BEATEN UP

Jessica saw the car leave as she hid behind the window next to the gate. She had a sweet smile resembling a teen who just saw her crush. She turned around and walked into the elevator when the car left her sight.

On reaching her apartment she took a quick shower and was scrolling through the web when her screen blacked out… The screen showed some characters and soon it returned to normal. Jessica's face turned dark and she exited the web to open her messaging app. She went to the contact named 'FRIEND' and send a message with two simple words. 'NO'.

She got up from the sofa and headed to the kitchen to get herself a glass of cold milk when her phone vibrated showing a new notification. She looked at the lit-up screen and her face started brimming with happiness. It was a cute emoji message from Steve. It read 'Goodnight, dear…' with two heart emojis. She smiled to herself before replying.

Steve sat on his balcony with a cup of cold milk on the coffee table next to him. He took a sip from his cup when his phone lit up. He quickly picked up the phone. On reading the message he coughed vigorously as the milk he just sipped went into his windpipe.

The message read 'Goodnight to you too, sweetheart…' Followed by two hearts emoji. His face was instantly lit up as he stared at his phone screen. He hugged his phone as if it was his life and danced in the room in his bathrobe.

*Thud*

The man dancing immediately stopped and looked in the direction of the sound. Mrs. Smith stood at the door with her eyes popping out as she saw her son dance with the wind and without the music. She seriously thought her son had gone mad. She was going to call the family doctor to check him. In her horror she dropped the fruit tray she was holding grabbing her son's attention.

Steve's face showed shock as he stared at his mother. he didn't know what to say. He straightens up and walked towards her mother. Taking her by her shoulders he let her in and closes the door. His mother sits down on the bed judging that Steve had something to say.

"Mom… Don't take anything the wrong way. It's just that I got over excited…" His mother hummed and asked the reason for this happiness. Steve blushed and gave his phone to the lady lord. He bowed his head in embarrassment as a blush crept up his neck tinting her cheeks a bright red.

"Pfttt….. Haha….. So it is Jessica. she addressed you as 'sweetheart'.That's good progress…" His mother said as she looked at her embarrassed son. She smiled and decided to give him some privacy. She walked out of his room after cleaning the mess she created as her ears ringing with the sound of wedding bells, that she hoped to hear soon.

...…..

The Han Mansion,

A black car entered through the gates as Father Han stepped out from it. Fatigue was clearly visible on his face. He had been working overtime to stabilize the condition of the company but all in vain. Mrs. Han was waiting for him and took his coat and bag from him placing them on the table.

"You look tired. Is everything fine?" She asked with worry clear in her voice.

*Sigh*

"Nothing is fine. The value of company shares is decreasing day by day. The decrease is minimum but if this continues the company will go bankrupt for sure." Father Han said as he sat on the sofa.

"Why don't you ask Mr. Smith for help? After all, he is the soon-to-be son-in-law." Mrs. Han asked as she gave a glass of water to her husband.

"Huh?! I went to Jessica today. She needs to be told a lesson for her attitude she thinks that she is now the queen with Mr. Smith's support. Like mother, like daughter." Father Han said as he remembered the mocking look of Jessica earlier that day. If not for Mr. Smith he would have long killed Jessica. He had attempted this many times when she was abroad but failed. He suspected that someone was protecting her from the shadows. Even if Steve wants to harm Jessica he would not be able to even touch her.

During the time Jessica was abroad no one knew that her so-called father had done endless attempts to kill her, hiring the best of killers. But they all failed and ended up getting harmed instead. On these events, he was sure that there was something that would not let them harm Jessica, and if they still tried they were doomed. He had even received multiple threats saying that his end was near.

He was somewhat feeling that this all mess was done by Jessica. But he instantly dropped the idea as he thought Jessica to be a fragile girl with the most fragile heart. He was sure he would be able to melt her heart.

However, this was not true and Father Han was not aware of the upcoming storm that was slowly going to make him lose everything, even his most treasured thing….

The next morning, Jessica's store

Jessica was concentrated on her first dress when suddenly the door of her cabin flew open with a bang. Amy stormed into the room with a sullen face. 'She is surely angry and had a fight with Ron.' Jessica thought as she saw Amy sit on the sofa with her arms crossed.

Minutes passed….. Amy still sat on her seat without making a sound. Her usual enthusiastic eyes were empty as she blankly stared at the floor. Jessica leaned on her desk as she stared at Amy without blinking. She felt a pang on her heart. Amy was one of the few people who treated her well.

She walked towards Amy and kneeled down in front of her. Cupping her face Jessica asked in a low voice, "what happened? Is something wrong?" There was deep concern in her voice.

One second… Two seconds…

Amy's eyes welled up with tears as she hugged Jessica. Not knowing what to do Jessica simply patted her back, letting her cry out her grief.

After an hour Amy calmed down. Jessica passed over a glass of water to her and sat down. Sipping on the water Amy's eyes were red and swollen. Putting a hand on the back of Amy Jessica spoke, "Tell me, is all fine. Maybe I could help you?"

Amy looked up at Jessica and said with a hoarse voice, "My….. My boyfriend is cheating on me with the girl who claims to be my best friend. It hurts." Jessica's eyes softened. She felt sad but angrier at the person who dared to sadden her best friend. She spends another hour comforting Amy and asked for the address of the boy.

.....

At a high-class club,

A man dressed in casual jeans and a dark blue shirt entered the club. He had a black denim cap on hiding his mesmerizing light brown eyes. His eyes examined the room as if he was searching for something. His eyes fixed on a couple who was sitting in the corner with a glass of wine in their hand.

He went to the bar counter with everyone's eyes on him as if he was a god. His face was clear as a white jade and every feature spoke of purity and nobility. He asked for a beer and sat there elegantly all the girls drooling at the view.

After some time he stood up and went to the seat the couple was sitting. He sat down next to them and stared at the girl with his mesmerizing brown eyes. The girl seemed to be tempted and smiled flirtingly at the man. This alerted her boyfriend who took her hand and moved out of the clubhouse.

"What was that just now? I broke up with that Amy for you and you….." The man said as he pinned the girl to the wall of a hidden alleyway.

"Huh?! Don't think so highly of yourself… I am just with you for your good looks and money if I find someone more good-looking and richer I will leave you." The girl said with disgust in her eyes.

"You…." The man shouted when suddenly a heavy thing hit his head with a lot of force. He looked back and saw the same man in the clubhouse behind him holding an iron rod in his hand. There was an unlit cigar in between his lips. The girl who was pinned to the wall smile with happiness.

Before anyone of them said anything another big shot came on the face of the man. Then there were endless punches and kicks on the man's body. The clubhouse-man was standing unharmed as he watched the man lying in pain. He had an evil smirk on his face. His eyes were hidden under his cap.

The man turned around to leave when the girl hugged his arm stepping on the person on the ground.

"I knew you would be here." She said in her cheeky and over-sweet voice. The man shoved her to the ground mercilessly and said with a deep voice that showed his supremacy, "you should not mess with my people… I warn you… Tomorrow I want you to go and apologize to Amy… Otherwise, you are done for."

It was an obvious threat. The girl looked fearfully at the retreating back of the man. 'Who the hell was he… so terrifying…'