Chapter Four: A Once-in-a-Lifetime KBBQ
I could hardly believe my luck. Not only had I met Mark Lee, but I had also bumped into Seok Matthew backstage. And now, I was about to go on a date with Matthew. My heart was pounding as I arrived at the Korean BBQ restaurant where we had mutually agreed to meet. The warm glow of the restaurant lights contrasted with the cool evening air, making the place look almost magical.
I took a deep breath and stepped inside, spotting Matthew almost immediately. Matthew waved enthusiastically, his bright smile lighting up the room.
"Ryan! Over here!" Matthew called out, his voice full of energy.
My nerves eased a little at the sight of Matthew's friendly face. I made my way over to the table, my heart still racing but now with excitement rather than anxiety.
"Hi, Matthew," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "Thanks for inviting me."
"Of course! I'm so glad you could make it," Matthew replied, his eyes sparkling with genuine happiness. "I was really looking forward to this."
I sat down, feeling a bit self-conscious. "I have to admit, I'm a little nervous. I've never been on a date before."
Matthew's expression softened, and he reached across the table to gently squeeze my hand. Holy crap. "Hey, there's no need to be nervous. We're just here to have fun and get to know each other. Besides, I'm pretty nervous too."
I felt a wave of relief wash over him. "Really? You don't seem nervous at all."
Matthew chuckled, his laughter like a warm embrace. "Well, I guess I'm good at hiding it. But trust me, I'm just as nervous as you are."
We started ordering our meat, the sizzling sounds of the grill filling the air. As the meat began to cook, Matthew's infectious energy started to work its magic. He shared funny stories about his time in ZB1, his laugh was contagious and his eyes twinkling with mischief. I was even able to ask for Gunwook's number for my friend Emily!
"And then, during one of our rehearsals," Matthew said, grinning, "I tripped over my own feet and knocked over a whole row of chairs. The guys still tease me about it!"
I am laughing so much, I can't even believe I was so nervous.
"That sounds hilarious! I can't imagine how embarrassing that must have been." I reply
"It was, but looking back, it's pretty funny," Matthew admitted, his smile never fading. "Anyways, do you enjoy dancing?"
"Oh yes!" I say with excitement. "I honestly used to be a theatre kid"
"What kind of theatre?" Mathew asks
"Well, I used to do theatre shows in primary school. I can sing, dance, and act. I kind of call myself a triple threat," I say proudly, running my fingers through my hair.
"that sounds cool! Why haven't you done anything with that?" Mathew is clearly curious and I'm enjoying talking about myself
"I kind of fell out of love with it. Dancing and singing is something I do more for fun now... and honestly, I kind of sweat a lot so it is an annoying factor you have to consider," I say. "Also considering that with the fact I don't enjoy showering"
As the evening continued, we talked about everything from our favourite movies to little niche things about ourselves. I actually found himself opening up more than he ever had before. Matthew's easygoing nature made me feel completely at ease. Occasionally, I pinch myself throughout the date because this is so unreal. He is everything I imagined he would be in the scenarios I made up when trying to sleep. I feel the urge to tell him how I am feeling all of a sudden.
"You know, Matthew," I said, looking into Matthew's eyes, "I was really nervous about this date, but I'm having such a great time. You're so easy to talk to."
Matthew's smile widened, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I'm glad to hear that, Ryan. I feel the same way. You're really fun to be around."
We continued grilling and eating, sharing bites of our favourite dishes and debating which ones were the best. Matthew's laughter filled the air, and I found myself smiling so much that my cheeks hurt.
"Have you ever played League of Legends?" Matthew asked suddenly, his eyes lighting up with excitement.
My eyes widened in surprise. "Yes! I love that game. Do you play?"
Matthew nodded enthusiastically. "I do! We should play together sometime. Maybe you can teach me a thing or two."
"I'd love that," I said, feeling a rush of happiness. "I bet you'd be a great teammate."
Suddenly, it felt like the night was ending, so we stepped outside into the cool night air. Matthew turned to me, his expression serious but his eyes sparkling. I felt a rush of nerves crawl over my skin.
"I had an amazing time tonight, Ryan," Matthew said softly. "I really feel like we connected."
Ryan's heart swelled with warmth. "I did too Matthew. This was the best date I could have asked for."
Matthew took a step closer, his smile softening. "Can I kiss you, Ryan?"
Ryan's breath caught in his throat, but he nodded. "Yes."
Matthew leaned in, his lips meeting Ryan's in a kiss that was both sweet and full of promise. It was soft and gentle, yet it sent a thrill through Ryan's entire being. When they pulled apart, Matthew's smile was back, brighter than ever.
"Thank you, Ryan," Matthew whispered, his voice full of sincerity. "For everything."
Ryan smiled, feeling a warmth spread through him. "Thank you, Matthew."
He gave me one last smile, and as I walked away, I felt like I was floating. Going on a date with Matthew and getting a kiss at the end of it? It was more than I'd ever dared to dream. My heart was full, and I knew that no matter what happened next, this night would be one I'd never forget.
