Zoey glanced at her wristwatch, realizing it was already past ten in the evening. She had worked overtime to finish some documents needed for an upcoming presentation. Yawning, she blinked to adjust her vision, then tapped her ID card on the scanner before leaving the building. Just as she was about to walk to the parking area where she had parked her car, she noticed someone familiar.
"Markus?" she uttered, seeing a man leaning against one of the building's posts. Markus looked at her and waved as he approached.
"Hey! I thought you'd already left for the night," Markus said, clearly drunk. "Lucky me, I got to see you. Can we talk?" He rubbed the back of his neck.
Zoey took a hesitant step back, glancing around. There were no people in sight, although the hospital wing bustled with activity. She gulped. "Markus, it's late, and I need to go home. Can we talk some other time? Sorryâ"
She turned to walk away, but Markus grasped her arm tightly. "Come on, I just want to talk."
Zoey tried to shake him off, but he was much larger than her. "Markus, let go!" she insisted, still struggling against his grip.
"No, let's talk," he said, pulling her toward a nearby alley beside the building.
Zoey tightened her hold on her shoulder bag, heart racing as he lightly pushed her. "What do you want, Markus? I told youâ"
Suddenly, Markus pinned her against the wall. Zoey's eyes widened in disbelief. "Markus, what the hell?!" she yelled, hoping to catch the attention of any passersby.
Markus chuckled, clicking his tongue. "What's wrong, Zoey? Did you really choose a woman over me?"
Zoey gulped, realizing what this was all about. "Markus, let go! For God's sake, you're engaged to my sisterâ"
"It's you I want to marry, Zoey!" he shouted, spitting with anger. Zoey struggled to push him away, but he was too strongâand she wasn't athletic.
"Let go, please..." she begged, her heart racing as she felt the danger of the situation.
"You're supposed to be mine, Zoey!" Markus said, roughly cupping her cheeks with one hand while using the other to pin her against the wall. "Had I known you'd end up with a woman, I should've taken your virginity!" he sneered, leaning in to kiss her.
"No, please, Markus, stop!" Zoey cried, desperately trying to avoid his lips as she pushed against him with all her might.
"Stop it!" A familiar voice pierced through the tension, and Zoey felt Markus's grip loosen. The next thing she knew, he was on the ground, cupping one of his cheeks.
Markus clicked his tongue as he stood up. "Ah, what a nuisance," he mumbled, attempting to move closer to Zoey.
But Harriet stepped in front of Zoey, pulling her behind her as she grabbed Markus by the collar and threw another punch. "What the hell are you doing with my Zoey?" Harriet's voice was firm, emphasizing the word my as she aimed for Markus's face.
"Harriet... Harriet... stop, you'll hurt your hands," Zoey said, tugging at Harriet's shirt. "Please stop," she pleaded, worried that Harriet might injure herself in the process. Harriet's hands were vital to her work as a surgeon; if she got hurt, Zoey would never forgive herself.
Harriet bit her lower lip, hearing Zoey's soft sobs. "Get your face out of here, motherfucker! Don't let me see you again, or I swear, I'll break your bones," Harriet warned, pushing Markus hard so he stumbled backward. She removed her coat and draped it over Zoey's shoulders, pulling her away as she led her to her office.
Harriet let out a couple of heavy sighs as she stared at Zoey, her temper still boiling from the earlier scene. Thank goodness she had happened to walk by and witness what was unfolding; she had arrived just in time. A chill ran down her spine at the thought of what could have happened to Zoey if she had arrived even a minute later.
She watched as Zoey clutched the coat she had given her, still sobbing quietly. Harriet rubbed her knuckles, feeling the faint pink marks left from her earlier encounter with Markus. That man has some nerve, she thought to herself.
"I'm sorry," Zoey mumbled between sobs. Harriet sighed and moved closer, sitting down beside her.
"What are you sorry for? You almost got molested, and you're apologizing?" Harriet said, cupping Zoey's tear-streaked face. Her heart ached as she took in Zoey's expression, filled with tears and trembling slightly.
"What the hell are you doing to yourself?" Harriet asked gently, pulling Zoey into a tight hug. Zoey buried her face in Harriet's chest, and Harriet held her close, offering what comfort she could.
Harriet sighed, feeling an overwhelming need to protect Zoey. She wanted to be the one to shield her from harm. But... how? "You need to report this to the authorities, Zoey. You should get a restraining order so he can't come near you."
Zoey didn't respond; she just kept crying, which made Harriet worry even more. "Come on, you need to stop crying. Breathe," she said gently, rubbing Zoey's back. Zoey remained buried in Harriet's chest, and Harriet silently hoped that Zoey couldn't hear her racing heartbeat.
"You got hurt because of me," Zoey mumbled, pulling away slightly but lowering her gaze. Harriet glanced at Zoey, then at her own knuckles.
"You mean this?" she said, showing her bruised knuckles. "It won't harm me for long. I just did what I thought I could to protect you."
"Why are you doing this?" Zoey asked, reaching for Harriet's hand and touching her reddish knuckles. Harriet felt a spark from Zoey's touch, something she hadn't experienced in a long time.
"I... just want to protect you. You seem vulnerable," Harriet mumbled, withdrawing her hand as she sat up straight, brushing her knuckles gently.
Zoey chuckled softly. "I told you not to get involved in my personal matters," she said, biting her lip.
Harriet groaned, throwing her head back as she looked at Zoey. "Use me, Zoey," she said, still gazing sideways at her.
Zoey lifted her face and met Harriet's eyes. "W-what?"
"I said, use me. Pretend that I'm in a relationship with you, just so I can protect you. Use me however you want... at least until you feel safe," Harriet said, her heart racing at the thought of Zoey's reaction.
Zoey shrugged and bit her lower lip. "Harriet, I told you before, right? You're out of my league. You should be dating someone at your level, notâ"
"And I'm choosing you. So just use me," Harriet insisted firmly.
"Why are you doing this?" Zoey asked, confusion clouding her features.
"I don't know either. I just want to protect you. So if this pretend relationship will help, then just keep using me. Post about me on your social media, tell everyone you're dating me; I don't care. Use me however you want," Harriet urged, desperate for Zoey to accept her offer.
"Harriet..." Zoey mumbled, her hands fidgeting. "I don't understand you; you're acting weird."
"Just use me, okay? At least until I sort out these strange feelings I have for you. And until we make sure you're safe from that bastard ex of yours..."