1. New York

I opened my eyes slowly and turned to look at the time. The bright dial of the digital alarm showed 3:33 am. I released a groan as soon as my senses started to awaken. I don't want to face reality. It's cruel and dangerous. Please take me away from this world. This is a world of pain and torture. I just want to go to another world of fantasy which I know I can only capture during my beauty sleep.

SMACK!

A loud crash from the downstairs pierced the air, making me jump in fear. The sound of footsteps echoed up the stairs to my bedroom. Heart rising, I looked around for a hiding spot. Closet! Though there wasn't much space in the closet, it would be better than staying in plain sight. Someone pounded up the stairs, just as I was almost completely inside the closet. 

A hand wrapped around my ankle, yanking me out from the closet. When I got turned around by force, a masked face greeted me. Though it was impossible to see his distinct features, his cat-green eyes made me shiver. Struggling to get free from his grip, I kicked at the man. I ran away as soon as his grip loosened and he started to chase me.

I was able to get pretty far while he was chasing me, but all of a sudden, I began to run slower, like I was running on the water until I was barely running at all. Then he turned the corner and came right up to me with a knife in his hand. He stabbed me in the stomach and then pulled it out before stabbing me again in the shoulder and dragged it up from my shoulder across my throat. The blood oozed out from my eyes, ears, stomach, and throat.

I gasped and opened my eyes, jerking my body backward. I heard a distinct crash of shattering, but all I could focus on was myself choking and gagging as I touched my neck and stomach. It felt so real. Every bone the knife crossed, I felt it cracked. A sob escaped my lips. These nightmares have been haunting me since that incident. I covered my head in my hands and tried to control my shaking body. Sometimes these nightmares are good which makes me want to sleep forever, replaying those scenes again and again. But other times, it is worse. 

 Slowly, I could feel myself relaxing as I took in the surroundings. I’m safe. No one can find me here. Not when I am far away from Worcester. I was in a small café in New York called ‘Petit Monde’. The Interior of this place is warm and cheery, contrary to the crowded city outside with skyscrapers and never-ending traffic.

I looked around the café to see all pairs of eyes focused on me which confused me. But it soon dawned on me when I saw a broken glass near my feet. I must have pushed it off when I woke up from my nap. My cheeks tinted red in embarrassment and I apologized timidly.

Feeling a tap on my shoulder, I looked up to see a woman in her early 40's. She is gorgeous with blonde hair tied up in a tight bun, flawless skin, and most beautiful light blue eyes which suddenly reminds me of an ocean.

"Honey, Are you alright?" she asked softly. I flinched slightly at her words. It's been months since someone has called me like that, with so much care and love.

"Y-Yes, I’m al-alright" I answered stuttering at my words. The lady took a seat next to mine.

“Bad dream huh?” she asked.

“Yeah,” I said shyly, tucking my loose brown hair behind my ear. 

“Grecia Watson” she introduced.

“Karolia Kingston," I said, shaking my hand with her. A lump formed in my throat at the mention of my last name but I swallowed it down.

“Beautiful name. Your face doesn’t look familiar. Are you new to this café?” she asked curiously.

 “Yes. In fact, I’m new to New York” I debated whether I should say the name of my hometown, but decided against it. To avoid her questioning about my place, I quickly changed the topic.

“Are you a regular customer here?” 

“Oh yes. This place is my favorite” she said. “They make the best pancake in this town. You should try it" she smiled sweetly.

“Oh, I will one day" I smile back at her. "I’m trying for a job here. I was asked to wait since the manager is busy” I told her the reason I came to this café  “And...I dozed off,” I said embarrassed. Grecia chuckled.

An employee came up to us and greeted Grecia first before turning to me.

“Miss Kingston, the manager is ready to see you now,” she said and left politely. I took my file and bag and stood up from my place. “It was nice meeting you, Mrs. Watson. I hope to see you soon if I get this job” I chuckled.  

“I like you already. Maybe I’ll recommend you to Sam. We’re good friends” I guess Sam is the Manager. 

