The Wings of Harmony

4. Stealthy Departure

At the airport entrance, Namjoon's car arrived. As his manager loaded their luggage, Namjoon suddenly pulled off his jacket, handed it to his manager, and sprinted into the darkness. The manager, caught off guard, tried to follow but Namjoon had already vanished.

In the B2 parking area, Maanya pulled her car out and was about to hit the road when she saw a man running towards her. He knocked urgently on the passenger door. It was Namjoon. She opened the door in astonishment, and he hastily jumped in.

"Drive, hurry!" he urged.

Shocked but obedient, she sped off. When you toss a morsel into a pond, the water comes alive with a flurry of fish converging in an instant. Similarly, in a single moment, countless thoughts surged through her mind, each one racing to the forefront: Was there a terrorist attack? Was Namjoon in danger? Were they being followed? Was there a bomb? Determined to protect him, she hit the accelerator hard, and within minutes, they were on the highway.

"What happened? Is someone following us? Are you in danger? What about your manager and security guards? Should we go to the nearest police station? Oh, I don't even know where the police station is!" she exclaimed, her anxiety growing with each question.

Namjoon chuckled. "Hey, we're safe, there's no danger. Relax. I just wanted to try something today, and I want to do it with you. As for my manager and others, could I borrow your phone to call him and let him know I'm safe? And about the destination, you mentioned going to the beach. Could you take me there? I've been craving that experience ever since you talked about it."

Maanya hit the brakes and stared at him incredulously. "Are you mad? You nearly gave me a heart attack barging into my car like that!"

Namjoon grinned sheepishly. "I'm sorry. I just couldn't resist the adventure. So, will you take me to the beach?"

Maanya sighed and moved the car, only to abruptly stop again. "Oh no, I'm doomed. What if the police arrest me for kidnapping you? Or worse, if someone catches us together, it will top the internet," she said, looking at Nam Joon with a mix of fear and frustration, as if to say he had doomed her life.

Nam Joon gave her a serious look, then took her phone and called his manager. "I'm with a friend," he informed them. "We'll reach Seoul together. Head back to Seoul and don't worry about anything. Just keep things underplayed."

He turned to Maanya, his tone calm and reassuring. "Nothing tragic will happen. It's well past 10 PM. No one expects me to be on a deserted beach or in this car. We'll reach Seoul before dawn. There's nothing to worry about."

Despite his reassurances, Maanya remained deep in thought as she drove through the countryside, avoiding all the famous spots of Incheon. When she finally pulled the car over on a quiet beach, she turned off the engine and looked at Nam Joon. He gently took her hand, making her look him straight in the eyes.

"My apologies if you feel uncomfortable around me. We hardly know each other, and I may have taken your privacy for granted. If you're feeling stressed or worried, tell me right away. I can call my manager, and we can part ways here."

She looked into his eyes and saw the sincerity in them. "I'm sorry," she said softly. "I was so occupied with my own worries that I behaved harshly. I once heard Suga say that ordinary things are special to you guys. I didn't consider your feelings. Let's forget everything and just be like kids, enjoying this moment."

Nam Joon smiled, a warm, understanding smile and they both felt a sense of relief as they decided to embrace the night ahead.