"What do you think you are doing?" A loud voice suddenly called out, interrupting the tense moment.
Nathan sucked in a breath as he saw that it was Scarlett.
She was just walking out from the library's back entrance.
"No, no. Look the other way and just run. Don't interfere!" Nathan muttered under his breath.
But Scarlett didn't run. She walked straight towards the group, her steps confident despite the dangerous situation.
The men laughed. The one with the gun turned slightly, still keeping the weapon aimed at Nathan.
"Look what we have here. A little library girl wants to play hero?" The gunman taunted.
His companions chuckled, spreading out to block Scarlett's path. Their movements were calculated, meant to intimidate.
"I'm giving you one chance. Walk away." Scarlett said coolly. Her voice didn't waver.
More laughter erupted at her submission. The men clearly didn't see her as a threat.
"No, Scarlett. Just walk away. This can't be taken care of with one of your witty insult or sarcasm." Nathan shouted at her and the man pressed the gun tighter at his temple.
"Well, I would be glad to show you the tough stuff I am made of." Scarlett stated more to herself and let out a dry chuckle.
Before anyone could react, she moved. Her hand struck the gunman's wrist with a precision that suggested years of practice. The weapon fell to the ground, sliding across the cold concrete.
"What the f-" The man hadn't been able to process what was happening before Scarlett used a quick sweep of her leg to have him down on the ground.
In an instant, her elbow found the solar plexus of the second attacker, and she drove the air from his lungs, making him land on the ground, gasping for air.
"What the hell?" The third man hesitated, shock replacing his earlier confidence.
"Who are you?" He managed to ask.
"Someone you don't want to meet again." Scarlett replied coldly.
Nathan stood frozen, watching in complete disbelief, his jaw was almost touching the ground.
"No, that wasn't some movie-style fight. That was calculated, efficient self-defense... " Nathan mumbled to himself, in awe as he observed Scarlett's movement.
The third man looked at his colleagues on the ground, nursing their wounds, then at Scarlett. The fight had gone out of him and he looked scared to death.
"Anyone else?" Scarlett asked, her voice calm but dangerous. It wasn't a question. It was a challenge.
The third man shook his head and quickly went to help his colleagues get on their feet and they ran away just like that.
And for a split second, Nathan just stared at her, his mouth slightly open, not knowing what to say to her.
"Thank you. Really." He finally said after finding his voice.
"It's not a problem." Scarlett shrugged, brushing her sleeve as if it had dust. Her movements were casual, as if she hadn't just taken down three potential attackers.
"How... how did you do that?" Nathan couldn't help his curiosity.
"Not everyone gets protection handed to them on a platter of gold- I don't get to have bodyguards hovering around me like a princess." She replied him, flatly.
I'm not—" Nathan started to protest.
"A prince? Sure. Keep telling yourself that." She cut him off smoothly, a playful smirk dancing on her lips.
Nathan couldn't help but laugh.
"I'm serious. Where did you learn to do that?" He pressed on.
"Life teaches you things when you are not born with a trust fund." Scarlett replied flatly. But there was no real malice in her words, just a hint of practiced sarcasm.
Then she started walking away, and Nathan quickly followed.
"At least let me give you a ride. It's dark." He offered.
"No, I'm good," Scarlett said.
"Please?" Nathan insisted.
After a moment's hesitation, she nodded.
"Fine. But try anything funny or funky, and you will be worse off than those guys." She said threateningly but the small smile on her face said otherwise.
Nathan chuckled.
"I am a gentleman." He said as he opened the passenger's door for her.
"Wait, your tire is flat!" Scarlett said as she saw the back tire.
"Right!" Nathan remembered and huffed in exasperation.
Seeing how disturbed he looked, Scarlett heaved a sigh then spoke up.
"Do you have another tire in the boot? I can check it." She said and again, Nathan was in awe of what she could do.
~~~~~~~~~~
A few minutes later, a new tire had replaced the flat one and they got into the car.
"So, you do this often? Rescue random strangers?" Nathan began as he started the engine.
"Only the really helpless ones." Scarlett shot back.
Nathan chuckled. And like that, their banter continued, accompanied by shared laughter.
The chemistry between them was undeniable - sharp words masking a growing connection.
After a moment of laughter, Nathan's phone rang. It was his father.
"Dinner. Tomorrow. Be there." Richard West's commanding voice said immediately Nathan accepted the call.
Nathan growled inwardly.
"Dad, I don't think I can't..." He responded, hoping he would have his way even though that hardly worked with his father.
"Not when he would be coming!" Richard's tone was sharp, decisive.
"Who is 'he'?" Nathan asked, a hint of frustration creeping into his voice.
"You will find out when you get here." Richard stated firmly, his tone leaving no room for further argument then hung up.
After dropping his phone, Nathan's mood shifted. The playful moment with Scarlett evaporated and was replaced by a tension she could immediately sense.
"I can get out here. My place is close anyway." Scarlett said sharply.
"No, It is too dark. I need to ensure you get home safely. That is how much of a gentleman I am." He told him, trying to bring back the playful moment and Scarlett decided to play along.
"It's like the definition of gentleman in your expensive dictionary is different from mine..." She retorted with a raised eyebrow and Nathan laughed.
However, the moment was interrupted again when Nathan's phone buzzed again with an incoming text message.
The words made his jaw clench:
"If you know what is better for you, you will reply to my messages." It was from an unknown number who had been sending cryptic messages to him.
Nathan gritted his teeth, a mix of anger and something else -fear and frustration - flashing in his eyes.