Perfect Strangers (formerly My Sweet Superstar)

CHAPTER 7 – Finally Found You

Gabriela's POV

Time passed by so fast, but his face still haunts me. Especially those eyes deep with hidden emotions. It never crossed my mind that the person I used to adore so much before, and still trying to forget, would ask me for help -- a 'special kind' of help that is.

I wonder if he's thinking of me, or even remembers me. God, why am I feeling like this again? it's all coming back!

The school semester is about to end, but everything that had happened still remains in my head. Maybe it’s because of the questions that remain unanswered. WHY?

As I walk my way home from school, a call from an unregistered number flashed on my phone screen. It somehow looked familiar to me. So I answered it thinking it’s Ms. Soo, the school organization head for student activities, bugging me again to join.

“Hello? Uhm... Yuabuseyo?” There was a short pause before the person on the other line spoke.

“Hi Gabriela... How are you?” It was a guy. He’s voice was a bit small, indicating his hesitance to answer.

I was completely puzzled. “Who’s this?”

“It’s me... Simon. I kept the number you gave me.” Simon... Cowell?? Do they have Korea’s Got Talent now? At the moment, I can feel the deep lines on forehead forming.

“I tried calling you before but you’re not answering. Just found out you changed it.” He continued. Then it dawned on me.

OMG! It’s him! So, he was the unknown caller all this time. But what with the Simon name?

“Can we talk?” He finally asked. Duh? We’re already taking, right?

The surprise call made me stop on my tracks and settled on a nearby bench. A man was already sitting on the far side with a seemingly familiar trench coat and shades get-up.

What the --? It’s him! And how many coats does he have anyway?

As not to get attention from passersby, I immediately sat with a safe distance from him.

“Why are you here? You’re not supposed to be here? And how did you know where I am?” I can’t help but blabber.

Come to think of it, a guy like him can easily find anyone for having a lot of connections.

“Why did you only show up now?” I wasn’t able to stop myself from blurting. That’s not supposed to come out. I’m sure looking like a cherry now.

He’s obviously amused with my reaction, but his response made my jaw drop. “I missed you.”

What?! Seriously? Are we close?

“How could you say that? We don’t even know each other. I mean, of course I know you. You’re famous.” I said with a stutter. “But no reason for you to missing me.”

The amusement not fading on his face. “I guess we’re not really friends because what we did back then was for –”

“Do you really have to remind me?” I cut him off. It’s like him being my first is just a normal thing.

I’m starting to get irritated. Though there was a flash of hurt on his eyes, now his face became serious.

“I believe this is not the right place to talk.” He mentioned standing up. “Let’s go somewhere private.”

The idea of having a part two of what we did crossed my mind. Oh no, not again!

“There’s a coffee shop nearby that doesn’t have much customers at during this hour. We can go there.” He added, which crashed my maliciousness.

Why do I feel a pang of disappointment from what he said? And as usual, he dragged me to the direction of the shop.

*********

He was right. There were indeed a few people having coffee upon reaching the place. We decided to sit on a table at the corner for security.

We order two macchiatos. While waiting, I decided to break the silence. “So what do we need to talk about privately?” I tried to sound stern, nut his nearness made me feel conscious.

He responded with, “I know you don’t want to talk about it, but... why?”

Huh? What do you mean why?

Voicing out my thoughts, I replied. “Am I not supposed to be the one to ask you that? Why did you do it?”

“I honestly don’t know. I was really depressed that time.” His low but serious response. “You’re also the only one who cared to ask.”

A bit of understanding, yes. But the confusion is still there. “What does your depression anything to do with us sleeping together? I don’t get it.”

He held my hand trying to convince me. “I know... and I’m really sorry. It’s just that I never really had someone who cared that much. I just felt that I need you that time.”

“What? You need a f**k buddy, and I’m the chosen one?” I retorted, raising my voice a bit.

“Sshhh.. Not so loud. No need to get attention.” He hushed me looking around to check if anyone’s looking our way.

“I’m really sorry. I just can’t really explain it right now. But do know that you help me in a way you may not understand.” He replied with all sincerity.

I want to pull back my hands, but his warm hands made me comfortable suddenly. God! He’s making me weak.

He confessed that he asked Ji Won’s help to look for me and get all the information he needed.

“I know that was the first and last time we met before today, but I really missed you I know it’s weird.” He added.

He looks like a little boy trying to say sorry for stealing candy as he speaks. I admit I feel the ‘weirdness’ too.

“I understand. I agreed to go with you -- and do it.” I replied. “I don’t know why I did it too. My initial intention was only to help. I guess I was a bit too much with the charity.”

He let go of my hand just as or order arrived. Once the server left, I asked, “I hope you don’t mind me asking something.”

He gave a small smile. “It’s okay. I think I owe you some answers anyway.”

“Why were you crying alone then?” I asked. “You mentioned Ji Won’s your friend. Why not call him?”

He smiled again but not reaching his eyes. “I guess I just had enough. A lot is expected from people like us, that it feels like it’s consuming me already. Ji Won could be same.”

“I don’t want to bother him or the others. Same goes with my family. I don’t want to them to get involved, especially my mom.”

“Crying is a not an option, I know. But that’s the only way I can somehow ease the pain.” Then he looked at me. “I was really happy you came.”

What he said melted my heart. I dared myself to ask more. “Can you tell me why you wanted to see me again? You just came from Japan, right? Shouldn’t you be resting or something?”

“Exactly.” He immediately responded. “I asked my agency to give me a break, so I can find you. It’s hard to focus on fans and work when my mind’s occupied by someone else.”

Someone else? Are you talking about me? I feel the heat on my cheeks. I took a sip of my coffee to cover it up.

“To tell you the truth, I don’t know why I wanted to see you.” He confessed. “I just really feel like I really need to, that’s why I’m here now.”

I don’t know how much redder my face can get so I tried looking out the window, and I realized it’s already late. I still have class tomorrow that needs preparation.

I have to go, but something in me wants to stay longer. It felt like we won’t be able to see each other again after this, so I wanted to use all the time I have before we part ways.

I can sense him staring at me, watching my every move.

“Is there something on my face? Why are you staring?” I try to sound irritated, but the giddiness failed me.

“Oh, I’m sorry.” He answered, scratching the back of his head a little.

“Never mind. I really need to go now, though.” I said getting up from my seat. “I still have class tomorrow. Maybe we can do this again next time.”

He drank up all his coffee in one go, and stood up as well. “So that means, we’ll see each other again?”

Me and my big mouth.

Not knowing what else to say, I just replied: “Yes... Of course.”

And he flashed his picture – perfect smile. I’m fangirling again.