Chapter 2 Coming to Terms

"I don't have time for this kind of situation anymore!" Selena said, panting as she ran back to the wardrobe, flinging open the doors and grabbing the first piece of clothing she saw.

At that time, she still lived in Anthony Campbell's house, her father's boss. George Carinard was Anthony's chauffeur, and when he was hired, Anthony invited them to live in the small house behind the mansion, which was meant for the staff. At first, George did not want to accept, as he had always been a somewhat proud man since he was young. But since he was going through a difficult financial situation with his daughter and after some insistence from Anthony, he eventually gave in.

Thus, the Carinard family got a house, and Anthony got a full-time driver and friend, as George insisted he would be available to his boss whenever needed. George felt he owed this man a favor for giving him such a good job and a place to live, especially for his daughter.

This happened exactly two years ago, and that was Selena's first contact with the Campbell family, but she never imagined her ties with them would become so intense.

Still confused and unsure of what was happening, Sel left her room and ran towards the outside of her house, reaching the massive back of the mansion. It didn't take long for her to cross the garden and find the garage.

"There's no time to ask questions," she muttered, stopping in front of the box mounted on the wall where the vehicle keys were kept.

The redhead opened the box with all the strength her desperation had given her and pulled out the key to one of the motorcycles, not even bothering to look for a helmet or anything similar. She was already set on her decision.

Sel found the motorcycle a few meters ahead and got on it, turning the key in the ignition just as the butler, Thomas, arrived at the garage, practically running.

Charles had heard the loud noise from the motorcycle's engine, and since Mr. Anthony wasn't home, he ran to check, fearing someone had broken into the mansion.

"Sel? What are you doing? Sel!" he shouted as he saw her start the bike and peel out of the garage, barely avoiding crashing into the gate that opened just as she passed through.

Her hair flew in the wind, and she was so nervous, her heart racing so fast it made her chest burn and the air in her lungs seemed to escape along with the motorcycle's speed. She couldn't think of anything but saving her father; the consequences of stealing her boss's motorcycle didn't matter to her in this tense moment. She knew she had to prevent the accident!

This was her first chance, the first act that would change her fate, but it wasn't just her fate at stake, but her father's as well. George had always cared for her with so much love and affection; since her mother's death, her father had been her rock, and now she could prevent him from falling into a coma.

As she rode, Selena ran red lights and overtook cars in front of her. She heard some people shouting at her along the way, honking and complaining, but she didn't have time to care about that. She couldn't afford to pay attention to anything but her mission.

It took her only a few minutes to reach the company where her father, every morning, drove Anthony and picked up the company car, leaving the armored model in the parking lot. The moment she stopped the bike, she saw her father leaving the store with some packages in hand, completely unaware of the danger following him.

George was calm; he had dropped Anthony off at his office and the armored luxury car in the company's underground garage. Now, he just needed to pick up the regular car that stayed there overnight to start his day's work. He needed to pick up some orders for Anthony and also stop by the Campbell mansion to speak with his daughter.

Sel saw him open the car door and, at that moment, she ran towards her father's car, stopping between him and the door, panting and with her face red from running.

"Sel? What are you doing here?" George asked, confused. "Wait... Is that Mr. Anthony's motorcycle?"

"Listen to me, Dad, you can't get in this car!" Sel began, not knowing what excuse to use to convince him not to get in the car. "I... I had a terrible nightmare about you! My intuition tells me there's something wrong with the car, please believe me!" Her voice was tearful and trembling. She knew how stubborn her father was and feared he wouldn't believe her.

"Come on, Dad... Trust me!" she pleaded in her thoughts, feeling her whole body chill as George's sharp eyes stared at her.

George had always been a very skeptical man, but seeing his daughter so shaken and nervous, he sighed, placing the packages on the car hood and pulling Sel into his arms, hugging her warmly.