Malls and weekends are bestfriends. It's the time everyone decides to go out. It was crowded, just like they had anticipated. Killian was a bit overwhelmed. He didn't know where to start. Everyone seemed to know where they were going, except for him. He was like a child.
"Men's sections are this way.", said Eris, "What are we getting first?",
"I don't know. Shirts, maybe?", he shrugged,
"You know what? I'll take the lead. Follow me, boss.",
"You should walk slowly, or I'll get lost.",
"Should I hold your hand?",
Killian was a bit shy by nature. Matter of fact, no girl had ever offered to hold his hand, especially a girl like Eris. Most people who asked were probably bullies who'd make fun of him as soon as he agreed. One would call him a nerd, a very good-looking nerd. When Eris saw that he was taking too long to decide, she took his hand and started moving. He was surprised, but it felt nice. He nearly broke a face muscle trying to contain his smile.
They finally arrived at the men's boutique. Eris knew a lot about it. They started looking around.
"The first rule of picking an outfit is the color, the shades. I've noticed you know nothing about color combinations, and you wear whatever is clean in the morning.",
Killian laughed, "You should be a judge.",
"I'm a fashion detective, and you're the worst fashion criminal I've ever seen.", she took a black, short-sleeved shirt. "Do you love dark green?",
"I love looking at it.",
"You should wear it sometimes.", she picked a pink shirt too, "Not all the time though.".
Within 20 minutes, Eris' hands were full, literally. She had grabbed every nice cloth she'd seen. She sat outside the changing room, waiting for Killian to come out and show her how he looked. First, Killian came out wearing all black. Eris smiled.
"You look so good.", she said, "How do you feel?",
"Different.",
"But can you live with it?",
"I think so.",
"Fabulous!",
Killian went back in. A few minutes later, he stepped out in summer blue and white. Eris liked it, but not very much. He went to change into something else. That whole process went on for a while, and finally they had their top picks. Killian paid.
"Okay. That's done. Let's talk hair", said Eris, "Do you want to trim it?",
"What do you think?", asked Killian, leaving all decision making to her,
"I think it's perfect. You just need better hair products.",
"Then what are we waiting for?",
Eris chuckled, "Let's go.",
She knew where every store was located inside that huge mall. She was an expert. Killian felt very comfortable around her. He felt like he could tell her anything and she wouldn't be judgmental towards him like how everyone else was.
"Can I tell you something?", he asked as they looked around for the perfect set,
"Yeah, go ahead.",
"There's this girl.",
Eris instantly paused. She looked at him with an intrigued smile plastered on her face. Relationships; her favorite topic in the history of conversations.
"Do spill, Mr. Chairman.", she said, eager to hear more,
"I like her so much, but I know she doesn't like me back.",
"Why do you think that?",
"She _ she's embarrassed by me. Whenever we meet, she makes sure there are no people around.", his tone was wounded. His heart ached just thinking about it.
Eris quickly wiped the smile off her face, "So you meet? That's a nice thing, right?", she asked,
"This sounds so weird coming from a man, but she's only using me for sex.",
"Whoa!",
"I know. I want something serious with her. I want a serious relationship with her, but she's made it very clear that it's never going to happen.", he heaved a sigh, "And worse enough, I can't say no to her. Whenever I see her text that she wants to meet, I obey, like an idiot.",
Eris looked around. There were people in the store, clearly not a good place to have that kind of conversation. Luckily, she saw the set she'd been looking for and took it.
"Let's pay for this, find a cafe, sit and talk more.", she said,
"Good idea.",
And they did. After leaving the store they found a perfect cafe with perfect tables and enough space for them and the many shopping bags.
Eris came to the table with two cups of smoothies. She gave him the fruity one and took the matcha.
"Okay. Have you tried telling her that what she's doing is kinda offensive?", she proceeded.
"I haven't. I can't. I'm worried she'll stop seeing me.",
"So, you're okay with being her boy toy?",
"I'm not okay, but I don't have a choice.", he took a sip, "We met on Wednesday night at a hotel. We had a good time. But as we were leaving, she ran into this man, and the way she was around him was very vivid. She loves the man.",
"Oh.",
"But he had a ring on his finger.",
"What?", she exclaimed, "She's in love with a married man? Figures.",
"She can't sleep with him, so she's using me.",
"Does she live in our town?",
"Yeah.", he nodded, "I don't think you've met. She's Lanelle, Meshack and Duante's sister.",
Eris knew her. And she immediately had a quick flashback a few days back when she went to the restaurant for the tacos. She recalled the way Lanelle looked at her after she handed Killian's credit card to her. It's like she was wondering what their relationship was to a point where he trusted her with his card. In other words, her curiosity could also be tagged as jealousy. And jealousy could only be born if someone is interested in somebody else. So, if her Math was right, Lanelle was secretly interested in Killian.
