Chapter 2: Venice Zuares

"Who are you? How did you get in here?" he asked while still gripping my neck tightly.

"I'm not a bad person! I need a help, please help me..." I begged. Tears welled up in the corner of my eye.

"I don't believe you!" His eyes are already glued to me.

"No, please... Don't give me to them!" I bravely grabbed one of his arms.

He looked down at his arm I was holding.

"Please..." I utter shakily. My tears kept falling.

He paused for a moment and watched how I silently crying.

I swallowed hard as I heard a series of knocks on the door. I clung to his arm tighter as I couldn't stop crying.

I saw his jaw started working and looked at me darkly.

"Who is tha?!" His voice thunder that made my whole body flinched.

"Sir, there's a police downstairs. They want to ask you something," said the voice outside.

My whole body trembled. They are definitely Dolfo. Maybe someone saw me sneaking up here on the ship.

"Don't give me to them..." I begged.

He let out a sigh before his hand loosened in my neck.

"Stay here, don't make any noise. I'll be right back." He lowered down his voice and looked at me evenly.

I swallowed the lamp in my throat and nodded affirmatively.

I went back and forth around the room several times while waiting for him to return. What if they told them I'm a criminal? or pretend to be a thief to force me out?

"No..."

I just straightened up when the door opened. He threw a stone looked at me directly, which made my whole body tremble.

Did Dolfo know I was here? I was shaken at the thought of that.

But that was exactly what I expected when he entered a room and came out carrying a white T-shirt

"Here's some clothes, it's a bit big because my size is XL. But that's better than what you're wearing." He handed me the plus size T-shirt.

"Just turn to your right, there's a bathroom there. You can stay here as long as you want."

He snatched his cell phone from his pocket and attempted to turn around when I open my mouth.

"Ah, Mr–"

He turned to me, now holding his cell phone in his hand.

"Don't report me to the police. I-I'm not a bad person," I said in my trembling voice.

I noticed the edge of his lip lifted, "Relax, I need to call my client."

He would have turned around when he turned to me again. "Just take your time."

I just took a deep breath as he leave the room. I can't stay here any longer, when the ship got off the shore, I need to get away as soon as possible.

I went to the bathroom he says to take a short shower.

I made sure I rubbed my groin and armpits to get rid of the fishy smell of fish clinging to me and the mud from the forest. When I finished, I went upstairs and put on his plus sized T-shirt.

I was bitten on the lip when I realized I was not wearing underware. I could do nothing but go out and hug the clothes I got hanging in the bathroom.

It looks like it hasn't been used yet because of its fragrant smell. When I came out of the bathroom I found him sitting on the sofa set.

I looked down at the medicine kit on the table.

"Let's clean up your wound." He tapped his side.

"Ha?" My eyes widened as he ordered to sat on the couch.

"I said, sit here." He tapped the adjacent seat again and looked up at me with a serious face.

With so much nervousness and fear of what he could do if I didn't follow what he wanted, I quickly stepped aside.

I gasped heavily as I smell his muscular scent. I want to turn a blind eye and momentarily forget why I am here.

I was startled when he grabbed my leg and gently placed it on the table in front of us.

"Where did you get that wounds?" He started as he applied the antiseptic to the injured area.

I close my eyes in pain and his gentle touch on my leg that seems to leave there a strange heat.

"In the forest," I answered.

"Hmm, where are you from, then?" he asked again while full attention is on my wound.

I slightly bent my head down. I could not answer immediately because of the nervousness in my heart when he looked back at me.

"Are you, Venice Zuares?" he muttered under his breath.

My whole body went cold. Not knowing what to answer. I was right, Dolfo was the one looking for me earlier.

"Please... don't give me to him!" I gripped his arm tightly.

He arch an brows and tilt his head to his arm.

"We're running at a speed of 23 knots, equivalent to 26.5 miles an hour. They can't followed you here," he chuckled a bit and shook his head.

I swallowed to erase the nervousness and embarrassment of my action. If he really wanted to give me to Dolfo, I probably would have gotten off the ship earlier. But not, he still lent me his clothes and now he is still treating my wounds.

I gradually closed my eyes when I felt pain in the wound. Damn it, Venice! you are really very lame! I blamed myself while closing my eyes.

“Here's antibiotics, so that your wound doesn't swell and become infected. "He laid the medicine on the table and bowed slightly to me.

"Tell me, why are you here? Why are you running away from them? What are you running away from?"

I lick my lower lip, even though I want to admit everything to him but I just can't do. I barely knew him just a few hours ago, I can't trust him right away.

"I-I'm sorry..." I shook my head slowly.

"Alright, I won't force you if you don't want to. The ship will dock on Queensland Island tomorrow night. I can't help but welcome you here. But after the ship is lands, I want you to leave right away."

I bit my lower lip.

“I can’t help you if you don’t tell me why the authorities are looking for you,” he said lowly.

I swallowed to dispel the fear that had risen in my heart. I honestly had no idea where to go in case the ship landed within 24 hours. I don't have money in my pocket even my credit cards are left inside my house.

I pursed my lips, bravely facing him.

Thanks for your help, can I know your name?"

I can't build a trust on him if I don't even know his name.

His lips twitched a bit, he even arched an brows at me.

"I'm Ellwood Echeverrii..."