Love by Accident

During the worst year for our crews earnings, Rex, our boss, pointed at a Rolls-Royce with a license plate full of ones. See that? Hit it.

That crash landed me a stern father figure. But the father figure in the older, dominant sense. Samuel Kingston was incredibly strict with me, demanding that I never make the same mistake three times, or face punishment. I prided myself on being charming and clever, yet Rexs betrayal landed me in the police station, forcing me to call Samuel to bail me out.

Samuel arrived, looking travel-worn. I was anxious, not daring to meet his gaze. Suddenly, a familiar voice sounded above me: "Lift your head. I'm here to back you up, not to be your judge."

That winter, during the worst year for our crews earnings, Rex, our boss, pointed at a Rolls-Royce with a license plate full of ones.

"See that? Hit it."

Without a second thought, I hopped on a shared bicycle and sped towards it. Faking an accident? That was my specialty, a piece of cake. I was just about to slip my hand into the driver's pocket, thinking how to warm it up.

The next second.

My hands were clamped, and I was thrown in front of the luxury cars owner. I was about to protest my innocence, but then I saw Samuel Kingstons face. My knees buckled, and I found myself on the ground before him. He didnt acknowledge me, simply instructed his men: "Tie them up and throw them in the car."

But ever since I was bound hand and foot and tossed into the car, Samuel hadnt spared me a single glance. I deliberately wriggled a few times, trying to make some noise, hoping to catch his attention. Yet, he was entirely focused on bandaging a wound. Had he just finished dealing with someone? A chilling thought. I cautiously shuffled towards the corner, muttering a continuous prayer: "Please, if youve dealt with them, dont deal with me, okay?"

Just my luck.

My mumbling caught Samuels attention. He lifted his eyelids, scanning me from head to toe like a prosecutor examining a suspect. His gaze finally settled on my face.

"You again?"

2.

I awkwardly lowered my head, offering my practiced apology: "My apologies, Mr. Kingston, I swear my eyes must have been blind not to recognize your car. I truly didn't mean to!"

"Its just my eighty-year-old grandmother is sick, and I need money for her medical treatment. Its just her and me at home."

Samuel scoffed. "You said the same thing last time you tried to swipe my watch."

My head sank even lower, and I nervously licked my lips. The wrist bone Samuel had twisted when I was seventeen still throbbed faintly. That was the first time Rex had taken me to a high-end party. He made me change into a waiter's uniform, pointed at Samuel, who was surrounded by admirers, and said: "See that? Bump into him."

I nodded resolutely, tray in hand, distributing drinks to the group of rich kids. Seizing the moment, as I offered the last drink to Samuel, I deliberately spilled it on him, then feigned remorse, pretending to help him tidy his clothes. In one smooth motion, I pilfered a Patek Philippe watch from his pocket.

Mission accomplished, I hid in the restroom to text Rex about it. I tried to curl my lips into a smile, but my wildly thumping heart betrayed my unease. I splashed a handful of cold water on my face, trying to calm myself. Looking up, Samuels face was reflected in the water-streaked mirror. My heart skipped a beat.

I stared at his indifferent expression, then pretended to be a passerby, turning to brush past him.

"Holy cow."

3.

Samuel grabbed my wrist, tightening his grip. I yelped a curse. He twisted my wrists behind my back, his other hand pressing hard against the side of my neck, his knee digging into my lower back, forcing my face to the floor.

"The item."

I squeezed out a heavy breath from my throat, protesting, "Sir, I don't know what you mean."

Samuel chuckled softly, then pulled the belt from my waistband, using it to tie my hands. Once done, he reached into my pockets.

"Sir, you can't accuse me of being a thief without proof and search me like this!"

Samuel searched all my pockets but found nothing. He impatiently pinched my chin, asking, "Do you know who I am? Can you handle the consequences of taking my property?"

I didn't know who he was, only that he was Rexs designated target. I shook my head blankly. Samuel frowned, then pressed hard on my wrist bone, making me clench my teeth in pain. He seemed intent on this standoff, neither letting me go nor calling the police.

