Strange wholesomeness

Chapter six: Just a moment

The streets were as empty as they should be at 4 am in the middle of the week. Some creepy looking people rushed home really late or to work really early but overall it was as if the whole city was frozen. She was speed walking with her hood on. Looking so casually that even if she met her coworker right there nobody would recognize her. Map notified her that she’s 50 meters away from the pin she was heading towards. She saw a slim silhouette on the bench. With a hoodie on. He looked relaxed but an attentive observer would see the tension on his shoulders even from this distance. She was really excited to meet this strange boy she didn’t even know at 4 am in the morning. As if she was a teenager on the first date with a crush. Except it wasn’t any of those. And she was definitely still drunk from yesterday's wine that she agreed to this madness. 

She gently coughed and he jumped from the bench as if burnt. 

> I never thought you’d actually come. 

> Neither did I.- she replied and looked him in the eyes. 

He was breathtakingly beautiful even in this light. His slim face was magnifying the deep yet empty eyes. She was slowly getting used to the fact that Korean guys were pretty. It was counterintuitive for her, used to the masculine, tough beauty of northern European guys. But this boy was more beautiful than anyone she knew. She was surprised that she didn’t notice it when they first met. 

> Don’t be scared, I’m really not a psycho killer - he smiled shyly as if embarrassed by his own words.- I was becoming clumsy again, damn it.- he cursed himself in thoughts. 

> I’m not scared, I just wonder what a guy like you is doing here at 4 am inviting a stranger for a walk. You don’t look like somebody who has to write first. 

He exhaled. Please don’t judge, don’t be like anyone else, don’t be fooled by this face - he thought. 

> But I don’t mind. Looks like we are both desperate today so let me be the one to be your company this strange night. - she said and started walking. 

He didn’t answer, just kept up with her pace. They were two strangers walking in comfortable silence as if each of them had their own world to be in. Time passed but none of them felt the urge to speak. There was no need for words. After a longer while, she said calmly. 

> I should say it’s getting late but actually it’s the other way round. I need to come back and get ready for work that starts in -she looked at her watch- in 2.5 hours from now. I’m sure you have some places to be too. …. and know that I loved every second of our walk. I mean it, thank you. But now, goodbye, hope you manage to get some sleep today. - she smiled and started walking in the direction she came from. 

> Wait..-he said as if suddenly woken up….can you tell me your name? 

> It’s Anna. 

> Thank you for the company Anna, I appreciate it. 

She smiled in response and waved him goodbye. 

He stood in place for a while looking at the shadow slowly disappearing in the distance. It’s been the strangest morning I’ve ever had in my life but I haven’t felt this good in a long time.- he thought and ran back home before everyone woke up at 6 and discovered his absence. 

She on the other hand didn’t rush anywhere. She was walking slowly through still empty streets without thinking about anything. Just enjoying the peaceful environment. She didn’t know if that was the surroundings or the fact that for the first time since she came here she didn’t feel so lonely made her so peaceful. Either way, it felt really good and she just embraced that feeling. 

[...] 

The day was passing slowly unlike many others and that gave Anna time to think too much. She was wiggling like a teenager and looking at her phone and cursing herself in thoughts for being so immature. What was she expecting? He won’t write. Neither will she. 

It was just an incident that won’t happen again. 

At the same time, Jun was cursed again by his manager. He got so used to apologizing that it stopped mattering. Apparently, his late-night absence was spotted on CCTV outside their house and everyone was wondering where he was sneaking out. And of course, nobody wanted to believe in “the walk excuse”.

> You know that girlfriends are a violation of your contract. So are partying and threatening your public image. - manager shouted. Jun knew of course all that but he had nothing to hide so far. It really were just walks. This changed yesterday which gave him the sudden urge to apologize more. And this aroused suspicions. 

> I will be watching you Jun and don’t you dare to do anything stupid before your military. You belong to us till then. 

He was well aware. So was his pride that made him wish to rebel. And suddenly this inner rebellion of his got a face. A surprisingly cold and distant face that didn’t seem to wish to leave his mind.