The kid was at least five-foot-three, weighing no less than 160 pounds. He had already stepped inside but still clung to the glass door, refusing to let it close. Heat from the restaurant kept rushing out, while blasts of cold wind poured in.
Hill had taken off her coat because of the warmth inside. Now she wore only a thin white blouse, through which the outline of her black bra could faintly be seen.
When the cold air swept in, Hill shivered involuntarily.
There were quite a few other diners in the room. They all felt the temperature drop several degrees. A few Black men complained loudly, but among the group of white newcomers was a police officer. He glared at the noisy men, and they immediately fell silent, bowing their heads and returning to their meals.
To them, the presence of a white police officer was as terrifying as death itself.
The Indian owner, hearing the commotion outside, rushed out to check. When he saw four white people, including a police officer, he said nothing. His restaurant was just a small business. If this cop decided to cause trouble every other day, the place wouldn't survive.
His family relied on this shop for their livelihood. For their sake, he had to endure.
Aetheris noticed Hill shivering. He turned and saw that brat still holding the door wide open. Cold air poured in while the warmth was sucked out.
With a cold expression, Aetheris barked,
"Hey! Shut the door already!"
Seeing him angry, and noticing how well-dressed both he and Hill were, the white parents finally intervened. Their chubby son pouted resentfully before plopping into his seat.
Tonight, they were celebrating his uncle Wilson's promotion. The whole family had come to congratulate him. Wilson was a police officer in the area. After catching a car thief, he had been promoted to trainee sergeant.
When the boy's father first entered, he noticed a Mercedes G-Class parked at the entrance. He assumed it belonged to a passerby. But once inside, seeing Aetheris and Hill, he realized the luxury car was theirs.
They stood out like gold in a pile of coal, unmistakably dazzling.
A man with such wealth and standing was not someone a lowly clerk like him could afford to offend. So he scolded his son. But his wife was another matter. Arrogant and domineering, she constantly bragged about her younger brother being a police officer and often threw her weight around the neighborhood. People avoided her whenever possible.
"Order!"
The four of them happened to sit right behind Aetheris. Wilson, the officer, had barely sat down before shouting at the top of his lungs.
Aetheris, seated closest to him, nearly had his eardrums shattered. His brows furrowed slightly, but he didn't retaliate.
This was a public place. You couldn't scold someone just for being loud. That would be too domineering.
Out came the owner's wife, Mary. Fear lingered in her eyes as she approached Wilson's table and asked with forced cheer,"Officer Wilson, what would you like to order tonight?"
Wilson was disappointed to see her. He craned his neck toward the kitchen. The last few times he'd been here, he'd noticed a slim, youthful girl, still fresh with innocence. She had lingered in his lustful mind.
Ignoring the boss's wife, Wilson grabbed the menu, drew a large "O" with a marker, and tossed it back at her.
"Bring me everything on this list. And two bottles of your most expensive beer. Remember—only the most expensive ones!"
Flustered, the woman nodded quickly and hurried off.
Once the order was placed, Wilson began bragging to his sister and brother-in-law about his influence at the police station and how much extra money he could pocket. His sister loved every word, pressing for more details. Her husband, a longtime bank clerk, knew Wilson's nature too well. He loved showing off and exaggerating, so he simply listened with mild amusement.
"Mom, I want water!"
The chubby boy couldn't sit still. He kept squirming on his stool, bumping into Aetheris's seat several times. But Aetheris was focused on Hill and ignored him. After all, he was only eight or nine. It wasn't as though he could haul the boy up and give him a beating.
Hearing her son's request, the mother quickly raised her hand and shouted,"Waiter! Bring some water!"
This time, the Indian girl emerged. Wilson's eyes lit up at the sight of her youthful, healthy face. He chuckled,"Winola, you've grown taller again. Come, let Uncle check if you're healthy."
Winola sidestepped, dodging his reaching hand. Missing his chance, Wilson didn't press further. He had been eyeing the girl for a long time. Her thin lips, round almond eyes, and bright, sunny smile captivated him. At twenty-eight, nearly thirty, he figured it was time to settle down.
Winola seemed perfect—pure, beautiful, healthy, and above all, young. Word was she was still in high school.
Such innocent girls were the best, obedient and easy to control.
Now that he was a trainee sergeant, his status had risen. Although older, a man with power and money never had to worry about age.
Watching her weave gracefully between tables, serving food with youthful shyness and delicate charm, stirred a burning impulse in Wilson the urge to pull her into his arms and devour her.
His sister noticed the way he stared and smirked."What? Taken a liking to her?"
Wilson laughed."Yeah. I like her spirit."
The boy's father curled his lip. When the girl first appeared, even he had sneaked a few glances. His calm heart had rippled for a moment. But he knew better. If he dared to make a move, his fiery wife would tear him apart. He also knew exactly what kind of man his brother-in-law was fond of drinking, gambling, women, drugs, and skating on thin ice.
Wilson might look proper now, but when high, he turned ruthless, even hitting family. That was why the man always kept his distance. But his wife spoiled her younger brother, treating him more like a son than a sibling.
(End of Chapter)
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