Date?

"John, I think it would be better if we sing this part together."

John and I were in the company, working on the songs for our upcoming mini album. 

"Ok, let's try it."

We made demos with different versions so we could let the others listen and choose which is better.

It's already lunch time and we're not done yet. I still have to meet Mark at 3 later.

"Kris?" he asked me while we were eating our take out food in the studio.

"Yeah?"

"What are you doing this afternoon?"

"I need to meet somebody. Why?"

"Who?"

"Just a friend."

"Oh." He looked disappointed.

"Why?"

"I was just wondering if you would want to go watch a movie with me." 

"Oh. Sorry, John. Maybe next time."

"Ok."

He didn't say another word until we finished eating.

"How's the work going?" Yonghwa came in.

"Hyung," John stood up and gave Yonghwa a high-five.

"We've done a few versions. We couldn't decide which is better." I told him.

"Let's listen to them," Yonghwa put on the headphones and started listening.

"So, what do you think?" I asked him. I was a little worried cause the boss wanted a different concept for our comeback and we haven't decided on what it would be yet. 

"If you'd do the first, it would be pure rock concept. Your listeners would be limited to those who like rock. For the 3rd one, well...I think it would be more open to different genres."

"Yes, but we're a rock band." John argued.

"Yes, but you see, we started as a rock band, too. But, we had to gain more listeners first. When you've established your name in the industry that's the time you could do whatever music you like. It's not all about what music you like. It's about what fans want to hear. Of course, you should still add your own color to it, but you have to start with the basics first."

"Oh...ok." I said. Now I understand why most rookies go for pop.

"So, if I were you, I would go with the 3rd version." Yonghwa stood up.

"Thanks, hyung."

"Thanks, Kuya." I stood up, too, and gave him a hug. "You're the best."

"Of course I am. Who am I anyway? I'm the one and only Yonghwa." He raised his hand and made the rock sign with his fingers.

"Oh...yeah..." John did the same.

I just laughed at them. Guys...

"Hey, I'll be seeing you guys when we come back from our tour in the US." He waved and went out the door.

"When would we ever be like them?" John asked, feeling envious on how free the sunbaes are when it comes to making their music.

"Soon, John. Now start working."

It was already past three o'clock when we left he building. 

"Where are you meeting this 'friend'?" John asked me.

I was putting my things in my car and looking at myself in the rearview mirror.

"Just a few blocks from here."

"Can I join you?"

"No, John." I pushed him away.

"Why not? Is it a secret? Are you keeping secrets from us?" 

He followed me to the back of the car and opened the trunk for me. I put in my guitar and closed the trunk.

"No, of course not."

How can I get rid of this guy?

"So why can't I come?" John is being persistent.

"Because....Wait, weren't you supposed to be meeting up with Jong-hoon oppa?" 

"Oh...yeah...shit...Bye Kris."

Thank God....

I waited for him to ride the taxi before I walked towards the cafe. 

I looked at myself on the display glass of a shop beside the cafe. 

Why do I always forget to put on powder...or at least lip gloss....Ugh...

I saw Mark sitting at a table at the far left. He looked at me and waved. I signaled him to go up to the second floor, it's less crowded there.

"I'm sorry, I'm late. We just had a lot to do." We seated at a table near the window.

"That's fine." That smile could kill me any day now. 

"You look happy." I told him. I remember he told me he had good news. "So, what's the good news?"

As usual, he had a cap on. His eyes are peering under the flap of the cap. His perfect jawline is prominent and his lips are just perfectly-shaped. 

"Let's order first," he said and gave me the menu.

I could feel him staring as I browsed through the list. I'm getting a little flustered with his stare so I put up the menu in front of me to cover his line of view.

"I'm sorry," he said as he pulled down the menu. "I won't stare, promise."

"You choose!" I pushed the menu to him. "I just want black coffee." 

"Are you not hungry?"

"I had a late lunch with John at the company."

"John?"

"Yeah! Our leader." I said.

"Just the both of you?" he asked.

"Yes. We worked on the different versions of the songs."

"You two are really close, aren't you?" He was looking at me now.

The waitress came up to us and Mark gave our order. 

"Well, John and I go a long way. We thought, at first, we were gonna debut as a duet. But then I had to leave and when I came back to Korea,  Sarah and Daniel joined the team."

"Oh..." 

What is that expression on his face? 

"Hey! So, what's the good news?" I asked him. I really wanted to know.

