Falling for My Kidnapper

Chapter 1

[1]

I was kidnapped by my father's enemy.

[2]

The ransom was set at 10 million dollars.

[3]

To my shock, my father wouldn't even pay a dime. Instead, he offered me as a bride.

[4]

"If your dad doesn't pay up, believe it or not, I'll kill you!" the man said through gritted teeth, threatening to throw me into the river. My teeth chattered. "I believe you."

[5]

A year later, my father called. The man yelled into the phone, "Forget the money! Come and take her back. I'm not here to babysit!"

[6]

He hung up, biting his cigarette in frustration, scrubbing my underwear, looking frustrated.

[7]

1 In the dilapidated rental house, the man wore his black cap low, revealing his muscular arms tattooed with an eagle.

[8]

"Remember what to say?" "Yes." I was on the brink of death.

[9]

The phone rang. "I've got Emily..." "Dad..." My father hung up the phone as soon as he heard my name.

[10]

The man called him again.

[11]

"I have no money. Take her if you want."

[12]

The next call went straight to voicemail. My father had turned off his phone.

[13]

Everyone in the room stared at me. "Neil, what now?" they asked, looking at him.

[14]

I later learned his name was Neil Wilson.

[15]

Neil glanced at me, stubbed out his cigarette, and said hoarsely, "Throw her into the sea."

[16]

2 I ended up being thrown into a swimming pool.

[17]

In this remote area, there was no ocean at all.

[18]

Half an hour later, I climbed up, soaking wet. I went back to my original spot, waiting for my fate.

[19]

They were playing cards.

[20]

Neil glanced at me and casually tossed a card, not saying anything.

[21]

The others started talking when they saw me.

[22]

"Neil, she's from the city. Won't she catch a cold being soaked like this?"

[23]

"Yeah. City folks rush to the ER for a paper cut."

[24]

I felt like I was sitting on pins and needles, barely daring to breathe out loud.

[25]

"Since you care about her so much, why not marry her?" "Neil..."

[26]

"Seems like you're here to flirt instead of money."

[27]

He shot them a glare, and they all fell silent.

[28]

He turned back to me. "Why are you standing here?"

[29]

"I..." I stood up awkwardly and moved to another chair.

[30]

"Go take a shower. If you get sick, there's no hospital here."

[31]

He lit a cigarette and walked out, grumbling, "What a nuisance. Turn left up ahead, and don't touch my clothes!"

[32]

I replied tearfully, "OK." He was so mean.

[33]

3 I cried while showering.

[34]

The reason I cried wasn't because my father wouldn't come for me, but because I managed to swim in just half an hour.

[35]

My wealthy father had hired a private swimming coach who charged 20,000 dollars for a lesson, and I still didn't learn to swim.

[36]

My name was Emily Gill.

[37]

My father, Danny Gill, was a wealthy man who had been married more than a dozen times.

[38]

There were twenty kids in the family, and I was the dumbest.

[39]

Till today, he still couldn't believe he had such a slow-witted, underdeveloped daughter.

[40]

Until one day, he laughed out loud holding my paternity test. "I knew it! There's no way I could have such a dumb kid!" But as he laughed, his face turned livid as he realized he was a cuckold.

[41]

From then on, I was neglected.

[42]

I didn't have an allowance anymore.

[43]

And I lost my exclusive room. I was relegated to the basement.

[44]

Every day, I got up early to cook, mop, do laundry, and serve the whole family.

[45]

I asked my grandma, "Why doesn't Dad like me?"

[46]

She glared at me. "Ask your mom."

[47]

I shook my head. Grandma's memory was failing her again.

[48]

My mom had been dead for ten years.

[49]

Since then, I had been cautious and done all the chores without complaint, fearing that my father would be displeased otherwise.

[50]

I thought that was how my life was going to be, but one day, I was kidnapped.

[51]

My peaceful life was suddenly shattered.

[52]

4 After showering, I had no clothes to wear, so I rummaged through the wardrobe for a T-shirt.

[53]

After quite a while, I still couldn't find any suitable pants. Hearing someone calling me outside, I braced myself and hurried out, not daring to stay inside anymore.

[54]

As soon as I stepped outside, everyone stopped what they were doing and just stared at... my legs.

[55]

Neil was one of them. He frowned and stood up abruptly.

[56]

"What are you looking at? You've never seen a woman before?" he yelled at them.

[57]

"Neil... we weren't looking."

[58]

"Get out!" They put down their cards and left, cursing.

[59]

"You, get inside." He pulled a long face as he looked at me.

