Love Equation

CHAPTER 4 - Before The Big Stage

My mind raced as I grappled with the sudden expansion of our charade: overseas meant new challenges, heightened scrutiny, and a stage for a flawless act. We only have two weeks to prepare. Meetings, gatherings, and, of course, more practice. It's crucial that our dynamic is convincing. I couldn't help but wonder how this journey would shape not just the narrative of our 'relationship' but the course of my own life.

Two weeks passes quickly when you put your soul to deceive the world.

An intricate thread of lie that was spun by the crafty man to convince my parents has been presented. An 'International Scholarship Event' was the title. Although it does seem fishy, they took the bait.

The night before, I already packed things that I might need: 2 set of pyjamas, a set of formal dress, a set of casual clothing, couple of jackets and raincoat, some undergarments, shower kit, and some paperwork that I must submit before holiday, which is the next monday. That being said, I took absent from the school on Wednesday.

Where will we go? Take a guess. The flight was scheduled at about 10 AM and it will take 14 hour-ish to fly, which means it will be around midnight here and it will still be afternoon there.

If you guessed somewhere in the Europe continent, then you are correct!

My first time going overseas... I can't believe I have to put on a play for my first trip.

I locked the now quiet home; and with my trunk gripped by my left hand and a phone on the other, I went to the train station.

The walk there has quite a lively scenery. A hair studio with little garden by the sides, a little brown poodle dog being walked by its owner, big black teddy bear was hung by the balcony in an apartment, and kindergartners on their way to the park with their teachers.

A voice then called out to my name. "Hana."

As if by default recognising the owner of the voice, I stopped walking. "Mr Shi-I mean, good morning, Lucio."

Lucio was wearing the usual leather jacket and a baseball cap with his bangs visibly covering his eyebrows. In this style, he looked 5 years younger.

"Impressive! You recognized me just from my voice. What a perceptive kitten you are... "

There he goes again: calling me with a cringeworthy nickname.

I just stood there in silence. A deadpan expression was shown to the one and only person on the other side.

"Ehem.", he broke off the silence, "you're going to the station?"

"Mhm. I thought we agreed to meet at the airport. Why are you here?"

"Duh? We are neighbors. Might as well go to the airport together."

"Huh..?"

"You didn't read my profile thoroughly, did you? I lived a couple of houses away from yours."

The shocking revelation put me in static. Is that how he did it when he brought me back my decorative ribbon on the first day we met?

"Hello? Earth to Hana, do you copy?", he waved his hand near my face. "Ah you know what, instead of taking train, let's just drive."

He took my wrist and lead me to the nearby parking lot. Lucio pointed to a much different car from before. It was all matte, black SUV. He opened the passenger door for me and took my trunk then put it away.

Lucio was about to drive off when his phone rang. "Now, who the hell is this..."

His face was evident with fume. "Sorry, wait a sec. You may choose the song, music, podcast, or whatever to listen to on our way."