Chapter 36

Mary's POV

I was minding my own business, Smoking my one cigarette a day after a long 12-hour shift at the Hospital. When this village pumpkin dropped his cheesy one liner. He looked young. Tanned, tall and with a lean build. Probably from working in the field all day. He had short black hair and Dark brown eyes. To be fair… he looked cute~.

He introduced himself as Joe. I greeted my new neighbor back. He smiled stupidly at me.

"So, how's work?" He asked. His expression was genuine. Naivety clear in his eyes.

"Tiring. I just finished a shift. So I'm going to sleep now. Nice meeting you Joe."

"That's too bad... Well. Have a good rest, Miss Mary!" he said While grinning. I guess that his normal smile. I nodded and went back in to sleep.

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A month passed...

At eleven pm. I was about to close my apartment door. When I glanced to the side and saw Joe walking to his apartment with a small smile. Moonlight struck him in the Dark alleyway. He looked handsome...

"Hey Moonlight. How's work." I asked teasingly. He smiled brightly at my nickname for him. He looked a little embarrassed and said.

"Nothing much. Construction work is Tiring but at least it pays good. By the way you look great in your nurse outfit! How many times did I say that?"

"Every time you see me in it." I giggled a little.

He chuckled a little "Well. I'm gonna doze off. I was the guy's designated driver. I don't even have a license! Can you believe it?!" Joe said with a sigh. After that we laughed.

"Well, you are seventeen, no?"

"Sigh... I will be eighteen next month though... Oh! You're invited by the way! I'll have a party with my colleagues in the bar we frequent. It would be awesome if I can see you there!" Joe said with a sincere smile, his bright eyes twinkled as he looked at me.

"...I'll see if I can. Oh shit! I'm going to be late. It's good seeing you, Joe. Have a nice sleep" I patted his broad back. It was like a solid brick wall.

"Be safe, Sunshine." He said it with the sweetest smile…

I blushed a little. Then I turned and ran away like a scared cat. When he said that my heart started pounding fast and hard. I'm almost forty! for God sake! I'm not a little girl...

I won't deny i liked it~...

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Three months later...

Joe's POV

Ughhhhhhh. Those fucks are taking advantage of me! Just because I can't drink, they make me the designated driver every time! Although I save some money by making my last drop off on the guy nearest to me. Guess I can't complain.

Walking through the moonlit alleys and Street to my little home. Wondering if Sunshine is already on the way to work. Maybe I'll meet her on the way there.

I'm glad she could come to the party...

It was my best birthday party ever with her there...

Not like I had a birthday party before that anyways.

Moving to the city was the best dec-

"Come on girly. Just come with us! We'll have a good time I promise..." I heard some commotion in an alley Beside me. I looked and saw three dudes surrounding some girl.

"Yeah baby! Just listen to big brother her. We'll make you feel good I promise." thug No.2

"Yeah! What he said!" Thug No.3

"P-please just take my money and leave me alone!"

Wait! Was that Mary? I squinted my eyes and there she was. Clutching her purse and quivering.

I clenched my fist hard. I picked up an iron pipe on the side of the Road and walked to them.

"Hey fucks! Leave her alone!" I bellowed.

"Huh? Who the fuck are you? You want a piece of her too? Sorry we found her first!" Thug No.1 said.

"J-joe? Joe! please leave or they will hurt you!" Mary said with misty eyes. Seeing her in that state of fear and panic only steeled my resolve to save her.

"Oh? You know this guy? He your boyfriend? Hahahha! Good! We'll beat him up and make him watch as we gangbang and make you shake with pleasure! It will be a-" I struck thug No.2 right in his cheeks. Blood and teeth splattered all over the place. He didn't die but went unconscious.

"He killed Kenny! Quick grab him" Thug No.1 ordered the fat thug No.3. He lunged at me like a gorilla. I dodged to the side and hit him in the back of the neck with the iron pipe. He fell down unconscious. The pipe bent and broke. I threw it away.

"Motherfucker! Courting death!" I almost spat blood at his cliche line. Then I gripped my hands tightly. And gestured for him to come at me.

He ran at me like an ape. I dodged his punch and landed an uppercut right at his stomach. He was stunned briefly by the pain, but I didn't let up. I punched his face once, twice, thrice.

He was on the verge of losing consciousness. I didn't let up! I punched him four more times and he fell on his back. I put my legs on his biceps and started pummeling his face. I hit and I hit. Until Mary came from behind me and hugged me tightly.

"Please stop Joe! Please stop! You're going to kill him. He's already down. Please..." I stopped. Admiring the work, I made. His mother won't recognize him.

She picked my shoulder and helped me up. "Are you okay Mary?" I hope that they didn't hurt her.

"I'm fine! I'm fine...Let's just go home..."

We entered Mary's room. My hands were bloodied. Mine and the thug's blood. Mary brought a first aid kit and started disinfecting the cuts and bruises on my hand.

"Where did you learn to fight like that?" She said while diligently tending to my wounds.

"You know. Streets teach a lot of stuff. Also boxing matches are a good inspiration for going to the gym. Mike Ali is a beast in the ring!" I chuckled a little.

"That was reckless! You should've just called the police!"

"I-am sorry." I said with a dejected face. Better to let her vent a little. It was traumatizing for her. She is still shaking...

She finished treating me. Then just sat there. Looking down at the floor.

I looked down at the floor. What is she seeing?

I looked up at her face and saw her crying silently. It broke my heart...

"Mary... Just... Let it out..."

"Wuwwuwuuwu... Wahhhhh!" She sobbed and cried. Sniveling and snorting. Tears, Saliva and snot leaked out of her orifices. I couldn't take it anymore and hugged her tightly.

"It's okay Sunshine... Let it all out... Cry to your heart's content..." She cried even louder in my embrace. I caressed her small back. How could anyone try doing something so horrible to her...

After half an hour of crying. She pushed me away and looked at me.

" Sorry for showing you such an ugly sight..."Mary muttered softly. Her Tears had wet my shirt completely.

" No. You're never ugly, Mary. You're very beautiful" I said softly. Staring at her olive eyes.

She trembled a little. Blushed but never averted her eyes. She drew closer to me. Bit by bit. She put her arms around my neck. Then closed her eyes and kissed me.