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Trying to get back on my feet, I pushed myself away from him. I felt a stinging pain in my left ankle and bit my lips to endure it. I lowered my tearstained eyes, fearing to meet his'.

"I… I-I'm so sorry," my lips trembled. "I-I didn't m-mean to…" Damn it. I couldn't even say a proper apology. I'm too scared. Scared to lose everything in just a snap. I knew it. I've been too lucky lately and this was probably a comeback to balance it out. I couldn't possibly be the luckiest person in the world. Thinking that, more tears fell from my eyes and I started sniffing.

Was he mad? Or boiling in anger? What could his reaction be right now? I had no idea. But one thing's for sure… I'm definitely going to suffer repercussions for this… even if I didn't mean for it to happen. It was all because of that—I looked down towards my ankles to see what it was-and there's the culprit! A chord of some sort! How in the world did it suddenly reach my feet and trip me? Unless… someone pulled it.

Suddenly, Mr. Purple Eyes bent low and reached out for the chord. I trembled again in fear. Was he going to use that to punish me? But to my surprise, he… removed it from my feet? My eyes widened and I forgot how to breathe for a few seconds. Waiting for what he would do next, my eyes stared at him. Then, he pulled the black chord towards him with strength.

"A-ah!" the female emcee was pulled forward. It was her microphone!

I heard some of the crew murmuring as they arrived to assist. If I heard them correctly, even they were bewildered why in the world she wasn't using a wireless microphone.

"Oh my! I'm so sorry!" the female emcee walked closer to me, apologizing. She probably didn't mean to do it. Being an emcee, her focus would be on the crowd, right?

I exhaled. Finally, able to breathe since it seemed to me that Mr. Purple Eyes didn't mind it that much? Hopefully. But my heart still thumped hard. I turned to him, brave enough to look at his face and see his reaction. And this time, to properly apologize. As I opened my mouth, about to say my piece, he turned to me, too, and our eyes met.

Woah… it's really pretty… his eyes. I found myself mesmerized and unable to talk.

Then, he smirked as he inched closer to me.

"I can't believe you're still a crybaby… even in person," he said, whispering to my ears.

What did he mean? How did he know that … OH MY GOODNESS! I immediately gasped and my eyes widened. I couldn't believe it! Could it be? Was he -

"I'm meeting you at last, Senara Lee."

In my astonishment, I wasn't able to utter anything. I just lifted my hands to cover my wide-opened mouth. I'm not hearing things, right? Or hallucinating?

It took me a few seconds to say… "K-Kai?"

Right. His full name was Kaiden Ma. Finally recalling the news months ago, I remembered the news anchor saying that same name. Then, I recalled Ms. Qian Yu's words again—that he was grumpy and hated touching. And Kai did tell me many times before that he, too, hated being touched and that people would always describe him as grumpy first, before they say he's kind. And what's worse… I was texting him earlier saying all those stupid things to him not knowing I was describing HIM! OMG OMG OMG!

My hands that covered my mouth were now covering my whole face. Please ground, come eat me up. This is soooo embarrassing! I sighed and clicked my tongue.

"Pft!" Kai chuckled. "What's wrong? Cat got your tongue?" he's teasing me.

"K-Kaiden…," I shyly whispered his name. My face was probably blushing hard right now. I felt my cheeks burn.

"Hm? You're calling me Kaiden, now?" he tilted his head. Oh my goodness, my heart! He's too handsome. He just tilted his head but why did that look so good?

I couldn't possibly be chummy with him and call him Kai in front of all these people right?

"T-that's because... " I murmured.

He inched closer again. I thought he hated touching? Why was he moving closer and closer to me? Was this part of his teasing? He's so close right now that we're barely an inch apart. And my goodness, he's so tall! Was he six feet now? My head was on the same level as his neck. But still… Feeling embarrassed, I took a step back and forgot my ankle hurt.

"Ouch!" I whimpered.

"Hm?" he hummed as he looked down to my feet, then he looked back at me.

"I-I'm fine."

"... If you say so."

He said that but his face showed he didn't believe me.

"Sena, help me with something."

"Huh? Sure!" I instantly said yes before even asking him what it was.

Then, he leaned closer to my ear and whispered.

"I want to escape this event. It IS boring."

Before I knew it, he was lifting me up on his arms, in a princess carry!

"What the—" I blurted out. "Why are you—"

"I'm using you as an excuse," he smirked.

I covered my face in embarrassment.

"You said you hated touching. Why are you lifting me? I'm heavy!"

"I'm not touching your skin. This much is fine."

And so, he carried me down the stage to who knows where. But before we left, he turned around towards the female emcee and said…

"By the way, you're fired."

What in the world?! He's just firing someone like that? I peeked at him through my fingers and his expression was colder than the iciest mountains. I wanted to ask why he's suddenly firing her but his face looked dangerous. Was it because I got hurt? But she didn't mean it. Maybe there were technical difficulties that's why she used a mic with chords. Wasn't that too harsh?

I heard gasps from all around. And I think I saw his twin following us as well. She walked down the stage like a model. Maybe she was one. She was smiling while holding her phone. Wait a minute—was she taking pictures of us? Oh no! I ended up burying my face to Kai's chest.

After that, I felt Kai walk. To where? I had no idea.