The first meeting

[whrrenah]

The commotion at school was insane. Worse than insane! Wren had no idea what was going on at first but the crowd of people who gathered in the cafeteria, screaming someone's name warned her that she did not want to be there. As she walked by, she slowed down, looking in the same direction as everyone else, spotting the set up stage and a single man under a light, strumming a guitar and crooning. Oh. That's what all the commotion was about.

"And now, for our grand finale, the one person who can answer all of Mr Wik's trivia questions will win a band tee with his signature on it!"

Wren rolled her eyes, mentally going "and the crowd goes wild!" in her head while the crowd actually went wild. Along with a couple of her friends. "Wren! Wren, don't you know who that is?"

Turning to the girl who went by Tweet, she responded in a flat tone. "Another boy hell bent on stealing the hearts of thousands so he can pay the bills?"

"Oh my god, Wren! It's WiK! Don't be a spoil sport! He's soooooo cute! You have to look at him! Tell me he's not cute!"

"He's perfectly fine--for being a feelings moocher."

Tweet shook her head. "You don't get it, do you? He used to go to school here."

Wren turned her eyes to her friend. "And? Everyone goes to school in some fashion. There's nothing special about that. But you want to know what is special? Letting all these people believe that they have a chance with him. Hell, even encourages it because that's how he makes money. Sell the belief that you can be with him, and everyone is climbing hand over fist to buy the next new album. Or his Merch, or whatever guitar he says is good. He's an actor and he's playing to the crowd. So if you want to enjoy the fantasy, enjoy it. But don't buy into it, okay? You're smarter than that."

She went on to class, not even taking a second look.


*****

Having been convinced to go out to karaoke (as Tweet sadly, didn't win the shirt), Wren chose the blue halter-top maxi. It was hot out with no sign of relief yet in nighttime Bangkok. Cute and lightweight, she decided to pull her hair up off her neck and frame her face with a few ringlets. Ready for a night on the town, she joined her friends in one of the bar booths, filled with drink and food, they all took turns on the mic, making a bit of a game out of it. When it was Wren's turn, she decided to go with the Disney-themed songs and started her rendition of "Kiss the girl."

It just so happened that she caught sight of said pompous boy in the hall, strolling around the rooms. And there was some eye contact. Deciding to play it up since her friends hadn't noticed yet, she decided to sing to him and tease him as well. "My oh my! Look like the boy too shy
Ain't gonna kiss the girl."

Comments

[meanmugging]

Part of him did these gigs at his old college to encourage people to follow their dreams. Yet, there was another part that just wanted to do the stay in school kids finish your degree publicity video and just be done with it. The Trivia was never his idea, just something his publicist insisted on. It wore him out honestly. It was part of the life he chose though. He was swept in the crowd far too much to notice any one in particular, he was used to the lights and the screaming fans.

Later on since he was back home, he did decide to go to a bar, who knows maybe he would mic up himself and sing a cover. He had his drink in his hand and was making the rounds visiting with bar patrons and signing napkins if he was asked to. Then he noticed the woman in the blue dress and singing at him? Well okay. Aside from being WiK, he was the youngest son of a very prideful family. He wasn't going to be called out like that and balk.

He made his way up taking the mic and handing it to one of her friends and leaning in giving her a soft kiss. If that is what she was asking for, she got it.

[whrrenah]

Wren was truly getting into it, turning back away from the doorway, believing that it was the end of that game and singing towards her friends. What she hadn't noticed was the young man stalking up to their room, entering it without any preamble and plucked the mic out of her hand. Then she had turned, confused and then BAM. Kiss. She received a kiss on the lips, as soft and as sweet as could be. Or at least it would have been if she actually knew his name!

She took a step back after she was released, fought the urge to lick her lips (just in case he had something on his lips to drug her with) and cocked her head, squinting her eyes. With a lightning-fast movement, she lifted her hand to slap him across the face, her entire demeanor shifting when people squealed her name.

