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.”

Please take them to her for me.”

“I’ve seen you when you were a

remember you too,

heard you got engaged to Annie. Congrats. Sorry I couldn’t come. I had something

He didn’t want to talk about this too

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

“I’ll do my best.”

very much. Tell her to be brave. We’ll help in the search as

course, Mr. Meyers.” Richard nodded. Just then, his underling 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

believe she threw away something so important, and now she just made things

and prevented a direct battle with the criminals. She also bought us time. Digging things up isn’t hard,” he explained. If it were not for Angela’s switcheroo, the thieves would have completed their trade that night, and Richard and his

hearing

couldn’t accept that she had to be separated from her daughter at such short notice,

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

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

put that

not even your

“We’ll do that.”

went to have a look at the yard. He told the guys there to tell him if they found anything as he needed

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

surprised. “So he’s the guy your

“Yep.”

He was at least a thousand times better

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 scared. All his bridges were burned

first thing he would do after he got out of this place was to give Daphne the 1.5 million back. He didn’t want to get into more trouble. He only dated Angela for her money, but over the last two years, he got to know her and her family. Her 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

Just when they were about to get married, Daphne found out and asked him out for a talk. Angela fought her family with him. She wanted to be with Dexter no matter what, and Dexter could see victory in front of him. However, Daphne offered him a million and a half, and that

to space out, but things were different now. She could take a break and space out. She didn’t

was suddenly reminded of something. Annie said she’s engaged. I wonder what her fiancé looks like. They grew up together,

Richard standing outside. He he said, “Pack up. We’re leaving in

That’s too

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

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 the time again. Two minutes left.

Trevor opened the door for her

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

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

him in surprise.”How did

he’s involved in prostitution, so we

hearing that. “Thanks for

problem.” Trevor was happy seeing

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

Miss Meyers?” Trevor turned around and handed

shone, and she took it. “Thank

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

“No,” Richard refused.

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

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

Richard

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 they were dim. The car drove toward the mountain, and

stopped the car, and Trevor opened the door for her. “We’re here, Miss Meyers. Come

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

home for a while. It’s a safe place.”

the best. Her room was cramped

have to stay in this coop. You can go back once things calm down, Miss Meyers,”

chuckled before

straight and turn left. There’s a public bathroom

Wow. This place is tougher

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

let me use his bathroom. I’m

the fifth room from

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 of them were expensive. There were even a few silk pajamas inside. She

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

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 muscular. He’s better

stared at him brazenly

end. “Do you need

I use your bathroom?” she

moments and moved

room smelled 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

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 room like this? She had a lot of questions, but she went to the bathroom instead. It still had a little steam inside, and it smelled like Richard. Angela used his slippers and washed herself

philosophy of psychology book, but for some reason, the sound of

lucky that she never had sex with Dexter. She didn’t

her to keep his urges under check. However, now she thought he must be hiding something from her. Maybe

Her face was pink from the steam, highlighting her beauty. Her wet hair only made her face look smaller, and

midnight. Did she have to wash her hair at this hour? “No!”

has one?” Angela

don’t have hair dryers here,” Richard said,

late, 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

her scent the moment she approached him, and he held his breath and

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? It’ll be trouble,” she

closed the book and looked at her. He chided, “You wouldn’t have washed your head if

hair dryers. That’s not my

down

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, Mr.

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

asked, “So where did you get this?”

it,” Richard

ask a lady for this? Must have been awkward for him. “Thanks.” She put the hair

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

realize that his gaze lingered on her

“Okay,” he responded simply.

Good night.” Angela waved at him before leaving with her clothes. She did not notice that she dropped an article of clothing as she exited

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

at once, his eyes

was a woman’s

a little quicker than usual as he thought to himself, What a clumsy

in bed. From her position, she could look out the window and

got to see, whether back in her home or while overseas,

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 window was abuzz with

knew that this place was run like a military base. When she opened the door and looked out the entrance, the

off into the distance. She blinked and basked in the atmosphere around her. The mountains were alive even at dawn while birds filled the air with their chatter, and it

zoomed past her before turning back. The person asked, “Miss Meyers, would you like

He woke up late and missed out on joining the

interest. Thinking about all the running she did abroad, she figured she should be able to handle a morning run, so

more enjoyable if he had a pretty woman running

of trees. It was an ordinary dirt lane that weaved through the mountains and not the usual roads made of asphalt or

fresh mountain air made her feel like her lungs had

she could no