As she stepped out of the restaurant, Mr. Adam followed her, saying, "Let me get my driver to take you." He offered immediately as he crossed the distance between them, already reaching for his phone to call another driver to come and pick him.
"No, it's fine," she quickly refused, raising her hands. "I just need a walk. It's good for my legs."
He looked uncertain, but she was already reaching for her umbrella. "Thank you again. Really, You've been good to me. And please, extend my greetings to Mr. Adam."
Mr. Adam nodded and smiled. "Don't forget, my door's open. Always."
"I'll keep that in mind," she replied with a warm smile.
She turned and headed out. The air was cold as it had started to drizzle. She popped open her umbrella and stepped into the dimly lit street, walking past glowing signs and puddles reflecting neon pinks and greens.
As Linda walked on the quiet street, the rain began to fall harder, drumming gently on the surface of her umbrella. She walked steadily, her boots splashing through shallow puddles as she made her way home.
As Linda hurried through the drizzle, her phone began to ring. She balanced the umbrella on her shoulder blade and glanced at the screen__It was Sophia.
She picked up and placed the phone to her ear, readjusting the umbrella as she kept walking.
"Hello," she said.
"Hi, baby! What's up?" came Sophia's cheerful voice through the line.
"I'm good," Linda replied with a small smile.
They chatted lightly for a moment __ Sophia talked about how boring her evening was and how she'd spent it binge-watching her favorite drama, while Linda mentioned the restaurant and how fancy it was. They laughed about random things, exchanging quick updates, when Sophia suddenly paused.
"Wait__ where are you? I can hear honking cars. Why are you outside at this hour?" she asked curiously.
"I had a date," Linda said simply.
"What?!" Sophia squealed. "A date? Is he rich and handsome? Quickly tell me, Linda! Did he come with the latest car __ I mean, the one Williams Adam is driving? Did he ask you to be his girlfriend?" She threw question after question without giving Linda any room to answer.
Linda rolled her eyes, sighing in amusement. When will she ever stop talking about rich guys? she thought.
"He's just Mr. Fang Leng, a friend of mine. And he's probably a father now, you silly" Linda said, putting extra emphasis on the just.
"Ohhh… okay," Sophia replied quickly. "Then we'll talk later ___ after you get home, or tomorrow!"
Before Linda could respond, Sophia hung up.
Linda smiled to herself, slid the phone back into her bag, and continued walking down the quiet street.
Her thoughts wandered back to the dinner she'd just had. Mr. Fang Leng had been so kind, and his mysterious boss __the one she hadn't still met yet ___ had gone out of his way to show gratitude. The envelope he'd sent through Mr. Adam was tucked safely in her coat pocket, but it wasn't about the money. It was the gesture.
She had always thought that the rude guy she met before would have a rude father like himself, but Mr. Adam seems different __ mysterious, yet clearly kind. She never imagined that the man she'd saved would turn out to be an employee of the rude guy's father. The connection was strange, long, and shocking. Funny how destiny works, she thought.
She was so lost in thought that she almost didn't notice the quiet, faint shuffling of footsteps behind her. Until a splash sound jolted her out of her thought.
Her whole body froze for a second.
Her senses kicked in. She didn't raise her head or stop. She just kept walking, eyes still on the slick pavement, acting like nothing had changed. But her ears? They were on high alert, listening carefully.
There it was again __ footsteps that were light, deliberate, and keeping pace with hers.
Her heart started racing. The rain fell harder, the street growing darker as she entered a quiet bend with fewer lights___the kind of place you wouldn't want to be alone in, especially at night.
She clenched her jaw. Think, Linda. Think.
Without hesitation, she took a sharp turn down a narrow side alley. Then, just as quickly, she ducked behind a low brick building and crouched. She held her breath, heart thumping in her ears, her umbrella clutched in one hand like a makeshift shield, and her other hand clenched into a fist — ready for anything.
The footsteps followed. It was coming closer and faster.
Now!
As the figure emerged, Linda sprang forward and swung. Her punch landed squarely, knocking the person backward.
Linda quickly dropped her umbrella and rolled across the wet pavement, stopping as she faced the person who had landed gracefully in a feline stance ___ one hand on the ground, the other extended, one leg bent and the other stretched behind.
It was a girl __wearing a mask and all black.
It was actually Jae Min, but Linda didn't realize it because Jae Min was in her true female form ___not disguised as a boy __ and a mask covered part of her face. Her hood had fallen back, revealing a cascade of long, dark hair and striking, beautiful eyes.
Linda frowned, confused and still catching her breath.
"What's with people these days?" she muttered. "I thought I was about to get attacked by some creep, and it turns out to be a cute, jobless girl. What do you want?"
"Cute, jobless girl?" Jae Min snapped. Her voice was sharp and young, but annoyed. "You might wanna take back that little encouraging compliment."
Before Linda could react, the girl lunged like lightning__ swift and precise. Linda barely had time to lift her arms before a solid punch connected with her jaw, sending her stumbling back to the ground.
"Okay… wow," Linda muttered, rubbing her cheek. "You're strong."
"This won't take long," the girl said, eyes blazing behind her mask. "I just need to teach you a quick lesson."
"Oh, you're one of those," Linda shot back.
The rain poured harder as Linda sprang to her feet, ready. They both moved at the same time, bodies tense, eyes locked.
Then they charged.