"N-No? ... they're... for my grandmother. She's in a hospital nearby. Thought I'd kill two birds with one stone." Chan mentally applauds himself for creating an amazing fake scenario in one full sentence without shuttering, especially when Tarquin says his sorry for him.
Chan's heart raced as he concocted the excuse on the spot, the thud of his pulse almost audible in the awkward silence that followed. He felt a bead of sweat trickle down his temple, hoping desperately that Tarquin wouldn't see through his hastily constructed facade.
"So, which hospital?" Pause. Chan's cheering came to a stop, he was in trouble. "...Do you mind me not saying... it's a rather distressing disease and the name of the hospital rather gives it away."
Chan's mind raced as he scrambled for an answer, his thoughts stumbling over each other like frantic mice in a maze. His gaze flickered nervously around the room, seeking an escape route from the increasingly uncomfortable interrogation.
"Oh, sure. Of course." They both smile at each other, Chan the one having the awkward one before Karen comes back, calling for his name. He was saved by the bell. Karen had walked him through the fancy red carpet corridor, much more spacious than his own flat. "You've got five minutes." Chan is shown through big golden doors. Karen stays outside. There when Chan walked in, stood Y/n, framed in the window.
As Chan stepped through the ornate golden doors, he was struck by the grandeur of the room before him. The opulent furnishings and rich décor spoke of a world far removed from his own modest existence. He felt a pang of apprehension mingled with excitement as his eyes fell upon Y/n, illuminated by the soft glow of the afternoon sun filtering through the window.
Glorious as ever.
Once again making all these feelings rush up.
"H-Hi?" / "Hello"
"I brought these, but clearly..." Looking around the room, without any effort needed, you can see there are lots of other flowers in the room. "Oh no... these are great." A fair amount of tension starts building up between them.
The air crackled with tension as Chan fumbled with the bouquet in his hands, acutely aware of the plethora of flowers adorning the room. His attempt at a casual remark fell flat, only serving to heighten the palpable awkwardness that hung between them like a heavy shroud.
These two people hardly know each other and the first and last time they met, they kissed, a kiss that's been scarred in Chan's mind and heart, forever. "Sorry about not ringing back. The whole two-names concept was totally too much for my flatmate's pea-sized intellect."
Y/n laughed, a genuine laugh she would always have when around Chan for some reason, not the cumbersome picture/award laugh. "No, it's a stupid privacy thing. I always choose a cartoon character... last time out, I was Mrs Bambi."
At this moment Jeremy, Karen's boss, comes in. A fairly grave, authoritative fifty-year-old PR man consulting a list. "Everything okay?"
"Yes, thanks." Y/n replied to them both, nervously looking between her higher-up and then Chan who too had the same expression as her, "And you are from 'JYPs Entertainment' magazine?" He nods, in the corner of his eyes he can see Y/n holding her giggles but a teasing smile is clear in view. "Is that so?" Chan shrugs his shoulders, too smiling at her.
Jeremy settles at a little desk in the corner and makes notes.
A long pause filled the room, the air heavy with uncertainty as Chan and Y/n grappled with the presence of an unexpected eavesdropper. Feeling the need to maintain composure, they both take seats, facing each other with an air of forced casualness. "So, shall I dive straight into questions?" Chan's voice breaks the silence tentatively.
Y/n nods, her encouraging gesture urging Chan to proceed. "Yes, please do."
"Right. Um... I enjoyed the film... and I was wondering... have you ever considered incorporating... horses into it?"
"Well... we did consider it... but given the space setting, it posed challenges." Y/n struggles to suppress a laugh, realizing Chan hasn't seen the movie. "Obviously... Quite challenging."
Jeremy's departure brings a collective exhale of relief from both Chan and Y/n. Chan feels the tension dissipate, his body relaxing as he releases the breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "I'm sorry... I was handed this outside... I'm completely lost."
Y/n's sweet laughter washes away Chan's self-consciousness, leaving him momentarily entranced. "No, it's my fault. I thought this would be over by now. I just wanted to apologize for the kiss. I don't know what came over me. I hope you're okay with it."
"I'm absolutely fine with it." - As Jeremy re-enters, Chan silently curses his return while Y/n maintains a composed smile. "Miss Scott also wants to discuss her upcoming project, shooting later this summer."
"Of course. Um... any horses in that one? Or perhaps dogs? Our boss is intrigued by both species." Y/n leans in closer to Chan with a playful smile. "...It's set on a submarine." Chan's eyes widen in surprise at the unexpected revelation. Realizing he might be jeopardizing not just his own dignity but also the reputation of the magazine he represents, Chan scrambles to salvage the conversation before Jeremy exits again.
Their shared laughter serves as a brief respite from the tension, momentarily easing the palpable awkwardness in the room. "I'm such a fool. This feels like something out of a dream... not reality. A good dream, of course... seeing you." Chan's cheeks flush as he unwittingly reveals his innermost thoughts, oblivious to the effect his words have on Y/n. "And what happens next in the dream?"
Their locked gaze speaks volumes, the unspoken challenge hanging in the air between them.
In that charged moment, the future seems to hinge on Chan's next words. "Well, in the dream scenario... I just... change my personality, because you can do that in dreams, and then... I walk over and kiss the girl... but it's just a dream, it'll never happen."
A tense pause ensues, the weight of their unspoken desires palpable in the air. Just as they lean in closer, on the brink of crossing a line, Jeremy's return interrupts the moment. With practiced ease, they both hastily straighten up, attempting to maintain an appearance of professionalism.
"Time's up, I'm afraid. Did you get what you needed?" / "Very neatly."
"Perhaps one more question?" Y/n suggests hopefully as Jeremy prepares to leave, her eyes flickering with a hint of anticipation. "Alright." Once the door is shut, Chan gathers his courage, knowing this may be his last chance to see Y/n. "Are you busy tonight?"
"Yes." With that simple response, Chan's confidence crumbles, his pride and ego taking a hit. Y/n stifles a giggle at his crestfallen expression, her eyes sparkling with mischief. As they share a meaningful look, a sense of longing and regret hangs in the air, their unspoken connection palpable despite the circumstances.
Jeremy returns, accompanied by another journalist, signaling the end of their brief encounter. With formal handshakes and polite farewells, Chan and Y/n part ways, each carrying with them a lingering sense of what could have been.
"It was nice meeting you, Mr. Bang. Surreal... but nice." Y/n's words echo the sentiment of their fleeting connection, her smile tinged with a hint of wistfulness. "Thank you. You're JYPs Entertainment's favorite actress. You and Margot Robbie. Tied."
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