Chapter 97

e Chapter 97 Her heart skipped a beat when something hard was pressed into her back. It was the unmistakable barrel of a gun.

“Don’t move,” a deep voice hissed behind her. It was the voice of a man. “You’re going to come with me without making a sound.

Is that clear?”

Thalassa’s heart raced, but she forced herself to remain calm. “And if I don’t?”

The man made a choking sound in his throat, as if he hadn’t expected her to talk back. “Then you won’t see tomorrow. Isn’t that clear enough?”

Oh, it was quite clear, but Thalassa knew she couldn’t panic. She needed to keep her cool.

“You really don’t want to do this,” she said evenly, her voice betraying none of the fear she felt. “Think about what you’re trying to-”

“Shut up,” the man hissed, pushing the gun harder against her spine. “Just move. Right now.”

Thalassa took a slow step forward, her mind whirling. She needed to buy some time, to figure out a way to get out of this. The man’s hand was trembling slightly against her back, and she could feel his erratic breath on her neck.

Suddenly, a voice called out. “Hey! What the fuck? Let her go, now!”

Clark. Relief flooded her, but it was quickly replaced by a fresh wave of anxiety. If they weren’t careful, this could go very badly.

“Stay back!” the masked man shouted, his voice cracking with panic. “Stay back, or I swear I’ll shoot her!”

The gun moved from her spine, the barrel now resting on her temple. Just a pull of the trigger, and she would be dead. Still, Thalassa took a deep breath to calm herself.

Clark tried to step forward, but the man warned again, “I said stay back! Do you want her to die?”

“Clark, listen to him,” Thalassa said calmly. “Just stay back.”

Clark held his hands up cautiously. “Okay, okay. Easy. Look, man, I don’t know what this is about, but whatever you’re after, I can get it for you. Money, right? I can pay you–whatever you want.”

The man’s grip on Thalassa tightened, but he didn’t move. There was a brief silence, and then he laughed–a short, cold sound that sent a shiver down her spine. “What makes you think I want your money?”

Something about the way he said it set off alarms in Thalassa’s mind, making her realize that this wasn’t a random mugging or a kidnapping for ransom like she’d initially assumed. This was something more personal.

Cautiously, she turned her head and realized the man was wearing a black mask that covered his face. Horrifying memories rushed through her mind: lying helplessly on the cold ground of that alley, which reeked so much of piss and other indescribable stenches, as she was pummeled in the abdomen over and over again while she begged for mercy.

The pain from those memories sent adrenaline surging through her veins. Without warning, she spun around, using her elbow to jab the man in the ribs.

His hold on the gun faltered, and she used the opportunity to knock it out of his hand. It hit the ground with a heavy thud, and before the man could react, she grabbed his wrist, twisting it hard.

“Who sent you?” she demanded, her voice cold and steady. The man grunted in pain but didn’t answer.

“Speak!” Thalassa commanded.

1/2 +25 BONUS Chapter 97 She didn’t notice when the man’s free hand darted to his belt, pulling out a knife.

“Thalassa!” Clark shouted, rushing forward.

She glanced at Clark for a split second, and in that moment, the man lunged at her with the blade. But before he could strike, Clark shoved her out of the way, placing himself in the path of the knife.

The sound of the knife piercing through skin echoed through the air before Clark let out a groan of pain.

“Hey, Lassa. Hope you’re good. I called you last night, but you didn’t pick up.”

Thalassa pursed her lips. She’d seen the call, but she hadn’t been in the mood to talk to anyone. Before she could come up with an excuse, Clark spoke again.

“Don’t worry about it. I know you must’ve been busy.”

“Why did you call, Clark?” Thalassa asked calmly.

“I just... I just wanted to see if you were up for getting dinner together after work.”

Thalassa stiffened. She could sense the hope in his voice, and that was something she wanted to prevent from growing any bigger.

“I’m sorry, Clark. But like you said, I’m very busy with everything that has to do with the upcoming fashion awards show.”

“Oh.” Disappointment filled his voice. “No problem, then. Maybe next time?”

“Sure. Goodbye, Clark,” she said noncommittally before hanging up.

“Clark?” Luisa asked, and Thalassa nodded. “He asked you out for dinner, didn’t he? Why didn’t you accept?”

Thalassa raised her brow. “You want me to accept? Didn’t you say last time that he was too straightforward and pushy for your liking?”

Luisa shrugged sheepishly. “I mean, I still think he is. But also realize that spending some time with him always makes you a little less tense and more light–hearted, and we can both agree that you need that right now after how you were unleashing your frustration on the models.”

Thalassa sighed. “It’s just that I don’t want him getting any ideas. You know I don’t plan to ever love again, so I don’t want him getting his hopes up for nothing.”

Luisa rolled her eyes. “You talk as if love is something that is planned and not something that sweeps you off your feet. Besides, it’s just dinner. I don’t think Clark is going to believe you love him simply because of a date.”

Thalassa glared at her. “Gosh, you’re so insistent.”

Luisa chuckled. “That’s why you love me. Now come on and dial his number.”

“Okay, fine.”

Shaking her head, she dialed Clark’s number.

+4 Luisa was right. Spending time with Clark was good for her. He was always actively trying to make her smile, and by the time they finished dinner, she felt a little more light–hearted and less tense, even if it was just for a while.

“And did you see the way that guy stuffed his face with the steak? I bet he has never had anything so good,” Clark said after they’d walked out of the restaurant, earning a chuckle from Thalassa.

When they arrived, the restaurant had been so full that all the parking spaces close to it had been occupied. He’d had to park his car quite some distance away, which was where they were walking to.

When they finally got to his car, she thought he was going to open it, but he stopped with an “oh shit” look on his face.

“What’s the matter?” she inquired.

2/3 +25 BONUS Chapter 97 Chapter 97