| C H A P T E R - 5 |

ANASTASIA:Now, as much as I had wanted him to stop just a few seconds ago, I wished I could take it all back. I wish I could rewind time and just let him pass without uttering anything. In fact, I wish I hadn't brought Tressa today at all!I won't lie; I am embarrassed and terrified at this moment. With all the crazy things going on around me in this town, country, I don't think calling a stranger a stupid psycho was a good idea—especially when I am standing in the middle of nowhere.What if he is my stalker, or perhaps works for him? Why would he enter this abandoned road anyway? It's not that everyone is new to this town like me, knowing there are forbidden road tags, which apparently my Google Maps missed.But, like the calm before the storm, the man before me chose silence. I could sense trouble coming towards me any minute now.Slowly, the mysterious stranger parked his motorcycle, leaning it to his right to balance it as he turned his head to face me. Although his eyes remained concealed beneath the helmet's visor, an unspoken warning emanated from him.My throat tightened. Shit, I wasn't prepared for this."I-I am sorry," I stammered, my voice tinged with hesitancy. "I-I was..." I faltered, sweat dripping down my face.But as the situation unfolded, he only chuckled at my state. His voice was a deep and haunting lullaby, sending chills down my spine. It was like a sadistic allure, drawing me in like a siren's song. I kept staring.With a slow, deliberate movement, he removed the front glass from his helmet, leaning onto the front of his bike with hands over his bike's headlight, revealing eyes that left me utterly captivated.A sight like his should be deemed nothing short of a dream.Those eyes, framed by long, dark lashes, held secrets waiting to be uncovered. Something both familiar and yet unfamiliar.What is wrong with me?"Psycho idiot, huh?" he teased as he finally freed his head from the helmet. And oh, what a sight he was. I wasn't one to get impressed by beauty much, but I have to admit, this man had something that held me captive.Handsome didn't do him justice; he was something beyond that. If words like "handsome-er" or "handsome-st" existed, they would be reserved for this man.His deep, onyx eyes were as dark as thunderclouds, and his tall, lean, muscular frame was imposing. His shoulders were broad, his skin had a rich tan, and I had no doubt that beneath his clothes, he had a sculpted physique. He stood before me, towering over me like a black giant wolf in the forest. How tall is he? 6ft 2? Maybe.His face was stoic, almost devoid of emotion, with chiseled jaws and short jet-black hair, slightly tousled from the helmet. His black leather jacket and jeans completed the striking image. I kept drowning in his every inch like he is a slow malt whiskey."Feeling mute now, Miss Wildy?" he taunted, his voice resonating like an intoxicating melody as he finally snapped me back to reality. I blinked a few times, looking around to make sure where the heck I was actually at. Realizing the situation, I gulped the lumps in my throat.Although his gaze was piercing and intimidating, I couldn't deny the undeniable fact that he was exceptionally handsome in every conceivable way."I-I..." I began to explain, but just as he had commented, my words seemed to evaporate into thin air as he advanced toward me, causing me to step back involuntarily. Whoah, what the—"From what I've witnessed before, you were rather bold than cowering back, Miss Wildy," he remarked with a taunting smirk, walking slow predatory steps. "I wonder what changed your mind?"He was close. His cologne reached my senses, a complex blend of earthiness and aquatic freshness, pulsing through my nerves. I continued to stare at him, completely forgetting how to speak as my eyes locked with his beautiful, mysterious gaze.Oh, I wonder, how perfect he might be under those—His perfect black brows furrowed in confusion, and he snapped his fingers in front of me. "If you have done stripping me naked with the staring, mind answering my question?"Somehow, those words snapped me back to reality once again. Shit. I cleared my throat and averted my gaze, scanning my surroundings instead. "I-I wasn't staring at you," I stammered in response. Idiot. But deep down, I knew he must have caught me red-handed when he noticed the blush creeping onto my face.He chuckled again, a deep, alluring sound that sent my heart racing. He was like a mythical creature, both beautiful and dangerous."Your face says otherwise," he taunted once more as I hit something on my back. I gasped as I realized my back met a tree.Like a pro, he quickly put his hands on either side of my head, almost caging me under him. Fuck. I cursed under my breath. This was clearly not helping. He didn't move away. His enchanting black eyes continued to hold mine captive.Get yourself together, Ana."I-" I began but faltered again. Clearing my throat once more, gathering my thoughts, I started, "I am sorry. I just... I was..." I sighed, frustrated with my own stumbling words. By now, he probably sensed how deeply his presence had affected me, which, to be honest, was quite true. But I couldn't let him see that vulnerability. "Look," I began, my voice steadier. "I'm new here, and I need to reach my college by noon to submit these documents..." I swallowed hard, my throat parched for some inexplicable reason.I was nervous."And... um... my car broke down in the middle of the road, and I was trying to seek help. But, you see, it's been nearly twenty minutes, and