Mabel finally stepped out of the station, relieved to be free at last—until she spotted Randall standing by the sidewalk, smugly holding her luggage. Her mood plummeted instantly.

  “You forgot this,” he said with a smirk.

  Mabel glared at him for a full three seconds before snatching her luggage from his grasp. She let out a deep sigh. “I can’t believe this is how you Antorians welcome tourists. How can you just spot an innocent person, make them lie, and then find amusement in their anxiety?”

  Randall’s smirk widened. “That’s why lying is bad. It causes anxiety. You shouldn’t lie, it’s wrong. That’s the valuable lesson I was kindly teaching you. I’m happy it stuck.”

  Mabel narrowed her eyes. “Kindly teaching me?”

  “Obviously, you didn’t know lying was bad. If you did, you wouldn’t have done it so easily. I just provided a real-life lesson—one that’ll save you heartache whether you stay in Antoria or not. Honestly, you should be thanking me.” He grinned proudly.

  Mabel took a deep breath, trying to suppress the irritation bubbling inside her. I should just walk away. I haven’t even recovered from what I just went through with the police officers. I don’t need this guy adding to my mental stress.

  She turned to walk away—except he walked alongside her.

  “Are you that mad that you’d leave without thanking me for my kindness? I did watch over your luggage and impart great wisdom for free.”

  Mabel kept walking, pretending he didn’t exist.

  He studied her face. “I see, you’re quite angry indeed. It’s such a pity, you’re a beautiful lady.”

  Mabel’s brows twitched. Where is this going?

  “Are you saying that it is a pity that I am beautiful?” Mabel snapped.

  He looked at her with concern. “It’s not that. Your beauty is a blessing to all who lay their eyes on you.”

  Okay? She thought skeptically.

  “… It’s just a pity how distorted your face looks at this moment. I don’t mean to be rude, but right now, your face is—how do I put this? —somewhat resembling a gorilla. So please, for both our sakes—cheer up. You deserve to look better than this. You are beautiful, embrace it.”

  Mabel stopped in her tracks. “I think I heard wrong. Repeat that.”

  Randall blinked innocently. "I said you’re beautiful. It’s true. I’m sure you know that."

  Mabel’s expression darkened. “The other part. Repeat it. I dare you.”

  Randall tilted his head thoughtfully. “I meant no offense! I was merely observing your current state and suggesting a practical solution. But fine, I can tell my insights aren’t appreciated. I know you don’t want me tagging along, but I just wanted to see your beautiful face one last time before I left. So, please—cheer up.”

  Mabel clenched her fists. He looks so innocent that I can’t tell if he’s insulting me, complimenting me, or just messing with me. But I think today… I might actually hurt someone.

  Without a word, she launched into her signature passive-aggressive dance of destruction. She moved in an acrobatic blur, performing an elaborate sequence of kicks, flips, and feints—never actually touching Randall, but giving him the definite impression that she might. Every time he tried to dodge, he managed to hurt himself instead—crashing into a streetlight, stumbling over a curb, colliding with a bench. She skillfully positioned him near every possible hazard.

  Finally, he stopped dodging, closed his eyes, and stood still, realizing her game. "I see what’s happening. You’re making me hurt myself. Smart."

  “Will you keep your eyes closed forever?” she whispered in his ear.

  “I don’t mind,” he replied, voice tight with forced calm.

  Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

  “Well, I’ll stay right here until you decide to open them. You can’t escape me. Wherever you go, I’ll follow—and I’ll do so happily. This should teach you not to mess with any stranger you encounter. This is a lesson of respect!”

  Randall sighed. “I’m sorry. I pushed it. You’re right to be angry. I went too far.” His eyes remained shut.

  Mabel was about to revel in her victory when a phone rang, snapping her back to reality. Randall answered his call.

  “Hello, Dr. Shin? Yeah, I’ll be there soon.”

  Mabel stared at the still-unharmed man, longing for the chaos she had imagined.

  Randall, meanwhile, was lost in thought. That was actually fun. I was told to try this out, and how fortunate I was—I found a newbie right away! I’m sure she’s mad but she’ll get over it, especially if she gets the opportunity to do this to someone else. It’s just harmless fun. I was advised not to apologize, but I feel bad. Should I just walk away now? Well, too late to backtrack. Maybe I can at least offer her a ride…

  With a sigh and a smile, he spoke. “You’re still beautiful, either way.”

  “So, you are saying that I am a beautiful gorilla-looking lady?”

