Lily was humming as she practically skipped to the bus stop. She turned to face the building as she reached it, only to see that Zero hadn't moved from the spot she had left him. She tilted her head in wonderment, then waved enthusiastically at him.
That seemed to snap Zero out of whatever deep thought he had been in, as he then gave a small smile and nodded, before turning and heading back into the building.
Lily just grinned and hugged herself, feeling so happy. She was really glad she came. Tomorrow seems so far away!
Lily didn't have to wait long for her bus and she got on, choosing the seat that was nearer the driver. The bus was practically empty, save for some people at the back and some in the middle.
The ones at the back seemed a bit rowdy, so it was better to stay in front and away from them.
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"Boss, what are you looking at?"
The youth peered towards the direction his boss was staring at.
"Pah, Boss, it can't be that girl now, can it?" the youth scoffed, "I can get you better women."
The man whom the youth called 'Boss' leaned back on the chair, putting his leg up on the seat as he took a long drag of his cigarette, "What do you know?"
"There are two types of women in this world," he said, "The easy ones, and the ones who play hard to get."
"And the ones who play hard to get … is the most fun to get," he said with a grin, causing the scar that ran across his cheek to stretch.
"Let's see where this little lamb is going, shall we?"
"But Boss, aren't we supposed to start collecting protection money today?" one brave soul ventured to say, "Big Boss said …"
"One day isn't going to do much, you know," the youth with the scary scar replied, "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, don't you know?"
"But Boss … your name is not Jack," the confused youth replied, "It's Scar Face."
Scar Face looked at the youth, shook his head, and wondered whether the men he got just fried their brains from too much alcohol and pot. He didn't answer anymore, deeming his brain cells would deteriorate further by doing so.
Thus, he continued staring at the young girl's back.
This was going to be fun, he thought.
When he saw her enter the bus, her bright face immediately attracted him. She looked so happy, and innocent.
It would be so much fun to break that.
He grinned to himself.
Those who play 'hard-to-get' all resisted at first. That was part of the fun.
He wondered how long she would hold on, too.
However, the longer he observed her, the more he felt the game wasn't worth it.
He'll just use the 'hard' tactic: be his woman, or suffer.
For some reason, he didn't feel like playing this time.
Perhaps it's because she looked like it would take a long time to get her. Or, perhaps it's because he was feeling an itch that wouldn't go away; an itch that felt it had to be scratched soon.
The men around him were laughing loudly, talking nonsense, and dreaming about the future after making it big. If they handled this matter successfully, there was a likelihood of getting into the Big Boss's good books.
That, in turn, would be a chance to go up.
From street thugs, to gang members.
The lowest gang member was still better than being a lost street thug.
They were now a little bit higher up the ladder for they were doing something for the Big Boss. Not just being some runner or punching bag.
Thus, it was no small wonder that they were excited.
Scar Face's eyebrows shot up when the lady got ready to get down in the area he and his men were heading towards. Did she live here?
He got up and exited the bus at the same time as she did, followed by the noisy men.
He could tell by the way she quickened her steps that she was wary of them.
He grinned.
Good.
Fear is a good thing to feel.
Thus, he didn't tell the guys to quieten down as they continued walking steadily behind her. Not too close, yet not too far either.
Enough for her to know that they were still there.
When she quickened her steps, so did they.
Scar Face thought this was a good day indeed.
Lily, who was walking in front, was breaking out in a cold sweat.
She had already noticed the rough men at the back of the bus earlier, but did not expect them to have gotten down at the same stop as she did.
Worse, they were behind her!
Were they following her?
She was getting to be so scared.
With shaking hands, she reached into her bag for her phone.
When she touched it, she bit her lower lip in nervousness. Her cafe was nearby, so she should be safe once she enters it, right? Although her home was nearer, that was not a good place to go to as it would let them know where she lived.
But was the cafe any better?
Lily couldn't think of anywhere else and at least, at the cafe, there would be people. She could even lock up early! Being the owner meant she had a lot of leeway in that.
Lily quickend her pace, and took a quick peek back.
They were still there, and the scary-looking man was staring at her.
She shuddered and gripped her phone that was still in the bag.
It gave her a sense of security, even though she knew that it was useless to call anyone. No one would be able to reach her faster than the guys behind her.
Thinking of this, Lily decided to take out her phone after all. It was ridiculous to be walking about with her hand inside the bag.
Just as she did, however, she felt her wrist being grabbed in a vice grip. The pain caused her to let go of the phone, making it drop to the ground as she gasped in pain.
"Now now," came the guttural voice of the scary-looking man, "You won't be needing that now."
"Let me go!" Lily shouted, trying to get free but to no avail.
"Sure," the guy replied, "After you keep us company for the night."
He shrugged, looking at Lily with interest, "Or several nights."
Now that he had a good look at her, she really wasn't bad.
The itch just got harder.