Dating an Idol

Five: THAT BOYISH SMILE

"Hey! Are you okay?"

I was startled a little. I didn't realize that I was spacing out so I didn't notice Mael approached me.

We were at the coffee shop where we both work. Me, as a part-time barista. Him, as an assistant store manager. He worked here right after he graduated from college. He does it while juggling with his trainee life. It was him who convinced me to start training again, actually. That's how we got so close.

"Did I actually startle you? I'm not supposed to say this because we work in a coffee shop but you should cut down on your caffeine," he whispered across the counter. He was just teasing me, I know.

"I'm sorry," I said as I grabbed a random rug and started wiping the already spotless countertop. I was standing behind the cash register. He was on the other side of the counter.

"So, what's up?" he asked.

"What do you mean?"

"Something's bothering you, I can tell. Spit it out."

There weren't a lot of customers that time so it was okay to chit chat a little.

"Are you sure you're okay?" he asked again when I didn't answer. "You looked a little uneasy today."

"I'm okay. Of course, I'm okay," I said as I kept wiping the marble countertop. I had to act busy to avoid his speculating gaze.

"I understand how you feel, though," he admitted after he heaved a deep sigh. "It has been five days already since the audition but we're still not getting any message from them. I hate to admit it but I am starting to get anxious, too."

Yes, that's one of the reasons why I am getting anxious at the moment. Plus, of course, Skye.

He had been sending me text messages. He wanted to see me before they went back to Korea.

Yes, he was still here in the Philippines. They were shooting a commercial for a huge telecom company here in the country. Plus they're having photoshoots in Palawan and some TV guestings on popular local TV shows.

He had been sending me updates. Yes, we've been exchanging text messages.

We were able to exchange numbers before we separated ways after that bathroom incident.

That's if you can really consider that as exchanging numbers since he just took my phone without my permission and saved his number in my contact list. Then he called his own number from my phone to get my number.

"Make sure to answer my calls and messages this time," he said before he slid my phone in my pocket.

We didn't talk much after that since he had to go back to the audition. He couldn't stay any longer or else the staff would go crazy looking for him.

So after he gave me back my phone, he held my hand and led me out of the restroom.

We got a little surprised on our way out though. We met Eun, Skye's co-member, right outside the restroom.

It seemed like Eun's on his way to the restroom, too. He was surprised upon seeing Skye and I together. He even saw us holding hands. Or rather, Skye holding my hand.

But he was quick to act. As it turned out, there were two other staff members who were walking behind him. I couldn't see them yet from where I stood but I could hear them coming.

Before they could make turns and see Skye with me, Eun quickly stopped them. He turned around to face them and told them that he had changed his mind. He no longer needed to go to the restroom, he said.

Eun basically sent the staff away so they wouldn't see Skye with me.

I already asked Skye about that incident. I asked him if Eun had confronted him about seeing us together.

Skye said no. He said, they were so busy with their schedules that they haven't got the chance to really talk.

The group was bound to fly back to Korea tomorrow according to Skye. He has been texting me non stop since last night. He said he wanted to see me before he went back to Seoul.

I said I couldn't promise.

Yes, I wanted to see him. There's absolutely no question about that.

But how? It's very risky. People might recognize him and the last thing that I wanted is for him to get into trouble just because of me.

So I said I can't promise to see him today. Or tomorrow. I'm busy with work and with my studies.

Because yes, I am actually enrolled right now. For almost two years now, I have been juggling being a trainee, a student, and a part-time barista.

"If it's meant to be then it will really happen, right? So we should stop overthinking about it," Mael said, more to himself than to me. "But still, I couldn't help it! I'm getting anxious! This is driving me nuts!" He seemed frustrated. I can totally relate, though.

I was about to say something when the door to the shop opened. Mael and I looked at the doorway in unison.

"Good afternoon. Welcome to Jumpin' Beans," Mael greeted the customer who just walked in before he turned to me.

"I'll just need to finish some paperwork. I'll be in my office if you need me," he said.

"Yeah, sure," I said before I turned to the customer who was now walking towards the counter.

"Good afternoon, welcome to Jumpin' Beans! May I take ---" I wasn't able to finish my spiel when a sudden realization hit me.

There standing right in front of me was Skye! He was wearing an oversized black hoodie paired with a black face mask.

I couldn't be mistaken, it was him! I could easily recognize him even if, aside from his eyes, all parts of his face were not visible.

To say that I was surprised is an understatement. I am beyond shocked!

"What the hell are you doing here?" I said in the softest voice possible.

There weren't a lot of customers in the shop right now but still, I don't want to start a commotion.

"One iced americano, please. Grande," he said instead of answering me directly.

Yes, of course, I told him where I worked. Because he wouldn't stop asking. But I wasn't really expecting to see him here! I mean... how was he able to escape from the staff and his co-members?!

"What the hell were you thinking?" I whispered through gritted teeth as I punched his orders in the POS machine. "And how were you able to get here?"

He bent forward to get a little closer to me from across the counter. He then pulled his mask down and flashed me his trademark boyish smile.

Yes, Skye can appear cold most of the time. But once he smiles wholeheartedly, he can really be boyish and sweet. His eyes would sparkle with so much happiness and his grin would go from ear to ear. It would almost be impossible to believe that he was the same Skye who would give you a poker-faced kind of expression most of the time. Dead eye and all.

"I told you. I'll find a way," he said, flashing the smile that thousands of fangirls from all over the world would die for.

And yes, I missed seeing him this way. Boyish, pure, happy. Everytime I see him on TV, he seems sad. Or deadpan.

He smiles, yes. But not as genuine as this.

And there's one thing I realized, I would do anything to see him this happy again.

Anything.