The Choice I Made

CHAPTER IX: Black Hole

Happy or not, time flies. That's what I realize when a month has passed since I came in Korea. I have been very busy the whole month--CF shootings and photoshoots, not to mention magazine interviews. Today Eric freed my schedule for the night because I'll be moving to my new apartment. It has been weeks that we're staying at the hotels. Moving from one hotel to another these past week for convenience but for me it's not convenient at all. It's like moving houses a thousand times.

A soft knock echoed to the room while I packed.

"Come in," I called out while I'm busy stuffing my things to the carrier.

"Have you finished packing?" Eric asked as soon as he enters.

"Yeah, I'm almost done."

"Good. Are you hungry? Let's grab dinner first. I heard there's a good Italian restaurant nearby."

"Okay, let's go. I'm also craving for a pasta," I replied after pushing the last of my clothes to my luggage.

The restaurant is a cozy place full of Italian inspired decors which reminds me so much of my favorite restaurant in Florence. When I turned 18, I got my 'independence'. I got a place of my own and lived independently in Florence where the races are frequently held and where the best race tracks are located. But though I live alone, I never felt lonely because Mom would drop by my unit every week and when I don't have practice or race, I go home to see her and Dad.

"So, where am I moving tonight? It's funny how I'm packing up yet I don't have any idea where I'm going," I said while devouring the delicious Chicken Alfredo.

"In Sangji Ritzville Caleum. Somewhere in Cheongdamdong," Eric replied nonchalantly.

"Wow. Leave it to you to choose the most expensive and most luxurious apartment in whole of Korea."

"Well, you're half-right about it. Actually, it's the general manager of Sangji that approached me first. They promised to give us the penthouse. So since I'm already planning on choosing Sangji, I took the offer."

"That's generous of them. But, penthouses are usually for top celebrities, aren't they?"

Eric frowned at my statement and said, "You are a top celebrity. When will you get that in your head, dimwit?"

"Oh, am I?" I laughed out loud and other customers turned to our direction. "Sorry, it's just hard to grasp."

"Yeah, right. Who would've thought that the crybaby I've known for more than fifteen years would turn into big time celebrity?" Eric remarked and I chuckled at the crybaby part. He's right about it anyway. My tears are shallow that I cry over little things but only those people close to me know this. I never cry in front of strangers.

"Fifteen years? Wow. We've been friends that long?"

"Yep. And it's long enough for me to know you like the back of my hand."

"Oh, really? Then, let me ask you this. What is something that you hate me so much about?"

"Hm, that's an easy question. I've got a lot on my mind that I couldn't choose one," Eric teased me, laughing.

"Yah!" I said then I reached out across the table to smack him.

"Okay, fine," he retorted, still laughing. "First, you jump to conclusions so fast which sometimes makes you misunderstand people. And second, your temper."

Well, I just realize that I really do jump to conclusions like when I heard Shane's death, I blamed myself quickly. And there's that incident on the balcony last month with Kev---I mean, Kris ( I refuse to call him Kevin anymore. In my mind, Kevin will remain as the person I met in Canada while Kris is just a stranger.). He told me crystal clear that he didn't want to do anything with me, that I should just act like I don't know him. Clearly, he wanted me to stay away from him. But then, there's that note. The note which says K likes to see me smile. Doofus! He's not the only one whose name starts with K. Did I jump into conclusions again thinking he didn't want me around or this time I'm really reading between the lines?