Even when Shannon was being caught in the act, she showed no signs of embarrassment or any intentions of letting go.
Instead, she calmly said, "I'm holding onto you so we don't get separated in the crowd."
Benjamin glanced at the street ahead which was lively but far from being crowded. His lips curved slightly as he responded with a soft hum.
As they continued walking deeper inside, the noise from the busy street gradually faded behind them. Soon, they reached an old building where sounds of daily life could be heard from the apartment units.
There was a parent sternly tutoring their child in mathematics, while another child was crying over a toy. Some of the sounds were from families bickering. It was a lively scene.
Shannon came up to a door on the second floor according to the address Mitchell had given her. From inside, a woman's sharp voice could be heard.
"All you do is eat and sleep! Am I supposed to do nothing but take care of your mother all day long? She's your mom, not mine! Why do I have to do everything?
"You come home just to lie on the couch and not even help with the kids. Do you think this house is solely my responsibility?
"I told you we shouldn't have rented the second floor. The kitchen is flooded again, and how many times is that this month? Not only do I have to clean up after your mother, but I also have to deal with this dirty water too.
"I must have been cursed in my past life to marry you!"
"Shut up!" A man's angry roar sounded followed by a sharp slap.
Benjamin frowned and heard the heavy footsteps that followed. He quickly pulled Shannon aside and pretended they were just passing by.
The anti-theft door clattered open, and a woman, Quilla Bell, stormed out with her hand covering her face without looking at the two of them standing in the hallway.
Through the gap in the door, Shannon caught a glimpse of the scene inside. The cramped living room was cluttered, and directly across the door was a single bed.
An elderly woman was lying in it with a contorted face and head twisted in a stroke as she stared helplessly at the spilled bowl of congee on the table.
Shannon's mind was still on the two souls, and she didn't respond right away. She hummed in confusion.
Benjamin explained, "Hector wants me to send you home soon."
In truth, Hector's original message was. "Make sure Shannon's home by 10:00 pm!" He could tolerate a date, but spending the night at Benjamin's place was out of the question.
Shannon didn't give it much thought when hearing it was Hector who'd sent the text. She was about to agree when a low muffled sound came from a nearby alley.
It seemed almost as if someone was struggling, and their mouth had been covered.
Her expression turned serious, and Benjamin heard it too. Just as Shannon stepped toward the alley, he frowned and pulled her behind him.
He turned to shoot her a dark warning look. Did she think she was invincible judging from how she had been about to charge headfirst into the unknown?
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