Rainee was walking briskly down the bustling street alongside her 16 year old brother, Sam. He was practically jogging ahead, turning every few seconds to grumble at her.

"Can't you walk any faster? We're going to be late! I don't want to miss this, Rainee!" he whined, his face scrunched in a mix of frustration and urgency.

Rainee chuckled softly at his youthful impatience. She understood his excitement it wasn't every day that something he had dreamed of for years was finally within reach.

"Sam, relax. I told you, we have plenty of time," she replied with an amused smile. "And taking a taxi isn't necessary. We'll get there on time."

She said looking like a vision of ethereal beauty, her long, flowing hair cascading down her back like a silken waterfall. Her skin was luminous, a rare radiance that seemed almost otherworldly, as if she had stepped out of a fairytale. It held the delicate glow of fresh snow under moonlight, pure and untouched. Her eyes, large and doe-like, exuded a softness that hinted at kindness and compassion, as though they could see straight into the soul of anyone who dared to meet her gaze.

Yet, there was an air about her that set her apart, a quiet mystery that made people hesitate before approaching.

Perhaps it was the way she carried herself, with poise and an almost regal grace, or the faint shadow of melancholy that lingered behind her gentle smile. It wasn't arrogance, but rather an unspoken barrier, as though she belonged to a world just beyond reach. To know her was to be drawn in by her warmth, yet one couldn't ignore the feeling that she was holding something back, a part of herself kept hidden, locked away from prying eyes.

"But what if we don't?" Sam protested, his voice tinged with panic. "This watch is a limited edition, and it'll sell out in hours! I've waited two years for this. You don't understand how important it is!"

Rainee let him vent, used to his dramatics by now. His enthusiasm didn't bother her it was endearing in its way.

Sam had been saving for this watch for two whole years, pouring his allowance and any odd jobs he could find into his goal. When he'd asked for her permission to buy it on his birthday three days ago, she couldn't say no.

Still, she'd insisted on paying for it as a birthday gift. Sam deserved it, after all the effort he'd put in. Even though their family came from modest means, Rainee had decided to make this one splurge for him. She knew how much the watch meant to him, and she would do anything to make him happy.

"See? We've still got an hour left before the ceremony," she assured him, quickening her pace to match his. Taxis were an unnecessary expense for someone like her, a middle class woman juggling the responsibilities of her family. Every penny counted, but for Sam, this one expense was worth it.

Rainee worked tirelessly as an assistant to a designer at a prestigious company.

Despite her extensive knowledge and undeniable talent, she remained stuck in a junior position while others soared ahead, thanks to connections she didn't have. She didn't mind too much, she was determined to carve her own path, even if it meant enduring the condescension of colleagues who often looked down on her. Ironically, those same people always came running to her for help when they were in a bind.

As they entered the grand mall, Sam's nervous energy finally began to calm. He exhaled in relief when he saw that the showroom hadn't opened yet.

The fifth floor of the mall was entirely dedicated to RW Watches, and it was clear the brand had spared no expense for the launch. The showroom looked more like a high-end art gallery than a store. Elegant black curtains covered the display cases, adding to the anticipation.

Sam couldn't help but marvel at the setup. He leaned closer to Rainee and whispered, "I'm going to the washroom real quick. I might take a little time, so just wait here, okay?"

Rainee smirked, rolling her eyes as she gave him a thumbs-up. "Go ahead. I'll be here."

Sam dashed off, leaving Rainee standing alone. She shook her head, amused at his eagerness. He had been so excited this morning that he'd barely stopped to eat or even focus on anything else.

As she waited, her gaze wandered across the floor. The glitz and glamor of the mall seemed worlds apart from her own reality. But she wasn't intimidated by it. She was here for her brother, and that was all that mattered.

________

Alex entered the pristine washroom, his bodyguards standing guard outside to ensure no one else could enter. The guards scanned the space quickly but failed to notice that someone was already inside.

Alex approached the marble sink, running the water and meticulously washing his hands. He leaned forward to inspect his reflection, adjusting his tie and smoothing his hair. Everything had to be perfect after all, he was about to face the public, the media, and his rivals. He didn't tolerate imperfection.

As he reached for a tissue, he heard the unmistakable sound of a toilet flushing. His brows furrowed, and his eyes flicked toward the stall door visible in the mirror. A moment later, a young boy emerged, looking a bit flustered. The boy walked up to the sink beside Alex, washed his hands, and seemed to notice nothing out of the ordinary.

Sam was a boy caught between childhood and adulthood, standing at sixteen with a heart too big for his own good. He had the same radiant features as his sister, Rainee, but with a youthful charm that made him seem more approachable. His brown eyes were wide and expressive, betraying every emotion he tried to hide. There was a softness to him, a vulnerability that made people instinctively want to protect him, though it often made him an easy target for teasing.

