From Reel to Real

IV. His Promise

The next few days passed by really fast. Dylan worked at the hotel during daytime and met up with Yue after work. Yue compiled Dylan's photos and videos content in the morning and worked on her thesis till it was time for dinner. Sometimes she joined Dylan and the crew for dinner.

The first night after the bonfire, Dylan had a video call with Wu Xi Ze. Yue thought Xi Ze was the second most good looking F4 member after Dylan. "What do you want him to do, Yue?" to which Xi Ze responded," Hey, is this how you treat your brother?"

"Just for my new friend, Yue Yue. Why don't you sing a Thai song for her? Since we are in Phuket?"
A few seconds after he started singing, Yue was laughing and rolling on the ground.
"What happened to your friend, Didi?"
"Too much endorphines. You better go, bye!"
Yue was still laughing.

The following night, Yue and Dylan got into an argument of who could eat the spiciest food. He Jiong said "Let's have a spicy food eating competition!" Loads of different Thai dishes were presented on the table.

In the end, the Sichuan boy won, leaving Ms Hunan, panting for water. She gulped down a few glasses of milk to relief the pain on her tongue but to no avail. Thai spicy food was no joke! The next day, Yue woke up with sore throat and hoarse voice. "It's all your fault, Didi!" He pitied her and let her have free lunch.

On the third night, they headed to the beach again to play a game of catch and find.
"Still no night swims, Yue?" Dylan asked cheekily. "Actually I forgot to bring my swimwear," she lied. She had worn her bikini underneath but she was conscious of the way he looked at her. No way she was going to let him see her in that.
"Oh really? Are you too cowardy to swim in your bikini?" he teased her.
Her eyes widened. "How do you know? You pervert!" She started throwing sand at him.
"I didn't!" He shouted. "I was just guessing!"
This boy was going to be the death of her.

On the fourth night, Yue and Dylan exchanged ideas on new Tik Tok videos content. She even shot some for him. She photographed him during sunset at the beach. The photos turned out to be better than he imagined. She was good in her craft.

"What degree did you graduate in again?" he asked. "Journalism and Broadcasting. I did a double degree." she said proudly.
"No wonder your head is bigger than your body," Dylan yelped as Yue pelted him with sand and wrestled him to the ground.

The last night arrived and Dylan found himself brooding. He should be happy that filming was over and he was going back to Beijing. But that also meant that he would not see Yue again. It was after dinner and they had a farewell party but Dylan was still lounging around the lobby. He was so engrossed in his thoughts that he did not hear her coming. She hit his shoulder. He looked up.

"Thinking about me?" she asked.

He nodded.

"I knew it. Come, I have a surprise for you!" She pulled his arm and guided him to the beach chairs. On one of those little side tables was a packet of something. He smelled food.

"Is that what I think it is?" His eyes brightened up.

"Chilli crab! Sshhh...I smuggled these in so we have to eat quietly. Sit down, Mr. Wang."

She made him sit down and opened the packet. The aroma awakened his senses immediately.

"Didi, don't wait. Dig in."

He grabbed the first claw and put it in his mouth. "Hmm...this is sooo good! How did you do it?"

"I have friends in high places too, you know," she winked as she bit the juicy flesh.

They ate in silence for a few minutes when Yue spoke.

"I prepared this threat for you as a thank you gift for allowing me to complete my job. Hsu-jie is very, very happy with my work. So, thank you, Wang He Di." She stood up and bowed a little.

Dylan could not stand it anymore.

"I like you, Yue. Can we meet when we get back to Beijing?" he blurted out.

Yue looked at him for the longest time. She smiled slowly.

"Didn't I warn you, Wang He Di?"

"Screw your warning, Yue," he pouted.

She laughed again. Dylan looked at her, exasperated. "Don't you feel the same way about me?"

She nodded. "I do. But it's because we are in this place. Feelings change when we get home. Trust me."

"Are you a love expert now?"

"I might be. I had two serious crushes before I met you. So yeah, you can call me that," she smiled.

Dylan did not feel any better.

"Look, we had a good time. We are friends now. Let's just stay here for awhile. I want to enjoy our friendship first. Is that okay with you?" she said softly.

When she spoke those words, his heart warmed. He trusted her. "For now?" he asked.

"For now." She held up her finger and they made a pinky promise. They smiled at each other.

"Please finish the chilli crab. I still have my sore throat!!"

Dylan laughed and took another bite.

__________

Their flight back home was at night and coincidentally they were seat mates again. Yue yawned a few times when the plane took off. She finally dozed off, with her head drooping. Dylan gently pulled her head down on his shoulder. He closed his eyes and felt her presence. He would be a friend to her. As they led busy lives individually, that was the least he could do. She was right. He glanced at her and quietly kissed her on her forehead. He lingered there for a moment, as if to memorize everything about her and the moments they spent together. He smiled. This was the best workcation ever.

————————-

Author's notes:

Thank you so much for reading!! My heart warms when I write this. I will just leave it as it is until they find their way back to each other. Love will always find a way.

💜💛 Hsien