Chapter 11 The Story
“My name is Leina and I’m a Bulgarian. I came to America three years ago with a student visa. Initially, I was hoping to get a generous and decent job without anyone’s help. However, reality was cruel; I became a prostitute and was even in the lowest caste at the bar.”
“Trust me, it wasn’t my intention to become a prostitute. I had no choice. Who doesn’t want to live with dignity? Who doesn’t want to have a good future? You guys have no idea what I’ve been through. It’s ten thousand times worse than the hell.”
“My passport was taken by the Portaschi brothers and I became an illegal immigrant. My salary was detained and I experienced all sorts of ill-treatment; my life was hopeless. I always imagined that someone would save me, even if it was a police who would repatriate me. I truly regret coming to America.”
“Unfortunately, my dream was crushed by cruel reality. I was ravaged for three years. A few hours ago, I was even supposed to be punished by the Portaschi brothers because of a mere twenty-five dollars. They were going to cut my throat to let me feel regret for being disrespectful.”
“I gave up resistance at that moment; I really gave up. I thought that death may be better than a life filled with struggles. Despite everything, a guy named Victor Hugo came to my rescue when I was having the hardest time of my life. He tricked and threatened the Portaschi brothers by claiming that there were police nearby.”
Leina felt miserable as she spoke and tears fell down her face. Lawrence’s family was also staring at Leina quietly.
Even Angie, who was mad a few moments ago, turned her head around. There was fear, but also confusion in her big, shiny eyes.
Leina continued, “The cutting of my throat was prevented but my life didn’t change. I’m still poor and I’m still an illegal immigrant. I still have to return to the Catclaw bar and I still can’t run away from my fate.”
“In order to express my gratitude to Victor, I offered to sleep with him for free. However, he refused. He then proposed another idea, an idea beyond my wildest imaginations - to steal the cash from the Portaschi brothers.”
“I said, ‘Victor, you must be crazy! The Portaschi brothers are so cruel. You will die in no time if you stole their money.’ I regretted the instant I rejected his idea.”
“What else should I be afraid of? My life was already gloomy, it wouldn’t be better even if I returned to the Catclaw bar, so why don’t I give it a go? I don’t have anything left to lose! It’s just death if it didn’t work out.”
“After that, I drove Victor to the Catclaw bar, waited for the Portaschi brothers to leave the bar and stole their money. It went smoothly. The only bad thing was meeting this girl named Angie.”
Angie stood up with a blank expression on her face and said softly, “Oh God! Victor saved you and requested you to steal from the two douchebags? I thought he was looking for a sex transaction with you.”
Leina smiled and said, “I wouldn’t mind that, but Victor refused. I’m pretty sure that you’re clear with the things that happened after that. Victor wanted you to leave the bar immediately, but you didn’t leave. You even got drugged and dragged into a room.”
“I thought Victor was crazy when he was going to save you. Every second was precious because the Portaschi brothers were coming back. If it wasn’t for Victor who insisted on saving you, you wouldn’t end up here unhurt.”
“In fact, I am jealous of you! I wasn’t any worse than you. I was pretty, smart and confident. However when I was treated very badly by the Portaschi brothers, no one stood up for me. That’s why you’re looking at my dirty and despicable self, who can only prostitute myself in the darkness.”
“I… I… I misunderstood you, I’m sorry.” Leina’s words had a huge impact on Angie as she was bewildered. Her expression was even sadder when she turned her head to look at Zhou Qingfeng, “Victor, will you forgive me? I scolded you terribly.”
“Actually, I was a little mad, but I will forgive you if you give me a hug.” Zhou Qingfeng had a straight face but soon he smiled and opened his arms.
Angie was still a fifteen-year-old girl who had the mind of one, she could demarcate between whom or what to love and hate. At this point in time, she felt guilty and ran towards Zhou Qingfeng to give him a big hug.
Rachel Conner felt sad and sorry when she heard the first half of the story. When she heard that her daughter was nearly raped, she was absolutely furious. Finally, when she heard about how Zhou Qingfeng selflessly saved her precious daughter, she was so touched, she felt like crying.
She walked forward and hugged her daughter and Zhou Qingfeng. “Thank you, Victor, you performed like a hero, an amazing hero! I have no idea how to thank you,” she said.
“Angie is my friend, of course I would save her when she’s in danger,” Zhou Qingfeng smiled and said. At the same time, he thought, I was actually afraid too. Do you guys even know that my legs are still shaking?! However, the three of you as a family is too important to me. I need to ensure your safety so that the storyline will not be messed up in the future.
David Lawrence turned calm. He scowled and asked, “Victor, how did you know where the Portaschi brothers hid their money?”
“I met them once and heard it by chance,” Zhou Qingfeng lied.
“So you put your life at risk and tried to steal money from the two gangsters? Did you know that any one of them could kill you easily?” David Lawrence still thought it was unbelievable.
Zhou Qingfeng turned his head and looked at his burnt house. He sighed and said, “Did you think I would like to live in a place like that? Did you think I’d like to stay poor forever? Have you ever been in such a hopeless situation that made you want to take the final plunge?”
It was breaking of the impasse!
David Lawrence had been through war and he thought of all the dangerous experiences he had been through. He then immediately understood Zhou Qingfeng’s attitude. He nodded his head and accepted Zhou Qingfeng’s words. “You’re in big trouble, the Portaschi brothers wouldn’t let you go,” he stated.
“It wasn’t just the problem with the Portaschis, I shot a guy named Cooper. I think the cops will be here soon to look for me.” Zhou Qingfeng took the Colt M1911A1 out from his waist and said in misery, “I didn’t actually know how to use a gun. I aimed at his shoulder but shot his head. My arms were hurt too after a few gun shots.”
Leina was shocked and shouted the moment she heard the name ‘Cooper’, “Victor, I’m afraid that your problems weren’t just the Portaschi and the cops. Cooper was the son of Korgan. He’s the boss of Catclaw and he was the biggest gang leader of the nearby streets.”
“No wonder that guy was so arrogant!” Zhou Qingfeng thought, It seems as if I have to leave this place for a period of time, otherwise being blocked by the gangsters would be a big problem.
David Lawrence didn’t say a thing as he walked ahead and took the pistol over from Zhou Qingfeng. He removed the magazine, pulled the hammer and the armed bullets were shown. He checked the pistol and said, “This is a great pistol. If you wanna be able to handle it, you will need integrated training.”
“Victor, thank you for saving my daughter. I can’t leave you alone in your current state. Even though you’re in big trouble now, I can recommend you a friend of mine. You could stay with her and hopefully she’ll teach you some skills.
“Who?” Zhao Qingfeng’s heart started beating quicker all of a sudden. In the process of David Lawrence saving the world, he gathered some of his friends to form an elite team.
Zhou Qingfeng wanted to join the team, he knew that the people in the team were awesome! However he also knew that his fighting capacity was too weak, they would not want a burden under normal circumstances.
“I have a lot of friends in New York, they’re all very nice people. One of them is Katrina. She is kind and warm. You can stay with her for a period of time. What do you think?” David Lawrence thought it was not a bad idea.
Katrina?
Wait…. I could go to the old man Baggins even though that old fraud is a little bit weird. Otherwise, Minsk would be fine, although he know about nothing but fighting. Fernando wouldn’t be a bad choice too, it’s just that he’s mean and egotistical.
However, as for Katrina, she isn’t good at all! I don’t wanna stay with her! That woman is crazy, I don’t wanna stay with a crazy person.