MOBSTER FOR RENT (published by Bookware)

RENT 4 - LOCKS OF LOVE

Sara bit her lips as people continued to throw curious glances at them. Somehow, she felt elated. She stole a glance at Gio’s feet. The sole of his socks are now dirty. She then looked at the unfitted shoes on her feet and smiled inwardly. It felt weird to wear a guy’s shoes, but it strangely feels...hmmmm…what’s the word...comforting? A feeling of security? Other couples are pointing at them and gushing at how sweet Gio is. Others are openly laughing at the strange sight. Gio doesn’t seem to mind, he just continued walking silently.

They reached the viewing deck where the Locks of Love is and Sara took a sharp intake of breath as she marveled the beauty of Seoul from the viewing deck. She really wanted to go there but never found the time. She excitedly inspected the locks on the fence and read some of the messages left by the couples there.

She then glanced at Gio with an expectant look.

“No”, Gio immediately said with his usual noncommittal tone and darted his eyes forward, scanning the city of Seoul.

“Oh come on, just for fun”, she pleaded. Sara looked longingly at the padlocks with messages left by couples at the fence. She really wants both of them to do it to leave a memory of her first date.

“That’s not fun”, he said without even glancing at her.

“I promise I’ll ‘rent’ you if we do this”, she whispered while clasping both her hands with twinkling eyes.

“Very tempting, but no”, he crossed his arms and stared straight at the downtrodden face of Sara.

“Please?”

“Too cheesy.”

Sara stomped her feet in frustration and sat at a nearby bench. There’s not even an ounce of pity in the stoic guy’s system. Besides, he’s supposed to do everything that she says but why is it that she’s the one obeying his every whim?!

She shot Gio a death glare, crossed her arms and sharply turned her head away. Sara looked like a kid throwing tantrums but she doesn’t give a damn. She’s hella pissed. She heard Gio’s boisterous laugh and that annoyed her even more. What’s the point of climbing up Namsan Tower if they’re not going to leave a lock on the fence of Locks of Love?

A phone suddenly rang. It was Gio’s phone. He answered it and his expression turned grim in an instant. Sara eyed him curiously as he strode towards her.

“Stay here. I’ll be back”, he said without offering further explanation and started to leave.

“Wait, where are you going? Your shoes...” Sara was about to go after him but Gio coldly stared at her, stopping her from her tracks.

“I’ll be back”, he said with finality and left.

Sara grimaced. What an odd guy, she thought. She looked around and saw another couple putting a padlock on the fence. Sara sighed heavily; she badly wants to do it too.