Written In Stardust

CHAPTER THREE

After we finished breakfast, George and I went back to the office, and while I waited for lunchtime, I hung out at her cubicle. I was still stalking Bangtan's i********: accounts, just in case Jin or the other members had posted something I missed.

"Cali!" George and I both looked up as our co-worker suddenly appeared at her cubicle.

"Yes?" I asked, surprised.

"The grumpy boss is looking for you. He said to go to his office for that thing you talked about."

"But he said I had half a day, and it's not even lunchtime yet."

"He has a meeting over lunch, he said."

"Tsk. I haven't even decided yet," I mumbled, getting up from my seat.

"Just agree, Cali, don't be so picky," George said.

"Fine, I'll go," I replied half-heartedly.

I walked to Sir Raven’s office with a pout, but before I entered, I took a deep breath and put my poker face on.

"Good afternoon, Sir," I greeted him as I walked in.

He took his eyes off the file he was reading to look at me, his expression emotionless.

"You can pick up your equipment from the I.T. office. It's already ready."

I was a little shocked. I hadn't even agreed to his condition yet, but it seemed like he didn't need my answer.

"Thank you?" I said, shrugging.

"Just like I said earlier, once we finish this project, I will sign your resignation."

"I understand, sir."

You're not even giving me a choice, are you? Just like always, I thought to myself.

"Thank you." He closed the folder and looked at me again. "I'll give you an update on when our next meeting with the clients will be."

"Noted, Sir. I'll get going now."

"I need you to do one more thing."

I just looked at him, waiting for him to continue.

"Please visit a psychologist to make sure that you are mentally fine as well."

I didn't expect him to say that. Did he hit his head today, or did something happen to him? This wasn't like him at all.

"I'll do that, sir." I gave him an awkward smile before saying goodbye again and finally leaving his office.

I still couldn't get over the sudden change in my boss's behavior. I've worked under him for a long time, so I know him well, and what he was showing me today wasn't him. Maybe he has a twin we don't know about, or maybe he's possessed? While I was lost in my thoughts, I didn't even notice that I had already reached the I.T. department.

"Hello, ma'am," an I.T. staff member, who looked like a young intern, greeted me with a smile.

"Hi, I'm Calista Clarkson," I introduced myself.

"Oh! Yes, ma'am, this is the laptop your Senior Manager requested."

He quickly grabbed the laptop from another table.

"Thank you," I said, smiling.

"You're welcome. Take care," he replied.

I said goodbye and left to head back to my floor. I still needed to say goodbye to George before I went home.

"Well, look at you!" she said when she saw me.

"I'm going home now. I'll just wait for you there," I said, laughing.

"Book a cab, okay?"

"No, I'll just take a jeepney. It's still early."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. I'll message you when I get home."

"Okay, be careful."

"Yes, I will. Bye."

I said goodbye to the rest of my co-workers and left. As I was riding the elevator down to the ground floor, I looked at my reflection in the door. I was just wearing simple jeans, a white top, a black blazer, and sneakers—a semi-formal outfit. I'm not a fan of girly clothes, and I usually wear something similar to the office.

I was waiting for a jeepney outside our office building when someone suddenly grabbed my arm. I shrieked and jumped back in surprise.

"Oh my God!" I screamed.

"Sorry, sorry," the man said, quickly stepping back with both hands up.

He was wearing a ball cap, a pink pullover sweater, ripped jeans, and sneakers. He also had a face mask on, but I knew his eyes, his voice, and the smell of his perfume.

"I didn't mean to startle you," he said.

I just stared at him in disbelief. I could feel my heart start to pound, and my brain cells couldn't process the information that he was in front of me again.

"Are you still breathing? Are you still alive?" he asked in a rush. I couldn't bring myself to answer. "Hey, lady!" He gently held my shoulder and shook me, which seemed to wake me up.

"Oh, my goodness, let me pinch myself first to make sure that I'm not dreaming," I said unconsciously before pinching my arm. "Ouch!" I closed my eyes at the pain, and when I opened them, he was still there.

"Are you okay?" he asked, laughing and looking confused.

I quickly covered my mouth with one hand, my eyes wide. He was really here! He was real!

"Oh, please don't scream," he said nervously, looking around.

"I can't believe it. You are really here, and you are real."

"I don't understand what you mean, but I am real."

Even with a ball cap and a mask on, he was still so handsome!

"Paano mo nalaman na nandito ako?" I asked.

"What?" he asked, frowning. Only then did I realize that he couldn't understand Tagalog because he was Korean.

"How did you know that I'm here?" I repeated.

"Oh! Because you left this in my car last night," he said, smiling, and he took my company I.D. from the back pocket of his pants.

Oh my! I hadn't even realized that my company I.D. was missing and that I had left it in his car.

"I think it's good that you left this in my car because I was able to find you here since I didn't have a chance to get your number before you left last night." He handed me my I.D., which I quickly took.

"Thank you."

"Are you okay now?"

"Yeah, somehow I think so."

"That's good. Do you remember what I said last night? If you feel okay and are comfortable reporting what happened to you last night, I can come with you."

