Where Stars Never Meet

The Encounter

"Jia, let go!" Kenji annoyingly said as he tried to shove Jia off of him. "You're hugging me tightly, I can't breathe."

Jia giggled at the sight of her annoyed friend. "I miss that look on your face." She jokingly said.

"Oh shut up!" Blurted Kenji.

"By the way, what brought you here? And how did you know that I'm here? When did you arrive? Did the Chairman send you? Or is it my grandfather? What about your studies then? Why didn't you even tell me that you're coming?" Jia let out her unending questions.

"Slow down, will you?" Kenji told her. His eyes gazed at the five young peeps standing at the veranda looking at them. "Are they your friends?"

"Oh! Yes, they are. Come on, I'll introduce you to them." Jia said as she pulled Kenji.

When they reached the veranda, the five stood awkwardly on their feet. Their eyes showed different emotions, one was stunned, the other was in awe, the other was suspicious, one was in discomfort, and there was this one who looked troubled.

"Guys, this is Kenji. Kenji, they are the friends I've been telling you about." Jia said. "This is Gabby, Yaz, Michael, my bff Josh and this is Adrein." She pointed each of them for Kenji.

Kenji slightly bowed his head as he greeted the group. "Hi! I'm Kenji. Nice to finally meet you all. I've been hearing a lot about you from Jia, especially, you, Josh. Did I say your name right?"

"Yes. It's right." Answered Josh. "Please to meet you." He gave Kenji a handshake.

Michael followed and shook Kenji's hand as well. Yaz and Gabby were also delighted to meet Kenji as they were smiling widely as they took his hand for a shake.

Adrein, on the other hand doesn't look like he's pleased with Kenji's unforeseen appearance, as he did not move at all to give him a warm welcome.

Kenji noticed Adrein looking at him sternly, "You're Adrein, right? Please to finally meet you." He said and offered his hand for a handshake, but Adrein only looked at him and remained steady.

Kenji cleared his throat to ease the tension between them, "I know this is sudden, and... I apologize for coming unannounced but don't worry... I won't be here for long. I am just here to get Jia."

Jia was surprised to hear the words from Kenji, "To get me?"

"Yes, Jia. I'm here to pick you up. The Chairman and your grandfather wanted you to spend the remaining time of your school break back in Korea."

"So when are you guys leaving?" Josh questioned.

"Our flight was scheduled tomorrow morning, but I would prefer to have her rest at her apartment before the flight, so I'm taking her back to the town today."

"Don't you think it's way too sudden, Ken?" Jia uttered holding him in his arms.

"I know... but this is what your grandfather wants."

Jia was saddened by the thought of her leaving so soon. She looked at everyone who also seemed worried about her.

"Okay... guess... there's nothing we can do about it. Anyway, Jia will be back in a week. Right?" Yaz comforted the others with her words.

"Yes, I'll be back on time for the semester." Jia answered.

"Why don't you join us for breakfast first, before you head downtown?" Michael offered.

"Right! Join us! The breakfast is more than enough for us anyway." Gabby added, "Is that okay Adrein?"

Everyone braced themselves for what may come out of Adrein's mouth. They all knew he was not feeling okay with Kenji being so close to Jia, but they all felt relieved when he nodded his head and led the way to the kitchen.