At the Cruise Ship - Royal Mediterrania;
The ship's dining hall was steeped in a soft, romantic glow from the chandeliers casting warm light across the room. The hum of conversation and the gentle clink of cutlery against fine china wares creates a symphony of sounds. Amidst this, Yeol cradled his guitar, his heart beating in rhythm with the song he was about to perform.
As the first notes of his love song filled the room, Yeol closed his eyes, losing himself in the melody. He remembered the day in France, the way Mi Cha's laughter echoed through the charming streets, the way her eyes sparkled brighter than any French gem. A connection had formed between them, unspoken but deeply felt.
"Who among you enjoyed the beautiful day in Paris?" Yeol asked the audience, his voice smooth and gentle. "The sun was shining, laughter was in the air, and every moment was a new discovery. I hope you all found something or someone special, just as I did."
His words, woven with the melody, touched everyone in the room. But for Mi Cha, it felt like he was singing just for her, their shared memories reflected in his lyrics. A warm sensation spread through her, her heart beating in sync with his song.
After his performance, Yeol approached Mi Cha. "Did you enjoy the song?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
"I did," Mi Cha replied, her eyes meeting his, "It reminded me of our day in France." – she smiled sweetly.
Just then, the host called for an open mic session. Claudio, didn't hesitate anymore to take the stage, leaving his kitchen duties to the other kitchen crew. Music was his passion too, and he saw this as an opportunity to express his feelings - to Mi Cha.
He sang a heartfelt Filipino song and dive deeply to his unspoken emotions;
♫At kahit pa ang mundo ay mag-iba, ako'y laging nandirito
'Di man ako para sa 'yo, puso'y 'di magbabago
Walang iba, walang iba, wala nang hahanapin pa
Pag-ibig ko'y sa 'yo, sa 'yo hanggang sa huli
Kung pinagtagpo, tayong dal'wa'y para sa isa't isa
At kung nasabi ko ang lahat noon ay may magbabago ba?
Sa aking bawat paghinga, dalangi'y makapiling ka
At kung ito na ang huli, nais kong malaman mo na, ooh-ooh
Mahal kita
Mahal kita
Mahal kita
Walang iba, walang iba, wala nang hahanapin pa
Pag-ibig ko'y sa 'yo, sa 'yo hanggang sa huli" ♫
(And even if the world changes, I'm always here
Even if I'm not for you, my heart won't change
There's no one else, no one else, there's nothing more to look for
My love is for you, for you until the end
If we were meant to meet, we are for each other
And if I had said everything then, would anything change?
With every breath I take, I long to be with you
And if this is the end, I want you to know, ooh-ooh
I love you
I love you
I love you
There's no one else, no one else, there's nothing more to look for
My love is for you, for you until the end...)
His voice filled the room, the melancholy lyrics echoing his unspoken feelings for her.
Flashback - the night Mi Cha had a panic attack;
Claudio's mind raced back to that night on the lower deck. Mi Cha suddenly had a panic attack, her breaths coming out in short, ragged gasps. Claudio's heart ached at that very sight. He knew about her anxiety, her being different, just as Yeol does.
From that very moment when Mi Cha almost bump with him as she spins around with excitement at the ship's viewing deck, and he almost dropped the tray of champagne he's carrying. Claudio had always tried to be there for her, at any way possible, because he knew, someone like Mi Cha always needed someone to lean on, and it just doesn't show.
That night, he was about to step forward, to comfort her, to hold her, when he saw him; Yeol was already there, his arms holding Mi Cha, his words soft and soothing. He held her like she was the most precious thing in the world, his voice a calming balm to her fear. Claudio could see the relief washing over Mi Cha as she leaned into Yeol.
Claudio, watching them from the back, he felt a lump in his throat. He wanted to be the one comforting Mi Cha, but he knew he couldn't intrude. This was their moment, a moment of shared vulnerability and comfort. He quietly retreated, his heart heavy with unspoken feelings.