[60]

"I... OK." I didn't dare argue and ran back to the room.

[61]

I heard his footsteps behind me and was so scared that I quickly shut the door.

[62]

With a bang, he kicked it open.

[63]

"You're dressed like this?" He sized me up. "So young and already up to no good."

[64]

"Sorry.

[65]

I... I have no clothes."

[66]

I stammered. Seeing he wouldn't relent, I stood in situ trembling.

[67]

"If you have nothing to flaunt, don't show off your legs."

[68]

He leaned against the doorframe while staring at me. "The men outside are all rogues who would make you suffer. Don't you know?"

[69]

"I don't..." "Well, now you do. They've been single for years, some even decades."

[70]

I was genuinely scared.

[71]

A tear slipped from my eye, and I quickly wiped it away.

[72]

"Why are you crying? Now you're scared?"

[73]

I didn't say anything.

[74]

I bit my lip, trying not to cry.

[75]

"Fuck me!" Chewing on his cigarette, he walked to the wardrobe, rummaged through it, and finally pulled out a pair of athletic shorts and threw them at my head.

[76]

"Put them on! If you cry again, believe it or not, I'll throw you to the wolves!"

[77]

"I believe you." I quickly put on the shorts.

[78]

"In the bathroom!" He glared at me. Then he sighed, "I'm a man and a bad one no less. Do you know what you're doing?"

[79]

"OK!" I grabbed the shorts and ran away.

[80]

5 He was meaner than my father.

[81]

I didn't dare defy him at all.

[82]

When I came out, the room was already empty.

[83]

I saw him at the door, picking up a food delivery.

[84]

He only ordered one meal.

[85]

I sat beside him, watching him open a box of pasta, my mouth watering.

[86]

He glanced at me. "Want some?" "Yes." I nodded honestly.

[87]

"Too bad," he tossed the fork aside, saying lightly.

[88]

I fell silent.

[89]

Now that he didn't want me to eat, I couldn't snatch the box from him. In terms of strength, I was no match for him at all.

[90]

"Do you know how much your dad owes me?"

[91]

"10 million dollars." My father had told me.

[92]

"At least you know. I guess you aren't that a hopeless case." He laughed out of anger. "And you still want to eat my food? What is it? You want to add another 30 dollars?"

[93]

I hadn't eaten all day, and all I could think of was the pasta. "Can I?" I looked at him pleadingly.

[94]

He dragged out the words. "In your dreams. Don't think that batting your eyelashes will soften me. I never fall for that."

[95]

"OK."

[96]

I swallowed my saliva and sat quietly, not daring to speak.

[97]

He opened the box, poked around with the fork, and muttered, "This tastes terrible."

[98]

Then he grabbed his cigarettes and lighter and went to the balcony.

[99]

I quietly watched him smoking on the balcony with his head back, and soon, he was on his third cigarette.

[100]

My stomach growled, but he still didn't come back.

[101]

I looked at the pasta and stroked my belly, and finally, when he wasn't looking, I grabbed a piece of bacon and stuffed it into my mouth.

[102]

When he turned around, I froze. I felt that my heart skipped a beat, and I didn't dare to chew.

[103]

But gladly, he just glanced at me and then took out his phone to make a call. As he was on the phone, he turned around.

[104]

I finally breathed a sigh of relief.

[105]

Hunger overcame fear, and I continued to sneak bites.

[106]

By the time he walked back, there was only pasta left in the box. I had eaten all the bacon.

[107]

"Where's the bacon?" He squinted at me. "I don't know."

[108]

"You don't know?" He stared at me intently and then suddenly raised his hand. I thought he was going to hit me and stood in situ, paralyzed with fear.

[109]

But he just wiped the sauce from the corner of my lips and held it up in front of my eyes.

[110]

Busted! "You ate the food. Now, tell me. What are you going to do about your dad's debt?" He leaned back, looking at me leisurely.

[111]

"Ask him to pay."

[112]

"He ran away." He stared at me. "Then... do you want me to pay?"

[113]

"You? How? Do you really think you're worth 10 million dollars with nothing to offer?"

[114]

"You..." Feeling humiliated, I was furious but didn't dare show it.

[115]

"Finish the food and go away. Don't bother me again."

[116]

He stood up, seemingly losing patience, slammed the door, and left.

[117]

Of course, I would leave. Only a fool would stay after being told to go! I finished the food and ran out as fast as I could.

[118]

But half an hour later, I came back, looking a mess.

[119]

6 "Interesting."

