Take Me Away

Ginkgo Road was one of M City's most beautiful roads. True to its name, there were tall and bushy ginkgo trees on either side of the road. The cold autumn winds blew the golden ginkgo leaves in a way that it looked as if the leaves were kissing the asphalt of the road, giving a romantic atmosphere to the place.

Celine was engrossed in the beauty of Ginkgo Road as she rode to her favorite romantic restaurant. The familiar air and the delightful scenery made her feel nostalgic.

Around seven or eight years ago on an enchanting autumn evening just like this one, Celine had gone to a bar to drink after suffering a heartbreak when a gang of men had come up to bother her.

"Hey, pretty girl! Are you here all by yourself?

Do you want to get drunk with us?

Come on, don't leave just yet!

Ha-ha..."

Celine was quite drunk at that point but she gathered herself and replied, "You bastards! What do you think of yourselves? Have you seen your faces? Go look in a mirror before you talk to me! Fuck off now!" "Damn! You're really sexy!

Who cares what we look like? You look smoking hot, and that's all that matters!"

Celine saw evil flash on their faces as they slowly ganged up on her. One of the men came forward, grabbed her arm, and fiercely dragged her to a dimly-lit place outside the bar.

"What are you doing? Let go of me!" Celine panicked and struggled as she tried to ease herself out of his grasp.

"Let you go? Really?" Another man spat on Celine's face and said, "Why didn't you beg us to let you go when you were shouting curses at us?

It looks like we need to teach you how to behave!" He grinned devilishly as he stretched his filthy fingers and groped her.

"Help! Somebody help me!" cried Celine as she tried to draw people's attention, hoping that someone would save her. Alas, no one came to her aid. Terror rose in her heart as she attempted to kick and punch her attackers. "Don't come closer! Get off me! Help! Someone, help!"

"Filthy bitch!" one of the men said gruffly.

A huge hand promptly covered Celine's mouth while another pushed her body against a tree trunk. The owner of those hands came forward and took a close look at her face before he sprayed her face with the alcohol in his mouth. He ripped off her jacket and let it fall to the floor. As she stood there, embarrassed, everyone had a good laugh at her expense.

"No, don't!"

At that point, Celine was terrified and felt humiliated. She started to whimper, but at that time, she heard a distant male voice.

"Hey! What are you doing? Don't you men feel ashamed for wanting to bully and harass a woman?"

Celine opened her eyes and saw a man dressed in casuals standing not far away. Under the dim light that lit up his features, he looked quite handsome, with a chiseled face. He looked strong and brave. She immediately cried out to him for help. "Please save me!"

The man stared at the rowdies, took a few steps forward, and said in a strong voice, "Let her go."

"Let her go? Who the fuck are you? What do you care what happens to her? Get lost!"

one of the bullies yelled and lunged forward to take a shot at the man, whose punch sent him flying back, whimpering like a puppy.

"Argh! It hurts!"

The man gave the bully an icy stare as he clutched his wrist with his other hand and cracked his knuckles.

"Let's fight!

Damn it! You chose your death!"

The rowdies ganged up and charged at the man. Celine saw the man jump high and land a kick on the bully standing in the front. He threw punches at their faces like his fists were made of metal. Soon, another bully dropped down, hurt and writhing in pain. Within seconds, he had taken all of them down, with each rowdy groaning and squirming in pain, unable to get up.

Celine gulped. She looked at the man who was like a god to her. Her heart started racing.

"Hurry up!" one of the bullies yelled in fear. The man stared coldly at the bullies lying on the floor and withdrew his hand.

"Go! Go! Go!" The rowdies fled the scene in the blink of an eye, feeling relieved.

The man finally took a look at Celine and cautioned her. "Don't go drinking alone." After saying that, he turned around and started walking back.

"I..." Feeling anxious, Celine quickly caught up to him. "Thanks for saving my life! What's your name?"

"Why do you want to know?"

"Well... how can I thank you if I don't know your name?"

"No need to thank me."

"No! That's not going to work!" Celine rushed to him and held his hand to stop him from walking away. "You have to tell me! Or I'll follow you and find out for myself!" The man looked at Celine and answered, "Spencer Cheng."

"Spencer Cheng? Your surname is Cheng. What a coincidence!" Celine said happily. "My last name is Cheng too. I am Celine Cheng!" She offered her hand for a handshake. Making no move to shake her hand, Spencer looked at her pale white skin, which was exposed under her torn clothes. "Why don't you adjust your clothes first?" "Ah..."

"Ma'am? Here we are! We've arrived," a voice suddenly said, pulling Celine out of her reminiscing.

"Yes?" Celine finally came back to reality and saw the driver looking at her with a worried look. "Have we arrived?"

"Yes, ma'am, we've arrived." The driver smiled lightly. "I called out to you for quite a while, but you didn't respond. You were smiling and thinking of something."

Celine gave him a lovely smile and said, "I was just thinking about...the first time I met my boyfriend. I couldn't help but smile."

"Since you seem so happy thinking about your boyfriend, he must be a real gentleman, right? He must make you really happy."

"Of course. That's right." Celine smiled proudly, paid the fare, and got out of her cab.

Looking at the scenery in front of her and remembering it to be just the way it had been seven years ago, Celine beamed. Spencer had saved her life the first time they had met. She truly believed that he would always be hers.☐☐☐☐☐☐☐