An Unexpected Embrace

He swiftly removed Derek Mason's hand that was blocking him, then started spouting a stream of incomprehensible Japanese.

Although Avery Miller didn't understand a word, the sight of him lunging towards her again almost made her fall to the ground in fright.

"My goodness, what's with Japan being so terrifying! Do they always pounce at the sight of a pretty girl?" she exclaimed as she fell, her eyes tightly shut, yet somehow, this managed to stop him in his tracks.

He paused momentarily, then burst into a hearty, unabashed laugh that seemed especially charismatic under the dim, yellow lighting.

"What a handsome man, albeit a bit too forward!" Avery couldn't help but be mesmerized once more by his charm.