A Piece of Your Heart

was going. Or rather,

around by the stranger, instinctively trusting him with my safety desp

ody from fear and anxiety. I kept getting tempted to turn my head to see if we were still being fol

somewhere, a corner where there was a 24/7 convenience store nearby. From my peripheral

that I hadn't reali

safe.

wrist. He was panting al

e running that my body leaned forward while I gripped my knees, gasping

ng away, and I was finally sta

n my posture, the stranger's

you o

th his gentle, scholarly look, I figured that he had a soft

back, I finally got a g

sy from the run just now, his glasses were slightly crooked, and a few beads of sweat rolled down the sides of h

a charming smile, his clear blue eyes almost taking my breath away with their b

I could only thi

credibly ha

" I said b

use I ran so hard. I didn't know and I

ood…" He swallowed, seemingly trying to calm himself down from

to be sorry about. Please

narrow escape from danger, possibly even a close brush with death. I felt nothing

very important. "That—That woman… we should call the

" the man said quickly.

You

ause I had to take a look at the license plate on their van. I repor

get there in ti

anything else right now. I gave the operator my number before I stepped in

aying that the poor

re wasn't anythin

plate. That would probably help

about towards you," the man stammered, nervously

zled. "Wh

" he said quickly. "I've been… following

"…Excu

using him to look much younger than his age. "I just wanted to make

. "How would I know tha

rt of new tactic to lure vulnerable women like me into a trap? He was a str

wor

the mere th

lready knew

n a form of surrender. "I'm sorry… I was just worried about you," he said. "I mean…

s. "That's not yo

ery sorry, truly. I know I'm someone you just met, but

ha

ink he looked familiar, but I couldn't quite p

arch for any sign of deception, but I

other people well, but so far, th

in, but he did. He even took me to a public place, and I knew that a c

a moment before final

rst, we should go inside," I offe

rection where I was poin

mmering in boiling water on the table before us. He wanted to pay for the food,

for me not to repa

sensing that I was stubborn w

off his coat and setting it dow

, I took this opportunity to ob

rson, which was a little puzzling since he looked a little older than I was. Maybe he was actually you

h but also trendy, but at a closer look, he was wearing a silver necklace around his

wrapped around his middle finger. The craftsmanship was intricate and e

the center of each ring. One stone was a deep, rich blue, w

detailed and beautiful, which made me think that

to myself. 'What does he re

the strap of my bag. "When