That moment, Claudio realized the depth of his feelings for Mi Cha. But he also realized that she had someone else, someone who cared for her, someone who could comfort her in ways he couldn't. It was a bitter pill to swallow, but he knew he had to accept it.
*End of flashback.
He looked at Mi Cha one last time as he finishes his singing, a silent promise in his heart that he would always be there for her, even if it meant watching her from a distance. His eyes never left Mi Cha as he sang, his heart aching as he watched her and Yeol share a moment. But he knew, he had to let go. He finished the song with a heavy heart, the applause from the audience a bitter-sweet sound to his ears.
The next day;
The next morning, as the Royal Mediterrania docks in Spain, Mi Cha and Yeol stepped onto the deck. The Spanish sunrise painted the cityscape in hues of orange and red, the aroma of fresh pastries and coffee mixing with the salty sea air.
"Spain is breath-taking," Mi Cha said, her eyes wide with awe.
"It is," Yeol agreed, his gaze lingering on her.
Yeol and Mi Cha find themselves eager to explore the vibrant country. The city's charm instantly captivates them, its scenic beauty serving as the perfect backdrop for their deepening connection.
At Alhambra – Granada;
Their exploration of Spain begins at the Alhambra in Granada, a majestic palace that whispers tales of the city's rich past. As they cross the threshold, they're immediately captivated by the intricate designs and breath-taking panoramas.
Mi Cha, her eyes wide with awe, can't help but share her wonder. "It feels like we've stepped into a different world," she murmurs, her gaze sweeping over the elaborate carvings that adorn the palace walls.
Yeol, equally entranced, nods in agreement. "It's like a fairy-tale, isn't it?" he replies, his eyes meeting hers. There's a shared understanding in that glance, a shared appreciation for the beauty around them.
They wander through the palace's lush gardens, each corner revealing a new piece of history. As they walk, Mi Cha poses a thoughtful question. "Do you think the people who lived here realized how beautiful their home was?"
Yeol, considering her words, looks out at the stunning landscape. "I believe they did," he answers softly, his gaze returning to meet hers. "Beauty like this... it's hard to ignore." – Unknown to Mi Cha, Yeol's statement always hold a hidden meaning.
Their conversation, filled with shared wonder and unspoken emotions, adds another layer to their deepening connection. Despite the growing feelings between them, they find solace in their shared experiences. The Alhambra, with its enchanting architecture and rich history, becomes a silent witness to their blossoming, yet unacknowledged, love story.
At La Rambla – Barcelona;
From the historical grandeur of Alhambra, they find themselves drawn to the vibrant energy of La Rambla in Barcelona. The street is alive with activity - vendors selling their wares, tourists exploring the area, and performers entertaining the crowd.
Drawn to the lively rhythm of a street musician, they join the impromptu performance. Yeol picks up a guitar from a friendly busker, his fingers strumming a sultry Spanish rhythm that fills the air. Mi Cha, caught up in the infectious energy, starts to move to the beat.
Her dance is a mix of joy and passion, her body swaying with a grace that's as captivating as it is beautiful. The crowd around them starts to grow, their performance drawing the attention of passers-by. People start to gather, their claps and cheers adding to the vibrant atmosphere.
The connection between Yeol and Mi Cha is palpable, their performance a playful exchange of shared joy and unspoken emotions. The rhythm of the guitar, the swaying of Mi Cha's body, the cheers of the crowd - it all blends together to create a moment that's as magical as it is unforgettable.
As Yeol plays the guitar, his eyes never leaves Mi Cha. He's captivated by her, by the way she moves, by the way she loses herself in the music. And Mi Cha, in turn, finds herself drawn to him, to his music, to the passion in his eyes.
The crowd cheers and claps, but for Yeol and Mi Cha, it's as if they're the only ones there. The world fades away, leaving only the two of them, their music, and their unspoken feelings. It's a moment of pure joy, a moment of shared connection, a moment that further deepens their bond.
