Play me like a Savage

Chapter 1: The Pitch

DAMON'S POV

Damon Savage sprinted down the football pitch, the scorching sun beating down on his skin like a relentless drumbeat. The smell of freshly cut grass filled his nostrils as his feet pounded the earth, sending shockwaves up his legs. The sounds of the game swirled around him - the thud of the ball, the shouts of his teammates, and the distant hum of traffic from the nearby road.

He was in the middle of an intense training session with his teammates, and he couldn't afford to let his focus slip. Sweat dripped down his face, stinging his eyes, but he didn't dare wipe it away, not even for a second.

As he ran, he caught sight of a girl standing on the sidelines, looking around uncertainly. She was a distance away, but Damon's eyes were drawn to her bright pink hair, which stood out against the dull green of the pitch like a beacon. The girl looked lost, and Damon saw her approach one of the other players, who was sitting on the bench, sipping water from a bottle.

She asked him something, and the player pointed down the road, giving her directions. Damon watched as the girl nodded and smiled, her eyes lovely and filled with gratitude. She turned and began to walk in the direction the player had pointed, her legs striding confidently across the grass.

For a moment, Damon was distracted, his eyes following the girl as she walked away. The sound of his teammates' shouts and the thud of the ball faded into the background as he watched her disappear into the distance.

But then he snapped back to attention, remembering that he was in the middle of a training session. He refocused on the game, chasing after the ball with renewed intensity. The sun beat down on him, the sweat dripped down his face, and the sounds of the game swirled around him once again.

As he played, Damon couldn't shake the feeling that he had just seen something interesting. But he pushed the thought aside, concentrating on the game at hand.

***

Damon Savage cruised down the road, the warm evening air blowing through his hair as he chatted with his friends in the car. They were all still high on adrenaline from their intense practice session, and the conversation was lively.

"I'm telling you, Damon, you're going to be the star of the team this season," his friend, Tunde, said from the passenger seat.

Damon grinned. "I don't know, man. I've got some tough competition."

His friend, Femi, who was sitting in the backseat, chuckled. "You're just being modest, Damon. You're the best player on the team."

As they approached a bend in the road, Damon's eyes landed on a familiar figure walking alone on the sidewalk. It was the girl with pink hair, whom he had seen earlier at the pitch. She was walking quickly, her eyes fixed on the ground ahead.

Damon's curiosity was piqued. He slowed down the car and pulled over to the side of the road. "Hey, wait up!" he called out to Rain, rolling down the window.

Rain looked up, startled, and their eyes met for a brief moment. Damon shot her a charming smile. "Need a lift? I'm headed in the same direction."

"How are you certain we're headed same direction?" Rain's expression changed from startled to wary. She shook her head quickly and picked up her pace, walking faster down the sidewalk. "I'm good, go away!"

"What's going on, Damon?" Tunde asked, looking at Rain with interest.

"I don't know," Damon replied, shrugging. "I just saw her earlier at the pitch, and I thought I'd offer her a ride."

Femi chuckled. "You're such a ladies' man, Damon."

Damon's face deepened in a frown. "Shut up, Femi."

He slowly pulled the car back onto the road, driving behind Rain at a snail's pace. Rain, however, seemed to be getting more and more agitated. She glanced back over her shoulder, her eyes wide with fear, and suddenly took off in a sprint.

Damon's friends laughed. "Dude, I think you're scaring her!" Tunde joked.

But Damon's instincts told him something was off. He quickly pulled over to the side of the road and turned off the engine. "You guys go ahead and drive home," he told his friends. "I'll catch up with you later."

Femi raised an eyebrow. "You're going to chase after her? Damon, what's going on?"

Damon just shook his head. "I don't know, man. I just need to talk to her. I'm not used to getting turned down."

His friends exchanged confused glances, but eventually, Tunde got out of the passenger seat and slid into the driver's seat. "Okay, man, but be careful," he said, before driving off.

Damon watched as Rain disappeared around the next bend in the road. He took off after her, his long legs eating up the distance. But he wasn't really trying to catch up to her. He was just curious about why she was running away from him.

As he chased after Rain, the sounds of the city faded into the background, replaced by the pounding of his feet on the pavement and the sound of Rain's ragged breathing. The sun was setting, a golden glow over the scene, and Damon felt a thrill of excitement.

Chapter 2: Rainy Night

RAIN'S POV

The rain poured down like a relentless curtain, drumming against the pavement and sending rivulets of water swirling around Rain's feet. She splashed through the puddles, her worn-out sneakers squeaking with each step. The streets were deserted, save for the occasional passerby hurrying to find shelter from the downpour.

As she turned a corner, the streetlights had long shadows across the wet pavement, she stumbled upon a group of rough-looking men huddled under a streetlight. They eyed her up and down, their faces twisted into leering grins. The smell of cigarette smoke and cheap cologne wafted towards her, making her stomach turn.

"What do we have here?" One of them sneered, stepping forward. His voice was like a rusty gate, scraping against Rain's nerves. "Girl in pink hair, the real life Barbie."

Rain's heart skipped a beat as she tried to push past them, but they blocked her way. She tried to stay calm, but her voice trembled as she spoke.