[120]

Neil looked at me. "Why are you back?" "It's raining outside." I shivered from the cold. "And it's very dark."

[121]

"You're afraid of the dark? You aren't afraid of me?" he asked.

[122]

"No," I said.

[123]

Compared to the dark, he seemed less scary.

[124]

He was stunned for a moment and then took off his T-shirt with one hand. "What about now?" I stared at his well-defined muscles and then his eight-pack abs... "How old are you, kid?" he asked with a smile.

[125]

"Eighteen." I held my breath.

[126]

"Just eighteen? I'm old enough to be your uncle," he sighed, grabbing my hand and placing it on his abs. "Like this?" I had never seen such a scene before, and suddenly, something started flowing from my nose.

[127]

I quickly tilted my head back. "I think my nose is bleeding."

[128]

"You're... unbelievable." He grabbed a few tissues and roughly pressed them against my nose.

[129]

After half an hour of chaos, he put his T-shirt back on while I sat beside him, my nose stuffed with tissues, questioning whether any of this was real.

[130]

"Sleep on the sofa tonight. Leave first thing in the morning."

[131]

"OK."

[132]

"OK what? You're not satisfied? I'm letting you stay for one night because I feel sorry for you, and you even want to take my room?"

[133]

"It's not like that. I'm not dissatisfied. I just... I've never slept in a living room before, and I'm scared." I hugged a pillow, looking at him pitifully.

[134]

"Why? There's nothing to be afraid of."

[135]

I fell silent.

[136]

"If you want to sleep in the room, then you'll have to sleep with me," he said and turned into his room without a hint of tenderness.

[137]

7 I thought I wouldn't sleep a wink. To my surprise, I woke up in the living room the next day, and it was already noon.

[138]

The second I woke up, the door to his room happened to be pushed open.

[139]

Neil, with his messy hair, glanced at me for a second before ignoring me as if I were air.

[140]

He went to the kitchen, and I followed him.

[141]

"What are you doing?" "I don't know how to leave, and I don't have money for a cab," I said honestly.

[142]

He glanced at me and said nonchalantly, "Then stay here forever."

[143]

I didn't say anything. I just kept following him.

[144]

Annoyed, he said, "Danny owes me money, I'm not giving you cab fare."

[145]

"I know." I continued to follow him.

[146]

He couldn't take it anymore. He pulled out some bills from his wallet and threw them at me, "Take it and get lost! You're so annoying."

[147]

I picked up the money. "I can't walk to the station. It's too far."

[148]

"So? You aren't thinking that I'll drive you, are you? Do you think I'm doing charity here?"

[149]

"I don't think you're a bad person," I said seriously.

[150]

"Are you stupid? I'm not a bad person? Just because I didn't kill you? Give me a break!"

[151]

He was so angry he laughed, not wanting to deal with me anymore.

[152]

"Before I change my mind, I suggest you disappear from my sight ASAP."

[153]

He gave me an ultimatum.

[154]

I had no choice but to leave with the money.

[155]

But I came back within an hour.

[156]

I had gone to the station and saw a video on someone's phone saying my father had fled abroad with huge debts, and all his property was seized.

[157]

I stood in situ for half an hour but was still unable to process the shocking news.

[158]

By the time I came to my senses, I was already at Neil's door.

[159]

I had no home.

[160]

Neil went grumpy the second he saw me. "Why are you still here?" "My house was seized."

[161]

"So?" "I don't know where to go."

[162]

"So you come to me?" He stood up angrily. "I can't get rid of you now?" "It'll just be... temporary." My mind was blank. I felt like my soul had been sucked out.

[163]

"I'm warning you. This is not some homeless shelter. Go back to where you came from. I'm not a good person!" "OK."

[164]

"Danny owes me money, and you come here? Do I owe you two? Believe it or not, I'll..."

[165]

"I believe you."

[166]

As soon as I finished speaking, I suddenly felt dizzy. Then my vision went black, and I fainted.

[167]

8 When I woke up, the room was noisy.

[168]

"Neil, she looks really pitiful."

[169]

"Yeah. Her dad is so heartless, abandoning his daughter and running away."

[170]

"She may be pitiful, but what about our hard-earned money? Aren't we pitiful?"

[171]

It was Neil who said this.

[172]

I was awake but pretended I was still asleep. "Her dad is awful, but it was we that brought her into the mountains."

[173]

"Exactly... and she looks delicate, quite a match for you, boss."

[174]

"Shut up!" Neil yelled at them.

