Mikael looked at the man and ran towards him. Before the man could react, a kick came his way and he flew and hit his back against the wall and fell down. Mikael got closer and gave him a few punches as he said to him.

''Nobody touches what is mine. Do you understand?''

The man coughed out blood and smirked before saying, ''they said you adored her, it was true''

''What?'' Mikael lifted his hand to hit him again and Natalie stopped him.

''Mikael, stop. You will kill him. Let's hand him over to the police'' Natalie pleaded and touched his shoulder, ''don't get hurt because of a scum like him, please'' Natalie looked at his hand that was bruised.

''You are lucky she just asked me to stop'' Mikael said and stood up. he took off his belt and tied the man up. ''Remain this way until the police come for you'' he turned to Natalie and said to her, ''excuse me, Natie'' he removed her scarf and rounded earring and turned back to the man.

Using the scarf to tie him, he used the earring to lock it up, making it impossible for the man to get up.

Mikael turned back to Natalie and touched her face, ''I'm sorry, I'm late again'' he said and examined her face and body. 'did that bastard touch you anywhere?''

''No, he didn't touch me'' Natalie shook her head and Mikael pulled her into a tight hug.

''That's a relief. I was scared something happened to you. Don't ever run after a stranger without me. I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if someone happens to you'' he leaned closer, brushing his nose against her intimately as his hands touched her face.

''Why won't you be able to forgive yourself?'' Natalie asked as her hands quivered. She didn't know where she got such boldness to ask him. his actions have been confusing her a lot lately and she didn't want to keep misunderstanding or pretend he was simply caring for her. She was not stupid.

''What do you think, Natie?'' Mikael looked into her eyes and kept brushing his nose against her. they were now sharing the same air.

''I don't know. I won't know if you are not clear to me''

''Do I make you nervous?''

''Huh?''

''Answer me, Natie. Do I make you nervous?''

''I… you are hurt. We should get you treated before''

''Not before you answer me''

''Mikael, Natalie. Oh my God, it's everything alright here?'' Laura rushed towards them with two policemen behind her. 'I came with the police'' she said and looked at the man behind Mikael and Natalie.

Mikael turned and held Natalie's hand as he looked at Laura with a complicated gaze.

''Officers, that's the criminal. Take him away'' Lauran said immediately as she looked at the man on the floor. She creased her brows and blinked her eyes at the man who was about to speak making him shut up.

''Wait!'' Mikael said when the policemen got to him with the man. ''Tell me, who sent you?''

The man turned to look at Laura before shifting his gaze quickly. ''Nobody. I followed her to the cinema. I am not obsessed with her that's all''

''Really? do you expect me to believe that?''

''He said it himself. Officers, make sure he gets punished dually. Mikael, Natalie must have been shocked. You should take her home to rest'' Laura said as she looked at Natalie.

''Let's go'' Mikael said and Laura followed them. when they got to Mikael's car, he opened the front door and said to Natalie. 'Get in, Natie. Let's talk, Laura''

''My car is over there'' Laura pointed at her car and Mikael stepped just a few steps away from his car and looked at her.

''Laura, on account of our years of friendship. I am going to pretend today never happened. But don't count on your luck next time because I won't be so lenient ''

''What are you saying, Mikael?'' Laura intended to play innocent till the end. ''Are you saying I have a hand in what happened to your sister in law?''

''She is no longer my sister in law. As you can see, I've crossed the line with her already. She is now my woman and I won't forgive even my closest friend who tries to harm what's mine''

''Mikael, are you accusing me? Did Natalie tell you I did this?''

''Natalie doesn't even know you on a personal level. She has no reason to be talking about you with me. Just know that I won't let it go the next time something like this happens again'' Mikael turned back to the car and left Laura.

When Natalie saw Mikael coming towards the car, she leaned against her seat and closed her eyes, pretending to be asleep.

Her heart was beating fast the more she thought about what happened back there. they were intimate and she felt the line between the relationship as in laws have been crossed. She was confused and didn't know when it happened but she didn't know how to control it either. She was scared of the kind of feelings he was igniting inside her. It frightened her to even think about it.

When Mikael got inside the car, he closed the door and looked at the woman sitting next to him. He looked at her hands and saw them quivered and he realised she wasn't sleeping; she was just pretending to be asleep.

He smiled and started the car, driving out of the park.

….

Mikael arrived at their house and pulled over. He got down and went to the other side and opened the door. He leaned his face closer and smiled when he noticed she was finally sleeping for real. He put her bag over his shoulder before lifting her into his arms and carried her into the house.

Mikael placed Natalie on the bed and she frowned uncomfortably, as she rolled to the side. He chuckled and sat on the bed looking at her.

''Natalie Jun. what am I going to do with you?'' he kissed her forehead and covered her up with the quilt before leaving the room.

….

The Men.

Counter.

Alice entered the bar dressed in a long satire mimicked dress and a scarf covering her face. She went to the counter and sat on the long chair.

Josh saw her walk in as he served some two women at a distance side of the counter. He smiled and walked to her when he was done serving the women.

''Are you not feeling well?'' Josh asked and Alice looked at him and removed the scarf away from her face.

''Sssh. I don't want anyone to recognise me. this is a camouflage'' Alice whispered.

''I see, then, do you want to go to a place that is more safe? This is a Friday, a lot of people come in every Friday''

''Really?''

''Yes. Come with me'' Josh said and picked her bag and Alice followed him into his office. She looked at the interior of the office and nodded.

''As befitting of you''

''So, what can I serve you?'' Josh asked as she sat down.

''Do you have any drink called 'bittersweet' or 'lovers on break' or perhaps a more aggressive one called 'breaking the enemy's legs?'' Alice serious expression made it even more funnier but Josh controlled himself and didn't laugh.

''No, we don't have such drinks here but, I have something called blossoming emotion. I think you would like it''

''Blossoming emotion? Bring it and let me be the judge''

''Yes, Ma'am'' Josh turned to leave and asked, ''you're not with Mikael tonight?''

''Mikael? Why would I be with him?'' Alice looked at him confused.

''I thought you were dating?''

''What? No, I thought you knew about my relationship with him?'' Alice said seriously and added, ''he is not my type''

''I know, but, is not like is a crime?''

''What? No. Mikael and me? That is a big no. He is not my cup of tea at all. It's grosses me out to even think about such a thing''

''I see. Wait here while bring your drink'' Josh smiled and went out.

Alice looked at the door and frowned, ''he won't avoid me because of that, right? that damn Mikael. He should be focusing on my sister and not ruining my plans? I should warn him seriously''

Alice picked her phone and dialled Mikael's number but it was turned off. ''Oh, he even dared to turn off his phone? Thar darn man'' Alice smiled when the door opened again and Josh walked in with a glass of cocktail in his hands. He placed it on the table and said to her.

''Your drink, Miss Jun''

''Alice. I told you the last time to call me Alice'' Alice held his hand and spoke.

''Okay, Alice''

''In that case…'' Alice leaned closer to him, ''now that you know he is not my cup of tea. You won't stop sponsoring me, right?''

''No, I won't''

''Good. I came to explain that to you. Whatever you saw yesterday are all lies''

''You came to explain this to me?''

''Yes. As my sponsor, you need to know the truth. I was afraid you would misunderstand me''

''As your sponsor?''

''Yes. Why, is there something wrong?

''No, is all right. We can start from there'' Josh said the last part more to himself.

Alice smiled and sipped her cocktail. She shivered and looked at Josh, ''what did you put in this? Is so good. Give me another glass''

''Be careful, you might get drunk''

''Right! I can't afford to be photographed again'' Alice said and blushed when Josh looked at her.