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]

" I wouldn't have said next time if I didn't want to." he said once again holding the door for her.

" Don't worry about that, I will take care of that stuff." he said opening her car door for her before getting in the other side. " I pissed my brother off, we all have bad tempers when the situation arises. I'll make sure that all of your items are taken to a secure location so that you have them whenever you want. But, my concern right now is assuring that we don't have an encore of today's bullshit." He was already protective of her. Even if he wasn't sure why just yet, just that it was important to him to make sure she was safe. Kinn could be unpredictable, and if he told Father...

[whrrenah]

"Good," she quipped right back. "Can't abide by people saying one thing and meaning another."

But the more he explained his intentions, the more questions she had about all of this. None of this was making any sense to her but she had come to learn that Kim was not one who volunteered information. For now, she'd trust him and what his plans were, wondering just why she was suddenly a target. Were his fans that much of a hassle? Was his brother that much of a hassle?

"Okay," she responded, slipping into the car and offering a confused look, but said nothing about it.

Going back to her old apartment, she kept looking at Kim, wanting to ask her questions but keeping them hidden in her throat. Three flights of stairs needed to be taken but she kept her eyes and ears open, her footfalls suddenly very quiet and not at all like they were in the hot pot place. She didn't question him bringing up the rear and protecting her back. Up the stairwell and she paused at the fire door, glancing back down at him. Probably anyone else would think this was exciting like one of the TV dramas but she had been around danger enough to not pretend that this wasn't serious. When all was cleared, she made a beeline for her apartment, unlocking the door and easing it open. waiting for any abnormal sound. There was none and without any sort of manners to remove her shoes when she went to her room for a bag and essentials, including some school books to go with her other school things and lap top. Toiletries and charging cords later (and some raman), she was ready to go in seven minutes.

"Okay. That's the essentials."

[meanmugging]

His brother was a living breathing hemorrhoid with legs, a real pain in the ass by Kim's book. His father was the asshole Kinn had been sprung from, together they were just a really bad case of the red ass.

Once they got to her place he was quite cautious. She didn't know it and wouldn't unless he had to pull it out but he was packing and ready if anything even remotely looked strange. Once her apartment had been cleared he let her take care of getting her things while he stood guard near the door. Let's hope there were no deliveries for her today, other wise someone was going to get shot.

He gave a nod and moved outside the door. " You're behind me on the way down." he picked up her bag and extended his hand to take hers.

Once they were in the car they were headed to a really nice end of town, the scenery seemed to melt from the unsavory into a lovely cityscape.

The apartment building was quite nice, white with gold accents, gold colored doors and edging around the windows. He parked up front and shoved something into the door man's hands. Not his car keys but enough money that the man said nothing about the car parking.

Was this a normal apartment? Nah, not Kim this fucker had the penthouse at the top of the tower, separate elevator access and all. the apartment was white with light gray accents and a balcony. " You can decorate how ever you want." he said letting her in the door.

[whrrenah]

No-nonsense, all-business Kim looked extremely attractive and she forced herself to focus. Whatever danger was going on was big and she said little to distract him. In fact, she kept all her questions to herself as she followed his lead, keeping just close enough to not be lost.

She was more than aware of penthouse elevators and when he produced a key for that shaft, her eyes became saucers as she stared at Kim. This wasn't an apartment! And when the door opened, she simply stood in the doorway, staring at it. She wasn't even certain that she should walk in! A quick glance behind her and yeah, there's no place in the hall for shoes. But... fuck, this was nice.

Two steps in and she belatedly remembered her shoes. Shit, she forgot the slippers. But then she spun around, still staring at him. "Kim." No, there was no way she could live here and he take the pittance of rent she was paying before! Fucking no way!

[meanmugging]

Once they were inside he opened a small cabinet by the door which housed slippers, taking out a pair and docking his shoes in the space they were in. " Tch, what are you on about?" he said tossing the keys to her. " You already agreed. Besides it's only for a year then the term is up here." he said, last part was a lie, as Kim owned this bad boy outright and had for sometime now.

He lofted a brow at her seeming to flounder a minute before looking at her feet and pulling a pair of women's slippers from the cabinet that were about her size and sliding them over to her. He didn't get what the big deal was anyway. It was an apartment just like he said!

[whrrenah]

There was no way she would ever have a chance with him and finally agreed in her mind to just be his friend. But this place was too rich! She'd never been in a place like this! And to live here for the rest of the semester if not the year? "This isn't an apartment," she hissed back, catching the keys. "This is a penthouse!" As if he didn't know.

Oh, she was going to be so much in debt for this. She could feel it.

