Never Too Far Novel

Angela took a deep breath and said coldly, “Dad and Mom are right, Dexter. I’m out of your league. You’re a dirty, disgusting scoundrel. Never show yourself in front of me again. I never want to see you.”

“What are you talking about, Angela? Did your parents tell you something? I love you. I promise I won’t fall for anyone else. Is that not enough?” Dexter was starting to sound anxious and panicked.

“You won’t fall for anyone else? Yeah right. You hooked up with someone you just met on the plane. My mother paid you to leave me. She probably gave you millions, but you… you wanted to take everything they have. That’s crossing the line.”

“H-How did you know about that, Angela? No! S-She seduced me! It’s not my fault!” Dexter was panicking now.

“Either you give the money back, or I’ll make you. Make your choice. You have three days. Refuse, and I’ll sue you,” she warned him. Angela was finally starting to act like the rich lady she was after she snapped out of it.

Dexter dropped his act at once and sneered. “Your mother gave me the money, Angela. I won’t give it back. You have no grounds to sue me.”

“Oh, I’m sure my father can do something about that. And I know a lot of people who’d love to help my family. Either you give my mother the money back, or you’re getting it,” she threatened.

“You can’t do this, Angela. My mother’s sick. She needs the money. Can I have it for now? I’ll pay you back, please!” Scared, Dexter was making a last-ditch effort to scam some money.

“You have three days. Make your choice.” She hung up and closed her eyes for a few moments. When she opened them again, they were gleaming brightly. She was no longer the woman controlled by love. Angela turned around and handed the phone back to Richard. “Thank you.”

Richard squinted. He was surprised that she could become so tough and calm in mere moments, but he was happy for her.

“I hope you’ll find that lipstick as soon as possible.” Angela thought that the lipstick was the key item for this change in her life. She wouldn’t have met Richard if it wasn’t because of the lipstick, and she might have had her whole life ruined by Dexter. But now I’m saved.

Richard left her room. He just remembered that he had some reports to attend to, so he went to the room where his team members were. Just when he was about to go inside, he heard his team members’ discussion.

“She’s only played like a fiddle because she thirsts for love. Her father’s an official, and her mother’s a businesswoman. They don’t have time for her.”

“It’s a blessing and a curse to be born to that family. Good thing we saved her in time and stopped that a*shole from doing further damage.”

“It’s fate. She wouldn’t have picked the lipstick up if she hadn’t run into that burglar. I think even God doesn’t want her to live her life in a lie.”

Trevor was keeping an eye on the surveillance camera footage, and he suddenly exclaimed, “Sh*t! Some underworld guys just smuggled themselves into the homeland.”

Richard came in as well, much to everyone’s shock. Can you stop showing up all of a sudden?

“I want to know who they are,” Richard ordered.

Trevor tapped away on the keyboard and plugged some faces into the recognition system. Their details were shown a moment later. “Highly dangerous individuals. Wanted worldwide.”

Richard frowned. He said, “Tell the dark web we’ve found the lipstick. See if that’ll make them leave.”

“I tried it, but they told us the thief installed a port identification system in the lipstick. They’ll only give up if the lipstick’s unsealed.”

“So Miss Meyers never opened the lipstick!” Jared sighed.

Trevor turned around and rolled his eyes. “Are you stupid? She wouldn’t have thrown it away if she opened it.”

“Good thing she didn’t, or the thief might have found out where the lipstick was right away. Maybe he would have located it before us and put Miss Meyers and her family in danger,” a man with a scar on his forehead said. The man’s name was Willy Josling.

Trevor sighed. “God just saved her again. I guess pretty ladies are always lucky.” Trevor’s eyes shone. “Hey, so that means she’s single! I have a chance at wooing her!”

Someone smacked the back of his head, and that someone said, “Do your job.”

Trevor was annoyed, but he said nothing, since the guy who smacked his head was his captain. He puffed his cheeks and typed on his keyboard, but he muttered, “Are you trying to woo her yourself, captain? Can’t we even think about it?”

