"You have the nerve showing your face here, fuckin' around in my woman's car?!"

What? Milla is Nick's girl? How the hell?

"You think I'm done with you, you son of a bitch? I'm gonna rip you apart and send your head back to Borneo!" he threatened while casted his spiteful look at me.

I felt the pain in my torso from last incident intensified when he hoisted me up. I shrieked for help out of panic, but the crowd were too frazzled to react to my plea. They were somewhat scared of Nick, or the blade that was aimed under my throat. Or both.

"Nick, fuck off!" Milla stormed in and shoved him aside. She seized me by the arm and forced me into the car.

"You whore!" Nick raged. "You have the nerve to put this dog in your car?!"

"I asked her out, goddammit!" she yelled back.

"You don't go out with fucker like this!" he jabbed his angry finger against the screen vigorously at my face. "This thing is coming with me or we're off with your supplies."

"Like I'm gonna crumble if you do," Milla blustered. "I don't answer to you. You already had her last week. You're done with her now."

The conversation outside was blaring as I unintentionally listened to them jumped down on each other's throats from inside. Milla rushed around the car to the driver side while Nick yanked the handle of my door once more to retrieve me. My reflex however, was quick enough to yank it back to shut. Defeated, he cursed and kicked the door while Milla pushed the gear stick to drive and dashed off the scene.

                        🌸🌺⭐☘️🌸🌺⭐☘️

The ride to the city centre was quiet at first. I was still exhausted from the attack and Milla wasn't sure how to start the conversation either. All of the truths were there sprawling at us and we knew each other's secrets. Avoiding the topic about Nick is plausible but awkward, asking whether I am okay could (or could not) traumatise me. Jumping straight to Nick is a bane.

However, the silence was all in vain. Seeing the restless look on her beautiful face, I began the conversation, "You alright there?"

"What? No!" she flinched but was relieved to hear my voice. "I mean it's you I should be worried about."

"I'm okay. That's why I ask," I replied.

"I am so, so sorry for what happened to you just now. I shouldn't have stop–"

"No, please don't apologise," I insisted. "He already had me by the cord to pull my plug away. But I'm quite surprised that you kinda knew about last week's debacle. Has my dossier been passed around?"

"What do you mean?" she asked quizzically.

I realised I was jumping too far to a conclusion. So I reconstructed my lines.

"Nah. Nothing. I was just thinking who else would want me dead."

"Nobody wants you dead, ZJ," Milla assured. "Nick is being Nick, terrorising people's minds. He's getting too big for his boots."

"What's your relation with Nick, by the way?" I blurted.

"Just casual sex," she answered nonchalantly.

"Like... an escort?"

"Friends with benefits," Milla answered nonchalantly. "He has a whole range of fuck dolls in his speed dial. I was his occasional support but I pulled out. I need a new flicker."

"How did you know about me?"

"A source told me that a non-male civilian confronted him," she continued. "Someone stupid enough to top herself and face Nick singlehandedly. I was thrilled to find out about her. And when she joined 23rd Scouts at Birch, I was elated."

My cheeks and ears flushed red with a small sense of pride and girl power prowess etched to my soul. Did I just become an activist for female empowerment? I should write a memoir to this because who knows Nick could have my head anytime and send it to Borneo as promised.

"So, I became his contender?" I asked.

"No, you are still that stupid non-male civilian," Milla chuckled.

"I take that as a compliment," I giggled.

"Look, if Nick ever shows his face around your area, you'll find me. I'll make sure that he's off the grid," she offered.

"No, I can't do that, sweets. That's a selfish act. I don't want a gorgeous girl like you getting hurt," I declined politely.

"I'm on immunity, love. I won't get hurt," she assured and curved her luscious lips to a flirtatious smile. "Come on, let's drop this. I'm savouring the evening to solicit facts about you."

"Woah, the sound of it makes me feel important now."

"Haha! You're just an interesting person I'd like to know," she winked while taking the right turn towards Hawksmoore Restaurant for the promised evening tea.