Chapter 24: A Confrontation(3)
"I believe the lady asked you to step away."
Antonio looked at the man in irritation while Nora turned back in surprise. She had never expected some stranger to intervene. In her experience, rarely had anyone been willing to interfere in such drama.
"Look, mister. This is between me and her. It has nothing to do with you. So please back off."
"Well, when you do your personal business in public it becomes anyone's business." the stranger commented.
"We were simply talking mister. So, move away before I call the cops on you for assaulting me."
"I barely touched you, mister. If you can prove that to be assault, I'll give you a billion dollars." And then ignoring Antonio, the man turned to Nora," Miss? Are you alright? Do you need someone to take you away or help you in any way?"
Nora looked up at the man and shook her head quietly. He frowned and looked at her fingers which were still clutching the arms of the chair and visibly tried to soften his tone," You don't have to be scared. Your fingers are even now holding onto the chair for dear life."
She watched from the corner of her eye, the way Antonio was about to push away the stranger and the way he was being so smug.
Standing up, she smiled widely at the stranger and even patted his arm reassuringly before saying," This is my ex-boyfriend, Antonio. He is not very good at trying to be intimidating. I think it is good that he hasn't tried acting, or any serious movie would turn into a comedy because of him."