Chapter 3

          Scanning the whole area isn't really a great idea. Now, everybody's eyes have an immense anticipation at me which makes me even more uncomfortable. The vocalist thrilled their attentions, and I can't move any slightest bit of my muscles because of it. I am starting to feel the chill inside, slowly engulfing me bit by bit. How I will respond to this kind of unexpected matter if my body's framework doesn't work accordingly.

          I always hated to be recognized by these kinds of people, and receiving too much attention wasn't good either. As much as possible I am trying to avoid them, to avoid their mean insults. Needless to say, I became too much conscious about what are they going to say, for the reason I don't want to be judged or to be wronged in their sights. I am aware that they would only make fun of my flaws and imperfections more than acknowledging and valuing my feelings. But this tough-looking girl wouldn't be easily wavering to their harsh comments. Perhaps the real conflict now is this 'jam thing'.

         "Are you okay?" the vocalist went down on stage.

         I, who am still floating with my unsettled thoughts, have been flabbergasted again. This guy held both of my shoulders and slightly bent his head forward to mine, leaving my heart completely rattled. This type of gesture made my bloodstream flows down through my veins rapidly. I think my face is burning into a red-hot tomato. No guy had ever done this before. No one does touch my face, ever, specifically guys. I totally felt the discomfort and awkwardness in his style of touching, but nevertheless I believe this is the spark that I've been waiting for so long.

           Snap the crap, Aeries.

          The entire crowd was buzzing like bees, shouting in giddily and abuzz while viewing us like this. Yet, this couldn't be more interesting if I'll make an eye-to-eye contact with him or more excitingly if I'll move my face a little bit more to him while sustaining this posture and then we passionately kiss. Well, that will be absolutely humiliating if that choice wins and it's really disgusting.

          As I cautiously but directly glanced into his eyes, I am hoping that he is doing it, too. But unfortunately, I caught him stifling a laugh when our eyes met. Then it was at this moment, I knew I fucked up. I immediately perceive that this was only a show that he planned to. How silly I am to easily fall for it. I detach his hands from my shoulders and just send him a scowl.

          He only smirks at me, implying the 'I got you' look and he returned back on the platform to come along with his band mates. They gave each other a high five, and they praised this jerk for messing me up. My reputation could be tainted tonight but these people didn't do anything to upset me more. Although some of them were murmuring something with plastered meaningful frowns in their faces and while others didn't care much. That could be much better to lessen my fear of being ashamed for many times in a day. Further than that, I should admit he caught me off guard, and still, I was so foolish to imagine that I'll have spark with him. It was obviously a living fantasy of mine.

          "Would you like to jam with us, Ms. Tomato?"

          The audience chimes in with 'oh' once he called me that not-so-likeable-nickname. It's not a casual request but rather a challenge. What is his deal anyway? He keeps provoking me with that annoying nickname as he also encouraging these people to say it louder. We've just only met and he's already getting on my nerves. If he wishes to push me through my certain limit, then I'll give him a taste of his own medicine.

          I gesture everyone to be quiet, "When shall we start, you son of a witch?" I grimaced as I also flipped my unbraided hair.

          At that moment, I knew I should be bothered on making that much-more-calling-of-attention scene. Well, he started first to trigger this audacity I'm exhibiting at this time. It surely instigated an undeniable exhilaration in the area. They are cheering me so loud and proud as if they were runaway monkeys that have been escaped in their own cages. Then bolt from the blue, the calm and demure customers turned out enthusiastic and extremely excited to this senseless jam.

          I pace toward their direction while trying to settle some peace of mind and stillness of restlessness in my body. I tried to hide the fidgeting of my hand as I keep on reassuring myself that I'll just sing with him so there should be no problem then. I have a stage fright to subdue in order to accomplish this. After I arrived on the middle, the vocalist abruptly moved his feet backward and mouthed me something.

          I stare at him so unbelievably. He is such an a-hole. I had a no chance to disagree since I'm all alone on stage. I am correct, they were testing me. Besides, even if I complain, nothing will happen in a pleasing way. I only mull over for a bit to internalize the emotions that are needed to my song choice. Once I am good, I signal them to hit it.

          The music starts first with a very sad tune intro, not until it subsequently shifts from lively and energetic beat. I will show them how this should be done. I sing the first verse with full of emotions, and all of them are clapping their hands synchronically as they enjoying my breathtaking performance. Some of them are singing certain lyrics and jiving with me, and others are swaying their hands fanatically at the same time.

