3 Lucky Escape

Tony held Marcella's hand and stopped her. His feet were still facing Marcella. He had a peaceful smile on his face as if he was unbothered by this awkward situation.

He turned at Cindy. "Another time, Cindy!" he shouted waving his hand.

Marcella could have a peek at his Adam's apple as he turned his head at Cindy. His shoulders were broader than she remembered. He had a soothing fragrance that healed her nausea.

She cleared her throat. It's not good to stare at him like this.

Cindy stopped in the middle of the street holding her chest. Her red lips quivered and she wetted her lips in disappointment.

Marcella noticed Cindy's glare. She felt bad. She would be mad too if she was in Cindy's position. Cindy does not know that Tony is merely helping her because she was hurt.

He's not interested in me, Cindy.

"Maybe you should explain to her, or better yet, you shouldn't be changing your plans for me. You cannot…" she stopped talking as Tony took out his handkerchief.

"Press it on your wound," he said. And when she lingered, he helped her.

Marcella took a sharp inhale feeling his hand on hers. So big! So warm!

Hooking her arm in his, he walked her to the subway. "She's a friend," he said.

Marcella looked at him.

"Cindy is just a pal of mine." He looked to the front. The perpetual curve at the corner of his lips looked so adorable in his side profile. "I don't have to explain anything to her. She's a breezy gal."

Marcella nodded. She didn't think that Cindy thinks of Tony as just a pal. But she couldn't deny the joy tingling in her heart.

He might not be dating Cindy but he might have someone else. That thought made her return to reality. Whatever the case, he was not interested in her.

Her heart skipped a beat.

Have you learned nothing, Marcella? Don't you fall in love!

She won't succeed. She will never find love. No one would like her for who she is. Back then, everyone wanted her for her father's connection. Without her father, she was only a liability. Who would want her?

They reached the subway. The train was crowded. Marcella wanted to take the next train but then she noticed the ruffians getting down the stairs. There were four more this time.

They were looking for her in the crowd. They didn't find her. It looked like they won't rest until they end her.

Fear engulfed her. But only for a second. She was not going to let fear define her; she was not going to draw her last breath in fear.

She knew what to do. It's high time she uses her "stash". Surely, she didn't have enough ammo. But she wouldn't meet death alone tonight. She will take a bunch of them with her.

She will go down fighting.

"I'll manage from here, Tony," Marcella tried to get her purse from his hand.

She did not want to involve him. He is only twenty-nine and has the whole world waiting for him with open arms. She wished him well in her heart.

A train came to a halt and the doors opened. The crowd rushed inside.

"I'm so glad I got to meet you tonight," she shouted for him to hear. She wanted him to hear that.

Those words were from her heart. After "him", she lived alone for years not allowing any joy in her life.

But meeting Tony made her reminisce about the better part of her younger life. She got reminded that there were people who took care of her. She was thankful for them.

Tony gripped her purse and gift bag tightly in his hand. His eyebrows were raised. His big, warm hand enveloped her back. He leaned toward her holding her in a motherly embrace. For a moment, she thought his smile disappeared to be taken over with disappointment. But it returned as if it never happened.

She tried to take a step back. But he pulled her closer.

"Are they here?" He whispered in her ear.

"Go, Tony," she pushed him back. "Live well."

He didn't move. He looked at her with his gentle eyes unwavering with determination. "Keep an eye on them," he said.

Before she could react, he wrapped his hand around her waist, lifted her, and entered the train merging with the crowd.

Marcella was startled. But she could see above his shoulder. One of the ruffians spotted her and he signaled the other men to catch her.

"They spotted me," she whispered. She thought he didn't hear her as there was no change in his pace.

She watched the men run to them. In their hurry, one of them shouldered a group of youngsters and one of the boys fell down. It caused a commotion. The group of boys picked a fight with the ruffians and Marcella noticed the tattoo in the arm of one of those boys.

A skull and a four-leaved clover.

That was the symbol of The Lucky Pirates Gang. The youngsters were gangsters.

Marcella knew that this fight won't end well. Not for the ruffians after her, not for the boys from the gang, and certainly not for the commuters.

But she sure is the lucky one! She sighed leaning on Tony's shoulder.

Just as Tony stepped inside the train, the doors closed. The train started to move and Marcella found her feet back on the ground. Tony took a peek through the window.

"Did they get in?" he asked.

"No," Marcella shook her head.

The train car was filled to the brim with people. They couldn't even breathe properly. The woman standing near Marcella elbowed her as she tried to adjust her purse. It hit her right on the wound and Marcella winced in pain.

Within a few seconds, somehow Tony managed to stand in front of her. The tip of her nose almost touched his chest. His arms were beside her shoulders, stopping anyone from getting close to her. She was surrounded by him.

Not knowing where to look, she looked up. He looked down at that moment. Their eyes met. She felt his breath on her face.

His manly scent was distinguishable in the amalgam of scents around her as it engulfed her. Her entire body warmed up.

She looked down closing her eyes. She didn't have the courage to let her heart waver. It probably was not her heart. It might just be her hormones yearning for the company of a man.

The train screeched to a halt. She winced feeling his hair on her cheeks. It was ticklish. She leaned to the side only for her to end up leaning on his forearm.

What's with this very intimate position?

She felt his gentle eyes on her and she looked at him. Her eyes unconsciously ended on his lips and her heart pounded.