At a Cozy Wine Bar;
Their day in Spain is filled with shared laughter, new experiences, and a connection that continues to deepen. Despite the obvious mutual attraction, Yeol doesn't confess his feelings, and Mi Cha tries to shake off the feelings she's developing. They're both afraid of losing what they have, of what might change if they acknowledge their feelings.
As they explore the city together, they find themselves not just falling for the city, but falling for each other as well. Their connection grows stronger with each passing moment, the vibrant city serving as the perfect backdrop for their slowly unfolding love story.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Yeol and Mi Cha found themselves meandering through the charming Spanish streets. The city was alive with an infectious energy that had captivated them throughout the day.
In a secluded corner, they discovered a cozy wine bar. The soft glow of the lights and the soothing notes of jazz music invited them in. As they entered, they were enveloped in an atmosphere of romance and tranquillity.
They found a quiet spot by the window and shared a bottle of local wine. The jazz music swirled around them, the rhythm seeping into their souls. The room was filled with couples, each lost in their own world, swaying to the music.
As they sipped their wine, Yeol looked at Mi Cha, his eyes reflecting the soft glow of the lights. "Mi Cha-ssi," he said, his voice barely above a whisper, "This music, this place, it's... it's magical."
Mi Cha smiled, her eyes sparkling. "I know,.. It's like it's taking us on its own little world."
As the night wore on, the music seemed to grow louder, the notes echoing their unspoken feelings. They found themselves drawn to each other, their bodies moving in sync with the rhythm. Their eyes met, and for a moment, everything else disappeared.
In the midst of the music and the sparks seems flying, their faces inched closer. Before they knew it, their lips met in a soft, accidental kiss. It was brief, unexpected, and they both pulled away immediately.
"Mi- miyane,.. Mi Cha-ssi," Yeol stammered, his cheeks flushing. "I got carried away by the music."
Mi Cha looked at him, her heart pounding. "gwaenchanh-a, Yeol-ssi," she said, her voice shaky. "I... I guess I got carried away too." - just then, she pause from dancing and pulled away from Yeol, trying to avoid the look in his eyes.
As they left the wine bar, the tension was so palpable. They walked in silence, the moonlight casting long shadows on the cobblestone streets. Despite the awkwardness, they both knew that this was a night they would never forget. A night that marked the beginning of a beautiful, yet still unexplored journey.
At the Cruise Ship;
As they've reached the ship and parted ways, Yeol and Mi Cha were both lost in their thoughts, the memory of the accidental kiss still fresh in their minds. As the Royal Mediterrania was preparing to sail again, the city turned into a beautiful silhouette against the setting sun, its charm imprinted in Mi Cha's heart.
As Yeol reached the upper deck, he saw Minkyu waiting for him, a look of urgency on his face. "Yeol-ah~, where have you been?" Minkyu exclaimed, his eyes wide. "We have less than 30 minutes before the performance. You need to get ready!, Mr. Park is already freaking out!"
Yeol looked at him, surprised. He had completely lost track of time, the day's events playing on his mind. "Oh no, Minkyu, I completely forgot!" he said, panic seeping into his voice.
Lucio, their italian band member, put a reassuring hand on Yeol's shoulder. "Don't worry, buddy. We'll make it work. Now, hurry up and get changed!" he said, pushing Yeol towards the dressing room.
As Yeol rushed to get ready, he couldn't help but think about Mi Cha. The memory of their time together, the wine, the jazz music, and the accidental kiss, it all seemed like a dream. But, he knew he had to focus on the performance. He took a deep breath, putting on his stage outfit, and prepared to give his best performance yet.
The ship started to move, leaving the Spanish coast behind. Yeol stood backstage, the sounds of the audience filling his ears. He looked at Minkyu and Lucio, gave them a quick nod, and stepped onto the stage. The spotlight was on him, but his mind was somewhere else, lost in the magical streets of Spain, dancing to the rhythm of jazz music.
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Original Fan-Fiction by BU
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