Serendipity (TBBS Book 1)

(BBS1-01) : A Chance Encounter

February 2019
Vancouver, Canada

In a secluded part of a bar in the heart of Vancouver is where she is right now.

Her conference just finished earlier that day and she is planning on staying for one more week before heading back to the Philippines.

She felt so lost she wanted to be found.

The reality of going back to the Philippines bothered her to her core.

It just dawned to her how fuck up her situation is, marrying someone because of a fuck-up family pact.

She didn't even experienced falling in-love yet.

"Hi, you seemed lost in your thoughts, mind if I joined you?" A guy wearing a simple blue shirt and jeans approached her.

She's sure he's not a local, he's tall, lean and muscular but he has tanned skin as well and his accent sounded a bit british, nope he is definitely not a Canadian.

"Well, I am lost but it seems like you found me so feel free to join me." She responded. Maybe it's not smart to talk to a stranger but something in his eyes caught her interest, she suddenly felt a connection, like she's lost and all she wanted was to be found... By him.

She subtly glanced at his hand to check if there's a ring on it but there was none.

"Thank you, I'm glad I found you though." He responded and sat down. He is already carrying a beer on his hand.

"So, are you from here?" He asked trying to ease the tension between them and when she said tension it's "sexual tension".

"Nope" she responded popping the "P".

"I'm from the Philippines, I'm here for the conference." She added and looked at him he looked quite surprise.

"Oh really? We're kabayan pala e. I'm also from the Philippines, I'm just here for a short vacation. I actually grew up in Australia, my family needed me back in the Ph so I decided to have a little detour."

That explains his accent.

"Grabe yung detour mo a! From Au to Canada!" She answered, she actually found him comfortable to talk to.

"Haha! I always want to see the northern lights e, but I failed to check the right time to visit I should have come here on March-October pala. And since I'm already here I will just enjoy the city for a week before heading home." He answered but she felt a little longing on his voice by the way he said "home."

The enjoyed the evening talking about non-sense things and just laughing their asses off.

"Ahm, it's getting late na pala, I should get back on my hotel na." She informed him because it is really getting late.

"Sure, can I walk you back to your hotel then?"

"Sure let's go!" She said and they just paid their tab and went out of the bar.

"So.... Do you have any plans for your remaining week here?" He asked shyly at her.

"No, I don't have any pa. Honestly I just want to get lost you know, go wherever my feet will take me."

"I was thinking.... Would you perhaps want to accompany me for a week? You know... Would you like to get lost with me?"

She stopped on her track by what he said.

"As friends of course, or not we can stay strangers if you want. I- I just, I don't know I have this feeling that I want to explore this place with you." He added and she realized that he is right, they were together for almost three hours and they don't know each other's name yet.

She smiled softly, maybe this is what she needed, to be found by a stranger.

"Well, this could be fun." She replied and he smiled at her.

"But we have to set some rules." She added and he looked at her confusedly.

"Shoot!" What are those?" He asked.

She was about to answer but she saw a Korean restaurant and she suddenly craved for Bingsu

"Do you mid if we talk this over while having bingsu? I suddenly craved for it e."

"Sure! But what is Bingsu anyway?" She looked at him, he seriously doesn't know what Bingsu is?

"It's basically Korean's version of shaved iced with flavors, it's good you should try it c'mon!" She dragged him with her at sumama naman ito.

"This is good a. We don't have this in Australia e, but we should have one specially in our area that place is like an impersonation of hell, too hot!" He joked and she laughed. She haven't been to the land down under but she knew it can really get hot there.

"You should open a Korean Bingsu store there. I'm sure this is going to be a hit!" She commented and je just waved his hand.

"Nah! I don't think I will. I might moved back to the Philippines for good. My brother's getting married and from what I heard he will need to take over his future's wife estate so I need to go back to handle ours until my brother is ready to take over ours. Maybe then I can go back to Australia."

"Oh. That's interesting. You're a good brother pala."

"Hmmn. . Maybe? I don't know. I can't tell. Anyway, what are your rules?" She noticed how he diverted the topic, he seemed uncomfortable to talk about his family.

"Right, right! I actually just have four rules but if you want to add more you can a." She started, he just nodded and did a gesture using his hand as if encouraging her to continue.

She nodded in return and started

"First rule : No personal questions."

His forehead creased but didn't said anything.

"2nd rule : I don't accept libre so if we need to pay for something we will split the bill." He then just nodded.

"3rd rule : What happens in Canada, stays in Canada, we are not allowed to contact each other after this. And last rule : We are not allowed to fall in-love with each other." She finished and he seemed to be in deep thoughts.

"So, do you have questions? Clarifications, suggestions or violent reactions?" She joked and he just laughed with her.

"Well, kasali ba sa personal question yung names natin?" He asked and she realized he was right, how are they going to call each other?

"Yep, that way we won't be tempted to look for each other after this. I'll give you a name so you know how to call me but it's a made-up one you can give me a made-up one too." She suggested and he agreed naman.

"You can call me Matthew"

"Oh! Hi there Matthew, call me Penelope." She said and gestured for a handshake which he gladly received.

"Nice to meet you but Penelope is too long, I'll call you Pops instead." The smile in her face faded, he actually got one of her nickname right!..

"Why? You don't like Pops? It's cute kaya." He said, maybe he noticed her hesitations.

"No, I mean Pops is nice, but why Pops? Parang hindi naman katunog ng Penelope I would understabd if you shortened my name to Penny e."

"Kasi you just popped into my life tonight and after a week you will just you know pops out of it as well." He explain which made her laugh, he really is one witty guy.

"Okay then, you may call me Pops, but I will call you Matty!" He agreed naman and they continued eating the Bingsu.

"So paano? Anong plano natin bukas?" She said when they approached the lobby of her hotel.

"I don't know? Let's just see where our feet will take us, let's meet at 8AM here, bring clothes for a week." He answered and she nodded her head.

"Okay Matty, goodnight and thank you for the company." She said and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"No worries Pops, goodnight and I'll see you tomorrow."