Stubborn to a fault, Sam had a way of digging in his heels, especially when he thought he was doing the right thing.

Yet beneath his immaturity lay a deep well of kindness and an emotional sensitivity that made him attuned to the feelings of those around him. He adored Rainee with a devotion that was almost overwhelming, always putting her happiness above his own. Even when life weighed heavily on him, Sam would plaster on a smile, masking his pain so she wouldn't have to carry his burdens.

Though he could be a bit impulsive, quick to act on his emotions, his heart was always in the right place. Sam's world revolved around love, his love for his sister, for the people he cared about, and his desire to make their lives just a little brighter, even if it meant dimming his own light.

Alex, as always, ignored the presence of others. He resumed checking his reflection, his focus solely on himself.

Sam, on the other hand, was in his own world until his eyes landed on Alex's wrist. His movements froze, his gaze locked onto the sleek, dazzling watch.

He gasped audibly, unable to contain his shock. Without thinking, he grabbed Alex's wrist in excitement.

"No way! How do you have this?!"

Sam's voice was filled with wonder as he stared at the watch. He knew RW watches better than anyone this design was completely new, unlike anything he had seen before. It had to be part of the limited edition being launched today. His heart raced with excitement.

Alex, however, was anything but amused. The idea that someone a stranger, no less had the audacity to touch him sent a wave of cold anger through his veins. He gritted his teeth, his voice dangerously low.

"Get off."

Sam didn't seem to hear him, lost in his admiration. "Huh?" he asked, looking up at Alex with bright, curious eyes.

Alex snapped. "I said, GET YOUR DIRTY HANDS OFF ME!"

To be continued

His thunderous voice echoed through the washroom, startling Sam. Before the boy could react, Alex shoved him away. Sam stumbled backward, falling hard onto the tiled floor with a loud thud.

Moments later, Alex's bodyguards stormed inside. Seeing the boy on the ground, they acted without question.

Grabbing Sam by the arms, they dragged him out of the washroom as if he was a criminal.

"Wait, what are you doing?! Let me go!" Sam protested, but his voice was drowned out by the guards' firm grip and Alex's cold indifference.

Outside, they threw him to the ground with no regard for his dignity. Sam landed hard, this time scraping his elbow on the rough flooring. Pain shot through his arm, but worse was the humiliation. He hissed softly, clutching his arm as tears welled in his eyes.

This wasn't the first time he had been treated poorly by the rich, but it didn't make it any less painful. The weight of helplessness pressed on his chest as he wiped at his tears, desperate to hide his emotions.

Eventually, Sam rose to his feet and made his way toward the showroom where Rainee was waiting. He tried to compose himself, hastily wiping his face before stepping in front of her.

Rainee, sipping her iced American, noticed him immediately. Her sharp eyes took in the redness around his eyes and the scrape on his elbow. She lowered her cup, her expression turning to concern.

"What happened? How did you get hurt?"

Rainee's voice was filled with concern. The moment Sam heard her soft, caring tone, the dam he was trying so hard to hold back broke. Tears streamed down his face as he began to cry silently, like a little child.

Rainee's heart twisted at the sight. She moved closer, crouching slightly to meet his eyes. Even though he made no noise, the sheer pain in his expression was enough to shatter her composure.

"Nothing.... just... encountered a rude person. Let it be. I won't cry today....." he mumbled, his voice trembling as he hastily wiped at his tears with the back of his hands.

Rainee's eyes softened, but her heart burned with fury. She hated seeing her little brother like this hurt, humiliated, and trying to hide it. For his sake, she pushed down her rising anger and asked in a controlled tone, "Who hurt you?"

Sam looked at her and gulped. He knew his sister too well her anger was fierce, and she never hesitated to defend him, even if it meant creating a scene. The last thing he wanted was to make matters worse, especially here.

"No one," he lied, forcing a weak smile that didn't reach his eyes. "I tripped. It's fine. Let's go now. I don't want to be late they're about to cut the ribbon."

Rainee stared at him for a long moment, her sharp gaze searching his face. She knew he wasn't telling the truth. His forced smile and downcast eyes betrayed him. Still, she sighed and decided to let it go, for now. She didn't want to ruin his day any further.

"Alright," she said, feigning belief. "Let's go."

They walked toward the showroom, where a crowd had gathered, clapping and cheering. Rainee followed Sam's gaze and noticed the man everyone was celebrating, Alex Fraser. He stood at the center of attention, cutting the ceremonial ribbon with effortless charm and confidence.

