"Ahh…" Ezekiel nodded his head in understanding, chuckling at the fact that this man's taste was a little weird. He glanced up at Cora and his chuckle continued. How funny was that she managed to lure a foreigner despite her granny clothes and looks.
"Then tell your girl to back off, Sir. This is a private establishment and she's slandering me nonstop." Ezekiel took one step back, shrugging his shoulder as he didn't like the aura that was emanating from Ivan. Still, he believed that this man misunderstood why he took the stance to assault Cora.
"What?" However, before Ezekiel could take another step back, Ivan grabbed him by the collar and pulled him back. His aggressive action, that appeared like he didn't have to exert any effort, startled Ezekiel and Cora.
Cora's eyes widened in disbelief. 'He's really a gangster!', she screamed internally. If not for the fact that the person he was harassing was Ezekiel, Cora would have stepped in and apprehended him. However, the person involved was the person who hurt Zoey and the person who was about to assault her. Thus, Cora remained silent and let them talk.
"What do you think you're doing?!" Alarmed, Ezekiel bellowed through his gritted teeth as he instinctively grabbed Ivan's wrist.
"What do you think it is?" Ivan's brows raised innocently, smirking upon the look of terror surfaced on Ezekiel's face. "Weren't you going to hit her? Why don't you try it now? Or you're just strong and cocky against women only?" His gaze never left Ezekiel, pleased that no matter how much he struggled, he couldn't free himself from Ivan's grip.
"You!"
"Me? Yes, me." Ivan nodded his head. "What about me?" He asked, the expression in his face turned languid while the latter struggled.
Initially, Ivan didn't plan on talking to this person. He just planned on getting his hands on him until he was barely recognizable. However, since Zoey mentioned this granny, he unconsciously observed and watched how Cora would deal with him.
Although Ivan didn't understand a word she said, he could tell she was cursing the heck out of Ezekiel. Their actions and the tone of their voice was enough for him to get the gist of the whole scenario. That's why when Ezekiel snapped, Ivan had to step in or else Zoey would beat him for sure.
Regardless, Ivan's view towards Cora drastically changed. No wonder Zoey was fond of this lady. She might have an unpleasing style of clothes and an unlikeable personality, but she's a genuine friend of Zoey.
Even when Ezekiel raised his hand on her, she remained courageous and didn't back down. Now, that's commendable. At the very least, she wasn't just all talk, though her take in just receiving the assault was a stupid method. Nonetheless, Ivan's impression towards Cora changed in a better direction.
"Mister, I'm only repeating this once so you listen carefully. Don't ever think of coming close to her or to my sister. If you do, don't expect me to let you off easily." With that being said, he let Ezekiel go by pushing him away.
"That is for your own good as well." He added, his eyes glinted as he peered at Ezekiel who loosened his tie while scoffing in dismay.
"You," Without further ado, Ivan turned to Cora. He then tossed the helmet that he was holding in his left hand which Cora luckily caught by two hands. "Come with me." These three words were spoken slowly for her to understand. Although Ivan doubted she understood English, it didn't matter as he trudged back to his motorcycle.
Cora remained standing, holding the helmet with eyes of confusion. She then saw him pat the seat behind him, tilting his head to the side as a gesture for her to hop in. "Uhm…" Still a little confused, Cora pursed her lips into a thin line before taking slow steps towards him.
Well, since Ivan seemed to have planted a seed of fear within Ezekiel, Cora thought she should exit too. Also, she couldn't just walk away just like that. That would be so uncool and tiring! Taking those thoughts into consideration, Cora stopped on the side of the motorcycle where Ivan sat, his feet balanced on the motorcycle as he just looked at her.
"Hop on." He uttered, gesturing her to take the space behind him since he was certain she didn't understand.
"I…" Recalling all English words in her vocabulary, Cora unconsciously bit her lower lip.
"Damn it…" He murmured, sighing heavily as this language barrier was a lot of trouble. Without further ado, he snatched the helmet away from her and then put it on her personally.
Of course, Cora, who was surprised by his action, freezed. She just watched him put the helmet on her bearing an annoyed countenance. After a second, she saw him lend his hand and spoke,"Thank you." Since this English word was already engraved in her head, Cora hung her head low as she took his hand which assisted her to hop on behind him.
"At least, you know how to say that." Upon hearing those two words, Ivan chuckled as he shook his head sideways. He glanced at Ezekiel for the last time and smirked at him before revving up the motorcycle and speeding away.
The abrupt move of the motorcycle caused Cora to hold him by his waist. God… she wasn't ready yet and he already sped away! She was just pondering where to hold because it would be a little awkward if she held him closely!
"I don't bite and you're not pretty enough, so you're safe." Ivan sensed the awkwardness from her arms as she tried to loosen her grip. Since she wouldn't understand him, he spoke his mind as he didn't mind driving with her arms around his waist.
As expected, Cora didn't understand a single word he said as she remained silent. Still, she kept on loosening her grip slowly as she searched what she could hold on to. However, just as she did, Ivan suddenly held her arm and fixated it on his waist.
"Stop moving around, Granny.." Frustrated that she was making him feel disgusted as if he was ugly, Ivan accelerated their speed so she would stop moving that was making it hard to drive.