Chapter 9

"Are you two really going to do this? Right in front of my salad?"

Auntie looked confused at MJ's words, just enough that she shook her head and left the counter for the kitchen. It was a relief, honestly; I felt like I'd be in for a shock if she understood that reference easily.

"We're not doing anything," I said, choosing to ignore the wide-eyed stare Roy was still sending my way as I straightened up in my seat. I was only joking around, same as him. Why should I be the one to feel guilty for anything?

"You're flirting."

"That was not—"

"That was flirting," MJ interrupted, grinning even as I shot a glare her way. "Good boy, was it?"

My eye twitched with the force of me holding in a cringe. It sounded terrible when she said it like that. Though it was a pathetic shot, I still said, "Is there a problem? You call your dogs the same thing, don't you?"

"That's because my dogs are good boys," MJ declared proudly. She didn't even try to reason that my comparison was wrong because Roy was very much a man and not a dog, as she did just say, "Roy is very much the opposite of that."

"I've just been told otherwise, though?"

I coughed to hide a laugh at Roy's words. I felt like I was losing brain cells from this entire conversation and the weird direction it was going, but the fact that someone was playing along made it a little better(?). I couldn't tell if it helped any, that Roy was acting shameless about it too.

I knew that he was the type to play along with such foolishness from all those years of watching him on variety shows, but seeing it live was something else. Made it a little more real, in a way.

MJ said, "You're not enough of a good boy to even deserve a pat on the head."

Roy looked over to me with wide, doe-like eyes.

...no.

No way.

"Are you asking for a pat on the head?" I asked, smiling incredulously.

"Yes?"

"Is that a question, or an answer?"

His wide-eyed, innocent look swiftly turned into a serious expression, those doe-like eyes narrowing sharply in their focus. "I mean, yes."

"...are you sure you don't actually enjoy being called master in class?"

I flipped a finger at MJ from behind Roy's back, and she flipped a finger in return. Roy seemed to find this amusing enough that he burst into a laugh—then he lowered his head, just enough that it was within my hand's patting vicinity. Smiling slyly at me, he said, "So, do I get a pat on the head or not?"

Does he?

MJ looked over at me, those wide eyes practically screaming that I was too much of a coward to do it.

Maybe this was crossing some boundaries.

Maybe I was going too far.

But he was offering, and my petty pride couldn't let MJ win.

Also, how the hell am I meant to say no to Roy when he's acting this cutely in front of me?

I reached out, not minding the slow flutter of those long lashes as I settled my hand gently upon auburn hair. Just a soft, gentle touch upon his head, the slightest of strokes, before I promptly took my hand back with a smile. Hopefully that wasn't too awkward. "Your hair's soft," I told him. That was considered a compliment, right? I knew I'd like it if my hair was called soft.

He blinked, then smiled at me. "Thank you," he said. "Since you got to touch my hair, am I allowed to touch yours too?"

"Are you both dogs?"

"You started this," I told MJ, right before bowing my head in front of Roy. I was already used to Hyerin's affectionate head-patting; it wouldn't be any trouble to allow the same of Roy.

Who was I kidding? My heart already wanted to explode. I was just very good at acting like I was fine.

I held in a noise when that warm hand from before settled on my head, gently stroking my short hair. The action was the same as Hyerin patting my head, and yet, the consequences to my heart and brain were more immense than I'd ever expected.

Part of me wanted to scream.

A bigger part of me wanted to shut down all emotions until there was no possibility of embarrassing myself.

I ended up deciding on the latter. It was an obvious choice, all things considered.

"Your hair's soft too," Roy said, looking all too pleased with himself as he took his hand back while I raised my head. I smiled back on reflex. "What shampoo do you use?"

"Ah, Starmile."

"Oh, I use Cygni!"

I smiled, and held in the voice inside me that wanted to say, 'I know.' That would be too weird, even for me.

"Should I try yours? Your hair was super soft," he asked, one hand coming up to pat at his hair. He looked genuine about it, like he'd actually give it a try instead of saying it just to be polite.

But then, he was an actor, wasn't he?

"What works for me won't necessarily work for you," I said, amused. It was exactly why I never bothered to try the products he used, more so when I knew how sensitive my skin could be.

"Life's all about trying new things," he declared sagely, before running a hand through his hair. Had it been any other man doing it, I wouldn't care, but even the simplest gesture done by the man I admire could look like a masterpiece.

