Saved By A Stranger.

Hailey glanced at her phone, noting the time on the illuminated screen, which read '7:50 pm.'

"Eat quickly; it's getting late," she urged, swiftly finishing the remainder of her meal and dabbing her fingers with a napkin.

Javin efficiently wrapped up his dinner and stowed away his plate. As Hailey looked up at him with a curious expression, she inquired, "Are you with your phone?"

Javin instinctively checked his pockets, only to discover his phone was missing. He muttered a silent curse and shook his head, responding, "No."

Concern etched across her face, Hailey suggested, "I will order a cab to take you home."

However, Javin declined, assuring her, "No, I'm okay. I can use a bus to get home," accompanied by a reassuring smile.

Perplexed, Hailey furrowed her eyebrows and questioned, "Are you serious? Why?"

Javin nodded, explaining, "Yes, that's how I got here, and don't worry, I still have cash on me."

"The time you came was a bit brighter, and it's already dark outside," Hailey remarked, noting the shift in lighting with a thoughtful expression.

Javin, feeling a bit defensive, countered, "Hailey, I'm not a kid; I'm a grown man," his expression clearly conveying his discomfort with being treated otherwise. "Besides, I don't live...far away."

Witnessing his reaction, Hailey crossed her arms and glared at him, causing Javin to swallow nervously and avert his gaze.

"Okay, I guess it's quite far, but trust me, I'll be fine. I promise," Javin reassured, sensing Hailey's concern. Despite her initial reluctance, Hailey hesitated and looked down, biting her lower lip. The stubborn glint in Javin's eyes made her sigh heavily, deciding against further argument.

"Okay, fine, but promise me that you will call me as soon as you get home! Be safe. And goodnight," Hailey relented, turning away from him. Javin nodded appreciatively, waved goodbye, and exited the apartment, closing the door behind him.

As Hailey stood alone, she stared at the closed door, a mix of worry and thought on her face. Eventually, she glanced at her phone, contemplating, 'I should call for a cab just in case.'

***

Meanwhile, Javin had already exited the building, his footsteps echoing on the pavement as he walked along the sidewalk. The bustling crosswalk lay ahead, filled with a throng of people immersed in their daily lives. The crowd was dense, each individual lost in their own little world as Javin seamlessly blended into the mass of pedestrians.

Upon reaching the crosswalk, Javin's gaze fixated on the traffic light, which still displayed a vibrant shade of green. Patiently, he waited, his hands tucked into his pockets, observing the cars zooming past him.

As he stood, his mind wandered back to the heated argument with his father earlier.

His father's words echoed in his mind, "Just what do you think you're doing? Your grades are bad! Can't you be more like your brother Ronan? He is going to be the next chairman of Gao Glamour Groups. His future is set, and that's because he studied hard, and here you are wasting your life and time with video games." The stern admonishments had hurt Javin deeply, fueling a simmering anger within him.

In response, Javin had defiantly retorted, "What do you mean Ronan will be the next chairman of Gao Glamour Groups? It's obvious Hailey is going to be the next chairman, so stop dreaming of impossible things."

The memory brought back the resounding slap his father had delivered in response.

Unyielding, Javin continued, "Ronan isn't half as good as Hailey! And I don't ever want to be like Ronan. Stop trying to control me; it's not like you... actually care."

As he navigated the crowded crosswalk, Javin sighed deeply, the memory of the argument still fresh in his mind. He pondered, 'Should I even go back home? It's suffocating.' The city lights flickered around him, mirroring the internal turmoil he felt.

Javin found himself in a state of complete zoning out, oblivious to his surroundings. Lost in his thoughts, he unconsciously approached the road, seemingly ready to cross despite the persistent green light. His momentary lapse was abruptly interrupted by the blaring sound of a car horn and a firm grip on his arm, preventing him from stepping into the traffic.

Startled by the unexpected touch, Javin turned to face the source and found himself locking eyes with a girl around his age. Her obsidian irises bore into his, and her grip on his arm conveyed a mix of concern and urgency. The girl had thick black shoulder-length hair elegantly styled in a ponytail, and a black face cap adorned her head. Her pale, smooth skin and delicate facial features added to her mysterious allure. She was dressed in black skinny jeans, white tennis shoes, and a long blue jacket layered over a white shirt.

"You should be more careful. You can't just zone out on the road," she admonished in a low, melodious voice devoid of emotion. After delivering the cautionary words, she released his arm and casually stepped aside, as if the encounter had never happened.

Dumbfounded by the near miss, Javin processed the situation, realizing, 'I almost died.' Grateful for the intervention, he was about to express his thanks, but the enigmatic girl had vanished into the bustling crowd.

Javin blinked rapidly, attempting to locate her presence, but she had disappeared without a trace. Uttering an incredulous, "Oh my god..." he whispered in shock. Collecting himself, he turned away from the crowd, retracing his steps back to Hailey's place, as the encounter lingered in his thoughts like an elusive dream.

Upon reaching the penthouse apartment complex, Javin noticed Hailey standing next to a cab, engrossed in her phone. She looked up and spotted Javin with a frown on her face. Detecting her frown, he hastened towards her, eager to share his recent brush with danger.

"Hailey, I faced death just a minute ago," he began, and Hailey, crossing her arms, maintained her serious demeanor.

As Javin continued, recounting the dramatic encounter, "Death stared right at me face to face... now I know what they mean by 'I felt my life flash through my eyes,' but I was saved by a pretty girl." His gaze fixed dramatically on Hailey, who retained her frown. Unimpressed, she rolled her eyes and uttered his name with a hint of exasperation, "Javin."

Silenced by her response, Javin obediently nodded, and Hailey, with a stern expression, ordered, "Get in the cab."

Complying, Javin entered the cab, and Hailey closed the passenger side door before leaning in. "Don't forget to call when you reach home," she reminded him.

"Okay, I will. Thank you for today, and I'm sorry for causing trouble for you," Javin apologized sincerely, his voice expressing genuine remorse.

"It's okay," Hailey reassured him, offering a gentle smile. As the cab started to pull away, Hailey stepped back, watching it drive off with relief etched on her face.