CHAPTER 2
ABIGAIL
Today was my off-lecture day, which meant it was my shift at the café. Mr. and Mrs. Brandton—my dad's old friends—owned the place. They practically watched me grow up, so working here part-time for the past two years has always felt like working with family. The day had been calm; nothing unusual, just the normal flow of customers.
Until I saw him.
The arrogant man from my dad's workshop walked into the café like he owned the whole street. But this time, he wasn't alone. A huge man followed behind him, broad shoulders, hard face, the type that looked more like a bodyguard than a friend.
He came straight to the counter.
"Iced coffee and muffins for two, please," he said quietly, acting like he didn't recognize me at all. Or maybe he genuinely didn't. I shrugged it off.
I prepared the order, served it, and went back to my position, pretending not to care, but something about him made my heart beat faster for reasons I couldn't explain.
ASHER
My mind hadn't rested since the car incident. The mechanic confirmed someone had tampered with my car intentionally. In my position, I had enemies; I knew that. But this was different. This was bold.
I upgraded my security immediately and arranged a discreet meeting with my chief security officer at a café downtown.
The moment I walked in, I froze.
There she was—the fierce woman who had been stuck in my head for days. The fire in her eyes, the stubbornness… I remembered every detail. I pretended not to recognize her and simply placed my order before sitting with my CSO.
"Sir," my CSO said, lowering his voice, "the CCTV captured a man in a hoodie and mask tampering with your car. We're still analyzing the footage."
"It's been days," I snapped, the frustration building. "I need answers before the week ends."
He handed me the video. I forwarded it to my CIA friend for further investigation.
As the lady from the counter—her—brought our order, I caught myself staring. The way she moved, small and delicate, blonde hair falling around her face… Something about her bothered me in the best and worst way. I looked away quickly.
After the meeting, I left with my new guard.
ABIGAIL
I tried not to stare at him, but my eyes betrayed me. And then—our eyes met. I quickly looked away, heat rushing to my cheeks.
As soon as he left, Vivian ran to me like she had been holding her scream forever.
"Abigail! Do you know who that was?
That's Asher Oliver!
The most eligible bachelor in the whole country! Son of the Oliver oil empire. Owner of Vamond Fintech!"
She shoved her phone in my face, showing pictures and articles.
"So?" I said, pretending not to care. "Wealth doesn't move me."
Vivian gasped dramatically. "No wonder he has that arrogant billionaire attitude!"
I laughed it off, cleaned my counter, and waited for closing time. Dad said he wouldn't be home early, so I took the train.
After getting off the train, I walked the short distance home. It was quiet. Too quiet. I was almost at my street when a car suddenly cornered another moving car.
Three masked men jumped out.
Then—gunshots.
My heart dropped. I froze in fear, then ran behind a parked truck, shaking.
ASHER
After leaving the café, I met a few business partners. It got late, so I finally headed home. I was on the phone with my parents when everything happened at once.
A car rammed into ours.
Gunshots exploded through the night.
My parents were screaming my name over the phone. My driver's head fell forward—he died instantly. My guard jumped out to defend us, taking down two attackers before he was shot and collapsed.
Fear wrapped around my throat like a hand.
I hid behind the car door, watching the last attacker move in. He thought I was dead. He didn't know I was watching him.
I refused to die like this.
When he got close enough, I attacked, grabbing the dagger from his pocket and stabbing him. He fell, but before I could catch my breath—A gunshot rang out.
Pain tore through my shoulder.
My vision blurred. Warm blood soaked my shirt. I fell to my knees, breathing hard.
The attacker fled.
I was losing blood… fast.
My eyes grew heavy.I whispered a prayer.
Someone… please… help…
ABIGAIL
My whole body was shaking. But then I saw the injured man fall out of the car.
And my breath caught in my throat.
It was him.
The arrogant man.
My fear disappeared. Something inside me took over, a trained medical student. Training. Instinct. Anything to save him.
I ran to him, dialing 911 with trembling hands.
He was barely conscious.
"Sir! Stay with me—don't close your eyes!" I said, kneeling beside him.
Blood covered my hands. His breathing was shallow. His pulse was weak.
I removed my jacket, pressed it firmly on his shoulder wound, and held it with both hands.
"Gunshot wound to the shoulder!" I told the 911 operator. "He's losing a lot of blood! I'm sending the location! Please hurry!"
He tried to speak, but nothing came out. His fingers weakly gripped my wrist.
"You're safe. Help is coming. Please don't sleep," I whispered, tears falling without permission.
I kept him flat on the ground, lifted his legs slightly, checked his breathing, and made sure his airway stayed open.
He slipped in and out of consciousness.
"Look at me," I begged softly. "Don't give up… please."
His phone buzzed beside him—"Dad" on the caller ID.
I answered with shaking hands. "Sir… Your son has been shot. I'm trying to keep him alive. The ambulance is coming. Please come quickly."
People were gathering now, calling for help.
Within minutes, paramedics arrived. They lifted him onto a stretcher. His head rolled to the side as they rushed him into the ambulance.
The security guard and driver… gone. Just like that.
The weight of everything crushed me. I broke down in tears.
I already saw 15 missed calls from my dad; it was really a long night. I forgot about my phone, i had to call him to explain the situation
At the hospital, his parents were already waiting. His mother was crying uncontrollably. His father's face was pale with fear.
When the paramedics wheeled him into the theater, I stood there with blood-stained clothes, shaking from the trauma.
Dad arrived shortly after, panic written all over his face. I told him everything as I cried in his arms.
Hours later, the doctor finally came out.
"He made it," he said. "Thanks to the young lady who kept him alive before we arrived."
He turned to me. "You did an excellent job."
Before I could respond, Asher's mother ran to me and pulled me into a hug.
"Thank you… Thank you for saving my son," she sobbed.
His father hugged me too, tears falling. "God bless you. You saved our child."
I saw Dad watching from a distance, pride beaming from his eyes. He walked to me and wrapped me in a warm hug.
"My daughter is a hero," he whispered. "You did so well."