Beyond the Sunset

Prologue

I am a firm believer that nothing happens by a chance. I believe in the beauty of chaos, the serenity in the busy streets, the bruises in one's pure soul, the flaming colors of sunsets that mirror endings.

I believe that for every person we meet in our lifetime comes with a purpose. I believe that life has marvelous ways of shaping us into the person we are destined to become. I believe that even after going through terrible hardships, someone out there is meant to see the magnificence in our scars.

I believe that for every twilight comes with a new hope of breaking dawn.

I watched the sun as it slowly waves goodbye. The meeting has ended right before I knew it. Time passed without me noticing it since I was too drenched in staring at endless nothings from the floor-to-ceiling glass windows of the building.

I stood up and gathered my belongings. Everyone was already greeting everybody.

While I know that being an actress is a job that does a lot of meeting with and talking to people, social gatherings like such still get me so drained and exhausted each and every time.

I sent a message to my manager to tell him that I could use a cab to go home. After a work-related meeting, I find it best to spend with myself alone – maybe get myself a cup of coffee or go out and watch a movie. It has always been this way since I can't remember when – always alone but never lonely.

With my wired earphones on, I walked out of the meeting hall of tvN. Behind me were Kim Soo Hyun and his manager. I turned around and politely smiled. He stared at me intently, as if he wanted to say something to me.

I felt a sudden blood rush on my cheeks. There was something about his gaze that was much powerful than any magical spell. I looked away and hurriedly left the place. I could not stand his presence. Not because I don't like him, but because I am losing my sanity with him around like a teenage kid getting a grasp of infatuation for the first time. Seriously, it would be absurd for an actress to be dumbfounded with someone who is just supposed to be a workmate and nothing more.

***

Standing close to him with his arms wrapped around my waist, I could definitely smell his musky, manly scent. The warmth of his breath grazing on my skin, and the nearness of him just simply left me speechless. I couldn't say a word, nor I could even move. I was lost in space because the distance between us was almost intoxicating.

He broke the lingering silence between us. He drew his lips close to my ear. One delicate whisper and my world stopped. I could never, ever get used to the feeling of having him so close. My heartbeat was way too loud that I started to fear that he might have heard how crazy it sounded.

"Perhaps, are you free tonight? I mean, maybe I could buy you a dinner. I know a place that sells good Schnitzel," he asked in between takes.

I was in awe to have received such invitation. With my weakened knees, I nodded in answer. "Will our managers be fine with it?"

I was lucky to be held by him because if not for his ulterior strength, I would have fallen on my feet.

"I already asked permission from your manager. There's nothing to worry about," and he flashed his brilliant smile. "Will pick you up at your hotel room at 9pm."

"Sure,"

It would be a total lie if I would say that I wasn't thrilled with the idea of sharing a meal with him. But I couldn't get my hopes up. To give meaning to his every act of kindness would mean a terrible heartbreak for me in the end.

I found myself looking for nice clothes to wear. Who was I trying to impress? I chuckled at the thought that someone like me is trying to impress a man.

A pink dress would be too sweet. A sparkly one would be too flashy. Jeans and shirt would be too casual that he might think I can't dress up nicely.

Hence, I ended up wearing a denim skirt, paired with a white button-down shirt and sneakers. Something very comfy and something that truly represents me.

I anxiously waited for him. The ticking of the clock felt so slow. Every minute felt like forever.

I looked myself in the mirror to ensure that I was looking fine and decent. I think I was. I always do. That's something that I am certain of.

Until I heard a knock.

I took a deep breath and walk towards the door.

I opened and he was there, right in front of my doorstep, smiling at me like he was too ecstatic to see me.

"Hi," he timidly said. "Am I too early?"

"No, no. You're just in time."

Perfectly in time. Not too early, not too late.

Sometimes, the universe will conspire in the strangest ways possible. It will allow people to come and go. Some are meant to stay for a period and leave when the time is due; some are meant to stay for a lifetime. And when the people who are meant to stay comes, the monotonous cycle of empty life ends.

He is kind. He makes me laugh with his silly antics. He understands me without having to explain my thoughts. He makes my heart flutter with his stares.

That one shared night has completely changed my perception of him.

With him, I could feel that I am more of myself. With him, I feel protected and safe.

The night was young. None of us wanted to go back to the hotel. We were so into the depth of our conversations that we both tried to prolong the little time we have.

We went out for a walk to see the beauty of Germany at night. Walking side by side, our skins were touching. Neither of us knew what to do. My heart was racing – a heavy combination of delightfulness and nervousness. I was lost in my insane and ridiculous feelings when without a warning, he did something that totally made me feel a rush of emotions.

Everything was perfect – the weather, his presence, the way our fits matched and the stars in the sky.

With all the courage, he held my hand and intertwined his fingers with mine.

The world around us faded. For that moment, it was just the two of us in a cocoon of closeness.

And then suddenly, a spur of reality hit me.

Just like a sunset, will all of this end beautifully?