How I Married My Bias

CHAPTER 7

I am so tired. But I disregarded all this and opened my bag immediately. I brought out the book and the envelope.

I sat on my work desk chair and opened the envelope. I almost stumble back from where I am sitting upon seeing the letter - a crumpled piece of paper.

It was from my diary, the one I tore and crumpled in the park the other day. I covered my mouth in shock. Am I being followed? At the bottom of the page was some sort of reply. I'm sure it's not my handwriting. It said;

"Don't ever doubt yourself."

-The Locket (page. 7)

I quickly get the book (the other book from the mysterious young man). I opened on page seven and words 'Don't ever doubt yourself ' was underlined by a pencil.

I scan the whole page 7 and found another pencil mark under the word 'because'. I looked at page 8 and 9 but there were no pencil marks. This is getting weirder and weirder by the second.

First, I got hired to write a book for Seventeen and I don't even know how I got hired.

Second, I'm seeing people on the streets that somehow looked like Wonwoo but magically disappear.

Third, I received two mystery letters. Then, a lost book was given to me by a stranger. And lastly, I think someone is following me. And I think all of this is connected, like one huge maze to figure out.

I received a message. It was from the staff of Seventeen and he said that he reserved a ticket for me and told me to attend Seventeen's Performance so I can meet them.

MEET THEM.
MEET THEM? SEVENTEEN?

I think I almost fainted. I texted back and told him to give the ticket to someone else because I already had a ticket.

That night, I couldn't think of anything else. There's so much happening in my life. This time last week, I wasn't thinking of anything else except for finishing a book, earning money, staying alive.

Now, I'm thinking about how to finish Seventeen's book, who was the mystery guy, and what to wear for tomorrow. Wait, I'm thinking of what to wear? I laughed at the thought. I was becoming more like Divina.

I stood up and opened my closet. It's just then that I realized how few my clothes was. I dressed plainly and I planned to dress that way regardless of which event I'm attending.

A few minutes later, Divina texted me saying that she would come here so that we can come to the venue together. I wanted to tell her about the mystery guy, the letter, the book and everything but I was too tired.

I planned not to continue the book tonight. I washed up and slipped into my PJ's and lay on my bed. But I can't fall asleep. I guess this is a very tiring day and there's so much going on.

I fumbled for my diary under my pillow and sit with my back on the wall. I started to write everything that had happened today. The feelings keep flowing through my hands and into the paper.

After finishing, I put the diary back under my pillow and switched the night lamp off. I covered myself with the blanket up to my chin and closed my eyes. I tried hard to drift away to sleep. After some time, I didn't know exactly when, I fell asleep.

~~~

My alarm sounded. I woke up and jumped out of bed. I better be going. Divina's going to be here any time soon. I took a bath and in no time, I'm dressed.

I quickly get my bag and my coat and went out. I was in front of the apartment when Divina arrived. I hopped in the taxi. It's the first time, we'd go out together since we part ways seven years ago.

"Isn't lovely?" I asked her.

"We used to dream of coming here and now we do." She nodded.

For the first time that we're together, we weren't noisy. It was rare but we've been quiet for a minute. Then we both spoke together at the same time, in complete unison.

"I think I'm being followed." We both said and then both stare at each other.

"You too?" she asked. I nodded. Then I told her everything that had happen yesterday. She told her story too.

Afterwards, we both decided to shake that off because we're about to meet the boys and we shouldn't be anxious about anything or it might ruin the atmosphere.

The venue was already crowded. There were so many people who came to see Seventeen. The taxi driver let us off almost a block away because the taxi can't get through the sea of people waiting for the venue to open.

A security staff asked for our tickets and when he saw our names, he asked another staff to let us in. He gave us a Staff pass and let us in the venue.

Soohee greeted us when we saw him on the backstage. It was my first time on a backstage and there was so much going on.

There are staffs everywhere, lighting equipment, and other stuff. Soohee gave a camera to Divina and told her to use it to take photos. A middle-aged man came and Soohee told Divina that the man was their Senior Cameraman and he'll assist her.

I held Divina's hand since we get in and now the man is taking him away. I watched as Divina and the senior cameraman disappeared into the hallway.

I stood there, frozen and hands trembling. Soohee told me to sit down first and he will fetch their Editor so I can talk to him and asked for ideas for the book.

Soohee also disappeared down the halls and I'm left alone. I could hear the distant noises as the staff opened the venue. I heard someone greeting the audience. She must be the emcee and I recognize her voice.

It was Son Dambi. It had been a while since Soohee left and promised to come get the Editor but he hasn't come back yet.

I bit my lip like I usually do when I'm bored and sometimes when I'm nervous. I felt quiet dizzy looking at all the staff that walked past me.

The backstage was a really busy place. I put my head down to avoid the busy people and pretended that I am part of the wall, somewhat invisible. I looked at my feet as I bit the insides of my cheek.

Suddenly I heard someone's voice and it was familiar, followed by another familiar voice, then another. It was coming closer.

I lift my head and as soon as I did, Seventeen emerged from the hallways, all thirteen of them. I was so shocked and happy that I think I can almost touched the stars.