Small World

I was in the kitchen preparing some food for the three of us. Jane has gone out and wouldn't be home until tonight. It's already one in the afternoon and I could hear my stomach complaining.

As I was cooking, I tried to recall the events that just happened. 

"Am I actually falling for him?" I asked myself as I remembered how I reacted to him being so close to me. 

I can't. I can't have feelings for him now. I can't have feelings for anyone. Not now, not ever.  

Oohhh...but he's just too irresistible. 

I could still clearly remember the fine details of his face inches away from mine, his gentle touch as he put me to sleep in the car, his soothing voice as he tried to comfort me in the Ferris Wheel.

No, Kris.

I could hear them talking softly in the living room but I couldn't make out what they were saying. I tried to move closer to eavesdrop but they suddenly became silent.

"What are you doing?" Jun startled me as he entered the kitchen. "Shouldn't you be cooking? Is eavesdropping an ingredient in your recipe?"

I stomped back in front of the stove and continued cooking.

What are they talking about? Why do they have to be so secretive about it?

I still feel a little weak, most especially that Jun let me cook just after I arrived.

"Kuya, Mark," I called to them. "The food's ready."

"Hmmm...smells good." Jun sat down and motioned for Mark to sit across from him and me to sit beside him.

"Did you buy me anything from your trip?" I asked Jun as he took his first bite of the food.

"No," he said.

"What? I hate you." I pouted at him. "What did you do there anyway?"

"Remember Jason? The guy from LA I introduced to you before?" 

"Uhmmm...yeah...I think so...Is he the one you met when you filmed 'Assassin'?" I think that was the guy.

"Yeah...him. I met up with him just for old time's sake. And he invited me to his girlfriend's birthday bash."

"So, you partied?" I felt envious. I miss partying with friends.

"Yup, it was fun. His girlfriend's really beautiful. She was accommodating. I think her name's Angela."

Mark suddenly choked on his food. 

"Hey, eat slowly," I told him as I handed him a glass of water. 

"Thanks," he drank it up.

"Oh, yeah," Jun looked at Mark. "You're from LA, right?"

"Yes, hyung," Mark answered.

"Where are you from in LA?"

"Arcadia, it's a small city."

"Right. My friends are from there."

Mark's eyebrow shoot up. "Uhm? Do you have pictures of them?"

"I think I have some on my phone. We took pictures during the party. Wait, let me just look."

"Can we do that later?" I said. I hate it when people check there phones at the dinner table.

"Oh, yeah. I'll show you after we eat."

Mark became quiet during the meal. 

"I'll serve tea at the patio." I told them as I started clearing the table. 

"I'll help you," Mark stood up and put some dishes in the sink. 

"Thanks." 

"Here they are," Jun handed Mark his phone. 

On the screen is Jun and beside him is Jason whose arm is around a pretty girl with wavy long hair and very pale skin. I think that's Angela.

"Do you know them?" Jun asked him.

I could see Mark frozen on his seat, his eyes became wider. 

"Hey, Mark," I elbowed him.

"Uh..." he nodded. "Yes. They're....my friends." His voice trailed off at the end. 

"Wow!" Jun was clapping his hands. "What a small world."

"You said, she's his girlfriend?" Mark asked.

"Yeah, such a sweet couple. Don't you know they're together?"

"Yeah," he looks like he's in shock.

"Mark?" I moved closer to him. "Are you alright? You look pale."

"Yeah, I think I need to go." He stood up so quickly from his seat that he almost knocked off the chair beside him. 

"Already?" I asked. 

"Uhmmm....yeah...I suddenly remembered I need to do something." He put his fingers on his forehead and started massaging them. "Thanks for the meal." He bowed to Jun who waved at him.

I followed Mark out the front door. 

"Are you sure you're okay?" I put my hand on his shoulder to stop him.

He faced me and I could see his eyes were reddish.

"You're eyes...." I pointed at them.

"Just tired." He started rubbing them. "I really have to go. Thanks again." 

He started walking down the path.

"Mark," I called out to him.

"Hmmm...?" he looked back.

"Thank you!" I feel like I owe him a lot. "I'll make it up to you some time."

"Uh-huh.." he gave me a weak smile and went out the gate. 

