401: ASSERTING AUTONOMY


    ARIEL’S POV


    Feeling the tap on my shoulder, I turned to see a man standing there, his gaze fixed on me with a


    curious intensity. His demeanor was confident, almost bordering on cocky, and I couldn’t help but feel a


    twinge of unease at the way he was looking at me.


    “Excuse me, miss. Can I have a word with you?” He asked, his voice smooth and persuasive.


    I hesitated for a moment, unsure of what he wanted, but eventually nodded in agreement.” Sure, what


    do you want to talk about?” I replied, trying to keep my tone neutral.


    The man wasted no time inunching into his spiel, his words flowing effortlessly as he exined that


    he was a talent scout for a modeling agency. He went on to praise my appearance,plimenting my


    features and telling me that I had the potential to be a sessful model.


    I couldn’t help but giggle at his ttery, feeling a mix of amusement and disbelief at his audacity.


    “Thank you for thepliment, but I’m really not interested in all that,” I told him, shaking my head.


    But the man seemed undeterred by my refusal, continuing to extol the virtues of a career in modeling


    and how it could change my life for the better. He painted a picture of morous photo shoots, exotic


    locations, and lucrative contracts, all of which sounded enticing but ultimately not for me.


    “I appreciate the offer, but I’m just not interested,” I insisted, hoping he would take the hint and leave


    me alone.


    However, this man persisted, his persistence bordering on annoyance as he pressed me to reconsider.


    I could feel my patience wearing thin and my irritation mounting with each passing moment.


    “What’s your problem? I told you already, didn’t I? I’m not interested. Please, just leave me. alone,” I


    said, my tone firmer this time.


    ove to walk


    But before I could make a away, the man suddenly seized my hand, his grip tight and unyielding. My


    heart began to race with a growing sense of trepidation as he pulled me closer to him, his eyes


    narrowing with strength of character right there.


    “Where do you think you’re going, sweetheart?” he said, and there was a hint of menace in his voice


    right there, which was not good.


    2/4


    I tried to pull my hand away, but his grip only tightened, making the fear move within me.


    of me,” I demanded, my voice trembling with


    anger


    and fear.


    11


    “Let go


    But the scumbag ignored my plea; his gaze locked on mine with a predatory intensity. You’d be making


    a big mistake if you walked away from this opportunity,” he said, and that was actually menacing.


    Desperate to break free from his grasp, I tried to push him away, but he only pulled me closer, his grip


    like a vice around my wrist. The realization of my entrapment sparked a surge of panic within me. Well,


    sort of.


    To hell with this stranger who seemed intent on forcing me into something I didn’t want.


    Just as I began to fear the worst, a voice suddenly cut through the tension like a knife, startling both me


    and the man holding me captive. I looked up to see Andre standing there, his expression dark with


    anger as he red at the man.


    “Let go of her now,” André demanded, his voice cold andmanding.


    The man hesitated for a moment, taken aback by Andre’s sudden appearance, but then sneered


    dismissively. “And who are you supposed to be?”


    Before I could respond, Andre lunged forward, his fist connecting with the man’s jaw with a resounding


    thud. The man stumbled backward, releasing his grip on me.


    “You’ll regret this,” he spat with so much venom, and then he turned, hurrying away, disappearing into


    the crowd.


    Breathing a sigh of relief, I turned to André, gratitude shining in my eyes. “Thank you.


    Content ? N?velDrama.Org 2024.


    A


    Andre simply nodded, his expression tight with concern. “Are you okay?” he asked, stepping closer to


    me.


    “Yeah, I’m fine. All thanks to you,” I replied.


    “Who the hell was that guy?” Andre was quizzed, looking into the crowd.


    “I don’t know. Just a stranger who came and started telling me…” I paused and shook my head


    promptly as I grunted. “Never mind, it’s not that important anyway. So, care to tell me why you wanted


    the both of us to meet here?”


    “I will, but first, let’s go somewhere morefortable.”


    “Isn’t this cefortable?” I asked him, gesturing all around the park.


    “Well, this ce is filled with a kind of noise,” he answered. “I want us to go somewhere


    T: ASSERTING AUTONOMY


    3/4


    with less noise and more rxation.” Perhaps any restaurant nearby.”


    “Yeah, I think there’s one not too far from here,” I told him.


    “Let’s get going, then.”


    I shrugged, and we both walked to our cars. I led the way, and André drove behind me until we reached


    our destination. It didn’t take us that long, so yeah, we were cool.


    We both stepped out of our cars and made our way into the restaurant. The air inside was warm and


    inviting, a stark contrast to the chilly breeze outside.


    Andre held the door open for me,


    and we both walked inside, greeted by the aroma of freshly cooked food and the gentle hum of


    conversation.


    Finding a table tucked away in a cozy corner, we settled down, the edginess from our earlier encounter


    slowly dissipating. Andre let out a deep sigh, his expression serious as he looked


    at me.


    “How’s Luke doing?” he asked me.


    “He’s okay,” I replied with a small smile. “I’m just d to have him home.‘


    Andre nodded, his gaze drifting away for a moment before returning to me. “Ariel, there’s something I


    need to tell you.”


    I raised an eyebrow, curious about what he had to say. “What is it?”


    1


    Taking another deep breath, André leaned forward, his voice lowering. “I’m going to Norway for a


    business trip.”


    “Norway? That’s quite a distance. When are you leaving?”


    “In a few days,” he replied, his expression solemn. “Also, I want you toe with me.”


    I felt my heart skip a beat at his words, my mind racing with a million thoughts, “Come with you? To


    Norway?”


    Andre nodded, his gaze steady. “Yes. I think it would be good for both of us.”


    I couldn’t help but chuckle at his suggestion. “As much as I would love to, I can’t just drop everything


    and fly to Norway. Luke just got out of the hospital, and Janice needs me.”


    “I understand, but…” Andre trailed off, his expression conflicted.


    Before he could say anything else, a waiter approached our table, interrupting our conversation. He


    took our orders and, with a nod, disappeared into the kitchen.


    As the silence stretched between us, Andre sighed again, his shoulders slumping slightly.”


    401: ASSERTING AUTONOMY


    4/4


    Ariel, please reconsider. You can bring Luke and Janice along. It would be a great opportunity for all of


    you.”


    I shook my head, feeling a sense of frustration creeping in. “I appreciate the offer, Andre, but it’s just


    not feasible right now. “Lucas needs time to recover, and Janice has school.”


    Andre didn’t say anything in response, but I could see the disappointment in his eyes. When our food


    arrived, he picked up his fork and began to eat, his movements stiff and mechanical.


    We ate in silence, and I began to wonder why Andre was so insistent on me apanying him to


    Norway. Surely, he couldn’t be that upset with my response. After all, I was just being realistic, right?


    When we finished our meal, he got up from the table and left without saying a word.


    Honestly, it was kind of surprising. Not the typical Andre.