"Who the hell do you think you are, mister--thinking you can just walk on up and take whatever the hell you want?! Nuh uh, NO." Her finger wagged at him as her silver eyes glared daggers into his warm brown ones. "Not everyone is all in ~a magical thrall cause he's. so. cute!!~ Bullshit! A real man doesn't just grab whatever. That's what a spoiled child does!"

Furious! She was so furious that her friends pulled her away, apologizing to WiK on her behalf because clearly the American friend had poor manners.

And that made her more angry. Spitting like a wild cat, she turned on them too, so angry she flipped completely into English. "You quit that fucking shit now! It's never okay to just do that to a stranger! It doesn't mean he likes me, you dimwit, it means he thinks he can get whatever he wants and people like you will let him because you're a starstruck idiot who can't rub two braincells together and know what the hell he's actually doing!"

She spun back around, snatching her clutch off the table, and glared straight into WiK's soul, her voice icy enough to freeze lava. "You're in my way."

[meanmugging]

Any other guy probably would have recoiled and hissed at being slapped across the face like that, but this was Kim. What was his reaction? Laughing. " You taunt people from afar, then when you get just what you asked for you scream, spit and hit?" he shook his head and brought his hand out patting her friend on the shoulder.

He brought his tongue out licking the blood at the corner of his lip. " You shouldn't assume I don't speak English, no more than you should assume you know dick about me." he said in English even if it was heavily accented. He gave a nod to her friends and then pushed the door open to exit, and letting it close almost on Wren.

So much for that, she seemed to be just like the rest of them, wild assumptions. Even if hers were not of the adoring type.

[whrrenah]

"Really? A recording artist wouldn't know English? Please, you would be the first to know it. THESE people have no clue, as you can tell by their expressions." What was that about assumptions?

"Glad I was right," she taunted again, just catching the door. "The second there's a declaration of boundaries, you go play it off like I'm the crazy one. Like I'm missing out on something spectacular? Right buddy. So excited to see what that personality gets you."

Fuck. She needed to take a cab. There was no way she was waiting for them to chase after her, make her understand what an honor it was. Wren headed quickly to the bar, snatched a napkin and wiped her face with it, hands almost tearing the flimsy paper apart from shaking. A quick dab to her eyes was done before the paper was stuffed into her clutch and she took a deep, cleansing breath. Head up, straighten the crown, keep your dignity. She headed outside, determined to ignore everything around her as she tried to get a ride. Just because she was in a decent place in the city didn't mean there were derelicts about. And they had no problems voicing their 'attraction' to the Pretty Girl, offering anything and everything if she needed a ride home. Pricing was negotiable!

She played it off as if she didn't understand Thai. When one of the slimes grabbed her wrist, she spun again, twisting her wrist out of his grasp. She wasn't fast enough to slip out of the grip of the second guy, pretending to be her 'boyfriend' and it was a shame she drank too much already and he was going to get a cab for them to leave in. Only not and she was really trying to fight him off.

[meanmugging]

He was tired and too tired to bounce back at some yappy broad who didn't know what she was talking about.

He was outside smoking when the kerfuffle broke out, and though he had absolutely no investment in the woman, it wasn't his style to let people get manhandled like that.

Flicking the cigarette onto the side walk he casually stepped over freeing Wren easily from the grip. Then he did what Kim does in situations like this and proceeded to whip ass right there in the street.

When the last of the pains in the ass were laid to the cement he flagged a taxi down quick enough all but shoving her inside before getting in beside her. " Tell him where you are going." he said pulling out cash and handing it to the driver ahead of time.

He took out a handkerchief and handed it to her with out saying another word. He would get her home then cab it back to his hotel and clean himself up. This night though.

[whrrenah]

She was going to be assaulted! Wren fought, trying to figure out how the hell she got into this mess and how to get out of it as well. Leaving her group of 'friends' probably wasn't the best idea. And in the next instance, she found herself freed and then getting shoved into a cab with--oh god she was traded from one fate to another.

For a few seconds once she sat down, it seemed as if time stopped, everything froze into place like some cheesy sit com or drama. It didn't end until Wren blinked, and she wished she had an alternate address to give the driver. Automatically, she said it out loud, realizing that the guy wasn't going to leave. So one abduction traded for another.

