CHAPTER 4

From one company to another, the probability of finding a job faded. By evening, she ended up at a pub near the highway.

"Well, I can't believe I'm doing this, but it's absolutely necessary," she muttered, sending emails to Golden Ray Company, which specialized in mining and metallurgical industries, and to Fairway Industry for leather goods. "I'll wait for their response."

Erika sighed, gazing at the sunset over the high buildings. The red sunray tenderly embraced the sky, welcoming the night.

'Heh! No family left to support me, no friends to be in touch with, and yes I'm here again broken' Erika thought folding her fists slightly hit the rounded table, she held her tears, "I had to struggle, I'm Lara's beloved daughter" She hissed checking her phone, finding out some messages from her father.

"They won't extinguish the fire of my resolve," she declared, finishing her second bottle. She preferred this bar for its classic charm and taste in music. Most patrons were middle-aged, making her stand out like a young flower among grass. Her silky orange skirt accentuated her curves, and her brown leather shoes and white neck scarf made her distinct.

"I told you it was a valuable hunt," two young men said, breaking the peace as they sat near Erika's table, their eyes tracing her body. She glanced at them, then looked away.'I'm not in need of headache, those men...'She told herself, taking her half-full bottle, she moved to a quieter spot.

It was nearly midnight, and she found herself walking alone on a narrow road. The sounds of cars created a random symphony. "Why do all the misfortunes befall me?" she whispered, spinning around. On her tiptoes, she began an angry, wild dance. The clatter of metal and the steps of approaching people made her turn. Four men with dragon tattoos and harsh expressions appeared; they seemed like criminals.

Erika fell to the ground and crawled toward a wall, her heart pounding. One man came closer, his long hair partially covering his face, and the scars near his right eye made him look monstrous. He was so tall that her neck felt stiff as she stared at him without blinking.

"Stay back; I warn you," Erika said to the man, who smiled. His friends laughed as if they had heard a joke.'It's fine Erika, they won't harm you' she thought then slowly pulled herself up, grabbing a broken wooden box from the ground.

"Wait here; we are not going to harm you," the man said mocking her shaking tone. Before they could reach her, she threw the box at them and ran as fast as she could. However, she was unsteady and fell several times before getting up again. Her hands bled, but she ignored the pain, hurrying to escape the dark path. Two well-built men blocked the road in front of her. She turned back to see the four men advancing.

She could hear her heart pump as if she racing against death, even though the outcome was inevitable, but she was still trying to survive.

"Is this the end? Am I going to die at the hands of these bandits?" she whispered, covering her lips and trying to hold back her cries. She felt someone behind her, but before she could react, he kicked her in the head, causing her to fall without moving a finger.

The sight of the four men standing over her was unbearable. She tried to raise herself, but all her efforts were in vain. Erika began to lose consciousness when she heard the loud roar of a man fighting the gangsters.

"Erika..."

This was the last thing she remembered before waking up in a fine room with comfortable furnishings. She held her head and walked to the mirror.

"God! Where am I?" she asked, touching the bandage on her head and noticing that someone had changed her clothes into a pretty dress.

"I can't remember who that man is," she thought. She put on her shoes and went downstairs; the house seemed empty.

"Whoever you are, I should thank you for helping me," she said, staring at the lovely house one last time before taking a taxi home.

"Where is she?" a sharp voice asked. The servant, still bowing, was about to raise her head and look at him, but she was too afraid to move a finger.

"My apologies, Mr. Rafael. I went to buy some springs for Madam," the servant answered. Rafael broke the vase in front of her, causing her to tremble. He took a long breath and then said, "Get the hell out of here."

He yelled at her, then sat on the sofa, checking his phone.

"Hey, put that down," Erika shouted, losing control when she saw her furniture being thrown into the street. Crossing her arms, she asked in a stern tone, "Who is responsible for all this?"

"These are orders, madam, Mr. John's orders," one of the men said, approaching her.

She mimicked his words sarcastically, then picked up a broken-framed picture of her mother. "I know you're watching everything; don't worry, Mom, I will be alright," she said, raising the picture as a car approached.

"Well, you've played enough," a man stated, gazing at Erika, who furrowed her eyebrows. He took off his black glasses, lit a cigarette, and waved his ringed hand. "As you know, your mother did not complete the payment for this house, and I am the one who took care of it, so it is my property."

Erika gazed at him with a shattered heart. He paused, then added, "And I don't allow a girl who refuses to go to her husband's house to stay in my house."

She looked over her shoulder and said, "Okay, he is my husband, and I'm fully dealing with him in any way I want. Why are you chasing me? Isn't it his duty to come himself to accompany me?"

Mr. John bitterly smiled and drove away without a word. How could he let his daughter face this situation?