Humphrey Lexington

Chapter Three

“Good morning, Lola!” I greeted her as I entered the restaurant. She was on the counter jotting down something on a piece of paper.

“Good morning, Nadia! You look awesome in that dress,” she replied and approached me.

“Thank you! I came here to have breakfast before going on with my day,” I told her.

“So you have plans for today. That’s nice! You should explore the beach. Should I tour you around?” she insisted.

“I can handle myself, Lola. You can’t leave the restaurant because there’s a lot of customers.” The place is pretty crowded with lots of tourists having meals. Some might come later.

“You’re right. Sometimes I want to escape from work and just relax. You understand me, do you?” she muttered while fixing her bandana.

I laughed. “I wanted to avoid work that’s why I’m here.”

“What do you want to eat? You still haven't ordered anything yet.” She signaled one of her staff to come near us.

“I don’t know. You suggest.” I kept looking at the menu but couldn't decide what to eat. Maybe she can help.

“Okay. This will be on the house.” She winked at me and told her staff to bring the food here.

“Oh, no. You don’t have to,” I marveled when she was done conversing with the staff.

“It’s alright. Don’t think about it.” She flashed a warm smile and I couldn't argue anymore.

“Thanks.” That was all I could say.

“How was your walk last night?” she asked.

“I had fun. I didn't know there was a cottage far from ours.” The caretaker didn't mention it or maybe talking about it wasn't necessary.

“You went there? Did you meet its owner?” She sounded excited which made me wonder if she knew Ali.

“Alistair?” I mentioned him.

“Right! So, you met him?” She couldn't hide the anticipation in her tone.

“I did.” How can I tell her he was the one who brought me here? It will sound awkward.

“And? What do you think about him?” Clearly, she and Ali know each other.

“He calls me nicknames, can you imagine that? Oh, and he talks with sarcasm.” I rolled my eyes when I recalled how his sarcasm got on my nerves. “But I think he’s nice. He walked me back to my cabin last night,” I added.

Lola gasped. “He did? You two will make a good couple!” she exclaimed.

“What?!” It was my turn to shout.

“I saw you coming out of his yacht yesterday,” she whispered with a teasiWhat?” What? She saw me that morning? “That’s… It’s not what you think, Lola!” I defended out of shock.

Is she thinking Alistair and I are a couple?

“You mean you guys are not together yet?” She looked disappointed.

“Goodness, Lola. No. Of course not!” I may sound defensive but that’s the right thing to do at this moment.

“That’s sad. You guys should meet oftentimes,” she suggested casually as if she didn’t startle me.

“Stop it, Lola.” I started laughing at her statements. “Alistair and I are not even acquaintances,” I told her.

“That’s a pity. The two of you look good together,” she made another remark.

“Lola, Ali and I don't meet eye to eye. The thing you're talking about, that’s not possible,” I kindly told her.

“Hmm… Let’s see about that,” she answered and wiggled her brows.

“Hey, would you like to join me and my friends?” someone approached me as I was taking a walk on the beach.

I eyed him and looked at the “friends” he was referring to. That’s a bunch of drunk tourists. There’s no way I would join them. They looked rubbed out.

After I had my meal, I left the restaurant. Lola told me to explore the East part of the beach and told me I’d like it. She was right, I was having fun looking around until this stranger approached me.

“I’m sorry. I don’t drink early in the morning,” I reasoned out. He sounded rude when he invited me and I didn't like it.

His smile faded and was replaced by a grin that gave me creeps all over. “Really? How about we hook up at noon?”

What? Hook up with him?

I raised one brow out of rage. “Excuse me? Do I look like someone you can easily bed?” This is insulting.

How can someone be this shameless? The audacity to approach a stranger and ask for casual s*x is disgusting.

“Come on. You must've done this before,” he muttered as he breathed out smoke from his cigar straight into my face.

Oh my god! He's getting worse!

I coughed and distanced myself. “Didn't they teach you basic manners at school? Stay away from me,” I warned him.

He laughed like a madman and that’s when I noticed his reddish eyes. They don’t look tired but something is absolutely sketchy. Since he wasn't wearing a shirt, it was easier for me to see the traces of needle marks on his arms.

Drugs. He’s high and I should get away from him this instant.

“Stop right there!” I yelled when he was about to grab me in the arm.

“Come with me while I’m being nice. Let’s have some fun!” His smirk grew wider as he took a step forward.

