Different Timezones /Hyunlix/

16 - Frozen

Felix set two alarms, just to be 100% sure he'll make it to the airport on time.
Still, alarms were unnecessary cause he didn't sleep at all. How could he? He's been ready to jump on Hyunjin for days now.

He plans to use every second of those three days, and then live the rest of his life reliving the memories.
Just like Mrs Lee in her old hotel, wrapped up in memories and stories about all the men who courted her.

For the twentieth time he checks cabinet with cat food, his instructions for Marie, the key, the passport, the phone... ok 30 more minutes and Uber is here.

Ping!
A message arrives.

I'm so sorry Felix.
This is killing me, you have no idea.
One of our major sponsors is asking me to be at a stupid award show in New York tomorrow.
If I don't go, they'll pull out their sponsorship, and  you know it's four of us in a band...
I can't make decisions alone.
So I have to go to stupid New York today, and won't be able to give you the three day vacation.
I will extend your ticket so you come visit next time.
I don't want to lie to you...
I don't know when is the next time going to be.
Please believe that this is really hard for me. I was so looking forward to being with you again.
My life is not really mine, I belong to the company, the sponsors, the fans...
I understand if you hate me now.
But I hope, I really hope you don't hate me. I am so sorry.

Felix is frozen, completely stunned.

He reads the message again and again.

For a fraction of a second he remembers Uber will be here soon and thinks he has to go to the airport.

But then he realizes again, and again, that there will be no trip to Korea.

He seriously considers the option that maybe he was cursed. Every time there is a chance for him to travel, something happens.

The one and only time he was ever on a plane was when he was eight. His parents died in a car accident, and he was sent to France, to his aunt and uncle who he never met before.

Like a zombie, he takes home keys and goes out. He needs air.
Crisp morning air somehow helps. It pulls him out of that dark place and lands him back to reality. Familiar sounds of the city waking up give some comfort.

Maybe he should just go to hotel and work. To forget everything.

It was only a dream anyway.
A dream to see a celebrity in person.
To touch his skin. Just a dream.
He won't even get a chance to give one little kiss. He won't get anything.
Except the memories of a few hours they spent together.

His feet take him to the hotel, to his aunt.

- Felix dear, aren't you traveling today?

- No. He had some business to do.

- Mon Dieu, what a fool! Come, come here. Ooooh cheri.... I'll make you a nice tea, and you can watch my favorite Coutard, or just sleep.

- "À bout de souffle"?

- Oui. It's the best.

- Ok auntie.

He seems small and fragile as Mrs Lee walks him to her penthouse suite.
As long as they have each other, it's all going to be ok.

*****