MIDNIGHT FLOWER

CHAPTER 7: THE MYSTERIOUS MAN

Vincent stiffened, his grip on Jenny tightening reflexively. He turned to face Shau, masking his irritation with a forced smile. “Oh, hey,” he said, trying to sound casual. “I’m just helping her get home. She’s had a bit too much to drink.”

Shau’s eyes flicked to Jenny, who was too out of it to even recognize him. His gaze then shifted back to Vincent, and he didn’t like what he saw. There was something off about this guy, something predatory. “She doesn’t look like she’s in a condition to give consent,” Shau said coldly, stepping closer. “I’ll take her home.”

Vincent’s smile faltered. “I’ve got it covered, man,” he replied, a slight edge to his voice. “You don’t need to get involved. Besides, who are you?”

"And who are you? Her boyfriend?" Shau wasn’t having any of it. He could see the fear in Jenny’s face, even in her intoxicated state, and he wasn’t about to let anything happen to her. “It's none of your business who I am! I said, I’ll take her home,” Shau repeated, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Vincent hesitated, weighing his options. But one look at Shau’s determined expression told him that he wasn’t going to win this. With a muttered curse under his breath, Vincent finally released Jenny, who immediately slumped against Shau’s chest.

“Fine,” Vincent said, stepping back. “She’s all yours.”

Shau didn’t respond. His focus was entirely on Jenny, who was now clinging weakly to his shirt. He carefully adjusted his hold on her, making sure she was secure before turning to walk away.

"Oh, I get it," he said with a chuckle. "You're the guy who hurt her, huh? The one who broke her heart? And now you're playing the hero? Funny how that works."

It made Shau stop going back to his car. His jaw clenched, guilt and anger flaring up inside him. Seeing her like this, vulnerable and in danger, awakened a fierce protectiveness in him.

The man laughed derisively, backing away. "I knew it. You’re the one who did this to her. She wouldn’t be in this mess if it weren’t for you."

As Shau guided Jenny to his car, he couldn’t shake the anger boiling inside him. He didn’t know what Vincent had planned, but he was glad he had arrived when he did. Jenny was vulnerable, and the thought of anyone taking advantage of her made his blood boil.

Once they reached his car, Shau gently helped Jenny next to the driver seat, fastening her seatbelt before closing the door. He then walked around to the driver’s side, casting one last glance back at the club where Vincent had disappeared into the night. His words suddenly echoed in his mind.

"You're the guy who hurt her, huh? The one who broke her heart? And now you're playing the hero? Funny how that works."

With a sigh, Shau started the engine and began the drive and decided to take her in his condominium. She was already drifting off, her head resting against the window, but Shau couldn’t help but feel a sense of protectiveness over her. He didn’t know what their relationship was supposed to be, but one thing was certain—he wasn’t going to let anything happen to her, not on his watch.

As they drove through the quiet streets, Shau’s thoughts drifted to the night they first met, the connection they had shared, and how everything had spiraled from there. He wasn’t sure where they stood now specially that she acted cold when they saw each other the last time, but he knew one thing for sure: he wasn’t ready to let her go anymore.

Shau’s Condominium, Late Night

The city lights flickered through the large windows of Shau’s sleek, modern condominium. The night was quiet, save for the soft hum of the air conditioning and the occasional distant sound of a car passing by on the street below. Shau carefully carried Jenny in his arms, her head resting gently against his chest. She's too drunk to stay awake.