A Beginning

Encounter

                 It's almost 7 hours already since the unexpected encounter with Jessica.
Taeyeon lying on her back trying desperately to catch a sleep in her hotel room for 2 hours. With a pillow covering her face while her left hand  holding her phone, but it's just  impossible. After what happened all she could think was her face and their conversation that didn't end well. She desperately wanted to meet & talk to her again. But she doesn't know how. Wondering what possessed her to do such thing.
           
          6 days ago she arrived at Berlin Airport along with another South Korean singer Paul Kim along with their entourage. Paul is paired with Taeyeon for a TV project that will be shot in Germany's Capital, Berlin. Taeyeon was really looking forward for this project since she had never done busking before.
Although she had performed in front of  thousands of people from different countries wether as a solo or with her group mates, but this one is different. No set up stage, no special effects & no costumes. Just them and  their singing voice accompanied by a live bands. And the fact that it's also  her first time in Berlin so she was both nervous and looking forward to it.
                   
           She check at her phone, it's 5:38 in the afternoon. She was sitting at the edge of the couch in the living room while her entourage was busy preparing everything for the shooting tomorrow. It's been 3 hrs since they arrived. Instead of renting a hotel rooms, the production rent a cottage house to accommodate them all. The flight was really long and she badly needed to go inside her room and get some rest but as soon as she saw everyone became busy she can't help but feel sorry, so she just opted to sit on the couch in the living room while observing them. She tried offering any help to busy herself but the staff just assured her that everything was being taken care off. She was busy checking her Instagram account when Paul in his wide smile approached her.
One of the reason she agreed to this show was because Paul was also in this. He's one of the singer that she admire and respect. His music always calmed her. Just like her, Paul is an emotional singer as well.
Unlike Taeyeon who is still new to the world of busking, Paul had already done busking before during his early careers, but admitted that he was never a fan of busking. So it puzzled Taeyeon why he agreed to do this. Although Paul is a year older than her, Taeyeon was 7 years her senior in the  music industry.
" Nervous?", paul teased.
" A bit. but im also excited", then suddenly bursting with her famous ahjumma laugh.
" You're not alone. But im sure everything will be alright.", paul respond.
" You think so?" Taeyeon asked still worried.
" of course. we have you", paul happily said.
" aigoo",  Taeyeon a bit flustered just laugh it off.
" Im just worried if people will  like it", Taeyeon softly  replied while gazing at her feet.
Paul sensing her worry tried to assure her, " I'm sure they'll not just gonna like it, they'll gonna  love it". Taeyeon appreciating the encouragement just gave him a weak smile.
When suddenly one of the staff interrupted them telling everything is set and that they can start rehearsing now.
                She is a superstar in her own country but right now in this foreign land as she nervously sitting outdoor in a park she is just a petite lady who sing in other language. While her team was busy setting-up their instrument, Taeyeon who's heart is pounding so hard that any moment she felt like it's about to come out of her chest. She took a deep breath and try to look everywhere. She can see some curious by standers already looking at them & whispering with their companion. In her mind she keeps on telling that ' everything will be okay'.
What started as small curious crowd slowly grew bigger.
For three straight days they were filming from different places in Berlin. Taeyeon enjoyed the whole time they were working together. The crowd who are curious about them was very welcoming and enjoyed every songs they sung. she was hoping that after this she'll do another busking in the future.
After the final day of shooting, she wanted to stay more for 2 days in Berlin. She wanted to spend the remaining two days to unwind and relax just like a regular tourist and traveling to where ever her feet will lead her.
On her first day all she did was sight seeing & trying local foods. After walking around for hours, she can already feel her feet starts to ache. She tried to look for a bench to rest when she saw this tall structure few meters away from her right that offers a 180 degrees view of the entire city. She can see plenty of people going inside the building that she became curious. As she was approaching the entrance she notice the signage from her left. Still lacking in her English she's thankfull she was still able to understand it. The building was a popular tourist destination. It was the highest in Berlin and tourist all over the world and both local and tourist don't want to miss any opportunity to have a full and magnificent view of the city.
Standing in front of the elevator waiting for it to open. As the door open a group of people started to came out one by one. As soon as it was empty she slowly walk in. Accompanied by two people whom she thought might be lovers because of their skinship. She stand at the back on the right side while her two companion where in the other side. She can hear them giggling and whispering to one another suddenly making her curious to their conversation but she can't understand their language. Then the giggling stops, and from her peripheral view she saw them kissing.  Making her flustered and feel awkward that she started looking at the ceiling when suddenly the elevator stop also making the couple stop to what they are doing . She look above for the floor number but they are still halfway. When the door opens people starts going in and as she was looking at them coming inside one familiar face caught her sight giving her the biggest surprise of her life. She can see by that person's expression that she was equally surprised as well. Since  inside the elevator was a bit cramped, people inside were trying to find a comfortable spot to stand and the next thing she knew Jessica was only a few step in front of her.  For Taeyeon she felt like time suddenly stop at this moment. All she can see was Jessica's back. Her sweet perfume scent filling her nose. But as time had stop so is her body movements. But she also noticed the stiffness of Jessica's body even from behind. And it was an agonizing feeling for Taeyeon.
                 
