Chapter 77: Losing His Temper

“The fuck..” One of them said as his mouth hung open. “Why are you here?” Another man demanded. He didn’t look very happy. She looked around. They didn’t look very welcoming. She’s starting to feel more and more like a zoo exhibit. Because then, they were looking at her like a lion escaped the cage.

Stacy’s heart dropped. Based on what she observed when she tried to approach both groups, the men didn’t seem to like her. Did she really stay here before? Was that the life she had? Was it even normal? She didn’t know.

There were many things that she was feeling. And she didn’t know what to do with those feelings. Maybe she should cry. Maybe she should scream. Maybe she should hit someone. She really felt like she should do something. But what?

Refusing to show weakness, she shrugged and opted for, “I’m just passing by. That’s a nice game.” Her response got them speechless.

Someone frowned. “How long have you been here?”

“Since you threw out that King of Hearts,” her reply was very specific and nonchalant, making them even more speechless. “Wait,” someone extended his hand, “why are you even here?” That made her frown. “Can’t I be here?”

The men exchanged looks. “Hmm.. well, there’s no rule that says you can’t..” someone was saying when another chimed in, “you shouldn’t be here. Go back to where you are supposed to be.”

“Where I’m supposed to be,” Stacy pondered, “and where’s that?”

The man started to lose patience. He wore a frown on his face. “Don’t try to be smart. Just do what you’re asked!”

Stacy was feeling even more confused. She looked around and the other men showed no interest in interacting with her. “How am I supposed to do something when the instruction isn’t even clear?”

That’s it. The man was really angry. He grabbed his empty beer bottle as he stood up menacingly. “Speaking back, are you? Do you think I dare not hit a girl?”

Some of the men were trying to calm him down but he was persistent. Stacy narrowed her eyes. She opened her mouth and was about to say something when one of the men finally addressed her.

“He’s drunk. Don’t mind him, he’s always acting this way when he’s drunk,” he said as he tried holding him down. His comment triggered him. He jerked his arm away. “I’m not drunk!” He exclaimed loudly while staggering back a few steps.

His attention was on Stacy. “You,” he said, pointing a finger at her, “how much for a night?” He slurred and staggered around while his finger still directed towards her.

Stacy’s brows knitted together. “I think you should rest,” she said as her arms were extended about 30 degrees from her body, feet moving backwards in small steps.

“What? Are you afraid of me?” The man took unsteady steps towards her. Some of the men were trying to hold him down. He thrashed and pushed them away, steps unfaltering. As though a bull on a mission, he was fixed on reaching Stacy.

“As long as you serve me properly..” he didn’t even finish his word when a figure dashed past her and tackled him to the ground. Collective gasps sounded. Stacy herself was shocked. She covered her mouth as she watched the scene.

Chad had the man pinned to the ground while he punched the shit out of him. The men around watched with wide eyes. Nobody moved to stop Chad or help the man.

It went on for a while. The men were starting to exchange looks, wondering if they should do something. Chad might kill him by the rate he was going.

Suddenly, something settled in Stacy’s heart. She calmed down almost instantly, taking calm and confident steps forward. The men watched her like she was finally mad. ‘Is she going to join Chad? Ol’ Matt might really die,’ someone whispered. ‘Should we stop them?’ Another man asked. ‘Matt does deserve the beating, though. He always goes berserk after drinking,’ another man said while leaning against a tree, arms folded as he watched the scene unfold.

Stacy stopped right beside them. She placed a hand on Chad’s shoulder. The action was calm and grounding. There wasn’t an ounce of emotion in her. Her whole being eluded a sense of calm perception.

Chad was pulling his arm back for another hit. The punch stopped mid-air. His eyes cleared and he started to register what happened. The man under him lay unconscious, blood smeared his swollen face.

He stood up abruptly, causing the nearest men to jerk in shock. Everyone was looking with wide eyes, waiting for his next action. They seldom see Chad this angry. He’s always calm and collected, almost never loses his temper and acts on impulse.

To their surprise, he did a sharp turn and marched away, leaving the gaping men behind. Stacy was as quiet. Not saying another word, she turned and took calm steps in Chad’s direction. “What the hell just happened?” One of the men managed to say as they watched.

Chad was fuming as he marched out of the guarded area. The guards exchanged looks but didn’t move to stop him. When Stacy approached, they were even more confused. They automatically think that the both of them were together and let her through.

Chad marched into the trees. Stacy followed without hesitation. They followed a path until the trees started to get denser. The whole area screamed danger. Chad continued on without even faltering. Stacy kept her footsteps light as she followed him in a distance.

Finally, he stopped. He took deep breaths, trying to calm himself. He closed his eyes and the scene replayed in his mind. ‘You should serve me properly,’ he heard the man say as he approached Stacy, making his blood boil again.

With great strength, he swung his fist forward at a tree. Bang! His fist collided with something. Only, it wasn’t a tree. He opened his eyes.

Stacy’s face came into view. She looked awfully calm as she stopped his punch with her hand. The impact sent her backward. Her back hit the tree and the back of her hand scraped against the bark.