"I know Lanelle.", Eris said. She couldn't tell him more. She had already caused a mix-up with Deb's situation. Last thing she wanted was to crack another wall.
"Yeah. So, I don't know what to do.",
"Here's what you're going to do, Mr. Chairman.", she leaned in, "You're going to look better, be more confident and not be clingy. Be casual, be cool. Don't accept all her booty calls; out of 10, accept 3. Tell her there's somebody you're focusing on, and your sneaky links might have to end.",
"Then she'll stop _",
"No, she won't.",
"What makes you say that?",
"Because _", she sat back, "I'm an expert.", she smirked.
…
They had a good time together in the city, and now they were heading back. It was already getting dark outside. Eris kept scratching her neck for a while, and Killian was too concerned to ignore it this time. It was because of that long itchy wig. Good thing they were almost at the hill, it was safe.
"You can take it off. You'll ruin your neck at this point.", said Killian as he drove,
"We're almost home. I can tolerate it.", she said.
Killian was wearing some of the new clothes he bought. He finally did justice to himself. Money was well spent. There were no complaints. Eris' phone dinged. She had received a text message from Deb. She opened it and read it.
"Mr. Chairman.", she began,
"Yes.",
"There's a bonfire at the shore. Deb is there with friends.",
"I see.", he didn't sound excited as she was,
"There's food and drinks too.",
"You sound like you really want to go.", he chuckled, "Do you want me to drop you off there?",
"Actually, I want both of us to go. I think your presence is necessary.",
"Because I'm the chairman?",
"Yes.", she enunciated "Because you're the chairman. In the meantime, _", she took the wig off, "No more torture.",
"That makes me feel so much better.",
Eris shoved the wig in her bag. She used the phone's camera as a mirror to fix her hair.
…
The sea waves were loud, but not as loud as the laughter around the bonfire. There was Deb, sitting beside Meshack, Lanelle, Yuster and Duante. There was a mini food table around, but they were all enjoying their cans of beer.
"Okay, I think this town wouldn't survive without Deb.", said Lanelle, "She's just the life of the party.",
"And she's been here longer than all of us.", added Yuster,
"Well, I think Mesh and Duante are the life of the hill.", said Deb, refusing to be proud,
"So, Yuster and I don't matter?", Lanelle joked,
"You guys went to nursing school for years and nothing changed. It was like you never left.", laughed Meshack,
From time to time, Deb would sneak a glance at Duante who was seated on the other side of the fire. She didn't know if she was catching feelings or not, but her adrenaline was coming up too strong whenever he was around. She was now forcing herself to think about Meshack, because hours would pass, and his name wouldn't even pop up.
"But seriously, though, why aren't we even thinking of moving?", asked Lanelle, "I feel like even if I get married one day, I'd want my husband and I to stay here.",
"The hill is a nice town.", said Duante, "Everything I need is right here.", his gaze met Deb's. She quickly looked away. But those with sharp sight, Lanelle specifically, caught the tension. She pitied her brother.
While almost everyone was immersed in the conversation, Yuster spotted two people approaching them from afar. She squinted her eyes to get a clear view, but they all looked like strangers. She'd have recognized Killian if he wore his usual clothes.
"Who are those?", she thought out loud,
They all turned to face where Yuster was facing.
"Oh, that's Eris.", said Deb, "I think the man is _ Killian?",
Eris and Killian got to the bonfire. But reactions were divided. Most were surprised by Killian's change. Only Yuster was stunned by Eris' presence.
"Eris Endellion?", again, Yuster thought out loud,
"Hi.", Eris smiled,
"Oh my God, Killian?", Meshack laughed, impressed, "I barely recognized you, man.",
"Were you always this fit?", added Duante,
"Hi everyone.", Killian chuckled, a bit shy, as usual.
Lanelle was quiet. She became mad as soon as she saw those two arriving together. She was already suspicious about them, and now it was like the universe was answering her question. She had her eyes locked on Killian, but Killian never looked at her. It was as if she wasn't there.
Eris and Killian sat amongst the group.
"Were you together when I texted you?", Deb asked,
"Yeah. We were on our way back.", said Eris, "I need some food.",
"It's right over there. Knock yourself out.", Meshack pointed to the table.
Eris excitedly left for the table.
