THE UNTAMED PLAYBOY

"Let her go, Brad," Katon pleaded. Brad grinned cruelly at Katon, clearly unwilling to release Alice as long as Katon held the baseball bat.

"Tell your goon to back off, or I'll slice this pretty neck and show you just how bright her blood is," Brad taunted. Katon waved his hand at Morgan, who reluctantly stepped back.

Brad dragged a terrified Alice towards the exit, walking backward, deliberately displaying Alice's despair to Katon and Morgan. Once outside, Brad shoved Alice onto the sidewalk, leaving her helpless. Katon tossed aside the bat and rushed out to help Alice.

"Are you alright?" Katon pulled her into his arms, feeling her tremble. Morgan, who had followed, glanced between Katon hugging Alice and Brad's fading silhouette, waiting for Katon's order to pursue.

"Morgan, go back inside. Handle the Brooklyn Blend owner so he doesn't call the police," Katon said. Morgan frowned, surprised Katon was sending him back instead of chasing Brad.

"Ton, I can still catch Brad..."

"Go inside. Deal with the owner!" Katon ordered coldly.

Katon helped Alice to her feet and led her back into the half-destroyed Brooklyn Blend. Just then, the owner emerged from the kitchen, his face a mix of fear and anger at the wreckage.

"Alice... no..." he groaned, looking at her in dismay.

"What is this? How could..." The owner stammered, reaching for something intact. Morgan approached the middle-aged man.

"Like I said, sir. Don't worry about the financial losses. Mr. Pradipta will cover everything, as long as you don't report this to the police." Morgan spoke calmly, his bloodied face belying his words, making the owner wary.

Morgan sighed, realizing his appearance was intimidating. He wiped the blood from his face with his sleeve, smearing it on his navy-blue shirt. Katon frowned in disapproval. Morgan pulled out his wallet and handed the owner a business card.

"His card. Call him when you've calculated the damages. One condition: no police involvement. Okay, sir?"

The owner took the card, reading it, then looked at Katon, who offered a reassuring smile.

"Okay... I'll consider it," he said, waving the card.

"Good! We'll be going now. Sorry for the trouble, and we regret we can't help clean up. We'll await your bill, sir." Morgan patted the owner's shoulder and left, following Katon, who had already taken Alice.

Katon let Morgan drive to Alice's apartment, while he sat in the back, comforting Alice. Morgan needed directions, as only Katon had been there before.

Morgan parked outside Alice's apartment, still scanning the surroundings as Katon helped Alice out.

"Katon!" Morgan hissed, but his friend was already leading Alice across the street. Morgan needed to assess the area's safety, as Katon's expensive car was parked there.

"Shit!" Morgan followed, slamming the car door and hurrying after them.

They entered Alice's apartment, the same place Katon had been the night before. Alice seemed calmer. She pulled away from Katon's embrace and, though still shaken, offered them seats. She disappeared into another room, returning with a towel and a bowl of cold water for Katon's injuries. Katon gave them to Morgan instead.

"Clean yourself up, Choco Girl. We'll wait here," he told Alice, who nodded and left.

"So, you were here last night?" Morgan asked, wringing out the towel. "Where did you sleep? Her room?" Morgan continued when Katon didn't answer.

Katon glanced at him, then stared blankly. Morgan, wiping his face, looked back, then jumped up as if burned.

"Holy shit! Here?!" he exclaimed, staring at Alice's couch in disgust. Katon chuckled and went to the fridge. He could still hear Morgan muttering and moving to a wooden chair.

"Beer, Morg?" Katon asked, peering into the fridge.

"Get me one," Morgan grumbled. Katon grabbed two beers and returned to the living room. They were enjoying their drinks when Alice emerged, refreshed from a shower. Katon patted the couch, inviting her to sit. Alice glanced at Morgan, then sat beside Katon.

"I took some beer from your fridge, Choco Girl. Hope that's okay?" Katon asked. Alice shook her head and smiled weakly.

"It's fine. Thank you... for saving me tonight," Alice said softly.

"Anything for you, Sweet darling," Katon replied casually. Alice smiled faintly, sensing both his care and detachment, which confused her.

Katon had been a regular at her coffee shop for weeks, often working in a corner. They had grown close, leading to her accepting his offer to walk her home last night, ending in them making love at her apartment.

While Alice was lost in thought, Katon stared out the window. Alice noticed something different about his expression. Hesitantly, she asked, "Is something on your mind?"

Katon looked at her, finished his beer, and set the empty can on the table. "Actually... there's something I want to tell you."

"Oh." Alice's face lit up, then fell. She couldn't guess where this was going. Was it good or bad news?