No more

My mind went blank momentarily as my head crashed against his firm chest. I could hear his heart race anxiously. I only snapped back to reality when I heard him yell.

"Careful, you fucking bastard!" he roared at someone, and his heartbeat thumped even louder. "Tsk. Why is everyone so fucking stupid?"

Hugo carefully released me while bending over to check on me. "You're not hurt, right? Some fucking bastard throws a fucking pot from his fucking window. I swear I will fucking shred him with bare hand..."

I stood frozen while he worriedly brushed my hair, checking on me whilst spewing profanities. The genuine concern in his eyes and what was coming out of his mouth confused me.

"That retard. I will fuc..." Before he could speak more reprehensible words, I covered his lips with my palm.

"No more," I said under my breath, staring into his glowering eyes. "I'm fine. You... don't be mad."

Hugo's brows rose as he blinked twice. I didn't remove my hand from him until I was certain he had calmed down.

"Have you calmed down now?" I still asked to make sure, but Hugo didn't answer. I raised my brows and let out a deep exhale.

"Are you still angry? I'm fine, though, thanks to you." Hugo averted his eyes away at my reassurance. I studied him for a minute before withdrawing my hand. However, just as I did, Hugo grabbed my wrist.

"I'm still angry! You should cover my mouth or I'll curse that person to death." After spouting all that, Hugo placed my palm back to his lips.

"..."

'I think... there's something wrong in his head,' I thought, pursing my lips while covering his with my palm.

"Calm now?" I inquired after a short while as I felt my shoulder slowly grow numb. Hugo stared at me and nodded reluctantly.

"Thank you." A weak smile appeared on my lips as I looked back. There was a shattered pot not far away from me. Some people were also complaining while pointing at the window. It's just that I didn't notice them a moment ago, since Hugo's brash words rattled me.

I meant, he said, he would shred that man with his bare hands. It couldn't be a joke because I had seen him crush a person's skull while stepping on it.

I looked up at Hugo and saw him clicking his tongue, but was saying nothing. He still looked annoyed, but it seemed he didn't plan to drag it longer. A smile appeared on my lips as it seemed he wasn't that stubborn.

"We should continue," I suggested in a light tone while holding my hand behind me. "Hmm?"

Hugo arched a brow as he cast me a look. "Sure, Bambi."

We continued walking on the pavement. Hugo exchanged positions with me, so he was now walking on the side of the road. He didn't speak as he kept his eyes ahead, and I constantly cast him a glance.

'Although he is scary, I still don't think he is that bad as a person,' I thought, mentally nodding in agreement. 'Or maybe, I am just being biased since he saved me multiple times and he is not harming me.'

I clasped my hand behind me, pressing my lips into a thin line. It was strange how the texture of his lips was soft in contrast to the words that come out of it. I could still feel its softness on my palm, but I tried to ignore it. Instead, I squeezed my hand and kept it a secret.

Soon, Hugo and I reached the wide plaza of Clayburn. There were more stalls, and the crowd doubled. There was a small podium in the middle of the plaza.

"What are they doing?" I wondered as I stood on my toes, stretching my neck up to see a person juggling three balls at the same time.

"Ahh... it's a talent show I think." Hugo stood beside me, making my gaze at him with genuine wonder in my eyes.

"A talent show? What is that?"

Hugo leaned down, bobbing his head to study my face. "You don't know what a talent show is?"

I pressed my lips into a thin line and shook my head. I wouldn't ask him if I knew. Hugo awed in fascination as he drew back.

"A talent show is, well, a talent show. People will show their talent and the best performance will win and receive a prize," he explained with little interest in his voice. I rocked my head in understanding.

I never heard of such an event back home, but then again, I didn't know a lot of things in the outside world. The world I knew what was I read in books, after all.

"A talent show, huh?" I mumbled, seeing that the jester bowed while the crowd gave him a round of applause. Someone, who was the host of the event, now stood in front while introducing the next performer. This time, it was a beautiful woman.

The plaza went quiet for a moment while I clasped my hands together. I stared at her with eyes gleaming, waiting for her to sing, just like what the host said to be her talent.

As soon as she started, my mouth fell open at her soulful voice. It was beautiful; the song and the woman. They were beautiful. I felt moved just listening to her romantic song.

"Oh, sounds like a love song." I heard Hugo comment, and I smiled and nodded, not taking my eyes off of the woman on the podium. But when I felt Hugo's gaze never left me, I turned my head to him, only to furrow my brows.

My eyes landed on the palm in front of me, then back up to him. "Hmm?"

"The song is pleasant. We should dance."