PAPARAZZI

Twenty one

Some people dislike promises because they believe that they are meant to be broken. But you realise it's not true after all. It all relies on the individual who makes you promises.

Some argue that promises are worse than lies since they provide hope to those who trust them. However, those with good  intentions are inclined to do so since they have importance on the words they said.

Before leaving Tacoma, Jay, promise you to explore his hometown and accompany you to a seafood restaurant. But things didn't go as planned because of some strange events. Magazine photo shoots, fan signings, business meetings, and so on.

That is why you had no expectations when Jay asks you for a second time to tour in Tacoma again because you don't want to ruin the fun of touring the city with him, as losing hope while your hopes fall apart is two terrible things all at once.

When your phone beeps, you stop walking. When Jay discovered that you had lost your phone while running with Ikeu due to the severe rain he got you one and gave it to you the previous night.

You tried to refuse and told him you could buy on your own, but when he handed you the phone, Jay pretended he hadn't heard anything.

["What's taking you so long?"]

It was a text from Jay.

You compose a message indicating that you're coming down with the idea that the reason he's messaging you now is because he doesn't want to wait too long.

Actually you didn't realise he was serious when he asked you to go around since based on his busy schedule over the last several days, he didn't have time for a break.

Jay was seated in the the lobby when you spotted him, his brow was furrowed, and his eyes were closed. You wonder if he was asleep, or if he is fatigued. Because if that's the case, he'd be better off resting before his travel tomorrow.

Jay appears to detect you, so he opens his eyes and stares straight in your way.

"Did you prepare for me?" He said, which perplexed you.

"Huh?" Jay looks at your face and motions an invisible circle with his index finger.

"You did your make-up too much," he continues, his gaze still fixed on you.

You were unsure if you would be offended by what he said, which was accompanied by a teasingly imitated chuckle. However, when his grin fades and his gaze falls on your lips, you begin to panic.

He looks into your eyes again before looking down at your lips one again.

"You had.." He continues, before cutting his focus on you, not knowing how to say it.

Your forehead wrinkled, still perplexed by his unexpected behaviour. In your thoughts, you're wondering whether you have something in your face, so you lift your phone and use it as a mirror to check, and that's when you discovered a lipstick in your front teeth, which you gently wipe with your tongue before checking it again.

Jay is still not looking, but you detect the smile he is attempting to cover, which makes you feel ashamed, and out of nowhere you punch his arms, causing him to glance at you.

"Hey!" he say. Still stunned. But instead of responding, you left him alone and began to walk.

"Why did he say it right away instead of- argh! I'm embarrassed," you remark bitterly while going quickly.

While walking fast, you had no clue Jay was already behind you since his long legs make him to effortlessly approach you. Jay, get your hands and entangle them.

"Don't you forget that we're in a public relationship, so if the media sees us, especially you leaving me, they'll assume we're fighting."

You and Jay went to an exclusive restaurant that offers seafood. It appears that he has previously reserved a table for the two of you, because when you arrived, the staff guided you to your seat.

There are some unknown foods with you, but when you hear that they taste different for the first time, you became suspicious.

Since it is very impossible that they taste different because you may had try certain foods before that have the same flavour with different texture. But when Jay says you should taste first before judging, you agree him.

"See? You like it."

You give him a thumbs-up before tasting the food again. His expression indicates that he was pleased with your reactions.

"When I was younger, my family and I would always connect over choosing a good place to eat."

"Really? So your family return to the same restaurant because of the cuisine they serve?" you asked, but Jay shook his head.

"No..."

"We enjoy discovering wonderful places that provide delicious cuisine, but we never stayed in one place since we do not have a preference. It was just casual for us to explore different foods at different places."

You nod.

You suddenly remember when Jay returned from Milan after his fashion visit we're a fan took a snapshot of him and his mother eating at a restaurant. Jay was only wearing a plain shirt and a back cap hat that time but he isn't scared to show off how simple man he is.

He is a true family man, despite his lack of sleep and jet lag, he will always make time for his family, particularly for things they like doing, such as eating out.

Somehow you believe that if you and your family are not toxic, you will choose to return home and bond with them, but sadly the family you were hoping for is not meant for you.