"Leave me alone." She managed to say.

The men laughed, their voices thick and serious. One of them reached out to grab her arm, but Rain jerked away just in time. Her elbow knocked against the wall, sending a jolt of pain through her arm.

That's when she saw him - Damon Savage, his eyes blazing with anger as he charged towards the group. His footsteps echoed off the walls, a steady drumbeat that seemed to match the pounding of Rain's heart.

"Hey, back off!" he growled, his fists clenched. His voice was low and even, but it carried a warning that made the men hesitate.

The men turned to face him, their faces twisted with aggression. But Damon didn't back down. He took down the first thug with a swift kick, followed by a series of rapid-fire punches that sent the others crashing to the ground. The sound of flesh hitting flesh was like a sickening thud, making Rain's stomach turn.

Rain watched in awe as Damon fought off her attackers. She had never seen anyone move so fast, so fluidly. When the last thug fell to the ground, Damon turned to her, his chest heaving with exertion. His eyes locked onto hers, and for a moment, Rain felt like she was drowning in their depths.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice low and gentle. He was staring into her eyes, as if searching for any signs of injury.

Rain nodded, still in shock. Damon grasped her arm and pulled her towards a taxi that had pulled up to the curb. The horn honked, a loud blast that made Rain jump.

"Come on," Damon said, opening the door and ushering her inside. "Let's get you out of here."

As the taxi sped away from the scene, Rain turned to Damon, her heart still racing.

"Thank you," she said, her voice soft and sweet.

Damon smiled. "You're welcome," he said. "But next time, maybe stick to the main roads, okay?"

Rain smiled back, feeling a spark of gratitude towards this stranger who had just saved her life. She leaned back against the seat, feeling the warmth of the taxi. The sound of the rain pattering against the roof was like music to her ears.

As the taxi drove through the rain-soaked streets, Rain couldn't help but wonder - who was this guy, really?

***

As the taxi pulled up in front of Rain's house, Damon opened the door for her and stepped out into the rain. He offered her his hand, helping her out of the taxi. Rain's eyes met his, and for a moment, they just stared at each other.

"Thanks for the ride," Rain said shyly.

"You're welcome," Damon replied, looking around. "I'm just glad I was able to get you out of there before things got ugly."

As they walked towards Rain's house, Damon couldn't help but notice the surroundings. The houses were cramped and rundown, with rusty corrugated iron roofs and peeling paint. The streets were narrow and dirty, with trash scattered everywhere.

"Nice neighborhood," Damon said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I'm surprised you don't have a few chickens running around in the front yard."

Rain's eyes flashed with embarrassment. "I know sarcasm when I hear it," she muttered.

Damon chuckled. "I'm just saying. You'd think someone as beautiful as you would be able to afford a better place to live."

Rain's face grew hot with anger. "You don't know anything about me," she spat.

Damon raised an eyebrow. "Oh, I think I do," he said, his voice low and smooth. "I think you're a...never mind."

Rain's eyes narrowed. "Better."

Damon shrugged. "Okay."

A group of small boys, aged 7 and 8, ran up to Rain, hugging her legs and chattering excitedly. They were dirty and disheveled, with torn clothes and scratched knees.

"Rain! Rain!" they chorused, tugging on her hands.

Rain laughed, hugging them back. "Hey, guys! What are you doing out here in the rain?"

The boys looked up at Damon with wide eyes, taking in his expensive-looking clothes and shoes.

"Who's that?" one of them asked, pointing at Damon.

Rain smiled. "That's...um...a new friend."

The boys looked at each other, then back at Damon. "Hi," they chorused, waving at him.

Damon smiled, crouching down to their level. "Hey, guys. What's up?"

The boys started chattering excitedly, telling Damon about their day. Rain watched, smiling, as Damon listened attentively.

As they stood there, the rain started to let up, leaving behind a misty veil that hung over the streets like a curtain. The air was cool and damp, filled with the scent of wet earth and leaves.

"Are they your...your brothers?" Damon asked.

"Sort of," Rain replied. "They're my neighbor's kids."

Rain's eyes met Damon's, the stare was awkward and Rain quickly looked away. Damon looked around, brushing off his pants. "I should get going," he said, looking at Rain.

Rain's heart skipped a beat. "Okay," she said, trying to sound casual.

Damon brushed off a smile. "The mosquitoes from here can get me to the hospital."

Rain's face grew hot with embarrassment. "Sorry," she muttered.

Damon chuckled, leaning in to whisper in her ear. "Don't let the bugs bite."

And with that, he turned and walked away, leaving Rain staring after him in confusion.

Chapter 3: Luxury & Slums

DAMON'S POV

Damon's living room was a haven of luxury, with plush leather sofas that cradled the body and a massive flat-screen TV mounted on the wall. The sound system was top-notch, and the air was thick with the scent of expensive cologne and freshly brewed coffee that wafted from the kitchen.

Damon sat on the couch, his eyes fixed on the TV, lost in the virtual world of his favorite video game. The controller vibrated in his hands as he took down enemy after enemy, the sound effects and music immersing him in the game. His friends, Tunde and Femi, sat beside him, cheering and dropping banters as they sipped their drinks.

