GREED

CHAPTER TWO

FLASHBACK 

ERIC'S POV

I remember that I had just graduated from high school and I needed a job to cater for my needs and go to college. And in New York city jobs these days paid less and they were getting less each day and I urgently needed one. 

I was roaming the streets asking around just then I heard strange noises coming from a nearby alley close to my location. 

"Stop following me Jared let go of me!" a girl yells and that's when I knew that something was going on. 

I immediately spotted a girl with brown caramel hair struggling with two guys who were blocking her way. She looked furious and frustrated. 

"Stop being so difficult Christina I'm the cutest guy in Ever High why can't you just be my girlfriend?" Jared demanded angrily. 

The girl fumed in anger and slapped him across the face he angrily glared at and pulled her hair yanking it hard. 

"Let go it hurts!" she screams.

When she tried to run he held her wrist and pushed her to the ground. She landed on the concrete floor with a big thud. 

"Ahhhh!" she yelled in pain holding her scraped knee tears were threatening to roll down her cheeks. 

She was vulnerable. 

He raised her hand to hit her and that's where I interrupted and held his wrist stopping him. 

Our eyes locked intensely and he gave me a dangerous glare sending daggers at me. 

"Who the f**k are you?!" he yells furiously and I smirk. 

"Hasn't anyone ever told you that hitting a girl is stupid and it makes you a p***y" I mocked he scoffed and I released his hand. 

"This ain't your business who the heck are you?" he demanded angrily. 

"If it will help you sleep at night my name is Eric Wilder" I muttered coolly. 

"You just made a very bad mistake Eric and I'll make sure to make your life here a living hell" Jared says acidly. 

I rolled my eyes and helped the girl to get up. She winced in pain and I carried her in my arms. 

"Thank you, but ummm you don't have to carry me I-I can try to walk on my own"she says softly and I nod. 

" You're hurt let me just help you get back home safely. "

I took in her appearance thoughtfully. She was just a teenage girl with brown caramel hair, big hazel eyes, full pink lips that were tempting to kiss, she had a few freckles on both of her cheeks and she had a button nose. 

She was cute. 

I felt a twisting sensation in the pit of my stomach when our eyes locked again with intense passion. She gave me a timid smile. 

Out of nowhere one of the guy's lurched towards her and screamed and I dodged his blow pushing him with my leg and he landed on the pavement hard. 

And he groaned in pain when he tried to get up. 

"Just stop it or else you'll end up with a few broken bones" I warned sternly. 

"Jared just stop this let's go it's not like Christina is the only beautiful girl out there" Nate admits truthfully Jared gets up and scoffs walking past him. 

"What's your name?" 

"Christina" she says softly and I nod. 

"I'll escort you home. I don't trust those guys, especially the one with blonde hair," I mutter bitterly and she giggles. 

"His name is Jared Smith his dad is a very wealthy businessman and just because of that he thinks he's a big shot." 

"But on a serious note you don't have to do that you know I bet you have a lot of things to do." 

I nod keenly. 

"But your safety comes first Christina" I mutter and her cheeks turn a rosy shade. 

I carried her in my arms as we walked the streets. People kept staring at us while she buried her face in the crook of my neck. 

It sent a shiver down my spine. 

After a twenty minute walk we arrived at a very big mansion in a golden gate the guards were heavily armed. 

"Christina are you sure that this is the right place? I asked curiously. 

" Yes this is my house, it belongs to my grandfather Noble Augusten."

"You mean the millionaire? I said in shock. 

She eagerly nodded. 

Once the golden gate opens she orders the guards to let me inside and they nod in approval. 

" Grandpa!" she yells excitedly and I released she was limping towards him and he frowned. 

" Christina what happened? 

The man looked like he was in his early fifties and embraced his granddaughter warmly. 

" Who is that guy? He asked.

"His name is Eric Wilder grandpa. He saved me from a few boys who were harassing me. And he's looking for a job too." 

"Once you freshen up, give the names of the boys responsible for your attack."

Christina nodded. 

Her grandfather walked towards me and offered his hand. I grasped it and we shook hands. 

"Thank you for taking care of my granddaughter and congratulations on your new job you can start tomorrow morning." 

"Job?" I repeated and he gave me a tight smile. 

"Yes you will be my granddaughter's bodyguard and you will be by her side making sure she's safe 24/7." 

I glanced at Christina and she gave me a thumbs up. 

I went home dazed, but meeting Christina and her grandfather showed me new possibilities. 

PRESENT DAY

ERIC POV

We arrived at the park at night and the park was decorated with lamps that looked like they were floating. 

"It's the light festival and that's why I wanted to come here Eric isn't it beautiful? 

I nod. 

" It is,"I replied. 

Just then an elderly woman approached us with a big happy smile plastered on her face. 

"Hello I'm Kuna welcome to the yearly light festival and here are your lamps" she says softly and Christina and I nod. 

"Thank you" we both said sincerely and the woman nodded. 

We stood near the lake staring at the other lamps that were floating in the night sky. 

Christina smiled and lit hers and it began to slowly float away joining the others that were floating in the sky. 

I lit mine and watched it as it floated away. I glanced at Christina and she looked breathtaking in her white shirt dress. 

"Thank you for bringing here Eric," she whispers softly and hugs me. I wrap a possessive arm around her waist never wanting to let her go. 

She releases me and I cup her cheeks tenderly, our eyes meet intensely and I have the urge to crush my lips on hers. 

I lean closer. 

My fists clenched, hands shoved into my pockets. Brows brought together, Jaws clenched. A feeling like a magnetic pull bringing us closer. 

Our foreheads press, together, and my lips brush hers, just barely and I pull away with a shaking exhale, my forehead dropping into Christina's neck. 

"I can't kiss you Christina…" I whisper against her soft skin.