Chapter 11: Out of the Frying Pan, Into the Fire
While we were waiting for the movie to start, he gently took my hand, his eyes filled with a mysterious tenderness.
This scared me.
What if I actually fell for him?
I quickly pulled my hand away and grabbed some snacks to distract myself.
I stuffed my mouth with chips, munching loudly.
By the time the movie ended, it was already quite late. Nice Butt was driving me back when suddenly, he turned in the opposite direction.
I frowned. "I want to go home. Where are you taking me?"
He smirked confidently. "I'm sure you'll like it."
Like what? Was he crazy?
At this moment, the only thing I wanted was to go back to my room. I hadn't even prepared my lessons yet, and tomorrow I had Mr Aunt's class.
I felt uneasy. What was he planning?
What if he took me somewhere deserted? Or worse, to a hotel—not to rest?
I had to get out of here.
When we stopped at a red light, I immediately put on my best excited expression.
"Hey! I want to buy that scarf!"
I pointed at a purple chiffon scarf being sold on the sidewalk, my face radiating enthusiasm.
Nice Butt refused flatly.
"That's just a cheap street stall. The fabric isn't good. I'll take you somewhere better later."
I insisted, tapping repeatedly on the window.
"No! I like it! Let me out!"
Nice Butt sighed and reluctantly unlocked the door.
The moment my feet hit the pavement, I bolted.
I ran in the opposite direction, straight against the flow of traffic.
I was going to catch a bus and get home on my own.
Before disappearing, I stuck out my tongue at him and waved mockingly.
Freedom!
But before I could celebrate, a wave of fear washed over me.
This street was eerily deserted. It looked exactly like the creepy alleys in horror movies.
My skin prickled with goosebumps, but I kept walking.
Up ahead, a group of people approached.
Thank God! People!
But as they got closer, my heart sank.
They were all men.
I was terrified.
Ghosts scared me, but at least I'd never actually seen one.
People? I read crime news all the time—people were worse than ghosts.
I forced myself to walk calmly, keeping my posture relaxed.
But inside, my heart was pounding.
The group passed me one by one.
I exhaled in relief.
I was so awful for thinking badly of strangers.
But just as I let my guard down, a hand grabbed my wrist.
Hard.
I winced in pain.
It was the last guy in the group.
The rest immediately stopped walking.
"Damn, you're cute. Come have some fun with us."
I tried to yank my hand away, but his grip was like iron.
I knew struggling wouldn't work, so I switched to negotiation.
I softened my voice.
"Please, let go. That really hurts."
One of the others sneered.
"You must be new around here. I've never seen you before."
Shit.
Did he think I was a hooker?
Fine. If that's how he wanted to play it, I'd play along.
I smiled, tilting my head seductively.
"Yeah, I just started. Let go of me. We can talk first."
The guy's grip loosened, and finally, he let go.
I quickly rubbed my sore wrist while scanning the area for an escape route.
Yes! Up ahead—headlights! A car!
I dashed toward it.
But the universe was against me.
Just a few steps in, I tripped.
Fucking high heels.
Fucking Nice Butt.
I cursed him in my mind.
Looking up, I saw the group had already caught up.
One of them grinned.
"A good girl? Even better."
I panicked.
"HELP! HELP ME!"
I was dead.
I couldn't even cry.
This street was too empty.
Even if the person in that car heard me, would they bother to stop?
Suddenly, a large hand clamped over my mouth.
The car was getting closer.
I bit down hard on the hand.
The guy screamed like a slaughtered pig.
I ran toward the car.
But another guy grabbed me, muffling my screams.
Was this how I died?
But then—the car stopped.
The door opened.
OMG.
Nice Butt.
He really came to save me?
At this point, I didn't care who it was.
As long as they got me out of here.
The Handsome Butt took his phone off his ear and tossed it into the car before stepping out without a word. He charged into the group, grabbed me, and started throwing punches and kicks at the thugs. He pushed me behind him, shielding me, while the gang slowly got back on their feet and surrounded us. I felt nothing but regret—deep regret. If I hadn't jumped out of the car and run away, none of this would be happening.
The Handsome Butt shoved me into the car, slammed the door, and continued fighting them. There was no way he could win against so many opponents. Watching him get beaten up made my heart ache with guilt. I couldn't bear to look. I fumbled around the car, searching for his phone to call the police, but it was nowhere to be found.