SHIN
Tramping outside Boccalino's, a European amenity restaurant I practiced my walk. Diners who departed the eatery lent some unexplainable glances at my location.
Sauntering I waddled and took the chair that was kept by a wall, all green and grassy structure that camouflaged me with the night.
Dressed in a rich, thick green dress and black heels, hiding wasn't a hassle. But for how long?
He has been inside for about an hour now. I received his text asking me once for where I was-
I remember my reply evidently.
On the way, stuck in traffic.
I was outside.
Will be there soon. In fifteen minutes may be.
Ten seconds would top, if I want to go in. I could see his visage from the window if I could crane my neck ardently.
He seems to be focused on his mobile as if glaring the screen to its execution. But then he grinned- a full-blown smile with his aligned teeth on display. His eyes lit up, shone like two sets of diamonds reflecting an LED bulb.
And it was indeed the lights reflecting his orbs for the moment. So when he turned around, I ducked swearing. He didn't see me, I try to soothe my spirit.
When I assess his surrounding once more- I sighed in recourse.
After our strange encounter yesterday, where we met for a minute- held eye contact without a single pleasantry in line, cue our rudeness. It was today I received a message from his number- two days later.
'Can we meet today?'
No.
Not after he left me abandoned by the airport And furthermore in his own house.
Not until he apologizes for-
'When and where?'
Is it possible for one to hire a professional slapper who slaps sense into a person?
I can call my brother.
But he stands at the epitome of senselessness himself.
So here I was, looking sharp and hanging out around trees waiting till the valet isn't tempted by his conscience to call the cops on me. Or worst, confront me.
"I'll go in" I mumble when Lee spun around looking, running a hair through as he got up checking his watch with hard eyes, and sat down squinting.
Distinguished from yesterday was his attire, with a dress shirt and brown coat on- he complimented his age and profile. But when his face acquired the uninterested grimace when a gorgeous girl waved and swayed towards him- as if he recognized her but wanted to ignore was so on display that it was unsettling how soon his preference changed.
He was smiling, then pissed and now almost looked cunning.
He didn't budge when she gestured for a hug, he did smile at her creepily until she realized that he was mocking her smile and left with a huff.
As soon as she was out, he went back to checking his wrist.
Trembling I got up. Knowing someone's bad side only makes it harder. I only wanted to let him wait for the hours I wasted at the airport. But it's likely that he must've an ample of important commitments to sweep rather than me who didn't.
When I was welcomed by the doorkeeper, it was the last positive ray of my existence felt. Approaching the table, my gaze is light on him. Feathery enough so I can steal them the minute it commences to a mutated one.
The leather seat, the glass table, and air, everything was degrees warmer inside. I was freezing outside.
Also, he was hotter up close. This might also be the unscientific addition to why I was burning up.
Don't worry. It's just a janitor's face.
He inspects me for an interval, a proficient smile stretches his lips. Scarcely.
"I apologize for my behavior yesterday Miss Han" he lowers his head in indication "my personal problems are in no way an excuse to be rude with others"
He certainly had this memorized. But how can he deliver it so ably?
Assorted origin is blessed, aren't they?
But i- I spew facts. When I have to speak I say it without a filter. Because I have to say something and facts are what's lying there introductorily.
"Aren't I the core of your personal issues?"
There.
I see the blunt humor in his face. Was he not predicting that?
"It makes it easier that you are aware. Eavesdropping helps I guess" ouch. I discern the regret in him too. But it was too late.
"Here's what I feel about what should be done right" oh no, I know my face was straight as I start. Not giving away a brim of how much I am trying to be polite here "The grandfather must wear his aid, the father shouldn't yell at this age and the son should see to it if the doors are closed before they all sit for a night of commotion. One can stop a mouth from speaking. But not an ear from listening"
Clamor. Countless doubts and scenarios arise in my mind where this will become distressed soon.
By left I see him curl his fingers by the fork.
Is he going to stab me with it? He could be a psychopath. God! I don't even know him.
He jabs through the refreshment bakes and stuffs his mouth with it, chewing as he snorted.
"Aaron told me you were handful" he points the edge of the culinary at me, his tongue poking the inward of his cheek as he eased in his couch "he also notified me of your offer"
Thank you, Aaron. You made this susceptible. But how formal we are to each other so far, it's high key we stop pretending and accept that we are way young for such negotiation. I mean I can see his millennial traits while I am a gen z at it's edge.
"What are your reasons?"
Or not.
That was so straight to the principle that I froze for the moment.
I gulp. Sniffing as the waitress walks in handing over the menu. I smile at her, polished and happy for the distraction. I say thank you.
Then I busied myself among the categories it offered. There was a melodic throat-clearing demanding my attention.
"I haven't received the answer yet" it was surprising how sharp and balanced his utterance was. As if he wasn't the same man who had comic pajamas on a couple of days ago.
He was impeccably social and impatient. By how comfortable his tendencies were, it felt as if he is someone who chose a personality for himself.
When it's the traits that builts a person, but with people like him- they seem to make themselves. Uncontrollable, free spirited and optimistic. They are rare-
It's seldom I get to meet someone like him. But not an impossibility. They are the ones I am most envious of.
I don't look up. I wanted to shove the hair falling on my face back. But since I was being so crucially scrutinized. I bite my lips looking up.
"Guess for me" miming his tone I emphasized. So I can find a way out of this question.
He blinks, then smiles. There it was- as if a switch in him that goes off, like a free fall. He had beautiful lips, intense at the verge and soft in middle. A balance. Again.
He rubs his hands, excitedly preparing for it. His brow shot up-
"Revenge on an Ex?"
I nod sideways. If he is giving me an option I want to accept a cool lie.
