Honesty is the best policy
Beomgyu's pov
"I find that hard to believe."
"Look, I'm sorry you had a bad experience with men but not everyone is out there to hurt you."
She looked at me way too long I almost felt attacked. Luckily for me, at least now it's wasn't a glare.
"I'm already married."
I mentally choked at her straightforwardness. I never expected her to admit this at all and now I'm just speechless.
"That guy used to care too." She took a deep breath and lowered her eyes to the food yet never touched anything down the table. "But apparently the rumors of him using my family's influence to further his career was true."
"What do you mean?"
My heart is palpitating in both nervousness and excitement at the fact that I didn't need to ask.
"My dad's reputation is well known to the public because he's a philanthropist. He likes helping underprivileged teens achieve their dreams by funding scholarships and training facilities. Mostly centered to music and arts."
She then made contact with my eyes again and I was caught staring. However, she only brushed if off like nothing.
"My husband was one of them and trained hard to debut as a musician but he somehow changed his mind after years of hard-work and helped at my father's hotel and casino.
"You mean he just left his previous dream for a job completely opposite? How old is he now?"
"Twenty three."
"Really?" I raised a brow at that revelation. I don't recall the guy last night was that young.
He oozes either authoritative or overbearing personality but it does makes sense.
My brother told me he was involved with experimental drugs and him turning one hundred eighty degrees from his dreams just proves he found a better option to earn easy money.
She have no idea how much I'm relieved that she's not a part of it.
"Yeah." She let out a deep sigh and I felt the burden she's carrying inside has been released for telling me this. "It was all for show. He needed the votes to beat the experienced politicians running for the government seat he seeks and I was so naive for thinking our relationship will last forever like my parents."
I reached out for her hands and sent my sympathy through eye contact because I couldn't find the right words to say.
"Thank you." She eventually said and removed her hands off the table. "I'm sorry for blabbering about things that doesn't concern you. I hope we can still be friends even though we started off a strange foot."
"S-sure." I agreed yet deep inside my heart is sinking from the hole that friend zone bullet hit and it's leaking bitterness right now. "Will you finally tell me your name?"
"Of course. I'm Alicia. My friends call me Alice. How about you?" She gestured a hand and I shook it even though I'm a bit hurt that she doesn't remember my name.
"I'm Beomgyu. You can call me tiger if you want." I silently roared and she laughed out loud. That was like music to my ears and lifted my spirits.
"You're funny. Are you sure you don't have a girlfriend?"
"Yes I'm sure." I grinned and saw a light at the end of the tunnel at how the conversation is going. "If I had, I would never look at anyone else."
Our eyes were glued for a moment but she managed to break out from it by picking a random food from the table.
"What a waste. You're such a remarkable guy and deserves to be loved the same way too." She said without looking. I on the other hand kept watching her eat the whole plate of stir fry noodles like she hadn't eaten for days.
I was totally shocked because I thought she'd be more of a picky eater and choosing something that takes days to digest thoroughly would be the last on her mind.
Her husband is an idiot for cheating on her and at the same time so lucky for still having her despite everything.
She raised her head when I forgot to respond.
"Y-yeah. You might be right but I usually fall for people who were already taken, in my knowledge or not."
The atmosphere has gotten heavier so I decided to change the course.
"Anyways, you mentioned your father helps anyone who wants to be a musician or artist."
"Yeah. Why?"
"I think I may have a few talents of my own." I smirked. "I can play guitar and paint some stuff. Do you think I still have a chance to get a scholarship despite my age?"
"Of course you can," her face lit up as if she's waiting for me to say it. "…on one condition."
"Okay…" I laughed nervously, thinking she's gonna ask for a background check.
"Paint me naked."