Chapter 2 2.

Swiftly, Timon dumped Samantha on the ground and turned to learn who the voice belonged to. However, one look at the strange man, the couple began to fret.

Samantha was also wondering why the mean looking man was helping her

As the strange man approached them, the couple took some steps backwards. "Now beat it, both of you." The man had not yet finished his words when Timon and Belinda disappeared from the place but Samantha stayed back.

Although she was scared of the man and the bodyguards behind him, she needed to appreciate him for standing up for her.

"T... Thank you so much, Sir. I really appreciate your help."

The man nodded his head. Without saying anything, he stared deeply at her and Samantha felt cold shivers run down her spine. The look on the man's face was like that of a predator staring at its prey.

Suddenly, his cold face brightened and he smiled briefly at her. It was a way of trying to give Samantha a sense of assurance that he was not going to harm her. However, Samantha thought that the smile was awkward.

"T... Thank you once again." She stammered and turned to go back inside the party. She wanted to go find her friend because it was time for them to go home.

"Wait." The man's voice halted her, causing her heart to skip and she let out a gasp.

"Sir. Is there anything I can do for you?"

The man nodded at her and at that moment, her heart began to beat chaotically. What does he want from her?

"What is your name?" The words came out from his lips when she was thinking the worst.

"Oh, my name." She sighed inwardly, forced a smile at the strange man and the mean looking guards behind him.

"My name is Samantha."

"Nice name for a beautiful lady like you." The response came spontaneously and his tone was lighter and conveyed happy emotions.

"My name is Robert... Robert Brown. It's nice to meet you Samantha. If you don't mind, I'd like to drop you off at your house."

Samantha forced a smile at him. "Nice to meet you too. And thank you for the offer, I'll pass."

Without waiting for him to say anything else, Samantha hurried out of his sight and proceeded inside to drag her friend out.

"Sam." Robert repeated the name with a smile on his face, turned to the two men behind and instructed.

"I need you to follow her around and report to me everything that goes on with her. However, anyone that tries to harm her again, you know what to do to them."

"Yes Boss." The men echoed together.

***

At the Howells' residence the next morning, Samantha was called out by her parents. They were visibly very angry and she could not fathom what had gone wrong.

As usual, their favorite daughter stood beside them there in the sitting room. The place at the moment was like a courtroom to Samantha and her parents were the judges deciding on her case.

"Sam, what happened last night? What is it that I heard?" Steven Howell was the first to speak, his voice stern and serious.

"Yes, tell us because I don't get you. Do you want to put us in trouble?" Alice added and her words shocked Samantha.

She was confused. How could she possibly put her family in trouble when all she did was mind her business.

What has Belinda told their parents about her?

"I... I don't understand." Samantha stammered. "Mom, what do you mean if I want to put you guys in trouble? I'd never do anything that'll bring harm to any of you because you're my family and I love..."

"Hold it right there. Please, save us those lies." Belinda raised her hand as she cut her words short.

"We all know that you don't love this family. All you do is to cause trouble." She added and Samantha gaped at her.

How does she cause trouble for the family? Belinda was exaggerating and clearly stating the opposite.

She was the one always looking for trouble and worse was that their parents supported everything she did to Samantha.

"You've joined the wrong company, Samantha and have exposed us to danger." Alice said to the still confused lady.

"I don't understand what you're talking about."

"Well, you'll soon understand because you're leaving this house now. You're old enough and get a house of your own." Steven spoke those words and it sounded like she didn't hear him well.

Her own father was chasing her out of the house. Really?

With the way she was being treated in that house, Samantha used to wonder if she was really their daughter.

It didn't look like the same blood was running through their veins.

Without waiting for the instruction, Belinda raced towards Samantha's room and soon came down with her luggages.

"Leave this house now before you make us the target of a Mafia Lord." Belinda said coldly and it was at that moment that she understood what was going on.

Belinda had fed their parents with lies about her.

"Yeah, go away if you truly love your family. This is how to prove it by keeping them safe." Alice added with a snort.

"But Mom, you didn't even ask me what happened and went ahead to believe Belinda. Truly, I don't know that man from anywhere. He only came and stood up for me when Belinda and Timon were bullying me."

Samantha darted her eyes towards her sister and gave her a dirty look. She obviously didn't tell their parents that part of the story.

Well, their parents would still stand by Belinda regardless of what she told them.

They'd always find fault in everything she does.

"Leave immediately." Belinda shoved her luggages to the ground and angrily rushed towards her but her mother swiftly stood on the way.

"This is exactly what we're talking about. You are also violent and can't continue staying here. Moreover, you're old enough to be on your way so leave."

Samantha was twenty four years and was only a year older than her sister. However, their parents treated Belinda like a baby and better than Samantha.

Angrily, Alice shoved Samantha so hard that she slipped and fell. Fortunately, a large hand grabbed onto her, preventing the fall.