He smiled and got excited. He rubbed his hands together and put them down on the table.

"I'll be hosting Pops in Seoul on Fridays." 

"Really?" This really is good news. I'm so happy for him.

"Yeah, I'll be starting two weeks from now."

"That's wonderful." I gave him a high-five and he held on to my hand a little longer. I didn't resist. "We have to celebrate then." I told him. He slowly put down my hand and let it go. 

"Yeah, we should."

"You have to treat me." I joked.

"I have better plans," he had an impish smile on his face.

"No....No more rides for me....for now." I put up both my hands and waved them in front of me. 

He laughed. "Not that."

"Tell me." I insisted.

"Soon."

I pouted at him and he pinched my cheeks. 

"Ouch!"

He just laughed again.

The waiter came in with the coffee. I was about to take a sip of mine when he took the cup away from me. 

"What? Hey, that's mine." 

I reached out to take it back but he put up his other hand to stop me. 

He blew on my coffee. "I learned from your mistakes." He said, blowing at the coffee more.

How sweet can he get?

He pushed the cup back to me. "Here," he said. 

"Thanks," I felt embarrassed. I felt like a child being fed. 

He was looking at me carefully when I took the first sip. 

Don't stare!

"Is it better?" he asked.

"Yes, thanks again." I smiled shyly and looked away.

"Oh," as if he suddenly remembered something. He took a small black box from his bag and put it in front of me. "I have something for you."

"But, my birthday's over. You don't have to." 

I looked at the box and at him. 

He gestured for me to open it.

I loosened the ribbon tied around it and looked at him again.

"Open it," he said.

I opened the box and pulled out a small elephant charm.

"Ooohhh....this is just so cute." I said excitedly as I looked at the intricate details on the silver charm. 

"Are you wearing the bracelet?" he asked me.

"Yeah," I put up my other hand to show him I was wearing it.

"Here, let me put it for you."

He took the charm with his left hand and pulled my wrist with the other. He carefully snapped the charm into place. 

I put up the bracelet and looked at it again.

"I'll try to fill that up with different charms." He said to me.

"There are ...." I started counting the locks on the chain, "20 more spaces. You have to give me 20 more then." I was joking of course.

But, he was serious. 

"And, I'd buy you another bracelet so I could fill it up again." He looked at me.

Honestly, I don't know what to make out of this. Is he making a move on me? 

No. I don't think he would. He's not allowed to date yet anyway -  company rules. And even if he is I don't know if I would accept it. Should I put him in the friend zone? 

But, what if he just really wants to be friends? Let's just leave it at that for now. Just friends.

"What are you thinking?" he tilted his head so he could see my face which was bowed down.

"Mark," I looked up at him. "I hope you won't spoil me with gifts." I said.

"What if I want to?" he was playing with me.

"Just, you know...I wouldn't know how to repay you if you give me too much." 

"Oh," he backed out a little. "Hey! C'mon. Don't think too much about it. OK?" He said. "We had a fan meeting in Thailand and I saw that. I just thought it would look good on your bracelet." He was explaining.

"Ok. Thanks." For now.

"Anyway," he changed the subject, "I noticed the last time we met that you have a tattoo. Is that real?"

Who wants to know?

"Uhmm..." I hesitated. Would it be ok to talk about it?

He was waiting.

"You mean, the one here?" I pointed at the one on my left side.

"Yes? Why? Do you have more?" He looked surprised.

Should I tell him? Won't it turn him off? From what I know, he doesn't have any on his body. 

What do I care anyway if he'd be turned off? He's just a friend.

"Y..ee....a...h..." I said slowly. I studied his reaction.

He was just waiting. Still surprised.

Might as well tell him. He'd know it sooner or later anyway.

"This," I showed the one on my left, "is a ritual of a tribe where I come from. They play these instruments while dancing around the fire."

He looked impressed. He leaned closer to see it well. 

"Wow, the details are just impressive."

He sat back down. "Is that some kind of a tradition? I mean...getting a tattoo?" he asked.

"No," I should just tell him, "I had an accident years ago and it left a long scar here." I pointed at where the tat is. "A friend of mine, back home, is a tattoo artist and he said we could hide the scar with an ink."

"You have a scar? I didn't even notice it."

He was really amazed. I just smiled at his expression.

"You said you had more than one?" he asked again.

"Yes," I pulled up my hair to show a tiny musical note just behind my right ear, "this here, I got it in Japan." 

"Don't tell me you had another accident." His eyes got bigger.