          As soon as the end part of the first verse is coming, I tend to give all of my might to reach the high-pitch chorus. After I successfully hit the high note, I knew I nailed it. That's a risky job for a person who didn't practice for quite long. I dance a little bit and then continue the second verse until I finished. I saw all of them giving me a standing ovation and their cheers got even louder. I am so gratified that they were entertained. It feels so new to this kind of atmosphere.

          "Thank you everyone! I hope you all enjoy my performance! Keep visiting El Dorado!" I bow my head and then the vocalist approaches me to take the microphone on my hands.

          "Everybody let's give her again a round of applause!"

          Beneath in his dark brown eyes, he seems impressed at my powerful performance by motioning that full thumbs up to me. Then, he briskly placed his arm to my shoulder and went nearer to my face.

          "Nice performance—" he stopped and looked at my chest, "Aeries," and smiled so pervertedly.

          I quickly crossed my arms across to my chest in order to protect myself from any form of sexual harassment. Even though it's too late to do it now, prevention is still better than cure. I also removed his arm to my shoulder to put a stop to any nastier actions from him. This could be another act he arranged to redirect some attentions again.

          "I am—"

         "Pervert," I shut him off. "You are a pervert who stares to an innocent girl's breast. By doing that you asked her to jam with you but you never did at all. She only sang alone, jerk!"

          He cackled out loud, "For your information, I had no intention on looking at your 'grade school' size breast. I am looking for your name, birdbrain. Don't assume much."

          That statement surprisingly left me speechless for a moment, pondering whether I should slap him or throw him off on the floor. He personally attacked me and I'm completely offended with that remark. I can't bicker back because I didn't see that coming. He just tapped my shoulder and headed back to his friends as he started to claim their money. They still have time to bet me in their betting game.

          I simply yet hastily abandon the stage, but the crowd remained cheering my so-to-be-called-nickname from now on. Even some are asking me if I could sing one more and they'll pay me double but I refused to. I am not going back here anymore even if I'm truly honored to their warm welcome and acceptance. Still, I will never forget how that vocalist used 'grade school' as his metaphor to my breast.

          On my way back to the restaurant, I had this sort of feeling that restrained me to continue. As I am eyeing him on one of those stool chairs, I can ensure you that his ferocious aura is pouring out from his body. My gladness a while ago shrank up as soon as I gape at his demonic steps from here.

          I gritted my teeth in jumpy, thinking what should I do in this terrifying scenario. Before I could think clearly, the only thing I did was to turn my expression stoical so he couldn't sense I'm afraid of him though I really am. I am ruminating for some reasonable and palpable reasons why he has this monstrous facial expression. Until, it came to my senses why he was like that.

          I ditched some time of my duty hours.

          "Aeries!" he bellowed at me when I about to escape. "Where did you think you're going?"

          I unhurriedly twirled my head. I tried to ignore him but that will be more dangerous, 'I-In t-the restroom, sir?'

          "Come here," he beckoned.

          Shoot. My burial plan isn't ready yet.

          I carefully came toward him while keeping a cautious eye-to-eye contact. I couldn't really decrypt his emotions, whether he is mad or cool due to his cold and spiritless eyes. He never shows any amount of emotions as of this moment and I am getting anxious about it. Plus, he didn't wear anymore his weird Prof. Oak attire. He came back as the terrifying yet daddy figure manager of ours.

          Mr. Ok stood before me, towering my teeny-weeny existence. His bulky figure makes me petrify on my spot, like he might strangle me with his buff biceps any second. I suppose he will scold me, but instead he just tapped my head and muttered something I didn't expect.

          "I saw you singing..."

          I titled my head, looking so baffled, "D-Did y-you see—"

          "Yes, very clearly," he revealed. "And I am impressed."

          For the first time in my life, hearing Mr. Ok's comment over my performance was an ultimately bombshell. That was the most beautiful thing he had ever told me in these past three months. I thought he'll yell at me so loudly or he might choke me—and that's the wildest yet weirdest idea I ever thought. You know what I mean with that. The main point here, I am not evicted yet.

          "I'll let you pass tonight," he said. "You can take off your shift. Thank you for your hard work. See you tomorrow."

