Beyond The Echoes Of You

Chapter 9

Mike's car pulled up in front of Anthony's apartment, and Mike didn't waste any time in getting out of the car. Mike hastily came out as well.

May was about going in, but Mike rushed to block her path. "I literally just saved your life but you won't even tell me goodnight before leaving." He shook his head in disappointment.

May rolled her eyes hard at his words. "I already thanked you for saving me, now I have to tell you goodnight as well?"

"Yes." Mike replied.

May scoffed. "That's too bad. I don't want you to have a goodnight, not when you're hell bent on ruining my friendship with Anthony!" She fumed.

"Oh, come on. Don't tell me you're still mad about that. I was only doing you a favor." Mike defended.

"I don't need your favor, Mike. I don't need anything from you, so please stop doing things that's only going to annoy me okay? I and Anthony have been friends for as long as I can remember, and I won't let you ruin that friendship for me, so please stay away from me. I never want to see you again." She said, her eye blazing with anger.

"That's not possible because you work at the cafe, and you seem to be forgetting that I saved your life tonight."

"About that, if you ever see me in such situation, I would appreciate it if you just mind your business and not help me, even if you see me dying."

Mike looked astonished. "Are you kidding me? Do you hate me that much?"

May shook her head. "I don't hate you, I just want you to stay away from me. Anthony was right, I really shouldn't be talking to you." She said. "Thank you for saving me, but please never interfere in my personal matters, and goodnight." She said before walking away, leaving Mike looking perplexed.

Mike stood there, stunned, as May's words cut deep. He couldn't fathom why her rejection affected him so profoundly. But then he remembered - she was the spitting image of his late girlfriend. The pain of her words felt like a fresh wound, as if his May was rejecting him all over again. Shaking his head, Mike reminded himself that this wasn't his May. They shared a face and a name, but she was a different person.

He heaved a deep breath. "What am I even doing here?"

Just as Mike was about to return to his car, a taxi pulled up behind him, and Anthony stepped out, his face red with rage. Spotting Mike, Anthony's anger boiled over, and he charged at him, fist clenched. The punch landed hard across Mike's face, sending him stumbling backward. Mike quickly regained his footing, spat out a mouthful of blood, and touched his sore jaw. A smirk spread across his face as he looked up at Anthony.

"I warned you to stay away from her!" Anthony yelled, his fury unabated.

Mike's smirk seemed to enrage Anthony further, and he took a step closer, his fists still clenched.

''You think you can just warn me away from her?" Mike sneered. "You think you have some kind of claim on her?"

"I'm just trying to protect her from people like you.'' Anthony replied, his voice low and even.

''People like me?" Mike repeated. "You're one to talk, aren't you?''

''You're the one who's been following her around, showing up at her work, and inserting yourself into her life.'' Anthony seethed.

Mike's expression didn't change, but his eyes flashed with anger. "And you're the one who's being obsessive and controlling."

''You don't know what you're talking about." Anthony replied, his voice dripping with menace.

"You're just her friend, Anthony. Nothing more. And from the look of things... You'll forever be in the friend zone, so quit acting like you're her boyfriend or her dad. Know your limit and stop trying to control her life. No matter how many times you warn me, I'm not going to stay away from her." Mike stated, his expression serious.

Anthony's face twisted in rage as Mike's words cut deep. The mention of being forever stuck in the friend zone was a blow to his ego, and he lunged at Mike with a furious cry. "You bastard!" He shouted, swinging his fist wildly.

Mike blocked the attack with ease, his eyes flashing with anger. He countered with a swift punch, sending Anthony stumbling backward. "Never dare to raise your hands to me again." Mike warned, his voice low and menacing. "Letting you get away with it once was a mistake. Don't expect leniency again." His voice dropped to a menacing tone. "If you ever try to hit me again, I'll make sure you're wearing a cast for months to come."

Anthony's face paled as Mike's words sent a chill down his spine. He knew he had underestimated Mike, and the realization sparked a mix of fear and anger within him.

Mike's smirk was the final blow to Anthony's pride. "I'll see you around.'' Mike said, his voice dripping with sarcasm, before getting into his car and driving off.

Anthony watched him go, his eyes blazing with fury and humiliation. He knew this wasn't the end of their confrontation, and he vowed to make Mike pay for his humiliation. The seeds of a bitter rivalry had been sown, and only time would tell how far it would escalate.

Meanwhile, May was in the kitchen preparing dinner, but when she heard the door open, she instantly turned off the gas cooker and rushed to the door.

When Anthony walked in, and she saw the bruise on his face, her eyes widened with shock. "What happened to you?" She panicked, moving closer to him and gently touching his bruise, but Anthony winced in pain and she withdrew her hand. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to." She apologized.

"What happened? How did you get hurt? Did you get into a fight with someone?" She asked in one breath.

"It's nothing." Anthony replied. He made to leave but May held his hand, stopping him.

"Tell me what happened, Anthony." She urged him.

Anthony heaved a deep breath as he tried to calm down before replying to her question. "That jerk did this to me." He spat.

"Who? Mike?" May asked in disbelief.

"Yeah. I warned you to stay away from him, May. Why were you with him tonight?" He asked, trying to stay calm.

May swallowed the lump in her throat. "About that... He actually saved me tonight." She calmly replied, then she explained all that happened to Anthony.

After listening to her explanation, Anthony ran his hand through his hair in frustration. "This is all my fault. If only I had shown up early then none of that would have happened."

May shook her head. "It's mine, I'm sorry I couldn't wait."

"It's alright, I promise to be on time tomorrow, so you won't have to wait long for me."

"I already told Mike to stay away from me, so you don't have to bother about him."

"It's not like he's going to listen." Anthony whispered.

"What?" May asked as she didn't hear him clearly.

"It's nothing, just be careful around him, we still don't know what he wants from you and why he keeps following you around." He replied, and May nods in reply.

"You should go freshen up, and I'll help you apply some ointment on your bruise." She said. "I'm really sorry that you got hurt because of me."

"It's not your fault. I saw him standing outside when I returned, and we kinda got into a little argument that resulted to this." He pointed at the bruise on his cheek.

May sighed deeply. "You fought because of me, didn't you?''

"I'm only looking out for you, May."

"I know, but I'll appreciate it if you don't get hurt because of me. I'm going to ignore him, and you should try do the same." She pleaded.

Anthony smiled wearily. "I'll try." He said before leaving for his room.

After Anthony left, May returned to the kitchen to continue with what she was doing.