Almost in danger

Beatrix’s P.O.V.

Michael suddenly felt a pang of anger in his chest. "Yes, she's just your employee. But does that mean that you really have to be so rude to her?”

"Rude?” asked Apollo. "I wasn't being rude I was just being me. Maybe she has forgotten who I really am because I was being so kind to her. But I'm not. And as far as I can remember, I even told you to tell that phrase to her when you abduct her, right?"

Seb was feeling irritated. He couldn’t take Apollo’s words anymore.

He was having this urge of punching his cousin but he was still trying his best to keep it between his toes.

Seb answers, "And you're really acting upon it?"

I can't help but burst into tears.

They were all arguing because of me and I don't know what to do.

Harold, who has been so quiet the whole time, started banging on the door to catch our attention, especially Apollo.

Even my display of emotion had been interrupted because of his loud banging.

"If you can’t protect a woman that you like, then stop giving your false hopes! Stop being rude to her! Because I will be the one to do that, and take note of that."

Harold fixed his eyes on Apollo as he started to walk into the door while still not removing his gaze from Apollo.

Then he walked out.

Harold, Michael, and Seb have done their part to protect me.

I mean do I deserve this?

Because of the pang of guilt that had been lingering in my chest, I had to follow Harold.

I was too late the moment I decided to follow him and state my gratefulness.

Since it's early in the morning, there are no people that are appearing. Maybe they are still asleep.

Suddenly, a group of men approached me, leering and making lewd comments.

"I think I know you,” asked one of the boys.

"Yeah, I think I know her too!” asked the other. Both of them seem like they were drunk.

"Oh yes, I remember! But she is Beatrix. She’s the waitress, right?"

"And she's also accepting other jobs other than being a waitress."

"So, did we hit a jackpot? Look at her, she is flawless. And if you will look into her face, it's not obvious that she's been giving service to men."

"How about you do us a favor?"

My heart began to race as I recognized them as some of my regular clients from the club.

I couldn't speak.

Both of them were the only ones who were talking, and although they were asking me, I'm not responding to every word they were asking.

Before I knew it, they were grabbing me, and trying to force me to give them service for free since they were my regular clients.

I was terrified, frozen in fear as they started to touch me.

What's happening…

Why am I being tortured at this?

I couldn't react.

I’ve been struggling to fight, to push them away, but they were so strong!

They were two, and they outnumbered me.

"Come on, respond! You're so good at doing this, right?"

"How about we take you to my condo? Or maybe my apartment? Or my villa?"

"I DON'T NEED ANY OF THOSE LEAVE ME ALONE!" I shouted.

Finally, I built up the courage to speak up.

But instead of listening, they were just laughing at me as if I was laughing stock.

"You don't need any of those? I thought you were accepting offers because of your brother?”

How the fuck did they know that?

Did Madam Glo spill my secrets?

If she did, she will be dead.

But I can't respond. I can't think of anything else.

Even struggling, throwing them away, or running is now harder than before.

Remember that it's broad daylight.

My dress is not even revealing. I feel I look like Mama Mary.

But even in broad daylight, rapists have no places to choose.

I was losing hope.

After so many years of protecting my dignity, this happened again, my past trauma.

Just because I'm a sex worker, do I really deserve this?

As I was starting to give up, Harold appeared out of nowhere, pushing the men away from me.

It didn't take that long before Apollo followed.

He rushed in, pulling me away and back into the family apartment.

—

I was trembling with fear and pain, and Apollo quickly went to work cleaning my wounds and making sure I was okay.

But I was struggling.

"Stay put,” he shouted.

"You don't need to clean up my wounds. Remember, you are the reason why I got this?”

"And now you're blaming me? How is that supposed to be my fault?” he asked.

"You're right, it's not your fault, it's all because of me,” I said.

"Yes, as long as you know, well, we don't have a problem here.”

"I just wanted to know where Harold is,” I said.

He got irritated. I can see this because of his grip on the betadine.

He glared at me before responding, "I push them away. I told them to meet me some other time I will call them whenever I'm free. Maybe later tonight. But why do you want to meet him?” he asked.

"He was the only one who followed me— he was the first one, rather. Even though you rescued me after him, you cannot take the fact that he was the first one to attend to my needs.”

"Oh, so you're comparing now?"

"Shouldn't I?" I asked. "Besides, he deserves it. Your cousins are more responsible with their actions than you.”

Apollo didn’t speak up. Instead, he just clean up my wounds and let me speak according to my will.

Maybe, he knew that I wouldn’t stop talking about Harold.

As he bandaged me up, I looked up at him, tears in my eyes. "Thank you," I whispered. "Thank you for saving me too.”

After all, I can’t lie to myself.

I really wished he would be the one to save me, and he did.

He didn't just attend to my needs but to my wants.

Apollo looked down at me, his expression softening for the first time. "I'll always protect you," he said quietly, taking my hand in his. "You're important to me."

I smile.

Did he just say, I'm important to him? Haa… He's always saying that. But after that, there will be no other words.

It's confusing me.