Chapter 14
During the few days Anthony had stayed at home, Stella stuck by his side pretty much the entire time.
Whether he was eating, exercising, studying, or playing the piano, Stella seemed constantly tense. She was worried that Anthony might suffer from some sort of heart problem at any moment.
Anthony had tried to convince her that he was fine. Although Stella told him she would ease up a little, her actions suggested otherwise.
Anthony figured they could not let things go on like this. Coincidentally, one of his friends was celebrating their birthday tonight. By using the party as an excuse, Anthony asked for Stella’s permission to go out.
“Stella, I haven’t gotten in touch with my high school classmates for years, ever since I went abroad. I’m about to have mold growing on me after staying home for so many days.”
Stella could not help chuckling when Anthony, a young man who was nearly 6’3“, was begging her desperately and pitifully.
She thought about how she had probably been overly worried for the past few days. Stella nodded and gave him permission to go.
Her expression turned serious the next instant. She said sternly, “Sure, but you have to be back by 9:00 pm. Otherwise, I’ll head over to bring you home myself.”
Suddenly, Anthony chuckled mischievously. Stella had a sense of foreboding.
“You wouldn’t need to do that. You’re coming with me.”
Stella’s eyes rounded. She hurriedly waved her hands to turn down his suggestion. “I’m much older than you guys. I couldn’t possibly join your gatherings.”
However, Anthony grabbed hold of Stella’s wrist and led her to the car right away. His palm was large and a bit rough. He could easily wrap his hand around hers.
It was not until a while after he had started the car engine that Anthony pretended as if he had just realized he was still holding Stella’s hand. He slowly let go of her.
The gathering was held at a popular club in the city. Stella could not get used to the noisy environment. She seemed much more like the younger person following behind Anthony.
Suddenly, a different song started playing over the dance floor. While Stella was momentarily distracted, a group of people passed between her and Anthony.
By the time those people moved away, Stella had lost sight of Anthony. She began scanning the crowd anxiously.
A drunk man spotted Stella, a pretty lady who was also a new face. He purposely bumped into her and struck up a conversation with her in a corny
manner.
“Sorry, miss. Did it hurt? How about I buy you a drink as a token of apology?”
Stella backed away warily and said frigidly, “It’s alright. I don’t drink.”
The man could not stand being rejected and losing face. He caught hold of Stella’s wrist before she could sneak away. The man grumbled, “I was trying to be courteous by offering to buy you a drink. Who would come to a place like this and not drink? Why are you trying to act innocent?”
As she tried to yank her hand free, Stella detected the stench of alcohol coming from the man and found it repulsive.
Unfortunately, the people around them seemed to be the man’s companions as well. With Stella losing the chance to slip away, those shady–looking men gradually circled her.
Stella felt gripped by a sense of horror and helplessness. She trembled in fear and was at a loss for what to do.
“Let go of her!”
It was as though Stella could see a ray of light shining through the darkness. Anthony squeezed his way through the crowd and grabbed the drunk man’s wrist. As the man let out a painful yelp, Anthony hurled him onto the floor in a swift move.
“How dare you lay your hands on her? You must have a death wish.”
Unlike the usual bright and cheerful image he had, Anthony had a menacing look on his face. He kicked the man forcefully over and over again.
“Anthony, I’m fine. Let’s go.” Stella worried that the situation might get out of hand since she could sense more and more people looking their way. She quickly persuaded Anthony to get going.
Anthony held her hand firmly the next instant. He did not let go of her hand even after they had left the spot. Stella kept telling him it was alright to let go, but Anthony remained silent and gripped her hand tightly.
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Stella somehow gained a sense of reassurance as she glanced at Anthony’s profile and his broad shoulders from the back. This was the first time $omeone had shown their possessiveness in the way they protected her.
Ethan and Julian had never done something like this for her. It was something special she had received from Anthony.
