CHAPTER 008.
✰ ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
✰ ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰ ✰

Returning the hair brush inside your bag as you zip it close afterwards, you are still constantly being pestered by that freaking annoying Luck.

Gosh—and you thought that with Star gone, you can finally have your peace.

Unfortunately for you, Luck just has to pop out again and act like he's a mediator for Star. Ever since you stepped out from the bathroom, the guy has been endlessly insisting you to accept Star's proposition.

Sure, the benefits that roll off his silver tongue sounds tempting, but—BUT!

You are not too much of an idiot to actually forget that you are still cursed with some fuck luck. You cannot take any chances. Just recalling Star's strange offer earlier further deepens your resolution to refuse.

"Oh come on—" Luck whines.

"You should really accept the offer," he sweetly coaxes, pacing back and forth behind you. "Can't you see? He is just being nice to you."

Luck slightly shakes his head to himself as if to pity the gold-haired actor. "Poor guy. Why do you keep rejecting the gentleman?"

You give him an incredulous look. "He wants me to stay and 'amuse' him in exchange for his hospitality. Do you not get what he's trying to say?" you ask.

Although you can be an idiot at times, you are not that idiotic enough to overlook his words. Or are you just over reacting? You have no idea, but it's still better to be careful.

There must be something going on unknown to your knowledge. Luck and his desperate persuasions convince you further to be wary of such offer.

"Oh don't think too much on it, (Y/N)."

He waves his hand off, softly chucking.

"But just so that your nerves can settle down, I'll tell you. You do not really have to worry that much about your safety because... if anyone ever tries to hurt you, I'll be here to protect you," Luck assures you.

You give him a look, a long one, trying to analyze if his words hold truth. In the end... you cannot seem to grasp anything but the sparkles in his mystical blue eyes. You retreat your gaze; cheeks dust red. Your heart trembling from the useless eye contact.

"I see...." you then murmur as if finally acknowledging the protection he claims to give.

Cute, Luck cannot help but coo at such a timid reaction, only lasting for a short while though as the silver haired being eventually remembers that he still has to convince you.

"But seriously, you are wasting an opportunity, (Y/N)!" he exclaims, snapping you out of your blushing state. "I mean, Star is a famous actor. Fan or not; you can gain a lot of benefits with him by your side."

He places a hand on your shoulder as he enthusiastically continues to entice you the idea.

"You can gain connection, fame, and wealth! Plus! You can also meet other famous celebrities and attend grand parties. Maybe, he'll also let you go abroad."

"And have a bunch of haters?"

You snort, brushing his hand off you.

"No thanks" You scrunch your face, unintrigued. "I don't want to see myself get hurt and hated on... just because I stole someone's beloved idol."

You reach for your backpack and begin to walk towards the door, determined to leave this luxurious place. Luck frowns, but he still tries to persuade you.

"Really, (Y/N)? Don't you trust me?" He frowns. "I told you, I'll protect you. I won't let anyone harm you. And I don't think Star would also let you get harmed; he wi—"

You halt, turning around to face him.

"Geez, Luck! You gotta stop. Your words are no use! I won't change my mind no matter wha—" The sentence never finished as a startled gasp instead concludes your statement.

Without a warning from anything or anyone, you found your faces close to each other. Both faces flaring shades of bright red.. This is probably the first time you see his blue eyes go wide.

But you were taken aback too...

Although he is blushing hard, he does not bother to step back and create some distance between the both of you. Instead he only freaking stares at you!

You bite the back of your cheeks as you realize that you have to be exactly the one who has to do something with this awkward situation.

You take three steps backwards.

"Why the hell are you walking so close to me?"

You yell in a hush tone. Although terribly flustered with that earlier awkward scene, you are still perfectly aware of your current situation.. You cannot let anyone find out Luck's existence.

Dark blue eyes, blinking; Luck later snaps out from his trance as he quickly looks away.

Shyly, he stammers, "I—I never guessed that you would suddenly turn around."

You narrow your eyes at him in suspicion before slowly eventually placing your hands over your chest. You then sense your heart still beating a bit too fast than usual; so you try to force out an exhale—trying to settle down its erratic rhythm.

"Well you shocked me there," you breathe out. "I almost had a heart attack."

His blue eyes dim.

