Word Count: 2000

Contd.

JIMMIE found himself entranced by the Niti as they sat together at the hotel bar, the clock slowly ticking towards the witching hour. His gaze was fixated on the alluring sight of her slumped in the chair, her words becoming more slurry as she indulged in the intoxicating spirits. Her face, a canvas of emotions, revealed both melancholy and desire, an irresistible combination.

Having taken care of Niti's injured foot, Jimmie decided to uphold her wishes by requesting drinks from the restaurant. At first, the management resisted, but with one call from his powerful connections, he effortlessly turned their negative response to a positive one.

Mystery surrounded Niti's peculiar request, but Jimmie sensed he owed her something for being involved in her current predicament. The private ambiance of the bar created a safe haven for them, with no prying eyes around.

"I love him, you know?" Her words came out in a broken, desperate whine as poured another glass of vodka for herself.

"I just love him so much," she choked out, her voice trembling with raw emotions. Tears streamed down her face, mixing with the traces of mascara that had smudged in distress.

"I know he loves me too, but he doesn't know what it's like," she continued, her voice cracking, "to feel that you are being avoided. He had been ignoring my question every time I asked him. I have tried so hard, so damn hard, to get a straight answer from him, but he just doesn't get the importance of it!"

Her words were punctuated by deep sobs, her body trembling with the weight of her heartbreak. She was still wearing the jacket he had given her. She hugged herself by bringing the jacket together, overlapping the front. It was a little big for her.

"If he had just told me that his family hated me so much, " she said, "I would...I would..."

"Would you have left him?" Jimmie interjected.

He watched her pause, taking in the weight of his question.

"No." She wiped her tears. "I would have tried to understand why they felt this way and how I could change it."

Jimmie's face displayed astonishment, a mix of regret and admiration, as he witnessed the unwavering determination in her eyes. In that moment, he realized that if he had only been as open and communicative with Hana, he might not find himself in such a complicated situation now. He couldn't help but wish he had taken the time to truly listen to and understand her.

The stark contrast between this girl and Hana was undeniable. She wore her heart on her sleeve, unafraid to let her emotions flow freely. Her tears and expressions of vulnerability were a stark departure from Hana's repressed demeanour. She embraced her feelings openly, even if it meant voicing her complaints and frustrations. Hana, on the other hand, had hidden everything away, concealing her true self from the world and from him.

"You look ugly when crying," he blurted out. He thought it was a good attempt to soften her mood a bit.

Niti's eyes widened in bewilderment as she gazed at him, caught off guard by his unexpected remark. "Who the fuck looks pretty while crying?" she barked. "You watch too many dramas."

It was Jimmie's time to be taken aback. His lips parted as he searched for the right response, but he drew a blank.

As he sat there, lost in the silence that enveloped them, her eyes were fixed on Jimmie's, searching for any hint of a response. The mask he wore concealed the rest of his face, leaving only his eyes visible to her curious gaze. He could feel the weight of her anticipation, the eagerness to decipher what he might be feeling or thinking.

In the midst of his internal struggle, he couldn't deny the enchantment that danced within her gaze. There was a magnetic energy that was beckoning him to dive into the unknown.

As if the universe conspired in his favor, she suddenly rose from her seat, her graceful movements tinged with a touch of vulnerability as she struggled to maintain her balance with one heeled foot and one foot encased in a bandage. In an act of boldness, she bridged the distance between them, her eyes never leaving his, and she delicately leaned in, her arm finding support on the backrest of his chair.

In that tender moment, an inexplicable force seemed to tug at Jimmie's heartstrings, drawing him irresistibly into the enigmatic depths of her soulful, chocolate-brown eyes. The connection between them intensified, a powerful pull that defied all logic and reason. He found himself irresistibly drawn to her, like a moth to a flame—a woman whose vibrant personality stood in stark contrast to Hana's guarded demeanour.

The world around him seemed to fade away as he gazed into her eyes, the magnetic attraction growing stronger with every passing second. In her gaze, Jimmie discovered a newfound sense of freedom, a chance to embrace emotions he had suppressed.

"Do you not feel confined by the mask?" Her words slurred slightly, the effects of alcohol more pronounced now that she was on her feet. "I wonder if you are ugly behind it?" She giggled playfully, swaying gently as she spoke.

Jimmie, on the other hand, was lost in his thoughts and didn't even hear what she was saying. His body was there, but his mind was with Hana.

It was a moment he had longed for, yet the weight of their circumstances added a bittersweet flavor to the encounter. After sneaking out of his studio, he had convinced Hana to meet him, despite her initial reluctance. He stood outside her house, cap and mask carefully concealing his identity, fully aware that one wrong move could spell disaster for his career. But he couldn't resist sharing the joyous news with her.

Tiptoeing around the back gate of Hana's foster home, he awaited her arrival, eager to pour his heart out. When she finally emerged from the narrow door, he couldn't contain himself and reached out for a hug. Hana was taken aback at first, but she surrendered to the embrace.

Excitement coursed through him as he revealed his success—his debut had become a reality. He longed for a future with Hana, free from the burdens of financial worries.

