Tabitha's POV
It was the man I took to the hospital the other day. I was in a hurry to get to the cemetery back then, so I left before he came around.
"Are you feeling better now?" I asked.
He was dressed in a well-ironed navy suit, his shirt spotless and wrinkle-free, a dazzling sapphire ring on his finger. His face still looked a bit pale, though.
I could sense there was something extraordinary about him.
He didn't reply, just staring at me with a look of disbelief.
Then it dawned on me that I hadn't even told him who I was. He didn't get to see my face that day, so he, of course, wouldn't recognize me.
I introduced myself, trying to jog his memory, "I'm the one who got you to the hospital when you passed out that day."
He snapped back to reality and murmured, "You look just like—"
"What?"
"Nothing. Thank you so much. Are you available now? I'd like to treat you to lunch to express my gratitude."
I waved my hand. "Nah, it's no biggie. I've got stuff to do, so I gotta go. But honestly, you don't look well. Perhaps you should go back to the hospital for a check-up someday."
With that, I was about to bypass him and leave.
But he took a step back, saying, "It may seem like a small favor to you, but it still doesn't change the fact that you saved my life. Ring me up when you're free, OK? This is my name card. Call me if you need anything."
I took the card, nodded at him, and replied, "Okay. Bye."
After I covered a certain distance, I stood by the roadside, checking out the card in my hand.
Turned out the man was Klein Hartley, the CEO of Apex Wulfen International!
Although I had been busy fulfilling my duty as a Luna for the past few years, barely enjoying my life, I'd heard a lot about that company.
It was one of the leading international groups in the United States. Because of the word "Wulfen" in its name, which had wolf vibes, it caught my attention.
And I'd heard Derek mention Klein a bit, so I knew he was a big shot.
I didn't expect that the man I saved would be Klein!
As someone so influential, how come he passed out on the side of the road without any bodyguard around him? And why did he look so gaunt and sick?
"Ms. Hartley, you forgot something." The pastry shop owner's voice brought me back to reality.
I snapped out of it and realized I had forgotten to grab the Canneles I bought.
"Thanks," I replied, relieved I hadn't gotten into my car yet. Or I'd have to get back here again to fetch them.
Then, I opened the car door and sat inside.
"Tabitha, we're being followed," Rolf said with a frown shortly after he started driving.
Seriously? They were bold enough to attempt to attack me in broad daylight?
I glanced in the rearview mirror and saw a Rolls-Royce behind.
Who would tryna take someone out in a ride like that?
"Don't worry. I'm all prepared." Rolf immediately dialed a number.
"We got a tail. Handle it. Don't let any of them get away," he ordered.
As we turned the next corner, Rolf hit the brakes, and the cars that had been waiting swooped in to join us.
I looked back and found the Rolls-Royce stuck in the middle like a sandwich, with four other cars surrounding it.
Who could it be?
A few minutes later, they had the Rolls-Royce boxed in.
Rolf, who had a quick temper, jumped out of the car. I then followed suit.
Although the Rolls-Royce was forced to stop, the tinted windows blocked any view of the inside.
Rolf knocked on the car window with a smirk, asking, "Are you gonna roll down the window? Or you want me to smash it open?"
A dozen or so people surrounded the Rolls-Royce, attracting the attention of curious pedestrians.
The bulletproof window winded down, revealing a man with chiseled features. Turned out it was Klein.
"You're ... Mr. Hartley?" Rolf stammered, looking a bit embarrassed.
'Rolf's Derek's Gamma, working closely by Derek's side, so it makes sense he recognized Klein,' I figured.
Just sitting there, Klein exuded an unparalleled air of nobility.
"What do you want?" Klein questioned, shooting an icy glare at Rolf.
Rolf hesitated for a while and apologized, "Sorry. Looks like there's been a misunderstanding."
"Misunderstanding?" Klein sneered coldly, clearly not buying it.
Rolf waved his hand in a fluster, trying to explain.
To save him from the predicament, I stepped forward and said, "It was indeed a misunderstanding."
Klein's scowl softened into a smile when he noticed me. He even got out of the car and stood before me.
I quickly added, "Things have been a bit sketchy lately, so my folks got a bit oversensitive. They thought I was being tailed. It's my bad. Sorry."
"I see. I should be the one saying sorry. I just wanna ask you a question. It's never my intention to scare you," Klein replied.
Rolf was glancing back and forth between me and Klein, his brows knitted.
Then he piped up, a hesitant look on his face, "You know each other?"
Knowing he must be worrying I was dating Klein, I answered, "We've met twice. That's all."
"She saved my life," Klein chimed in.
Then he turned to me, saying, "Miss, you left in such a rush that I didn't get to ask your name. So, after seeing you getting in the car, I followed you. Sorry for frightening you."
"It's fine. Given the circumstances, anyone would do the same. My name's Tabitha. And same as you, my last name is Hartley too."
Klein's eyes lit up as he exclaimed, "Really? What a nice surprise! I wonder if you..."