"You guys are focusing on the wrong things.", said Yuster, "That's Eris Endellion for crissake, in our town!",
"Girl, we know. She moved here about 2 weeks ago. She's my tenant.", Deb aided her with information,
"Really?", she turned to Killian, "Are you dating her too?",
"No.", Killian shook his head. Those who knew laughed, plus him, "She works at the administration office.",
"Then what were you doing together?",
"We went to the city together. I changed my wardrobe. She helped.",
"Was there something wrong with your wardrobe before?", finally, Lanelle asked.
It was crazy how they all simultaneously looked at her with a stare which said 'obviously'. Eris came back with a yummy looking plate.
"So, have you all been living here since you were young?", she asked as she took a seat.
"I was born here.", said Deb, "Meshack, Duante and Lanelle moved here when they were 12 and 9, and Lanelle was 5, I think.",
"What about you?", Eris asked Yuster,
"I've been here since I can remember. I was adopted when I was 3 and this became my home ever since.", she said, "Tell us about you.",
"Me?",
"Yeah. Why did you move here?",
"Well, _", she cleared her throat, "You mentioned my full name earlier, so I'm going to assume you already know what happened to me.",
"What happened to you?", asked Lanelle. But she knew the answer. She just wanted to hear her say it.
"I got canceled.", Eris shrugged, "I got chewed to the bones by friends and fans and I needed a time out. Actually, my mom is the one who suggested this town, because I could no longer stay in the city. She gave me Deb's number and that led to this. Here I am.",
"The things that your friends said, about you stealing boyfriends and all. Was it true?", asked Yuster,
"Some were true, yes. But I never took anybody's boyfriend. I'm not that kind of girl.",
"What kind of girl are you then?", asked Duante.
He had been so quiet for a while, so it was kind of out of the blue, and nobody expected him to contribute anything to that conversation, which was in fact, an interrogation towards Eris.
"Well, Duante _", Eris smiled. She liked that he asked her, "I'm a girl who shows up anywhere as long as there's free food.", they laughed. She continued, "I'm also a girl who doesn't steal men from their girlfriends. I'd sleep with the ugliest, most unattractive man in the world, but never with a guy who's dating, or married.",
The words pierced right through Lanelle's heart, and it triggered her immediately. Those past few days were all about ducking and avoiding topics which triggered her senses. She already didn't like Eris. Firstly, she wasn't her favorite celebrity. Secondly, the 'out of nowhere' closeness with Killian. And lastly, the 'married' comment. She knew that Eris knew nothing about Tevyn and the whole situation, but it still sounded provocative, and she wasn't going to let it go.
"Isn't it exhausting?", Lanelle began,
"What?", asked Eris, clueless,
"Acting all perfect and grounded; don't you get tired of it?",
They all started sensing antagonism from Lanelle, but nobody dared to say it.
Eris scoffed, "Did I say something which gave you that idea?",
"I don't know what the deal is with you, rich people. You just want everyone to fit in your little selfish bubble. You want them to believe you even if you're lying. You want them to behave a certain kind of way or dress a certain way. You just want to control everyone!",
Eris chose not to reply. So, she met one of the anti-fans who made her escape the city and avoid the internet. She was right there, taking her back to the most traumatizing point of her life.
"Hey, what's up with you?", Yuster whispered to Lanelle, "You're being weird.",
"No. I'm making a point.", Lanelle responded loudly, "Look at Killian; he didn't need a makeover. But little miss perfect over here didn't think so.",
"I like my new look, Lanelle.", Killian responded, "And I appreciate Eris for having the courage to point it out.",
"Are you painting me to be the bad guy here? Is this because she's rich and famous?",
Eris rose to attention. Although she had a smile on her face, her heart was breaking on the inside. Staying there longer and taking in Lanelle's words was torture. She loved herself too much to let her hurt her, "Thanks for the food. Goodnight, everybody.", she looked at Killian, "Thanks for today, boss.",
Killian was too ashamed to nod. He felt like he failed her. And even as Eris walked away, nobody followed her. It was clear she wanted to be alone. Duante agreed that previously, before that hot seat, he held a grudge against Eris. But now that she was crucified by his sister and chose not to have a comeback, he felt bad for her.
"We get that you don't like celebrities, but did you have to say that to her?", disappointedly, Yuster asked Lanelle,
"For sure, that wasn't cool, Lanelle.", added Deb,
"Oh, please.", Lanelle rolled her eyes, "So you expected me to worship her the way you guys were doing?",
"We weren't worshiping her. We were simply being nice.", said Meshack, "She didn't do anything wrong.",
"Well, ask Duante over here. She's a blabbermouth, and that's why her friends cut her off.", she got up and stormed off.
The whole mood changed. It was no longer a fun night. Everyone was disappointed.
***