~ 13: Compensation ~

I fixed my eyes on him rather harshly as he was frozen in his chair. The sight was funny since he couldn't stop moving his mouth all this time. And now, he had suddenly lost his tongue.

I couldn't hide my smile properly, making one of the corners of my lips rise. The jovial person's expression had changed into a slight fear when his brilliant irises reflected my sly-looking smile.

I flashed my torch lightly on his eyes after I saw them close up. He blinked a few times, causing his eyes to water and making it difficult for me to get a hand at it.

I finally got my outcome and spoke, "You are wearing contacts, but not coloured ones. That means your true eye colour is green."

"And yours..." he trailed off with a sigh. "They are truly blue like the cornflowers. Where did you get such pretty eyes?"

From past experiences, I was afraid that I would be locked between him and my seat. Therefore, I got up and searched his scalp for the root of his hair with any other colour.

After a while of searching, I said, "Oh, is that a strand of black hair I see?"

"Where, where?" he asked in a panicky voice. "This can't be happening, right? If word goes out about such imperfection, I am screwed for life."

I laughed so hard until I felt my lungs would burst. His reaction was priceless. From the tears in my eyes, I saw him scowling at me.

"I'm being serious," he said. "What's so funny?"

"Your response," I remarked, trying to control my facial expressions. "Chill out. There's no black hair. And that's the answer to your question: your hair is black."

He smacked his head in defeat. Then he laughed, realising his own amusing folly I guess.

"That's trickery, you know. But I'll still take your answer. You outsmarted me. My bad for betting so high, but it's a fitting punishment for me."

"I'm sorry that I cost you too much. I promise to pay you back in a proper manner for your kindness, at least."

"This is nothing much. I'm glad to have spoken to a newcomer, and even gladder that you don't know about my fame but rather about me."

His smile could hypnotise anyone because it was very charming. Apart from that, I don't think any person could have enough of those pretty irises. I couldn't imagine how many fans he had with his personality — a man who is talkative, cheerful, charming, friendly, and sometimes flirtatious for fun.

We couldn't look at each other without snorting with laughter. So we were content with talking while looking at our food. After a few moments, we ate silently, talking to our own psyches peacefully.

From the corners of my eyes, I could see the couple taking orders from other customers. Some people looked at us, or most definitely at Aidan, and chattered away quietly. Even the couple had a few words to lend.

I strained my ears to hear their little chat with their customers, who were in the nearest table placed diagonally from us.

"Why would a world-famous idol come here, in this expensive little place, with such a low-born, I wonder," one of the two women said. "Maybe he's having a secret affair, don't you think?"

"He has got haters stalking him and just look at his careless way of dealing with things," commented the other woman. "You should have kicked that low-born lass out."

"He's our most favoured client," said the businessman, who owned the restaurant. "He has helped us a lot with his tips. We certainly owe much to him. Besides, any person is allowed to visit our little eatery, as long as they can pay for."

"I will bet a hundred that she can't pay a dime by herself, let alone get influential friends for you."

"You do know that if you house him here, you'll get money but also in trouble?"

"I will agree with you, ma'am," said his wife. "We need the money to run our business. Anything other than that has nothing to do with us. As much as I would like him, or any person, to bring more clients, we can't deny anyone their right to eat. I'm more than happy to see that lady alive from her near-death experience."

"It is also why I'm not giving too much attention to them at present," the husband said. "I thought I saw them as potential buyers, but they have barely touched any of the top dishes. On that note, what else would you like to order, ma'am?"

My anger had peaked. I was pursing my lips to prevent any outburst. Aidan must have been listening too. And now I felt ashamed to have even met him.

I brought out my wallet and slapped the money on the table. Right when I swivelled around to give my partner an explanation before I marched out, he pulled me back to the chair by my wrist.

"Sit down," he said. "Please."

So I sat, hanging my head down. Things would only get worse if he prolonged his and my time here.

"Please, Aidan," I said in a small voice. "Let me go already. You have better people as they said. They won't stop spouting nonsense about you because of me. I must take my leave."

He used his index finger and said, "I have haters everywhere, so I don't believe them. And I have no right or basis to judge you on any grounds. You have been a keen listener to my babbles, whether useful or not. You know when to step out before a conflict arises. And more than everything else, I love your concern for strangers you got to know.

"There's a reason I tagged along with you since the beginning. I would have not pursued after you to tour you around after the bookshop. I was actually planning to feign ignorance if I didn't find you any better than the others. You proved me wrong, even though you are prettier than them. Your heart is so pure and beautiful that I want us to be friends. So, will you be my first true friend in the university?"

I was astounded by his words and partly anxious that he was tricking me. But if the gut didn't say anything, things should be alright, right?

I gulped down the tension that had come to settle in my throat. The things he said were shocking, for I thought that every rich person had their ideal, blessed life. And it made me think that I was fortunate enough to have a happy and peaceful life.

I nodded my head, and we continued to have our supper in a happier mode than before, instead of eavesdropping. When the receipt came, I pressed Aidan to let me pay my part just for now and leave it at that.

But Aidan wasn't a person who could be convinced that easily. Once we were out the door, he passed the money into my palm as he briefly pressed my hand before releasing it.

We were talking about how I lead my simple life, when we heard murmurs behind us. The alley we were in had gone dark as it was a few minutes past midnight. The lights that weren't required had been switched off for conserving energy. That made the walk all the more eerie except for our little chat.

I turned around, and so did my masked companion. He shouldn't have looked behind. The three young girls behind us saw him as clear as day, even with the hoodie. He wore simple and casual clothes, which were enough to disguise him as a common man, than labelling him as rich.

His face contorted in the dim light, but I couldn't read him as half his face was covered. I could only see one of his raised eyes to represent fear. He grabbed my hand and ran before I felt my own feet move.

'Damn, he's fast,' I said to myself. 'But that was kind of obvious with his slender and muscled physique.'

"Slow down a bit," I told him in a sharp, hushed tone. "My legs will tear off their sockets."

"They will tear you to pieces before that," he snapped back. "They are most probably already super jealous at seeing you."

He turned two corners before we climbed a small flight of stairs and stood against a shutter, panting as quietly as mice.

As I looked out for any sign of them, I asked quietly, "Who are they? And why are we running?"

"Sasaeng," he answered in the same tone as me. The question mark on my face made him explain the word further.

"They are obnoxious, obsessive 'fans' who stalk idols and invade on their private life. This word is pretty famous amongst singers, although it is of Korean origin. You could say it has become a part of our daily language nowadays."

My mind had already started creating a reel of possible things that thought about the two of us, what they could do and how we could ever convince them out of their wrong ideals.

"You're an idiot," I managed to breathe out. "If you took my hand like that, they'll think I'm your girlfriend or something, of course."

"And if I left you there, they would choke the air out of you, no matter what your relationship with me is," he snapped back. "Quiet now. They're here."

It wouldn't be long before they hunted us down and brought us to our knees. Time was ticking away too quickly for me to get a plan ahead of any nasty outcome.