“Thank you” I smiled in gratitude and bid her goodbye.

***

I got a call from the café later that day saying I was hired. The interview wasn’t that bad although I was warned to be careful with the cafe’s properties. I had to pay for the broken glass but nevertheless I couldn’t be happier. 

Coming to New York was the beginning of my new journey. A journey to escape from my past. A journey on my own, no one to depend on. A journey to open a new door in my life.

But after everything that happened in the past, it seems impossible for me to move on. My parents were brutally murdered in front of my eyes six months back. Before those people could kill me also, I ran away. I ran away without knowing anything, without knowing the reason for the turn of events in my life.

I came to New York four months back and at first, I didn’t leave my room, crying the whole day thinking about my parents. Even Scarlet, my childhood best friend, also my roommate tried her best to cheer me up. Finally, I decided enough is enough and to carry on with my life. Mom and Dad wouldn’t want me to waste my life thinking about them.

This is my life now and I have to accept it, even it hurts badly. 

******

Logan's POV:

"Fight!" "Fight!" "Fight!"

I could hear everyone cheering for me. Here in this world, a world of illegal fighting, I’m just Logan, a man who is a champion. If anyone challenges me for a fight, he will either be dead or in the hospital bed. I’m a merciless fighter and I make sure my opponent is well aware of that. I learned it in a hard way that in this world, sympathy and empathy will not get you anywhere.

But to the outside world, a world of business, I’m Logan Watson, CEO of the powerful and influential company, Watson Enterprise. 

"Let's start the match again. Here comes the Giant Lion, John." the host said through the microphone. I smirked to myself. He is going to beg me for mercy. "And our fearless man, Logan", the crowd cheered and roared as soon as my name was announced.

"Let the game begin," said the host. I was able to catch a slight fear in the eyes of my opponent and I smirked evilly at him. I guess he is a soft teddy beneath that muscles. He ran towards me, about to tackle me. I grabbed his leg and flipped him over. His head collided on the ground before his body and that made him clutch his head and groan in pain.

The first rule - Never show your weakness to others. And his weakness was fear.

"Come on! You fight like a kid!" I smirked as he glared at me. He tried coming towards me but I punched him on his jaw. He flew to the ground and was knocked out cold. Well, that was quick. The crowd went wild and I looked at Patrick, my best buddy, and he smiled approvingly.

"The King of Evil won, Logan, The Fearless Man, is the CHAMPION!!!" The host announced and I smirked triumphantly. After ten minutes, I left the place accomplished and full of victory. 

***

(30 minutes later)

"Why are you up mom? It’s past your bedtime" I asked as I tossed the car keys in the bowl. She was sitting on the couch, a blanket wrapped around her figure as she watched television.

“Why are you late Logan?” she asked instead, raising her eyebrows. I sighed.

“Work” I lied. She’s not exactly supportive of my fighting business. So I keep this a secret from her. For her safety and also for mine. God knows what she will do with me if she knows about it. I might be fearless and powerful to others, but to her, I’m a teddy bear and she knows that too as well. She is the only woman in this world who can order me around and I would oblige without a word against.

“You left the office at 8. Yeah, I called your assistant. She’s talkative one” she rolled her eyes.

“I need to fire her. Her big mouth can put this company in danger” I said, shaking my head.

“Where were you?” Mom asked, giving me that look saying don’t change the topic.

“With Patrick Ma. We went out to have some drinks” I rolled my eyes. 

“I don’t see you anymore. You leave early in the morning and now you reach home after midnight, leaving me alone in this house with boring Charles” she said dramatically. I chuckled and walked toward her to press a kiss on her forehead.  Charles is our butler and I have known him since childhood. He was like a dad to me since my father died in an accident when I was 10 years old.

“I promise, I’ll try to reach early” 

“I’m waiting for a girl who can keep you on track. I’m tired of saying this every time. It's time for you to find someone for yourselves boy"

Again!

“Right now, I don’t need anyone. I have you in my life and that’s more than enough” I said.

The second rule - Falling in love is a bad distraction

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N & S  (Middlebencherzz)