washed over me. Had he found out that I hadn’t gone out with Jean?
Honestly, his anger made sense. He’d never been one to restrain himself from worldly pleasures, yet he’d been forced to hold himself back recently. Yet I’d boldly gone out to stand up for Benjamin and even stayed by his side while at the hospital.
“Look, I’ll add that to the list. No sharing anything on social media, and no going out while your parents are here. I’ll be more careful next time,” I concluded.
After that, I shut my eyes, wanting to sleep. But Rowan seemed to be possessed by something–he flipped over and hovered over me, his arms on either side of my head. I could see the outline of his muscles as be supported himself, and his good looks only amplified the impact of his actions.
I was immediately awake. I could feel something hard and hot pressing against me.
“Have you been drugged, Rowan?” I recalled the last time he’d done something like this. The slightest hint of arousal that had formed in me quickly disappeared. Are you sure you know who I am?”
He wasn’t some innocent young man who’d stayed chaste his whole life. Why else would he have gotten embroiled in so many scandals?
The fire in his eyes seemed to change in nature. He tugged the strap of my nightgown down.