Davina’s knees trembled as she moved through the crowd. She felt numb. The noise around her fading until it was a loud resonating ting sound playing in her ears. Goosebumps rose on her skin and the airs behind her neck rose. Cold sipped through the pores of her skin and assaulted her bones. Cameras flashed in front of her, blinding her. Their bright lights attacked her vision, making it impossible to see beyond the cluster of microphones in her face.

Davina’s heart pumped and thundered like the hooves of a thousand galloping horses. Her breathing came out in rugged gasps, chest rising and falling as her veins popped. Anger! No! Rage! She had never felt such pure white rage. And she had never felt like slapping someone so bad in all her life.

Regret, was what she felt now as she headed for the door. Deep regret for not doing what her whole body ached for her to do. Slap Vulcan Alvaro right cross his perfect jawline. Or better yet, kick him right in the groin so he feels her pains. He should thank the stars she had listened to reason and walked away from him.

Ugh! He was such an egoistic, selfish bastard. What made her think speaking face to face to him would change his mind. He had showed her clearly that he was the monster she thought him to be and so much more. No? She could not believe he said that to her. It was not only her even. He said no to her and all the helpless people involved in this problem. He said no to her home and many others. He was ready and willing to knock down her house and many others just to put up some ridiculous building. He was forcing all of them to find a new home when they do not even have enough to eat.

A warm, heavy coat fell on her shoulders. A sharp cologne of lemons hit her nostrils. Turning her head a fraction, she saw Antonio Valdes at her side. His arms wrapped around her, drawing her to his side. She crushed into him, muscle and warm.

“Come with me.” She read the words from his lips, not heard it. Because she was numb all over and her senses seem frozen.

Davina allowed him lead her out the door. Outside, the air was even more chilled. The cold seeped through the thick fabric of the expensive coat, reaching her skin. She wanted to snuggle closer to his warmth and draw his strength. Lords knows she needed that right now. Her knees were wobbly and her stomach flipped. Most importantly, tears stung her eyes. She had to get away from here and far away from the pestering press.

“I have to go.” She said while pulling off the coat.

“Let me take you home.” Antonio Valdes said, over the noise of the clicking cameras and yelling media people.

“No.” Davina said averting her gaze to the gates, which seemed further away now than it did before. The thought of walking down there in these stilettoes already dampened her spirit. The walk would be long and these media people would not leave her until she said something.

“My car is here. Great!” Antonio Valdes said beside her.

The humming tune of his sports car reached her ears and she looked. The sleek black Ferrari sports car came to a stop in front of Mr. Valdes and her. “Shall we?” Now his offer sounded tempting. Anything to get away from the press, she was ready to do it. Without a second thought, she slipped inside the car and Mr. Valdes who was holding the door slammed it shut.

Davina looked onto the road before her, but her mind was not there. She did not notice the time they left the Alvaro Hotel and climbed the roads connecting to the busy city. Her thoughts were somewhere. Most specifically, they were on someone. It was the devilishly handsome yet foolishly egoistic bastard, Vulcan Alvaro. Gosh, the man had no scruples whatsoever. He was as heartless as he thought him. He was not ready to talk and he spoke of slapping her with a lawsuit?

Good thing she was the one to slap him with a lawsuit, literally! A smile formed on her red plump lips as she remembered that moment. She had not planned to do that to him though. It just happened. One can say the heat of the moment made her react that way and she would gladly do it again if given the chance.

“What’s funny?” The Spanish accent of her savior disrupted her thoughts.

Blinking, she snapped back to reality and averted her gaze to the man in the driver’s seat. Clearing her throat, she spoke. “Thank you, Mr. Valdes.”

“No worries and please call me Antonio. There’s no need for formalities.”

“Please, I insist on being formal with you.” She said while straightening her spine and pulling on her professional face. “You helped me a lot tonight and…”

“And I want to continue to help you.” He interjected and quickly added. “I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation with Vulcan Alvaro.”

Davina met his gaze at that moment. Was he eavesdropping on their conversation? She thought, the same time he chose to continue.

