Danish ran as fast as he could along the sidewalk, breathing hard, sweat pouring down his forehead and soaking his entire body. Every now and then, he glanced back to make sure the thugs chasing him had fallen far behind. Yes, let’s not forget that Danish Ganendra had been the school sprint champion.
Danish decided to stop running just as a long-haired girl got into her car, and he wasn’t about to let this opportunity go to waste. The muscular man barged in and sat beside the car’s owner.
“What are you doing in my car?” the girl asked, her expression hostile.
Danish knew who she was. Amora Byantara. Her face had appeared on television several times because every novel she released was hailed as a bestseller.
“Get out!” Amora’s voice rose an octave.
Danish swept back his hair. There was no way he could get out now. In one swift movement, his hand reached for the folding knife hidden in his jacket pocket. The next second, the blade was pressed against Amora’s neck.
“Hey, Miss!” the man hissed, pointing the folding knife at Amora’s throat. “Relax. I won’t hurt you as long as you do what I say. I’m not a bad person. I’m just in a tight spot right now. So let me ride in your car. Otherwise, this knife will pierce your throat.”
“You think I’m afraid of dying?” Amora laughed. “Ah, what a shame. Just thirty seconds ago, I was thinking you were the angel of death sent to take my life without having to negotiate.”
Danish gritted his teeth. What kind of girl was sitting in front of him? Amora didn’t even tremble at the cold tip of the blade poised to tear into her throat. Was she immune to sharp objects, so she had no reason to worry about her own condition? Or maybe… Amora was a girl who was always waiting for and longing for death?
“Why don’t you kill me now?” Amora spoke flatly, her face showing no emotion.
No. Danish shook his head. This knife wouldn’t be enough to force Amora. Shit! Why was Danish destined to be the kind of man who couldn’t hurt a woman? The girl in front of him wanted to die. He shouldn’t have to hesitate to stab Amora in the jugular vein; then he could take control of this car and escape the thugs chasing him.
Danish decided to put the knife away in the pocket of his leather jacket. Then he leaned toward Amora. His warm breath brushed the tip of her ear as he whispered, “I know your secret. You’re involved in an affair scandal with a doctor.”
Amora didn’t answer. Both her hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, her eyes gazing blankly into the darkness of the night at the corner of the road.
“I have a video of the two of you dating at a hotel,” Danish continued in a whisper.
“We never dated.”
Danish’s strong fingers reached for a strand of hair that had fallen across Amora’s face, then tucked it behind her ear. “Don’t let them find out that you’re actually the antagonist written into the cheap romance novel you wrote. You’re putting Doctor Andre’s reputation at risk, Miss.”
“I don’t know who you are. We’re just strangers, but right now I really want to kill you.” The girl turned toward him.
Their eyes met at extremely close range. Danish’s hawk-like eyes were deeply intimidating, while Amora’s weary eyes burned with anger. Danish touched Amora’s chin. “Too bad I can’t indulge you in a duel. I don’t like getting rough with women. Drive! You’ve got only three seconds!” Danish stressed the final words.
Amora slapped Danish’s hand away. Without asking anything else, she started the car and drove, taking along a stranger whose orders she had no idea why she was obeying. All she knew was that she had to protect her ‘affair’ with Doctor Andre.
The car sped along the paved road, cutting through the darkness of night. There was one thing neither of them knew: their meeting would become the beginning of a turning point in Danish and Amora’s lives. Although Danish didn’t know why God had to bring him together with Amora. Danish Ganendra, a man who always wanted to live despite having no purpose in life, had met Amora Byantara, a girl who longed for death.