"An apartment is a dinky little box with dinky little rooms and a galley for a kitchen," she kept going on, feet unconsciously slipping into the slippers. "There's a wet bar in here for crying out loud! I-it-it's a man cave!" But she wasn't saying no, either. She just needed to make certain he was well aware that what he thought was low key was not, in fact, low key.

[meanmugging]

" A wet bar?" he took the time to look. " Oh yeah, I forgot about that. It should be full still too." he said as if he were talking about the weather or something else that was just normal. " Stop freaking out and just enjoy." he said giving her nose a light poke.

" I'll get my instruments out of the middle bedroom so that you will have a little more room." he said walking over to a control pad on the wall. " The temperature is voice controlled. Some of the windows in the middle and third room are a bit sticky so be careful if you try to open them. I almost took my own finger off a few months ago." he shifted his stance a bit. Yeah, that was the problem with dudes who were born into money, this is low key.

[whrrenah]

It was the nose poke that quieted her, her eyes crossing at the tip of his finger. A full wet bar. Then her mouth reengaged. "Middle room? How many rooms does this place freaking have?" It would be rude to go carousing around, wouldn't it?

"Voice controlled. Hell, I was getting used to smart phones and Alexa back home. Is that the same system here?" Obviously, her old place wasn't that sophisticated in the least! Hell, a hostel had better accommodations than what she had!

[meanmugging]

" Only four rooms." he waved his hand " Two bathrooms and one half off the studio. It's your place now you can feel free to look around and get used to the lay out." He paused a moment as he tried to figure out what she was talking about with automated systems. Translation was hard sometimes. " Yes." he said after a moment of picking apart what she was asking.

" Same concept and wake words are on the note pad on the fridge, I have a hard time remembering them sometimes." he pondered a moment " Oh, the fire place is also automated and you can start and stop the shower in the master bathroom on the touch pad. The water sometimes takes a bit to get to temperature."

[whrrenah]

She had to stop at the mention of the fireplace and slowly turned to face him. "We're in the tropics. Why do you need a fireplace?" Oh. Look. A fireplace.

Wait. He had to be messing with her! This was a joke, right? "You're not pranking me, are you? Why would there be an issue?" She echoed. "Oh, right. we're on the top floor. takes a bit for the water to get up here. Wait... tell me this place has its own boiler." Wren was clearly a little overwhelmed by all this and the hysteria was getting just a bit out of control.

[meanmugging]

" More for ambiance that actual heat, it doesn't produce much heat at all." he said tilting his head " Of course it does, it's just old and I haven't had it replaced yet."

He thought a moment, " Oh, the pool is on the roof as well as a hot tub. I used it quite a bit after work outs. The gym is down stairs on the 3rd floor." he noticed her getting overwhelmed and walked over patting her shoulder. " I think you'll like it here once you get used to it, and you can take all the time you need."

[whrrenah]

Her eyes were bright when she looked up at him, her lip trembling even though she tried to bite them to keep still. Hugging herself, she still couldn't believe what was happening and the confusion overrode what concern there should have been. Dropping her head, Wren hid her face with the fall of her hair and while her body leaned towards him, she didn't actually touch. That would have been rude, wouldn't it. Wren whispered her gratitude in words that weren't English or Thai, but more melodic than Mandrin. In her eyes, she had been elevated into a palace and she didn't think she was deserving of such generosity.

Suddenly remembering herself and where she was, her head popped up with a start and a sniff, hand automatically moving to wipe her face. "Sorry! Sorry, I'm being so silly."

[meanmugging]

He wasn't very showing with his emotions but he was observant to others. When she started crying which he could easily tell she was, it was awkward to say the least. He wasn't good with people crying let alone women crying. He didn't know what else to do other than to bring his arm around her shoulder lightly. Also standing there like that awkwardly.

He shifted his eyes to her " Are you okay?" people were not his strong suit really. " Yes, crying is silly unless you have a reason for it. So...I am asking if something is wrong?" Aww look the emotionally constipated mafia prince was trying.

[whrrenah]

"I'm okay." Which didn't seem like she was okay considering she was still hiccupping and had some sniffles. But for now, she took in the awkward comfort, her shoulders relaxing a little under his touch. "I'm...I'm overwhelmed. No one has done anything remotely close to this for me and it's such a big mood. And for me, any strong emotion just leaks out of my eyes."

Crying wasn't always a sign that something was wrong but Wren greatly appreciated his concern no matter how awkward it was. She worked to not take over it all but just press her forehead against his chest and wait for the wave of emotion to relax and settle down.

[meanmugging]

Okay she was okay, just emotional. Good. That was okay, he still stood there like an awkward statue though. Kim really has no clue of how to people or how to..do this stuff with said people.

