The Idol and The Manager

Jay’s Wonderful Experience

Jay’s POV

Jay and Jen were sitting side by side on the plane, having just finished their brief but memorable vacation in the Philippines. The plane was a bit quieter now as most passengers were settling down, either lost in their own thoughts or busy with their personal devices. Jay sat back in his seat, trying to relax after the whirlwind trip.

The past three days in Cebu had been a much-needed break from their hectic schedules, and he couldn’t help but feel grateful for the time away.

Jen was in one of his more talkative moods, as usual, rambling on about the things that had made the trip so special. “Cebu was just amazing, Jay! The mangoes, I swear—so sweet, so fresh. The beach was breathtaking, too. You know I could spend an entire day just staring at the ocean. And the people? So warm and welcoming. Honestly, what a perfect vacation!”

Jay chuckled at his enthusiasm. “Yeah, I had no idea how much I needed this until we got here. It's nice to finally get some downtime. It felt like we could just breathe for once.”

Jen shot him a playful look. “I knew you’d say that. You’re always so busy with work and your schedule. You barely take a break! I’m glad you finally enjoyed yourself.”

“True,” he admitted with a small sigh. “It was hard to unplug, but I think I managed to let go of the craziness for a bit.”

Jen smiled and nodded, clearly pleased to see Jay relax. As he continued talking about the highlights of their trip, Jay pulled out his AirPods and settled in for the remaining flight back to Korea. They’d left the warmth and tranquility of Cebu behind, but the memories would stay with them for a while. He wasn’t sure if he was ready to dive back into his usual routine, but it was inevitable. That’s the life of a celebrity, he thought.

Jay scrolled through his phone, finding solace in the classical music he often listened to during flights. It helped drown out the noise of the world and gave him a sense of peace. He could still hear Jen’s voice in the background, though, but his energy was a familiar comfort. He appreciated the way Jen could always find something to laugh about, to smile about—even in the most ordinary moments.

His thoughts shifted as the plane’s flight attendants began making their rounds again. Jay looked out the window, watching the clouds drift lazily below them. The flight had been smooth so far, and he was thankful for that. There had been no crazy turbulence, no delays, and most importantly, no fans at the airport. He’d worn his usual disguise—a baseball cap and a mask—so there hadn’t been a crowd waiting for him when they landed. It was a small but significant victory. Jay had always craved privacy, even in the rare moments when he wasn’t actively working. Sometimes, it felt like too much.

"Jen-ya, I'm just going to the restroom," he said softly, tapping his shoulder to get his attention.

He nodded without even looking up from his phone. "Araso. Take your time."

Jay grabbed his cap and pulled it lower over his eyes as he made his way toward the restroom. He passed by a few passengers who barely glanced at him—just the way he liked it. Being recognized in public often came with a whirlwind of attention that he didn’t necessarily seek. Sometimes, it felt like too much.

When he arrived at the restroom, the door was locked, and he paused, waiting for someone to finish inside. The minutes seemed to drag on as he stood there, scrolling through his phone, lost in the digital world of social media and work messages. He barely noticed the time passing until he heard the door handle click.

Jay looked up as the restroom door opened, and for a brief moment, he froze. A woman stepped out, her hair in disarray as if she had been struggling with something inside. She looked just as startled to see him as he was to see her. Her wide eyes met his, and the shock in her expression was impossible to miss.

He was still trying to process what was happening when the woman quickly recovered and spoke. “I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to scream. I... I was just a little startled. Do you need to use the restroom?” she asked in a flurry of words.

Jay blinked, unsure of how to respond. “Uh, yes, I do,” he replied, his voice barely above a whisper. He was trying to make sense of her reaction. What exactly had happened in there?

The woman looked flustered, but after a brief pause, she stepped aside. “Wait a moment. I’ll be right out,” she said, her voice slightly shaky.

Jay nodded, still unsure of what was going on. He felt a little awkward standing there, especially since the woman’s reaction seemed so exaggerated. Had he done something to cause it? Or was it something else entirely? But he decided to let it go, figuring it was just one of those weird moments in life.

A minute or two passed before the door opened again, and the woman stepped out. She was now calm, and though her cheeks were flushed, she seemed more composed than before. As Jay entered the restroom, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. He glanced around but saw nothing unusual. The place seemed normal.

It wasn’t until he finished his business and stepped back out that the strange smell hit him—something unpleasant, like a mix of overripe fruit and something metallic. He quickly held his nose, grimacing. “Oh, wow...” he muttered under his breath, trying to air out the scent. What happened in there?

Still trying to make sense of it, Jay returned to his seat. He didn’t see the woman right away, but then, as his eyes scanned the cabin, he spotted her. She was sitting just two seats away from him, laughing at whatever was playing on her screen. She seemed completely at ease now, her face lit up with joy as she watched a movie. The contrast between her calm demeanor and the odd, tense interaction they’d just had made Jay raise an eyebrow.

The sound of her laughter was hard to ignore. It was light and carefree, completely at odds with how she had acted earlier. Jay looked closer at her screen and saw the familiar image of The Big Bang Theory playing. He couldn’t help but chuckle to himself. She was watching the scene where Sheldon kept knocking on Penny’s door, even though she’d already opened it. Jay smiled at the familiar humor.

It was then that he realized how strange it was to feel some sort of connection to a stranger, someone who had startled him moments ago. He shook his head, trying to ignore the thought. This was just a random flight—nothing more. But still, there was something oddly compelling about her.

Before he knew it, sleep began to take over, and the plane’s hum lulled him into a restful slumber. But even in his dreams, the image of that woman—her wide eyes and her sudden smile—lingered in the back of his mind.

Maybe this vacation was more than just a break from the chaos. Maybe it had been the start of something new, something unexpected.