Saving the Villain

"All of them."

A one-sided fight broke out in the KTV room. Henry, the guy who had some debt from these goons, and the rest of Henry's friends, didn't even stand a chance. Meanwhile, Amie couldn't do anything but scream while covering her ears.

In the end, all of them, including Amie, sat quietly on the couches. Henry, whose nose was bleeding, sat beside her while the leader of these intruders sat among them.

"Tsk tsk tsk." The leader shook his head, gazing at the guys they beat up. They were kind enough not to hurt the girls, but still, they didn't ask them to leave the place. Instead, everyone stayed while his minions guard the room.

"Oy, Henry. Do you know how much trouble I am in because of you?" said the leader of the goons irritably, pouring himself a glass of alcohol. Most of the glasses and bottles already shattered and this was the only one that survived. "My life is at stake, you know? So, you better understand why I am doing this."

"Bo — boss, I will pay!" Henry patted his chest in panic. "I will give you the money —"

SLAM!

The leader slammed his fist against the table, shutting Henry in silence abruptly.

"What?" he asked, wide-eyed. "When?"

"To–tomo — three days!" Henry raised three of his trembling fingers. "I will pay you back completely in three days! It's just that I haven't gotten the collection money, but I will surely pay you back in full in three days."

Henry breathed out a jagged breath, swallowing a mouthful of saliva. "Ple — please. I'm serious, boss. I will give it back. I won't run away — I bet my hand on it!"

"Hah…" the leader snickered in amusement, propping his elbow on the surface of the table with the glass of alcohol in his hand. "Haha… hahaha!"

The leader laughed and laughed, shaking his head mildly. His waves of laughter slightly calmed Henry down, chugging down his drink. But alas, just when Henry thought the boss was now in a good mood, a glass came flying to his head, hitting him on his temple.

"Ah!!" a loud shriek erupted in the room as Henry held his now bleeding temple, feeling lightheaded at the sudden pain that struck him.

"Oy, Henry…" the boss's tone grew even more intimidating as his eyes dilated in anger, gazing at Henry without the slightest remorse. "How many times did you stake your hand and swore in your goddamn name, hah? Do you think that trick will work on me the second time? Do you really see me as a fool, eh?"

Henry peeked at the boss. His complexion turned pale as his heart thudded in fear.

"The last time you said you'd pay me back in full, you ran away. If not for that goddamn friend of yours, we won't even know where you went." the boss smirked, glossing his eyes over the rest of Henry's friends. "Fucking retard. While you ran away from your obligations and put me in a lot of trouble, here you are, having the time of your life."

Somehow, the boss's eyes landed on Amie, who had been quiet all this time. When they came in, he saw Henry and this girl at an intimate moment. Assuming this was Henry's girl, the boss had an idea.

"She's your girl?" the boss asked out of plain curiosity, pointing a finger at Amie.

Amie flinched in horror, raising her shaking eyes at the leader. She clutched her hand on her lap, still unable to grasp the situation she was in. Amie had been hanging out with these guys, and if there were any words she could describe their groups, it was fun.

They were a fun group, but who would have thought they would be in such trouble?

"Uhh…" Henry peeked at Amie at the same time she glanced at him. Amie pursed her lips into a thin line, seeing the slight hesitation in Henry's eyes. "No."

Henry shook his head as he gazed back at the leader. "She's not. She's just a plaything, so don't touch her."

"Henry…" Amie gazed at Henry, a bit moved.

Foolish as she was, Amie believed Henry's denial was to protect her from them. She was moved, however, unaware that wasn't the case. Henry wasn't protecting her; he was trapping a naive girl like her and using her vulnerability to his advantage.

"She's just someone I met tonight and —"

"That's not true." Amie mustered every bit of her courage to speak up, clutching her hand on her lap as she looked back at the boss. "How much do you guys want to leave him alone?"

"Amie!" called Henry with a raised tone, but she didn't flinch, keeping her attention on the boss.

"How much does he owe you? I'll pay you back." Amie slapped her chest to show her sincerity. "Just tell me how much, so you stop bothering him."

The corner of the leader's lips stretched from ear to ear, looking at her in amusement.

"You'll pay his debt?" he asked, and she nodded profusely. "Hundred thousand grand. With the interest and damages, it'll be a total of hundred and fifty grand. Do you have that much money, young lady?"

"A hundred —" Amie's breath hitched, not expecting to hear that total amount. She gazed at Henry on instinct, seeing him lower his eyes in shame.

Even if Amie count her personal savings, it would only reach at least a thousand grand. Where would she find the rest? But then again, Henry's life was at stake.

"Do you have that much money?" asked the leader in ridicule, seeing the shock plastered on her face. "It's not small money. You see, this motherfucker is an addict. Believe me, when I say, I'm saying this for your own good. That guy is someone you should stay away from, you know? He's a fucking trash —"

"I'd pay you," Amie blurted out in panic to stop the boss from slandering Henry. She didn't believe what the boss said about Henry, when, in fact, they were nothing but honest advice. "I'd pay you even in installments. I'll pay you! Just — just stop, okay?"