[175]

"If you want to take her in, do it yourselves. I don't want any trouble."

[176]

Everyone left in a hurry.

[177]

I panicked and blurted out, "I'm not trouble."

[178]

Seeing Neil staring at me, I shut my mouth again.

[179]

"Not trouble?

[180]

Then tell me, why should I take you in?"

[181]

He looked at me amused. "I... I can cook, do laundry, and clean," I said seriously.

[182]

"I won't be a burden. Just let me stay until my dad contacts me."

[183]

You want him to pay you back, right?

[184]

I'm sure he'll contact me soon."

[185]

He stared at me for a while, thinking about something, and then said, "He'll contact you?" "Probably," I said, though I couldn't be sure.

[186]

"No way. I'm a man. Having a woman here is inappropriate."

[187]

"I'll leave when school starts." "Stop lying." He rejected me again, but he wasn't that firm anymore, because he didn't throw me out this time.

[188]

So, I assumed he temporarily took me in.

[189]

9 To my surprise, I stayed here for two months.

[190]

During this time, my dad had never contacted me.

[191]

I secretly called the school, but the teacher wouldn't let me attend classes.

[192]

"Don't come. Your father's creditors are staking out the school gate every day, and other students have been seriously affected."

[193]

Only then did I know my dad's creditors were staking out 24/7 at the school and my grandmother's house.

[194]

My life suddenly plunged into unknown despair.

[195]

But I didn't dare tell Neil, fearing he would kick me out immediately if he knew.

[196]

I started to behave, trying to please him.

[197]

I wanted to cook for him, but I ended up blowing up the kitchen.

[198]

When he pulled me out of the kitchen, my face was so blackened he had to take several looks to make sure it was me.

[199]

"What the hell were you doing?" he yelled.

[200]

"Cooking canned food..." I weakly said.

[201]

"Without opening the can?" "Should I have opened it?" He was speechless. He dragged me to the bathroom and washed me several times as if I were a puppy.

[202]

Finally, he ordered, "You're not allowed in the kitchen anymore."

[203]

"Then how am I supposed to cook?

[204]

Trust me. It was just a genuine mistake."

[205]

"Trust you? Yeah, right!" he scolded me and went to clean up the mess in the kitchen.

[206]

Halfway through, his friends arrived.

[207]

"Neil, what are you doing in the kitchen?"

[208]

"Can't you see?"

[209]

"Since when did you cook for yourself? Where's Emily?"

[210]

"Shut up! She's taking a bath!" "In the middle of the day? Neil, you two..."

[211]

"Shut up!" They shut up at once.

[212]

I had just finished bathing and wanted to help clean the kitchen when I overheard their conversation. I blushed right away.

[213]

"Emily, why is your face so red?" Someone noticed me.

[214]

"The bathwater was too hot," I explained.

[215]

Everyone had an "I get it" look, making my face even redder.

[216]

"Don't you have anything better to do?"

[217]

Neil scolded, kicking them out.

[218]

"Neil, we agreed to play cards every Wednesday. Why are you chasing us out?" They were unhappy.

[219]

"Not playing. Not in the mood," he said decisively.

[220]

"Who messed with you?"

[221]

Neil didn't answer. He glanced at me. "Any news on Danny?"

[222]

"Even the police can't find him. How are we supposed to find him?"

[223]

"Forget it. Just get out."

[224]

Neil pushed them out and closed the door.

[225]

"Any news from my dad?" I asked tentatively. "Shouldn't I be asking you that?" he threw the towel onto the floor and snapped. "How long do you plan to stay here? Forever?"

[226]

"I... 'll leave when school starts," I lied, feeling guilty. Only I knew I had nowhere to go.

[227]

"When does school start?" "September."

[228]

"That's over two months away."

[229]

"I'll do all the chores!" I promised immediately.

[230]

"Chores? One day, it'll be me that gets blown up." He pointed to the kitchen. Then he grabbed two boxes of instant pasta and placed them in front of me.

[231]

"Add it to my debt. When your dad contacts you, pay me back."

[232]

"OK."I took out my notebook and jotted down, "Instant pasta, 4.5 dollars."

[233]

The notebook was filled with pages of meticulous records, all detailing his money I had spent over the past two months.

[234]

He was so mean.

[235]

Therefore, I always kept track of his things I had used.

[236]

"Have you gotten a number? How much do you owe me?" He skillfully prepared the pasta and tapped my head.

[237]

I rubbed my head in pain. "A total of 2325.5 dollars."

[238]

"Over two thousand dollars?" He glared at me. "You've spent all the money I saved for my future wife."

