JUDE
The city of Toros is a city where every creative, every young soul comes to make all their dreams come true.
It's the final destination to come, be an idol, and rise as a star in the whole world. It's a coveted city, a city full of hope and dreams, a city that will swallow you alive.
I can't keep my eyes out of the window as the van stops in one of the countless high-rises, the front shimmering with tiny lights that seem to disappear to the dark clouds up the sky.
Teri, the guy who has been smiling and engaging in small talk the whole ride takes my hand and helps me out of the van. There are two guards manning the revolving doors but they don't stop us as we pass through the doors heading towards the elevator.
When he said that there would be an after party, I thought we would go to a residential area, similar to ours.
We step inside the elevator and the rest of the guys start getting on too but he stops them. "Catch the next one," with a chuckle, he presses the close button, and the last thing I see is miko's face.
"Nervous?"
Yes. "Oh, I am just a little flustered from the amazing performance."
Teri leans on the silver railing. "You don't have to be nervous around me. We are now workmates. Don't be so formal."
"Okay."
"You can't even look at me."
I dart my eyes at him before looking away again. He chuckles before leaning in. My heart lurches in my throat as I feel him getting closer.
"Relax," his hand reaches behind me, pressing a button. "We didn't key the floor we are going.
"Oh," I exhale, chuckling. I am making a fool of myself. The PH button is now green.
"Did you think I was making a move on you?"
"uhm, I didn't-"
"I wasn't. You are very cute that's why I am keeping you close. But you are not really my type."
I am so relieved that I sigh in relief.
That makes him laugh. "Don't be so relieved. I said you arent my type, didn't say I don't find you attractive," he winks at me.
"What's your type?" that seems like a safe direction to go to.
"Well," he cocks his head to the side making his long blue hair curtain the side of his face. "I prefer when they are very angst. Problematic and has issues. They drive me crazy but I like it like that," he is thinking about someone.
"But you look like a darling," he touches my chin with his finger. "The very opposite of that. You would be good for me. What do you think?"
"You're not my type," I move my face which only makes him laugh.
"Oh, darling but I am everyone's type. But I have a feeling that your type is almost similar to mine."
"I don't think so," I look at the ascending numbers on the small screen above. Why is it taking long to get to the floor we are supposed to be?
"Wanna bet?" he stands next to me, shoulder bumping. "You and I are going to have a very good time tonight. I hear this is your first sighting. It's my duty as your senior to give you a proper welcome in this big sinful city of ours. What do you say?"
The elevator doors chime and they start to slide open.
When I don't say anything, he links an arm around my neck and we step out of the elevator. "You are so adorable. I am going to have fun with you tonight."
"Not so much fun." I think I have landed myself in a little hiccup. I don't want to irritate him, respect is key here but also … I am so nervous I feel like I am about to puke.
"There is no other way! I have to corrupt you."
And with that, we step into a foyer that is straight of dramas, beautiful people dressed to the nines holding glasses all mingling.
"Welcome to your first celebrity party."
…
"The color suits you."
Teri touches my hair. I chuckle, getting, ducking away from his touch. After three glasses of I don't know what that Teri has been offering me; a sweet drink that is making me less nervous, I am less tense around him.
"I dyed it last night," I take a sip of my drink my eyes finding themselves across the room, where they have been fleeting now and then.
Teri's eyebrows raise. "You?"
"No, miko did it for me."
"Well," he smirks following my line of sight. "I didn't know our dark knight had a golden hand in the beauty industry."
I haven't rejoined my group, Teri insisting on us being away from the rest of the people, just talking and drinking as we watch others from where we are seated.
If I didn't know any better, I would assume he was holding me hostage to make someone jealous but so far, there hasn't been any weird looks thrown my way from any girl. No one has come to claim his attention either.
I might be overthinking.
"Why are we seated here? Shouldn't we mingle?" I have come to realize that he is a very chill guy, perhaps an opposite of what he has portrayed to the world.
"Bored of me already? You're ruthless," he touches his chest.
"No, I mean I don't want you to be bored here."
"I am not bored," his fingers start trailing on my shoulder. "Unless you are?"
He is flirting again.
But he isnt into it, his eyes are distracted, being playful but not meaning it. I might not have been very outgoing and popular with the girls but I know when someone is just passing time, doing things because they have to but not truly meaning it.
It should make me uncomfortable that a guy is flirting with me, but I know that Teri doesn't like me and that makes me breathe a little easier.
Plus I see something in him that I can relate to. I don't know what yet, I just feel like we are alike almost, but again, I could be wrong.
"I prefer it here actually," I smile sighing and looking around the penthouse. "I know it's my first party and I should be mingling but I am scared of first time encounters."
"But you look like an extrovert."
"It's all new to me," I exhale again, sinking further in my seat. "All of this is new and I don't know where I belong yet. It will take time to adjust and get used to it."
"I remember my first time too, right before our debut. The company was small and upcoming, which meant that we didn't have the kind of privileges we have now. So we had to suck up and smile, greet all these rich people, and hope to impress them enough to donate and support our company.
"It was ruthless," he sighs, pulling his hand back from my shoulder. "I puked on my first public sighting and had to walk right out and greet a potential donor afterward. All I wanted was to be in my bed and sleep."
"Did you think you would be here now?"