Sitting stock still, she tried to figure out how to get out of the situation. She didn't look at the man beside her, didn't really register the cab driver before her. Wren certainly didn't take the handkerchief and it rested on her lap with her hands clutching the tiny purse under it. They were going to go to the seedier part of town and she could feel her heart sink. It was what she could afford in the city close to the school and it wasn't a good section. No one would believe her if she survived this encounter. No one would trust her to speak the truth if she said a beloved celebrity abducted her. Everyone insisted that this guy was a catch but she couldn't put her finger on it. He was dangerous and all of her instincts was on high alert.

Her tears fell silent and unchecked as she ran scenerios around in her head, none of the outcomes good. Maybe she shouldn't be trying to finish school, here.

[meanmugging]

He too was still, though taking in the surroundings. Great, the part of town was a real shit pile. He had planned on just having the cab take her to where ever she was going and drop her off outside and then go about his business. At this hour in this part of town he'd have to walk her in to make sure she didn't run into any more trouble.

He closed his eyes sighing heavily. Here he was sitting in a cab with a woman he didn't know and really didn't want to be around. Bleeding and tired. His eyes shifted to her, and she was crying looking like he was going to eat her alive. Jesus Christ. Well, whatever it was almost over and he could go about his thing.

Once they got to the place he stepped out of the cab, and went around opening her door for her. " I am not here to hurt you." he said flatly. A bit annoyed that he even had to say something like that.

[whrrenah]

She was well aware of the blood, aware of everything around her. He wasn't saying anything as well and had that 'fuck my life' sigh. When he first exited, Wren steeled herself for the inevitable. Then he spoke and she looked up at him as if she heard him for the first time. Everything in his body screamed he was done with the situation but... he was honest. He wasn't going to hurt her. And once she was told that, she could really pay attention to the situation.

Slowly climbing out with still a reserved demeanor, she nodded. "Okay. Thank you." She needed to be told that. And then she looked up at his face, wincing at the damage. He took hits for her even though they had a rough start. "Would you let me help clean you up? I have a first aid kit upstairs." It was a big risk inviting him up but that single statement told to her without the hype of whatever persona he liked to show others told her more than anything else had: she could trust him not to hurt her. "I completely understand if you don't want to, but I need to offer."

[meanmugging]

Out of habit he started to move his hand to help her out of the cab but stopped himself. Last thing he needed was some chick screaming about assault. He didn't even make eye contact with her in fact.

As she made the offer he looked at her. " I'll walk you to your door and make sure you get inside." he said his tome still a bit flat but it was less defensive than it had been.

" I don't need any false accusations and it is not safe for you to invite a stranger into your house." he said closing the cab door behind her and once they were clear knocking on the side to let the driver know he could go.

Of course at that time of night they did get a few lookie loos, to which Kim just pulled his hoodie up over his head. "Fucking people, just mind your own business." he said under his breath. And there was the reason he was wearing a hoodie even with it being hot as hell.

[whrrenah]

That was fair! And a little stinging but Wren knew that she had helped create all that. She would respect his boundaries and nodded, heading up to the door to the apartment complex. The fact he had to hide even further when the humid night of the city was trying to drown air breathers kicked her guilt meter up another notch. But nothing was to be done about it now. After all, it was an evening of stupid shit. Really stupid shit.

Standing at the door, she looked up into the hooded shaddow of his face. "Thank you. And I'm sorry. I would have really liked to get to know you as a person and not your persona. You can soak some black tea bags and then apply them to the bruises. It will help if not completely fade them away. Just let the bags cool. Please take care of yourself, Mr WiK."

Offering a weak smile, she turned to unlock the first door, believing that was that. Wren did go on social media and caught up some of his posts even if she didn't follow him. She did like a couple things, pretty certain her handle of Little_Birdy_Bye with a classic Lisa Frank rainbow unicorn wouldn't be any sort of indication that it was her.

