In Love with Taishi Nakagawa

The Meeting

DISCLAIMER:

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. The photos attached are not mine or were taken by me.

Ubud, Bali, Indonesia

Eloise's POV

It's my second day in this private resort in Ubud. It is a posh resort with private villas along the Ayung River. I still do not know why I decided to go on this trip let alone plan it. I am used to vacationing in Paris, London, Tokyo – all these BIG modern metropolises. I have 13 more days to spend here, and I am running out of things to do! It's not that Bali is a boring place, rather, I am not in my usual explorer mood. I have been chilling beside the river right behind my room gazing at the trees and rice paddies for almost 30 minutes now. From my peripheral vision, I can see I am not alone. There's this guy in a white shirt, peacefully spending time in this spot as well. I do not know what is it with me, I feel drawn toward stealing some glances at this guy – but no luck! I have to turn a complete 180 to be able to get one!

"Ugh, I am so done!" I shouted, my voice echoing all over this quiet riverside area. I yelled again, "Please!". "Are you okay?" I hear a guy's voice, in broken English. I look up to see whose voice is it. Then, I saw the most handsome guy I have ever laid eyes upon! 'This guy looked so heavenly yet so familiar' I said to myself. "I.. I am totally fine", I said while giving him an okay sign. With that, he smiled and sat beside me. I was so confused, but I stayed where I am and we sat for another half an hour silently..together.

Song: The Quiet by Troye Sivan

Taishi's POV

I do not know what got me to book a trip to Bali. I know that once I was given a 3-week break from my agency, I instantly booked a 2-week trip to Bali. When I told my manager, Kenji, that I am going to Bali, he expected I would bring him. But instead, I booked an earlier trip, went alone, and just told my agency I arrived when I was already here. I liked this resort. It's peaceful and private – away from prying eyes.

I woke up from a short nap and decided to take a walk near the river just behind my private villa. I saw this girl sitting peacefully on top of the rocks. I could not help but sit with her – a few meters away. We sat together for a while.

I was thinking of the lush green trees, my family back home, and my next projects. Then, I hear the girl's loud voice. Upon hearing her second cry, I walked toward her and asked if she is okay. I mustered the courage to talk to her despite knowing only some basic English. As our eyes met, I saw this attractive girl with the most gorgeous eyes! I froze for a second and smiled. She responded and said she was okay. I don't know what got into me but I stayed and sat beside her – a few inches away.

After some minutes of staying silent together, again I mustered the courage to start a conversation. I gathered all the basics I know and asked about her name and nationality. Oh, boy was she so gorgeous and so different. Her voice is so sexy and yet so calming. I was so distracted by her face and voice that I did not realize she was asking me the same questions. She repeated her questions and I answered them. For the first time in almost a decade, I told a stranger, my real name and where I am from. I thought to myself that she looked so confident in herself despite shouting those words earlier. She turned into a different girl.

I learned her name is Eloise, 26, and she is from Washington DC. She said it is her first time in Bali. I told her we are the same in age and it is also my first time in Bali. "Why did you go to Bali? Alone?" I asked her. She said, "I don't know, I just googled for resorts, finding the most reclusive one and here I am." Upon hearing that, I smiled and understood what she exactly meant.