Winter Bear (COMPLETED)

Chapter 1: Cafe of Chance Encounter

You can't wait to see your friend...it's been years since you've seen each other since she moved to London. Your flight arrived early and your friend is still at work, so you decide to store your luggage in an airport locker and go sightseeing for a bit. You've only been to London one time during spring break and remember this adorable cafe with outdoor seating that you'd love to visit again. It was during that vacation that your friend decided that she would end up living in London. You planned on moving with her but were offered a job that you couldn't turn down back in the States. You quickly order an Uber and have the driver drop you off near the cafe so you can wander the streets and look at some of the boutiques along the way. As you approach the cafe, which is thankfully still there, you see this gorgeous man in a beret sitting alone. Completely captivated by his good looks, you fail to notice that there is a camera man filming him. You happen to see him looking at a picture on his phone of the cutest Pomeranian pup. Still not aware of your surroundings, you shyly but courageously approach the man to comment on the picture. "I'm so sorry to interrupt you but I couldn't help but notice the adorable Pomeranian on your phone. I have one just like him at home. I never find anyone else with Pomeranian pups. Everyone always has the common breeds." you say to this tall, dark, and handsome drink of water. "I know, right?!" he replies. "I wanted something different and fell in love with this little furball's face." he continues and motions what looks like the signal to cut for a director. You are caught off guard by his action, which prompts you turn around. It is at that moment that you realize there is a cameraman filming him. "Oh my goodness...I am so very sorry to interrupt. Please forgive me. I had such tunnel vision when I saw your Pomeranian that I didn't see that you were filming something. I am really sorry. I'll let you get back to whatever you were doing." you say as you offer an apologetic smile. "It's ok...really." he says with the sweetest, boxiest smile you've ever seen. "I was actually getting ready to finish up for the day because I have somewhere to be in a couple of hours and wanted to finish eating." the beautiful stranger replies.
He stands up, pulls out a chair and says, "please.. join me, unless you were heading somewhere." You smile shyly and thank him as you sit. "I was actually planning on dining here because I haven't been here since college and loved it back then." you inform him. "This is my first time here. What do you recommend?" he asks. You giggle and say that you doubt they have the same stuff from a few years ago. He smiles and says that you're probably right so he goes to grab a menu for the two of you to share. While he is away, you quickly check your face on selfie mode since you probably look jetlagged and never planned on running into a man like this today. You quickly powder your nose and put on some lip gloss before he returns. When he returns with the menu, he also has two drinks with him. "I forgot to ask what you like to drink but figured that everyone probably loves Coke as much as me." he says with a smile. "That's perfect. Thank you so much! You didn't have to do that. I'm the one that should be getting you a drink for interrupting your filming." you insist. "Nonsense!" he says. "I already told you I was wrapping up for the day and no gentleman can allow a lady to buy him a drink. That would be poor manners. So, it's my treat." You blush at his sweet chivalry but would be a fool not to accept and see where this goes.
"Sooooo..." he says as he cups his hands around his chin, looking like the cutest flower ever. "what is the name of your pup and do you have any pictures?" he questions. "Her name is Minnie and, of course, I have pictures. I love photography!" you excitedly reply as you show him your Pom. "Aww...so cute. My friend has a dog named Mickey but my dog's name is Tannie...short for Yeontan. By the way, I never introduced myself. My name is Tae, short for Taehyung." he says.
You introduce yourself and quickly and easily get lost in more conversation with him as you discover your many common interests, especially your dogs.
"I never asked about your filming...are you a movie star that I am embarrassed to admit I've never heard of before?" you ask Tae.
He laughs and replies quickly with "No. I've done a little acting here and there but I was just filming for a project called Winter Bear that I'm working on right now. Im actually surprised that you haven't heard of me but it's kind of nice that you haven't because I'm able to just sit here and have a normal conversation with you and thoroughly enjoy myself."
"It wouldn't have surprised me if you were a celebrity with those looks." you bashfully suggest. Tae smiles and bashfully puts his head down when he notices the time on his Gucci watch. "Oh no!" Tae says as he jumps up out of his seat. "I'm so sorry. I've enjoyed talking with you so much that I lost track of time. I have to be somewhere soon but I'd love to see you again before you head back to the States. When can I see you again?" he asks. "My friend is dragging me along to some concert at Wembley tomorrow, so it would have to be after that." you reply as you give Tae your number. "Since you have to run, just call me or message me and we can make plans." you say with a smile. Tae places money on the table to cover the bill, winks at you, smiles and says "I'll see you sooner than you think." "Later gorgeous!" Tae smirks and smiles as he hops into a black sedan.
You sit at the cafe dumbfounded with Tae's comment. "Yeah right" you think to yourself. "I'll probably never see him again."
You sit at the cafe for a bit longer to finish your meal and take in the beautiful weather and scenery around you before returning to the airport to retrieve your luggage and meet up with your friend.
Your friend comes to pick you up at the airport and it's as if those four years have never come between you. You embrace with the biggest hug, grab your bags, and take off for her flat.
In the car on the way there, you're forced to listen to her K-Pop, which you vowed to never like the same way. You've both always loved the same things, especially Korean men, but you've never gone down that rabbit hole with her because you've needed to focus on work. She knows the impact that boy bands have on you and she's never forced them on you because she knows how important your job is to you, even though she is bursting to share every bloody detail with you. You bop your head along to the beat, as you secretly don't hate it, but are resisting the fall. The two of you catch up and reminisce on the way to her place. When you arrive, she grabs your luggage and helps you inside. "You look exhausted." she says. "Thanks a lot, bitch! You look like shit too!" you sarcastically reply as you both break out into laughter. "Just kidding. The jet lag is definitely starting to kick in now." you say with a yawn. She shows you to your room and tells you to rest up because you have a big day ahead of you tomorrow for the concert. "Love you. Sleep well. I can't wait until you meet the UK ARMY tomorrow." she says with so much excitement. You roll your eyes a bit as you reply with a semi-sarcastic "Umm...okay." She laughs, says that she'll see you in the morning, and leaves you to get situated.
It doesn't take you long after hitting the pillows before you're sound asleep.