Fright overtook her. Her cheek muscles wobbled as her startled eyes flooded with tears.
"Damn!" Brandon cursed, banging the steering wheel for the tenth time. "Stop following me, idiots."
He gripped the steering tighter, turning it wherever he could. He took a quick peek at the side mirrors. Those cars kept reemerging after each sharp turn, leaving him no choice but to keep speeding.
"How did they know you're in here?" Kyle questioned.
Clover opened her mouth, trying to claim her innocence. However, none of her words found their way out. They were stuck in her throat. Backing away from his demanding gaze, she pursed her lips and buried her face in the coat that was filled with the metallic smell of her blood.
Kyle moved closer. "H-Hey... Sorry. I'm simply asking this out of curiosity. Don't worry. We'll keep you safe." He glanced at his manager for assurance. "Right, Brandon?"
"Shut up, Kyle," he grumbled, still focusing on getting rid of the tailgaters. "I don't even know why I'm doing this. You better come up with a good excuse for not turning up at the show later."
"You just need to worry about how to shake them off."
Kyle took out his phone from his back pocket and dialed a number. A picture of a youthful man whose face was smudged with makeup appeared on the screen the moment Kyle pressed the green button. "Little D" was the name displayed. He turned on the speaker, waiting for the line to be connected.
"What's up?" A husky voice came through after the fourth beep.
"Danise, do me a favor," Kyle said.
"Yea?"
"Replace me for 'You're My Perfect Star' TV show today."
"Huh? Are you kidding me?"
"Why not?"
"This is so not a joke, Kyle."
"Because it isn't; that's why I need you."
"But why?!"
"Just do it, dude. Bye."
Thirty seconds. Short and nice.
Kyle rubbed his phone against his ripped baggy jeans, clearing the sweat marks. "See? This is what you call a friend in need is a friend indeed."
"Yea, yea. Whatever." Brandon pulled a face.
Clover avoided the layers of concern pouring from his stare and looked outside the tinted window. Kyle's face was featured on almost every billboard that she came across. Be it the tourism ambassador or fashion brands, he was everywhere.
"Pathetic" was perhaps the best word to describe her current situation. Still sitting on her knees, she frowned slightly. The stinging sensation was biting deep into her torn skin. But she dared not show. She didn't want to cause any more trouble for this famous celebrity next to her.
Suddenly, he turned around and grabbed her hand.
"I think I know why they knew you were here," he said, pointing to a flashing red spot planted deep inside her furry coat.
"A t-tracking device?!" Brandon's eyes widened. "Quick, chuck it out now!”
Kyle rolled the coat into a thick ball and yanked it out of the window. A strong throw. It smashed onto the slanted electric pole nearby the abandoned building before the wind slammed it in the direction of the cars behind. Too abrupt. The tailgaters braked at once but were still a second too slow. They collided with one another and knocked over the barricades.
Brandon smirked, driving away at full speed. "A bunch of greenhorns."
"Finally..." Clover dropped her tensed shoulders as she lost sight of those men in black. "They're away."
"See?" Kyle revealed his perfect dimples that she wasn't aware of before this. "I told you we would keep you safe."
"Thanks, Kyle." She smiled back at him. "I mean it."
Now that everything was settled, she finally had the time to take a clear look at his face—big round eyes, a distinct jawline, thin pinkish lips, high cheekbones, and a pointed nose.
Simply modellic. He was literally born for the stage.
Clover was stunned.
"So..." Brandon's voice slapped hard on her face. "Where are we going?"
He pulled over to the side of the road and lifted the handbrake. She knew his question was referring to her. Who else could it be if it wasn't her? She was the only outsider at the moment.
"Just... drop me off anywhere."
"Anywhere?" Kyle arched his brow.
"Yes. Anywhere." She tried to sound confident. "Finding a way out shouldn't be that difficult.”
"What do you mean by that?" His tone was filled with overwhelming care that she hated herself for yearning for.
'No, Clover. Don't waver. It's time to be on your own.'
She glanced at the unfamiliar surroundings, having no idea which part of the earth she had landed on. But other than leaving, she didn't seem to have any better choices. "I think I'll just get down here."
"Hey! Wait!" Kyle stepped down and grabbed her arm. He loosened a little for fear that he would apply pressure to her wounds. "Where are you going from here?"
