"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING TO MY DAUGHTER YOU BASTARD?!" Lorraine left all her belongings at the door and rushed to Anton, who was about to grab Helle. Though he paid no heed to her, Lorraine grabbed the nearest chair and threw it his way. Seeing what Lorraine was about to do, Helle ran towards the nearest table, clearing the way.
The chair landed on his calves, stopping him midway. The sturdy wood crashed to the flesh, and the nails from the broken chair made Anton groan in immense pain. The man fell back, covered in blood and an internal wound, and continued to whine.
Lorraine was quick to call the ambulance, and they rushed him out while a few men of the silvian's gave death glares to both women. No police were called, and Helle's testament was not required. The entire situation had ended too soon; it was over too quickly without even giving justice.
"Mum! Mom," Helle called in relief. At the hardest times, despite the strained bond, all she could remember was her mother; her only family.
The adrenaline rush was high. Her eyes were puffy, and her breathing heaved. Tears glistened inside her iris, and her back hunched. A sense of relief drew within her. She could barely believe she had survived that feral man. Although Anton wasn't tall or very strong, her strength against him was unbelievably different.
"Helle." Lorraine rushed towards her daughter. Placing the hand on top of her hair, Lorraine pressed her hand on Helle's cheeks. Then onwards, her hands were vividly placed on each part of her body.
"Ho- no. Why? How did it all happen?" It was a meek cry. Never in her entire life had Helle seen her mother so down.
"I... I can't do this anymore," Helle whispered. "I was just showing a male guest around the town, but he... saw us and started this once I returned home." She bit her lips. Eyes cast on the ground. With no words to comfort her daughter, Lorraine simply hugged her daughter. Her warm hands pressed to give the warmth.
The relationship between a mother and daughter was strange. Sometimes, it was filled with fits and anger. Sharp words were thrown around. The unspoken words and the awkward silence. A relationship that would have broken had it been any other kind, but it was all about understanding. Compromising. Knowing that you deserve the apology, and so do they.
~
At the crack of dawn, Helle was wide awake in her bed. Contemplating her life. As a teenager, she had always dreamt of getting out of this small town. It never catered to her dreams. But as she had grown older, there was one thing that held her back. Her mother. She had given her youth to taking care of a young child, and now that their relatives tried to take the only fortune they had, Lorraine, her mother, had been fighting in court for a long time.
'But is it truly holding me back?' Helle had no answer to herself. Or maybe she did. But holding her mother accountable for her decisions was eating out her heart.
'It's time I changed myself. What if this incident happens over and over?'
~
"Helle, you don't need to be at the restaurant today. Go rest. I shall be o-"""
"No need. You should go to the court, Mom. It's not like I am sick anyway."" Helle assured her mother while walking down to the counter and opening the main door. Although hesitant, Lorraine knew Helle wasn't a 9-year-old now. With her head held high, the mother left the house in the hopes that she would save the only fortune she possessed.
Wearing a long midi skirt and a simple plain teal tee, Helle opened the windows too, so the woods would bask in the morning sun.
She knitted the dough and let it rise while cleaning the tables and floors. At last, shaping the dough and placing it in the loaf, she placed them in the firewood oven, and a fragrant aroma of bread spread around the shop.
It was a few minutes past eight a.m. when the door hit the bell at the top. The young woman rushed to the counter while still in her apron. Before she was her only regular guest who dressed the most casually compared to his other visits.
A gray tee that hugged his biceps and black pants with a belt. His hair was still wet, and a pair of rectangular glasses sat on his tall nose bridge.
"Good morning," Helle greeted as Orion Lennox entered the restaurant.
"Good morning."
"Would you like to have some bread?" Her lips curled up, remembering his previous reaction to the menu.
'eh?' Orion had his brows slightly shaken. There was a chair missing from one of the tables; likewise, the freshly made bread's aroma hit his nostrils.
"Sure. Toasted bread and a shepherd's pie," he ordered. Orion had tired eyes. Frenzy hair, and he didn't even wear his usual cologne.
Quick with the service, Helle served the food on pretty plates, and the length of her shirt slightly pulled up, casing the red mark on her wrist. Orion peeped at the mark, his lips set into a thin line.
"Was this caused by the man yesterday?" He interrogated. The rumours on the street were loud enough for him to not be able to clear them like white noise. It was not the spirited voice but the darker side of him.
"I would like to not answer." Helle looked away while cursing herself for not being careful.
"Even if I said that I could take you out of here?" He pressed her more. But this time with a bribe.
"Why should I believe you?" It was suspicious. Why would a man who had come to the town for some unknown reason say that?
"Well, I would like to know everything that happened. In exchange, I will brighten you out of this town at least."
"That's not reassuring," she almost immediately answered. While her guard remained taller than the highest mountain.
"Then how about I give you a contract?" If you sign it, you become engaged to me. Live in a big city, and your mother also escapes this town. It's a win-win for both of us."
"What do you take me for? I am not a whore."
"... I said engaged. We won't have any sexual relationships."
"...."
"It's beneficial to me, but why would you go so far? What would you gain? Also, why should I believe you? We barely know each other. What if you sold me to some brothel, or worse, you sold all my organs?"
"Benefits of engagement. I am not obliged to tell. And if I do not seem trustworthy, then just search my name online."
There was a brief moment of silence. She searched the man's name online even if it meant her savings would be used up. But why not right? She had to be safe, but Helle was unprepared for what she would see.
'Orion Lennox is the leader and pioneer of the leading global corporations. His companies include famous wine and whiskey brands, several chain hotels, steal companies, confectionaries, and manufacturers of several cosmetics.'
"I hope you will bring me a contract tomorrow then. I would like to take myself and my family out of here," she mumbled, trying not to be worried by the information.
The man simply had a smug curve on his lips while taking a bite of the soft bread.