I stood outside the huge building under the night sky. The wind was kinda heavy today, so my hair kept flying around under my cap. I breathed out, a small cloud of condensation, before I pulled my mask back up. I was used to cold by now, but sometimes it gets a bit too much.

I shoved my hands into my pockets, because, ice patterns were starting to form on my skin.

I failed miserably today, I don't know what exactly pissed her off like that. I thought this would be easy, but it looks like the universe was mocking me. Why couldn't it just be any of the stupid girls who would bow to my feet for a couple of those green papers.

I groaned in annoyance, my teeth gritted tightly. "All I am asking for is a stupid human heart. Why does that need to be this hard." I continued walking on the sidewalk, my steps heavy and fast.

But suddenly something caught my attention, I glanced up at a small store in the middle of nowhere, I guess it was a convenient store, but half of its sign lights were off, so I wasn't sure.

But what caught my attention was that shiny blonde hair, It was... Melody? But I thought she had left a while ago.

A really huge and tall man got out of the store, and I could see she clearly tensed up. He has taned skin and a couple of snake tattoos all over his arm and neck.

I turned my full attention to them because that man clearly didn't look so friendly. He said something, and she nodded hesitantly, then reached in her bag and took something out. She handed it to him and backed away a bit.

Suddenly, he started laughing loudly that I could hear it from here, and then out of nowhere, he...

Punched her!!?

She was as fragile as glass, so she was knocked into the ground with ease. I couldn't believe my eyes. My eyes were almost going to pop out from how surprised I was.

She tried to get up, but he kicked her side roughly, only for her to just lay there defeated.

I felt a surge of adrenaline pump into my viens, that for a milli second, both my eyes turned light shiny blue and back again to normal. My legs moved on their own, and I found myself walking towards them really fast, not even caring about the passing cars that almost hit me.

The man grabbed a thick cylinder stick and held it over his head, ready to strike her with it. "You know what happens to those who disobey me!!?" He snorted loudly.

But just when the stick came down, without thinking I stood in front of her, taking all of its force on my shoulder, that the stick snapped in half.

I let out a chocked gasp because obviously that hurt like hell.

"Huh!!? Who the fuck are you, and what do you think you're doing!?" The man yelled furiously and threw the broken half into the ground.

I coughed a bit then forced myself to stand straight, completely blocking her from his sight. "I think I should ask YOU, who the actual fuck do you think you are hurting a girl like that!?"

He was a bit taller than me, and ridiculously huge. His face was full of scares that extended to his neck. "And why is that your damn business pretty boy!? Trying to play the hero here? I can easily snap your damn neck with my fingers!!" He spat harshly.

I gritted my teeth and glared back at him. "What do you want from her...?" I uttered in low growel, my breath coming out in soft slow clouds.

"This girl owes me, she was supposed to give me 500 damn bucks but look at this ridiculous amount of money she handed me." He said mockingly as he held some money up then threw it into my face.

So money is the problem!? That's good.

I frowned and looked up at him coldly. "How much do you need?"

He raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms over his broad chest. "You'll pay or something?"

"Yes" I whispered darkly.

His face seemed to light up, and a huge evil grin spread across his sweaty face. "Since you want to act really brave... how about a thousand?"

Melody stood up and tugged on my jacket weakly. "Stop... you don't have to..." she whispered in a small shaky voice.

I glanced back at her, only to see a huge bruise on her left cheek, which made my blood boil over again.

I glared at the man, took out two 500 dollar bills, and threw them into his face. "Here is your stupid money. Will you leave her alone now?"

The man looked stunned that I actually gave him that amount of money without histation. But he picked them up and nodded. "For now, I guess..." He said with a shrug as he smiled darkly at her.

I noticed, so I extended my arm protectively in front of her. "Leave." I growled in a low threatening voice.

He smirked then with one last look at her he turned around and got back into the store.

The minute we weren't in danger anymore. I stumbled a bit, the adrenaline from that unexpected confrontation starting to wear off and my shoulder throbbing with pain. I grimaced as I leaned against the wall, the events of the last few minutes still fresh in my mind.

She was still sobbing beside me, her voice trembling as she snapped at me. "Why did you do this? I didn't ask for any help."

I forced myself to straighten up a bit, wincing as my shoulder protested in pain. "And was I supposed to just let him keep beating the crap out of you?" I retorted, my voice gruff.

She sniffed and wiped her tears on the sleeve of her shirt, her shoulders shaking slightly. "I can take care of myself -"

I couldn't help but scoff, raising an eyebrow at her stubbornness. "Sure you can. That's why you were lying on the ground half unconscious, right?"

I sighed and massaged my shoulder, trying to ease the pain a bit.

