Leroy Bonner caught the kidnapper’s arm and mmed him to the ground in an over–the–shoulder throw.
The guy started whining and yelping in pain, muttering curses, but when he saw things going south, he tried
to make a run for it.
Leroy pinned him to the ground with one swift move.
He nced at the employees who hade out from the shop next door to watch themotion. “Come on, help me out! You guys are all grown men. Why are you so scared?”
At Leroy’s shout, the onlookers stopped filming and came over to help him hold the guy down, just waiting for the cops to show up.
Now all they could do was wait for the police to arrive.
At that moment, Xylia was busy trying tofort the little girl.
“Hey, my ce is just next door. Why don’t youe with me and rest for a bit, okay?” Xylia spoke kindly, her voice gentle.
The little girl gave a small nod.
Xylia smiled and led her inside.
The police showed up fast. Once they confirmed the guy really was a kidnapper, they took him away— bringing the little girl along with them.
Xylia followed the officers to the station, ready to make her statement.
Leroy had been nning to go with Xylia, but she handed him some documents from the Garcia Group.
Xylia smiled, “I’ll handle things at the station. Just pass these to Josie. The studio’s been super busytely— appreciate all you guys pulling through.”
Leroy joked, “With the pay you offer, we’re always fired up to work.” He cracked a grin and didn’t hesitate, grabbing the papers and heading back to the studio.
The little girl seemed shaken up. She didn’t trust anyone else, clinging tightly to Xylia’s sleeve the whole way.
Xylia simply let her do as she pleased, matching her pace as they walked.
Half an hourter, the little girl’s parents rushed into the station.
“Be, are you okay? Did you get hurt?” the woman asked, her voice trembling with worry.
The woman looked to be in her early thirties, dressed sharp and strikingly gorgeous. Panic was written all over her face, and the moment sheid eyes on Be, shepletely broke down.
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She grabbed the little girl, frantically inspecting her from head to toe. When she was sure Be was unharmed, she pulled her in tight, unable to let go.
“Thank God you’re all right, sweetheart! If anything had happened, I swear I would’ve torn that kidnapper apart myself!” she cried, relief and fury mixing together in her voice.
The man beside her was just as anxious, his eyes glued to Be the whole time.
As soon as his wife mentioned the kidnapper, his expression turned grim.
“Officer, please, make him pay for what he did,” he said, voice unwavering.
“That’s right! Just shoot him already!” the woman fumed.
Her outrage was written all over her face.
Be clung to her mom’s hand, her eyes turning to Xylia with gratitude.
“Mommy, it was Big Sis who saved me,” Be said earnestly.
Linda Lynch turned quickly to Xylia, her voice bursting with gratitude. “Thank you for saving my daughter. I heard on the way over that it was a brave woman who rescued Be. I’m really grateful to you.”
Xylia shook her head, not taking the credit. “Your daughter was smart enough to realize what was happening and kept asking for help. But kids are still little, so just try to keep a closer eye on her in the future.”
Linda let out <i>a </i>heavy sigh, guilt flickering in her eyes.
“We messed up… Be wanted a toy today and we said no, which just made her angry. I never expected she’d actually follow a stranger over something so small. I promise, nothing like this will ever happen again,” she said, her voice trembling.
‘God, just thinking about it now makes me panic,‘ she thought, the fear settling in.
Linda squeezed Be’s hand even tighter, still rattled by the close call.
Xylia crouched down, gently patting Be’s head with a warm smile. “Your name’s Be, right? Remember, if a stranger ever offers you candy or toys, don’t go with them. There are bad people out there, so always stay close to your parents when you’re out, okay?”
Be nodded, her voice <i>soft </i>but determined. “I understand, Big Sis.”
Be was still a bit shaken, clinging to her mom’s side forfort before nervously ncing up at Xylia, her lingering fear written all over her face.
She piped up softly, “Big Sis, is it okay if Ie visit you and y sometime?” Her voice carried just a hint of hope.
Be’s eyes sparkled as she looked at Xylia, full of trust and eager anticipation.
Xylia couldn’t help but spot a shadow of loneliness in those big eyes of hers.
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Xylia hesitated for a second before looking up at Linda.
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Linda smiled gratefully at Xylia. “Do you have some time, Xylia? Would you let us take you out for dinner to thank you?”
