She takes a bite and then moans again while gesturing to Layla to try one.
I smile as I watch them enjoy the food while shoveling my own ramen into my mouth as fast as I can.
After we’re done eating, and the waiter comes to clear the table, I stand up, and ask, “Can I see Chef Anand for a moment?”
“Of course.”
“I’ll be right back,” I say to the girls before I follow the waiter to the kitchen.
“Chef, a customer would like a moment of your time,” the waiter calls into the busy kitchen.
When Chef Anand comes out, I bow at the waist. “Jeongmal gomapsseumnida.” Coming back up, I quickly translate it, “Thank you very much for the meal.”
Unlike before where he looked grumpy, a smile pulls at his mouth. “You’re welcome. I’ll make sure the kitchen carries the right stock for your meals.”
“Thank you.” I incline my head again before I walk back out to where the girls are waiting.
“Let’s go,” Kingsley says, “I need to lie down and just digest everything for a while.”
There are some guys coming into the restaurant, so I fall back and move in behind Layla as we leave.
“Eomeo!” The word rushes from me when someone grabs hold of my wrist.
“I haven’t seen you around here before,” A guy says, stepping closer until he’s in my personal space.
I try to pull my arm free, but it only makes him tighten his grip.
Glancing to where Layla and Kingsley are, I see that they haven’t noticed I’m not with them.
“Let go of my arm,” I say as I look back up to the guy.
He ignores my request, and says, “You’re a pretty little thing. Are you old enough to be in this Academy?”
Lifting my chin, I ask him one more time, “Let go of my arm.”
He circles his fingers around my wrist. “Look at this. She’s so fucking small. I’d probably break her in half with my dick.”
While he doesn’t have a good grip, I yank my arm free and slightly bending my knees, I focus all my strength in my legs and jumping, I twist my body in the air. Pushing my left leg out, my heel connects with the side of his head.
Landing back on my feet, I watch as he staggers back, falling on his butt while shaking his head.
“Fuck,” one of the guys he’s with whispers.
I glare at them before I begin to walk away, mumbling, “Next time, let go when I ask nicely.”
I stop when I see Layla and Kingsley watching me with absolute shock on their faces.
Maybe I should’ve asked a third time before kicking him.
I’m still second-guessing myself when Kingsley slowly lifts her hands and begins to clap. “That’s the best thing I’ve seen in my entire life.”
Layla begins to nod. “You have to teach us how to do that.”
Feeling relieved that I haven’t broken any rules by defending myself, I catch up with them, and say, “I can teach you a couple of kicks and hits. I’m not too good, though.”
“Girl, if I tried kicking anyone like that, I’d be the one flat on my butt,” Kingsley comments as she hooks her arm through mine.Lake“Dude, I’m telling you. She did this flying twirly thing in the air and kicked him so hard he went back a couple of feet before falling on his butt,” Kingsley says with way too much excitement.
“Hold up,” I say as I get back up from the couch and looking at Lee, I ask, “Someone grabbed you? Where? Who?”
Lee shrugs and holds her left wrist out for me. I take hold of her hand and brush my thumb over the red mark it left on her skin.
I let go of her hand as anger begins to burn through my chest.
“He’s just some junior,” Kingsley says, gesturing a hand as if it doesn’t matter who it was.
“Kingsley, who?” I snap, and this time the angry look on my face gets her attention.
“George Thompson,” she finally spits the name out.
I pull my phone out of my pocket and call the office. When reception answers, I say, “It’s Lake. Which room is George Thompson in?”
“Lake,” Falcon says, getting to his feet. “Let’s talk first.”
I shake my head at him.
“The Pink Star, room 202, Sir.”
I end the call and stalk toward the door.
“Lake, wait,” Mason calls after me.
They catch up to me as I head for the stairs, too worked up to stand still in an elevator right now.
“Lake, take a second to calm down first,” Falcon says.
“He’s past the point of calming down,” Mason murmurs.
My heartbeat begins to beat heavy in my chest, sending a surge of adrenaline through my body as I cross the road to The Pink Star. I take the stairs up to the second floor and stop in front of room 202.
I bang a fist on the door, and when the door opens, I only have enough restraint to ask, “George Thompson?”