[239]

"Is that a lot?" I recalled how I used to spend over 10,000 dollars in a single day of shopping, and my dad wouldn't even flinch.

[240]

I could always spend as much money as I wanted, and I had no concept of money at all. "That's not important. The thing is, why should I earn money to support you? Who are you to me?"

[241]

He glanced at my notebook, his blood pressure rising.

[242]

"Then..." I held back my tears and took a deep breath. I braced myself and said, "If you can't afford to get married, wait for me to grow up. How about that?"

[243]

He looked at me coldly for half a minute and then couldn't help but burst into laughter.

[244]

"What are you laughing at?"

[245]

"Do you know how ridiculous you sound?

[246]

You're 18, and I'm 31. Believe it or not, if I were in a hurry, I could have been your dad by now."

[247]

Feeling humiliated again, I blushed and calmly said, "My dad's 52."

[248]

"Cut the crap. You aren't my type. You're too skinny, and hugging you feels like hugging a bag of bones.

[249]

Pay back the money you owe. That's all I care about."

[250]

"Neil." I touched my head.

[251]

"What now?" He looked at me impatiently, holding the pasta.

[252]

"My head hurts a bit," I said in a low voice.

[253]

"You... Women are so troublesome."

[254]

He reached out his hand and beckoned. "Come here. Let me see."

[255]

I obediently leaned my head over.

[256]

He grabbed my hair and checked. "A bit of a scrape, probably from the can. Nothing serious."

[257]

After saying that, he took out a band-aid from the drawer and skillfully applied it to my head.

[258]

I was tired from being in this position, so I simply buried my head in his lap.

[259]

"What are you doing?" He pulled my hair, distancing himself from me.

[260]

"What did I do?" I was confused.

[261]

"You're a girl. Do you realize how inappropriate this is?" "Inappropriate? How?"

[262]

"Are you really that clueless or just pretending?" He looked at me, hesitating. Then he said, "Forget it. You're not my daughter. I don't need to worry that much."

[263]

After applying the band-aid, he pushed me away.

[264]

But I felt warm somehow.

[265]

He said he worried about me.

[266]

The last person who worried about me was my dad, who abandoned me. Before that, it was my mom, who died.

[267]

Halfway through eating the pasta, I said seriously, "Neil, I like you a lot. I think you're a good guy."

[268]

He almost choked on his pasta, coughing for quite a while. "It's because you haven't seen me when I'm being bad."

[269]

"What are you like when you're bad?" I asked curiously.

[270]

"Your voice will be hoarse, and your waist will be so sore. I'll make you cry and regret ever meeting me. Scared now?"

[271]

Realizing what he meant, I blushed at once. "Do you really have to go down that road?"

[272]

"You asked."

[273]

He laughed wantonly, picked up his pasta, and left.

[274]

I swore I would never talk to him again.

[275]

10 However, in the middle of the night, I stood at his door with my pillow in my arms.

[276]

"What do you want?" He had just finished showering, wearing only sports shorts. He put down his towel when he saw me.

[277]

"I'm scared."

[278]

I pointed to the thunder outside the window.

[279]

"So?" He lit a cigarette and looked at me.

[280]

"Can I stay in your room?" I mustered the courage to ask.

[281]

I lived in a corner of the living room. The sofa was my bed, and together with a crappy curtain and a string, they became my makeshift room.

[282]

Normally, it was fine, but thunderstorms were simply something I could never live with.

[283]

He was stunned for a second. Then he sat on the bed and patted the spot next to him, smiling mischievously, "Sure. Sleep here."

[284]

"No need. I'll sleep on the floor," I said.

[285]

"What? How could I let a girl sleep on the floor?"

[286]

"Really. I'm fine."

[287]

"Didn't you say I'm a good guy? Didn't you say you like me? What are you afraid of?"

[288]

He kept looking at me. "I haven't had sex in half a year. I've seen all kinds, but a young woman like you is novel. Come here. Let's give it a go..."

[289]

I froze for a second. Trembling, I said, "I... I just turned 18."

[290]

He held the cigarette in his mouth, smiling wickedly, "So what?"

[291]

"You!" I was so pissed off that I was at a loss for words. Hugging the pillow, I walked out.

[292]

I heard his mocking laughter behind me, and I blushed with shame.

[293]

He had no moral bottom line at all.

[294]

He had no morals at all!

[295]

I had foolishly thought he was a good person.

[296]

Cats hid their claws.