Rainee raised her eyebrows as recognition hit her. She had heard of Alex Fraser before his reputation for wealth, power, and arrogance preceded him. This was her first time seeing him in person, and his aura practically screamed luxury. From his custom tailored suit to his impeccable posture, everything about him radiated wealth.

And she hated it....

Her eyes narrowed as she turned back to Sam, whose expression shifted. He wasn't watching the ribbon-cutting with awe or admiration like the rest of the crowd. Instead, his face was a mix of sadness and quiet anger.

That's when it clicked. Alex Fraser. He's the one who hurt Sam.

Rainee clenched her jaw, her hands curling into fists at her sides. But she kept her voice calm as she gently nudged her brother. "Let's go. It's time for us to buy the watch."

Sam snapped out of his daze and looked at her awkwardly. "I---.. I don't want to buy it from here. Let's go to a different showroom," he said, his voice low and hesitant. He tried to smile, but the pain in his eyes made it impossible.

Rainee's expression softened again as she saw his discomfort. "Why?" she asked, though she already knew the answer. "What's the problem here? Is it because of him? Alex Fraser?"

Sam hesitated, but he couldn't lie to her anymore. He nodded slightly, his shoulders slumping. "I just don't want to make him mad again. His bodyguards... they were scary. And he... he treated me like I am worthless."

Rainee's hands trembled with fury as she watched her brother try to suppress his pain. She could feel her anger bubbling up, a storm ready to explode.

She had worked tirelessly day and night, sacrificing her own happiness just to see Sam smile, to make sure he had a chance at a better life. And for what? So that some arrogant, privileged person could make him feel like he wasn't even worthy of basic decency?

Her heart ached as she watched Sam try to brush it off, his voice trembling as he said, "Let's go, this place isn't for us. I can buy a different watch. This brand isn't that important."

She could see right through him. His words weren't what he really wanted to say, but he was trying to protect her from the anger he knew was brewing inside her. He was trying to protect her. It broke her heart.

The anger surged again, this time uncontainable. She clenched her fist around her Ice American, her grip tight enough to feel the cold drink sting her skin. She could feel her own tears threatening to fall, not for herself, but for her brother's broken spirit.

But she refused to show weakness. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down, and turned to walk away. Sam followed, visibly relieved that she was backing down.

Yet, her eyes fell once again on the red mark on his elbow the stain on his favorite white t-shirt. That shirt, which he claimed was his lucky one. The one he only wore on special occasions.

That was the breaking point.

All of the anger, all of the helplessness, boiled over in an instant. Without thinking, she spun around and started walking toward Alex Fraser.

Her steps were determined, the fire in her eyes unmistakable. Sam's heart skipped a beat as he saw the look in her eyes and realized exactly what was happening.

"Rainee!" he screamed, his voice filled with panic, but it was too late.

She was already there.

In one swift motion, she raised her drink and splashed it across Alex's face. The crowd gasped in shock, and the room seemed to freeze for a moment as everyone took in what had just happened.

Cameras flashed, reporters scrambled for the perfect shot, and Alex stood there, momentarily stunned, the cold drink dripping down his sharp features.

Rainee didn't flinch, didn't back away. Her heart was pounding in her chest, but her stance remained defiant. Her eyes locked with Alex's, and she didn't flinch under his gaze.

"Touch me once," she said, her voice low but fierce, "and I will show you what I'm capable of."

Her words hung in the air like a challenge, and for the first time, Alex felt the smallest hint of hesitation. The 20 bodyguards who had been poised to drag her away stood still, unsure of how to proceed. They were trained to deal with threats, but Rainee's confidence made them pause, made them question if they should even attempt to touch her.

They sensed something something that made them think she wasn't just another angry bystander. She wasn't scared of them.

Alex's personal assistant quickly moved to shield him from the cameras, pulling out a handkerchief to offer to Alex. But Alex, his jaw clenched in irritation, waved him off. He stepped closer to Rainee, his gaze cold and calculating, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes.

He didn't speak immediately. Instead, he took a few steps toward her, closing the distance, his expression unreadable. But Rainee stood her ground, jaw clenched, ready for whatever came next.

The tension in the air was palpable. Everyone watched, breathless, waiting for what would happen next. The crowd had never seen anything like this an angry woman standing up to one of the most powerful men in the room, and doing so with a quiet, yet unmistakable confidence.

Alex stopped just a few feet away, his eyes narrowing as he met Rainee's gaze. There was no fear in her eyes, no hesitation. Only fire. And for the first time in a long while, Alex Fraser was faced with something that intrigued him.

"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?!" Rainee's voice rang out, sharp with fury. "JUST BECAUSE YOU'RE RICH DOESN'T MEAN YOU CAN DO WHATEVER YOU WANT TO ANYONE!"

To be continued