The Hidden Treasure

~9~

Megan kept Hyejin updated throughout her trip.  A layover here, a delayed flight there.  Odd seat mates by the dozens. 

Megan:  "I'm beginning to think I will never get to Korea."

Megan: "I swear the man seated next to me has absolutely not bathed in years.  I could probably scrape enough dirt off his skin to fill a plant pot." 

Megan: "I'm on a forced hunger strike.  My flight isn't offering snacks.  (ಥ﹏ಥ) "

Megan: "Plane is getting ready for takeoff.  Mr. Smelly Pants next to me is already snoring.  This is going to be one long flight. *sigh*"

Hyejin laughed at the messages sent to her by her friend.  She was looking forward to spending some time with Megan.  They hadn't seen each other since graduation so it would be a good reunion.

She looked at her watch. Time to head to the shop. She grabbed her jacket and bag, and sped out of the apartment, anxious to get to work and help the day go by quicker.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Namjoon walked down the street and saw the bookshop in view. He knew he was early, but he hadn't slept much last night. He still wasn't sure what to do, but maybe hanging around Hyejin today would help him figure it out.

On the one hand, he wanted to just remove his face mask and smile and say, "Hey there, Hyejin! Long time, no see!" But then he realized how stupid that would seem, considering he had already been to the shop a few time while she was there and they had actually conversed.

The idea of staying anonymous to her was also kind of appealing. He wanted to get to know the Hyejin she was now and not simply box her into the persona and character she had in high school. It was obvious that some things about her had not changed, but he could also tell that plenty of things had. She was certainly nicer, more friendly, and she actually looked happier now. Perhaps her grumpiness in school was due to always coming in second to himself. If he did reveal his identity, he hoped that she wouldn't still feel pressured to compete with him somehow. Not that they were doing the same thing now and had to compete with each other. He was an idol rapper; she owned a bookstore. Their occupations were worlds apart.

He sighed and looked up at the clear, blue sky and sighed. Why couldn't life be easier, and why had he done this to himself? How was he going to get out of this one?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hyejin finished her daily opening chores and unlocked the front door. She settled down on her stool and opened the book she was reading yesterday, waiting for a customer to come. She had turned on soft piano music to play in the background today. She could always read better when music played softly.

She ran over today's schedule in her mind and tried to make sure she had everything straight. Megan's plan would land in a few hours, and Jinjoo was coming to fill in for Hyejin till she could pick her friend up from the airport.

She double checked Megan's message filling her in on what flight she would be arriving on. She was so excited to see her friend.

Hyejin looked at the large, book clock on the wall. Thirty minutes past open and no one had come yet. This might prove to be a very long day if things didn't pick up soon.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Hyung." A hand tapped Namjoon on the shoulder and he almost jumped out of his skin. Jerking his head around, he saw Taehyung standing behind him.