November 2, 2019
Bella stretched in her bed and opened her eyes.
Stifling a yawn, she reached for her phone and checked the time. 620am. She had time to lay around in bed.
Opening and checking her apps, she made the rounds on Facebook, Facebook Messenger, IG and Twitter. She was about to lock her screen when she remembered a Line notification that she had cleared last night. Heading to line, she found three messages from Jake Park.
Eight hours ago: Hey beautiful! Had an awesome time earlier tonight. Can't wait for a repeat.
Eight hours ago: Sleep well, beautiful!
Five minutes ago: Good morning, beautiful!
Bella shook her head and smiled. "Good morning, Mr. Park", she typed and closed the app. Just as she was about to put her phone away, she thought again and opened her app. She clicked on Jake's profile picture and saw that it was one of her at the Chiang Kai-shek memorial yesterday. Her face was not visible as it was one of those back profile poses he had asked her to make. The memorial was more pronounced and no one could really tell that it was her. Except that the picture was of her. She knew it was her. Bella typed again, "
Xiao Tian Shi: Shouldn't you be asking for my consent before using my picture?"
Not a minute later, a reply came.
Jake Park: I took the picture. Technically, it's my consent to give. :P
Xiao Tian Shi: But I'm the one in the picture.
Jake Park: Your point?
Xiao Tian Shi: Never mind.
Xiao Tian Shi: Any other secret photos you took of me that I need to know about?
Jake Park: Does that mean you no longer object to being my profile pic?
Xiao Tian Shi: My objection to it and your insistence on using it are two different things.
Jake Park: Well-played, beautiful!
Xiao Tian Shi: Bella.
Jake Park: A rose by any other name...
Jake Park: 'Pink bunny sticker holding a rose'
Xiao Tian Shi: 😱
Jake Park: We've been through this before. Bella and beautiful mean the same thing. Just in different languages.
Xiao Tian Shi: Are you always this argumentative in the morning?
Jake Park: I'm argumentative all throughout the day.
Xiao Tian Shi: I see no lies here.
Jake Park: 'Pink Bunny sticker wearing shades'
Jake Park: What are your plans for today?
Xiao Tian Shi: Exploring the nearby area by the hotel. There might be some milk tea shops.
Jake Park: Milk Tea is the bomb!
Xiao Tian Shi: Again, I see no lies here.
Xiao Tian Shi: I should get ready.
Jake Park: 'Pink bunny sticker lifting weights'
Jake Park: Take care, beautiful!
Bella closed the app and locked her phone. Checking to make sure that her power bank was fully charged, she placed it into her sling bag and stood up to take her wicker basket. Time to shower.