“You’re not even close to her league, Trevor. Captain aside, we still have Sean, and he’s hot too,” Jared teased.

Richard didn’t stop them as he was used to his team members’ banter. He then ordered, “I want to see these criminals’ files on my desk in half an hour.” He then left.

Trevor saw him off. Once Richard was gone, he couldn’t hold it in anymore. “Something’s off with the captain.”

“Did you guys smell a woman’s perfume on him?” Jared had a sensitive nose, and he could smell a lot of stuff most people couldn’t.

“Hey, maybe Miss Meyers hugged him after he cheered her up. Man, I’d love to be in his place. Women need a reliable guy when they’re at their weakest. The captain’s so lucky.” Trevor kept talking while typing. The guy was a loudmouth, but he was also a technology genius, and a reliable one at that.

“I wanna do something nice for once.” Jared was working on another computer, and he smirked.

“What is it?”

“So I watched the footage again, and I saw him giving that woman money. Does that count as prostitution?”

“Yes!” Trevor said.

“Reported. The cops are on their way.”

“Yeah! Got back at him for Miss Meyers! Nice.” Trevor gave him a thumbs up.

Richard went back to his room, which was right next to Angela’s. He was surprised to see that her door was open. He frowned and went inside, but Angela was nowhere to be seen.

He took his phone out and made a call. “Where is she?”

“At the basketball court, captain. She’s crying. She needs you!” Sean said happily.

Richard hung up. He didn’t plan on going to her. Richard was about to close the door, but he pulled his hand back and went to the basketball court. The lights shone on a slender woman on a bench. Her hair tumbled down her shoulder, and she looked like a damsel in distress.

Angela heard the sound of footsteps, and she wiped her tears away as refused to let anyone see her in this state. When she saw who it was, she turned her head away. “You don’t need to try to cheer me up,” she said.

“I’m not. I’m just telling you that your danger level has just gone up. I’ll need to see your parents tomorrow and tell them what happened. I’ll leave some guys behind to protect them.” He stood three feet away from her and crossed his arms. He looked like a mountain, dependent and reliable.

Angela turned around, her eyes red. “Please don’t let anything happen to my dad and mom. I’ll work with you. I won’t run around or cause any trouble.”

“It’s our job.” He was happy that she was starting to be cooperative. He had no time to take care of her, so he needed her to be in his vicinity.

She was starting to feel cold, and she wanted to go back to her room. She heard squeaks when she was going past Richard, and she looked down, only to see a couple of mice run past her feet. A scream arced through the night, and Angela leaped into the air. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and her legs were locked around his waist so she wouldn’t fall. She was hanging on him like a koala bar.

Richard reflexively held her hips to keep her from falling down. The air froze for a few moments, and he asked, “How much longer are you doing this?”

Only then did Angela realize she was hugging him. She coughed awkwardly and let go of his neck, then she jumped down. At the same time, she looked at him closely for the first time. He had a chiseled, handsome face. His brows were sharp, his eyes were deep-set, and his nose was aquiline. His lips were thin but sexy, and he had a perfect jawline that drew people’s eyes down to his neck. He radiated manliness everywhere. He also had an aloof air about him, and his eyes seemed unfathomable.

Richard left before she could finish staring, and she followed him, worried she might run into more mice. This was a dramatic day in her life. She went through a life-and-death situation and had her heart broken just in one day.

Richard went to the Meyers’ place the next morning. He was sitting on the sofa, facing the Meyers couple. Richard told them what happened, and they were horrified. They couldn’t believe their daughter was dragged into something so dangerous by chance.

“Is she hurt, Mr. Lloyd?” Daphne asked quickly.

“She scratched her forehead, but otherwise she’s well. You can’t see her for now, though. Maybe it’ll last for six months. Maybe a year. Leave her to us. We’ll take care of her,” Richard said calmly.

“We trust you. Please take care of our daughter, and sorry for the trouble.” Gilbert was understanding.

“She’s not easy to get along with, so please bear with her. She’s used to the nice life. Please forgive her if she did anything wrong.” Daphne knew her daughter was a handful.