[297]

I curled up in the corner of the living room. After two more claps of thunder, I couldn't take it anymore.

[298]

Rather than being scared to death here, I'd rather go in and face him.

[299]

Hugging my pillow, I tried to push the door only to find it unlocked.

[300]

He didn't turn the lights on. I gathered my courage, walked straight in, lay down, and pulled up the blanket. I did it all in one go.

[301]

"What are you doing?" His breath was so close to my ear, making my heart race.

[302]

"Nothing. Just sleeping."

[303]

"Where do you think you're sleeping?

[304]

Is this your place to sleep?"

[305]

He yelled at me.

[306]

"You said I could sleep here!" I turned around to face him.

[307]

In the darkness, I could only see his slightly glowing eyes. He stared at me, making my heart tremble.

[308]

"You've got some guts."

[309]

He said, reaching out to wrap his arms around my waist.

[310]

I instantly stiffened.

[311]

"So stiff. If you're scared, leave."

[312]

"I'm not scared."

[313]

I stubbornly said, but I didn't even dare to breathe heavily.

[314]

"Then why sleep? Come on."

[315]

Come on? My mind went blank.

[316]

Eighteen years of experience wasn't enough for me to know what to do next.

[317]

"Be more proactive. You came to me, and you want me to make the first move?"

[318]

In the darkness, I felt that even the air was urging me to give up, but I just wouldn't want to.

[319]

I suddenly remembered what my dad often said.

[320]

"You're so timid and useless. Are you really my daughter?"

[321]

With such a personality, was I destined to be eliminated by society?

[322]

Was it because of my personality that he abandoned me after he knew I was kidnapped? He chose to take all my siblings abroad without me.

[323]

I knew I should change, but I was afraid of change.

[324]

The sense of powerlessness kept weighing me down.

[325]

Today, I didn't want to be my old self anymore.

[326]

I gritted my teeth, reached out, felt his head, and clumsily moved my lips toward his.

[327]

But before I could touch him, I was suddenly pushed away.

[328]

"Fuck. You're serious."

[329]

With a clicking sound, the light above my head suddenly was turned on. It was glaring, making it hard for me to open my eyes.

[330]

"Get out!" Neil grabbed my arm.

[331]

He looked very angry.

[332]

"No." I wouldn't back down.

[333]

"This is my room. You live here, and I provide you with everything. Do you think you have the right to say no to me?"

[334]

He stood with his hands on his hips, looking like he would throw me out the window any second.

[335]

I struggled. I was afraid he'd throw me out, and at the same time, I kind of hoped he'd throw me out.

[336]

If he threw me out, everything would be over.

[337]

"I have no rights. I've never had rights. At home, I couldn't say no. At school, I couldn't say no. Even when I was abandoned, I couldn't say no. Neil..." Tears streamed down my face. "I can't take it anymore."

[338]

He was stunned, and then he was even more furious. "What the hell are you talking about?"

[339]

"My dad won't come back. Your money is gone. I can't repay what I owe you. He doesn't want me anymore."

[340]

He was silent for a long time.

[341]

I thought he'd comfort me.

[342]

But he didn't. Instead, he said, "If you want to top yourself, do it somewhere else." He was so cold-blooded! I felt even more aggrieved, crying and trembling all over.

[343]

"I won't get my money back, and I've been taking care of you for months, and then I'll be blamed for your death? Forget it. I don't owe you or Danny anything."

[344]

He angrily pulled out a cigarette and tried to light it several times but failed. Then he smashed the lighter.

[345]

"So, what do you want me to do?" I cried, asking him.

[346]

"Pay back the money first. Then we'll talk." It was a command.

[347]

Money again.

[348]

Because of money, I couldn't even die.

[349]

Aggrieved, I clutched his blanket, sobbing.

[350]

He found another sheet. "You can have the bed. I'll sleep outside. Happy?"

[351]

Looking irritated, he was about to leave.

[352]

"Neil."

[353]

"What now?" "It's still thundering."

[354]

He sighed, "What have I done?"

[355]

After speaking, he spread the sheet on the floor and lay down neatly.

[356]

It took me a while to calm down, but I still couldn't fall asleep. I called out to him tentatively again.

[357]

"Neil."

[358]

"Give me a break! What now?" He seemed reluctant to talk to me.

[359]

"I've made up my mind." "About what?"

[360]

"I'll start making money tomorrow." He seemed taken aback by my declaration. Then he let out a snort, saying, "Good for you." "I'm serious."