A week later, she had nearly forgotten the incident until she was stopped by two smartly dressed men as she was leaving school. "Miss Starfyr, please come with us." The older, shorter one stated in a clear no nonsense tone.

"What, did I miss my tuition bill?" She cracked weakly, noting how the taller, younger one stared at her. What the hell was going on?

She was lead into a black SUV, beckoned to go inside and the door was shut with one of the men seated next to her and the other in the passenger seat with someone else driving. Wren continued to wrack her brain, trying to figure out what the hell she did wrong. Were they detectives? They looked legit enough to be them. But they didn't go to any police station. In fact, they went to the heart of Bangkok and stopped in front of a hotel. The ritziest one she had ever seen.

Minutes later, she was seated at the end of a very long conference table, getting the staredown by some other guy with giant eyebrows and a stern look on his face. Wren remained still, feeling unbearably exposed with her school uniform on and her book bag by her chair. Who the hell was this?! How did he know her name?

"So you're the one who attacked my brother."

Her eyes widened. WHAT?! "Your brother? I'm sorry, sir, I don't know what you're talking about."

His hand slapped hard on the polished table, making her jump a bit. "You should know full well what I'm talking about. I don't appreciate you roughing him up or having someone else rough him up for your amusement. So maybe you should confess now and I will consider going easy on you."

The way he said that had her blood chilling. Who the hell was this? WiK's brother? It was the only thing she could think of and kept her nervous expression. "Why would you think I attacked him? Why would I have any reason to do so?" Her words were slow and carefully moderated, knowing full well that she couldn't risk pissing these people off. There was something in the air, a tiny whisper in her head that was warning her to be careful.

[meanmugging]

The hiding wasn't something new to Kim, he did it all the time to shake his security detail. They annoyed him as well. But it would always end the same he'd give them the slip then when ever he returned back from where ever he went they would blah blah his ear off about him shaking them and not taking his own safety seriously. They had to be kidding right? They did know who his father was and who he had been trained by his entire life right?

His social media had nothing personal on it, it was all WiK and concert pictures and uploads of samples of new songs he would be putting out. Maybe an odd picture here and there of him vacationing on a beach or wearing a ridiculously over sized beany hat at a ski resort that was it. Kim thought about Wren and oddly enough had wondered if she was doing okay after that night but then let it go. That is what he was supposed to do after all right?

" Get the fuck off me!" Kim's voice could be heard bellowing through the doors of the conference room that Kinn had Wren in. Unless he was yelling at someone to let him go which he was now, Kim was usually pretty quiet when he made his appearance at the main house. There was a few thuds from outside in the hall which would give Kinn the indication of what usually happened when the bodyguards refused to let Kim do as he would.

Then the doors were pushed open with quite the force and Kim came in. It was clear he had not let his make up crew touch him before he came as those bruises were a lovely shade of deep purple in some spots and various shades of yellow and green in others. His finger was pointed at Kinn. " We need to talk. Now " he didn't even look to Wren. This was embarrassing for him as a guy and as a person in general.

[whrrenah]

She had heard his yelling but didn't know if she should turn and look or what. Her eyes remained on Kinn, waiting to see how this would shake out and managed to see all the bruising on his face. He hadn't bothered the tea bag trick at all. Her expression was guilty as charged as she shifted her eyes back to Kinn. He had gotten roughed up and yes, it was because of her but she didn't ask him to do anything!

"He came to my aid, I swear! I didn--"

Kinn's gaze zeroed in on her and he spoke softly. Lethally. "Be. Quiet." Then he looked back to Kim. "She got you jumped, you look like shit. I'm taking care of it because my brother doesn't get one upped by a little girl."

"I'm twenty-five, thank you--"

The Kinn Glare hit her again. "What did I tell you? I don't care how old you are, my brother's face looks like this and it's your fault."

"No, he had the choice. And he took care of himself well enough. I can't do that sort of damage to another person, even if I wanted to." While she didn't like the way she was spoken to, she liked it even less that WiK was being spoken of around him. She glanced back at him. "Sorry."