  Randall smiled wishfully, “The most beautiful I have ever seen.”

  Mabel’s anger spiked. With a stiff voice, she spoke, “That isn’t a compliment.”

  He was still smiling. “Of course, it’s a fact.”

  Mabel blinked. Why am I still standing here? She answered herself internally: Because I was daydreaming about him injuring himself. If only my dreams come true. If only.

  Randall continued, “…Well, it was nice meeting you, but I have to go. You seem new in Antoria. Need a ride?”

  Mabel’s expression turned to ice. “I would never take a ride from you. Just go.”

  Without another word, Randall bowed and walked away without looking back. Mabel felt an unexpected pang of disappointment. Not even a backward glance? That guy. Wait, why are you disappointed? This is what I wanted. Stop being unreasonable.

  She was still lost in thought when Adelina appeared, breathless. “Finally found you! What happened? I’ve been looking everywhere for you! I called you twenty-two times!”

  Mabel blinked in surprise. Checking her phone, she realized she’d accidentally silenced it. She started to apologize. “I’m sorry—wait, no! I should be mad at you! Why didn’t you tell me lying is illegal here?!”

  Adelina turned pale. “How did you find out?!”

  Mabel pointed accusingly at the nearby police station.

  Adelina gasped. “You went to the station?! You lied?!”

  Mabel pouted. "It shouldn’t even count as a lie!"

  As they took a cab, Mabel recounted the incident. Adelina shook her head in disbelief. "You, of all people, lied? The strictly honest Mabel I know? In just 30 minutes of being here?"

  Mabel defended herself. "I stared at a guy who stared at me longer, I looked away, and then the police showed up with full seriousness, interrogating me about it. What do you make of that? But I didn’t lie before the LDM so it was an attempted lie. I’m good."

  Adelina shook her head in amusement. “I’ve missed you.” She hugged Mabel tightly.

  Mabel deadpanned. “Uh… okay. I’m still mad at you.”

  Adelina groaned dramatically. “I’m sure the police have already explained why it’s still a secret. I am a citizen; I have to play my part. I just wanted to be the one to do it to you. I have been saving it so carefully! I was saving it for the perfect time. And now, some random guy just stole it from me! Ughhh! It wasn’t time! Maybe I should’ve done it earlier! This is excruciatingly painful. Why would he do that? Does he not know that you must have friends and family who were saving it for the perfect moment? How could he just steal it?!"

  Mabel watched as Adelina wailed dramatically. "You’re unbelievable."

  "I can’t forgive him. I won’t. That moment was meant for me." Adelina closed her eyes, taking deep, tragic breaths. She looked out the window for a while allowing the fresh air to gently slide across her face and hair as she closed her eyes. She took another deep breath and fully accepted what had happened.

  After a long pause, she turned to Mabel and sighed. "Anyway, welcome to Antoria."

  Mabel deadpanned. “You have no shame, do you?”

  Adelina’s eyes burned with passion. “I have none. And it’s all your fault!”

  Mabel smirked mischievously. “Yeah… I’d have done the same.”

  Adelina looked out the window in pure regret. "For years, I waited for my revenge for all your pranks and chaos you’ve put me through. I was saving it. And now? Gone. Stolen."

  Mabel, fully amused, let out her signature laugh. "Hehe, in your face."

  Adelina watched her, then cracked a smile and joined in the laughter. After a moment, Mabel asked, "By the way, isn’t it weird that I’ve never visited you since you moved here because of how much of a workaholic you are?"

  Adelina nodded. "I’m too good at my job. I always get called for something. That’s why I visit you rather than have you visit."

  Mabel mulled over it. "Yeah. But this law is still really hard to believe. It’s wild. I used to visit for contests when I was younger, and I never heard about it."

  "It became law two years ago."

  Mabel's eyes widened. "No wonder Antoria’s growth exploded. Seven times better in three years!"

  Adelina smirked. “Yup. Absolute honesty has proven to be the antidote for a perfect country. It's not even so much of a secret. Everyone should know that fact.”

  Mabel nodded. “Still, I gotta say—hats off to you for keeping it a secret from me. Unfortunately, you did not get your desired result after all your efforts. I understand your pain, it must be heartbreaking.”

  Adelina narrowed her eyes. "Yeah, rub it in."

  Mabel laughed scornfully and scoffed. "Ha! In your face."

  Adelina sighed. “Mark my words, Mabel—I will be avenged.”

  Mabel grinned. “I look forward to it.”

  Adelina playfully shoved her as they both burst into laughter.