Malee noticed the customers leaving the stall one by one without finishing their meals as the men had arrived. They surrounded the owner into a corner and starting shouting at him. Malee stood up along with her friends to leave the place. She had no intention of getting involveed with them after what had happened to her father years ago. And moreover, George was there. And he was tapping his shoes as he witnessed the scene in front of him.

Malee tried to pull him up to his feet but found him staring at the men in front with his veins out from his neck. Malee had to do something.

“Stop. Or I will call the police.” shouted Malee at the men. One of them looked at her and took out a small knife from the back.

“And what about the police? They are paid by us.” said the man. Malee did not have to doubt the words. The fact that they were threatening in broad daylight meant that the local police were completely in control under them. Just as she was about to reply, one of the men that followed George stood up and went to the gang. He whispered to the man in knife as he held up his shirt with his hand as if to show him what was beneath it.

The knife dropped from the man as his face turned white and he ran, leaving the rest of the men following him.