"I I know where it is."

I couldn't endure his torment any longer, so I surrendered, gritting my teeth as I returned the hidden watch to him. "I'm I'm sorry, sir, I swear I didn't mean to!"

"It's just that my eighty-year-old grandmother is sick, and I need money for her medical treatment. It's just her and me at home."

Samuel grunted softly. "Continue."

Continue?

I couldn't quite gauge Samuel's attitude. Seeing his serious expression, I decided to play the obedient one. "I know what I did was wrong. I promise I'll change."

Samuel didn't press the matter further, only offered a few words of advice before leaving. But he didn't realize that someone like me had no school to attend.

4.

Running into Samuel again was the last thing I expected. I looked up, explaining to him: "My grandmother is in the ICU right now and desperately needs money. I truly had no other choice but to resort to this."

Samuel's sharp gaze softened somewhat. He reached out and gently patted my head. His wound was bandaged with a silk scarf. As he patted my head, the soft fabric of the scarf brushed against my eyelids. I thought he had listened to my words, that he had softened, and would let me go.

The next second, he gripped the back of my neck like he was holding a kitten. "Did you think I haven't investigated you, Ember?"

"You're an orphan, without parents, surrounded only by a bunch of people with bad habits, just like you."

I shook my head, denying, "No, I have family."

He let out a cold laugh, seeing through my pretense. "A habitual liar like you, a stray cat, should be caged and properly disciplined."

My eyes widened at his words. What was this man trying to do?! I had already admitted my mistake, couldn't he just let me go? I struggled futilely. But Samuel unexpectedly pulled out his phone and took a picture of my struggle.

"Why do you have a plum blossom mark on the back of your neck? Could you really be a reborn kitten?"

I froze instantly.

He raised an eyebrow as if enlightened. "Well, then you're a stray cat."

5.

It wasn't until I stepped into the Kingston estate that I realized Samuel was serious this time. The butler, seeing me follow Samuel, immediately came forward. I expected him to say something like, "You're the first person the young master has brought back." But his lips parted twice, and as he took in my attire, his composed expression visibly stiffened.

However, as he led me upstairs to a room, his expression returned to normal, as if he hadn't seen me bound. I pursed my lips, rubbing my wrists where the ropes had chafed them red, and my thoughts drifted to the meaningful look Samuel had given me when he said he was keeping the ropes.

Meaningful.

Hed said the ropes would be useful later. I couldn't help but shiver.

"Young master, the master doesn't like to be disturbed. Only the two of you live on the second floor." The butler pointed to a closed door at the end of the corridor, telling me it was Samuels room.

What did I care? At that moment, I had only one thought: to go home and face Rexs punishment for failing the mission. My gaze swept past, noticing a slightly ajar door downstairs. The butler said it was his room, and all the Kingston staff lived on the first floor. I nodded thoughtfully, planning when would be the best time to escape.

6.

That evening.

The usually silent Kingston estate suddenly erupted in a commotion. It seemed that Old Man Miller, the butler, had lost all his gold bracelets, necklaces, and jade bangleshis retirement savings. I subtly frowned, watching them frantically search for the items. As I passed Old Man Miller, he was anxiously wringing his hands and sighing. Seeing me, he forced a smile

"Oh, I'm so sorry, young master, I've lost a few things. Did all this searching disturb your sleep?" He gave me an apologetic smile.

I reached out and patted his shoulder. My other hand, tucked in my pocket, felt the cold touch of something metallic. "Ill help you look too. Don't worry, we'll definitely find them."

With my hands still in my pockets, I pretended to help Old Man Miller search. The moment my foot crossed the threshold of the main door.

Samuel's voice, devoid of warning, rang out behind me: "Where are you going?"

He stood on the staircase, his white shirt sleeves neatly rolled up, revealing his toned forearmsclearly someone who worked out regularly.