She clenched both her fists tightly."I don't want to owe you anything!"

"Owe me? Oh, that... Don't worry about it. Consider it as a gift since you refused to accept the one I gave you earlier."

She shot me a glare through tear-stained eyes, clearly still feeling on edge. "I don't need your help. I am not a charity case." She looked away visibly, shivering.

I sighed again, then took off my jacket and threw it over her head. "Put some ice on that bruise when you're back home. Your grandma will definitely freak out."

She just stared at me in surprise for a moment before she pulled it off her head. "I don't need your jacket either, Romeo!" She exclaimed sarcastically.

I glanced at her coldly. "You'll take it. It's not a choice." I shoved my hands into the pockets of my pants.

"But you're going to get hypothermia in that short-sleeved shirt!" She called after me.

I just shrugged, crossing my arms behind my head. "The cold never bothers me anymore~" I quoted that specific line from Frozen sarcastically.

"Are you insane!?"

"Maybe~" Anyways, I am starving, I literally ate nothing since I had so many photo shoots today."

She looked at me up and down. "You just got a freaking stick broken on your back, and you're thinking about food!?"

I winced a bit at her loud voice. "Oh come on, it won't hurt to eat a bit, will it?" I grabbed her hand and pulled her by my side.

"Come on, I want you to show me the best restaurant in this area. Consider it as a payback for saving you since you don't want 'any gifts'"

She stumbled a bit with the sudden pull but regained her footing and gave me a disapproving glare. "You're such an idiot, you know that?"

I chuckled and shrugged, walking alongside her. "You can call me whatever you want, but it won't change anything."

She rolled her eyes but didn't protest further, probably realizing it was pointless trying to argue with me. "Fine, I guess I owe you at least that much."

~~~~

We arrived at a cozy restaurant, there weren't many people there, since it was late. I sat her down on one of the tables and then went to order. I obviously understood nothing, so I got one of everything. I wanted to try them all anyway.

Soon, the plates arrived, and she looked at me surprisingly when she saw the amount of food I ordered. "You waste your money as if it grows on trees, you know that?"

I just shrugged and handed her the chopsticks. "I have more than enough. Don't worry about it much. Just eat you look pale."

She took the chopsticks from me, giving me another disapproving look. "I don't know if it's your overconfidence or stupidity that bothers me more," she said, picking up some rice.

I chuckled and grabbed a pair of chopsticks for myself, already digging into the food. "Why not both?"

She rolled her eyes but also started to eat, but I could see a hint of a faint satisfied smile.

After a while of eating in silence, she glanced up at me, and I was already looking at her, with my mouth stuffed to the fullest.

She suddenly Started laughing. "Why do you always eat like that?"

I tilted my head, while shoving another piece of whatever my hand could reach. "Like what?" I uttered my voice muffled.

She continued laughing, covering her mouth with her hand. "Like you haven't seen food in years."

I swallowed the food in my mouth and smiled, still holding the chopsticks in my hand. "Hey, cut me some slack. This is the first real meal I've had today. Model life is hard, you know?"

She rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah, true."

I grabbed the water cup and chugged the whole thing in one sip. I kind of slammed it back on the table with a satisfied sigh. "Damn, I feel so full."

She chuckled and shook her head. "You're like a bottomless pit. Where do you store it all?"

I shrugged and leaned back in my chair while patting on my chest. "Where do you think all these muscles came from?"

She rolled her eyes, but a small smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "I think you ate enough for three people."

"Unlike you, girl. you barely finished one plate."

"That's normal!"

I giggled, as I rested my head on my hand, my hair resting on my forehead and eyes gently. "For weak people like you~"

She shot me a mock glare. "Hey! I'm not weak. I can eat as much as you do!"

I raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on my lips. "Oh really? Prove it, then."

"I Will!" She gave me a challenging glare. And almost immediately got the biggest piece of meat and shoved it into her mouth. Making her cheeks round and full.

I just kept laughing at her cute stubbornness.

.....

....

...
...

After chatting for like half an hour, I helped her get home safe. I tried asking about the guy again, but she just changed the subject and said that it's personal stuff. So I respected that.

I walked quietly along the sidewalk, the light from the street lamps casting a soft glow on the night. My thoughts were a chaotic mess, and I struggled to bring myself back to reality.

Her smile, her laughter, the sparkle in her eyes... It had all felt so genuine...

I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts. This was just part of the plan. Nothing more. She was just a human, a means to an end.

Focus. I had to focus. I couldn't let emotions get in the way again.

No matter how kind those eyes are, I can't let myself get tricked by them.

I am seriously just an idiot...

<<<~~~~>>>