no one has passed by this road. So I was desperate, and then I saw you. And you wouldn't stop, so... in anger..." My voice trailed off, not completing the name I called him. It was for good. I don't want trouble. We stood there and I looked down, feeling a pang of guilt for my earlier outburst.After a beat, he walked away without saying a word, and I sighed.Both in relief and in frustration.Not that I expect any help after my earlier nonsense. I mean, I know it was my fault for picking up on him in the first place. But I hoped he would have helped nonetheless. I guess, I was hoping too much.I continued staring at the ground, feeling ashamed of my impulsiveness when, surprisingly, I saw him return, carrying an extra helmet with him this time. I frowned in confusion.He extended the helmet towards me, and I gazed at him in confusion, feeling like a lamb offered food by a lion after her foolishness. I was not at all expecting that!Well, I guess I was getting him all wrong. Perhaps, he wasn't the stalker I was looking for. Or maybe I am just dreaming. Did he never return, or did he just return to bluff with me? But how can I ignore a living person before me, extending his hand for help? Was this really my dream?He raised an eyebrow. "Do you plan to stand here all day? Didn't you just mention you need to reach college by noon?" He glanced at his watch. "We don't have much time left!"I was left stunned. He was willing to help! And I wasn't dreaming!I let out a small, disbelieving laugh. Still partially caught up in the shock."If... you happened to change your mind, I can-""No," I interrupted. I quickly took the helmet from his hand and put it on. His lips twitched. We walked over to his bike, and he climbed on, starting the engine. Looking back at me, he motioned for me to hop on. A small, thankful smile crept onto my face, and I hopped on without hesitation.Even though I was sitting next to him, our heads nearly at the same height, I couldn't help but feel like a cat perched beside a mountain lion."Which way?" he asked."Preston University," I replied."Hold on," he instructed, revving the bike's engine once more. I was torn between holding onto him or...He shrugged. "If you're in the mood for a little road rash, feel free to be my guest," he quipped, a smirk playing on his lips. "I don't bite!""What?" I asked, puzzled. He kept staring at me from the side mirror.Then, slowly, he turned to look at me again, over his shoulder. His brows raised in a challenge. I sighed, rolling my eyes as I finally held onto the hem of his jacket. He looked one last time from his rear mirror. "As you wish," he said before gunning the engine, and we shot forward like a bullet.In the next instant, I realized I had made a grave mistake asking for help from him. The wind whistled past us so fast that everything became a blur. I clung to him for dear life, holding on with all my strength, our bodies flushed together, my knuckles white with fear, as the bike soared through the air at a dizzying speed. He was insane, and I was even crazier for letting him drive like this."Aahhhhhhh... What... the heck... are you doing?" I yelled, my voice barely audible over the roar of the wind. "Slow down, we'll die!"Oh god, what have I got myself into?I should have known; this was a mistake."Slow down pleas-please"He laughed in his melodic voice as he asked, "What? Have you never ridden a thrill before?""Thrill?" I argued. "This is suicide!" I commented. "And I refuse to die like this."But he ignored my pleas. He didn't slow down the speed. Instead, he urged, "Look," His deep voice boomed. "Open your eyes."What? I was one hundred per cent sure by now that he was insane!"No..." I managed to utter. "I won't. I am scared of..."I heard him let out a soft sigh before he almost whispered in his soft, beautiful, alluring voice, "Don't worry... I got you." I highly doubted that. His voice roared against the wind once again. This time, he really yells, "Just feel the rush."At this point, I wasn't sure if I was insane or he was. But his voice had somewhat worked like magic in my veins, and reluctantly, I did as he asked. I slowly opened my eyes to look ahead. And in that moment, everything changed. Unintentionally, my grip on him loosened a little, but I dared not to let go.The wind battered my face, but I began to enjoy it, to feel the rush of adrenaline coursing through my veins. I blinked, adjusting myself through the wind.I had never ridden a motorcycle before. My father had always forbidden it when I was growing up, not even a bicycle. But now, as I clung to this handsome stranger, I realized that I had always loved the idea of it. The speed, the wind, the thrill of it all.At that moment, I knew that this ride would be the first of many—a wild, exhilarating adventure that I could never have imagined before.As we zoomed past the surroundings, I couldn't help but feel exhilarated. But then something happened. A memory flashed before my eyes.FLASHBACK:"Hold on to me," a curly-haired boy with a toothy smile said to a little girl. They were hardly four to five years old, and they seemed to be best friends. "Let go of the fear, Rosie. Look ahead; it's so beautiful," he said as he rode me on his bicycle."No... I am scared," The little girl replied.They were laughing and giggling while he tried to ride the bicycle, but then a car came in front of them suddenly. He hit the brakes, and..."A loud horn broke me from my daydream. Woah, what was that? Who are they? and my eyes instantly widened to see a big truck coming towards