Hailey's POV:

“You will regret ever appearing in front of me. No one dares cross my path. And to think you did, makes me want to teach you a bitter lesson.” A tall rude man wearing a black suit with a white shirt underneath it, a blue patterned tie, and over-polished black shoes had said to me. He looked very handsome, but his rude and egocentric attitude smeared that feature. I only saw an adult bully in a suit.

“You can threaten me all you want, but, stop bullying innocent people because of your class in the society. I understand that you are wealthy, of course, the well-tailored suit screams that about you, but, the world doesn't belong to you.” I ranted at him courageously. Where that boldness came from, I had no idea. If I had that braveness in me, I could have stood up to the kids back at school that bullied. Or, let my grandmother know that she treated me unfairly. I mentally gave myself a once over loom and I still couldn't believe those words had left my mouth less than a minute ago. Little me, in my school uniform and worn-out sneakers, had spoken to a man whose cologne probably cost my entire house.

His lips curled up in a smile and his face gave away no emotions. “The world does belong to me and so do you know,” he leaned in, looked down and whispered to just my hearing. “Ask anyone about Brandon Nicholas Marshall.”

Waiting for him to explain further what he meant by saying such an irritating statement, he surprised me. Absurdly, he turned, his driver and bodyguard jogging to open his side of the car door, a last condescending glance at me, and, he was out of view.

What? That did not just happen! My scared little girl spirit was back. I was trembling and my knees weak because I knew that men like him don't make empty threats.

“Are you okay?” I asked the boy, who looked so pale as if he had seen a ghost. Stretching out my hand for him to grab onto and help himself up. His auburn looked dishevelled and the huge round glasses he was wearing had fallen to the bridge of his nose. His suitcase was on the floor with the contents in it littered around him. Let's not forget that he was sitting butt naked on the floor while Mr. Arrogant bullied him.

Slapping away my hand, “I was until you opened your big mouth. Who told you I was in trouble and needed saving? You should have just kept walking.” He fumed. He looked as if he was about to jump on me and shred me into pieces.

“I am sorry. It was not my intention to worsen the situation,” I apologised. More of the apology meant for me.

“Well, yes, you just did. Learn to mind your business.” He quickly gathered his briefcase, got up, cursing, turned and walked away.

I was dumbfounded. Beyond shocked. Someone I had tried saving, so to call it, didn't need my saving. Now, I got myself on the bad side of a total stranger who had threatened to teach me a lesson. Mind your business in this unfair world if you want to survive! Maybe I should have found out what transpired between them before stepping in like a knight in shiny armour. Clutching the handle of my backpack, I went to school.

School today was as good as me staying back home. I couldn't concentrate. Only his voice and threat kept resounding in my head. Even the popular kids who bullied me or laughed at my lunch whenever I sat in the cafeteria to eat, their taunting was nonexistent to me. Activities of the day did not interest me. Not that it has ever interested me before. My favourite part of going to school was the acting classes, but today, even what I was passionate about seemed of far interest to me today. As soon as the school bell rang, I scrambled off, heading home immediately.

Unlike other days, when I would hang around the theatre because it was the only place that gave me peace and joy, I headed into the streets, increasing my pace, just to get home quickly. Thinking that it would be a place where I would hide and fall asleep, thinking that it didn't happen. I had only been dreaming, and I just woke up to start my day.

Grandma was nowhere to be found. When I got home. Phew. A moment of relaxation to myself before she gets back. Probably she has gone to one of her unknown locations. She never informed me of her whereabouts or doings. To her, I was only an unpleasant and necessary stranger, who she had to accommodate. My mum was dead so, naturally, I became her responsibility since she was my only living relative. My father was still a mystery yet to be solved. His identity was unknown. And the circumstances that led to me being conceived was the more reason why my grandmother hated me. For me to live, she lost her daughter, my mum, who couldn't endure the shame of my existence.

I took a quick nap and by the time I woke up, my assumed dream was very real. What I encouraged myself to be an occurrence in an imaginary world was a reality. Was I really in trouble? Would he come back for me? Who was he? Were the numerous questions blazing through my thoughts.