When We Return

Chapter Three

"Oh, wow, I'm definitely sorry, I didn't—" he suddenly cut me off.

"You just said sorry three times." I bit my lip and suddenly felt incredibly awkward.

"Sorry—" and he cut me off again.

"There you go again." He laughed slightly that made my cheeks burn up in embarrassment.

"Um, okay. I'm going in now, for real." I smiled awkwardly and waved my hand. He didn't say anything, just stared at me with his cute little smile, so it's my cue to enter the room.

"Don't leave your phone behind again, arasseo?" I stopped from entering the room and looked at him but he waved his hand dismissively, got his guitar and entered his room too.

Wait. So, he was the one who gave it back?

I ran towards to edge of the balcony and leaned forward to see if he locked the sliding door, luckily, he was just about to.

"Mister!" he looked back with a puzzled look on his face. "Thank you!" I smiled brightly but he just cocked his head and locked the door. He even drew his curtains down.

Psh, cold hearted creature. I let out a breath and went inside my room this time.

"Arghhh!"

It's been two hours since my encounter with the guy and my mom hasn't called me since. I tried to contact her but she's not answering her phone. I'm growing impatient and for the first time after 4 days, I'm determined to go outside for a walk.

I don't want to be stuck on this room for the whole duration of my vacation so I quickly dressed up, noting that it's chilly outside, and headed for the door.

For 4 days, I've been tracking down some trending spots here in Seoul that's only by walking distance from my apartment. I wanted visit one of them. Just for today at least.

I secured my things before pressing the down button on the elevator. I don't want to lose anything from now on. The elevator door dinged open and I entered.

"Oh my ghad!"

As soon as I turned to face the door, a familiar face stumbled in front of me. It's the guy. My hands instinctively reached for my chest as I felt the erratic pounding of my heart. My knees softened and felt like they were jelly so I grab for the handle to balance myself.

"Does your hobby include scaring the shit out of people?" I looked at him as he pressed the G button, the doors slowly closing.

"It was not my intention, really." He looked like he was stifling his laughter.

"Oh, yeah?" I said mockingly and rolled my eyes. I regained my posture and stood up straight with my chin up.

I didn't dare look at him and just stared at the front door but honestly, that was such a vain move. The elevator was mirrored. Meaning I could still see his reflection and his reflection shows that he's still making fun of me.

I made a smug face when I turned to stare at him. That's when I realized that we're actually making eye contact. Feeling myself blush, I looked away and faced the elevator buttons instead.

A deafening silence followed, everything is too awkward with him.

"Where are you going?" I jolted a little at the sound of his voice. I looked up to face him, and by that, I mean I actually have to look up to meet his eyes. Geez, this man is too tall.

And he's breathtakingly handsome, as well.

"Does your hobby include getting scared with petty things?" he says mockingly, imitating my voice. I gritted my teeth in an attempt to stop myself from pouting. I turned away and didn't bother to answer him. Why am I even talking to him? He's just a stranger I just met.

"Yah, I'm talking to you." He said once again but the elevator dinged open so I ignored him and walked out the elevator. I could feel his eyes behind my back so I walked faster.

I really shouldn't just trust anybody here.

When I got out of the building, I could still feel a person's presence behind me so I started to get scared. Is he following me? Is he trying to do something on me?

Panic started to bubble on my chest and with my pent-up courage, I looked back. Ready to yell at him, and went:

"Stop following me, stalker!" I shouted and the people surrounding me looked at my way.

"Y-yah! neo museun soli ya?" (hey, what are you talking about?) dumfounded, I stared at a middle-aged woman looking so perplexed at my sudden outburst.

What the hell, you've assumed he was following you! Stupid.

"I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to—" she didn't let me finish and she scrambled away. I looked around and found quite a bunch of other people looking at me.

With this sudden embarrassment, I slowly put my hoodie on top of my head. Before leaving the scene, my eyes caught a tall familiar posture in a distance. The guy was heading to the opposite direction. What made me stare at him a bit longer was the name printed at the back of his shirt.

KIM

'92

Kim?

I forgot his name, all I know is that he's a Kim.

I imagined my eyes widen until they were analogous to saucers as I remembered my mother's words.

No, no, no. It's him?

"Tell me it's you I've been looking for." I said without hesitation. After I saw that name at the back of his shirt, I wasted no time and chased him.

That's when I realized the little things, we're neighbors back at our apartment building, he returned my phone, he knows how to speak English fluently, he's everywhere I go.

He stopped in his tracks and faced me, staring at me with one eyebrow raised, looking like a confused lost baby boy.

Baby boy? What the actual—

"Excuse me?" I recalled what I said and I instantly cringe at the memory.

"U-um, I mean—" I tried to reason out but as what he just did earlier, he cut me off once again.

"Tell me it's you I've been looking for." He said imitating my voice. I mentally slapped myself for saying that without thinking. Of course, he'll misunderstand that remark.

"What are you saying, miss?" not knowing what to say or how to reason out, I just stood there looking at him. Expecting him to know the answer right away.

"Now, don't act cute in front of me." I instantly frowned on what he said.

"I'm not acting cute, tsk." He ignored what I said and just continued to stare at me.

"What?"

"What were you saying earlier?" aish, this is so embarrassing. I looked down and avoided meeting his eyes.

I heard him turn to leave and I instantly grabbed his arm. He looks irritated as he turns back to me. I gulped nervously. I can't explain to him properly. What if he's not the tour guide?

"You're the one my mother asked to tour me here, right?" as usual, he just raised his left eyebrow and did not say anything.

"It's you." I say while I point my fingers at him. "Please tell me it's you."

"I came here to enjoy my vacation, not to babysit a 21-year-old girl." And he abruptly leaves, and I'm left with an unanswered question.

He didn't deny it, didn't he?

But what does he mean?

Not giving up that easily, I ran to catch up with him.

Maybe he'd heard my footsteps because looked back, and with a baffled expression, he started running too.

"yah! Stop chasing me! Stalker!"

I just laughed at his reaction and continued to chase him.

I must remind myself to tell mother later that I had found my tour guide.