3. I Can Walk on My Own...

Karen Taylor packed her suitcases and checked the room one last time to make sure she hadn’t forgotten anything. The apartment had been fully furnished when she moved in, and now, everything she owned fit into just two suitcases. After half a year of living with Ryan Caldwell, she was ready to move out and return to her hometown to start over.

Her education wasn’t particularly high, and the jobs she found didn’t pay much, making life in the big city difficult. If it hadn’t been for the property compensation, she might not have even had enough to eat. The slow pace of life back home was something she had always yearned for, but she had kept compromising for a man who wasn’t worth it. Now, she was finally free to pursue the life she really wanted.

Karen took the high-speed train back to the city and then transferred to a bus that took her to her hometown. The weather was scorching hot, and sweat covered her neck and arms. She didn’t have a hand free to hold an umbrella, but thankfully, she had reapplied sunscreen while on the bus.

Karen stepped out of the county bus station with her two suitcases in tow. Taxis and motorbikes were vying for passengers. The blinding sunlight scorched the earth, and Karen could barely keep her eyes open under the harsh rays. She didn’t have anywhere to go. She was alone now, and her family’s house had been demolished.

She decided to find a hotel to stay in temporarily and then look for a place to rent. The “hotel” was actually more of a small inn, but it was conveniently located near a food street, and it had been a long time since she’d had any of the local snacks.

Karen stayed at the inn until sunset before heading out. The food street was crowded, and every restaurant was packed with people. Karen ordered a pizza, paired it with a grilled sausage, and bought a cup of fruit tea.

“Here’s your pizza, miss. Add chili flakes if you like it spicy,” the vendor said.

“Thank you.”

Meanwhile, at a nearby barbecue stall:

“Come on, big brother, let's have another round!” 

The sound of beer bottles clinking echoed as Brandon Rogers downed half of his drink.

“Big brother, have a couple more skewers,” Jason Barrett suggested, glancing at him.

Brandon Rogers gave him a look. "What's your problem, worrying about me? You don’t have a girlfriend either, do you?”

“Well, it’s not the same,” Jason Barrett laughed sheepishly, wiping the sweat from his forehead. “I’m two years younger than you.”

“Enough with the excuses. Eat your barbecue.”

“Jason, you’ve pissed him off again. I’m telling you, it’s all about fate. Big brother’s time just hasn’t come yet, so there’s no point in stressing,” Derek Lawson chimed in, taking a swig of his beer. “It’s really not his fault. These days, women prefer men who are clean-cut and refined. Guys like us don’t even stand a chance.”

“So what? I don’t care if I’m not in the running,” Brandon Rogers replied. Under the streetlights, his sharp features made him look both handsome and dangerous. Some girls wanted to approach him, but his aura was so intimidating that they hesitated.

“But seriously, big brother, you should start thinking about this. Your grandma’s getting older. I bet she dreams of holding her great-grandchild.”

Brandon didn’t reply, just held up his beer glass. If he didn’t find her again, he’d just settle for someone he could spend his life with.

Karen Taylor finished her meal and left the small restaurant. Jason Barrett, scanning the area, noticed her.

“Hey, hey, hey! Big brother, Derek, check out that pretty girl over there.”

Derek squinted. “Damn, I forgot my glasses today.”

Brandon Rogers didn’t react, still looking at his phone.

“Big brother, are you sure you don’t want to take a look? She’s exactly your type—fair skin, big eyes, and so quiet.”

Something stirred in Brandon, but he didn’t think much of it. He turned around to glance back. “It’s just a…” His words trailed off as the girl’s face suddenly flashed in his mind. She looked so familiar—could it really be her? No, it had to be her! 

Even from behind, he recognized her.

His eyes sharpened, and his heartbeat quickened as he suddenly jumped up and rushed in the direction she had gone.

“What’s going on with him?” Jason Barrett asked, startled by Brandon’s sudden movement.

Derek Lawson, on the other hand, was calm. “I have a feeling that girl might be the one big brother’s been thinking about—the future sister-in-law.”

“No way! What a coincidence!” Jason Barrett was excited. “So I’m actually doing something good this time?”

