His Timely Presence (4)

Puzzled, Ning Youyou cast a furtive glance at the man and wondered how it happened. It was actually quite difficult for anyone to run into her in the corner where she stood. However, her gown was already soaked in red stains of wine, from her body all the way down to her skirt. It was not a pleasing sight to see at a formal ball.

"Miss, it's all my fault. Here. You may use my jacket to cover yourself," the man said while taking his jacket off.

"There's no need for that. Excuse me, I'd like to go to the washroom," Ning Youyou declined his offer. She grabbed her pouch, and luckily, there was some tissue paper that she could use. She decided to clean up the stains in the washroom, and if possible, she wanted to leave the ball after that.

"I'm sorry, miss!" Apologetically, the man expressed his regret once again and watched as she left for the washroom.

Hastily, Ning Youyou found her way to the washroom and began to do some simple cleaning. She looked piteous, with her gown stained with wine. She couldn't return to the ball looking this way.

With some tissue paper, she tried to wipe the stains away, but the gown did not look any better. Under such awkward circumstances, she had no choice but to leave the hotel earlier.

She would give her friends a call later to explain the situation rather than going back to the ball to see them.

But just when she was about to leave, she was shocked by the figure who was standing right outside of the washroom door.

"Manager!"

Ning Youyou had certainly never expected to see him in a place like this, especially at this hour when he should be dancing.

With his smiling face, he said, "Hey, Youyou, what a coincidence! I didn't expect to see you here!"

Coincidence?

She greeted him with a greasy smile and continued walking, but the manager got in her way.

"Manager, will you excuse me?"

He appeared not to hear her request and continued to stand in her way. Fixedly, he gave her a long stare and said, "Youyou, what happened to you? Why is your gown all wet?" He then reached out his hand to touch her gown, seemingly unabashed.

Ning Youyou was dumbfounded as she clearly did not expect that he would behave in such an improper manner. Hurriedly, she took a step back to avoid his touch, only to bump into the door instead.

No amount of precautions could ward off the sudden sexual assault. Inexpressibly disturbed, she quickly moved further back to keep a distance from him.

"Excuse me; I'm not feeling well. I want to leave now. I'm sorry," she said with her head down. There was still a gap between him and the door that she could walk through, but he seemed to know what she was thinking of and took a big step forward to block her only way out.

"You're unwell? What's the matter? Shall I have a look?" He then attempted to touch her again.

Ning Youyou dodged his hand, but it was difficult for her to leave, unharmed.

It was obvious what the manager wanted from her. Fiercely, she resisted, in hopes that it would deter him from any further misconduct.

"Please behave yourself!" Ning Youyou's face darkened. "Please excuse me. I really have to go."

She had clearly underestimated him, as he suddenly pulled her from behind as soon as she attempted to walk away. Utterly rattled by his arms, she staggered and fell.

He caught her right in his arms and whispered softly into her ears, "Hey, look how soft your skin is! Youyou, I've just realized how attractive you are! We've worked together for so long now. I should've noticed it earlier."