🎶I would have written a story about us,
But it will be too unreal.
We don't even know each other yet🎶
There wouldn't be a story, or there might have been, but it ended shortly. What a song to play after the phone call! I already understood my situation, yet it rubs salt into my wound.
"Sorry, I have to go first," I told him while putting the book back in my bag, and getting ready to go out. I didn't even wait for his response, but when I was already in front of the door, I looked back at him and thought to myself:
Well, that was quite a short escape from reality. It's not like I'll meet him again anyway, so I shouldn't mind. I lost focus for a day, and now I have snapped back.
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Before the day ended, I took my suitcase and quickly packed a few clothes and stuff to bring with me during my short stay in Seoul. I just picked it randomly, as this is too sudden, and my brother has already booked the fastest flight for me and is scheduled to fly in less than an hour, so I don't have enough time.
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Throughout the flight, I can't help but think about what is bothering him and that he insisted I accompany him at this moment. It must have been hard for him to be alone in an unfamiliar place. How old was he again when he went there?
Was it 5 years ago? I must admit, he's quite tough to have survived there for years now, with no relatives or friends to rely on. Good thing he is friendly compared to me; otherwise, he wouldn't have lasted even a year.
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Throughout the flight, all sorts of possible celebrity scandals crossed my mind, and I have this unexplainable feeling in me. I know he isn't the type of guy who would have something dirty in him for reporters to flock on but, who knows? The world of showbiz is too tricky. Or maybe, he actually did something unnecessary this time? I haven't met him for awhile so.....
Is he caught using drugs? Wait, I don't think he's using it though, regardless of his problems, he won't resort to it. Maybe a dating scandal? Bullying? Attitude problem? Did he act impulsively and offended some big shots? Gosh Aiden, this is driving me crazy. What is his agency even doing?
It definitely won't be something light if he needed me immediately. But what is it exactly?
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It took 14 hours before I arrived. It was a long ride and haven't blinked even a second so my eyes might look bloodshot so I put on my sunglasses so they won't be visible. It's not like I care how other people perceive me, but I still felt conscious, especially since I'm not in a familiar place and they might think I'm high on drugs, and I know Korea is strict with that so I can't afford being caught by a police here without settling what I came here for.
I looked around and it still looks the same, the airport looks busy. A lot of passers-by kept taking glances at me and I'm a bit uncomfortable about it but I tried to ignore it.
I called Aiden immediately to ask for his current address so I can go there directly and escape here. I only knew he moved again recently as some sasaeng fans (some obsessive fans who actually stalk their idols) keep appearing in his neighborhood and he finds it creepy and bothersome. Who doesn't? I would freak out as well if someone stalks me in the pretense that they are my fans. There's no gender in it, stalking is stalking, with no excuses—what a bunch of lunatics.
"Don't bother sis, stay put, I'll come to pick you up. I'm already on my way anyway as I expected you to arrive anytime soon" he answered while driving on the way to the airport. He really is anticipating my flight. "Okay, stop using your phone then if you're driving, I'll wait here," I said and looked for a spot to wait for him.
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While sitting near the entrance for quite some time, I eventually got a glimpse of Aiden waving at me so I walked toward him. He's covered up with a cap, glasses, and a mask, probably to hide his identity from the paparazzi.
"Sis," he said and hugged me tightly.
I didn't say anything and hugged him back. Did he get thinner? He must have suffered a lot these past few days and right now, this is what he probably needed the most. This is why he should've just debuted in a group, atleast in that case he has some company.
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After quite some time, we got in his car, but we didn't speak any words at all, as if we both are testing the water.
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There is too much tension so I decided to just look at the scenery outside the window, the city lights you can see from afar while we're on the bridge are so delightful, yet I can't seem to appreciate it at the moment. I looked at Aiden beside me and noticed his pale face so I put my hands above his. He then looked at me baffled but I smiled at him and he then continued driving. I opened my window a bit as it feels suffocating inside.
The brush of fresh air came in and I closed my eyes and let it touch my skin. Again, I squeezed Aiden's hand to make him feel that he's not alone now.
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"We're here," he said and he parked his car in the garage. His apartment is not that big but still, it's decent. The design is simple and modern, mostly colored with white and a little bit of black to accentuate the structure.
He took my suitcase and we both went inside his apartment.
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Unknowingly, he was being followed since he left home so we were photographed at the airport and in front of his home.
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When we are already inside his apartment, I finally broke the silence.
I faced him and held his hands, "Now can you tell me what exactly is happening?" I asked him with a concerned face. By his silence, I knew he might not be ready to talk about it yet or he can't find the right words to start but I needed to know it now so that I could think of a way to help him as fast as I could because I still need to go back to Australia before our parents find out I flew here.
He sighed and started laying out his concern, "I was being accused of plagiarism, and now all my projects are on hold," with his head down.
We both looked at each other and went silent again. 'What kind of nonsense is that?'