Chapter 7
“No, you have to marry me and stay in Los Angeles,”
Jonathan was not buying it. Just as he reached for her again, Christina suddenly stepped in and tugged Marissa to her feet.
“Ms. Monroe, I heard you used to model. I’ve always wanted to see it in person. Why don’t you walk for me?”
Marissa shook her head. “I’m not feeling well, so I’d rather not.”
However. Christina would not let up. “Oh, come on, Ms. Monroe, just one walk. I’m trying to learn. I’ll walk with you, okay?”
Jonathan sat on the sofa, tapping his fingers impatiently. He did not like this at all.
He had not even gotten a clear answer from Marissa, and now Christina was dragging her away.
The others chimed in, playing along. “Yeah, Jonny, we’ve never seen your girl walk. We bet she’s amazing.”
Just then, one of the guys leaned down and whispered something to Jonathan.
He shut his eyes for a moment, clearly irritated, then finally nodded.
Christina grinned and pulled Marissa out to the hallway. With every step, Marissa’s unease grew.
Maybe if she just walked once and left, she could avoid whatever trap
this was.
However, as soon as Christina stepped out of the room, she staggered. and dropped to the floor with a dramatic thud.
She kicked off her heels, hugging her ankle and whimpering, “Jonathan, my foot is swollen! Please take me to the hospital.”
Jonathan rubbed his temple, looking visibly frustrated. At the same time, Christina clung to his pant leg like a child.
“We’re practically engaged. Just take me to the hospital, okay?”
Reluctantly, Jonathan helped her up, then turned to Marissa, taking her hand gently.
“Mari, I’ll take her to the hospital first. Wait for me, okay?
“If you’d rather go home, that’s fine too. The driver’s outside.”
Marissa nodded, but the moment they left, her anxiety surged.
After Jonathan took Christina away, Marissa decided she should leave too, but just as she was about to walk out, Jonathan’s friends stepped in, blocking the hallway.
A whole line of them stood there, forming a wall she could not get past, so she had no choice but to turn back into the private room.
She had only been drinking juice earlier as she was still recovering from her injuries. However, now that Jonathan was gone, they started pushing her to drink alcohol.
She tried to say no, but their tone grew more forceful, and glass after glass was pressed into her hands.
By the time they finally stood up and said, “Marissa, we’ve got something to take care of.”
One by one, they left. Eventually, she was the only one sitting there in the dimly lit room.
The spinning in her head did not stop her from recognizing the danger of staying any longer.
Clutching her bag, she made her way to the door and opened it–only to freeze.
Standing outside were not Jonathan’s friends, but a few rough–looking strangers she had never seen before–grimy, unkempt men with eyes that made her stomach turn.
They grabbed her before she could react, dragging her back inside and shoving her down on the couch.
“Hah, what a pretty girl. Let’s all have some fun tonight,” one of them sneered.
Marissa thrashed and kicked, but she was no match for even one of them, let alone three.
“Don’t touch me! Get lost!” She cried, her voice getting fainter by the second. At the same time, her tears were drying out as well.
They tugged at her clothes, tearing through the fabric and exposing her
bare skin.
She shut her eyes, shaking, bile rising in her throat from the stench and Tear.
“Please just let me go…
ד – 1
| BSJ0] 10u lowes
“Is anyone out there? Help me!”
Just as it seemed like all hope was gone, a loud bang echoed through the room, and the door slammed open.
Jonathan stormed into the room; his eyes were bloodshot with rage. Without a second thought, he grabbed a wine bottle from the table and smashed it against the head of one of the men.
Blood spilled instantly. “Came alone, did you?” he growled.
The men sneered at first, thinking they could easily overpower him.
However, within minutes, they were all writhing on the floor, groaning in pain.
Marissa sat curled up on the sofa, arms wrapped tightly around herself. while watching the scene unfold in a daze. She watched as Jonathan fought them off, and one by one, they collapsed.
“No… Go away…” She woke with a jolt, gasping, tears trailing down. both cheeks.
For a moment, she did not know where she was until she realized she was in her own bedroom. The men were gone. It had been a nightmare.
As she steadied her breathing, she heard a noise from outside the door -muffled yelling, unmistakably pained.
Marissa got out of bed, her legs still unsteady, and crept toward the door. She hesitated, then slowly pushed the handle down.
Peeking through the narrow crack, she saw Jonathan sitting on the sofa. His foot was on someone’s right hand as he fiddled with a knife in
his hand.
Chan
to des
His expression was cold, eyes full of lethal intent. “So, was it this hand
low and full of venom. that touched her?” he asked, voice
As he said that, he stomped hard on the man’s hand.
The man screeched in agony, his other hand dragging deep scratches into the wooden floor.
Jonathan chuckled darkly. “Silent now? That means you’re admitting it.”
Then, without warning, Jonathan drove the blade straight through the back of the man’s hand.