[meanmugging]

He actually had tried the tea bag trick but he is very impatient, and got disturbed for work things while he was trying to do the trick. That was his life though.

His hand extended to shove Kinn's shoulder. " I am talking to you now." he said still having no sort of eye contact with Wren as of now. " Aside from the absurdity of the idea of a woman of that size doing anything remotely like this to my face it's damned insulting." If Kinn wanted to do this here with her in the room fine. Kim didn't give a shit either way. Aside from the fact that Kim was a prime example of the 'you should see the other guys' expression.

" Leave her alone, she has little to do with the state of my face. I won't stand by while a group of men attacks anyone. Sorry, I am not like the rest of you." Kim even went as far to snatch up the pack of cigarettes on the table taking one out and lighting it up before tossing the pack back on the table. " You would have known all of that if you had asked me before you acted."

[whrrenah]

The conversation was starting to move so quickly she was missing the words now. Wren sat there, hands in her lap, waiting for the loud voices to die down.

"And when were you going to be available to ask, next year?" Kinn cocked his head, focused on Kim now as well. "Because your fans blew up the media channels before you even thought I should be informed. And at least one of them got a good look at your tenderized face." He glanced at Wren. "Regardless of what I think she can or cannot do, there's a mark on her and now it's tied to you."

"She has a name," Wren muttered sullenly, that being the only part she could easily recognize. The rest of it was muddled into hits. Physical strikes or hitman style, she didn't know. But she did get the jist that these two never really got along and tried to keep out of it.

Kinn zeroed in on her again, staring intently. Wren matched it up with a stare of her own, jutting her chin out. "I know your name. It's not important."

Wren's eyes narrowed at him as he turned to speak to Kim. "So you need to either clean this up or I will clean it up for you. It's too much a scandal."

[meanmugging]

In Kim's defense he never exchanged names with Wren. " You can call me for any other stupid shit around this place but you couldn't for that?" he snipped back. " I have told you all that my life is my business. So what if it blew up on media you think shit you guys do hasn't in one form or another?" it all came down to him trying to pull away from the family, there was still that choker collar on him and the tighter it was pulled the more he fought it.

Kim turned to look to Wren " Could you not? Please. Not right now." still trying to protect her, and he wasn't even sure why he was. Just that he would die on this hill he was on right now.

He looked to Kinn. " I said you need to leave her alone. Like you said her name isn't even important enough. She's just a lady who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. If there is such a scandal, it's me you guys should take it up with. I acted on my own volition. It has nothing to do with her."

He walked over leaning down picking up Wren's back pack and handing it to her before taking her by the wrist and walking for the door.

[whrrenah]

All of it was confusing along with the vague phrases she half picked up. Then the next thing she knew was that her bag was thrust into her hands and she was being almost dragged out of the room. Behind them, she heard Kinn's bellow.

"You may have fooled everyone with that moniker, Kimhan, but you still wear your family name on your hand. Don't forget it."

She didn't know what all of that was about but it definitely seemed bigger than a simple sibling spat. Wren was quiet as she was led to wherever Kim was taking her, much more compliant with him than with the guards. With him, she didn't twist her wrist out of his grasp this time. And in fact, she didn't know when to speak, or even what to say. All she wanted right now was a quiet place to try and figure out what the hell just happened. And why.

[meanmugging]

Kim just cut his eyes over his shoulder toward Kinn. As much as he wanted to bark back at him, he was right. Fuck him for that too.

He was brisk as he walked her through the hotel and to the doors to the drive way, snatching his car keys out of the hands of a valet that was there. His car was still in the circle and he opened the passenger door for her. " Come on, I'll get you out of here." his voice was gentle as he spoke that time he pressed the button on the key chain to start the car waiting for her to get inside.

He was a little on the same page as she was, just wanting some place quiet and away from all the shit that had just broke loose.

[whrrenah]

There was no resistance in her today as she put her bag on the floor and got in, her feet on either side of it. The car was... holy shit it was nice and she perked up slightly, trying to catch what brand it was. Fuck. Maseratti.