"No..." I laughed.

His expression relaxed a bit.

"I had to go to Japan a few years back. To....uhm...just to clear my head. I stayed there for six months and busied myself with music. I thought it would be cute to have one here. It reminds me of my passion for music."

"It is cute." He smirked. "You really love music, don't you?"

"Yup. It helped me get through...tough times." My face became serious just remembering the past.

He eyed me as if he wanted to ask me something but then he stopped himself. 

"When you look closer," I leaned my head closer to him so he could see it clearly, "it's not just any musical note. It's my name, shaped into a musical note."

"Woah....that's cool." His face was just inches away from my neck. 

I could hear my heart beating faster, I pulled away and sat back down.

"And," I continued.

"And? There's more?"

"Uh...yeah..." I grinned. A little embarrassed.

"Where?"

"My right thigh....that....I can't show you..." I laughed.

He laughed, too.

"What is it?" he asked.

"A guitar and a bike." 

"Oh?"

"Yeah...to cover up another scar." I know. I'm a girl with a lot of scars. Don't judge me.

"What happened?"

"Another accident..." 

"You sure are accident prone." He said half smiling.

"Motor accidents, to be specific." 

"What? And you still ride a bike?" He was aghast.

"Sure! Why not?" I looked at him questioningly.

"Why not? You've been into accidents because of a bike and say 'why not'?"

"Why do you look angry?" I was surprised at his reaction.

He sighed and leaned against the back of the chair.

"I'm not angry. I just can't believe you."

Now, he's turned off. Let him. 

"I don't think I wanna ride on your bike anymore," he finally said.

"Seriously?"

He laughed. "I was just kidding." He looked at me and where my scars are. "Maybe not."

"Yah," I pretended to be hurt, "I wasn't the reckless one. Besides, I wasn't the one driving when I got the first one."

"Who?" He was curious.

"Uhmm...." I'm not ready to tell him about my past yet, "a friend." I just said.

I wanted to divert the conversation. I don't want him to dig deeper.

"So, enough about me. I've spilled a lot of my secrets already."

"But, I like listening to your stories." He started smiling again.

"Tell me something about you I don't know." I leaned forward.

He thought for a minute, looking at me. As if he was choosing what stories to tell me.

"I was good in Math????" He grinned.

"What?...Is that all you got, Mark?" 

I wanted to know more about him. I wanted him to open up. But he seemed remote. I guess I'm not the only one hiding something from my past after all.

I didn't want to push him. So I just had to do with what he wants to bring out.

"What do you wanna know?" He asked me. 

"I don't know...." I don't wanna ask him about Angela. I know it's still a fresh issue for him. I didn't want to ruin his mood. "What are your likes and dislikes?" I can't think of anything else.

He laughed out loud.

He told about how he likes sports and his dislike to being forced to speak in front of many people.

"But, you're gonna be a host soon. You have to talk." I told him.

"That's one of my worries. I would need to talk a lot. More than usual. And I'm not used to that."

"Practice."

"How?"

"You can practice in front of me..." I joked him.

"Ugh....it's hard."

"I've had a hard time singing in front of people, too, before. I used to only sing and play my guitar in my room. I hated it when my parents would force me to sing in front of our relatives during family gatherings. But, I got over it."

"Easy for you to say," he sounded hopeless.

"Mark," I reached for his hand. "Can you imagine yourself outside this line of work?"

"No...I don't know..." he really looks confused.

"So, if not, then you got to give your all to stay here. Right?"

"Yeah...but...it's easier said than done."

"You would be surprised on what more you could do if you just allow yourself to do it. Don't be afraid to make mistakes. It's normal. Don't think about being perfect all the time."

He was just staring at me. 

So I continued, "I always wanted to be a singer ever since I was young. But, I was too scared to be in front of other people. When I was in Japan, I gathered my courage and started singing in bars. Well, I needed the money at that time...but that's besides the point."

Still staring.

"My point is, you have to at least try it." 

He took a deep breath and let it out aloud. 

"I can do this..." He said more to himself than to me.

That's more like it.

"Thanks, Kris."

"Always."

We became very comfortable with each other. We talked about many things. About his group, about mine and our companies. We just kept going on and on.

I didn't want this day to end. 

______________________________________________________________________

I think this is the longest one-scene chapter I've written...so far. I included a lot of details. I just thought you would want to know more about what they were talking about. 

Anyway, please leave comments and suggestions...and don't forget to vote.

Thanks.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------