"I'm helping Old Man Miller look for his things," I said, turning back, a ingratiating smile playing on my lips.

Samuel smiled faintly and tapped his finger lightly on the banister twice.

The next second.

A group of well-trained men in black suits swarmed in behind me. "Dad, brother!"

"You all help Old Man Miller find his things." Samuel pointed at me. "You, come with me to the study."

My feet wouldn't move. But the presence of the men in black behind me completely blocked any chance of escape. I could only reluctantly follow Samuel to the study. As soon as he sat down, he demanded I hand over the items.

I began to play dumb again, feigning confusion. "Mr. Kingston, I don't know what items you're referring to"

7.

I even dramatically patted my pockets, innocently spreading my empty hands towards him. Just as I was feeling smug, a ruler slapped against my palm. I looked up in shock, but was immediately intimidated by Samuels imposing presence.

"You don't seriously think I took Old Man Miller's things, do you? I wouldn't"

Before I could finish, the ruler ruthlessly struck my palm again. I instantly flared up. I felt like I needed to toughen up, to stand my ground against Samuel.

"What, are you going to beat a confession out of me?"

I angrily tucked my stinging hand behind my back. I retreated, glancing at the study door out of the corner of my eye, mentally planning to open it, rush downstairs, and bolt out of the Kingston estate. But Samuel gave me no such opportunity. He was a man of brute force, pinning me against the desk and reaching into my pocket to pull out a gold necklace.

"You said you didn't take anything. Then what is this?"

I knew then that I couldn't pull anything off under Samuels nose. But I was stubborn; I would never admit it.

"I don't know how that gold necklace flew into my pocket. Maybe it just felt more comfortable with me?"

"Hmph," Samuel sneered, calling his assistant to return the items from my pocket to their rightful owner.

"This is the second time. Three strikes and youre out."

"You don't control me. So what if I lie, or fake accidents, or take other peoples things? I'm just a bad person." Ever since I was abducted by traffickers at four, passed from one foster parent to another, and then picked up by Rex and brought to Elm Alley, I had already turned bad.

"Next time I catch you, it's straight to legal consequences."

8.

I genuinely thought my ears were malfunctioning. Samuel released my hand, helped me straighten my disheveled clothes, and then turned to leave. I numbly followed him.

"If you really want to punish me, you can call the police."

With a bang, the study door closed, the distinct click of the lock echoing in my ears. "Reflect on your mistakes. When you truly mend your ways, then you can leave."

I instinctively slid to my knees, pleading, "Ill change, I'll change, I promise to change everything."

But Samuel wouldn't listen. He saw me as a habitual offender, a liar, believing that pleading and apologizing were just words. I sat on the chair, fuming, and slammed my hand on the desk. "Fine, you can lock me in the study. I'll steal all your confidential documents, I'll make you go bankrupt, I'll make you beg me to sleep with you."

But Samuel was too smart; his study was filled only with educational books, all about learning and character building, which gave me a headache. After three days, Old Man Miller opened the door and let me out. I sat weakly by the table, watching him busily set out my meal. A strange bitterness welled up in my nose. He smiled as he placed a bowl of hot porridge in front of me. When he bent down, I saw a few new strands of white hair at his temples.

I didn't know what Samuel had told Old Man Miller. I lowered my head, feeling guilty, and silently ate my porridge. Suddenly, my eyes swelled, and a few tears fell, mixing with the porridge. Old Man Miller gave a surprised "Oh?" "Is the porridge not good? Ill have someone make a fresh bowl right away."

"It's good, thank you."

Alright, Ill change. Ill try my best to be better. "I'm sorry."

The sudden apology caught Old Man Miller off guard. He patted my head and sighed softly, "Good kid."

Behind me, a click sounded. I turned. Samuel was leaning against the wall, holding his phone, taking a picture of me. I quickly lowered my head, thinking Samuel was probably going to extensively document my ugly photos to hold over me later. At that thought, I timidly rolled my eyes at the bowl.

9.

