Karin Papadopoulos' POV
"No, please stop. Just take my money," I said as I was sobbing when two thugs were holding me down. My handbag was being snatched at they were taking everything. I did not know what was going on but I wanted to get away from here.
Somebody help me!I prayed to God that I will not be one of the rape victims. I was a virgin and I think they might have more satisfaction of ripping me of my virtue. I sobbed before someone was saying with a menacing voice.
"I suggest you step away from the lady before I broke your bones,"
I turned to look at the thugs as they were focusing at the end of the alley. I turned to look at the passerby before I saw that familiar grey eyes.
Pascal.
I was sobbing now as my eyes were wet with tears. I don't know what will happen if he did not come in time. Maybe these thugs would have their ways with me by then. As if he was reading my mind, he looked at me and I saw the storm inside his eyes.
He snapped at the thugs before he went to attack them.
It was a blur when I was looking at him, moving like a panther in the dark. He was slick and move with precision. I envied him as he could take 5 thugs without any trouble. The thugs that held me went to attack him as I was sliding down the wall.
I was sobbing before the body of the last thug dropped to the floor. Pascal took my handbag before he headed toward me. I was looking at him before he scooped in front of me as he was handing me my handbag.
"Are you alright, miss?" He asked as I was nodding. I sighed inwardly when he did not recognize me from the restaurant and right now. I sniffed before I was looking at the handbag. Most of my things were inside here. My phone, keys, purse. I looked at my purse, all was in there except for my money.
"Can you stand?" He asked me as I was nodding at him. He helped me up as he grabbed my arms and pulled me up. The electric was running inside my veins at his touch. I don't know if he felt the same as me but if he did, he did not show it.
"Do you need a ride home?" Pascal asked me as I shook my head.
"My apartment was around the corner there," I said as I was pointing at the end of the block. He nodded.
"Let's get you home," he said as he was taking me in his arms. I shivered as I was looking ahead. I don't think that he would walk me up until the front of my door but Pascal did. I don't know how to thank him but I said thank you before I unlocked the door.
"I cannot thank you enough, sir,"
"How rude of me. I'm sorry. I'm sure you don't know me. I'm…"
"Pascal Vouivre," I said quietly before I turned to look at him. He was surprised to hear it.
"You used to live in Paphos," I added as he was smiling at me.
"And how do you know that?" He asked me. I smiled weakly as I know that he did not know me.
"The only person that knows that was my neighbors. Mr. Papadopoulos and his daughters, Karisa and…" he said as he was looking at me with his intense gaze.
"And?" I pried as I wanted to know if he remembered me.
"Karin," he said my name like it has been practiced so many times. I gulped before I was looking at something else.
"And since you are not a male and Karisa was in Paphos the last time I heard," he said as he was looking at me, "then, I guess you are Karin, correct?" He asked as he was looking at me. I was staring at him before I was nodding at him.
"That you are correct, sir,'' I said before he chuckled lowly.
"Come on, Karin. We're used to be neighbors. I think you can call me Pascal," he said casually before I blushed.
"Okay, then Pascal. Thank you again for your help," I said as I was about to get inside the house before he stopped me.
"Can I see you tomorrow?" He asked me before I was looking at his hand on my wrist. He released it.
"It's just…i have been away for so long that I don't know anyone else around here. Would you be willing to show me around town?" He asked as I was looking at him. I bit my lips and despite my urge to say no, I said yes to him.
"Sure, I think you would love Farmer's market tomorrow," I said as I was looking at Pascal. He arched his eyebrows at me.
"Farmer's market?"
"What? You don't know what it was?" I asked him as I felt confident to banter with him after what just happened between us. He did remember me and saved me from street thugs. Maybe I should learn how to defend myself.
"No, I was just shocked to hear it. But I would love to go there with you," Pascal said as I was back in the moment now with him standing in front of me.
"Great, I see you tomorrow then," I said as I was smiling at him.
"It's a date," he said before he stepped away from my front door. I blushed when I registered what he just said.
'It's a date,' I mused as I was smiling like an idiot as I went to bed and showered before I sleep. I cannot wait for tomorrow.
The next morning, I was waking up at 7 AM. The market will be up and running at 8 AM. So, I hopped into the shower and put on some clean clothes. I was happy to know that I will be spending my morning with Pascal, the boy that I have been eyeing since I was a teenager. I was giddy that I texted my best friend that I will be going to the market.
Dana replied that she will be waiting for me to show at her stall as I was getting my handbag and I was out of the door. I locked my apartment before a whiff of smoke and spice hit me. I know that Pascal was here and he was waiting for me.
I turned to look at him as he was putting on his sunglasses early in the morning. The sun was harsh even though in the morning as I was walking toward him.
"Have you been waiting long?" I asked him as he smirked at me. I think my panties just got wet by that smirk alone but I was controlling my urge to fall to my knees right in front of Pascal.
"No, I have just arrived. I hope you don't mind if we drive there?" He asked me as he was pointing at the sleek car that was parked at the sidewalk. I smiled at him.
"I thought walking would be nice but if you want to drive…"
"I would love to have a morning walk with you as well," Pascal said as I was smiling at him. I took his hand on instinct and we were walking down the pavement as we were walking side by side. I did not release my hand on his hand as Pascal never pulled out of my touch. I smiled.
I think I liked this setting between us as we were walking in silence. The breeze was nice and the sight of the Farmer's market was chaos as I was smiling and looked at Pascal. His eyes were hidden so I don't know what he was thinking.
"Welcome to Farmer's market in Cyprus," I said as I was pulling him to join in the festivity.