Chapter 5 Andrei in the Bar
1057 Words
The two men, one with a crew cut and the other with curly hair, hadn't anticipated seeing Isabel there.
They instantly burst into laughter. "The bird that got away has flown back into our hands. Come on!"
They promptly began to tail Isabel as she made her attempt to escape.
Isabel, feeling a surge of panic, didn't hesitate. Her feet carried her swiftly through the throngs of the bar.
Just as the exit loomed near, a hand suddenly emerged from the shadows of a nearby booth and grasped her arm firmly.
In a reflex of fear, Isabel let out a sharp scream when she was pulled into a strong, encompassing embrace.
She was enveloped by a rich scent of cologne, a fragrance she had only just encountered the day before.
A chill ran down Isabel's spine as she lifted her gaze to meet Andrei's deep, piercing eyes.
"You again?"
Andrei's voice was distinctive. It was low, cold, and resonant.
Isabel found herself unceremoniously seated on Andrei's lap. Their positions in the dimly lit bar created an air of unintended intimacy.
With a teasing smirk, Andrei pinched Isabel's chin, lifting her face to meet his. "Every time we meet, you seem to be fleeing from someone. It's hard not to think it's deliberate... but then, I detest interruptions even more when they come from the dregs."
No sooner had he spoken than his bodyguards, like hounds released from their leashes, charged toward the two men who had been pursuing Isabel.
Meanwhile, Isabel was securely ensnared in Andrei's hold, unable to move.
She could feel the heat from his palm pressing against her waist, and his arms were so firm as iron around her.
Their proximity was unsettlingly close...
Close enough for her to feel his breath and see the barely restrained desire in his eyes.
Rumors had always painted Andrei as a man disinterested in women. Why then did every encounter with him seem to involve him encroaching on her body?
Isabel couldn't decide if she was incredibly unlucky or extraordinarily lucky.
But considering her current predicament, perhaps fortune was slightly more in her favor.
After all, she had once before managed to slip away from Andrei's grasp unscathed.
"I didn't expect to see you again, Childe Andrei. Thank you for rescuing me once. Think you could help me out one more time?"
Isabel's voice carried a tone of delicate pleading as she attempted to leverage Andrei's earlier act of kindness. She recognized that escaping the clutches of the thugs through his influence was paramount.
Andrei sensed Isabel's attempt to rise from his grasp and responded by tightening his embrace so he pinned her more securely against him.
Andrei studied her face with playful malice. He was intrigued by her possible connection to the mysterious siren on the beach that night.
Having tasked his men with monitoring Isabel's every move, he was well aware that she had come to the Unicorn Bar tonight.
Andrei was keen to uncover the hidden facets of her persona and was surprised to find that she was being pursued once again.
Raising an eyebrow, Andrei's voice was cool and measured. "I don't offer free help."
Isabel managed only a strained smile. She was internally strategizing her escape from Andrei's domineering presence.
Suddenly, two figures were forcefully hurled before them, crashing onto the floor with a resonant thud.
Taken aback, Isabel instinctively clung to Andrei's neck. She buried her face in his chest and pressed her body firmly against him, quivering like a startled bird caught in a storm.
Andrei was evidently amused by the fright displayed in his arms.
He chuckled softly and gave a patronizing pat on Isabel's bottom, which was an action akin to appeasing a pet.
It seemed, in the eyes of the nobility, all were merely playthings for their amusement.
Realizing her undignified reaction, Isabel looked up sheepishly. She attempted once more to dismount from Andrei's lap, yet she was forcefully yanked back.
Her balance faltered, prompting her to grasp Andrei's lapel to prevent a graceful collapse against him.
Andrei drew her closer with a wicked smile. He relished her flustered and defiant expression.
"Stay put. It'll soon be time for you to pay your dues."
His actions were deliberate.
And his warning now was laced with an unmistakable tone of command.
Isabel clenched her teeth in silent frustration, for she had realized any further movement was futile.
She glanced down at the two men who had been thrown in front of her. Their faces were swollen and bloodied to the point of being unrecognizable. Clearly, they had suffered a brutal beating.
Despite their disfigured appearances, Isabel recognized them by their clothing as the ones who had pursued her earlier.
"Childe Andrei, please spare us!" the crew-cut man pleaded, groveling at Andrei's polished shoes. "It was my fault for being so stupid and offending you. Please, grant me mercy. I'll be your loyal servant... Argh!"
His plea was abruptly silenced as Andrei kicked him away. The curly-haired man was shocked by Andrei's ferocity. He was frozen in terror, visibly shaking.
Andrei was disinterested in their pleas. He effortlessly lifted Isabel and stood, commanding his bodyguard firmly, "Keep the noise down."
Isabel was still shaken by the sight of the crew-cut's bloodied face. She was barely able to breathe.
It wasn't until Andrei ushered her into his car that she began to regain her composure.
Andrei's vehicle was a unique all-black custom Pagani.
Its windows, which were crafted from sapphire, showcased luxury while maintaining a low profile with its all-black color scheme.
Despite its discretion, the Pagani never failed to capture the attention of onlookers wherever it appeared.
In Collins State, everyone recognized that the license plates marked 1 and 2 belonged to Andrei's father, George's vehicles.
The plate marked with the solitary number 3 was unmistakably Andrei's.
Isabel had often seen this car from afar, but she was always just observing and listening to others express their envy.
Like Andrei's personal chambers, no one was permitted inside it.
Yet now, Isabel was inside this space that many dreamt of accessing.
The car's interior was permeated with Andrei's aura, enveloping Isabel in his distinctive scent. This filled her with a mix of intimidation and embarrassment.
Sitting in the passenger seat, she was overwhelmed with apprehension. "Where are you taking me?"
- Writer