"I'm sure it'll lead me somewhere," she said.
"Ever since I was a kid, I was taught not to leave any girls in danger." His gaze was firm.
"You saved me, Kyle. And that's more than I can ask for. I appreciate your kindness."
"You'll probably do the same if you're in my shoes."
"Maybe?" She chuckled, trying to withdraw her hand from him. "Okay. You better get going before anyone sees us together."
"Good one, girl. You're incredibly right," Brandon said. "Come on, Kyle."
The sun was high up in the sky, radiating its heat everywhere, and there they were in the middle of a deserted road. Kyle was reluctant to let her go. She felt it. None of them said anything more, and things were starting to look weird. The harder she tried to break free from his hold, the more he tightened his grip. She saw his muscles tensing, not knowing what to do.
Clover could've continued acting like she was all right if the smarting around her wrists hadn't started to take over her consciousness. Soon, her vision was blurring.
"Kyle... Go." She faltered, praying hard he wouldn't realize her current condition. "Don't worry about me."
"You don't look right." Frowning, he pulled her closer to him.
She pushed him away with her remaining energy. "Go..."
"KYLE LEE! GET BACK IN! For goodness' sake." His manager stamped his foot on the brake pedal.
"Don't..." Before she could finish speaking, she fell straight into his embrace. Safe and sound.
"I knew it." Clutching her by her waist, he brought her back into the van.
"Kyle Lee," Brandon hissed behind his gritted teeth. "What do you think you're doing?"
"Saving a life."
"And damaging yours?"
No response.
Staring at the unconscious girl in his hands, Kyle stroked her long fringe and tucked it behind her ears. He didn't know if it was right or wrong. All he knew was that he couldn't just leave her alone.
His Cuban cigar smoke diffused throughout the room, suffocating the freshness in the air. Bright rays pierced through the slightly opened blinds, giving a glimpse of the court dress hanging on the vintage coat rack. It looked like a normal office with a personal coffee maker. Big enough to fit over thirty people. It could've passed as a decent one, if and only if the alive bodies weren't struggling to get up from the floor. He stood behind his desk, which was piled with stacks of documents, and faced the large casement. "Six men, yet it wasn't enough to catch a girl?" His dangerously calm voice was laced with a tone of threat. "We were almost there..." a man said as he fell to his knees. "Yes, Chief. We almost had her!" the other echoed."Almost?" He turned around and dashed over, grabbing the plump guy by his neck. "What if I tell you that right now... I almost want to kill you?" "W-We beg... beg for your forgiveness." The man fought to breathe, his face turning purple. "You don
The day had just started. Familiar arguments from yesterday reached her ears again. Brandon's voice was clearly furious despite having suppressed his volume. He was still trying his best to stop Kyle from entangling himself with her. Leaning against the door, Clover stared at the female clothes she was holding. "I miss home," she muttered as she stepped into the minimalist bathroom. Turning on the tap, water gushed down the sink as she stared deeply at her own reflection. Broken lips, lifeless eyes, and messy hair—nothing close to good or well. A completely different person than before. Who would've believed she was born with a silver spoon? She cupped the running water and splashed it on her face. The good times were gone. "Hang in there, Clover Hon," she said, feeling the drips coursing down her chin. "Don't give up." "You're gonna regret this, Kyle." The conversation became clear the moment she walked out. But Kyle ended it before she could get involved personally. "Wow, Cl
The entrance to the performance hall wasn't open yet. Everyone was already crowding outside though they had to bear the morning that was heating up a little bit too quickly. Upbeat music playing in the background was escalating their excitement. "Brandon, you didn't tell me I was supposed to sing in a fan signing event," Kyle said, eyeing the long queues as his van made a sharp turn. "That event in your head is not even for today. Too much time for the unnecessary that you mixed up your schedule, huh?" he grumbled. The arm of the boom barrier lifted, allowing the van to pass through. That squeak drew instant attention. Euphoria was turned on. Exhilarated fans immediately dashed forward and leaped over the metal barricades. Road safety was no longer applicable at the moment. All they wanted was to get in the view of somebody they admired. Brandon peered to continue driving ahead. Too many things were blocking the windshield, and it was only getting worse. He couldn't see. "Wear thi