“Looks like you are, Jason. Good eye. Big brother will owe you a meal for this!”

—

Karen Taylor wasn’t ready to return to the inn just yet. If she did, she’d be stuck in her room for the rest of the night. She noticed a bench under a streetlight not far from the hotel and decided to sit there and enjoy the breeze.

She didn’t have anyone to call, and she wasn’t sure what to do, so she stared blankly at her phone screen. Suddenly, a sharp whistle cut through the night.

Two motorcycles pulled up in front of her, carrying a few men who didn’t look like they were up to any good. One of them was shirtless, displaying a large tattoo across his chest.

“Boss, this one’s a catch.”

“Damn right, she’s something special!”

“I’m not so sure. Is this really his type? He’s not usually into girls this young.”

They muttered amongst themselves as Karen Taylor gripped her phone tightly, preparing to leave.

“Hey, where do you think you’re going? Didn’t you hear us calling you?” one of the men said menacingly.

Karen Taylor swallowed nervously. “I don’t know you.”

One of the men laughed, “You will by the end of the night! Hahaha…”

Even without much experience, Karen Taylor could tell that their intentions were bad. She quickened her pace, trying to walk away, but one of them grabbed her wrist. “Why are you running? Sitting here at night—aren’t you waiting for business? You’re pretty enough. We can negotiate the price.”

Karen Taylor furrowed her brow. “You’ve got it wrong. I’m not doing that.”

“Come on, girl, don’t be scared. Come with us, and we’ll take you for a ride.”

The man’s grip caused her to stumble. “Let go of me.”

A car passed by, and Karen Taylor looked at the open window, desperately calling out, “Please, help me!”

“Don’t waste your breath. Save your energy for later!”

The man’s vulgar words sent a wave of fear through her, and she felt her nose start to sting as tears welled up in her eyes.

“Let her go, now!”

Brandon Rogers’ voice cut through the tension like a knife, his anger boiling over as he took in her frightened expression. Karen Taylor wrenched her hand free from the man’s grip and quickly moved to hide behind Brandon.

“Who the hell are you? You looking for trouble? I’m warning you, stay out of this!” The men were shorter than Brandon and already intimidated by his presence.

“She’s my woman. Who else would take care of her?”

Before he even finished speaking, Brandon’s fist flew out, sending one of the men crashing to the ground. The sight of the fight made Karen’s heart skip a beat—this was the guy who had grabbed her wrist earlier…

Brandon’s face was dark with rage, his voice chilling to the bone. “You should be thankful she’s unharmed. Otherwise, I’d kill you.”

The thugs exchanged nervous glances, realizing this wasn’t someone they wanted to mess with. He looked like he was trained to fight.

Brandon grabbed the man by the collar and dragged him in front of Karen. “Apologize to her.”

The man, his wrist still aching from Brandon’s earlier grip, stammered, “It was a misunderstanding, miss. I’m sorry.”

Karen ignored him and instead tugged on Brandon’s sleeve, whispering, “Just let them go.”

The thugs scrambled back onto their motorcycles, the engines roaring to life as they hurried to leave.

“Teach your girl the rules,” one of them shouted. “You can’t just sit anywhere under the streetlights!”

Karen looked up at Brandon’s profile—what a coincidence to run into him again after returning to her hometown.

He turned his head, catching her staring at him.

Karen swallowed. “What a coincidence. We meet again.”

His eyes were unreadable. “It really is.”

The girl he had been thinking about was standing right in front of him again. This time, he wouldn’t let her slip away.

“You’re staying at this hotel?”

Karen nodded. “Yes, just for now.”

Brandon bent down and scooped her up into his arms, causing her to panic and quickly wrap her arms around his neck.

“What… what are you doing?”

“I’m taking you back.”

Karen squirmed, “I can walk on my own…”

Besides, people were watching.

But he acted as if he hadn’t heard her and simply asked, “Which floor are you on?”

There weren’t many people around as they climbed the stairs. She stopped struggling and obediently answered, “Second floor.”

Karen kept her head down, her face flushing with embarrassment.