“Here you go.” Anya smiled as she handed a box of cupcakes to her customer. The customer gave her thanks and accepted the package.
Anya watched the person walk out of her shop quietly.
She just recently opened this shop close to her apartment. When she met Alex that day, he helped her find a suitable place to open up her bake shop. He even offered nicer and elegant place, but Anya insisted only in a simple shop. Alex offered to help buy the place, but Anya insisted to use her own money.
She vowed to stand up for herself and she can’t just accept Alex’s money.
So in the end, she ended up here and paid it with her own money. It was just a small space, but it was clean and cozy. It was just perfect for her.
The business was doing good, and she felt happy baking and serving customers. But when it becomes quiet like now, Anya can’t help but be melancholic.
She was alone in this foreign place, with her loved ones no where near. Even though she was contented with the simple and quiet life, there are still times when she felt sad and empty like she does now.
There was ring from the door, and indication someone came in. she raised her head and was about to greet a customer, when she stopped and smiled.
“Hey,” She greeted casually at Alex who was striding towards her.
The moment Alex walked in, he already saw her downcast expression. Seeing her trying to smile and greet him cheerfully, he was worried.
“How’s everything going? Are you having a hard time?” He asked gently as he surveyed the place.
Anya felt thankful for Alex’s concern. Since the day she opened her shop, Alex always visited to check up on her. And also, buy her pastries.
She smiled softly.
“Everything’s doing great actually. It has been smooth so far.” She answered contentedly.
Alex studied Anya’s face and sighed. He sat in front of the counter and pointed at his favorite pie.
“I’ll have 5 of these again.” He ordered.
Anya glanced at it and thought maybe he really liked pie. She moved to cater for his order. Alex sat quietly and watched Anya busied herself. He loved her pastries, and it was truly delicious. He sincerely hoped she’d do well.
He suddenly remembered the message he just checked yesterday. It was from Damon who was looking for Anya’s whereabouts.
Alex knew he needed to tell his friend, but his heart doesn’t want to. His mind also justifies his actions that Anya is better this way.
She’s away from his dark and complicated world. Away from people who might hurt and take advantage of her.
Alex clenched his hands. Yes, all he does is for Anya’s sake. “Alex?”
Alex was suddenly pulled out from his daze and looked up. He saw Anya eyeing him questioningly.
He looked in front and his order was already done. He cleared his throat and thanked Anya. “Are you really fine here?” He asked again as he stood up.
Anya appreciates his concern and smiled at him assuringly. “Yes. Thank you,”
“If you need anything, you can call me.” Alex added and got ready to leave. Anya saw him out in the door and waved for him.
Alex walked towards his car and looked back at Anya’s shop. He saw her going inside and he turned his eyes in the side of the road, where he saw quite familiar people.
He went to them with a cold face and called out. “Sir Alex!” They saluted.
They were Damon’s men.
Alex’s lips pursed as he hardened his heart.
“You’re here to find Anya right. I have leads in another city, I’ll send you some infos.” He said he dialed his secretary to handle them.
‘I’m sorry, Man. I won’t let you take her now, not when she’s just about to get her life together.”
.
.
“Damn it!” Veronica cursed as she angrily threw the things on her desk in the ground. She gritted her teeth as she fumingly thought of Anya.
“That horrid woman! Even though she’s gone, she still keeps pestering everyone!” She hatefully exclaimed.
When Damon attacked her Ambrosia company, she was very dissatisfied. She thought she had gotten rid of that wench, but she can still cause her trouble!
What a pest!
“Ms. Veronica,” Veronica’s assistant went in of her study and was frozen when she saw the state of the room.
“What?!” Veronica asked irritatedly.
The assistant shook in trepidation as she handed the reports in her hands while trembling.
“This, this is the report you ordered.” She answered meekly.
When Veronica heard this, her eyes glinted at the documents and she immediately grabbed them.
She asked for Anya to be investigated out of anger. She wanted to know what that slut was doing now.
When she read the contents, her eyes squinted.
“Oh, you’re doing quite well huh?” Veronica noted as she twirled her swivel chair. Evilness flashed on her eyes as she smiled menacingly.
‘I won’t let you.’
.
.
That night, Anya was closing her shop.
She was fixing the chairs and tables inside her shop when a sudden burst of open sounded from the door.
She saw a bunch of big and burly men came in, and from their face, she knew they were up to no good.
“What are you doing?” Anya’s heart clenched as her heart started to drum in fear. She stepped back as she saw the scary face of the men approaching her.
“Well, Miss, we are just collecting debt from our client.” The man in front with a huge scar and red eyes told her, as he went closer with a disgusting expression in his face.
“What do you mean? What debt?” Anya exclaimed as she hit a table from stepping back.
The man smiled evilly as he ran his gaze on Anya’s body with a lustful look. He licked his lips as he responded to her with frightening voice.
“You’ll know soon. In hell.” He laughed as he shouted to his men to begin.
Anya screamed as she was grabbed by two men in her arm. She was pushed to the ground by another and she could also feel someone holding her legs still.
“Stop!! Let go of me!!” She screamed so hard as a man crushed on top of her and aggressively grabbed her.
She resisted so hard but the men were strong and they got a tight grip on her. She screamed at the top of her lungs but a hand muffled her voice.
Tears fell down her eyes as she prayed intently. Please!
Someone save me!
And when she thought she would die and her life was over, a sudden gunshot sounded. “Anya!” A man’s voice passed by Anya’s ear.
Men in black grabbed the hooligans trying to rape Anya and also all the men who were currently wrecking her shop.
Anya’s state was a mess as tried to open her blurry eyes.
“Anya,” A man immediately took her in his arms and lifted her to sit up. Anya blinked her tears and her vision gradually became clear.
“Alex..” She whispered as she recognized the man. Alex sighed in relief as he saw he was not too late.
With danger and anger in his eyes, he turned towards the hooligans who was currently being held by his men.
“Take them to the police!” He growled in rage. He knew his men and knew they beat the hell out of these disgusting men before subduing them. And looking at the dire state of the attackers, Alex still doesn’t plan to let go of them. They would receive what they deserve under the law.
His eyes were dark as he ordered his men to take them away. After that, he then turned to Anya and held her shoulders.
“Are you okay?” He asked worried. He surveyed Anya’s body and saw she was not hurt, and her clothes still intact. He was just in time before anything happened.
If he was just a minute late, who knew what would happen to Anya. His heart clenched in pain as she looked in Anya’ eyes.
“Anya are you okay?” He asked again.
Anya felt her world turn to ashes once again. She blanked from all that what happened and it was just now that Alex’s words went to her ears.
She braced herself to stay sober as she nodded her head. She just got back to her senses and looked around. The scary men were gone now, but the place was in devastation.
Her heart sank as he questioned the world again. Why was this happening to her? Why does she need to go through this?
Anya burst into tears as she finally broke down. She watched everything flashed before her eyes.
Her life, herself, her dreams.. Everything was in ruins.