The Hidden Treasure

~53~

Namjoon shoved his chilled hands into his coat pockets. He looked up at Hyejin's building, its lights shining in the darkness. He sat down on a bench across the street from it and tried to organize his thoughts. What was he going to say? How would he act? What if they got close?  Should he kiss her? Maybe just a hug. Neither? This was all assuming she was even interested in him.  He let out a deep breath, watching the vapor float into the air. 

He looked down at his phone.  Five minutes.  He had five minutes to collect himself.  That was going to be difficult.  His palms were sweaty, despite the frigid weather, and his leg was bouncing up and down uncontrollably. 

He jumped when he felt a light tap on his shoulder.  Standing straight up he looked around and saw Hyejin laughing at him.

"You scare so easily," she giggled. 

"I was distracted," he confessed with a laugh.  They both stood facing each other.  "It's good to see you," he said softly, his breath floating up into the air as a white cloud.

"You just saw me a little while ago," she grinned.

"That's true, but still, it's good to see you."  He looked around.  "Do you want to go get some coffee?"

"I would like that. Can we walk back to my shop? I left a book there I was wanting to finish."

"Walk? You do realize how far away that is." Namjoon laughed a little, not relishing the idea of walking that far.

"Yes, but I want to spend as much time as I can with you." 

Namjoon's heart skipped a beat, but always wanting to wait for confirmation, he decided to tuck her words away for later. "Okay, let's compromise. I'll pay for a taxi and we'll get there faster. Then we can talk as long as we would like. Deal?"

"Deal!" She grinned and the couple quickly found a taxi.

They were dropped off at a coffee shop not far from The Hidden Treasure.  Hyejin insisted on paying for the coffee since Namjoon had paid for the taxi.  He smiled sheepishly when she set the warm to-go cup in his hands. 

"Thanks," he muttered, wrapping his chilled fingers around the cup, letting the warmth of the coffee seep into them.

"Welcome," she smiled.  "Let's go." 

The pair walked out of the shop and Namjoon did his best to keep his long strides shorter so she could keep up more easily. 

Hyejin noticed him shuffling every few steps and giggled.  "Stop trying so hard," she said softly. "I'll keep up."  She grinned mischievously and took a sip of her coffee.

"Oh really?  Like you kept up in school?"  Namjoon laughed wickedly and dodged a hit from Hyejin. 

"That was a low blow, Kim Namjoon," she said petulantly.  She quickened her steps and got ahead of him.

Namjoon giggled and quickly caught up with her.  "You're right.  I'm sorry," he said, half smiling.

Hyejin laughed and shook her head. "I'm not really offended.  That was actually pretty funny." 

Namjoon smiled as they walked up to the door of Hyejin's shop.  "Is everyone gone for the night," he asked, secretly hoping they could be alone for a little while.

"Should be," she said, finding the door locked.  She pushed her key into the lock and turned it.  The door pushed open silently and the pair quickly entered.  Hyejin turned on a few lights, feeling suddenly nervous. 

She was alone with him.  There was so much she wanted to say to him that she could now say without fear of anyone interrupting or listening.  Her heart raced and her hands trembled.