Another day at the office made Sam eager to just go home and lie down on the bed. It was already 9 pm and most employees already went home. Sam was in the middle of packing up when a knock was heard. The door opened revealing Jester and one employee that Sam forgot the name of. They had too many workers that he found it hard to memorize each one of them.

"Hey Sam, Pearl here wanted to tell you something before you leave." Jester motioned Pearl, a red-haired girl, to enter and stood in front of Sam.

She was indeed a beauty. Her skin was pearly-white and her plain black dress hugged her hourglass figure perfectly. Her long hair was in a low ponytail and her face was caked in a simple make-up that made it look natural. She stood tall with her five-inch nude heels.

"Sir I-" Sam held up his hand, stopping the girl from speaking. He gave her a tired smile, " Call me Sam please. I hate that word, and don't even think about using 'boss'. It feels too formal for me. I want everyone to feel comfortable when they're talking to me."

Jester chuckled at Pearl smiled apologetically, " Okay, Sam. It's actually my birthday tomorrow and I invited everyone in my department and some other friends to have a drink at Glorious, a famous bar not far from here. I was wondering if the two of you would like to come too. That is, if you're not busy."

Sam pushed up his glasses and rubbed his neck nervously, he'd look like an idiot but he had to admit it. "It's nice to get invited in your birthday celebration. It's just that, I don't drink." He looked at the shocked expression of the girl as she looked at Jester, as if asking him if she heard it correctly.

"Yup, he's never even been in a bar before. Never tasted any alcohol and never tasted anything illegal. Our CEO is a health conscious man." Jester chuckled and joked at the last part making Pearl laugh, understanding the situation. Sam's eyebrows furrowed, knowing the teasing tone Jester gave him.

"Hey shut up. It's not my fault I'm not a rebel like you." He threw a pen at Jester's chest as Pearl looked at them in amusement, admiring how the two are so carefree. Jester looked at her with a smile, " Don't worry Pearly, we'll be there. Saturday night, right?"

Pearl chuckled at the nickname. She nodded and finally waved goodbye, disappearing as soon as the double doors shut with a thud. Jester looked back and saw Sam glaring at him through his glasses.

"Jes, are you stupid? I can't go there. My father will kill me! Plus, if it's a famous bar, then there will be lots of people there! You know how I get when there's too many unfamiliar faces going around." He smacked Jester's chest and the other pouted teasingly.

"But Sammy, it ain't my fault you were home-schooled and grew without other strangers surrounding you. You know, you should chill. These kinds of times only come once in a blue moon, so you should grab the opportunity. Who knows? You might meet someone new" Jester wiggled his eyebrows making Sam huff , annoyed but took in the idea. He sighed and looked at a hopeful Jester smiling at him.

"But I'm not used to other people!"

"How would you get used to it if you don't try?"

Sam paused and pursed his lips.

"Fine. But don't expect me to drink and you should always be by my side, you understand?"

Jester stood straight and saluted at Sam who just laughed. "Great! I should get going now. Bye Sam! Get home soon yeah?" Sam nodded as Jester went out and headed home. Sam sat down and remembered what his best friend for five years said earlier.

'It ain't my fault you were home-schooled...'

The memory hurt a bit but the lad's teasing tone made it less painful for Sam.

When he was younger, he would always wonder why there were kids, carrying bags and going out of the comfort of their home and to a place called school where they get to have classmates and other teachers, getting to interact with other people without the presence of their parents. Sam was indeed home-schooled and there wasn't a single day that he wouldn't pity himself. Pity his situation wherein the only people that surrounded him were maids, guards, his parents and his teacher, Mr. Jake Holland who taught him everything he should know. Like a regular teacher would do, he'd give Sam assignments, projects, deadlines and of course rewards. He didn't complain when it comes to Mr. Holland. The man was so kind and considerate that Sam would sometimes mistaken him as his father. The man was more of a father than old Derek Darlington would of been.

His teacher didn't control him, he guided him, told him that his father would be proud of him and brag about him someday, and that's why Sam was Sam right now, an independent and intelligent man who became the CEO of the famous BREE Magazine at the age of seventeen.

He checked the time and groaned for it was almost eleven in the evening. He grabbed his large shoulder bag and went out of the building, not forgetting to say goodbye to the guards.

He needed coffee...

He waited for at least twenty minutes but unfortunately, not a single taxi passed by. And so, the walk to his apartment began.

He grew anxious as he walked down the side of the street. He saw different faces, some eyes even landed on him but averted quickly like nothing happened. He clutched tightly on to the strap of his bag, veins starting to pop out as he bit his lip. He passed by many stores, some were open while most were closed. He saw people, sleeping on the ground without a thick blanket, using their clothes as a pillow. He coughed as his nose caught the acidic scent of cigarettes. He was startled as the sky began to release multiple thunders, making his legs walk in a faster pace.

Suddenly, a large dirty hand made its way on top of Sam's mouth as his eyes widened and was dragged into a narrow path between two buildings.

'This is why I hate walking outside'

His body was pushed and collided with a hard wall. He groaned at the pain on his back. A hand was on his throat as he stared at the stranger with wide eyes and an open mouth, desperate for air.

"He-el...p ...m-m...m-me."

Sam noticed that there were two other men with the one who was holding him. The guy in front of him was a bald man with thick facial hair and a huge belly. The other two were muscular enough to be seen in a boxing ring, competing for a belt. But one thing is for sure... Sam was in deep trouble.

"What's a cute guy like you doing on the streets all alone?" The fat guy asked and snickered, inhaling Sam's sweet scent on his neck.

"If he's alone, then I guess he wouldn't mind to have companions eh? Why don't we have a little fun?" One of them said as they held Sam's face and licked his cheek.

Disgusting...

The other guy took away his bag and his glasses and threw it on the ground. Sam's eyes were now tearing up as he realized just how helpless he is in times like these. The bearded man dropped him as he desperately gasped for air, wiping his cheek, he shakily stood up but was again pinned at the wall. His arms on either sides of his face.

When the men started to put their dirty hands on his stomach, he yelled.

"Help! Please! Somebody help! Rape! So-"

One of the guys slapped his cheek, a red hand-mark now visible as Sam cried, tears running down his cheeks. The guys were about to start again when a deep and angry voice clouded the area.

"Hey! What do you think you're doing?!"

The three guys and a crying Sam looked in the direction where the voice came from. Sam couldn't see the man's face due to the darkness and the lack of clear vision that his glasses gave him. But even though the figure was blurry, he saw that the man was very tall and very built. He towered over the others. Sam felt the hands gripping him have disappeared as they pushed him to the back.

"I suggest you to mind your own fucking business you beast!" One of the three shouted. Sam could hear uneasiness in the voice and knew that whoever this person was, it was clear he was feared by many.

Sam hugged his knees and buried his head in his arms as he heard punches, grunts, groans and curses. Soon, he heard feet running and disappearing. The man took the shoulder bag and the broken eyeglasses and bent one knee. Sam felt a tap of a finger on his shoulder and he hesitantly looked up. Slowly, his head went up and soon saw those forest-green eyes staring intently into his soft brown ones.

"Are you alright?"

Sam opened his mouth to speak, his eyes still tearing up from the earlier event. "W-who are y-you?"

The guy held out his hand and Sam took it, feeling the softness and roughness at the same time. They both stood up as the guy gave Sam his bag and glasses. He didn't bother wearing them, knowing it was useless and just stared at the guy with a tired and scared look.

The guy was hesitant at first, not noticing Sam's eyes that were starting to roll in dizziness.

"Call me Theodore..."

It was the last thing Sam heard before darkness took over him.