CHAPTER 014.
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Luck paces back and forth.

Hands clutching on his disheveled silver hair, Luck looks terribly frantic as glimpses of you from earlier would make its way up to his already distraught mind.

Not only were his thoughts are in disarray, but also his emotions that he currently has no idea how to pull himself together.

This is really maddening! Luck swears that he did not really mean to say those words to you. He wasn't even supposed to say anything!

But when you gave him that look like you were so dubious of him, his mischievous nature couldn't help but be stimulated.

Before he could even manage to hold himself back, the words left his lips.

"Instead of sending you off to others, I'm just wondering if I can take you instead..."

Taunting as how it sounded, but there were a slight truth to it. At that moment, he was wondering if he can have you instead.

But then again, it's ridiculous!

It's immensely ridiculous for him to have such thoughts when you're not even his to keep—when you have men waiting for you.

Men, as in men! It's the certain detail that he should always remember.

But then...

An image of you smiling at him flashes in his mind; his heart couldn't help but throb within him.

He curls his fist but then uncurls it. He shakes his head, denying what just happened. It was only a mere second of illusion that he had the thought that your existence has an influence on him.

He squeezes his eyes shut.

An idiot—he's such an idiot! Why is he even letting you distract him? At this point, if he lets this on, his plans for you might get ruined.

And so, Luck composes himself.

He forcefully rids himself of this emotional disturbance. Flicks a hand to restore his perfect appearance. Everything seeming to be in place again. Everything, except his dark blue eyes that are way darker than its previous shade.

"Meow."

Luck tilts his head and spots a white persian cat staring straight up at him as it sat on the pebbles. Tail, swinging from left to right. The animal has been clearly waiting for his owner to acknowledge his existence.

That said owner then cannot help but smile at his pet's patience. Gently bending his body to crouch onto the ground, Luck places a hand on the furball's head.

"You must have witnessed that, huh?" He chuckles, as if the fuss he made earlier wasn't really something of a big deal.

Yellow eyes only peering at him as if waiting for some kind of explanation. Even so, the cat still maintains his composed state as he docilely allows his owner to pat and stroke his head.

"Don't worry. That's nothing. I won't let my emotions cause a ruckus again."

"Meow."

His tail begins to swish a bit violently.

Luck notes it and is quick to assure his favorite feline companion. "I hear your concerns loud and clear. Don't worry. I'll take a break from her for a little while."

The rough swishing movement finally ceases, yet the cat still remains on his guard with his yellow eyes wide and focused.

Luck weakly smiles, totally understanding where his cat's reaction coming from as he is also concerned by that.

He too does not think that it's good for him to stay beside (Y/N) for awhile—not when his current emotions are so easily influenced by the girl.

Yet even when he's highly aware of that fact, he still cannot abandon his purpose. He is a creature that doesn't turn back on his words, so he can only come up with an alternative option.

"How about you provide me some of your assistance?"
Fingers slipping from his ears to its chin, Luck strokes its weak spot in a very passionate manner. Those yellow eyes instinctively flutters shut from the pleasure.

"You wouldn't mind being her subsitute guardian, won't you?" Every brush on his chin sends over a wave of heavenly feeling. The cat's throat would occasionately rumble and give out a loud purr.

The touch stimulating Fortune so bad that it unconsciously coaxes his body to the ground, rolling on its back to reveal his very fluffy white tummy.

"The Fuck Luck can't be temporarily cancelled. So while I take a break, how about you fill-in for me. You recall the plan, right? It's not really difficult. You just watch over her and then hex the guys that are supposedly her best partners."

The cat doesn't seem to pay attention. He was too occupied with the wondrous experience.

Luck chuckles, knowing that he succeeded in luring the cat into his devised trap. Right now it's very unlikely got Fortune to refuse as he was so taken by the moment of euphoria.

And so, seeing that his plan is working, Luck halted his movements. The persian cat was then quick to nip on his hand, angry that the blissful sensation stopped.

"Meow!" the cat protested.

"I'm sorry that I have to stop, but you don't seem to be listening to what I'm saying."

Luck takes his hand back from the cat, ignoring the bite his cat just did. His teeth didn't do much anyways; it just left a red mark but not to the point that it tore through his skin.

Crossing his arms, he gave a serious look to the cat as the cat impatiently demanded in his own language what he needed his help for.

"Temporarily take my place in the Fuck Luck endeavor. Do my responsibilities for the meantime while I ease my mind. Is that fine for you?" he asks.

The cat didn't even bat an eye as he eagerly nodded.

"Meow?" Jumping on his four feet, he walked closer as if seeking more belly rubs from him.

Perceiving that his request is thoughtlessly accepted, Luck laughs and immediately does what was asked of him.

Fortune lies on his back again as he happily accepts all the rubs and strokes given by his owner. A deal being sealed so effortlessly that day.

✭ 𝕿𝖎𝖒𝖊 𝕾𝖐𝖎𝖕 ✭

Silence—everything is so silent, and awkward, and frustrating!

Well, sure you can admit that this lingering silence was your fault since you had been ignoring Dark's several attempts of starting a conversation with you; but then again, why would you bother remain friendly and engage with him when he just kidnapped you?!

You can only press your bag closer to your body for some sensation of comfort—tightening your embrace around it as you bury half of your face underneath the fabric outline.

Though you couldn't totally confirm if it does work in relieving the anxiety, not when you can actually see Dark in the corner of your eyes checking you out every once in a while.

The man seems excited for some reason.

Once, you even caught his lips twitching into a smirk in the midst of his stolen glances.

You freeze.

Sure you had seen him smiling earlier, and it made you freeze and captivated for a second—but this smirk was different. While he still looks good, you know that it did loom of an impending danger.

