Chapter 3 The Helpless Cry

Yosef agreed without a moment's hesitation.

As soon as Gabriella and Rayna left, Chelsey stood up and said apologetically, "Mr. Copeland, I'm sorry to have wasted your time."

Yosef, perceptive and sharp, raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

She replied sincerely, "My mother didn't ask for my permission regarding this meeting."

No wonder she seemed so distracted. She had been forced into this blind date.

"Oh, I see." Yosef stood up slowly, stretching lazily, a broad smile spreading across his face. "No problem."

Chelsey was taken aback by his easygoing nature. She had pegged him as a cynical playboy based on his appearance.

As she was about to apologize again, he jingled his car keys.

"Anyway, you have to let me drive you home. If I let you go home alone this late, it would reflect poorly on me if word got out."

Since he insisted on driving her home, Chelsey couldn't refuse.

Living alone and keeping her address a secret, she randomly named a place and lied about living there.

As they passed by a room, she heard someone call out, "Tre."

She looked up instinctively.

Killian stepped out to answer a phone call and opened the door. Chelsey saw Trevor and the woman beside him.

Trevor glanced at Chelsey. The woman beside him laughed heartily, almost draped over his arm.

She was the woman engaged to Trevor.

So, he was having dinner with her.

The woman had just called him Tre.

The whole ride, Chelsey's mind replayed the scene of the woman close to Trevor's face, and how he hadn't pushed her away. She barely registered anything Yosef said.

Getting out of the car, she thanked Yosef and watched him drive away. Once he was gone, she hailed a taxi and headed to her actual place.

After entering her apartment, Chelsey wanted to call Gabriella to say she and Yosef were not a match and to ask her not to set up any more dates. But her phone was dead.

As soon as she plugged it in to charge, the doorbell rang.

Could it be Gabriella, rushing over as soon as she knew she was back?

Opening the door, she saw a man's hand against the frame, a snake head tattoo visible on his wrist.

It was Yosef!

Her heart skipped a beat, cold sweat trickling down her back.

He knew she had lied and had followed her!

She tried desperately to close the door.

Yosef wedged his foot in, the door slamming against the wall.

"What do you want? Leave now, or I'll call the police!" She remembered that her phone was charging and grabbed the nearest object-a ceramic cat.

Yosef sneered, grabbed her wrist, and shattered the ceramic cat into pieces.

He then slammed the door shut.

"Get out! Now!" Chelsey tried to break free from his grip while kicking him, knocking over items around her.

"So, you think you can just say sorry and be fine?" Yosef gasped. "You played me!"

She fought to free herself, but he held her tighter, pulling her into his arms, his grip firm on her soft waist.

Her softness was more than he had imagined, something he had longed to feel.

"Look at your mother. She'd sell you out in a heartbeat. How dare you act all high and mighty in front of me?"

Yosef grabbed her by the back of the neck, forcing her to face him. Her face was breathtaking. He leaned in, about to kiss her.

Chelsey's face went pale. She threw her head back before gathering all her strenght to hit him with her forehead.

"Ah!" Yosef let go instinctively, in pain.

She stumbled, barely seeing, and grabbed the doorknob with trembling hands.

She had to escape. Otherwise, she would be doomed!

Just as she was about to open the door, Yosef lunged at her!

She had taken off her coat, wearing only a slim sweater. Yosef's pull exposed her delicate skin and shoulder.

His eyes reddened with desire. He pressed her against the door, tearing her sweater from behind.

She then felt a sharp sting in her neck; he was biting her!

She couldn't even scream. His hand muffled her cries.

Her ears buzzed, and she vaguely heard the sound of him unbuckling his belt.

With wide eyes, her face drained of color, scenes flashed through her mind. She remembered the woman cozying up to Trevor.

While Trevor enjoyed his time with another woman, she was alone and helpless. No one was coming to save her!

Tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.