1 year later,
Alana ambled through the parking lot, having just finished her night shift at the emergency veterinary clinic. As fatigue consumed her, she wandered aimlessly, barely taking notice of her environment.
The irresistible scent of warm, just-out-of-the-oven bread drifted towards her, luring her towards the quaint bakery in the vicinity. With a growling stomach and an empty appetite, she hastened towards the source of the scent in search of foods. Lost in contemplation, she found her mind drifting towards the realization that a full year had passed since her last visit to her family. Since relocating to the bustling Capital, the distance between her and her loved ones had grown. Following what felt like an interminable period of anticipation, her yearly leaves was ultimately sanctioned. Her heart brims with anticipation as she eagerly awaits the upcoming week, when she will at last be reunited with her beloved father and dear brother Jake. Despite her prolonged absence, she manages to maintain regular communication with them through video calls. Alana's father expressed a longing to visit her, but her demanding work schedule, which spans from noon until midnight, poses a challenge. Unfortunately, the likelihood of Alana being able to fully enjoy her father's company is slim, as she would likely be asleep for the majority of his stay due to her rigorous work routine.
Her father acknowledged her with a subtle nod, opting not to impose any unnecessary stress upon her. As he observed his daughter's nascent career, he couldn't help but feel a sense of pride at her recent accomplishments.
Upon her arrival at the bakery, she discovers with dismay that it is closed. As the clock strikes midnight, the bakers are diligently toiling away, kneading and shaping the dough in preparation for the impending early morning rush. Given the late hour, this comes as no surprise. She left with a sense of sadness weighing heavily on her and made her way swiftly towards the location where she had parked her car. The biting chill of the night wind prompted her to draw her jacket closer to her body. With careful attention, she drew the zipper all the way up to her neck, a small but significant action that spoke to her dislike of the chilly weather.
The low rumble emanating from her stomach served as a stark reminder that a nice meal was imperative, lest she succumb to the discomfort of hunger.
As she made her way through the bustling urban landscape, she couldn't help but take note of the scarce array of choices at her disposal during this advanced hour. In the desolate cityscape, the only glimmers of vitality, emanated from the neon lights of bars and strip clubs. In the midst of the dazzling opulence of a renowned high-end strip club, a modest food truck seized her attention, alluring her with the prospect of delectable savory treats. As the midnight sets on a Friday night, a bustling crowd gathers outside the club, eagerly anticipating their turn to gain entry. She cast her eyes downwards, taking in her attire, which stood out starkly against the clothing of those in her vicinity. Clad in her scrubs uniform, she stood out amidst the queue of individuals. Her gaze swept the street in search of a vacant parking spot, but failed to take note of the impressive sight of a sleek Bentley Bentayga stationed at the curb, right next to the entrance.
As her Volvo's bumper collided with the Bentley's rear, a sudden wave of dread washed over her, causing her complexion to pale. The thought of the exorbitant cost of repairs weighed heavily on her mind, as she tried to process the unfortunate turn of events.
She found herself in an uncharted territory of the city, thanks to a stroke of good luck. All she yearned for was a hot meal, but now she confronts the bleak prospect of lacking the resources to obtain it.
As the man emerged from the car, he wasted no time in exiting from the passenger side. Alana observed his displeased countenance as he made his way towards her with determined strides. As all eyes fixate on them, she keenly perceives a few individuals nervously nibbling on their fingernails in anticipation of the impending drama.
"Yo!! Open the door! "
A burly man was fiercely pounding on her window.
As she scrolled down the window, her eyes fell upon the scratches adorning the rear bumper of the luxurious car. A faint smile played on her lips, though it was tinged with a hint of awkwardness.
Regret hung heavy in the air as she uttered the words, "I'm so sorry." All she craved was to eat.
"Exit the vehicle!" he demanded.
With no other option but to exit, she couldn't help but feel a tinge of fear creeping up inside her. However, she managed to conceal it well, not letting it show on her face.
"I will take responsibility for the damages," she declared.
Upon scrutinizing her closely, the men were struck by her stunning beauty. However, his minds were clouded by malevolent thoughts, tempting them to commit unspeakable deeds. The allure of a night spent in the company of a stunning woman was simply too irresistible to ignore, even if it meant disregarding any potential consequences that his boss may deem worthy of concern.
"If payment for the damages is not within your financial means, I may have an alternative solution to propose".
He rubbed his hands together with a mischievous air, then leaned in towards her ear like a troublemaker. As his breathy words tickled her ear, a wave of revulsion washed over her.
Before her, stood a man of despicable character. Alana was consumed by a wave of anger. Normally, she possessed the patience of a saint and was not one to be easily upset. However, the man's disgusting behavior had ignited a fiery rage within her.
With a sudden burst of emotion, she struck him with the base of her palm, landing a sharp blow on his nose. In a swift and calculated move, she followed up with a forceful kick to his groin, causing him to crumple to the unforgiving asphalt below. The piercing sound of a man's agony filled the air, prompting her to hastily open the car door. As she reached for her checkbook to write a payment for him, her eyes caught sight of a golden card that she had never before utilized.
She reached for her checkbook and opted to retrieve her card instead.
The man remained clutching his groin, spewing forth a barrage of insults and curses towards her.
"Hey Pig, Take this payment as a resolution, or I will be forced to involve law enforcement due to the sexual harassment I have experienced. "
As he was preparing to respond, his gaze caught sight of the card she was clutching. His complexion paled as the color drained from his face. With a gulp, he managed to stand despite the searing pain emanating from his groin.
With a stutter, his gaze shifted between her and the card.
In a swift motion, he lowered his head in a gesture of contrition and implored her for forgiveness.
Alana is currently experiencing confusion due to a sudden shift in events. She appears to be apprehensive about the severity of the police's actions. She harbored doubts about its efficacy.
With a newfound sense of assurance, she repeated her inquiry,
"how much the cost of the damage?"
He continued to bow down, repeating the phrase "No damage, no payment, it's alright."
"I insist on paying," she declared firmly.
"Please, I beg you. Let the payment be my life spared."
"Whoa, whoa, no one is unaliving anyone here"
Alana was left pondering what had just occurred.
With a sudden surge of bravery, the man rose to his feet and swiftly departed, leaving her standing alone. He hurriedly made his way to the car and sped off without delay. Her mind was left reeling by the abrupt shift in circumstances. Fortunately, she possesses a dash cam that meticulously documents any occurrences, serving as a reliable source of evidence if the need arises.
With a spring in her step, she sets off towards the food truck to purchase her meal.