"A family heritage in line?"
Clicked my tongue in denial.
"You have a scandal too?"
Haven't killed my brother accidentally yet. So...
"Not getting it am I?" He ponders, lost as the waitress visits again. To take order this wise.
"I will tell you one day. That is if you have taken upon the offer" I was proposing to him. Right? If not in the actual context I still was asking him to marry me.
He scratched his brow with the index that had his Louis Vuitton watch strapped. My eyes dwelled on its dial, the time read it was 9.17 pm.
Time will cease, you'll only regret it if you can use this moment.
I had to prompt myself for it as I poured my gaze into his. The nerves by my toes went cold, numbing me - yet my throat was parched as if I had ran a miles by the desert. I could dwell later but now- I had to do this,
"So tell me Mr. Kim" my toes curl as the unpredictable man watched me with a critical gaze. Waiting for me serve the sentence said. So I do it. Wooden and light, my voice for once was as stable as I wished for it to be -
"Will you marry me?"
Incredibly decisive, I said it. Though intense, He had a rare twinkling eye which is therapeutic. Even when seems so profound in thoughts it felt as if he wasn't judging you. He was simply amused and curious.
"I will," he says after what seems like an eternity, then ever so slowly a tension blooms on his face as he adds "I will marry you because I am being forced to"
Claiming the custody of my heart I sulk, out of energy. I can't seem to think of an occurrence. But then seem to know what he was asking of me-
"But I want the freedom to walk out of it the day I want to. An hour, a week a month and I don't think I'll even have to mention a year "
Immediately I found my lips moving, before I know I was laughing at how serious he was about it. Drained, I let the short laugh slip through the crack. He scowled, lips narrowed in a qualm.
"It's not funny. I don't know you- I still can't trust you. I may seem friendly. But I have my doubts, Miss Han-
" Call me Shin"
" Then call me Lee"
" Fine"
Not a problem since it's what I call him in my head.
" So where was I? Yes. I am skeptical that I can't understand why you are doing this. You probably know my weakness, my history-
I literally saw your face yesterday and I heard you confess that you punched a man with low immunity.
But I don't tell him that. It's rude. Unlike him- I am not rude. Not when I want to be nice.
"I understand. Trusting me mustn't be easy" I surmised. He rose his brows condoning. He develops a troubled aura. Eventually frustrated.
"Then why are you agreeing with all this. You may have chosen this for whatever your cause is- but please don't expect me to be faithful" it was a segment injected with annoyance.
He wasn't talking about his looney tunes pants, it was symbolism. A warning so that I won't dare trap him later.
"I can't tell you my reasons Lee" I sigh, my heels nervously taps against the marbled floor.
Lee.
Shaun Kim Lee.
Why does he has Lee attached after his name ends? According to the data he was born with the name Shaun Kim, Lee was an additive later when he got older.
Though I wasn't complaining. His name is easy to fit. Not strange in any way. Maybe because it's so common around.
Suddenly I was yanked back to the circumstance at disposal as sat straight- running a hand through his well styled hair.
"Fine then" he lets his hands fall and gets up, his jaw clenched and nerve ticking. But still monitored his actions to be less brash "Meet you at the altar then. Miss Han"
In imagination, I roll my eyes. In reality, I correct him.
"It's shin"
He had the audacity to roll his. I just shouldn't have held from exhibiting my distaste. Then-
He leaves. Like he did last night.
The food arrives. The sympathy in the eyes of the waitress was lovely, a woman supporting a woman. Skillfully she plates the edibles for me. I thank each of her with a smile. But once she was out of sight I felt my eyes throb with hurt. I cut the meat in half, shoving my hair back. Finally being myself.
I am fighting myself. Socializing too much against my comfort zone. Something people of my age are used to by now. But then, I could easy easily hide what I feel. So in many ways I do feel superior to them- I merely can't show it. That's all.
For a moment it's peaceful. I was savoring each bite. I am not scared of being alone, but of feeling lonely. Now that I know he was going to unite with me no matter what, I will take baby steps towards shaping our relationship into a friendship. I am his best shot- with others, it will be the messiest one. I won't bother him that much.
It's what I think.
But then-
Then a minute later he comes storming back, buttoning up his blazer. Everything that was fading about our encounter comes back storming eventually, it gets harder to swallow. He stands noticing that I was having my dinner, he appeared amused for a second, but then it was gone-
I wasn't planning on leaving without food. Nope.
But fortunately, he wasn't here for the food that I had already paid for. We aren't bonded officially yet for him to eat off my money. Since he wasn't here for sustenance-
-He was here for?
"I won't apologize for making you wait at the airport" he blurted, my mouth was full of chicken and sauce so I don't do much. I stare though. I think I am surprised, I know my eyes were smiling. But that didn't last for long when he leaned, with one of his hands on table and other by the head of my seat-
He was slightly close.
And he has clear skin and he smelled amazing . So I wasn't complaining about that either. But I did got tense when he spoke-
"You made me wait today by hanging out of this very restaurant for like an hour. So I reckon, we are equal now shin"
We hold the eye contact, I don't choke- but my conscience did. He revolved his gaze around the food and picking his side of fork he pins it through the piece of fish on my plate. Devouring the bite he flings the utensil upon the napkin and walks away.
Not once turning back to me. I watch him leave-
Then - when he was ultimately gone. Now Free of concern I head butt the table squealing until the waiter checked on me. I aimlessly thanked her for worrying and ignored the audience that watched me. I was a pro at ignorance. If I can't see- they are not there.
I presume she understood that my bless you as an alternative to a thank you that billions across the world reel on in regular.
They officially met. So what's up?
Ignore the typos. It's uneditedð. Vote and comment if you are enjoying it so far.