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 to her for me.” Daphne

before him. He commented, “I’ve seen you when you were a kid, back at your Grandpa’s house. Time

I remember you too,

Annie. Congrats. Sorry I couldn’t come. I

want to talk about this

care of Angela. Her mother 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.”

Tell her to be brave. We’ll

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

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

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.

hearing that.

separated from her daughter at such short notice, and she

She’s under strict protection. She can’t contact the outside world for

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

nodded and put

secret. Don’t tell anyone, not even your

“We’ll do that.”

was nothing else to say, he told his underling to take the luggage away while he went to have a look at the yard. He told the guys there to tell him

and Gilbert said, “I almost forgot. Richard is Annie’s fiancé. He’s

surprised. “So he’s the guy your father

“Yep.”

was great too. He was at least a thousand times better than

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

grandfather’s family 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

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. She was not a weak woman. She

There was no time to space out, but things were different now. She could take a break and space

I wonder what her fiancé looks like. They grew up together,

find Richard standing outside.

minutes?” That’s too

still coming with

do 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

Trevor opened the door for her happily.

looked inside, and there was already somebody there—Richard. Angela got in the car without hesitation. She didn’t buckle herself up after settling in, and Richard looked at her.

the car as well and turned around. “I got good

at him in surprise.”How did you know

out he’s involved

after hearing that.

problem.” Trevor was happy seeing

where they were taking her, but she decided not to ask. It wasn’t important.

a candy, Miss Meyers?” Trevor turned around and

and she took it. “Thank

asked Richard. He had

“No,” Richard refused.

still had a lollipop in hand, so she took it happily. “I’ll take it for him.” 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

the center and leaned on his shoulder, and in a few seconds, she fell

back and gave Richard a look that

kept going on 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

door for her. “We’re here, Miss Meyers. Come with

and got out of the car. Her legs buckled, and she held the car’s door right away. Trevor

tell you that. Just know that this will be your home for a while. It’s a safe place.”

She looked around and thought things were really exciting, though the environment wasn’t the best. Her room

you have to stay in this coop. You can

chuckled before she asked,

and turn left. There’s a public bathroom and restroom

Wow. This place is

if you want. Just ask for his permission. Only people with his rank

me use his bathroom. I’m so not

It’s the fifth

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, and all

someone opened the door. Her eyes widened in surprise when she

hung around his neck. Beads of water dripped down his hair, and he was 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

brazenly for a

the end. “Do you

use your bathroom?” she

for a few moments and moved

like men, causing her heart to skip a beat and her to blush. His room wasn’t big, but he had a small living room and a

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 room like this? She had a lot of questions, but she went to the bathroom

psychology book, but for some reason, the sound of running water in the bathroom distracted him as he couldn’t

his bathroom for some reason. The air was filled with his scent, 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 kept refusing because she

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

towel. Her face was pink from the steam, highlighting her beauty. Her wet hair only made her face look smaller, and her features more striking. “Do

frowned. It’s already midnight. Did she have to wash her hair at this hour? “No!”

one?” Angela

dryers here,” Richard said,

sun to help me! My hair’s gonna smell if I don’t dry it. “Please, can you get me a hair dryer? Please?”

moment she approached him, and he held his

few moments. D-Do I smell? He looks disgusted. She raised her arm and smelled herself. I smell like body wash. I made sure I cleaned myself. “Please, Mr. Lloyd. I can’t go to bed with wet hair. I’m going to wake up with a headache. You don’t want that to happen, do you?

“You wouldn’t

guys don’t have any hair dryers. That’s not my fault. She

book down

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. Angela read one of the books to pass the time. Eventually, Richard came back with a hair dryer, much to her delight. “Thanks,

while Angela went into the bathroom to dry

came out from the bathroom, she asked, “So

borrowed it,” Richard

smile froze. At this hour? Did he ask a lady for this? Must have been awkward for him. “Thanks.” She put the

a girl who was about

his gaze lingered on her face for

“Okay,” he responded simply.

waved at him before leaving with her clothes.

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

at once, his

was a

the laundry basket. His heart was beating a little quicker than usual

to her room and proceeded to lay in bed. From her position, she could look out the window and spot the full moon outside. It’s so beautiful,

something she never got to see, whether back in her home or while overseas, but here, she could enjoy all the beautiful things around her in

a piercing sound of a whistle coming from outside all of a sudden. She shot up in bed at once. It was at the start of dawn with the barest glimmer of light, but the field beyond the

military base. When she opened the door and looked out the entrance, the thick fog blocked everyone

heard the sound of people running, and it quickly faded off into the distance. She blinked and basked in the atmosphere around her. The mountains were alive even at dawn while birds filled the

back. The person asked, “Miss

on joining the rest of

all the running she did abroad, she figured she should be able to handle a morning

The run would be a lot more enjoyable if he had a pretty

was an ordinary dirt lane that weaved through the mountains and not the usual roads made of asphalt or concrete, so

of the fresh mountain air made her feel like her lungs

point where she could no longer keep