us. "Wh-What are you doing?" I cried. "Stop!" I yelled as the truck came closer.But he didn't even bother to slow down; instead, his speed picked up, ready to roar. I closed my eyes and clung onto him, hoping and praying and...I don't know by the time he had stopped the bike. I was still holding onto him like a koala with all my might, hugging her favourite tree. He cleared his throat. "Do you want me to carry you down?" he asked, utterly serious.I frowned. As I opened my eyes, I realized we had reached the campus. I immediately let go of him, feeling a flush creep over my face. But I couldn't move; I was too stunned. I sat behind him like a wild confused child. "If you need another wild ride, you can just say so," he teased."N-No, that's not..." I fumbled once more. I mentally cursed myself for being such an idiot. I looked around and noticed a gathering had occurred. My heart raced with nervousness, wondering what it was for.But then I realized they were looking at us. Confusion crept inside me. It's just a bike ride; what's the big deal?But at that moment, I realized I was still on his bike, and people were looking at me because of that. So I quickly and quietly crawled down from it, without giving him a thank you. I started to walk away without saying another word.I was too embarrassed."I didn't know New York people were so... selfish!" he said from behind, stopping me in my tracks.I turned around, my brows furrowing at his statement. "I... Wait, how do you know I am from New York?"Shit! Was he the psycho stalker? Perhaps he had planned all this and pretended to help? Had I trusted the wrong man? I had thought that good looks must come with some cons. Maybe he's a murderer or..."Stop making up stories in your head," he replied while removing his helmet, revealing his gorgeous face once again. "Your New York keychains hanging from your bag didn't keep the fact hidden." This time, unzipping with a swift motion, he removed his black leather jacket, and holy fuck! Beneath his all-black ensemble, there was another layer of his beauty. Under his black tee, his tattooed arms popped up, adorned with ink in different foreign languages.For a moment, I wanted to remove his t-shirt and read what was written underneath. Discover his...Fuck, Ana. Stop imagining porn in the middle of broad daylight.A silver chain hung from his neck, and a few rings adorned his veiny hands. Those were symbols of a well-worked physique. Even though the t-shirt covered most of his beautiful body, I was sure the tattoos reached all the way to his neck.I wanted to run my fingers over...Shut up, Ana."That could be a gift..." I countered."Not with an accent, though.""Accent?" I asked in surprise."Yes, the damsel in disgrace, city girl accent."His taunt ignited anger within me. I scoffed. "Aren't you a little too confident in your judgments?" I replied, irritation lacing my words. His raised eyebrows nearly reached his hairline. "Such a pathetic!"He chuckled this time, then walked a little closer to me and whispered in his deep voice into my ear, "I wasn't so pathetic when you were imagining me naked."My eyes widen hearing the truth. I officially turned into a tomato. "Th-That's n-not...".I silently hoped he'd leave, the attention causing my anxiety to spike. But instead, he lingered, focusing on my hand. More particularly at my scar."How did this happen?" He asked in a more serious tone this time without averting his eyes from my hand.I clutched my hand in a fist. I wasn't exactly comfortable discussing it, but nonetheless, I responded, "I uh- got it from a fire nearly twenty years ago. The memory is a mystery."His brooding eyes delved deeply into mine, akin to the profound moment when the inky night surrenders to the burgeoning azure sea—a breathtaking collision of darkness and dawn. Their intensity threatened to unbalance me. Somebody help.Slowly his hands ascended, gracefully touching the line of my scar, as if to caress the very essence of my scar with the reverence one affords the most delicate of treasures, vowing to safeguard it at any cost. He looked up at me, his gaze piercing through me. My heart was beating like crazy shit right now. Something about this situation was undeniably tempting. But amidst the silence, I found peace. As we stood there in silence, the breeze passed my face, letting a few strands of my hair all over my face.I struggle to tame my hair. It was weird. I don't want to look stupid. But, before I could do so, his hands casually swept my hair back, tucking the strands behind my ears. His eyes locked onto mine like he'd stumbled upon something incredibly precious, stirring emotions within me that I had never experienced before. The moment his knuckles brushed against my cheeks, a fluttering sensation erupted in my stomach. But there I was, frozen in place, observing him as he looked at me with an admiration that made me never want to tear my eyes away.My heart stopped for a second. He is undeniably beautiful.Okay, I need to stop now."I - Uh..." My words faltered once more, leaving me struggling to find my voice as I tried to remove my hand.This time, he met my gaze with a smile before distancing himself. The warmth morphed into a mischievous smirk as he quipped, "Welcome to Preston, Piccola." He departed, leaving me perplexed.I couldn't help but wonder, What the heck now 'Piccola' mean?I watched him walk away into the crowd, leaving me confused, flushed, and feeling utterly stupid.The crowd dissolved with him, and I huffed, turning back, only to get knocked off by another person.