So you shiver, despite all his assurances that nothing is gonna happen to you. Fun might be his description for later, but who knows what he was really planning.

You flinch yet again when there was movement beside you. An arm was outstretched. You automatically shut your eyes for a second in fear that that arm might suddenly lay a hand on you.

When nothing happens, you curiously flutter it open to see that same arm reaching out to the airconditioner and reducing its cold temperature.

You blink, then you stare, wondering the cause of his actions. You must have looked so baffled that you heard him laugh beside you and answer.

"You were shivering, (Y/N). The coldness might have been too a little too much for you." Dark shakes his head, smiling, when you yet again do not bother to look at him.

The stubbornness ingrained within you truly catching his interest, yet what perks it more is the blush that spread over your cheeks of which you are pointlessly struggling to conceal from his eyes.

Is this how you caught my Star's interest?

You definitely look plain, but when you act this way... he can't help but admit that he finds you cute.

Cute...

Dark's face was with a little touch of bitterness.

Beauty doesn't a hold a candle to cuteness when the latter can ignite urges within you that are difficult to resist. Like right now, he has this urge to pinch your cheek.

Dark, remember!

She's a rival. A RIVAL.

He reminds himself, and he switches the music on to help push away such distracting thoughts. And it successfully did, but not in the way he imagined.

You jolting on your seat caught his attention once again. He sees your eyes light up in familiarity as the haunting music enters both your ears.

He raises a brow.

"A fan?" he murmurs.

"No, no." You, for the nth time, forget to not engage with him as you turn to him with a flustered reaction. "I just like this song," you squeak.

"So you do know me?"

Dark's dark gray eyes stare deeply into yours that you almost get pulled out from reality.

Drowning in its storm's intensity, you dazedly nod. He looks away to focus on the road, yet you still proceed with your reply in a quiet tone, "I know your group, of course. I might be homeless now, but I did have a life before."

"Hm?"

Dark returns his gaze—this time, curiosity swirls within these storms.

Realization dawns on you that you might have released a bit too much of personal information, and you quickly press your bag again to your face. "Don't bother to ask. I won't tell you why."

A soft sigh seems to escape his lips. Disappointed. But Dark surprisingly didn't insist and ask another question instead. A question that was quite easy, and you were more willing to entertain.

"Since you do know The Fallen, then any member that maybe caught your heart? You might not be a fan, but I'm sure that any people that come across my group have their preferences."

An index finger on your chin. A shadow of a smile can be detected on your lips, making Dark anticipate for your answer.

Is it him? Or is it Soleil?

He ponders for a second then eventually assumes that maybe it is him that you do prefer the most. A lot of women your age desire his cold image as they consider it otherworldly for someone to be so distant yet at the same time beautiful.

"You don't have—" He opens his mouth as to assure you for picking him as your preference, but his words are instantly disrupted by your voice.

"Definitely Nyx," you exclaim in a pitch that is a bit higher than your usual.

Dark's eyes widen as he looks at you.

You pay no heed to it as you explain why you choose your favorite. Your mind drifting back to the memories of how the man earned your heart. "He might look the least visually appealing from all of you, but his personality is definitely the most endearing."

"Endearing?" he echoes.

"Cute," you clarify with a soft smile. "Nyx is something, isn't he? His scary looks heavily contrasted his gentle personality, and that's what make him cute to me. In all honesty, I still don't understand why your group's fanbase prefer him the least when you and Sol combined are more bland compared to Nyx."

"Bland?"

Dark doesn't know if he should be offended.

Your eyes widen, and you immediately correct your statement. "Your image. Not you yourself. It's just that... Nyx seems true to himself while you and Sol stay true to the identities that your management gave you."

You feel your cheeks warm, and you lower your gaze in stupid embarrassment. "Meeting you, you definitely are not bland than what I expected to be. You certainly are more interesting "... and scary, you continue in your thoughts.

Fingers tightening its grip on the steering wheel. Dark didn't expect for a plain girl to be quite insightful. He hates to admit it, but your personality is not only cute yet also intriguing.

Now he doesn't question it anymore if whether Star likes you. These qualities that you have is enough for someone to be taken by you.

"Then do you prefer me now?" Dark questions.

His voice is bit lower and more serious than usual. You tilt your head to his direction and find him directing you a very earnest gaze.

You press your lips, suddenly feeling fear. While he doesn't elicit anger right now, how he doesn't express any of his thoughts and emotions at all scares you for what he has in mind.

"... I prefer cute." Your voice is tiny.

After staring a bit more longer, he looks away.

You let out a breath as you immediately turn to the window in your other side.

No traffic in sight, thankfully.

You hope that this ride with him will be over soon. You just can't handle the awkwardness surrounding the two of you guys despite your favorite music being played in the background.

You shut your eyes.

A song of obsession and madness.

You are not really fond of horror, but how the young man expressed his deranged love in words and an enthralling tune touches your heart.

The desperation for his love to be felt hurts him so much that he made the initiative to rip his heart out of his chest and offer it to his love.

Nyx, who played the part of the man, died by the end of the music video; but nonetheless, he was in bliss to see the terrified eyes of his woman recognize his crazed passion.

The haunting lullaby lulls you to sleep.

Dark takes note of that.

A frown adorning his indifferent face as he returns his attention to the road.

"I should thank any deities out there that Star isn't your type of preference," the young man mutters under his breath as he runs a hand across his dyed black hair.

For a second, he was worried; but isn't he quite fortunate that beauty doesn't hold a candle to cuteness.

Whatever Star does, nothing won't certainly catch your attention. Well, not unless he tries to be cute, but his pride won't let him succumb to such an act.

Now—Dark rests his head on the window. Maybe the next step is to introduce you to someone else before his dear Star makes his move on you.

And which better person is that?

Dark smirks.