I studied his face intently, observing the way his eyebrows slightly furrowed in curiosity, the way his lips formed a gentle smile that reached his eyes. Without the mask, his features were clearer, unmistakably Jake from Enhypen. Despite my efforts to appear composed, my heart raced with a whirlwind of emotions—excitement, disbelief, and a touch of nervousness. This wasn't just any chance encounter; it was surreal to be face-to-face with someone I admired so deeply, someone whose voice and presence had filled my days through screens and music.
"The clothes seem to fit you well," I said, trying to quickly find a topic of conversation to break the momentary silence.
"Oh, yes, thank you," he replied, adjusting the sleeves of the oversized sweater. His slightly damp hair fell across his forehead, framing his face in a way that highlighted his boyish charm. His eyes, a warm shade of brown, met mine directly, and for a moment, the room felt charged with a quiet intensity.
I saw the smile that had been hidden behind the mask all this time again. It was genuine and infectious. "Your smile is beautiful," I blurted out, my cheeks flushing with embarrassment at my sudden outburst.
"Thank you," he chuckled softly, a hint of surprise in his voice.
I looked at him in shock. Did I just say that out loud? Oh God, how embarrassing. I quickly turned away, avoiding eye contact, hoping to hide my flustered state.
He noticed my discomfort and tried to ease the tension. "Should we get something to eat? You have a few things, right?" he suggested, changing the subject smoothly.
"Oh, uh, yeah, sure, we can do that," I replied nervously, grateful for the shift in focus.
As we settled into the kitchen, the atmosphere shifted from nervous anticipation to a more relaxed vibe. Jake leaned against the countertop, his posture casual yet attentive, while I gathered ingredients from the fridge and pantry. It felt oddly natural, as if we were old friends catching up rather than two people brought together by chance.
"So, what do you feel like eating?" I asked, trying to break the ice further. "I have a few things we could whip up."
Jake tilted his head slightly, considering the options. "Hmm, how about something simple? Maybe pasta?"
"Pasta sounds perfect," I agreed, relieved that he didn't expect anything fancy. I quickly retrieved pasta, sauce, and a few vegetables from the fridge, setting them out on the counter.
The kitchen filled with the aroma of cooking pasta and simmering sauce, blending with the sound of our laughter and the occasional sizzle from the stove. It felt surreal yet comforting to share this simple meal preparation with someone whose life seemed so distant yet now so close.
As we sat down to eat, the atmosphere between us settled into a more relaxed rhythm. I ventured to ask him about his plans. "So, how long are you staying? It's getting quite late."
"I was planning to leave after dinner; the rain seems to have mostly cleared up," he explained casually, sipping on his drink.
"And what about the clothes?" I inquired, curious about the logistics.
"I'll be picked up, and new ones will be brought to me, so don't worry about it," he reassured me with a reassuring smile.
I nodded in understanding and resumed eating, feeling a sense of relief at how smoothly everything was unfolding.
After we finished our meal, Jake spoke up, breaking the comfortable silence. "I really enjoyed spending time with you. Thanks. It's been a while since I could just talk with someone like this."
I was genuinely pleased to hear that, my earlier worries melting away. It felt like the right decision not to reveal that I knew who he was. Our evening together had been surprisingly ordinary and yet, undeniably special in its own way.
Suddenly, he held out his phone to me, a tentative gesture. "Should we maybe stay in touch?"
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