It was like watching Adonis seduce a goddess in real time. It was—inexplicable, the way he looked unbelievably charming just from pushing his hair back a little.

Maybe I was in too deep.

Then he said, "Besides, it's not so bad to shake things up a little sometimes, right?"

"I guess. Don't blame me if it does something to your scalp, though."

He laughed like I'd just said something extremely funny. It made me feel pleased—made me feel a bit proud—that I could make him happy for a moment even if it was for something as ridiculous as shampoo talk. "Duly noted."

The silence returned when we went back to eating, leaving me to struggle to not stew through my embarrassment at my impulsive and shameless actions from a minute ago.

I called Roy a good boy to his face, as if he were a dog.

I touched his hair.

I wore his face mask. I still had it on, even.

I breathed out a sigh after swallowing through a mouthful of food. No, there was no point in dwelling on these things. If I overthought the things I'd said, then I'd be wasting the good memories I wanted Roy to leave me with.

Besides, I could just laugh about this with MJ once this day was over. It wasn't all that bad anyway, when half the things I'd said and done were also instigated by Roy himself.

Yeah, that's right. I wasn't completely at fault here. A good portion of my own actions today were also brought on by the high of meeting someone I've loved for so long, so I could be lenient with myself for being excited.

"Penny for your thoughts?"

"That cheap?"

Roy laughed at my words. Again, I couldn't help myself from smiling. Why did his happiness have to be so infectious for me? "I'm sorry, would you like a hundred?"

"Now that's too much."

"Fifty?"

"Hm, an autograph should work out fine."

"Oh, that cheap?"

I was the one who laughed this time. "Your autograph doesn't come cheap, are you kidding?"

He cocked a brow at me. "But it's not worth more than a hundred pesos?"

"Ah, you're right," I agreed, tone solemn as I nodded with all the solemnity of a president during a nationwide speech. "My mistake, then. I'll take the penny so I don't hurt your finances or your pride."

"You're hurting my pride right now..."

I laughed, as did he. Like a habit, I looked over at MJ, thinking that maybe she'd laugh with me too—

But she was smiling at the two of us, gaze soft and fond. An expression heavy with affection that reminded me of how much she loves me, cares about me, and...

She wanted my happiness enough to bring this person to me despite my initial complaints, yet here I was, laughing with him and letting my thoughts be filled with only him when she was the one who made the effort to make this meeting happen.

I laughed a little more just to keep things from being too awkward, then returned to my food. I shouldn't let myself drown in so much happiness that I'd forget other important things, or people.

"Fia?"

"Who said you could call her that?"

The smile returned to my face when I heard MJ speak up again. "Well, it is my nickname..."

"He doesn't have the friendship privilege, does he?"

"Oh, I don't know, maybe he's earned it." I was teasing; it wasn't like I'd be meeting Roy again for my nickname to matter that much. I finished off my last spoonful of rice and meat, and said, "My name might be too long for him to say, anyway."

"Are you trying to guilt me? Because it's working."

"No, no, of course not. How dare I."

"Should I call you Fia or Sofia, really?"

Alright, maybe I chuckled a bit. He was being too serious for something so small. I looked over at MJ as I spoke, "Either is fine, I don't really mind."

"Names are important, though. I wouldn't want to overstep."

I finished off my milk before answering. "Then, Fia," I said, smiling at Roy. "Hearing my full name makes me think I'm in trouble with my mother."

"Aha, I get that."

"You get in trouble with your mother? So you're not that good a boy after all..."

He choked a little on his mouthful of food, shocking a laugh out of me. Out of all the things that would make him choke, it was this? I watched as MJ handed him his glass of milk to drink his mouthful down.

Then, with a mischievous gaze and wry smile, MJ said, "Fia, don't you think your kinks are showing a little too much?"

I ended up coughing at MJ's blunt words, because what the hell. Did she have to say that in front of Roy? "Hey, don't even joke. Roy might think you're being serious."

Roy blinked his smiling eyes at me, one hand rubbing at his chest after his little choking incident. "I mean, I can respect people's preferences."

"Please don't take her seriously."

"I'm just saying, though? I'm very open-minded."

"And I love that about you, but right now it's a little..."

Those words of mine trailed off into silence when I noticed the fleeting surprise on Roy's face.

Did I say something wrong?