Chapter 4 The Hoodie Stranger

Susan's POV

I hadn't realized how far rock bottom was until I started falling.

If I had been told sometime two years ago that I would be jobless and homeless, or that I would be groped and treated like a slut, or that my fiance would propose to my best friend, or that I would be threatened by loan sharks and need saving- I would never have believed.

But that was my reality right now.

I stared at the broad back in front of me. He was clad in a black hoodie and simple black pants. I couldn't see his face, but the aura about him was the kind that pulled you in.

The leader was quiet for a few seconds.

"Who the f*k do you think you are messing with my business?" He finally said.

The black hoodie stranger turned slightly, not facing me completely.

"How much do you owe these guys?"

I blinked, "Huh?"

Was he being serious about paying my debt?

His head angled a bit more, like he was getting annoyed.

My mouth spoke before I had time to judge his actions, "Eighty grand."

There was no way he would actually pay- he had to be bluffing.

He nodded and looked at the guys squarely. "I'll pay twice the amount, then you let her go."

The leader scoffed, clearly disbelieving, as I was, "You think you're all that, huh?" He looked at his guys and they began to crack their knuckles, as though they were preparing for a fight, "Here's what's gonna happen. You'll pay five times the original amount, else you're gonna get your ass kicked!"

He gave the stranger his details, and within seconds, his smug look turned to one of surprise. He stared at the stranger with widened eyes.

"400k?" He then looked at me and pointed, "For this slut?"

Wait... what?

What just happened?!

"Our deal is done. You got your money, you may leave now." The stranger said in a tone that made me suddenly feel cold.

The loan shark leader just smirked, "Alright. A deal is a deal." He said, raising his hands in surrender and stepping back. The other two followed him out.

I didn't realise my mouth was wide open in shock until the guy spoke up.

"Are you okay?"

"Um... yes. I'm fine" I said, coming back to reality.

The club was too dark, so I could hardly make out the features of his face, and with his hoodie on, it was worse.

"Why-" My voice sounded coarse, I cleared it with a cough and then faced the stranger, "Why did you help me?"

"'Thank you.'"

"What?" I asked incredulously.

"I assumed that's what people say when someone helps them." He said, in that same deep voice.

"I'm sorry. I really don't know how I'm going to pay you back." I replied.

My mind was already thinking of ways this man could request that I paid him. None of them seemed very appealing to me.

I was already labelled a slut by the media. Was he a rich dude looking for someone to warm his bed?

I shook the thoughts out of my mind.

"You owe me then." He said and began to walk away. "Follow me."

My heart skipped.

Oh my gosh!

Did I just sell myself as a sex slave for $400k?

I didn't like the feeling of being indebted to anyone, much less this hoodie stranger.

I stood there, transfixed, wondering what I was going to do.

Then my feet moved of their own accord, following this man.

The bouncer at the door, wiggled his brows in a comical way, with a secretive smile, as he saw me walk out the door with the stranger.

I heaved a heavy sigh.

I wonder what he was thinking. He probably had the same thought as everyone else that I was a whore.

Was that really what this was?

The sea of people in the crowded space downstairs parted for this stranger, like the Red Sea, as he made his way through them.

I was amazed at the aura which he exuded, and his intimidating posture, with his hands buried deep in the pockets of his hoodie.

I followed closely behind, so as not to miss him in the crowd- even though that was highly unlikely.

He towered above the others, and there was something about him that made him stand out like a sore thumb.

The night air hit me in a rush as we got out of the club.

A young valet pulled up in a Black Range Rover, and as he walked toward us, he bowed a full ninety degrees while handing the key fob to the Hoodie Stranger. He seemed honored to have handled such a luxurious car, beaming with a wide smile.

The Hoodie Stranger walked to the car and the sensor detected the key fob, unlocking the vehicle. I watched in awe at the sleekness of the car, and I was tempted to run my hand over its surface. He spared me a brief glance, long enough to say, "Get in."

"Where are you taking-" He didn't wait for my response as he got in. "...me to?" I finished.

My heart pounded in my chest as I squinted at the headlights of the car. The sound of the engine was purring smoothly- I mean, these luxurious cars always sounded different.

I stood there, contemplating whether it was right for me to follow a complete stranger in his car.

I could run, but he seemed like the kind of person I shouldn't mess with.

He got impatient and honked the horn, making me jump out of my skin.

I approached the passenger's seat and hesitantly opened the door.

The car had a new car scent and smelled faintly of cedarwood. It felt warm and inviting, but I felt anything but. I was tense, my senses on high alert, being here with this guy. My hands shook slightly as I fumbled with the seatbelt.

After a few failed attempts, my companion let out an exasperated sigh. He leaned over me, his face inches from mine, and snatched the belt from my hands.

My breath caught as the smell of clean shave and musk slapped me in the face. My senses felt overwhelmed by his scent and I felt a bit dizzy and disoriented.

With a swift motion, he secured it across my chest. He settled back in his seat and focused on driving. He stared at the road ahead, ignoring me once again.

I let out the breath I was holding, suddenly feeling hot, despite the air conditioning blasting on full. I started fanning myself, as my cheeks felt flush.

"Um..." I cleared my throat, "Where are we going to?"

"A hotel."

"Okay." I sighed feeling relieved that he didn't ignore me this time, but my brain was slow to process the implication. "Wait, what?" My voice rose.

He went back to his silent game.

I was freaking out.

Panic was beginning to set in because I did not know what this guy wanted.

What did he plan to do to me?

Oh my gawd! Stupid me!

Why did I get in the car with him?

What was I thinking?

Pushing past the fear, I said, "I mean... I'm grateful to you for helping me out there, but I don't think-" I tried to say but he held up a hand silencing me.

The dashboard screen lit up and it showed that a guy called Bruno was calling.

I sighed.

Then he picked the call and it connected to some wireless earbuds.

"Is it all set?" he said in that deep rumble voice of his, to the man on the other end of the line.

He then nodded after the guy had spoken and gave brief curt answers like he had given me since meeting him. It seems that was his personality after all.

He ended the call, just as we got to our destination.

"We're here."

I looked out the window and gasped as I realised that we were at the Crystal Palace. It was a five star hotel that I could only dream of being in. A night in a regular deluxe room cost more than my rent for four months!

As the Hoodie Stranger was about to get out, I held his hand as if to beg.

"Seriously! I'm not that type of girl." I said in a desperate tone.

He smirked and got out.

I blew air out of my mouth and hopped out as well.

He seemed to have some influence here as well, because someone was bowing ninety degrees to him, as he tossed the person his key fob.

I approached the entrance, feeling scared as to what would happen behind those doors.