One day in Magnate | PJM FF

2. Cafe Magnate

After about 15 minutes, I find myself standing in front of the Busan Museum Of Art. I take in the enormous white edifice and let my eyes run over the walls, taking in the beautiful view of the modern structure. It was free admission and was one of the places we had listed on our itinerary, well, my itinerary now...

The Museum is a three-story modern-structure city museum with two underground levels, a popular cultural complex. A must-visit for contemporary art lovers.  There was something about contemporary art that welcomed me. A mix of familiarity and mystery, I took pleasure in viewing art that spoke more than words were ever capable of. I make my way to the Busan Art Information Centre, past the Education room and step into the vast Auditorium. I walk over to the Children's gallery to find little kids skipping excitedly as they held their parents' fingers dearly. Their giggles filled the room and echoed off of the walls, filling me with a sense of childish happiness. I walk around aimlessly and smile at the staff who ask if I need help and are ever so caring. 

After strolling and admiring a few pieces I make my way to the exhibition. I slowly leave a trail with my eyes, admiring one piece after another. There was something oddly familiar about this experience. As if I'd been here before, with someone... someone. 

Ezra?  I ask in my head as my eyes land on the person in front of me who was facing his back towards me. Confused I rush to their side only to realize it was someone else. I shake my head at me disappointed. His ghost was still around. In places I least expected. By falling in love with him I birthed a ghost, something that will follow me for the rest of my life. Absorbing all the beauty in front of me I let my mind do all the talking. I imagined being here and I recalled picturing myself here, just not alone... so alone.

I spend the next two hours admiring the art pieces and canvases. 

It was 2:50 pm now and my stomach grumbled. There was this hyped-up cafe that I really wanted to try ever since I learnt about it. Cafe Magnate was located in Nam-gu, south-central Busan much of it sticking out into the Sea of Japan. I step out of the museum and hail a taxi and give them the address of the cafe. I sit comfortably in the car and plug in my earphones listening to calm KR&B songs. I liked the world of music. Of being swept by a world of tunes and musical instruments. It was one of my many escapes when things got too rough. I slowly shut my eyes enjoying the melody. When I open my eyes I'm surprised to see the Cherry Blossom trees guarding both sides of the streets. It's always a sight for sore eyes. I'm spellbound by its beauty and charm every time I come across this beautiful tree. I like its serene presence, bringing its surroundings into a warm and welcome hug.

After a couple of minutes, we reach the Cafe. I pay my taxi fare and step out to be met with a warm yet cold breeze. It was the end of March and the best time for beautiful blossoms all around. I walk through the doors of the chic building and my eyes scan around the classy and elegant interior. The cafe exuded wealth and taste. I was blown away by the magnificently regal chandelier balanced by modest, minimalist furniture, attractive pop art and industrial details. It was enthralling. The smell of freshly brewed coffee and mouth-watering pastries fill my nostrils and my mouth salivates to this olfactory abundance. My stomach audibly grumbles and I quickly make my way to a quieter place. I order the Purple lemon ade signature and a croissant and devour it as soon as i get it. Still hungry, I order a blueberry mousse, and this time I take my time. I savour the purple goodness, licking the cream off of my fingers sensually. I let out a yummy moan of delight as I eat the cake. 

In the midst of this, I don't realize a person gazing at me with a satisfactory grin. As if feeling a pair of curious eyes on me I lift my head to look at him. I notice a man in his early 50s, smartly dressed in neutral colors almost blending with the cafe's atmosphere. I bow my head politely and give a small smile which he returns back before turning back to his business. I finish the rest of the mousse cake silently and slouch back into the chair. I let my eyes wander the modest interior and I feel at home. Didn't think I could feel at home anywhere without him... I sigh at the thought of him and get up deciding to order a vanilla latte before heading back to my hotel. I wait for my takeaway when I notice the man from earlier. 

"Hi there! I hope you had a pleasant time here," the man says with a grin on his face.

"Oh absolutely, I really enjoyed my time here," I reply with a small smile. "I love the interior designing and the food..." I pause, bringing my fingertips to my lips to send a kiss signaling a dramatic chef's kiss sign. "The blueberry mousse was to simply die for!" I exclaim happily with a huge grin.

"I'm delighted to hear that!" the man says satisfactorily. "I'm Mr. Park, I own this cafe," he says with a dreamy look on his face as his eyes scan around the place.

"Oh! Nice to meet you Mr. Park. I'm Kiera, a tourist here," I say with a simple bow of my head.

"I'm sorry for intruding but you look quite familiar," he says. I frown in thought. Surely I've never seen him before?

"Is that so?" I reply casually trying to think whether I knew Mr. Park from somewhere.

"It can't be," he mumbles almost talking to himself. "Well, I hope to see you soon again!" he tells me with a huge eye smile. My heart softens at this and I nod eagerly, "Oh be sure to see me here soon!" I tell him as I bid a goodbye and walk out of the cafe almost forgetting my vanilla latte.

I grab my takeaway and walk past the huge brown doors. I pass by a man dressed in a Saint Laurent t-shirt with a red beanie and a black mask who quickly rushes beside me towards the cafe. There was an uncanny familiarity about him that I couldn't quite place my finger on. What was with all the deja vu that I was oddly experiencing? 

I shrug and catch the bus on time back to my hotel. I check my phone to see Keiko's messages and reply to them before keeping my phone on silent. 

I fill the bath with warm water and add bubbles and a few drops of essential oil before undressing and slipping into the warm snugness. I shut my mind off of all thoughts and sink deeper into the water, filling up to my chin as I breathe in the lightly scented bubbles. I let my body relax and slowly doze off to wake up around 7:30 pm. I wash my body and pull on a cozy fit. 

I turn on the TV to watch a K-Drama and doze off once again deep into the night dreaming a dreamless dream.

***

Hey, lovelies! That was the 2nd chapter. I'm taking it a tad bit too slow, aren't I? I wonder who the guy was from earlier dressed in Saint Laurent *winks*. I promise to pick up the pace so don't fret my loves, we got drama coming :) Don't forget to leave a like and let me know your thoughts in the comments :)

Love,

N.