Chapter 100: Mysterious stranger.
Just as Anna’s boyfriend’s hand sliced through the air, a young, handsome stranger appeared out of nowhere, closing the distance in an instant.
With a firm grip, he wrapped his right arm around Charles’s waist, pulling him slightly back, while in one swift motion, his left hand shot out, catching Anna’s boyfriend’s wrist before the blow could land.
"What the hell do you think you’re doing?" the stranger demanded, his voice sharp and commanding, cutting through the noise of the store like a blade.
Heads turned as curious customers paused to watch the scene unfold.
Anna’s boyfriend let out a low growl, his teeth clenched as he struggled against the stranger’s grip but the more he fought, the tighter the hold became, sending a sharp jolt of pain through his wrist.
His face twisted in discomfort, yet the stranger didn’t budge, his expression cold and unwavering.
"Let go of my boyfriend this instant!" Anna snapped, her voice sharp with anger.
The stranger tilted his head slightly, a playful smirk tugging at his lips as he winked at her. "With pleasure, darling," he purred.
And just like that, he released Anna’s boyfriend’s wrist—but not gently.
With full force, he shoved his hand away, the impact so strong that the man stumbled several steps backward, barely keeping his balance.
A few gasps rippled through the watching crowd, but the stranger simply dusted off his hands, looking utterly unbothered.
Anna’s eyes widened as she rushed to her boyfriend’s side, her hands frantically patting his arms and shoulders as she circled him like a worried bird.
"Babe, are you hurt? Does it hurt? Do you want me to call the cops? Do you—"
"Shut the fuck up, Anna!" he exploded, his voice cutting through the store like a whip.
Silence fell instantly.
Every head in the cream section snapped toward them, the tension in the air thick enough to choke on.
Anna’s face flushed red—not from concern, but from sheer embarrassment.
She sighed, biting onto her upper lips as she placed some strands of hair behind her ear.
Anna’s fists tightly clenched as she lunged toward Charles, her eyes burning with rage but just before she could reach him, the mysterious stranger reacted in a flash.
With a firm yet effortless motion, he pulled Charles behind him, positioning himself like a shield.
Charles stood in silence, his breath hitching as he watched the stranger.
Ever since the man appeared, everything seemed to slow down—the way he moved, the way he effortlessly took control of the situation, the way his grip around Charles’s wrist felt both protective and possessive.
Meanwhile, Anna closed the distance, but with the young handsome stranger standing protectively in front of Charles, she exhaled sharply and came to a halt.
She crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing in frustration as she snapped, her voice laced with irritation. "Who the hell do you think you are, interfering in something that has nothing to do with yo...?"
"Darling, I’m so sorry for cutting you off, but I have every right to interfere in this situation. Or did you expect me to just stand by and watch while you and your boyfriend speak so rudely to my lover?"
Anna scoffed. "I didn’t speak to him rudely, so what the hell are you... wait! Did you just call Charles your lover?" she asked, completely baffled by the man’s words.
He nodded, bringing his own fingers to his lips, kissing them, and then blowing the kiss toward Anna. "You heard me right, darling. Charles is my boyfriend, so do yourself a favor and scramble out of our sight before I call security," he declared boldly.
’Boyfriend? How did I suddenly become the boyfriend of a complete stranger?’ Charles thought, his brows furrowing in confusion.
Meanwhile, Anna parted her lips to speak, but no words came out. ’Since when did Charles become gay?’ she wondered, her frown deepening. ’And why would a man that handsome be interested in Charles of all people?’
"Hey! Won’t you leave? Your boyfriend is already on his way out," the young stranger stated, his voice dripping with amusement.
Anna’s head snapped around, and her eyes widened in disbelief.
Her so-called boyfriend—her supposed rock—was already striding toward the exit without so much as a backward glance.
Anna’s breath hitched, anger and humiliation twisting in her gut. "What the hell?" she muttered under her breath.
Had he really abandoned her that easily?
The stranger chuckled, watching the scene unfold with a smirk. "Looks like loyalty isn’t part of his skincare routine," he quipped in amusement.
Anna sighs, turning her gaze back to the young man. "You and your pathetic excuse of a boyfriend got lucky today," she sneered, her eyes burning with disdain as she shot a glare at Charles. "But don’t think this is over. If you don’t return my diamond necklace before the week is up, I’ll see you in court. And trust me, sweetheart, you won’t like how that plays out."
With a scoff, she spun on her heel, flashing them both a crude middle finger before storming off, her heels clicking furiously against the tiled floor.
Exhaling!
Once Anna was out of sight, the mysterious stranger turned swiftly, but in his haste, his elbow accidentally bumped into Charles’s chest.
"Ouch!" Charles winced, instinctively shutting his eyes as the sharp sting registered.
The stranger’s eyes widened in realization. "I... I forgot you were standing so close behind me. I’m so sorry," he stammered, his voice laced with genuine concern as he reached out, lightly tapping Charles’s shoulder in apology.
Charles nodded, drawing in a deep breath as he let the pain settle before slowly opening his eyes.
The moment he did, he found himself staring into the warm, captivating gaze of the young man, who was smiling at him—soft, effortless, and utterly disarming.
In that instant, everything around Charles seemed to fade.
The noise of the store, the lingering tension from Anna’s outburst, even the weight of the past—it all vanished.
Time itself felt like it had paused, leaving only the two of them in that fleeting yet powerful moment.