[361]

"Alright, alright, I know you're serious. Now go to sleep. If you don't sleep soon..." He trailed off. Then he muttered, "What can I do anyway?"

[362]

With that, he pulled the blanket over his head and went to sleep.

[363]

Earning money to pay him back gave my life a sudden sense of purpose, and I didn't feel as sad anymore.

[364]

It was late at night when I finally fell asleep. I dreamed of Neil.

[365]

11 The next day, I woke up early. I was startled awake.

[366]

In my dream, Neil took my hand and placed it on his abdomen, smiling mischievously, "Is that all the courage you have? Really? How about a little lower?"

[367]

"Neil." "Yes, that's right. Be good."

[368]

In the dream, I was like under a spell, obediently following his instructions.

[369]

When I woke up, I was drenched in cold sweat. Then I looked around and saw the floor next to me was empty, not even the sheet was left.

[370]

A strong sense of loss overwhelmed me.

[371]

Looking in the mirror, I realized my face was completely flushed.

[372]

I must have been really terrified by him last night.

[373]

I got up and started cooking, folding the blankets, and mopping the floor.

[374]

Neil had left early in the morning, and when he returned, he noticed that I was avoiding his gaze, and he looked at me, puzzled.

[375]

After some thought, I handed him a plan I had written. "This is my repayment plan. Take a look."

[376]

He took it with little interest and glanced at it. "Cooking a meal equals 100 dollars?

[377]

Doing laundry equals 100 dollars?

[378]

Doing dishes equals 100 dollars? Running errands equals 100 dollars?"

[379]

"What do you think?" I asked, feeling a bit guilty. "Not much." He put down the paper, grumbling, "With 100 dollars, I can buy plenty of clothes. You're really something."

[380]

"What?" I felt a bit disappointed. "I earn pocket money at home based on this standard. Is it really that unrealistic?"

[381]

"You want to earn money from me the way you do from Danny? What is it? Am I your dad?"

[382]

"You're like my uncle. What's wrong with that?"

[383]

"Uncle? Now you know I'm old enough to be your uncle? Last night, you were so bold I thought you were my uncle."

[384]

He picked up the paper from the table, accepting the agreement. "Fine. Do whatever you want. I can't argue with you. If I do, you'll just threaten to kill yourself again... Forget it."

[385]

"Thank you, Neil," I smiled sweetly at him.

[386]

He gave me a complicated look and then quickly finished his breakfast. Then he was about to leave.

[387]

"Can I go with you?" I asked. "Why?"

[388]

"To do whatever you're going to do."

[389]

"I'm going out to earn money to support someone ungrateful. What can you do?"

[390]

Was he insulting me? "How do you earn money? Can I get a part-time job there?"

[391]

"I fix cars. You want to do that as well?" He looked at me, amused.

[392]

"Can't I wash cars?

[393]

I have nothing to do at home anyway."

[394]

I had thought it through. Instead of staying home every day, trying to figure out why I was the only one abandoned, I might as well go out and work hard to earn money.

[395]

This way, I could pay him back sooner.

[396]

"Bringing a kid to work... I'll be laughed at for at least a year." He looked me over, seemingly mocking himself. "Fine. Let's go.

[397]

Change out of that dress. From today on, no more dresses."

[398]

"What? Why?" "I don't need to explain to you. Just listen."

[399]

He added, "Those men are worse than me. If you continue to ignore my words, you'll suffer sooner or later."

[400]

"Oh. OK." Actually, my first reaction was that no matter how bad they were, they could never be worse than him.

[401]

After my last night's dream, for me, he was the worst man on Earth.

[402]

12 Neil and his friends ran a repair shop on the roadside of the picturesque National Highway 318.

[403]

Everyone was surprised to see me.

[404]

"Emily, why are you here? Are you here to see me?"

[405]

It was Keith Spencer speaking.

[406]

I'd been here for two months, and every time they played cards at home, he was there.

[407]

"Get out of here. Neil brought his girlfriend out for some fresh air. What does it have anything to do with you?"

[408]

"Yeah. Be careful Neil will deal with you."

[409]

Neil glared at them. "Do you want to keep your job? I didn't hire you to gossip."

[410]

They fell silent.

[411]

"Get to work," Keith reminded everyone. "Emily, come sit here."

[412]

"You're the one I'm talking to!" Neil snapped at him with a glare.

[413]

Keith, terrified, ran away at once.

[414]

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

[415]

Neil turned his head and saw me staring at him, so he asked.

[416]

"Has anyone ever told you that you're very mean?" I stood in situ, feeling that he was so mean. Even his friends were afraid of him.