“She’ll work with me. Don’t worry about it.”

prepare her clothes. Please take them

commented, “I’ve seen you when you were a kid, back

I remember you too,

engaged to Annie. Congrats. Sorry I

didn’t want to talk about this too

and I owe her a lot. We didn’t take good care of her, and now we can’t help her even when she’s in trouble.” Gilbert sighed. He felt really guilty for

“I’ll do my best.”

her we love her very much. Tell her to be brave.

reported the progress of the search in the yard. They’ve dug up everywhere, but there were still no signs of the lipstick. The rainstorm that night might have washed it into the ditch, so they had to search underground now. It was a big search, but the lipstick was worth it, and they had to find it. It contained top secret

did. I can’t believe she threw away something so important, and now she just made things ten times harder for

did something good, actually. She took the lipstick back for us and prevented a direct battle with the criminals. She also bought us time. Digging things up isn’t hard,” he explained. If it were

a little better hearing that. So she

a luggage filled with clothes. She still couldn’t accept that she had to be separated from her daughter at such short notice, and she sighed. “This is her luggage, Mr. Lloyd. Can I call

head. “Sorry. She’s under strict protection. She can’t contact the outside world for now,

Don’t make this hard on him. What’s important is Angela’s safety.” Gilbert patted

put that thought

Don’t tell anyone, not even your own family. Just tell them she’s studying abroad,” Richard

“We’ll do that.”

else to say, he told his underling to take the luggage away while he went to have a look at the

off, and Gilbert said, “I almost forgot. Richard is

“So he’s the guy your father arranged for

“Yep.”

was at

He was detained, since someone reported him on the suspicions of prostitution. The authorities had evidence, and he couldn’t weasel his way out. He didn’t expect that the woman whom he ran into was a repeated offender either. Dexter finally realized how powerful the Meyers were, and he was

was filled with government officials, while her mother was a businesswoman, so she grew up without love and companionship. She had everything she wanted in life, but her soul was barren. Because of that, Dexter created a lot of ‘chance encounters’ overseas and portrayed himself as a gentle, caring man who took care of her every need. He made her fall for him through his

and Dexter could see victory in front of him. However, Daphne offered him a million and a half, and that made him waver. Still, his greed got the better of him, and he planned on getting all the Meyers’ wealth. In the end, his efforts were for nothing. He knew Angela well.

the past. There was no time to space out, but things were different now. She could take a break and space out. She didn’t have to worry about

something. Annie said she’s engaged. I wonder what her fiancé looks like. They

knocked on the door, and she opened it to find Richard standing outside.

minutes?” That’s

time you have. You’re still coming with us even if you aren’t finished,” Richard

my best.” She got herself a bag and packed her important stuff up. She also packed her clothes and shoes, of course, then she looked in the mirror and tied her hair up. She looked at

door for her happily. “Come in, Miss

there—Richard. Angela got in the car without hesitation. She didn’t buckle herself up

she was told. Trevor got in the car as well and turned around. “I got good news for you,

at him in

involved in prostitution,

after hearing that. “Thanks

Trevor was happy seeing

the steel gates and headed for the highway, which was some distance away. Angela looked outside the window. She wondered where they were taking her, but she decided not to ask. It wasn’t important. They could take her to the ends of the world, and she

Miss Meyers?” Trevor turned around

shone, and she

about you, captain?” Trevor asked Richard. He had been silent the whole

“No,” Richard refused.

