Owned By Her Triplet Bullies
Chapter 89

Ximena's

POV

As I exited the party venue, I reflected on the eventful day I had just experienced. From encountering a crazy woman to meeting a peculiar couple, my feelings toward each of them were vastly different. The woman who had spilled her drink on me immediately struck me as trouble, and I had no desire to associate with her or ever cross paths again. On the other hand, the couple seemed genuinely surprised to see me, leaving me curious as to why. It was strange because I had never met any of them before. Their reaction, as if they had seen a ghost, took me by surprise. I had intended to stay and talk further with the couple, but one of my patients urgently requested to see me, and I couldn't refuse. I hastily gave them my card, hoping they would reach out to me. Relieved, I took off the heavy diamond necklace from around my neck and rubbed the spot tiredly. Finally, I could breathe freely. Though it appeared lightweight, the necklace was actually quite heavy. It was beautiful no doubt, but it was heavy. Looking up at the sky, I observed the moon shining brightly. It seemed to beckon me softly, enticing me to go for a run in the woods.

Approaching a tree, I began removing my clothes, neatly folding them and placing them along with my jewelry on the ground. Closing my eyes, I embraced the painful pleasure of my bones shifting and rearranging. White fur sprouted from my skin as I stood on all fours. Adrenaline coursed through me, and I took off, my paws brushing against the soft grass. The wind rushed past my fur, and everything became a blur as I picked up speed. Contemplating the day's events, I decided to consult my wolf companion, Freya, to see if she knew what was happening, as I was clueless.

"Freya?" I called out to her, and she growled in response, slowing her pace.

"Do you know anything about the woman and the couple we encountered today? Have you ever met them before without my knowledge?" I asked curiously, considering the possibility that they might have encountered me in my wolf form, which I couldn't recall. "No, I have never met them before. This is equally surprising to me," she replied.

"That's strange. They all looked at me as if they had known me for ages, yet I have never met them," I remarked. Freya turned her head towards the back, scanning the area.

"What's happening?" I asked, surprised by her reaction.

"Someone is here. We're not alone, and I can sense it," she replied, fully alert. Suddenly, I caught a glimpse of a blurry figure darting past us.

"You're right, Freya. Someone is here," I confirmed, realizing that this person clearly didn't want to be seen and was playing a game of hide and seek with us.

"Let's get out of here. It's better to be safe than sorry," I suggested to Freya. I had people who cared about me, and I didn't want to endanger my life and leave my children behind. She agreed, and we ran back toward the party venue. I sensed someone chasing after us, closing in. The danger felt real. Freya picked up her pace, and we finally stopped at the tree where I had left my clothes. I shifted back into my human form.

I collected my clothes, but then I felt a strong presence behind me. Swiftly turning around, I was met with the sight of a dark figure looming in the darkness. It was too dim to see the person clearly, but I could discern the silhouette of a man. He stood motionless, his eyes fixated on my exposed body. I hastily dressed while keeping my eyes locked on his, never breaking the connection. My hands searched frantically for my diamond jewelry, but they eluded me.

I tore my gaze away from him, shifting it towards the ground where my hands rested. Desperately, my fingers dug into the soil, though I knew it was futile since I had placed the jewelry on my clothes. The realization that I had lost them was difficult to accept. Cole had given them to me, and losing them on the first day seemed terribly unfair and ungrateful. As my eyes fell upon a man's shadow in front of me, I turned slowly, and my breath hitched when I discovered him standing dangerously close. How had he approached me so silently and swiftly?

"Who are you, and what do you want?" I questioned, peering into his deep, ocean-blue eyes. His tousled brown hair appeared as though he had run his hands through it countless times. His thick eyebrows twitched as his bewildered gaze wandered over my body, without providing an answer to my query. Handsome as he may be, his behavior could not be excused. He had shamelessly stared at me while I was naked. "Are you a pervert?" I asked, frowning.

"How can this be?" he audibly whispered, his expression shifting to one of shock. He closed his eyes momentarily and then reopened them.

"How can what be?" I inquired.

"Emma? Is it really you?" he exclaimed with a mix of happiness and disbelief, his initial shock dissipating. What was happening here? Had I stumbled upon a deranged perverted man? "Listen, Mister, I don't know what you're talking about. Who is Emma...?" He interrupted me, jubilantly pulling me into a tight embrace.

"Emma! I never thought I would see you again in this lifetime. I missed you so much," he declared, peppering my neck with kisses. I struggled to break free from his grip, but he held on tightly. "Release me this instant. Have you lost your mind?" I demanded angrily. How dare he hold me in such a manner? What kind of woman did he think I was?

"No, I will never let you go again," he insisted, shaking his head and repeating those words incessantly. With a sigh, I kneed him in the groin and stomach, causing his grip to loosen. My fist collided with his face as I delivered two powerful punches. He held his jaw, gazing at me in shock. I had wanted to be kind, but he was pushing the boundaries. Something shiny fell from his hands to the ground. I looked down, astounded to see my jewelry. Glancing back up at him, I was taken aback.

"No, no. You've misunderstood completely. I did not steal that. I intended to return it to its rightful owner," he hastily explained. It seemed as though he knew my thoughts without me uttering a single word.

"Are you not only a perverted crazy man, but also a thief?" I asked in disbelief. How could such a good-looking young man possess such terrible traits?

"I already told you, I didn't steal it, and I am definitely not a pervert or a crazy man. I'm perfectly normal. Are you pretending not to know me because of everything that happened between us?" he asked. I attempted to bend down and retrieve my jewelry, but he simultaneously bent down, causing me to bump my head into his. I sighed and tried again, but the same thing happened. I glared at him furiously. I had barely met this man, yet he was already getting on my nerves. He stood up with his hands up in surrender and I retrieved my jewelry on my own.

"You are certainly crazy or delusional because I have never met you before. Moreover, I could never associate myself with someone like you," I said. He scoffed in disbelief.

"You have become condescending and rude," he stated.

"You can say whatever you want, but I'm simply expressing the impression I have of you. Who stares at a naked stranger without looking away? Who hugs someone they know nothing about as if they've been friends for years?" I inquired. "Look, Emma..."

"Ximena. It's Ximena," I corrected him. I don't know why I blurted out my name, as I never reveal it to strangers, especially strangers like him, but it slipped out naturally.

"Emma, don't pretend not to know me because of what happened. It was a mistake, and everyone is bound to make mistakes...."

"You appear and sound drunk. Do yourself a favor and go home. I will put everything that happened here behind me," I said, turning around to leave. He held my hand to stop me.

"You didn't zip up your dress," he said, coming up behind me and slowly helping me zip it. I felt strangely comfortable, and I didn't stop him from touching me, which was strangely odd.

"Do you want another beating?" I threatened when his hand lingered on my back after zipping up my dress. I walked away without turning back or saying anything. I could feel his gaze on me as I walked, and I resisted the urge to look back at the crazy, perverted, stranger thief I encountered in the woods.