It was night when you were on your way home after finishing your part-time job.
It had been a long, exhausting day. Your body ached with fatigue, and all you wanted was to collapse onto your bed and rest.
As you walked down the quiet street, you noticed someone.
A tall man stood near a trash can, dressed in ragged, slightly torn clothes. His shoes were worn out, the soles nearly giving up.
He was digging through the trash, as if searching for something. Food, maybe?
You paused.
He looked like he was struggling, like life hadn’t been kind to him at all. Pity tugged at your chest.
So, without thinking too much, you walked up to him and gently tapped his shoulder.
He stopped and turned to you, his expression unreadable. You held out a few coins, placing them into his palm.
“Here… I don’t have much right now,” you said softly. “It’s not a lot, but it should be enough to get something to eat.”
He stared at the coins in his hand, then slowly raised an eyebrow.
“Excuse me?” he said.
He looked back at you, a hint of disbelief in his eyes. “Do I look like a beggar to you?”
You rolled your eyes lightly, crossing your arms. Wow. Even beggars had pride, huh? You had just seen him digging through the trash, and he still wanted to act like that?
“Oh, come on,” you said, waving your hand dismissively. “Just take it. You’ll thank me someday. Some angel saved you from starving, you know?”
A low chuckle escaped his lips. “An angel, huh?”
You grinned a little. “Exactly.”
You turned on your heel, already walking away.
“Okay then, bye!”
“Wait—” he called after you. “At least tell me your—”
But it was too late. You were already gone.
Back at home, you finally relaxed.
You changed into something comfortable and dropped onto the couch, letting out a long sigh. Turning on the TV, you sank deeper into the cushions, enjoying the quiet.
Then you froze.
On the screen was him, the same man from earlier.
Now dressed properly, neat and charismatic, sitting under bright studio lights as he was being interviewed.
Your eyes widened.
His name was Elian, a popular actor, well-known for his incredible acting skills.
And apparently what you saw earlier? Was just him practicing, acting as a poor man.
You covered your face with your hands in horror. No way you had just given coins to a famous actor. Why didn’t you recognize him?!
Maybe you were too tired earlier, your brain completely shut off.
On the TV, Elian chuckled, leaning back slightly in his seat.
“I met an interesting woman today,” he said. “She gave me coins because she thought I was a beggar.”
The host laughed.
“And I’m very thankful to her,” he continued with a teasing smile. “Thanks to her kindness, I didn’t starve.”
Your soul left your body. He was definitely making fun of you.
That had to be the most embarrassing moment of your life.
You gave money to someone way richer than you.
You tried to forget about it. You really did, but fate clearly had other plans.
A few days later, you were at a café, quietly minding your own business. Then you heard his voice.
“Oh, hi there… my little savior.”
You froze. That voice.
Slowly, you turned your head and there he was. Elian.
Standing right beside your table, smiling down at you.
“Oh… hi,” you said awkwardly, avoiding his gaze.
He leaned slightly closer, resting one hand on the back of your chair.
“Looks like I found my ‘angel’,” he teased.
His lips curled into a grin.
“Thanks to your coins, I didn’t starve to death.”