"You're not the only one, you know..."

What?

Then his presence dissipates into nothingness—and you are left standing there in the room. Alone and astounded.

You gape at the air before you.

Seriously?!

Time drifts by, and it doesn't seem like Luck will appear any few second now. You can only bit your lip and give your head a shake. Sighing, you finally turn around and leave the guest room.

You have your head hung down as you think back to the crazy mystical being. A distasteful expression settling on your face as you just ponder what's up with him.

And he insists that he will always be there to protect me whenever there is danger.

A bitter laugh escapes your throat; you tighten your hold onto your backpack.

He only seems to appear and disappear whenever he wants to.

✭ 𝕿𝖎𝖒𝖊 𝕾𝖐𝖎𝖕 ✭

Fortunately you didn't have that much of a difficult time in navigating your way out as you have previously took it upon yourself to memorize the directions last night.

Of course, your memory wasn't perfect as you still find yourself getting lost a few times in the corridors; but it still does serve you some help as, at least, it didn't take you until night time to reach the lobby.

Your grip on your back pack automatically tightening as you also happen to perceive Star at the lobby. He doesn't notice you at first as he has his eyes concentrated on his phone.

His thick brows furrowed together. He seems stressed at the moment. But then when Star looks up and sees your form, the agitation slightly fades.

However, it does not take a moment for a frown to settle on his face once his electric blue eyes slowly dart to the bag you're holding.

"You're really leaving?"

His tone does not even mask the disappointment he feels. He thought that you will at least consider it, but it doesn't even seem like you gave it another thought.

Is his house really that uncomfortable to you—or is it actually him? You would really rather place yourself in dangerous situations than b̷̧͖̝͉̯͔͎̋͊̉̌͐̕̕͜͝ę̴̺͖̙͗̆̄̾̀̚͝ ̶̖̳̞̺̼͕̐̇w̵̻̩̻̪̭̼̮̺͇̓̇͊͗̍̚͜͝i̵͉̻̝̻͈̋̂́ṯ̵̍̃̒h̷͈̺̮̫̩͋̓̏͛͑̄̆̄͆̓ ̷͇̜͖̀̔͌́̏͋h̴̛̻̱̥̰̘̥̰̠̽̐̑͊͛̏̈͝i̴̡̟̱̯̅m̸̛̪̬̟̽̀́̕?

He unconsciously grips his phone harder—the device in his hold seeming to tremble from the strength he's giving off.

Of course, you fail to notice it as you are a bit too far to even witness such gestures. Instead you just give him a nod, timidly murmuring your gratitude then apologizing again for the inconveniences you brought him.

Although you really want to accompany your words with a smile to make it less awkward between you guys, there seems to be an icy atmosphere hanging in the air; so you choose not to.

Star's expression does not help with the atmosphere. He really looks so displeased. He doesn't even say anything back!

Realizing that the actor won't reply, you nod and proceed on your way. You can still feel his gaze on your back, but you shrug it off. You internally hope that you won't cross paths with him again. But it you do encounter him in the future, you'll choose to run to the opposite direction that time around.

This will be the last time. I hope.

Good bye, you mentally adieu.

But as you do that.. it suddenly dawns onto you that you have never really forwarded him a proper farewell earlier. So you put your movements into a stop. You tilt your head, looking over your shoulders.

I mean—since it's the last time I'm gonna see him, then maybe I should give him a proper farewell. You sigh as you perceive those electric blue eyes instantly glint with hope upon seeing you turn to him.

He looks so happy...

You blink at his expression; your heart swelling in pity, but you still continue to squash those hope.

"Good bye," you call out to him.

Goodbye?

His body suddenly goes stiff as he dumbly looks at you waving a hand at him. His hope is mercilessly shattered the moment you open your mouth.

"Good... bye..."

His voice, laced with thick bitterness. The young actor reluctantly returns the farewell. However, saying those words felt like a tedious task for him—it felt like there were stones lodged in his throat!

He never thought bidding farewells to a stranger can be soo difficult...

Stranger?

He blinks at your figure. Yes, you're just someone who he had happened to pass by.

Star lets out a weak grin, finally nodding towards your direction—sending it as a cue for you to go on and leave his mansion... and his life.

At his response, you nod back and grin.