ENTWINED
Chapter 6
The mall was packed which was odd cause it was a weekday and is after lunchtime. We had to go all the way to the top to only find a parking space due to luck.
“Really packed today” Erica commented.
“I know right” I agreed as the both of us got down the car and made our way to the elevators.
When we finally reached the ground floor, we realized why the mall was so crowded today. Some celebrity is performing live today and there’s a stage set up for him or her right in the center of the ground floor. The fans were all gathered around the stage waiting to get a peek and cheering.
“Do you wanna go somewhere else?” Erica suddenly asked.
“Not comfortable with crowds?” I questioned.
“My work requires me to perform on a stage, do you think I’m bothered by crowds?” she asked in a proud tone but even so, I could notice there was something wrong with her expression, it was as if something was bothering her.
“Something is definitely bothering her” Nanami agreed.
“I’m okay with a crowd, but if you wanna go somewhere else, we can go” I answered.
“Sorry, let's go somewhere else” Erica suggested.
As we were making our way back to the elevator, the fans started to cheer, and a loud voice called out to Erica.
“Is that who I think it is?” asked the male voice “Erica?”
“Someone, you know?” I stopped to turn around to see who it was but was stopped by Erica.
“Don’t” she instructed “Pretend you didn’t hear that and let's go before he does something stupid”
“Who?” I questioned as Erica pulled me ahead away from the stage.
“That is you isn’t it Erica?” the voice asked again, “Hey guys, can you guys help me find out whether that’s my friend? The first one gets to take a selfie with me.”
“Oh no,” Erica said in horror. “Get ready to run.”
Before I could react, she pulled my arm harder as we ran away as far as we could as the swarm of fans started chasing us.
“This is actually a crime” I shouted as we run.
“Tell that to the crazy fans” Erica replied pointing at the escalator going down.
“I don’t think going down is a good idea, we should go up” I suggested pointing at the one going up.
“How bout the both of you go hide in a store or something?” Nanami suggested.
Listening to her suggestion, I grabbed onto Erica’s arm and straight carried her up as I ran up the escalator towards the nearest clothing boutique to hide inside of the dressing room.
“Sorry, but can we hide in the dressing room for a bit?” I asked while still carrying her “There are some crazy fans chasing after us”
The confused employee nodded and we ran towards the dressing room and nodded the door. I was gasping for air when I finally placed Erica down.
“Sorry bout that” I apologized while panting “Figured it wouldn’t exactly be safe for you to run up an escalator with a dress”
Erica was silent for a while before helping me wipe the sweat off my forehead.
“You really are a nice person aren’t you?” she asked
Before I could reply, we could hear the fans trying to enter the store to look for us but were stopped by the employees demanding that they only enter if they are interested in the goods.
“Who is that guy” I questioned trying to take a peek through the door gap.
“He was a theater performer that turned mainstream celebrity, we used to be close” Erica answered.
“So like your ex or something?” I asked.
“Can’t you like rephrase your sentence to make it less rude?” Nanami asked.
“He changed ever since he went mainstream” she answered.
“Ah, you don’t have to continue if you don’t want to” I advised.
“Sorry to drag you into this” she apologized.
“Is fine, let's just wait here for a bit till is clear” I suggested.
“So, her ex just asked his fans to chase after you guys, this is interesting” Nanami teased.
While we waited in the dressing room together, the employee came and knocked at our door saying,
“I think is clear for the both of you now.”
I slowly opened the door to check whether is true, only to find the ex himself standing with the employee.
“Hello there,” he greeted.
“Can I help you?” I asked.
“Do you not know who I am?” he asked.
“Do I have to know who you are?” I replied.
I could tell based on his tone that this guy definitely has an ego problem, it was clearly shown from his facial expression that he was annoyed that I don’t know who he is.
“I know she is inside there with you” he stated trying to maintain composure.
“And?” I challenged “Does that concern you?”
“I see what you are doing” Nanami stated.
“She’s not your girlfriend” he stated in a really annoyed tone.
“From what I heard, you aren’t either” I teased with a sly smile.
“Look buddy stay out of this, this is none of your business” the ex-warned.
“Mal, you can stop” Erica whispered.
“Is fine, I’ll handle this” I reassured her with a smile.
“Excuse me who are you again?” I turned back to ask the ex.
“Ok that’s it” he started trying to pry the door open even though from size alone, he’s smaller than me.
“You really don’t want to do that” I warned before slamming the door on his fingers which caused him to scream in pain.
“Motherfucker” he cursed.
“Here we go” Nanami cheered.
“I did warn you,” I said stepping out of the dressing room while gesturing to Erica to stay inside.
He stood up and loaded his arms as if one of those action movie characters indicating that he wants to fight me in public.
“I don’t think fighting in public is good for your image now, isn’t it?” I questioned, “Oh right you are a nobody, you don’t have an image, to begin with.”
The last statement definitely triggered him as he tried to punch me, but it was so obvious that it was coming, I stepped aside and he punched the door instead.
“So now that he tried to attack me, anything I do is self-defense, right?” I asked the employee standing there stunned.
“I think so?” he answered with uncertainty.
“Good enough” I stated as I picked the guy by his collar raising him and my fist.
“You should have stayed on the stage and minded your own business” I stated as I slapped him much to his shock as he was expecting a punch.
“Do you know how much this face is worth?” he asked as he pushed me away in shock with his hands on his face.
He looked at the mirror and could see my palm print bright red on his face, which angered him even more.
“Don’t tell me you want to continue? Cause you are the one that’s getting humiliated here” I asked in a fake tired tone.
Instead of facing me again, he ran out of the boutique screaming for his manager and the fans that were surrounding him.
“You do know that you just slapped an international celebrity, right?” the employee asked.
“Really? Didn’t felt like he was an international celebrity” I joked as I opened the door to check on Erica who looked as if she was trying hard not to laugh.
“You, okay?” I asked.
“Shouldn’t I be the one that’s asking that question?” she countered as she walked out, “You slapped an international celebrity, you are going to be trending in social media.”
“Well first time ever I guess?” I joked as we walked out of the boutique and all eyes were on us.
“Nice show” Nanami complimented.
“Bet you enjoyed that didn’t you?” I replied with my thoughts.
“Should have backhanded him for more humiliation” Nanami stated.
“Maybe” I replied.
“Thank you” Erica whispered as she grabbed onto my arm as we walked around the mall with some eyes still on us.
“Nah humiliating people like him is like a specialty of mine” I stated as we walk past the stage where the ex is currently still touching his face and my palm print is still slightly visible. “I don’t think he’ll do that again.”
“At least with you around” Erica added.
“Maybe we should make it permanent?” I suggested. “What’s his name?”
“Ryan” she answered.
“Douchey name for a douchey guy” I teased as I turned my attention back at Ryan who’s staring at me.
“Hey Ryan, if I ever find out you bothered her again, there’s gonna be more than just a palm print” I shouted out to him.
He remained silent as he just stared at the two of us walking away.
“Are you like my bodyguard?” Erica questioned.
“An unofficial one” I answered smiling.
“Thank you,” she said followed with a peck on my cheek as we continued walking around the mall.