He chuckled lightly. " You're cute." he said leaning down as if he was going to kiss her head, but instead just booping his nose against her head smelling her hair.

[whrrenah]

She'd been in Thailand long enough to know what a sniff kiss was. And the fact that he was giving her one had her toes curling and swallowing down a squeal. Wren peered up at him through her hair, biting her own lips.

"And you're trouble, PonyBoy," she returned, not certain if he would understand the reference. That was fine, though. "But I like trouble. Complacint is boring." She wanted to sneak in closer and simply soak up his warmth but that was too forward. She leaned back reluctantly, a small smile in place. "So when are you going to get the windows fixed before I start placing rent in escrow because you're just evading keeping the place in working order?"

And that was said with a wink at the end.

[meanmugging]

It was a good thing she didn't comment on the sniff kiss, because Kim probably would have opened another dimension to get to the other side of the room and as far away from her as he could hissing like a cat. WiK was open with affection or at least faux affection but the real Kim found it embarrassing. More so with a girl he was starting to like.

He lofted a brow to look to her as she called him Pony Boy and mouthed the word to himself as he tried to figure out just what she was on about. The only time he'd been compared to a horse on anything was when someone said he was hung like a horse.

No time to riddle the English terms right now, he patted her on the head and " I have people coming at the end of the week to try and sort out the windows, and next week is the hot water, they will be changing things to an on demand system and putting a softener tank since the water is a little on the hard side here." he looked to her. " Is that quick enough?"

[whrrenah]

"It's fine!" She chirped hurridly, more than pleased that she wouldn't have to worry about anything. "All of it is, really. I just need to know how to contact you to pay rent."

She didn't have his number. Hell, she didn't know where he lived, either. And it was important to her that she pay her own way given she wasn't a moocher.

[meanmugging]

" Happy to oblige!" he said with a little smirk on his face. She was cute, and he was finding it easier to at least talk to her rather than just stare. He wasn't entirely sure what to do with that just yet. He would figure it out though.

He opened his jacket taking out his wallet and a card from the wallet. Making his way into the kitchen he grabbed a pen from the drawer and on the back of the card wrote a phone number and walked back over. " Business phone numbers, email address and on the back is my personal phone number. You shouldn't have an issue getting a hold of me for any reason." he said handing the card to her.

[whrrenah]

She simply marveled at this stroke of good fortune, her eyes going over the expanse of the main living area and the fact this place had an office/music room as well. As he returned, she offered him a brilliant smile and looked over the card, eyes widening slightly at the personal number left. No way he just did that! It was supposed to be a business thing, right?

"Thank you." She went to tuck it into her bag for the time being. "Though, I won't use your personal number unless it's an emergency, alright? I don't want to become one of those people who takes advantage of that. You deserve your own personal time too." And being in the celebrity/music industry, it had to have been slim to none.

[meanmugging]

" Or.." he said looking to her with a little smile " Use the email for general things that can wait, the business number for things that can't..." he walked over adjusting the curtains. He was a little nervous and it wasn't like he could let her see him go and stuff his face after they had just eaten.

" ..Personal... for personal stuff."

[whrrenah]

Did she hear him correctly? Personal for personal stuff? Was that his way of asking her out? The thought so and it was adorable and sweet. For some high end celebrity, he was so awkward and cute about it at the same time. "Alright. That seems reasonable."

So normally, it would be goodbye time and prepare for the next day. But right now, she didn't want that to happen. So she decided to the next best thing: She got a hold of her phone and texted his personal number.

Feel like dessert?

That way, he had her number now, too.

[meanmugging]

" Excuse me a second." he said fishing his phone out of his pocket at the chiming sound. He looked to the phone and saved the number.

' Ice cream, cakes or something else?" he asked looking to her and putting the phone back into his pocket. " And this is my treat this time."

[whrrenah]

She schooled her grin but her eyes said it all. "I can go for any of them. Your choice since you're buying but if I had a preference, it would have to be ice cream."

It was a silly, innocent game but it felt like she had won something when he agreed to dessert. Maybe there was a bit of something there after all.

"Would you mind if I made a quick wardrobe change? Off duty from the school and I don't need my clothes to point you out any further." Besides, he was probably still going to keep to his leather, which was an utter shame.

[meanmugging]

He looked thoughtful a moment " Cake and ice cream both." he decided nodding his head more to himself than to her. He caught the look on her face and something inside of his chest stoked a little. Though Kim had such a poker face no one would be able to tell.

" Sure. Take your time, I have a few phone calls I need to make to get things in order before we go anyway." he said smiling. " You do your thing and I will be on the balcony, just grab me when you're freshened up." he said stepping to the doors.