"Hey, baby," the same weird man from earlier said, swaggering toward her. Hina stood behind the counter, eyes on the register, acting like he wasn't breathing the same air.
"Woman, I'm talking to you," he growled when she didn't respond.
He reached out again, fingers creeping toward her.
Hina snapped.
"If those creepy hands touch me again," she said, voice low and lethal, "I will walk inside, grab a knife, and cut them off. You clearly lack brain cells — you don't know when someone doesn't want you. Get the fuck out of my face, you moron."
"You dare talk to me like that?" he barked, stepping closer. "You dare talk to me like that?"
Her eyes swept over the crowd gathered along the roadside. Then she spotted him—a tall guy in a hoodie, smoking a cigarette, staring right at her. She signaled for him to come over, not expecting him to actually approach… but he did.
"I'm being harassed by this man over here," Hina said immediately, jerking her thumb at the creepy weirdo. "Could you take him out of here? Make sure u kick his ass? He's been bothering me nonstop."
The hooded man smirked.
"And what's in it for me?"
"Just do what I said first," Hina replied sharply. "Get this weirdo out of here, then come back for your deal."
"If you dare touch me, I'll punch you in the guts!" the weirdo snapped.
In one swift move, the hooded man lifted him off the ground like he weighed nothing.
"Beat him purple and pink!" Hina yelled.
Stupid idiot, she thought.
"And after you finish beating him, bring him back here. I have something for him—useless goat," Hina said coldly.
The hooded man chuckled as he dragged the creep away.
"Don't you dare! I'll deal with both of you fuckers!" the creepy man yelled as he was pulled off...
***
Soon, the hooded man returned, dragging the creep behind him who now has bruises from the beating and blood from his lips,. The hooded man removed his hoodie, revealing a handsome stranger—green eyes, jet-black hair, fair skin, and a strong jawline. Hina barely spared a glance.
"Bring him here," she commanded.
"I'll deal with you," the creep spat defiantly.
"Oh, you still have a mouth to talk?" Hina said, unimpressed. "Take him back and finish him. Never mind… this should be the very last time you bother any lady. Next time I catch you trying this nonsense, it won't be one guy—it'll be two. Two hefty men. Moron. Honestly, you deserve to be used as a footmat for customers, but I'll let you go… for now."
" Get this thing out of here " she spat in disgust
***
"Hina, it's getting late. Let's go," she heard, turning to see Henry and Zarina walking in, hand in hand.
"Oh, you two done?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah… hmm, alright," she said, glancing between them.
"So, where's the goods?" Zarina asked.
"Oh! I almost forgot. Let me bring it," Hina replied.
"Let me quickly hail a cab," she added, walking off toward the street.
---
Meanwhile, Rockcell—aka the hooded man—stood in the shadows, watching her with quiet amusement. In his twenty-five years of existence, and his ten years of boxing in the rings, no woman had ever asked him to beat someone up for her.
Especially with such a badass attitude, from someone with such a small frame. He took a slow drag from his cigarette, the smoke curling in the dim light, his curiosity piqued.
***
" "Woah, I can't wait to eat all this, Hina!" Zarina giggled happily as she eyed the cake and fruits.
"Let me help you guys carry it," Henry said, lifting some of the boxes while Zarina already had her hand in the cake.
"At least wait until u get home," Henry protested.
"No!" Zarina replied instantly, and Hina joined her aswell, dipping her hand in to grab a piece.
They climbed into the car, and Henry instructed the driver, "Drive them safely. These are my queens."
Both girls giggled at the comment.
After the adrenaline faded, Hina glanced at her phone, realizing how late it had gotten. "Woah… 8:30. Do you think Lucas has locked the gate?"
"I don't know… hopefully not," Zarina replied.
"Don't you have his number?" Zarina asked again.
"Oh… that's true," Hina said... .
****
When they got down from the cab, luck was on their side Lucas was still outside, listening to his radio. He noticed them and quickly pulled the gate open.
"You girls are back late," he said, eyeing the boxes they struggled to carry. "Need a hand?"
"No, thanks, Lucas," Hina replied. "Can we leave this one here for now? We'll come back for it later."
Lucas raised an eyebrow, grinning. "Later? They look too good to wait. If u don't, I might just take them to my girlfriend as a present."
Both girls shook their heads, laughing at his ridiculousness.
"After we drop these, we'll be quick, promise," Hina said, steadying the boxes as Zarina nodded beside her...
In Zari's and Hina's room
"Finally!" Hina exclaimed, flopping onto the bed.
"Huh huh, don't forget—there's still more outside we haven't brought in. So don't just lay there," Zari said, arranging some of the presents in their king-size locker.
"I'm so tired… really, I am," Hina whined.
"Lazy ass, lazy ass! Get up, lazy ass, lazy ass, lazy ass—get up!" Zarina sang, clapping her hands enthusiastically.
"Oh gosh, stop already!" Hina groaned, covering her ears. Hands weren't enough, so she shoved the pillow over her head.
But it didn't end there.
Soon, Zarina leapt onto the bed, bouncing and singing, "Lazy ass, lazy ass! Get up, lazy ass, lazy ass, lazy ass—get up!"
"Bitch, get your lazy ass up!" she shouted, shaking Hina.
"Fine, fine! I'm up, I win," Hina said, raising her hands in mock surrender.
"Very good!" Zari said, hopping off the bed and grabbing Hina's arms.
Just as they were about to open the door, face to face, they froze—Olivia magita Kent's angry glare was right there.