She took it and looked at Richard. He was still as silent as usual. This is gonna be a boring journey. She thought they would stop and have a meal, but the team kept going on and on. There was only bread and water in the car, and they would only stop to change drivers. Angela felt sore a while later, and she was sleepy. Her head would swing around when she was trying to sleep, causing her to feel

Angela moved to the center and leaned

gave Richard a look

for god knew how long, and right now, stars were already twinkling in the sky. Angela was jolted awake when the car bumped. She looked outside, but it was dark. Finally, she saw light coming from the top of a mountain, but

the door for

held the car’s door right away. Trevor gave her time to adjust, and

Just know that this will be your home for a while. It’s a

and thought things were really exciting, though the environment wasn’t the best. Her room was cramped too, and there was only a window in it. She blinked. My bathroom is bigger than

this coop. You can go back once things calm down, Miss Meyers,” he

I can live anywhere.” She chuckled before she asked,

left. There’s

eyes widened further. Wow. This place is tougher than I

You can use it if you want. Just ask for his permission. Only people with

let me use his bathroom. I’m so not used to

the fifth room

thought she smelled like gas after staying in the car for a day. It was unacceptable for a mysophobe like her. I gotta see if Richard will let me use his bathroom. She opened the closet and noticed a lot of clothes in there. Daphne had packed a ton of clothes for her,

from within before someone opened the

naked from the waist up. His collarbone looked sharp, his chest was puffy, and his abs were chiseled. There were a few scars on them, but he looked perfectly muscular. He’s better than most

stared at him brazenly for a

in the end.

I use your

about it for a few moments and moved

blush. His room wasn’t big, but he had a small living room and a regular bathroom. There was

eye was the tall bookshelf in the living room. It was filled with books, and judging from their titles, she could see that this room was made for him. He wasn’t here for a short stay. What kind of rank does he have? Why does he get to live in a

casual shirt and was reading on the couch. He was interested in this philosophy of psychology book, but for some reason, the sound of running

and she felt hotter with every passing moment. She felt lucky that she never had sex with Dexter. She didn’t mind it back when she was in love with him, but she was thankful that Dexter

save sex for marriage. She thought he must really love her to keep his urges under check. However,

changed, and her hair was covered in her towel. Her face was pink from the steam, highlighting her beauty. Her wet hair

Did she have to wash her hair at this

who has one?” Angela

dryers here,” Richard said,

and I don’t have the sun to help me! My hair’s gonna smell if I don’t dry it. “Please, can you get me a hair dryer? Please?” She sat down beside him and looked at him with an

moment she approached him,

her arm and smelled herself. I smell like body wash. I made sure I cleaned myself. “Please, Mr.

book and looked at her. He chided, “You wouldn’t have washed

I couldn’t have known you guys don’t have any hair dryers. That’s not my fault. She looked

down and left

blinked. She had a feeling he was getting a hair dryer for her. She liked staying in his room compared to her little coop. She picked a few books from his bookshelf while he was gone. Wow, he reads complex books. Math, physics, philosophy, and even psychology? He has everything. Never thought he’d love books. I thought he liked weapons more.

book, while Angela went into the bathroom to dry her hair.

from the bathroom, she asked, “So where did you get

it,”

awkward for him.

like a girl who was about to make out with her boyfriend. Things were starting to get

not realize that his gaze lingered on her face for several

“Okay,” he responded simply.

him before leaving with her clothes. She did not notice that she dropped

prepared to shower before bed, his eyes were drawn to something pink on the floor. He instinctively reached down

at once, his eyes

was a

little quicker

bed. From her position, she could look out the window and spot the full moon outside. It’s so beautiful, she thought

she never got to see, whether back in her home or while overseas, but here, she could

but she jolted awake some hours later when she heard a piercing sound of a whistle coming from outside all of a sudden. She

she opened the door and looked out the entrance, the thick fog blocked

the atmosphere around her. The mountains were alive even at dawn while birds filled the air with their chatter, and it made her

shadowy silhouette then zoomed past her before turning back. The person asked, “Miss Meyers, would

woke up late and missed out on joining the rest of

now, and Trevor’s words piqued her interest. Thinking about all the running she did abroad, she figured she should be able to handle a morning run, so she nodded. “Sure. I’ll

more enjoyable

beneath the canopy of trees. It was an ordinary dirt lane that weaved through the mountains and not the usual roads made of asphalt or concrete, so it

the run. Taking deep breaths of the fresh mountain air made her feel like

far she had run, but sure enough, she reached a point where she could no longer keep