Chapter 32: Chapter 32

"Leave her alone." A deep voice thunders, cutting through every corner of the mall and making everyone still.

This time, Alex gets startled and frees his grip but does not let go completely of my waist. I began to thank God in my heart for sending someone to rescue me from this insane guy. I wonder what happened to him. His brother Jude is such a gentle soul but for him, that's a story for another day. But the voice sounds familiar. Why do I feel that I know this voice?

I knew I heard the sound correctly. Yes! It's Mark. He is standing there elegantly dressed but boiling with rage and tightens his fist. He is the last person I ever thought to be of help to me today. What is he doing here anyway? How did he know I had gotten in trouble? Alex shifted uncomfortably away from me and yells.

"Who are you and how dare you interfere?" Before he completes his sentence, I line widens across his lips with a broad smile.

"Hey, Mark?" He says as if they are friends but Mark stands there with the same gesture. Not smiling and completely furious.

"I said leave her alone." He said again. I know they might know each other because Jude is a friend of Mark but why does Mark pretend as if he doesn't know him?

"Come on, she is just my little crush." He said, tightening his grip around my waist again.

Mark's jaws tighten as if trying to restraint himself but before Alex utters another word, Mark harshly pulls his hand off me and pushes him hard. He stumbles and falls on the ground and Mark matches towards him.

"Sorry. I heard you", Alex says getting up and running off. Just then Tracy returns with the security and he begins to apologize but my focus was only on Mark.

He looks at me with mixed emotions and his eyes begin to soften. He wanted to say something but he seemed to swallow whatever wanted to come out of his mouth and without uttering a word, he starts walking away.

Mark, I call after him but he just ignores me to my dismay. All eyes are now focused on me. Ignoring all the stares, I scream behind him. Thank you and just as I guessed, he doesn't respond. I don't understand this guy. Even after helping me, he will not speak with me and he won't accept my appreciation.

" Maya, let's go", Tracy said. I was just following her like a zombie when she went to the cashier to make the payment till we sat in the car.

"Do you want my honest suggestion?" She asks with concern. I know that it hurts her even more when I am hurt or in pain so, I knew exactly what she wanted to say and I knew I wouldn't like it. I wanted so much to tell her not to say it but I could not because she loves me too much.

What could it be? I asked pretending to be naive.

"Forget Mark and move on". She said with all seriousness, confirming my thought. I knew she was going to say something like that but hearing it made me feel worse. I know she's right. I have to do something about it. I have to forget Mark and kill my feelings for him.

Trust me, I've tried. I have really tried and I think I am going crazy but I will try harder. I said, and I meant it.

" You know what? Let's head to the movies" she said. I think coming out with Tracy today is a good idea. Maybe going to the movies will help me clear my mind. I might be able to get over Mark gradually.

I think it's a great idea. I said and she gave me an encouraging smile.

I don't remember the last time I went to the movies. It felt a little out of place in the beginning. God, I need to catch up on life. I have been buried with work for too long.

I think we got to the movies too early so we had to hang out a little before going in. We had roughly fifteen minutes.

"I think we should grab some snacks." Tracy said, pulling me along.

Well, I think we should get some real food because I am starving, I said.

"Really". Tracy asked with concern and I nodded my head vigorously, indicating yes.

" They have a really nice restaurant around. Let's get some food then". She said.

We got to the small but cozy restaurant close to the movie theatre. We placed our orders and talked around a glass of fresh pineapple juice. My eyes caught up to a guy on the opposite table. He was looking at us so I asked Tracy.

Do you know that guy?

"Who?" She asked. Obviously, she hadn't noticed him so I pointed in the direction opposite us.

"No". I've never seen him before. When I was about to respond, the guy stood up and started walking towards us. He is tall and muscular with brown hair and brown eyes.

"He looks cute". Tracy giggled, warranting a warning look from me.

Not as cute as Tom, I said disapprovingly.

" of course, I didn't mean it that way", she said with a tinge of embarrassment.

"Hey ladies, my name is Edward. I am here to watch a movie but it doesn't start immediately so I came here to while away time. Do you mind if I join you?. He asked, shifting his glance from Tracy to me and back to Tracy.

" Sure, it's a public place," Tracy said courteously. Edward sits between Tracy and me and places his bottle of beer on the table.

"So, may I have the honor of knowing your names? Edward asked with a smile and guess what? He had dimples. I always thought dimples was a ladies' thing. I never saw a guy who had it but it's so cute.

" My name is Tracy and that is my best friend Maya. Tracy introduced us.

"Beautiful names. So you always come here to watch movies?

" No, we are always so busy. We haven't been here in years but trust me, you don't want to know the details." Tracy said.

"Maya, what do you do?" He asked me. I didn't expect him to throw a direct question at me like that. Tracy was doing a good job taking care of all the talking. Just as I was about to answer, the waiter arrives with our order.

Hmmm, smells delicious, I said, trying to avoid the question. I didn't want to tell a stranger so much about my life. He could be anything. I start digging into my food, taking my time to enjoy every bite of my grilled chicken with salad.

"I see your girls are very hungry." His statement made me steal a glance at Tracy who was also enjoying her food with soft moans. I thought I was the only hungry one. Edward continued drinking his beer while stealing occasional glances at us.

The waiter brings the bill and I reach for it but Edward begins to protest.

"You can't pay the bills when I'm here", he says trying to take it from me.

Wrong notion. We pay our bills with or without any man. I said while taking some cash from my wallet with a good tip. I didn't want to give that much tip in the beginning but I wanted to send Edward a message.

"Interesting fellows. First time meeting your kind. Rude girls" He said, making me astonished.

"First of all, we are not girls and second, we are not rude. We are just responsible." Tracy said sternly.

"Well, you are girls and you are rude because, one, a lady doesn't reject an offer, and two, it's rude to not allow a guy to pay the bills if he wants to." He shakes his head. "Can I atleast get your movie tickets?" He asked.

Tracy and I exchanged looks but finally succumbed and as if planned, the words came out of our mouth together.

"Fine". He let out a hysterical laugh which made us join in the laughter.

It's nice meeting you Edward, I said after breaking from the laugh.

" I am so happy to be in your team ladies, you two are one of a kind. He got our tickets and popcorns. We made our way to the theatre and made ourselves comfortable but before I knew it, Mark was sitting beside me with Tilda by his side. What a nightmare.