“No, I wasn’t eavesdropping.” She averted her gaze at his words. “You were loud.” She cringed, while wondering how many people probably heard them talking. ’Cause she was sure she had not been the only one yelling. He had clearly been as upset as she was. “So you want to stop the construction?” There was something like curiosity in his tone. “Tell me Miss King, why do you want to stop it?” She saw him glance her way from her peripheral view. She wondered if she should tell him her mission. Right now, she would need all the help she can get because they were going to war. But could he be trusted? She needed to know. “Is it personal business you want to settle by doing this?”

“This,” Davina started, raising a brow at him. “…is not a joke. I am serious about stopping that construction and I will do anything to stop it.” Antonio Valdes did not miss the determination in her voice.

“Are you a business rival of his? Did someone hire you to do this?”

No one hired me! Davina wanted to yell as she recalled Vulcan Alvaro had also accused her of the same thing. No one sent her. She was here on her own accord, to save the homes of the people of Little Hill plus hers. She was here for her small town.

“Were you serious about what you said?” She did not feel like answering that question he asked.

“I said many...”

“…The one about helping me.” She interjected.

“Yes, I am.” He replied. “And you still haven’t answered my questions.”

Davina drew a long breath to calm herself because his questions had been upsetting. “No, I am not a business rival and nobody hired me to do this. I am here for my town.” She replied.

“I understand.” Antonio Valdes nodded.

“His construction is going to ruin homes, lives even. I came here so we can talk and come to a compromise. I came here to pump some sense into the man because I thought he had a sense of humanity. I thought after listening to me he might change his mind, but…” she trialed off.

“He didn’t.” Mr. Valdes finished for her. Davina nodded, swallowing the lump that was inside her throat. “I know Vulcan Alvaro. He is a man without scruples who would do anything to get what he wants. He is a selfish, foolish, ruthless man!” His fingers gripped the steering wheel so hard, his knuckles turned white. Davina did not need to guess ’because it was clear that this man disliked Vulcan Alvaro as much as she did him.

“What did he do to you?” Davina asked.

“He trapped me in a shady business some time ago. It cost my company million. It was a dark moment for my company…” He trailed off, looking out into the night.

Davina’s anger and hatred for Vulcan Alvaro just went up a notch. She could not believe it! Vulcan Alvaro had been unscrupulous since long. How could he have done that to a businessperson? She should have known. Cruelty and dishonesty must run in his blood. Shaking her head, she drew a long breath.

“The point is… I want to help you stop that construction because Vulcan Alvaro is a greedy bastard. The only thing he cares about is making profits. We have to stop him, together.” At the statement, he looked her way.

Vulcan Alvaro has hurt many people. He has ruined lives and wants to ruin more. Antonio Valdes was right. They have to stop him. “I filed a court case against him.” Davina told him.

“Is everything intact?” Davina threw him a confused look and he quickly added. “I mean did you consult your lawyer beforehand?”

What was that supposed to mean? Was he insinuating that she did not know what she was doing when she started filling the case? Did he see her as some desperate person who took decisions on instinct? No, Davina King was much more than that. If five years of law school did not teach her anything, but it taught her not to make hasty decisions. Issues with the law were no joke and filing a case against someone needed correct timing.

Davina did not start this case because she wanted to. She started this because it was her last resort. She had tried all the other means to get through to Vulcan Alvaro. For the last several weeks, she had done her best to get him to react to her but it was useless. This case was her last chance at redemption and she was going to give it all she got, with or without his help.

“I am my own lawyer. I stand for the people of Little Hill and I am going to defend them with or without your help.” Pride shone through her voice as she held her head high.

“Oh believe me when I say I am very much interested in helping you.” Antonio Valdes looked at her.

Davina saw something dark flash in his eyes and her heart skipped a beat almost instantly. His grey eyes locked with her and for a brief moment, she saw flashes of a man out for revenge. She was not surprised this man wanted to help her because clearly he still broods from the effects of that shady business Vulcan Alvaro tricked him into. Well, she was not interested in Vulcan Alvaro’s enemies and did not care if she was even collaborating with someone who disliked him. As far as he was willing to help her, she did not care.

After all, the enemy of my enemy is my friend.