part 4

Saya smiled.

Daren pulled her tightly into his arms. They stood there, wrapped around each other, for several moments.

"Now let go," Saya finally said.

"No."

"Alright, let's go for a drive."

"Drive?" Daren pulled back and looked at her in surprise. "At this hour?"

"Why? What's wrong with this hour?"

"We had other plans."

"What plans?"

"...That after dinner, we would go back to the hotel," Daren reminded her with childlike stubbornness. "I need to go back to the hotel now."

"Not yet," Saya said. "The moment we get there, you'll pounce on me like a hungry lion again."

"That's a good thing, isn't it?" he said. "That's what we're here for."

"No, not just for that."

"Then for what?"

"We came here to explore, too."

"Then come to the room," Daren said mischievously. "I'll show you the whole world right now."

"You always bring it back to that!"

"Not yet," Daren said, looking her up and down. "First, let's get to the hotel room. Then I'll take you exactly where you want to go."

"No, we're going for a drive first."

"We're going back to the hotel."

"I said drive."

"Fine," Daren surrendered. "Give me ten minutes to arrange a car."

"Go ahead."

"Then let's go back to the hotel."

"Oh, not this again."

"We have to go back," Daren said. "That's where we can rent a car."

"Oh… alright then."

They returned to the hotel, where Daren spoke to the reception and arranged a rental car.

Then, late at night, they set out for a drive—one that would soon become unforgettable for both of them in many ways.

"This is amazing," Saya said, gazing at the vast green fields stretching under the moonlit sky.

"You like it?"

"Love it," Saya said and pulled Daren into her arms.

"Hey, hey! What are you doing?" Daren said, trying to keep his hands on the steering wheel. "Let go, or we'll have an accident!"

"No, we won't," Saya said, hugging him even tighter.

"Let go..." Daren insisted. "Or there'll really be an accident!"

Just then, a speeding car overtook them and suddenly stopped in front, blocking their way.

Daren, who had been distracted by Saya's embrace, quickly hit the brakes and looked ahead. Saya, too, turned her attention forward.

The doors of the other car swung open, and three young African men stepped out. One of them rushed to Daren's side and yanked open his door, pointing a revolver at him. The second did the same on Saya's side.

The third man stood in front of their car, his gun raised.

"W-what do you want?" Daren stammered.

"Your money, man," one of them replied.

"And leave that jewelry," the second one said, eyeing the necklace around Saya's neck.

"Fast," the third man waved his revolver.

"Here… here…" Daren quickly pulled his wallet from his coat pocket and held it out. "Take this and leave."

"That jewelry," the man beside Saya demanded.

"F*** off!" Saya snapped, glaring at him. "Leave now, or I'll call the police!"

The man looked at her in surprise.

Her husband was cowering in fear, but this delicate, innocent-looking woman was ready to fight back.

The man pointed his revolver at Saya.

"Don't!" Daren screamed. "Please, don't!"

The attacker looked at Daren, then back at Saya.

Saya's eyes showed no fear.

"I said please," Daren kept pleading. "Take all the money!"

"The jewelry," the man said, pressing the gun barrel against Saya's neck. "Now."

Daren looked at Saya and screamed, "Give it to them! Just give them whatever they want!"

Saya acted as if she hadn't heard him.

Just then, the third man swiftly moved forward, opened the back door of Daren's car, and got in.

He showed Daren his gun and ordered, "Out."

Daren was already terrified. Facing death so closely, he didn't have the courage to disobey.

"Out," the man repeated. "Now."

Daren slowly raised his hands and stepped out of the car. Saya stared at him in disbelief.

What kind of man was her husband?

He was leaving her behind in the car and standing outside like a helpless captive.

Instead of defending her, he was surrendering without a fight.

Just then, the first man struck Daren's head with the butt of his revolver.

Daren's legs buckled, and he collapsed onto the road.

Saya saw the attack on her husband and immediately stepped out to help him.