          Once that chance came in, I just thank him for letting me to slip this. I shouldn't say much since I made a mistake by this circumstance. This proves that he can be a nice boss at times. I am going to document and write this once-in-a-blue-moon happening. I hurriedly changed my clothes and packed up my things and went outside to go home. And to share with you, somebody is unexpectedly waiting for me.

          "Aeries..."

          I took a glimpse at him, giving him a vibe of impassively, "I thought you're still mad?"

          "Well, you know... I am but I can't. And I am sorry that I'm not. I mean—ugh, just forget about it."

          I only sent him a skeptical look. Glancing over his facial expression, he is quite uneasy and gawky. Tiny droplets of sweats are dripping over down to his temples. He slightly bit his thin lips back and forth and so on, and he can't be seen as relax. It's very unusual to see him like that. Maybe he feels guilty about what happened with that so-called mature issue. No one should be dealing it as a big one. In fact, I should be the one who's accountable for that insensitive thing (not really).

          "Did you wait me outside just to tell that?"

          "No—I mean, yes."

          "I am sorry for wasting your precious time. You should go home now before your horns and tail comes out and wags off in public." I chuckled.

          "Would you mind if I walk with you in your house?" he asked firmly. "It's already late you know. Like yeah, if it's okay with you," then tittered nervously afterwards.

          I beamed, "No need. I can handle myself."

          Good thing he didn't persist to accompany me to my home. I make sure he took a taxi and had gone far away before I could proceed. No one was taking care of my dad and he was all alone there. Like what I said, my father had a severe illness that needs serious attention. I even requested some of my neighbors to check him if he eats his food or can visit him twice a day if they have some free time. He needs someone to talk to. It may be too much to ask but that's the only way I can do. Although my father can still walk and do some stuff but I prohibited him from doing so much of it.

          While walking on a dark narrow street alone, dogs from different neighborhoods are barking at me as if they detected an unrecognized person walking on this road. What's wrong with them? I always used this street for like a thousand times and they don't even bark if they saw me.

          But on the spur of moment, I begin to hear plods behind my back. I turn around to figure out who it is, but there's no one except from my shadow produced by the dim light of the one and only post. I shrug my shoulders and continue moving. After a minute or so, I heard another sound of those steps. I know that I am not hallucinating or just tired from work. No one would ever follow me at this late hour unless it has a plan to do something horribly. Someone is following me in purpose, I am ascertained with that. I am too eager to look—I took a glance again.

          I spotted nothing.

          To make sure the street is clear, I step backwards guardedly yet suspiciously to inspect the post area until...

          "Meow," a black homeless cat pounced out.

          I was entirely shocked for a bit. Dogs might be barking at me through the existence of this cat. Apparently, those footsteps didn't come from a cat since they have inaudible movements. I am sure someone is following me and whoever it is, I should be striding the road now.

          In the middle of my fast and long pacing, I recognize a guy wearing a black hoodie and a cap and a black face mask. I can't see him very evidently but he is leaning on the wall as if he was waiting for someone to walk through this street. When l critically studied him even if it was dark, I partly seen his somewhat deadly and scary glare at me. At that instant, a bloodcurdling stimulus triggers my amygdala.

          I pass through him very keenly once I perceived that peculiar behavior. I heard he also took steps after, following my trail with a far distance of three meters. I decided to trot another route to walk on so I can confuse and mislead him but he is still able to track me whenever I go. Each seconds that passed, he was approaching me faster than he used to. As a result of that nerve-wracking feeling, I chose to dash as fast as I can to flee. But the terrible news is he also dashed toward my direction but with a faster speed. It burst out a tremendous adrenaline rush that gushes up through my veins above heaven. I tried to call for a help but no one comes to respond.

         With also a strike of unluckiness, no one wants to be tripped over on a pile of trashes. Even if I badly fell on it, smelled very stinky, and had scratches on my knees and elbows, I endured it and rushed away from that place as soon as possible. The moment I sighted my house around the corner and saw this tall guy, I didn't hesitate to cry for help.

          "Help me!"

         He shifts his attention, viewing me in my worst frightened state. I instantly hide on his wide back, talking a lot of things about that guy who's following me. He asks me to calm down but that didn't stop me to say what's going on. I even point the place where the last time I saw him. But once my heightened energy reached its lowest peak, I slumped down in exhaustion and heavily breathe. I started to breathe harder because my lungs are congesting in pain. I can't rebreathe properly. Without a minute, everything I see went black.

I don't know what happened next. Only I know is, it all started this way.

To be continued...