A Job With Him

An Intentional Encounter

I nervously walked towards the backstage area. The concert ended after Joshua thanked the audience once again and wished them a farewell and a safe trip back home. I was still afraid of him recognizing me but seeing as to how he didn't really think too much about my singing earlier, I felt safe and did not want to worry about it anymore. After all, it was my birthday and I wanted to enjoy it to the fullest. Especially when I was given the rare opportunity to meet Byun Joshua privately. My mouth formed a smile at that thought and I quickly entered backstage. Upon showing my pass, a stage manager brought me to Joshua's room. As we neared the open door, I heard Joshua's conversation with someone.

"Why did you give a backstage pass to a fan? You know that was not in the plan! What do you think you are doing?!" I think it was his manager. We were still quite a distance from his room so I was able to hear a bit more of the conversation through the walls.

"I'm sorry Manager Hyung. But I really need to talk to that girl. She really sounded and looked like the Amber I knew then!" I heard Joshua exclaim. I immediately stopped moving. We were really near to the door and I did not want to take a step further. He really did recognize me and if we talk, that incident will be brought up for sure. Beads of sweat started to form on my face and my heart was beating against my chest. The stage manager I was following was already at the door and was informing Joshua about my presence. Not thinking twice, I turned back and started speed-walking out of the area. However, it was too late. The stage manager realised I was going away and told Joshua. I looked back and saw Joshua calling me and trying to catch up with me. Desperate, I ran as though my life depended on it out of the backstage. There was no way we were going to talk about the past. That incident must never be brought up. Never.

I managed to run out of the concert hall to the place where Mildred said she would wait for me and caught my breath. It seemed like Joshua lost me. However, there was nobody around there. Just silence. I whipped out my phone and saw a text from my best friend.
'Hey Amber! Sorry, my parents said that my cousin visited and I had to rush home to greet him. He is going back tomorrow and I didn't want to miss him either. Really sorry! Have a safe trip back home, okay? Also, happy birthday!'

I chuckled. Mildred really loved her cousin. He was studying overseas so she rarely got to see him and I understood that. I quickly replied her thanks and told her not to worry about me.

As I exited the building, I realised that it was pouring very heavily. I sighed. Why did it always rain when I didn't bring my umbrella? I stood under the shelter area outside the building, forming a plan to get to the bus stop. It was just opposite the building on the other side of the road. So I needed to get the timing right and run across the road to the bus stop when the traffic light turns green to walk. Just as I placed my bag over my head and was about to sprint across, a car stopped right in front of me. Confusion was visible in my face as I stepped back a little. The window at the passenger seat in the back rolled down and I saw none other than Byun Joshua. My eyes widened and I started panicking again. He opened the car door and was coming out when I scurried out of the shelter. I would rather get wet in the rain than talk to him right now. But to my dismay, he was faster than me and grabbed my wrist. He pulled me back into the shelter but since he pulled so hard, I accidentally bumped into his broad chest. He was trying to prevent me from falling so it ended up with me in his arms. I had never been this close to him before. Not even when we were in junior college. We stayed like that for a moment. It was when he awkwardly coughed that I realised the situation and immediately pulled away. I apologized profusely and stepped backwards. Unfortunately, I tripped as I was backing away and closed my eyes, waiting for the impact. However, nothing happened. I opened my eyes and saw Joshua so close to my face. Our lips were just inches away. He caught me with his arms and looked into my eyes. I saw my reflection in his eyes and fell deep into those chocolate-brown orbs. It was like when we first met in school.

Suddenly, a loud thunder was heard and I quickly regained my composure. I stood up properly and apologized to him again. I had no idea why but, it seems like he was always saving me from situations. Just like that time...

Wait, he is going to talk to me now and definitely about the incident. Joshua saw the change in my expression and knew what I was going to do. He grabbed my wrist before I could even escape and I sighed. He then spoke, "Seeing how you keep running away from me, you are the Amber from my junior college time right? The one whom I left to suffer alone again."