Chapter 211
Aria’s POV
Lillian and I were on cloud nine that evening.
Who wouldn’t be?
We had effectively ‘won’ thirty-eight thousand dollars in such a short amount of time.
We celebrated with dinner and then caught a movie, both reluctant for our perfect day to end.
I offered to drive Lillian home, but she insisted I shouldn’t be driving back and forth so late.
“It’s not safe,” she said.
So, I pulled over and waited for her to safely get into an Uber before I drove home.
It was half past nine, and the roads were still bustling.
My Maserati was definitely a head-turner – at every red light, someone would roll down their window, hoping to chat me up.
I couldn’t stand it, so I closed the convertible top, effectively shutting them out.
My instincts immediately kicked in when another car forced me to a stop.
I grabbed my phone and dialed 911, my finger hovering just above the call button, before cautiously rolling down my window.
“Can I help you?” I asked the man leaning towards my car, deliberately keeping my tone calm.
The road wasn’t particularly crowded, but I remained on high alert.
Despite my good mood, at this hour, I was certainly not in the mood to risk my life for a stranger.
The man seemed somewhat taken aback by my cool demeanor.
Paul Garcia hadn’t expected to flag down a car only to find someone like me behind the wheel.
I could tell he was reassessing his approach.
“I’m so sorry to bother you,” he said, his voice urgent.
“My friend is suffering from severe stomach pain. Our car broke down, and I was wondering if you could drive him to the nearest hospital p>
My brows furrowed, my suspicions clearly evident.
“There’s a hospital about half a mile ahead. Turn right, and it’s two blocks down p>
“We’re not from around here,” Paul quickly explained.
“We’re not familiar with the area. I thought the hospital might be further, so… Look, I swear I’m not trying anything shady. Just consider it a good deed for the day, alright p>
My gaze flickered past him to the Maybach parked on the shoulder.
That car hardly screamed ‘down on our luck p>
But me, alone with two strange men?
My gut screamed danger.
“I’m sorry, I can call an ambulance for you p>
Paul’s shoulders slumped.
“Please, don’t. That’s making a mountain out of a molehill, a waste of emergency resources p>
“Listen, I can give you my ID as collateral p>
He rushed back to his car, yanked open the door, and retrieved his driver’s license.
“Just take my friend to the hospital first, and I’ll follow right after. He’s in too much pain to wait. It might be a stomach bleed. And in his current state, he couldn’t possibly pose a threat to you p>
I peered towards the Maybach.
In the dim interior light, I could vaguely make out a man in what appeared to be an expensive suit, slumped dejectedly in the passenger seat.
Even from several meters away, I could discern his tightly furrowed brow and unnaturally pale lips.
He certainly didn’t look well.
“Mr. Garcia, could you please state your ID number for me?” I asked, taking his driver’s license.
Paul rattled off the numbers without hesitation.
“Alright,” I nodded, my guard lowering slightly.
“Bring your friend. I’ll take him to the hospital. Please join us there quickly p>
A look of immense relief washed over Paul’s face, and he hurried back to help his friend.
“Can you move?” I heard him ask.
“I found a kind lady who will drive you to the hospital. Come on, let’s get you into her
car p>
The man clearly winced, leaning heavily on Paul.
He seemed barely able to stand, let alone pose any threat.
They slowly made their way to my car, and Paul helped him into the passenger seat, carefully fastening his seatbelt.
“Thank you so much,” Paul said, backing away.
“I’ll be right behind you, following your car. We’ll be there in no time p>
I stole a glance at my new passenger.
His eyes were almost closed, his brows tightly knit, clearly in discomfort.
“Mr. Garcia, I’ll take your friend to the hospital. Please follow as quickly as you can,” I said, locking my doors before pulling away heading towards the hospital.
The hospital wasn’t busy at this hour.
After parking, I noticed Paul hadn’t arrived yet.
I looked at my passenger but didn’t offer to help him out-I didn’t want to get further
involved.
The man suddenly unbuckled his seatbelt and turned to me.
“Thank you,” he said, his voice low and hoarse.
“It’s getting late, you should head home. Paul will be here any minute p>
Despite his obvious pain, there was a strange familiarity in the way spoke
to me, as if we weren’
complete strangers. Conte verget
“You don’t look well,” I replied, checking the time.
“It’s probably best to wait until Mr. Garcia arrives before you get out p>
Owen pursed his lips and gave up trying to exit the car.
He turned his head slightly, studying me in the dim interior light.
“Aren’t you afraid we’re dangerous?” he asked, his almond-shaped eyes narrowing slightly.
I showed him my phone, with 911 already dialed.
“The police respond quickly p>
A faint smirk played on his lips.
“Bad guys wouldn’t give you the chance to make that call p>
“Exactly why I initially refused Mr. Garcia’s request,” I retorted, annoyed by his
attitude.
“Seriously? I helped him, and now he’s lecturing me about safety p>
His expression softened.
“I wasn’t trying to criticize you. I’m
just
ed that despite how
this all seemed, you were
still willing to help.”.
My annoyance gradually faded.
“It’s really no big deal. It was a short drive, and there were other cars around p>
“I hope you don’t mind me asking, but p>
Before he could finish, Paul came running up, breathless.
I handed back the ID through the window.
“Mr. Garcia, it’s best to get your friend inside now p>
Paul nodded gratefully.
“Thank you so much, beautiful p>
He offered a small salute with his fingers, then helped Owen out of the car and
towards the hospital entrance.
As soon as they were through the doors, I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding and quickly started the car.
I had promised Aidan a call at ten for our nightly routine chat, and it was almost
time!
I needed to get home, fast.