Taking a few steps backward, I picked a wood lying on the sand and pointed it against him. “Get away from me!” I felt hopeless by this time.

He didn't listen and tried to approach me so I hit him hard on the head out of reflex. After that, I sprinted away as fast as possible or his friends might come for me.

“b***h!” I heard him rave but I didn't look back.

“Nadia? What happened?!” Lola ran towards me as soon as she saw me catching my breath just outside her restaurant.

“Lola, someone tried to…” my voice broke out of anxiety as I tried to talk about what happened.

“Let’s get you inside first.” She gently wrapped her arm around my shoulder and guided me inside. “Lydia! Water, please!” she requested from one of her staff as soon as we settled down on the couch.

“Thank you, Lola.” I handed her the empty glass and flashed a faint smile.

“Do you feel better now? I was worried when I saw you looking like this.” She started fixing my unruly curls and brushed off the sand from my dress.

“I ran away from a group of men. They wanted me to join them but I refused. I think they're on drugs.” I told her the rest of the story before showing the scratch on my knee. I had it when I stepped on my dress and stumbled.

Lola grabbed the emergency kit from the counter and came back. “How did they sneak the drugs here? I have to talk to the management and make sure things like this won’t happen again.” She looked mad as she started cleaning my wound.

“They must've done it secretly,” I guessed.

It was past lunch when Lola escorted me back to my cabin. Before leaving, she advised me to rest and wait for her to bring something for dinner.

“The bracelet… It’s gone…” I was staring blankly at my bare wrist. I still had it when that junkie approached me. Why didn't I notice it sooner?

Those druggies might still be there up until this time. For now, I need a nap and check the place later.

“Found it!” I knew I’d find it here.

“You shouldn't have returned here.” My body went cold when I heard that familiar voice from behind. “You can’t run away this time,” he added.

I got rooted in place and my breath became uneasy. “D-don’t come n-near me.” I stuttered when I tried to speak.

“Or you will hit me like you did this morning?” It was the junkie I met this morning and he was taking a few strides near me.

“Stop! I will—”

“Too late. You’re coming with us.” He captured me and covered my mouth with a hanky.

I tried to escape from his grip but my body started to get weak until I lost all inhibitions and fainted.

“I think she’s awake!” My head is still spinning when I open my eyes but I can tell who’s the man in front of me.

I’m being held captive in a yacht.

Men. There’s a lot of them here. Although I feel dizzy, the scene in front of me is enough to tell what's going on. They’re taking drugs, a lot of drugs paired with liquor and cigarettes.

“What should we do now, Jonathan?” one of them asked.

“Have a taste of her. You know the drill, I will have the first bite,” the man called Jonathan replied and eyed me like I was his prey.

I’m not that dense to understand what they were talking about. They will use my body to satisfy their pleasure and do anything they want with me when they're done.

Am I going to die tonight? Does Lola know I’m gone? Why must I have to get through this?

My tears fell from being helpless. They probably drugged me or I wouldn't feel this weak and dizzy.

“Untie her and bring her to my cabin,” Jonathan instructed one of the men then he left.

“No… Please let me go,” I whispered using my weak voice. I tried pushing him away but he was stronger than me.

“The drug is wearing out. I’ll give her another shot.” He grabbed a syringe from the table and pinned me on the couch.

“No. DON’T!” I cried out when I felt the needle through my skin.

After a minute, my vision got worse. Everything seems like it’s turning and the voices sound like murmurs. My consciousness dropped down so I leaned on the couch to feel a little bit better.

“f**k! Someone’s here! Look everywhere and get rid of him!” one of them yelled out and the others left in haste.

I was left alone so I gathered all my strength to stand and escape from here. I stumbled countless times but I still managed to grab the railings and helped myself up.

“I have to jump,” I mumbled while looking at the darkened ocean.

It’s better to die this way than face injustice and a shameful death. They will not have me as they wanted to.

I was ready to leap down when someone grabbed me by the waist and enveloped me in a tight hug.

“Don’t. You’re safe now.”

Alistair. He’s here!

“I…” My knees dropped but Ali caught me midway.

“Was I too late?” he softly asked.

I moved my head sideways. “Ali… I was so scared. They tried to…” I broke down in tears.

“I know. But they won't touch you now,” he assured me as he carried me into his arms.

He saved me. Alistair, he came when I was in a desperate time again.

“Let’s get you home, Belle.” That was the last thing I heard before I succumbed to the darkness.