Forget Me Not✔️

Elephant In the Room

Escorted to a little corner table in the back of the restaurant, you looked around curiously. The place was small, cozy, and quaint. The walls were a dark cedar and there was a savory aroma in the air. There was a fireplace in the middle of the open dining area and it was a welcome warm reprieve from the rain pounding against the roof. Only a handful of patrons occupied the other tables and they talked quietly amongst themselves.

The waiter who came to attend to you couldn't have been older than sixteen, and a tiny weathered woman had been the one to greet you when you and Namjoon entered, dripping. She'd had a sparkle in her eyes and the corners wrinkled when she smiled. If you had to guess, this was a family operated business that had been beloved for a long time. The menu was a single sheet of thick parchment and it had creases here and there from decades of use. You both ordered mixed drinks and an appetizer to hold you over until your main course was ready. Your stomach had gurgled impatiently upon spotting a beef stew dish on the list. Perfect.

Sipping on the peach flavored orange drink in a pear shaped glass you stared across the table at the man before you, his eyes seeming to bore holes into you. The candle in the middle of the table cast dancing shadows along the planes of his face. Swallowing and licking your lips, you tilted your head. "Penny for your thoughts?"

Shaking his head, he snapped from his daze with a half smile. "Oh, nothing." He insisted before raising his drink and slipping the straw between his lips. Your eyes immediately followed and one side of his mouth quirked into a smirk. He knew what he did to you, this wicked beautiful creature.

"Don't 'nothing' me. You were staring." You pursed your lips. "What's wrong?" You took the harshness out of your voice so it didn't sound as accusatory.

Namjoon chuckled softly under his breath as he set his drink back down. "Why does something have to be wrong?" You refused to drop his gaze, clearly something was on his mind. Letting out a breath, he spoke. "I was just thinking."

"About?" You questioned as you snagged one of the fried mozzarella sticks from the plate between you. But from his somber tone and the melancholy look in his eyes, you could put two and two together. Your vacation was quickly approaching its end and up until now, you had decided not to think too hard about what that might mean.

"That . . . you're leaving tomorrow." He admitted. His eyes dropped to the candle, the light reflecting in them.

"Oh..." You said with food still in your mouth, lowering your gaze down to the table. The air between you was thick with tension and unspoken words. You weren't really sure what to say. A multitude of possibilities flashed in your mind, bringing with them images of different scenarios, each one more radical than the last.

You could extend your stay, but you had work and a life back in the States. You could ask him to visit you, but how would that really work with his busy lifestyle? You could come visit him, but that would be costly after a while. Long distance relationships almost never worked, even for normal people who weren't dating celebrities. The more brash, illogical part of you made up wistful dreams of relocating to Korea. After all, it was beautiful. Wait, what were you thinking? Move to Korea? You scoffed, bringing his eyes back to you.

There was a hint of confusion but it was gone when he blinked. "Do you think you'll ever come back?" Namjoon asked, his eyes searching your down cast expression.

"Well... This place has grown on me." You lamented with a grin. "And I suppose the natives aren't too bad." You smirked at him, trying to ease the wrinkles forming above his brows. You already missed his easy smile and deep soothing laughter and wanted to bring it back. Glancing outside, you watched a drop of water trickle a path down the window. You weren't lying. You would miss this place, not even just because of the god in front of you. The trees were greener, the food didn't make you feel bad about yourself, and the people were so genuine and real. Life was not only being lived but savored everywhere you looked.