March 9, 2020
Bella was currently in her own room, back home in Cebu.
When she left Puerto Princesa earlier that day, the idols were still waiting for their plane carrying Taehyung and Jimin.
After she landed in Cebu, Bella got a message from Jake telling her that the chartered plane had arrived and that they’d be leaving Puerto Princess as soon as the pre-flight check and refueling were completed.
She had landed three hours ago and came straight home to prepare her things for the Moalboal trip. She quickly placed her laundry in the laundry basket and gathered fresh clothes. She refilled her toiletry kit of shampoo, conditioner, facial wash and added some more cotton buds.
It was 3pm Philippine Time now. They would probably be picking her up soon. She gave her backpack another quick check to make sure that she had everything she would need. A bathing suit, jammies, sun dresses and her toiletries among other things were already in there.
Giving her room a once over to make sure that she had unplugged all the electricals, Bella wore her backpack and locked her room.
She sat on her couch in the living room and watched TV while waiting for the guys to arrive. She had just completed an episode of Legacies Season 2 when her phone rang.
Incoming video call… Jake Park
“Hi baby! We’re outside your gate right now.” Jake gave her a bright bunny smile.
“On my way, baby!” Bella picked up her backpack and ended the call. She turned off the TV and checked the outlets before heading out the door. She stepped out of her gate and saw a Black Chevrolet Tahoe in front of it.
The passenger window rolled down and Jake waved to her from the driver’s seat. The passenger seat was empty so she got on.
“Puppy!!!!!!”
As soon as Bella got on, Taehyung leaned over from behind and pulled her into a hug. “Dasi Mannage Dwaeseo Bangawoyo! (I’m so happy to see you again!)”
“Nado, V-oppa (Me too, V!)!” Bella hugged him back. “Annyeonghaseyo, Jimin-oppa! (Hi, Jimin)” She greeted Jimin who was seated beside Taehyung. “Dasi annyeonghaseyo, oppas!” (Hello again, oppas)
As Taehyung sat down, she waved to the four members that she had left behind in Puerto Princesa earlier that day.
Hobi was in the front row with Jimin and Taehyung. Namjoon, Jin and Yoongi were seated in the back seat.
A chorus of hellos erupted from the car as Jake leaned in to kiss her on the cheek.
“I trust you found my house without any issues, baby?” Bella smiled at Jake, happy to see him again after being apart for a few hours.
Jake tapped on his right temple and winked. “We don’t need no GPS for your home, baby. Been here before, remember?”
Bella punched him lightly in the arm.
“How was the flight, Jimin-oppa?” She asked, turning to look behind her as Jake started the SUV.
“You mean the flights?” Taehyung corrected her.
“Well, yeah. Both.” Bella giggled. "Geez, V-oppa! Just trying to make conversation over here! Ease up, will you?"
Taehyung raised both his hands in surrender.
“The first one from Seoul was a little too bumpy for my taste. The second one was better.” Jimin laughed, scrunching up his nose.
“How long was the flight from Seoul?” Bella wanted to know.
“About six and a half hours.” Jimin supplied.
“Whoa! That’s quite a long flight.”
“We’ve been on longer flights, baby.” Jake squeezed her hand.
“Speaking of long travels, P is there a place we can go to for groceries?” Yoongi asked from the back row. “If we’re going to be out there in the province, we might need to stock up.”
“There’s a few malls near here, Yoongi-oppa.” Bella responded.
“Take a right here, baby.” She directed Jake. “Just keep going down this road. We should come to a mall soon enough.”
“Do we know what we want to buy?” Namjoon inquired.
“Can we get watermelon please? I really want to make Hwachae.” Hobi pleaded.
“Sure, Hobi.” Jin guaranteed. “Why don’t I do the grocery with Yoongi, Bella and JK while the rest of you check for toiletries and snacks?”
“Samgyeopsal!” Jake requested from the front.
Jimin snickered. “JK and his obsession with meat.”
“And black.” Taehyung added.
“And Balenciaga.” Bella joined in, pointing to his plain black long-sleeved hoodie with Balenciaga emblazoned on the back.
Jake smiled, looking at the front-view mirror. He no longer sported that undercut with the half bun that he had when Bella first met him in Taipei. His hair was shorter now. He still looked very handsome but the haircut made him look even more youthful.
“Is this the mall, puppy?” Taehyung asked as a gray façade appeared on the right side of the road.
“Ne, V-oppa. (Yes, V)” She nodded and proceeded to direct Jake to the parking lot. They all got off and walked into the mall.
With the global pandemic of the coronavirus spreading, being in face masks was becoming a normal everyday thing so it did not seem unusual that all eight of them were wearing black face masks.