"FIVE, FOUR, THREE, TWO, ONE!" the crowd shouted. Warm orange lights turned on and flooded across the packed hall. A male figure was walking up the apron stage carpeted in an exquisite shade of red. "Hello everyone! I'm Teddy, the host for today. First and foremost, let's take this chance to express our sincerest gratitude to our nation's No. 1 lawyer and also our top sponsor today, Mr. Jack Lee, for his continuous support in this fan meeting event." He snapped his fingers, signaling the camera to focus on the VIP seat. "Mr. Jack, would you like to come up to say a few words?" A man in his late 40s flashed up on the large projector screen. He was decently dressed. "Who'd want to listen to an old man?" he joked when someone passed him the mic. Hints of white hair on his head peeked through. "They aren't even here for me, to begin with." "Oh, come on! You're far from being old. We still need you to uphold justice." "I'll continue upholding it. But for now, please don't mind my pres
Compressing her lips into a thin line, Clover cupped her swollen face and ran behind the drapes, away from the stage. Her black mask was drawn down her chin, drenched in her very own tears. Those contemptuous gazes and mockery from the crowd resembled ceaseless gunshots piercing through her chest. They were bashing her for the silly mistake she made. It was suffocating. She needed to be alone. Needed silence. As soon as she stepped out backstage, noises around the bustling city drowned out the critiques and came clear in her ears. Propping her head against the wall facing the sun, she could hear cars honking and people talking. About what? She had no idea, but it probably wouldn't be anything worse than what she was experiencing at this moment. With a heavy sigh, she stared up into the layers of blue tenuous clouds. Trees rustled. Gentle and calm as always. The sky was still the same, still the piece that once connected her family together. Back then, nobody dared to raise their v
The dull yet captivating beige color of the traditional architecture exuded an air of tranquility. Delicately-carved antique vases were placed along the corridor outside. Portraits of remarkable imperials across dynasties were hung on the wall. They were separated by calligraphies in between that explained the evolution of the word characters."I'm really sorry for the long wait." A tall man pushed open the wooden door with a bamboo tray in his hands. "Here, have a taste of our chocolate mud cakes." He offered them to the people queuing up outside the café. "How much longer do we have to wait?" asked a young lady in her thick foreign accent as she shifted her weight to her left leg. She looked a little pissed. Pursing his lips, he spared a glance at the crowded space inside. Then, he turned around and said, "We're trying our best to be as fast as possible." "Oh my God! This is amazing!" someone in the line interrupted in a loud voice before the lady could say anything more. "Hey, t
Toying with the furry keychain at the zip of her black Gucci sling bag, she swung on the cushioned bar stool outside her CEO's room. Her pink glossy lips glistened under the ceiling lights. Sitting cross-legged, she rested her chin on her palm and turned on her phone screen every five seconds to check the time."Uhh... Come on..." She knocked her teal stiletto heels to the concrete marble floor."Stella!" A bald man in his mid-30s walked over while stirring the black Americano in his personalized mug with a spoon. "Did you receive my text? NightChanted is looking for you to be their brand ambassador.""Morning, Carl." She waved her hand. "Yea. But decline it for me, please. I've never heard of any fashion brands with that name before."He arched his faded eyebrows. "Wow, that's fast. I did a background search, and it's pretty legit though." "Nah, you know I don't simply take up jobs like that." "True enough. Why are you here anyway? I thought you've taken days to be on vacation?""Ex
A week had passed since the incident. Clover rubbed her palms against the cup of Americano she made for herself. Its warmth was easing the morning chill biting into her skin. She watched the streets from the twentieth floor. The sky was dark; lamp posts were still turned on. A soothing breeze blew past her hair, leaving behind faint cooling touches on her face. She took a deep breath. It had been a long time ever since she felt this peaceful. "Why do humans love making things complicated when the world can be so simple and beautiful?" She stroked the rough marks on her wrist. Lingering feelings of fright from those lightless days remained strong and clear in her mind, dragging her back into the trauma every time she tried to step beyond. If it weren't for Kyle, she dared not what kind of situation she'd end up in by now. "Kyle..." she muttered, resting her arms on the steel handrail. "I promised Raymond to take care of you, but look what am I doing now?" Before long, someone knocke