[417]

"I'm just telling them what to do. And that makes me mean? Who do you think isn't mean?" He lowered his head and looked at me, amused.

[418]

"Keith seems pretty chill." I dared not say more, as I was just as scared of him as his friends were.

[419]

"Then why don't you go with him?" he said, kicking a stool before walking away.

[420]

I stood in situ awkwardly, unsure of how I upset him.

[421]

Then Keith pulled me aside and asked what I wanted to do.

[422]

I said I wanted to learn how to wash cars, so he taught me.

[423]

Compared to Neil, he was much gentler.

[424]

"Most of the guys here used to work with him on construction sites. When the project funds didn't come through, he brought everyone back here. A lot of them got to earn a living by repairing cars. Neil is a really nice guy."

[425]

Keith told me while teaching me how to wash cars.

[426]

I was stunned for a second. "Are you talking about the 10 million dollars my dad owes?"

[427]

Keith realized he had said too much and became nervous. "You aren't your dad. We had no choice back then. A lot of people needed the money desperately, or they couldn't even keep their heads above water. I swear. Neil never meant to harm you."

[428]

He raised his hand and swore nervously.

[429]

"It was my dad's fault," I said, feeling utterly dejected.

[430]

"Don't beat yourself up. Neil paid most of the money himself eventually. There was still a bit left, but not much. That's why we decided to follow him for the rest of our lives."

[431]

Keith said with a smile.

[432]

I was shocked.

[433]

My impression of Neil was of a disheveled man in a shabby rental apartment.

[434]

I always thought he was so poor. After all, he insisted that I kept track of even a set of instant pasta worth 4.5 dollars.

[435]

It never occurred to me that he had given the workers all his money.

[436]

I felt even more guilty.

[437]

All morning, Keith patiently taught me and paid close attention to my safety.

[438]

Several other men, after finishing their work, came over to help and teach me, taking on most of the physically demanding tasks.

[439]

"Emily, just think of this as summer practice. No need to be so serious."

[440]

"Yeah. Girls shouldn't be doing such dirty and heavy work."

[441]

Soon, Keith brought out a large watermelon, cut it, and handed me the best piece from the center. Before handing it to me, he wiped his hands on his clothes several times and grinned at me. He said, "I washed my hands several times. Relax. They aren't dirty."

[442]

"Thank you."

[443]

I took the watermelon and took a small bite. "It's very sweet."

[444]

Everyone laughed heartily.

[445]

For some reason, I wanted to cry.

[446]

They were all good people.

[447]

I looked over at Neil, who was lying under a car, busy with repairs. He hadn't spoken to me all morning.

[448]

I took a piece of watermelon over to him.

[449]

"My hands are dirty. You eat it," he said, too busy to pay attention to me.

[450]

"I can feed you." "No..." Before he could finish, I stuffed a piece of watermelon into his mouth.

[451]

Watching his gloomy face and the watermelon seeds on it, I cautiously asked, "Is it sweet, Neil?"

[452]

He looked at me for several seconds without speaking and then swallowed the watermelon with difficulty. Just as he was about to scold me, I said, "How about another bite?"

[453]

Without waiting for his response, I stuffed another piece into his mouth.

[454]

This time, his face was covered with watermelon pulp.

[455]

I was indeed not a good feeder.

[456]

His face grew gloomier.

[457]

"Emily! Wipe my face clean!" he growled, looking like he was about to snap.

[458]

"Oh, I almost forgot. Keith wanted me to help him clean the windows. See you."

[459]

I walked away with the watermelon.

[460]

I thought I was safe when I returned to Keith, but within five minutes, Neil pulled me right out of the crowd and into the back room.

[461]

"Neil," I said, a bit scared.

[462]

"Getting bold, aren't you?

[463]

You dare to mess with me now?" His shadow loomed over me. "Wipe my face clean."

[464]

"I don't have any tissues," I whispered.

[465]

"I don't care!" he shouted at me.

[466]

"You!" I gritted my teeth. "Then lower your head."

[467]

I reached out and gently wiped the watermelon pulp off his face with my index finger.

[468]

He bent down, looking into my eyes. Our distance was so close, and his breath reached my neck, making my heart race.

[469]

"You... Don't breathe on me," I said, panicking.

[470]

"What is it? I'm not allowed to breathe now? My breathing bothers you?"

[471]

"No. It's not like that. It's just... You doing this is making my heart beat so fast," I said, almost holding my breath. My heart was beating so fast I wondered if I was going to die.