The One

Bully: Part 2

Once inside the building, she wandered aimlessly, searching for the kitchen to return the kit before rejoining the banquet. As usual, she found herself hopelessly lost. Turning left and right, she still couldn't locate the main hall when, out of the blue, Christian, her mate, appeared.

"There you are! I've been searching for you everywhere," he exclaimed, striding towards her.

Karol felt a wave of relief wash over her as she approached him. "I've been wandering in circles and can't find the exit from this maze!"

He smiled at her lovingly. "I knew you'd get lost in this place," he teased, quickly linking their arms together. "Thank the goddess my instincts were right in finding you!" Together, they strolled leisurely towards the party, enjoying each other's company.

But suddenly, a feminine voice called out. "Christian!"

Both of them turned to see the source of the voice, Christian releasing a heavy sigh. "Yes, Blair," he replied in a flat tone, prompting Karol to raise an eyebrow for a brief moment.

"I need to talk to you," Blair insisted.

"Then talk," Christian replied dismissively.

"Alone, Christian. I need to speak with you privately."

"Just tell us what it is, Blair," he urged.

"It's regarding our business," she stated firmly.

Understanding the tension, she stepped back. "Aright, you two carry on. I'll head back to the party," she said quickly, releasing his arm and walking past Blair without a glance back.

Coolly, she walked away, albeit in the wrong direction. Before Christian could address her, Blair interjected, diverting his attention to their 'business'.

As Karol walked away in frustration, she muttered scornful words under her breath. Suddenly, she bumped into a man who was as sturdy as a rock. In a classic hero-meets-heroine moment, he caught her effortlessly as she clung to his sleeve.

"Sorry," she muttered.

"No worries. Are you alright?" he asked, concern evident in his eyes as he lifted her gently, causing her embarrassment to deepen. "Yes, thank you," she replied hastily before hurrying away.

Quickening her pace, she intended to leave the handsome stranger behind, only to cross paths with the bullies once more, dragging Sam by the collar away from everyone. Fury ignited within her, and she power-walked towards them, only to collide again with the same handsome man.

"You should stop bumping into me, or I might just fall for you," he chuckled, the same pose repeating as he caught her once more. This time, though, she was unfazed, her focus entirely on Sam.

"Sorry, I'm in a rush. Thanks again," she said in a business-like tone, before marching towards the bullies.

"Hey, why are you in such a hurry?" he called after her.

Ignoring him, she continued her determined stride towards the backyard, knowing Sam needed her help against the bullies. Her intuition proved correct; as soon as she arrived, she found Sam being beaten by the bullies once again.

"Hey, you! Yes, you, you arrogant tosser," Karol practically spat, her eyes narrowing into slits as she glared at the bullies.

"Seriously? You're back for more?" Bully number 2 sneered, flipping her hair as she turned to face her.

"Trust me, sweetheart, his business is my business," Karol shot back defiantly. "And if you so much as lay a finger on him again, you'll wish you hadn't."

"Best walk away while you can, lady," Bully number 1 warned, releasing her grip on Sam's collar, a smirk plastered across her face.

With her arms crossed and resolve hardened like steel, Karol stepped toward them. "Why would I walk away when you're busy shoving your weight around, harassing my friend?"

The other bully cackled, "This piece of rubbish is your friend? This nobody? This—" But her insult was abruptly cut off as Karol breathed fire, metaphorically speaking, daring them to challenge her.

"This adorable boy is my friend, and he possesses more dignity and courage than either of you pathetic bullies will ever know."

"Oh, looks like she wants to join the fun, doesn't she?" Bully number 2 chimed to her accomplice, swaggering towards her, flexing her fists like some sort of low-budget boxer. "Don't run home to mummy if you get hurt, stupid lady; you'll have only yourself to blame!"

Karol couldn't suppress a smirk. "Oh, please. Don't mind if I teach you a lesson you so desperately need," she quipped, tying her hair up in a swift motion that signalled she meant business.

The showdown commenced. Bully number 2 lunged, aiming a wild punch at her face, but with the grace of a gazelle, she dodged, sending her opponent stumbling almost comically into the air.

Bully number 1 charged next, throwing punches like a toddler throwing a tantrum, each one gracefully sidestepped by Karol.

"Come on!" she wailed, exasperated. "Fight like a real person! Stop dodging, you coward!"

"Fine," Karol replied, rolling her eyes. With an elegant pivot, she went from defence to attack in one fluid motion, honing in on bully number 1. "I always fight like a lady," she declared, landing a precise hit that sent bully number 1's arms flailing uselessly before a stinging slap sent the girl reeling.

Bully number 2, who had been standing dumbfounded, cradled her cheek, shock evident on her face as disbelief washed over her.

Seething with rage, Bully number 1 charged again, but Karol was ready. With a steady fist, she punched the bully squarely in the stomach, sending her crumpling to the ground as she gasped for air like a fish out of water.

Karol towered over them, eyes blazing. "There! I did warn you to leave my friend alone, didn't I? Consider this your medicine: next time, don't you dare bully anyone simply because you can. Are we clear?" She regarded them with contempt as if they were nothing more than annoying flies buzzing in her ear.

Rolling her eyes, she strode over to Sam, who was nursing his dislocated shoulder, gazing at her with the admiration akin to that of a besotted knight wondering if his queen would ever notice him.

As she helped him up, they ambled towards the bullies lying on the floor like two discarded rag dolls. "Never underestimate the power of a woman, darlings," she quipped cheekily, leaving them in a heap as they made their grand exit.

Unbeknownst to her, a handsome stranger lingered in the shadows, captivated by the spectacle he had just witnessed.