STRAWBERRIES × CIGERETTES

Chapter 16 | Emily

Noah had left and I kind of felt bored and empty. It was dark and lonely. I finished my work and went outside after changing into my original clothes. I put the closed sign and locked the diner. As soon as I turned around to walk to my car, two guys stood before me. They were a little taller than me, leather jackets and reamed of alcohol.

I tried going past them but they didn't let me. There were total of four guys and the other two just sat on their bikes, looking at us.

"She's hot, don't you think?" The guy infront of me asked the other one.

"She sure is. Why don't you come with us baby, you'll have the best night" he winked.

"No thanks" I mumbled, taking my hand out of his grip.

Before I could go the third man stood up and began walking towards me. I took steps backwards but as the thought of running away crossed my mind, he grabbed my wrist and tightened the grip. I hissed in pain while he laughed. "Thats how you do it. See girl, you don't have any option now, you come with us" he said coming close to me.

"I can't wait to have her under me" One of the guys from behind making my eyes widened and I felt tears. Was I gonna get raped tonight ?

As soon as he leaned closer to me I felt another grip on my wrist. I opened my eyes and saw him. The only person I wanted over here.

Noah pushed his hand away, releasing me from the guy's grip and looked me in the eyes. His eyes were full of anger and concern. He put his arm around my waist and made me stand behind him and he faced the guys.

"If I were you, I'd leave right this instant." Noah growled

"Give us the girl, kid." one of them scoffed.

"She's mine" He sternly said making me look at his side view. It wasn't the right time, but I blushed. I felt butterflies in my stomach, they were not knots.

The guy tried to hit Noah but he dodged it and punched the guy and he fell on the ground, unable to get up.

Noah beat the shit out of the second and the third guy together. He did recieve a few punches here and there to which I Hissed but Noah beat the shit out of them.

The fourth guy had a knife with him and my eyes widened . "Noah!" I yelled but he didn't listen. Instead he hit is hand and grabbed the falling knife. He put the knife against his throat. "You better leave now" He warned them and all four of them ran away. I just had noticed that this whole time I had my fist tightly closed causing nail marks to appear on my palms.

Noah turned around facing me and I didn't even hesitate a minute to run to him and hug him. I burst into tears and he stroked my hair with his one hand while the other was wrapped around my waist. I don't know if I was crying because the guys touched me or if I was worried if Noah would get hurt but the thing I knew was that it felt really heavy in my chest.

The hug was really warm, I felt comfort and didn't want to leave his warm embrace but sadly that happened. He lifted my chin and made me look on his eyes. He softly wiped my tears with his thumb. He had a little bruise under his lips and I felt really guilty. "Let's go?" He softly asked and I nodded. As soon as I took a step, I almost tripped. Looking below I notice that the laces of my boots were open.

Can I be any more vulnerable in front of him. I feel embarrassed.

I slowly bent down but he kept a hand on my shoulder to stop me and kneeled infront of me. He patted on my boot and I put it forwards. He tied my laces and then did the same with the other one. I swear to god, I'd be lying if I said I didn't blush at that time. I felt really weak like I could faint any moment now. I'm not used to his soft side. He's always an annoying prick. If I wasn't this vulnerable right now, he would tied both my boots together and then laughed.