While they played, Tunde suddenly turned to Damon with a mischievous grin. "So, what's the story with the girl from yesterday?" he asked, his voice low and conspiratorial, his eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Damon's eyes flickered away from the screen, and he shrugged nonchalantly, the leather couch creaking beneath him. "There's no story," he said, his voice smooth as silk. "That slum is the poorest I've seen."

Femi raised an eyebrow, his expression skeptical. "The slums?" he repeated, his voice dripping with disdain, his nose wrinkling in distaste. "What were you doing in the slums, Damon?"

Damon chuckled, the sound warm and rich. "I was just passing through my friends," he said, his voice laced with amusement, his lips curling up into a smile. "I wasn't exactly slumming it, if you know what I mean."

Tunde and Femi held back laughter, exchanged a knowing glance, and Tunde leaned in, his voice taking on a conspiratorial tone. "Come on, Damon, spill the beans," he said, his voice low and persuasive. "What's the real story with the girl? You practically chased after her man..."

Damon sighed, his eyes rolling heavenward, the sound of exasperation escaping his lips. "There's no story, guys," he repeated, his voice firm but patient. "She's just a girl from the wrong side of the tracks. I helped her out of a tight spot, and that's it."

Femi snorted, his expression incredulous. "You expect us to believe that?" he asked, his voice skeptical. "Damon Savage, the legendary football god and ladies' man...you're telling us that you're not interested in this girl?"

Damon shrugged, exhaling deeply. "I'm just saying that she's not exactly my type," he said. "I mean, have you seen where she lives? It's a dump. I don't think I could ever take her seriously."

Tunde sighed. "You're judging this girl based on where she comes from, and that's not nice," he said, his voice firm but gentle.

Damon raised an eyebrow, his eyes glinting with defiance, his jaw setting in. "I'm just being realistic," he said, his voice firm, his tone confident. "I'm a Savage, and I have a certain reputation to protect. I don't think I could ever be serious about someone from the slums."

***

The sun beat down on the dusty streets, its intense heat radiating off the pavement like a palpable force. The air was thick with the smell of smoke from cooking fires and the sound of vendors calling out their wares. Rain and her friend Alarie walked side by side, their feet kicking up clouds of dust as they made their way to the well.

Each of them carried a big plastic gallon, which they would fill with water from the well and lug back to their homes. The gallons bounced against their legs as they walked, the plastic creaking in protest.

As they walked, Rain couldn't help but think about the handsome stranger she had met the day before. She had told Alarie all about him, and now her friend was grilling her for more details.

"So, what's he like?" Alarie asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Is he cute?"

Rain blushed, feeling a flutter in her chest. "He's more than cute," she said. "He's gorgeous. Looks rich. I mean, I've never seen anyone like him before."

Alarie's eyes widened in surprise. "Rich?" she repeated. "What do you mean?"

Rain hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. "I don't know," she said finally. "He just seemed...different. Like he's used to getting what he wants."

Alarie nodded thoughtfully. "I see," she said. "Well, be careful around him, okay? We don't know anything about him."

Rain nodded, feeling a pang of unease. She had been so caught up in the excitement of meeting the handsome stranger that she hadn't stopped to think about the potential risks.

A voice called out from behind them. "Rain! I heard you've got a new boyfriend that is rich!" Rain turned to see Ethan, one of their friends from the neighborhood, grinning at her. He was a tall, lanky boy with a mischievous glint in his eye.

"Ethan, shut up!" Rain said, laughing. "He's not my boyfriend."

Ethan chuckled and walked up to them, a piece of paper clutched in his hand. "I drew a picture of your new boyfriend," he said, holding out the paper.

Rain took the paper, feeling a surge of embarrassment. On the paper was a crude drawing of handsome Damon with an arrogant expression on his face. "How?" Rain muttered.

"I have my ways," Ethan shrugged. "Everyone in the hood knows of him right now."

Alarie snatched the paper out of Rain's hand, her eyes scanning the drawing. And then her eyes widened in shock. "Rain, this is Damon Savage!" she exclaimed. "The football god!"

"Football god?" Rain rolled her eyes, "I don't know him." She felt a flutter in her chest. She had no idea that the handsome stranger she had met was a famous football player.

Ethan grinned, looking pleased with himself. "I knew it!" he said. "I knew you'd hooked yourself a rich boyfriend!"

Rain rolled her eyes again, embarrassed. "Ethan, shut up!" she said, biting her lower lip. "That snob..."

But Alarie was still staring at the paper, her eyes fixed on the crude drawing of Damon Savage. "Rain, really?" she asked, her voice low and serious. "Either way, you can't get involved with someone like him. He's out of your league."

"Who said I was getting involved?" Rain felt unease, but she pushed it aside. "I'll be fine," she said, smiling reassuringly at Alarie. "Don't worry about me. I don't even like him, he's not my type.'"

"Who is your type?" Alarie folded her hands. "Brookie with a choice."

"Alarie the rich woman." Rain snapped back.

"Brookie!!!!" They both screamed together, laughing mockingly at each other.