Two weeks later, I finally got in touch with Rex. He arranged to meet me at our usual spot. I gave Samuel a vague update on my plans, describing Rex as a childhood friend who shared my struggles. I told him I needed to 'save' him. Samuel approved, but insisted I be back by 11 PM, or he'd come looking for me. Knowing his capabilities, I wasn't about to challenge him, so I playfully texted back: "Mhm (fist emoji) (pity emoji)."

Samuel replied with a kitten-petting emoji. For some reason, I felt incredibly identified with it.

A short while after putting my phone down, Rex arrived. He was unusually dressed in a black suit today, looking quite respectable, almost making me not recognize him. Rex pulled me into a meal and drinks, pouring out his heart, asking if I wanted to escape Samuel's control and return to Elm Alley.

"That look on your faceyou're not thinking of not coming home, are you? You have to remember, you and I, we're the same kind of people."

"Rex," I said, speaking from the heart, "I want to follow Samuel and walk the straight path now. I've been reading, taking classes, learning new things lately."

Rex chuckled, patting my shoulder. "Alright, you're doing so well with Samuel now. Then lets have you take your old boss home one last time, and after this, we won't see each other again."

I felt a pang of reluctance as I helped Rex back to Elm Alley. His mood wasn't as high as it had been during dinner; he swayed even with my support. Suddenly, a blinding light shone from behind us. Cracking footsteps approached, and I vaguely heard shouts of "Thief!" and "Don't move!"

Rex gave me a deep look. I tried to reassure him, "It's not our business. I'll just take you home."

The words had barely left my lips when he shoved me to the ground, punching me directly in the face. My eyes widened in confused shock, my eyelids trembling uncontrollably. Rex tightened his fist, then, seeing the approaching people, he stopped mid-action, turning to the police and the victim.

"This person was walking suspiciously, and when you called out, they bolted. Look, is this what you lost?" Rex held up a diamond ring.

The victim's face lit up with relief and ran over, clutching the ring. But the look she gave me was filled with resentment and hatred. "I didn't take it." I had promised Samuel I would be better.

"If you didn't take it, did this gentleman here? He's wearing a thousand-dollar suit, and your whole outfit probably costs less than a hundred. Who's going to believe you?"

"It really wasn't me"

"You don't look that old. What, not learning anything good at such a young age? Don't your parents care about you at all? Born with parents, but not raised by them?"

10.

I silently lowered my eyes, standing beside the police officers desk where I was being interrogated. Rex glanced at me, his expression cold and distant, as if we truly were strangers. While he gave his statement, the victim, grateful to him, cursed at me non-stop.

"Officer, you really should lock him up for a few days, give him a good education, so he doesn't cause trouble again when he gets out."

The officer looked at me, asking me to contact a family member. "Parent's name, phone number."

I clenched my fists, hesitantly picking at my palms. "Samuel Kingston, the number is"

I kept my head down, completely unaware that as I uttered Samuel's name, everyone's expressions changed dramatically. Rex swiftly put down his pen.

"Officer, I'm finished. If you don't need anything else, I'll be leaving. My wife and children are waiting for me at home."

The victim's mouth dropped open in astonishment, her face full of disbelief. "How is that possible I never heard that Samuel Kingston had such a grown-up illegitimate child?!"

The scrutinizing gazes swept over me repeatedly. The victim clutched her chest. "Maybe it's just a coincidence, same name."

Not long after, I saw Rex return, thinking hed had a change of heart. Instead, I heard Samuel's familiar voice.

"To condemn someone without even fully investigating the truth, isn't that against protocol?" Samuel suddenly smiled politely and gently.

The surrounding air pressure abruptly dropped and grew cold. I nervously clasped my hands behind my back, not daring to meet Samuels eyes, afraid to see the indifference and disappointment in his gaze. And the "I knew it" expression hed surely wear.

Samuel walked to my side, his hand lightly touching the top of my head. "Raise your head. I'm here to back you up, not to be your judge."