How I Married My Bias

CHAPTER 13

Then he stood up and offered his hand to help me. When I looked up and saw him, I was regained to my senses. I just talked to my bias.

I SPENT A MOMENT WITH HIM.

Then he laughed. "You need to get over that. When I'm with you, I'm not Wonwoo. I'm just an ordinary guy."

He said and offered his hand closer to me. I took it and stood up. My legs felt a little numb but I managed to stand up. He messed his hair and put on the jacket hood, shadows covering his face.

"Didn't find anything?" asked Mrs. Heo as we emerged from the back and into the counter. I remembered the book that I was going to buy and found out that I've been holding on to it the whole time.

"This one, ma'am." I said then and handed her the book. Mrs. Heo's eyes gazed at the guy behind me and then back to me.

But she didn't say anything. She stamped the book and I pay it. I thanked her and we both bowed to her as we walked out of the shop.

Wonwoo walked with his head down and his hands concealed in his jacket pocket. He approached a black car parked outside.

"Hop in," he said in a whisper, only loud enough to be heard if you're close to him.

"No, no. I can manage to go home. Thank you though." I said then started to walk away but he blocked the path again.

"Hop in, Ms. Author." He said more like a command than an offer. I thought to myself how often do people get a chance to be treated this way. What did I do to deserve this?

The car smelled like sweet apple. I kept my composure as I sat on the passenger's seat. I tried to keep as invisible as possible, trying to make my breaths even and calm.

He started the engine and took off. It was only till we reached the main street that he started talking.

"I didn't know that I had to do things like this just to talk to you." He said with his eyes fixed on the road.

I didn't respond because I don't know what to say. "You don't talk much do you?" he asked. In my peripheral vision I think I saw him looked at me for a second then turn to the road again.

I looked at him while he still has his eyes glued on the road and quickly turn away when he changed his gaze. He reached for something on the dashboard and gave me a whiteboard and marker.

"If you won't talk then write it. I guess you'd be more comfortable writing that talking." He said. I get the whiteboard and marker.

"I've been trying to reach you through many ways but I guess going undercover was the only successful one." he said then gestured me to write. Inside, I was laughing.

This is a strange way of communicating. I write down. I may have known one or two of that ways. Then faced the whiteboard to him and hid my face behind it.

He laughed.
WONWOO ACTUALLY LAUGHED.

It was a strange new sound to my ears but at the same time strangely wonderful.

"You probably had it all figured out - the letter, the book." He started.

"I tried to talk to you but being on that phone booth all soaked up wet and with little space, I decided that it wasn't the right time." He said then looked at me.

I looked back at him for a second then turn to the whiteboard. Yeah I had it all figured, about the pseudonym and the book. I faced it to him.

"You had? Since when?" he asked.

Since last Thursday. I replied.

"I know you've been wondering and all." He started.

"You see, I had been reading your books but I had a hard time finding you because of our schedules so I had a little help. I asked Soohee to find you and offer you the job." He said.

I wrote down. So you recommended me to write the book? I replied.

"Well, yeah. After all, you're more than qualified for the task." He said.

I don't know what to write down. It's like he ended the topic. I was relieved that I don't want to write anymore but at the same time regretting that we're making so much dead air.

I wanted to talk to him but I don't know how.

I didn't seem to mind the time passing by. Then he opened the car stereo. "Anyway, what's your favorite song of Seventeen?" he asked with his hands on the steering wheel and eyes on me.

I wrote down. Love Letter. He giggled.
"You're taking this bizarre way of communication too seriously," he said and then played Love Letter on the stereo.

I think that was one of the best moments of my life. I always listen to Love Letter because its my favorite song but now it sounds more beautiful in my ears.

I had to admit to the crime of stealing quick glances at him as the music played. It's like I'm making my very own music video starring me and my bias. It was wonderful.

I looked out and realized that the street marks aren't familiar and it was already sundown. I should've been home by now.

I looked out and realized that there were no tall buildings anymore and it was obvious that we were far from the city.

"Yeah I forgot. We weren't heading home. We're going somewhere." He said.

"Where? Why?" I asked, shocked. He just smiled then looked at me.

"Finally she spoke." He said - deep voice and all.