The Star

50. Chaeng's Thank You.

Chaeyoung.

I hugged her from behind. I then lean my head on her shoulders and whispered.

Me: Thank you for accepting my apology and for letting me go here.

I heard her breath hitched then a few seconds later she took a breath.

Mina: It's nothing. I'm glad we're back to where we were.

Me: Me too. I missed you.

I hugged her tight which made her stiff again. Then after a few seconds I released her and went to fetch the bowls and utensils.

As I watched her, I was calming myself for I can't believe I did that. I wish I could hug her longer. It felt different. I'm not used to hugs, but that... made me want more. I want to be with her, be close to her, to see her and talk to her everyday. But life isn't that fair. This might be our last time together. The thought already hurts, what more when tomorrow comes.

No. Stop Chaeyoung. I shook my head. I have to live the moment for now while I'm still with her.

I then thought of setting up the table. I started by taking the soda and ice out of the refrigerator and poured both into two glasses. Then get the bowls and utensils.

We were silent for a while until she finished cooking.

Mina: It's done. Let's eat.

Me: Yes! I'm so hungry.

She laughed as she put the cooking pot at the table. I took the lid off and the steam went out of the pot.

Me: Oooh, that smells so good.

We began to eat in silence. After a few minutes we began talking as we finished eating. We cleared up the table and dishes. We then decide to go by the porch with our sodas and chips. Beer would have been nice in this kind of setting.

We talked about anything we could think of.

Mina: The girl, Naeun right, you're guarding her now?

Me: Yeah. She hates the idea of having bodyguards but she needs it. Her ex-boyfriend began hurting her whenever he got mad. It happened several times in their two years of being together.

Mina: Good for her for leaving him. He's not worth her love. He's stalking her, isn't he?

Me: Yeah. I saw him earlier for the first time. There was a restraining order on him yet he still goes where she went. I went to him to remind him about the restraining order. I didn't expect that he's so tall and a bit buffed too. He's 6 foot I think.

Mina: Oh no. You should be careful too. But why did you took on the job? You didn't even applied for that but for an assistant manager.

Me: Yeah. Apparently the CEO thinks I excelled more in the bodyguard role. Naeun is also one of their top actress at the company so they asked me to fill in the role.

Mina: It's a difficult role to fill. Haven't you had enough of what happened before? You almost died twice.

Me: Honestly, I didn't thought of that. I just thought I should just start working to have something to occupy my mind.

We went silent for a while. I think she knows why I need something to occupy my mind. I then thought of something else to avoid us being awkward again.

Me: How did you find this place?

Mina: I didn't originally planned to go here. Sana and Momo are busy. Then I saw a poster of a beach so I asked the driver to drive me to one which doesn't have much crowd. I saw this house at the internet too so I just went here.

Me: Good find. It's so nice here.

Mina: I agree. It makes me want to have a house like this and by the beach as well.

Me: Yeah. Me too. A nice rest house to get away from the city.

Mina: and getaway from stress too.

Me: Right. When is your flight?

Mina: The next day after tomorrow.

Oh shoot. Naeun has a schedule that day. I then thought she doesn't have a schedule tomorrow. Maybe I could ask for a leave.

Me: Can I stay the night here?

She looked surprised. She then looked at her watch which made me look too. It was 15 minutes past 10 o'clock already.

Mina: Yeah sure, it'll be dangerous driving back at this hour.

After a few hours of talking we felt it's getting more colder so we decided to call it a day.

I noticed she stopped halfway inside.

Me: Mina?

She faced palmed herself which was funny but I stopped myself from laughing.

Mina: I went here without thinking of clothes to change into. Ugghh! I'm so stupid.

Me: No you're not. Calm down. Maybe there's a lundry machine somewhere here.

Mina: Good thinking.

She then went to look for one and I joined her. We didn't find one.

Mina: Ugghh I guess I should wash it by hand and... And...

I know what she's thinking. When she washes her clothes she had nothing to wear. I then remember my bag.

Me: calm down. I got an extra shirt, shorts and even new panties as well.

She looked at me unsure.

Mina: Are you sure?

Me: Yeah. Don't worry the panties are new it's still sealed too.

M

ina: okay. Thanks.

I went to my bag and handed her the stuff.

Me: Do you even know how to wash clothes?

She looked at me as if she's hurt.

Mina: Ofcourse I do. When I was starting to act I lived alone on an apartment with no laundry machine. So I had my mom teach me how.

Wow. An independent woman. Nice. That's why I love her. But she doesn't love me back. Oh no Chaeyoung not the time for you to be think that.

She then went to the room to find a towel. I followed her. As soon as she got a towel she looked at the bed and stopped staring at it for a while. Then she turned towards me and was startled that I was there.

Mina: Oh sorry. Didn't know you're there. Uhm... There's only one bed so I...

I think I know what she'll say, that she'll take the couch. So I beat her to it.

Me: Yeah, we could share it like before.

She looked surprised. I was taken aback myself. Did I just said we'll sleep in one bed? It's been days since we slept together. I mean sleep beside each other.

Mina: Okay. I'll just... Just wash up.

She then hurriedly went to the bathroom. I happened to see her face grew red before she left. Why does she have to blush on sharing a bed with me? That made me smile.