"My dad has a fleet of Fiats," she responded, but that was all she said when she put on the seat belt. After that she was quiet, questions whirling in her head but not brave enough to ask any of them. The family interaction was weird and she couldn't place the reason why it had all her danger hairs on end, either. The caution was lessened now that they were out of the hotel. Not completely gone, but gone enough that she could relax.

[meanmugging]

He got in and shifted the car to drive. Getting her away from the hotel was a priority.

" I have a Fiat at my place in Italy." he commented back " They are nice cars." and there was that nervous reaction of his stomach growling. He glanced to her.

" I am hungry, do you want to eat hot pot with me?" He knew places around that were not affiliated in any way with the family.

[whrrenah]

She perked up, turning to look at him now. The mottled bruises didn't detract from his attractiveness and she mentally chastized herself on that thought. "Only if you let me pay," she said carefully, gauging his reaction. "It's only right since you paid for my cab fare."

But at the mention of a place in Italy, with a Fiat had her going off in that direction too. "What kind? Spyder or Lancia? Arbarth or stock?" It was a toe in the door so she was happy to take it. And she didn't mind the offer of food, either.

[meanmugging]

He turned the corner before looking to her. " No, and I am only saying that because you are going to need a new apartment." he said. " Unless you don't mind paparazzi making you late for everything ever for the next year or so. If asshole could find out where you live you can be certain they have too."

He was quiet a moment still having not loosened up much but he answered " That one is a cherry red classic Spyder 124, slim white wall tires with white leather interior." he could have stopped there but went on. " I also have a gray Pulse SUV they're pretty popular there so it blends in well."

[whrrenah]

"A new apartment?" She... hadn't thought of that. But he was right, she supposed. It was a little complicated getting to school lately. But the problem was that was the best apartment she could afford and still go to school. If she went for another apartment, that would mean getting a job. "I wonder if I can hold it off for another three months." She was supposed to graduate this year, after all.

Upon listening to the two vehicles, she shook her head. "Pulses aren't imported in the US. We have the dinky 500s and then what my father has managed to scrounge up with vintage cars and the new sports cars they sent out. But the spyder sounds like a dream."

[meanmugging]

He turned the car and parked it in a small parking lot where a small hot pot restaurant was. " Look..." he rested his hand on the steering wheel. " Since this is a little my fault that this is happening to you, I'll be your land lord. I have an apartment in the city, just two bus stops away from the college. You can pay me what you can. No one knows it's mine and it has security so you don't have to worry at night." he brought his hand up rubbing the back of his neck.

" Good thing I don't drive it in the US." he said looking to her with a little smirk. " I really like it, even the 500's can be nice around the town cars. Low key."

[whrrenah]

Her eyes kept widening as he offered a place to live. "That's too much to ask," she said, not really knowing what to say. "WiK, that is beyond generous. And I don't want to take advantage of that." She knew full well that if anyone else had been offered a place to live with a sliding scale rent, they'd take it in a heartbeat--as well as cozying up to the celebrity for some extra perks. But she didn't outright say no, either.

"I can see the appeal. Where your day to day is nothing but spotlights and screaming fans, something quiet and hiding in plain sight would be a luxury." She couldn't fault him for wanting that, either. People took anonymity for granted all too often. And then a thought struck her.

"However... if I do take the apartment... I'd still be buying the hot pot, then, right?" Who could fault her for that logic?

[meanmugging]

" I didn't offer because you asked." he said plainly. " It's Bangkok, I am sure you have been here long enough to know that places to live here that aren't a hostile are hard enough to come by. None the less the choice is still yours." he looked to her " I am not WiK right now, I am just Kim. So, you can call me that."


" It's a nice break away from it all for a while." He liked the stage lights and the fans, they gave him energy that was better than any drug known to man. He also liked his quiet though, valued privacy and having a life that wasn't part of the newest issue of whatever magazine had paid the highest price for the story.

He sighed dramatically, " Oh, I guess you could afford it if you were taking the apartment. It is already furnished and all."