Grandfather's Granddaughter

Episode 1

My name is Christiane Fischer, and by an ironic twist of fate, I fell in love with the type of man I had detested all my life, Markus Meyer. I was born in the city of Berlin, from an ordinary family with no social standing that distinguished us. I was only 18 years old and just starting my accounting career. I had two sisters, Constanza, who was only 7 years old, and Mariana, who was 13.

One day, after leaving the university, I decided to pass through the city center. I was stressed and anxious, needing some distraction before returning home.

As it was already 7 o'clock in the evening, I walked, absorbed in thoughts about what I could do. I had to find a job, which my father wouldn't approve of, but I needed the money for university.

Suddenly, someone grabbed my arm and covered my mouth with a hand, preventing me from screaming. My heart raced as I was dragged into an alley where two more men awaited, and I could feel a knife pressed against my neck.

I could sense his breath close to my right ear as he demanded that I give him everything I had.

"You can take my bag, but I have nothing valuable, no jewelry or money, just my phone," I said.

"Shut up! I'm not asking for explanations," said one of the hooded men.

Suddenly, I was pushed to the ground and couldn't move. They searched my bag and realized I had been telling the truth.

"What a pity, we caught a poor girl," one of them remarked.

"Poor or not, she looks amazing," another said. "She could entertain us for a while."

I thought, feeling desperate, that my life had reached its end.

Suddenly, I heard a thud and one of the men fell.

"You miserable old man, who do you think you are?" Another blow and another attacker went down. But I knew I couldn't handle all three alone; it was too much for me. I watched as they restrained him and one of them started beating him.

"Enough, enough, they'll kill him," I pleaded.

I struggled to stand up and began pushing them from behind. Suddenly, I felt someone grab me and pull me away. It was a tall man, with a broadsword and strong arms, his hair black as the night.

I watched, astonished, as he fought the men with fury and strength, as if he wanted to kill them, not allowing them to respond.

"Enough, son," whispered the man by my side.

"Is the old man okay?" I asked, worried about the health of that brave man.

Suddenly, a team of men in identical suits arrived and treated the attackers like trash, taking them away.

I looked around, bewildered. It all seemed like an action movie.

"Let's go, I have to take you to the hospital," the man said.

"Can I go with you? Or where are they taking you? I won't be able to sleep not knowing your condition," I asked, agitated and frightened for the well-being of that courageous man.

But one of the men in suits stopped me.

I watched them get into a black van, while the others got into another nearby.

I woke up in the morning feeling exhausted, as I hadn't slept almost the entire night, thinking about everything that had happened to me. I could only imagine what would have happened if that man hadn't arrived. "I would be at my own funeral right now." I thanked God immensely for sending that angel.

I couldn't tell my parents anything, as they would become too intense, and I didn't want to bring more worries into the house. As I left the house, like every day, at 8 o'clock sharp in the morning, on my way to the university, I already had plans to leave before lunch. I had to find out where the man was hospitalized.

I had to do it; he had helped me, and without him, I wouldn't even know what those guys would have done to me. Just the thought gave me terror and disgust.

I spent the entire afternoon visiting hospitals, both public and private, asking about him. It was already past 3 o'clock in the afternoon, and I was starting to give up. I decided to continue my search tomorrow when a man told me that a clinic was located nearby, just two streets away. I figured I had nothing to lose by going.

I entered and went straight to the reception and asked one of the nurses about an elderly gentleman who had been beaten up by muggers the night before. At first, she refused to give information about their patients to a stranger, but I explained everything that had happened to me the previous night and how that brave gentleman had saved me. She was touched and told me his room number. As I entered, I couldn't help but feel disturbed - he was badly bruised. I placed my hand on his chest; he looked as if he were sleeping. Thus, I decided not to wake him and, as I turned around, I heard a voice.

"Are you leaving?"

I turned around.

"No... I came to say hello, but seeing him resting, I didn't want to disturb."

"Don't worry, my dear."

"Oh, sir, I don't know how to thank you for what you did for me last night."

"You don't have anything to be thankful for. You were a lady in danger who needed help."

"But by helping me, you almost lost your life."

"I have already lived my life enough, whereas you still have a lot to live for."

"All human beings are important, we all deserve to live."

I give him a slight smile.

"My name is Rodolfo Meyer."

"Mine is Christiane Fischer."