"Are you sure? Are you not busy or something?"

"Well..." he said, a thoughtful look on his face, and he ran his hand through his hair. "I'm busy, but I can't work properly because you keep on popping into my mind."

His sweet words made my knees weak, and I was sure my face was completely red from excitement.

"What do you think?" he asked me again.

"S-sure."

"That's great! Are you free now?"

"Yeah."

I felt like my body was going to explode from excitement. I was about to go somewhere with my first love, the man I had dreamed of since 2013.

He gently tapped my shoulder before walking ahead of me to his car, which was parked nearby. He opened the passenger door for me and even guided my head as I got in. What a true gentleman!

"Fasten your seatbelt," he reminded me again before gently closing the door and quickly walking around the car to the driver's seat.

"I already searched for the nearest police station where we can report what happened last night," he said while putting on his seatbelt.

I didn't answer. My eyes remained glued to my hands on my lap because I couldn't bring myself to look at him. My heart was going to explode at any moment!

"You know me, right?" he asked, making me look at him again.

"Yes, ever since your debut in 2013."

This time, it was his turn to stop and his eyes to widen.

"Since our debut?" he asked again.

"Yes."

"So, you're an ARMY?"

"Definitely. And that's the best decision I've ever made."

I excitedly pulled up the sleeve of my blazer to show him my BTS logo and the plumeria flower tattoo from the Love Yourself era. I could see his eyes twinkle, and that made me smile from ear to ear.

"Wow! What a coincidence." He gently traced my tattoo with his finger, which sent shivers down my spine. "Now, that explains why you were like that. I thought you were scared of me."

"This is the most beautiful day of my life, and I can die now," I said, looking him straight in the eyes.

"No! You can't. Don't say that."

I couldn't tear my eyes away from him. It felt as if I were being drawn in by his gaze. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I didn't know if it would ever happen again. I took a deep breath.

"You know, I'm one of your biggest fans. I came to every concert, fan signing, guesting, and mall show. I also have all of your albums, merch, and I've collected every photocard you guys have. I'm one of those ARMYs who shouted our fan chant at the top of my lungs. I cried and felt the proudest every time you had a new achievement, recognition, or received an award, whether as a group or as individuals. I also felt broken when you guys decided to disband but still respected your decision because we all knew that day would come. However, I still consider myself an ARMY because we have this promise together that we're in this BTS ARMY s**t forever, and we are forever."

I didn't realize that tears were streaming down my face as I spoke. It was like all my memories with them suddenly flashed before my eyes. Our memories may not be perfect, but they are worth it. They saved me a million times, and the purple string that connects us has made me stronger because I know this string is tougher than the hardest rock in the world.

"We want the best for all of you. We want you to have the privacy and life you deserve." I sobbed, looking at him with eyes full of hope. "Are you happy? Please tell me you are."

He took off his cap and mask, then looked at me with a wide smile. He gently wiped the tears from my cheeks with his thumb.

"Having you, ARMYs, in our lives is our miracle. You all are our everything, and we're beyond grateful because after all these years, you still support and love us. Thank you for your unconditional love. And ARMY, yes, we are all happy."

I cried even more while smiling because that's all we ever wanted to know. We knew how much they loved music and performing on stage, so when they decided to disband, I couldn't help but wonder if they were having a difficult time. Hearing him say that filled my ARMY heart with so much happiness.

"Maybe our purple string led me to you that night," he said jokingly.

"Thank you for saving my life—again."

"We're family, remember? And we should protect each other, just like in the old times."

He handed me a tissue and gently pinched my cheek.

"Let's go."

I just nodded, still wiping away my tears and snot. Jin started the car, and we drove away.

"So, who is your bias?" he asked, his eyes still on the road.

I choked on my own saliva and started coughing. I didn't expect that question. I tightly held the laptop on my lap, praying that the ground would swallow me whole.

"I'm your bias, right?"

My eyes widened as I looked at him. How did he know?

"Just a wild guess, but I think I'm right," he said with a smug smirk.

"Yes, you are my bias, and you always will be."

"Do you want an autograph? Oh! Wait, you already have one. How about a picture with me? What do you think?"

"Just being with you and talking to you like this is more than enough for me. I can die happily now."

"You are so funny! Why do you want to die?" he chuckled so hard that my heart skipped a beat.

"I'm serious! My heart is on the verge of exploding into millions of pieces, and my knees are shaking. I can't handle that smile, those eyes, that voice, and those lips of yours."

"I am worldwide handsome, and I understand that," he replied, a playful smirk on his face.

The car filled with laughter every time I said something. I felt like I should charge him for the jokes I was making. We were having so much fun that I didn't even notice we had arrived at the police station.

"You can stay here in the car," I said, stopping him when I saw him about to open his door.

"What? Why?"

"I'm fine, and besides, we don't know if someone will recognize you, especially if they ask your name. So, it's safer if you just stay here and wait for me."

"But—"

"Trust me, I'm okay. You raised a strong, independent woman."

Before he could protest and stop me, I quickly got out of his car. I waved at him with a smile before walking into the police station, even though I was nervous because I really don't like the feel of this place.