Something Worth Smiling For

"Did something happen?"

Mark was drawn from his reverie by the curious brunette.

His face brightened as he looked at the stunning woman.

"Let's just say…"

Throwing a smile, he amplified her sense of happiness, trying to share the moment of elation.

"You won't have to worry about those guys from yesterday. And to celebrate this, free drinks for tonight!"

Cielo smiled- seemingly more happy about the latter news. She reached around Mark's back and patted his shoulder.

"You aren't trying to get me drunk again, right?"

All the blood drained from the bartender's face after hearing those dreadful words. The smile on his face was bent into an indescribable expression.

He shouldn't have offered that.

"Did I say free drinks? No, no. I said a free drink. Right! That's what I said."

Cielo looked at him incredulously, but she also seemed amused.

"Nope! You can't hold back on me with this. I took you for an honest man, not a lying loser."

Mark shrugged.

The job comes first. He couldn't have Royce firing him because of this alcoholic lunatic.

"I'm not lying. It's just… that your health and safety comes first. I can't have you getting all hammered. Your father will kill me!"

Cielo rolled her eyes, not believing a single part of his poorly made excuses.

"Fine, I'll pay. But, I'm still getting myself drunk. In fact, now I'm definitely going to get hammered!"

Mark's expression darkened.

This person isn't refined after all!

"Please don't."

Looking up from the ground, an odd sensation crawled up in his mind.

Something felt wrong.

He swept his gaze across the streets and was slightly taken aback.

Usually people in the city kind their own business while they go to wherever place they need.

So why did it seem as if everyone passing by was throwing glances at them?

He looked at Cielo with confusion sprawled on his face. She responded with an equally questioning gaze- as if inviting him to put his thoughts into words.

"Why does it feel like everyone is watching us?"

The brunette thought for a second before realization seemed to hit her.

She lightly whispered into his ear.

"Right, you don't experience this. They are just slightly enraptured by me… or jealous of you. Don't worry, it's easy to get used to."

'Jealous? Why would they be…'

He noticed the fine hand resting on his shoulder, then the delicate arm around his back.

'When did that get there?'

With slight reluctance, he pulled himself out and pointed at a random spot.

"That place looks cool, let's check it out!"

…

It didn't take long before Mark was back behind the bar, the brunette right before him on the stool, blissfully taking sips from her fine beverage.

He was wiping the glass in his hands while lost in thought, a wistful look lining his face.

Being watched by others was not such a foreign thing to him. However, it usually meant he was about to get jumped by a mob of people or something like that.

Simple envy was nothing compared to that. But it was still hard to tell the difference between the two.

Should he be more relaxed?

Maybe.

But his paranoia kept him alive, it was the difference between being prepared or victimized by a sudden attack.

From all those envious onlookers, perhaps one would be out to kill him.

The mere thought of drawing so much unnecessary attention was already daunting.

He had to fix this as soon as he could.

"Say, would you keep all the clingy stuff for when we're alone?"

The brunette took a sip before looking at Mark questioningly.

At that moment, the implication of his words set in.

"No, not like that-."

The half-drunk woman put her hand up in a motion for him to pause.

"It's ok, I know what you mean."

A smile crept across her face.

"You like it better when nobody else is around."

She nodded.

"I can understand."

Mark took the glass in front of the obnoxious woman, his eye twitching in annoyance.

"No, you don't. Not a single thing gets through that thick skull of yours- so stop drinking already!"

She took back her glass without a care, seemingly displeased.

"Then tell me."

Sighing, Mark set down the glass he was wiping.

"So. I recently had some trouble with a few fine young chaps-"

Cielo raised her hand.

"You mean the ones you beat up?"

'Oh right she saw them.'

He coughed his throat before continuing.

"Yeah, them. Either way- they aren't important. A few days ago their… big brother… came by and I had to deal with him. But their family didn't really like that and started chasing me down. It's also a pretty big family, so I need to keep track of my surroundings.

Mark raised his finger at the drunk.

"Which is why you need to stop drawing so much attention."

He looked into the peach pearls of her eyes.

"…"

There was no response.

She simply looked at the bartender with disbelief before focusing back on her drink.

The atmosphere became awkward in a matter of seconds.

'Oh shoot.'

He quickly thought of ways to remedy the situation, but his urgent mind seemed to pressure him into telling the truth.

"Ok, I might be hunted by a gang…"

The brunette finally returned his gaze as the mood in the room seemed to lighten.

"That was easy right? Just tell the truth. Also, you are terrible at misleading. Please at least make it sound slightly more believable."

He shrugged.

"Ever heard of the saying ignorance is bliss?"

Cielo nodded with displeasure written across her face.

"Maybe that is true, but for me, it would be much better to know than to not. Intelligence is a gift and privilege that I was given. Ignoring it would do me no favors."

Mark nodded.

Even though he had just preached against it, from a personal position he perfectly agreed with what she just said.

Was it hypocritical to wish intelligence on himself and ignorance on others?

Of course not! It's simple survival of the fittest. He would always choose the most secure and promising option.

He smiled.

It was always nice to see someone of similar opinion.