PRETTY CONFUSED
1036 Words
A powerful fist slammed into the man’s jaw, sending him crashing into the snow.
Julia looked up, stunned.
How…
How did he find me?
He didn’t spare her a glance.
His attention remained fixed on the attacker.
Punch after punch rained down with frightening force.
“You don’t touch women walking alone!”
Another punch.
“You disgusting animal!”
Another.
“You sick pervert!”
The man could barely defend himself.
Julia stared in disbelief.
For someone who barely knew her…
He looked genuinely furious.
His muscles tensed beneath his jacket with every swing, warm breath escaping in visible clouds as snowflakes settled on his dark hair.
For reasons she couldn’t explain…
Her heart began to race.
Not from fear.
Not anymore.
It was something unfamiliar.
Something warm.
Something that made her chest tighten in a way she’d never experienced before.
She didn’t understand it.
And somehow…
That frightened her even more.
Alex exhaled sharply before finally turning to face her.
His eyes swept over her, taking in every detail.
Her pale skin.
Her trembling body.
The blood slowly soaking through the sleeve of her sweater.
His jaw tightened.
“You really think everyone has a kind heart?” he snapped. “Or do you think benches bring good luck? What were you waiting for this time—the president to come and save you?”
He shook his head in disbelief.
“You’re unbelievable.”
Julia lowered her gaze, suddenly ashamed.
“I… I wasn’t waiting for anyone,” she murmured. “I was just… resting.”
“Resting?” he repeated incredulously. “So now you rest anywhere?”
He folded his arms across his chest.
“What are you even doing out here alone? Don’t you have a home? Family? Friends? Anyone looking for you?”
His brows furrowed.
“What are you—a runaway convict?”
“No!” Julia shot back, lifting her head.
Their eyes met.
His piercing blue eyes locked onto her trembling hazel ones, and for a brief moment, the world around them seemed to disappear.
Julia’s breath caught in her throat.
“Miss Blonde.”
He snapped his fingers lightly in front of her face.
“Say something.”
She swallowed hard.
“I… I don’t have anything to say.”
Alex let out a weary sigh.
“I have a feeling that’s a lie.”
Julia looked away.
“It’s… it’s a long story.”
“Then tell me enough for me to know where to start helping.”
His voice softened, though only slightly.
He nodded toward his car.
“Come on. Let me take a look at your arm.”
Julia tried to stand, but the moment she put weight on her feet, a sharp pain shot through her body.
“Oh…”
She winced.
Before she could steady herself, Alex bent down and effortlessly lifted her into his arms.
Bridal style.
Julia gasped, instinctively gripping the front of his jacket.
His warmth contrasted painfully with the freezing air around them.
“You really don’t make things easy,” he muttered as he carried her toward the car. “At this rate, you might as well drill a hole through my skin.”
Heat rushed to Julia’s cheeks.
Embarrassed by how close they were, she quickly looked away.
Reaching the car, Alex carefully set her down against the hood before opening a compartment and pulling out a well-stocked first-aid kit.
Without another word, he took her injured arm into his hands.
His touch was unexpectedly gentle.
He cleaned away the blood with practiced precision before disinfecting the wound and wrapping it neatly in a bandage.
Every movement was calm.
Confident.
Almost… professional.
Julia watched him curiously.
“You’re… a doctor?”
His hands froze for the briefest moment.
Doctor.
It had been years since anyone had called him that.
The single word unlocked memories he had spent years trying to bury—hospital corridors, sleepless nights, unbearable loss, and the life he had walked away from.
Pain flickered across his eyes before disappearing just as quickly.
He forced a small shrug and continued wrapping the bandage.
“Let’s just say I’ve had plenty of experience.”
He gave the bandage one final adjustment.
“My daughters have a remarkable talent for getting themselves hurt.”
Julia studied him for a second longer but chose not to ask another question.
Alex packed the first-aid kit away, walked around the car, and slid into the driver’s seat.
The engine roared to life.
As they pulled onto the road, he glanced sideways at her.
“So…”
A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
“Where should I take you… Miss Blonde?”
She looked down at her hands.
“My name is Julia.”
He nodded thoughtfully.
“Julia.”
He repeated it as though testing how it sounded.
“That’s a beautiful name.”
A teasing smile appeared.
“For a very confused girl.”
Julia couldn’t help rolling her eyes.
“I’m not confused.”
She stared out the window.
“I’m just… in a tight corner.”
“Mmm.”
He nodded.
“So where exactly am I taking this ‘not confused’ girl?”
“The train station.”
He glanced at her.
“The same train station where I found you yesterday?”
“Yes.”
Alex frowned before checking the time on his wristwatch.
“You do realize it’s already past nine, right?”
He looked back at the road.
“The station will most likely be closed by now.”
Julia said nothing.
How could she tell him the truth?
That she had nowhere else to go.
That the station wasn’t really her destination—it was simply the only place she could think of.
She already felt like enough of a burden.
He had rescued her twice.
Patched up her wound.
Driven her around.
The last thing she wanted was to place more weight on the shoulders of a man who owed her absolutely nothing.
So she remained silent.
Alex waited for a response.
When none came, he simply sighed, shook his head in quiet disbelief, and continued driving through the snow-covered streets.
- Writer