               Jessica, after arguing with her boyfriend over the phone look around to check where she is right now. She can only see few people scattered around. She doesn't knew what floor she is right now since she was force to come out outside the elevator because Tyler won't stop calling her. She was tempted to just turn off the phone 5but she knew it will only make things worst. Two days ago she was in Netherland for a vacation when she decided to add Berlin for her last stop. She wanted to gave herself a break after a long exhausting week of works but she also wanted to take this opportunity to give herself some time to think about Tyler's proposal. It's been almost a week now since Tyler surprised her with a proposal while they were celebrating their 5th anniversary through a private dinner. After leaving Tyler hanging with no definite answer. Jessica had always wanted to settle down someday. She had always wanted to start a family at a young age, all she had to do was say yes but instead she put Tyler in a state of limbo. Jessica was always been grateful to Tyler throughout the years. She owe so much to him. Through him, her dream of making it to the fashion world became possible. During her darkest day he was there. It was definitely not a love at first but she gave him a chance. Tyler had always been good to her that sometimes she's taking it for granted. Through out the years she thought she'll be finally able to love him completely but no matter how hard she try, it won't just go there. For some reason she can't completely give her heart to him. So when she ask him to give  her some times to think about his proposal she knew she's only giving him false hope. Because she knew deep inside she can't marry him. Thinking more about it only gives her stress. She took a deep breath & went straight in front of the elevator. As the door open she immediately saw her. As cliche as it sound, it's like a slow motion movie scene. She wanted to get out and run away but her body is not cooperating. And now she find herself standing in front of the girl that once meant so much to her with her behind facing her. Even from behind, Jessica can feel the petite blonde's penetrating gaze.
What feels like forever, the elevator finally reach it's destination. As the door opens people hurriedly steps out but Jessica and Taeyeon weren't moving. Taeyeon was waiting for her to come out but she's still not moving.  Until only the two of them were left. From a distance she can see one man walking fast towards their direction only then she notice Jessica about to step out and for some reason Taeyeon grab her by her right wrist and went directly to push the buttons, the door slowly closing. They can hear the guy shouting to hold it on but before the guy could reach the door is already close. Locking them both and stopping the elevator. To Jessica's surprised and starting to feel uneasy asked her,
" Are you crazy? What do you think you're doing?! ", Jessica who now came to her senses asking Taeyeon in her annoyed voice. Taeyeon still staring at the buttons. Now it's Taeyeon who had her back turns against Jessica. Still not speaking Jessica attempts to push one of the buttons when Taeyeon decided to face her. Jessica who is  starled  find herself  facing the petite blonde. Noticing the distance of their body made Jessica take a few step back and turn her head on her right side and said, " Just let me out. You'll be in trouble if you continue this." Still no response Jessica decided to look at her and the moment her gaze met hers she was lost at words. For years of trying to buried painful memories and when all the wounds had heal. Like a movie scene, it all came flooding back before her eyes. She snap back when Taeyeon started to speak,
" I'm sorry. I dont know what came into me. When i saw you i couldn't believe my eyes. Now that I'm standing in front of you and speaking to you, i still couldn't believe it. Please, can we talk?". Jessica notice the nervous smile Taeyeon gave suddenly letting her< her guard down. She was about to answer her when Taeyeon starts to talk again.
" I know you are  angry. And probably don't want to talk or see me, but please, even for a minute let us talk.  I just want to know how are you?"
Jessica gathering her thoughts coldly respond, " I'm fine." Taeyeon notice the flatness in her voice, but she knew her too well what she meant but just agree on it.
" Im glad you're fine. You really look great", Taeyeon respond. Which Jessica bitterly replied,
" I need to. We can't act all cute forever, right? Besides, After everything that happened i need to held my head up high. "
For a moment Taeyeon remains silent, but when she's about to speak, Jessica walk fastly towards the button and this time Taeyeon didn't stop her nor flinch. The elevator started to move then stop, the door slowly opening as  Jessica hastily said,
" It's good to see you. But let's just pretend this didn't happen". She didn't run after her, she just watch her back slowly disappeared as people kept coming inside.
                   
                    She turned her head on the left side and bring her phone to her face and turned it on. Exactly 11:11. She slip a weak smile on her lips then whisper, " maybe it's fate". She slowly pull herself up then take a deep breath.
She was contemplating wether she should tell about this incident to her group members or someone she trust. While preoccupied her phone suddenly receive a notification message from her SNS account and immediately opening it with out even  checking who it  was.
       [ Meet me at this Hotel *******
         Room number 205 at 3 pm.
         I made a reservation under my
         Korean name.]
After reading the message, she scroll it down if there are more. She look at the username and the profile pic. Still having a doubt if it's really her. She checked the account, every single details and scrolling down all the pictures like it's endless, without realizing she was holding her breath and  holding her phone in a tight grip. Shebonly came to her senses when her phone starts ringing. She look at caller ID. It was her mother. She took a few seconds to compose herself before answering the phone.
" Hello Mom. Sorry i was in the bathroom ", Taeyeon's weak voice had put the other side of the phone in a worry. " Is everything okay?"