Running from Him by YH Yohi

Chapter 15: The unusual request

"Arin. What are you doing here?" Pari looked questioningly as he stood facing the man cowering in fear. If it hadn't been for the delicate furnishing one would have mistaken the view for an interrogation. The man hugged himself with his eyes planted to Arin's feet who sat a few feet away nonchalantly playing with a pen.

"Wanted to see what the trouble is about?" He turned to Pari flashing a sheepish smile as he took her in. He strode towards her as Pari approached him, peeking over the shoulder to watch the man. She felt a firm hand around her waist as he pulled her into a hug whispering 

"You look gorgeous"

Pari struggled to keep herself from smiling as she read the room. She held back her smile, as her blush slowly crept up her cheeks. Everyone's eyes were implanted on the poor man.

"Do you know him?" she asked Arin, tearing away from his embrace

"Yea, he used to work for me"

"What?"

"Yes, he is one of my former employees"

"Oh, then why?"

"I had to lay him off, and refused his pleas to increase his compensation"

"Then?"

"I didn't, so he's here" Arin threw a glare at the man as he said the last word

The man remained mute, frozen in his chair looking into the distance. He looked disillusioned and worn out, pity swelled from within Pari. She moved past Arin, and sat in front of the man. The man slowly drew his glossy eyes to meet hers. 

"Pari" Arin placed a firm hand of her shoulder, his tone instructing her to not proceed anymore. Ignoring the light squeeze she continued.

"Is there anything you want to tell me?" Pari asked softly. She noticed his back straightening as if unknotting his throat letting his words out, but his eyes frantically moved from her face to something behind and back to her face as his faced paled. Before she could turn back to follow his sight...

The man cleared his throat as if making way for the words to come out. She felt Arin's hand squeeze tighter but she was too focused on the man to avert her eyes.

"Go on." She urged him

"Pari" Arin interrupted as the man refused to say a word "don't waste your time, I'll sort it out with him, myself"

"But Ain..."

"Pari, you still need to get ready for the main function"

"I know but..."

"I promise I'll make sure he is compensated properly" Arin assured

"He wanted to talk to me..."

"Pari, look at him. He clearly has nothing to say. He just wanted to use you to get to me" Arin spoke in a hard tone.

"Arin"

"Isn't that right?" He looked at the man with a stern look. A long silence followed, Pari sighed. She couldn't wait forever. She gave a small nod to the man and turned to the door. Arin's hand rested on her lower back gently pushing her towards the door.

"Miss Pari" an unfamiliar voice broke the silence of the room. Pari froze at her place and turned to face the man, he looked right in her eyes, almost desperate.

"Ma'am I do." It came out as a whisper but a determined whisper.

"What?"

"I do need something from you" Pari was surprised and curious. What could this man want from her? She briefly looked at Arin, he looked at the man with a straight face with a hint of anger glimmering in his eyes. 

"Say it" Pari instructed her patience wearing thin. 

"8564712354" 

"What?"

"After 5 days, please call this number"

"Why?" the man continued without answering Pari's question.

"If I don't pick up... please...call the police"

"What...Are you in danger?...why me" Pari stuttered unable to comprehend this man's unusual request. She frantically looked at Arin, she noticed his jaw tick but otherwise stood still like a statue.

"This is the only way" The man replied with a hint of hope clutching his voice

"Way for what?"

"To live"

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