I smiled from where I was standing as I see him board the taxi.

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                                                                              MARK

My tears ran down my cheeks as soon as I got in the taxi. 

I can't believe it. How? Why? When? But, I just talked to her when I was in Japan. She sounded like she really missed me. 

Can this be 'Karma'? Is it my punishment for having feelings for Kris? 

I got in the dorm and headed straight to my room. 

"Hyung, you're back." Jackson greeted me.

I ignored him. I buried my face under the covers.

"Hyung," Jackson pulled down the blanket but I held it tight. "Hey, aren't you even gonna say 'hello'?"

I moved to my side so I have my back on him.

"Hyung," Jackson was persistent. He shook me so hard. "Hyung, something interesting happened to me today." He kept on shaking me. "Are you listening?" 

"I'm tired, Jackson." I told him.

But, you know how Jackson is, he tried pulling the blanket and shaking me. 

That did it!

"I said leave me alone, Jackson." I yelled at him.

"Huh?" Jackson stopped. "Are you ok?"

"I'm just tired. Let me be." I sighed.

"Ok, hyung." I heard him go out the room.

I cried quietly under the blanket. 

How can this be happening to me? 

I wanted to call her and confirm what I just learned. But, what would I say? 

What should I do now?

I heard the door in the bedroom open.

"Hyung," it's Junior. "Is Kris feeling better?"

"Yes."

He pulled me to my back so he could see my face. I didn't budge. 

"Yah, hyung, what's the matter?" 

Why don't these people just leave me alone?

"I know now why you were drawn to her," he sat beside me. "She's really a great girl. She's smart and very pretty. Who could resist such a girl."

Is he talking about Kris?

"Hyung," he said again. "Can I have her number?"

What? What for? 

"No."

"Please...." he was begging. "Pretty please. I'll do whatever you want."

He started shaking me lightly and poking my sides. 

I can't take this anymore.

I sat up, looked him straight in the eye and shouted at him. 

"No, you can't have her number. Now, LEAVE!" I pointed at the door.

He was shocked. He stood up and stared at me with his mouth open. Then his shock turned to concern as he slowly sat back down beside me. 

"Hyung, are you crying?"

My cheeks are still a bit wet and my eyes are puffy. 

"Hyung," he said putting his hand on my shoulder. "Tell me what happened."

"Lock the door," I told him. 

He stood up and did as I said. He pulled up a chair beside the bed. 

I told him everything. He just sat there and listened attentively.

He stared at me quietly even after my long speech.

I waited for him to say anything.

"I'm sorry, hyung," he finally said. "Are you sure it was her?"

"Of course, I'm sure. Why wouldn't I recognize my own girlfriend. It was her and our friend Jason."

"I think you should talk to her and ask her yourself."

"How? What would I say? 'Hey Angela, I saw a picture of you and Jason and they told me both of you are going out'....No."

"But, you should at least hear her side of the story."

"I know. But I don't know how to ask her or what to say. I don't even know if I COULD talk to her. My emotions are still acute. I might just say things I would regret."

"I understand. Just get some sleep for now and we'll talk in the morning." Junior stood up. "I have to go out. Just stay here. Don't you go anywhere tonight. Get some rest. You need it."

"Thanks, man," I put up my hand up and he caught it.

He nodded once and left. 

He might have told the other guys not to disturb me cause Jackson didn't come in the room the whole night. He must've slept in Bambam's room.

_____________________________________________________________________

"What were you talking about when I was cooking?" I asked Jun as I sat across from him.

"You."

"Me?"

"Yes," he said matter-of-factly. 

"What about me?" I need to know.

"It's our secret."

"What?"

"He's not gonna bother you anymore. I scared him away." He laughed.

"Kuya? What do you mean you scared him away? How? Why?"

"It's obvious he likes you."

He likes me? Did he tell him that?

"But he's not gonna go near you...Nah-ah...." he waved his finger left to right.

"No he doesn't."

"And you, I think your falling for him."

"What? Me? No way." Am I?

"Yes you are. Keep those feelings away and concentrate on work for now. No time for romance, you got it?"

"I don't have plans for romance anyway," I told him sternly.

"Don't forget that."