“Who the hell are you?” Stone, looking mad, demands Gerald, and Gerald gives him the most disgusted look.

“That’s none of your concern,” Gerald snaps at him before turning to me, and his face softens, “Are you alright?”

“Not really,” I find myself saying, desperately trying to hide myself with my hands.  

“Oh, isn’t it? What’s up, Jace? Is this your dad? Your grandpa? Did you call your grandpa to come and rescue you? Ewww.”

That’s when ten men in black suits who were twice the size of Stone storm into the room, looking as intimidating as mob bosses. I recognize them all, and something like homesickness hits me squarely on the chest. It’s been a long while since I’ve seen them all, and the humiliation just increases.

But Stone’s expression changes at the arrival of the men. Gone is the arrogance and the snark, he looks like he’s scared.

“Who are you? Who are these people?” he questions, “Whoever you are, you better get out of here. I booked this room, and my father is the richest, most powerful man in this city. You better scram before I call him!”

Oh, how pathetic. He’s talking about tattling to his father? I’m the naked one here, but I’m embarrassed for him.

Gerald, in the typical Gerald fashion, ignores him and picks up my clothes from the floor. Then he turns back to me, holding out the clothes.

With my cheeks blazing, I take the clothes, and hastily start to dress.

Gerald bows to me, to the onlookers’ great surprise, and apologizes profusely, “I’m so sorry, young master, I thought that I could make it in time, but I didn’t realize that something was wrong until I noticed Stone Jeffreys and recognized his face."

I sigh, "You have been spying on me, haven’t you?”

Gerald shrugs, “You couldn’t honestly expect us to let you go completely, young master. You may have left your father, but your father cannot afford to let you go.”

“Oh, I get it now,” Stone’s annoying voice comes, and he starts to laugh, “You are all actors, aren’t you? Did this dude pay you to come to stop us? Gotta says though, how on earth did you pay them all? You can’t even afford to treat a girl to a good meal without bankrupting yourself.”

I blink at Stone, baffled by the sheer stupidity in his guess, “Do you honestly believe that? Really, Stone, can you be that stupid?”

“Oh, look who's talking,” Stone taunts me back, cracking his knuckles, “Seems like someone wants another shake-down. Wasn’t the one we gave you yesterday enough for you?”

I feel my anger rise at that, “What the fuck is the matter with you?” I ask, frustrated, “I’ve never done anything to you, but all you’ve done is try to harass me and beat me up. I’m over here minding my business and you sic your friend’s girlfriend at me for a prank. You literally pimped her out to go on a date with me for a prank! What the hell is wrong with you?!”

Stone’s eyes narrow, and he charges at me, “Shut the hell up, you twerp!”

Before he can get close to me, Gerald steps in front of me, and the guys in black stand alerted.

“Mr. Jeffreys,” Gerald warns in his flat voice, “I urge you to leave Master Greyson immediately. We will not stand by and let you lay a finger on him this time. You’ve tortured him enough.”

You could literally see smoke coming out of Stone’s ear.

“Oh, yeah? You think you can order me around?!” He bellows, “Well, I’ll beat you up too. Come on!”

Stone and his goons charge at us, but the guys in black intervene. It all happens so fast. These guys are professionals in the security field, and in no time, the bullies groan at their side of the room, holding onto various body parts that have been kicked and punched by the men.

“You’re not going to get away with this,” Stone shrieks, “You and your weak old man and these gorillas, I’ll end you all. My father will make sure you’re sent to jail for this. No one dares to touch my friends or me. Who do you think you are?! I’ll end you; you’ll never see the sun again.”

Finally, the anger that I’ve been trying to hold at bay snaps at that. I’m so tired of Stone’s constant harassment and jabs. He’d tortured me enough this past year, I’m not going to let him make my life hell furthermore. He’d crossed the line today, humiliating me like that. My heart hurts from being betrayed by a girl I actually liked.

I just want to live my life in peace on my own terms. Why the fuck isn’t he letting me do it?

“Young master,” Gerald asks me as if he’s sensing the storm brewing within me, “What do you want us to do with this menace? Let him go, or something else?”

“No,” I reply, “They’ve had their chance to leave. Now, they’re going to pay for their crimes.”

Glaring at Stone, I give Gerald my very first order, “Make him lose everything.”

Gerald’s eyes harden, and he gives a nod as he takes his phone out of his pocket.

“Your wish is my command,” He replies and takes a call.