"You wanted me to be successful, now I am!" He exclaimed. "I did it, Hana! I did what we always dreamt of! I have debuted." He paused as he broke the hug. "Now we can be together, without worrying about money!"

Her gaze met his, and in the silence between them, a mix of yearning and hesitation filled her heart. She had tried to convince herself that staying apart was the right choice, but her heart refused to let go of what they once shared.

As she extended her arms to remove his mask, they both felt the familiar magnetic pull that had always drawn them together. In that poignant moment, she couldn't resist the urge any longer. Their lips met, the kiss infused with the echoes of their past and the uncertainty of what lay ahead. It was a bittersweet taste of the love they had fought for.

Breaking the kiss, she whispered, "I am sorry."

"Helloooo?" Jimmie's eyes snapped back into focus, finding Niti's gaze inches away from his own. She had moved impossibly closer.

Before he could question her actions, she wordlessly placed her hands on either side of his face and delicately tugged at the elastic of his mask.

Is it okay to let her do this? Wouldn't her perception towards him change? His brain warned him. The unexplained pull towards her puzzled him.

"Who are you? Why do you feel so familiar? Why did I trust you?" she mumbled, as removed his mask with shaky hands and then stared at his lips. "You smell like oranges, so you are my orange guy."

Instinctively, his eyes moved towards her lips too. A smile crept up her face.

"Hehe," she giggled, "you look li—" was all she managed to say before passing out on his shoulder.

Shock coursed through him as he held her from falling. He realized the magnitude of what he was about to do. The weight of the moment sank in and he couldn't help but feel grateful for the interruption.

He picked her up in his arms. Strangely, she didn't repulse him like his fans made him feel. But she is my fan.

The memory of the day he encountered her in that modest studio remained vivid in his mind. His bodyguards, cleverly disguised as tourists, were relentless in their pursuit, protecting him like zealous hounds. Their presence was meant for his safety, but it stifled him, leaving him yearning for a sense of liberation.

In this foreign land, nobody knew of his early arrival. According to the media, he was meant to touch down with his three bandmates a few days before their scheduled performance. But here he was, concealed a week ahead of them, seeking solace in anonymity.

Ever since the incident with Hana a year ago, he had become wary of crowds. Even the slightest touch from his adoring fans could send him into a state of panic, making him feel trapped and gasping for air. Such vulnerability was dangerous for his career, and he couldn't afford to reveal that side of himself.

To protect his image and sanity, he had adopted a covert travel strategy. His doppelgänger, a friend of similar build, would assume his identity with the rest of the team, following the instructions he had carefully provided. His own clothes were entrusted to this doppelgänger, who would convincingly portray Jimmie, the charismatic lead singer and dancer of Bow Wow.

In the unfamiliar landscape of India, he blended seamlessly with the bustling crowds. Here, he was not the focal point of adoration but just another face in the sea of people. India's bustling energy surrounded him, yet it didn't bear the weight of scrutiny he experienced in his home country. Surrounded by genuine fans, he could navigate the streets without the discomfort of being constantly recognized.

The Indian streets may have been more crowded, but in this realm, he found a peculiar sense of comfort. In this place, he wasn't the center of attention, but rather a seamless part of the bustling crowd. The accidental touches and bumps from the people around him didn't bother him at all.

In the studio that day, when Niti's phone rang, he immediately recognized the familiar melody—it was his own creation. A song he had penned for the love of his life, a heartfelt composition that never made it to the top 100 charts. It was a small but sincere token of his love and appreciation, yet it remained largely unnoticed due to its mismatch with the persona he had cultivated.

Niti's choice of that particular song as her ringtone delighted him. She must have truly adored it, even though he had deleted it within hours of releasing it. Her knowledge of this obscure song was enough for him to deduce that she was a genuine fan of Bow-Wow!

So why was he comfortable around this fan when every other fan repulsed him? Maybe it's because she didn't know who I am? Or maybe my fans here will be different? He wondered if she would act differently after waking up now that she knew who he was. Would he get nauseated in her presence, too?

Jimmie shook his head as he carried her to his room and seated her on the edge of his bed.

"Why did you look more than just broken-hearted in front of the hospital?" he whispered, knowing too well that she couldn't comprehend anything properly. "I am sure it wasn't just about love. You looked broken in many ways."

She cracked her eyes, looked at him without saying a word.

Jimmie's heart pulsed with the flutter of anticipation. Did he really feel something towards Niti or was he just lonely? He held her hand as he sat down beside her. His heart pulsed with conflicting emotions, a chaotic symphony of desire and doubt.

"Maybe you can help me get over Hana?" He mumbled as he leaned closer to an unsuspecting Niti.

He closed his eyes and inched forward towards her face, only her lips in his vision.

Every girl desires this from me, and since you're also a fan, it should be alright, shouldn't it? His mind echoed.

"Maybe you won't even remember," he whispered as he closed the gap.

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A/N

Oh no! Things are turning a little difficult for everyone. Wonder what will happen when everything comes out!

Stay tuned!

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Cheers~
Aeon