"Honey, do you remember the boy your Dad once brought back?"
Elsa rubbed her drowsy eyes and replied in a soft tone, "Yes, why?"
Elsa's mother took out a small box in a panic and handed it to her, saying somewhat anxiously, "Today is his birthday. This is a present for him. You must give it to him in person. Do you understand?"
Witnessing her mother's panic, Elsa suddenly sobered up.
She vaguely guessed that her mother's gift was just an excuse and that the real purpose was to ask for help!
Her mother then called a taxi and sent her to Anthony's place overnight.
There were many people at Anthony's house, and they seemed to be celebrating his birthday.
As soon as they met, Anthony squatted down and grabbed her neck.
Even so, she stood bravely in front of him and did not step back.
Elsa knew she had to hand the stuff in her hand to Anthony as he was the only person who could save her parents.
As Elsa's Dad had once saved him, he would undoubtedly nod to reciprocate the favor.
"Brother..." Elsa called him timidly.
The slightly trembling cry made Anthony slowly get his hands off Elsa's neck.
She handed the box given by her mother to Anthony, and he took out a letter from it.
After reading the letter, his face froze, and the look in his eyes became grave.
Elsa initially thought Anthony would convene some people and go to save her parents immediately. Unexpectedly, he took her to a bedroom for resting instead of making any move to come to her parents' help.
For the following three days, Elsa had been locked up in the house, and Anthony did not show any intention of saving her parents.
No matter how Elsa cried and begged him, Anthony remained indifferent.
Given no other choice, Elsa had to resort to escape.
However, before she could even get out of the house, someone arrested her and brought her back. Then, she was kept in the room for a whole month.
Elsa finally accepted her fate after being arrested for many escapes.
Her parents disappeared from her life, and she did not even attend their funerals.
"Elsa, what are you thinking?"
The voice of Nola Graham, Elsa's best friend, pulled the latter back from her memory of ten years ago to reality.
It was Nola's birthday this day, and Nola invited some of her friends out for dinner.
Nola guessed Elsa was in a lousy mood as she remained silent, proposing, "Elsa, join us for truth or dare."
Suddenly, a girl interjected, "Elsa, dare you to fetch a men's belt from the private dining room?"
Perhaps because the others on the scene were a little drunk, they followed the girl's suggestion to kick up a fuss by echoing, "Fetch a men's belt! Fetch a men's belt!"
"Give Elsa a break!" Nola was slightly irritated.
Although it was just a game, fetching a men's belt was going too far.
"Come on, Nola, it's your birthday. Why so serious? Let's have some fun. Otherwise, it's too boring!"
Those who were tipsy chimed in with the speaker, "Exactly."
To not embarrass Nola, Elsa had to nod her head in agreement.
"That's alright. I'll accept the challenge." With that, Elsa nerved herself to walk out of the room.
How could any man say yes to give his belt to her? Elsa told herself inwardly, "Never mind. It's just a ridiculous game. No one will take it seriously."
The private dining room next-door was silent, and Elsa, therefore, felt embarrassed to intrude.
She asked timidly, "Excuse me. Can anyone give me his men's belt?"
All the people sitting in the room were male, and they heard Elsa's words clearly as it was quiet.
The man sitting in the corner raised his head slowly when he heard Elsa's voice.
He instantly realized that it was from Elsa!
Elsa did not notice the cold eyes coming from the corner.
"You want a men's belt? Come and get mine!"
Anthony growled, his eyes staring at the doorway intently. Apparently, he wanted to teach the girl a lesson right away.
Anthony did not expect to see Elsa at this kind of place after his being away from home for just a few days.
Besides, she was asking for a man's belt!
Elsa failed to identify Anthony's voice as it became hoarse due to his anger. After getting close to the man, she eventually recognized him.
She asked in surprise, "What are you doing here?"