Bound by his Father's will

A man sat alone in the corner of a dimly lit bar, eyes fixed on his half-empty bottle, his foot tapping wearily against the wooden floor. He looked drained, like someone who’d been fighting battles far beyond that room.

“Why are bars always so damn noisy?” he muttered, setting the bottle down with a quiet thud. “All I wanted was a peaceful drink. How hard can that be?”

Nozel Carter ran a hand through his damp hair, irritated by the loud laughter and constant chatter surrounding him. The rain outside hadn’t let up in hours, and this was the only shelter he could find while out riding his motorcycle.

“I know, right?” a voice rang from the entrance, instantly drawing attention.

A young woman in a short red dress and a brown leather jacket stepped into the bar, followed by a slightly shorter lady. Both were laughing, their presence loud enough to cut through the atmosphere like a knife. Every eye in the room turned toward them.

Moments later, a middle-aged man entered and walked straight toward the woman in the jacket.

“What the hell is your problem!?” she snapped, her voice sharp enough to silence the entire bar. “So just because I needed a jacket and you offered yours, you think that puts us on equal terms?”

She shoved the man backward with a look of disgust. “You know what? Here’s your silly jacket. It already reeks of booze.” She tossed it at his feet.

Now the whole bar was watching.

“What are you all staring at?” she shouted. “Mind your damn business!”

Meanwhile, Nozel was finishing his last bottle, already rising to leave.

“Time to go,” he said, draining the drink and heading to the counter.

The woman in red whose name he didn't know yet stepped outside, seemingly to take a phone call. A few minutes later, the same man she had embarrassed followed her out. Nozel’s eyes flicked in their direction, noting the tension "what could he have in mind?" he muttered.

“Oh, would you hurry up and leave already?” snapped the shorter woman, blocking his path. “Can’t you see I’m right here?” she added bitterly. “No wonder Rose hates men so much... vile, stupid creatures.”

Nozel didn’t respond. He simply walked around her and exited the bar.

As he approached his motorcycle, he heard a commotion from the alley nearby. He followed the noise and spotted the man from earlier forcing himself on the woman—Rose.

“Hey!” Nozel said, loud enough to stop them. “That’s not so nice.”

The man turned, startled. “Oh, hey, we just had a little misunderstanding,” he said with a nervous laugh.

“You liar!” Rose shouted, pushing him back. “I can’t believe you’d be so desperate and pathetic.”

She turned to Nozel. “Well? What are you waiting for? Beat him up!”

Nozel raised an eyebrow. “And why would I do that?”

“Because I command it,” she said, puffing her chest with pride. “My family’s wealthy. I’ll reward you handsomely.”

Nozel stared at her for a moment, then turned back to the man. “You should leave. And don’t ever try this again.”

The man didn’t argue. He bolted down the street without looking back.

“What the hell was that!?” Rose yelled, storming up to Nozel. “I told you to punish him, not let him walk!”

“I’m not interested in your drama, lady,” Nozel said flatly. “And I definitely don’t need your reward.”

Rose turned bright red with frustration. She looked like she wanted to say more, but her friend arrived, pulling her gently away.

“That’s all they’re good for,” Catalina whispered to Rose as she led her aside.

Nozel said nothing more. He climbed onto his motorcycle and rode off into the night.

“Can you believe that, Catty?” Rose fumed, breath quick and shallow. “Men... despicable creatures.”

Catalina nodded. “I believe it.”

The two stood silently, watching the red taillight of Nozel’s bike fade into the darkness.

Meanwhile, Nozel sped down the highway, grumbling to himself.

“Who the hell does she think she is? She wasn’t even grateful, just loud, entitled, and rude.”

He eased off the throttle as he took a deep turn. The day had already worn him out, and he longed for a good night’s sleep.

“I should find a motel,” he muttered.

After a few more minutes of riding through the quiet city, he spotted one with a vacancy sign glowing faintly in the rain.

But Rose’s voice still echoed in his mind. Her face. Her outrage. Her pride.

“This is exactly why I mind my business,” he sighed as he parked and walked into the lobby.

He booked a room, hoping the night would be more peaceful.