Xylia smiled, shaking her head. “Really, you don’t have to.”
Linda insisted, “No, we really mean it. You saved Be’s life–just a dinner hardly seems enough.”
Be tugged on Xylia’s hand, acting all cute as she pleaded, “Come eat with us, Big Sis! My parents are super rich, you know–order the fanciest thing you want, it’s on me!”
She smacked her chest proudly like a little boss, making her promise sound extra convincing.
Xylia couldn’t say no to Be anymore, grinning as she finally gave in.
The dinner was set for two dayster. As they parted ways, Be couldn’t help but keep ncing back at Xylia, her eyes shining with expectation.
Xylia smiled warmly. “Be, if you ever feel bored, just drop by Xylic Studio and find me. I’m always around.”
Be’s face instantly lit up with happiness.
She clung to Xylia’s hand, her voice sweet as honey. “I’m not calling you ‘Auntie‘—that makes you sound old! You’re young and pretty, Big Sis, I like you way more!”
Xylia chuckled; honestly, who wouldn’t love being sweet–talked like that?
Once Xylia was back at the studio, she put it all behind her and threw herself into work.
Josie had the first draft ready and handed it off to Xylia for a look.
Xylia tossed out a few more ideas, and the two tweaked it together–nning to run it by Joshua that night.
Josie stopped and frowned, skeptical. Something about this n didn’t add up.
“I mean, Joshua may be the spokesperson for Garcia Group, but does he really know anything about fashion design? Sure, maybe he understands fabrics, but shouldn’t these sketches go to the actual project lead at Garcia Group?” Josie questioned, her doubt clear in her voice.
Honestly, even though theynded the Garcia Group order through Joshua, Xylia found herself handling every step directly with him.
All the follow–up and coordination had gone straight through Joshua, and not once had she dealt with anyone else<b>. </b>
Despite all that, she still hadn’t met the real project manager for this order.
Xylia had to admit, Josie had a point.
But honestly, Joshua wasn’t some amateur when it came to fashion design. Every time they talked over ideas,
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his feedback was sharp and actually pretty professional.
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Still, she’d only ever worked with Joshua directly, which kind of came off as if she was getting some kind of special pass or favor.
After thinking it through, Xylia made up her mind–she’d go talk things over with Joshua herself tonight.
When Xylia got off work, she found Joshua waiting right on time downstairs<b>–</b>sitting behind the wheel of her
own car.
He looked every bit like her personal chauffeur, ready to drive her wherever she needed <i>to </i>go.
But Xylia didn’t get in the car. Instead, she grabbed Joshua’s hand and led him straight to a shop inside the nearby mall–a tea house she’d had her eye on.
“I’ve been dying to try this tea house for a while now, and tonight’s the perfect chance,” she said, her excitement clear.
She had already made a reservation.
But this ce didn’t have any private rooms.
So they grabbed a spot by the window, with all the hustle and bustle of themercial street right outside. Across the street, a giant screen shed with all sorts of shymercials, and the colorful lights cut right through the ss, painting the two of them in cozy, warm tones. With the whole vibe wrapping around them, the couple felt even closer, their intimate moment popping against the glow.
Joshua rested his chin in his hand, his eyes half–lidded and smoldering withzy affection as he watched Xylia -the kind of gaze that could melt anyone.
After they’d ordered, Xylia noticed him staring at her like that and instinctively touched her own cheek.
“Do I have something on my face?” she asked, a bit unsure.
“No, I’m <b>just </b>admiring you. You look gorgeous,” Joshua replied, soundingpletely sincere.
Joshua was nothing if not honest.
Xylia felt her cheeks heat up.
First, she gotplimented by a little girl earlier, and now Joshua wasying it on thick.
That warm, floaty feeling she got from all the attention wasn’t half bad.
Thinking about it, Xylia couldn’t help but smile. Ever since she started dating Joshua, she felt like she was slowly growing a thicker skin.
She blushed for a second, but then quickly rxed again.
Thinking back to what Josie said earlier, Xylia nced at Joshua. “Hey, so who’s running the show for the uniforms project on your end? Should I start dealing with them directly from now on?”
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Hearing Xylia’s question, the yful curve of Joshua’s lips slowly slipped away, fading into something more
serious.
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