The stall owner worked quickly and efficiently, mixing various ingredients and tossing them before adding a generous handful of cilantro. The sight alone was enough to make anyone's mouth water. Carmen paid, grabbed her food, and headed home.
Halfway there, she saw Calvin, that pervert, blocking her path. Her face instantly chilled, and she tried to circumvent him, but he moved to intercept her, grinning as he stepped forward.
“Carmen, that’s a lot of delicious food. When will I get to taste what you cook for me? I’d be the happiest man alive.”
“Get lost!” Goosebumps erupted on her skin. She longed to slap the shameless man, but her hands were full. He was the type to laugh it off and say something disgusting like, “Fighting between men and women is showing affection.”
Carmen ignored him, unwilling to let him ruin her mood. But Calvin, oblivious, stepped closer, trying to grab her hand. “Carmen, I’ve been pursuing you for so long. You can’t keep ignoring me.”
Nausea rose within her as she shook off his hand. Was this his idea of pursuit? Spreading rumors, spying from the shadows, even watching her nearly jump from a roof? If he’d pursued her normally, she might have shown basic respect, even if she disliked him. Now, she found him utterly revolting.
Coldly, she said, “If you don’t move, I’ll call the police.” He hesitated, then stepped aside, though he continued to follow, showering her with sweet words. She hurried on, desperate to escape him.
Just as she reached the building, Calvin stopped and said menacingly, “Carmen, one last chance. Agree to be my woman, and I’ll tell you something about your friend. Reject me, and your friend… will die!” He smiled triumphantly.
Carmen stopped dead. She threw her food to the ground, spun around, and grabbed his collar. Fury twisted her delicate face, her eyes blazing with murderous intent. “You dare touch my friend? I’ll kill you!”
Her eyes were bloodshot, not from sorrow, but rage. She could tolerate his pestering, but this threat crossed a line. The thought of him targeting Felicia ignited a furious fire within her, replacing all rationality with a single, overwhelming thought: Kill him!
“Go to hell!” In her hand was the small ball Felicia had given her for self-defense—a container of toxic powder. Carmen lost control, heedless of the poison’s potential effect on herself. Even death mattered little compared to killing this scumbag.
With a scream, she was about to throw the ball when Tom and Alyson entered the building. They saw Carmen and Calvin struggling, even appearing to embrace. Their fury erupted immediately, especially Tom’s. He rushed forward, slapping her hard and knocking her to the ground. “What are you doing with this kind of person? Are you shameless?”