Chapter 18

SONG RIN'S POV

I don't know what happened to me. But it's really weird. The man who mistakes me for someone else was in front of me.

And seeing him again makes my heart flutter. It's like I suddenly feel something inside of me that I can't even explain.

And when he realized I was the one in front of him he was really shocked too, and we both just stared at each other for long.

God. This is the only man who made me feel this way. I have felt like this the first time we met, and now in the second way around I feel like this again. How crazy my mind and heart can be.

When one of my customers interrupted I realized everyone stopped and looked at us both. She even said something that makes me embarrassed.

"Song Rin-ssi, We know this man is really handsome but don't droll of him in front of us." She said teasingly in Korean language. I was even thankful that the man couldn't understand Korean.

Then suddenly the man that I still remember called Zee said sorry and walked out of the place.

I don't know what happened but I suddenly call my employee and make him take over the counter as I walk out of my shop looking at where the man went.

I actually ran after him

Then I saw him walking to the pedestrian lane ready to walk across, so I immediately call him.

"Wait!" I shouted making him stop, while everyone on the road look at me to who I was calling.

I ran to him immediately as he was just standing there still on his back. He didn't dare to turn around and look at me. Maybe he feels awkward looking at someone who looks exactly like someone he knows.

"Excuse me Mr. ." I started to call him. He slowly turns around and looks at me in confusion.

Now I'm speechless. Why am I here in front of him again? Will, I don't know. I just ran to him unconsciously and without a reason.

God this is crazy and embarrassing.

He frowned when I only stared at him and didn't say anything. God, why wouldn't I stare if this is how handsome I could look at in this moment.

No I must be crazy now. I need to find a reason why I'm coming after him.

"Ahm, Hi!"   'God that was embarrassing. Hi? really Song Rin that's the only thing you could say.' as I thought of myself like a fool.

"Do you want a coffee?" I momentarily ask like what again? I just blatantly ask him like a creep who ask anyone on the road for a coffee. Now that makes me look like a fool.

He even looked at me dumbfounded.

"Please don't think I'm a creep or something. I just want to apologize for what happened the last time." I said as I immediately found a reason. Yes that might also be used as a reason for my invite for coffee.

"Can I invite you for a coffee. My treat, just for an apology." I said again . He blinked twice before he agreed.

"Okay." He said after a minute of thinking. Now that okay from him makes me happy.

We went back to my shop and led him to sit on any chair he wanted to sit on.

"What do you want to eat?" I asked him as he sat down.

"Anything will do." He said looking up to me.

"Is chocolate cake okay?" I asked and he nodded.

"For your drinks. Do you want hot or cold coffee?" He just nodded again making me hold back my laugh. When he realized he needed to make a choice he immediately looked away.

"Hot coffee." He said, looking so embarrassed at me. I smile as I see how cute he gets when he's embarrassed.

"Narak mak." I unconsciously said making him look back at me immediately with shock.

"Coffee and chocolate cake I'll prepare it for you." I said. I turned around and went to the kitchen. I don't want to embarrass myself again.

When the door closed I leaned at the kitchen counter feeling my heart beat like crazy. I couldn't believe what I just did. I just invited someone I just met two times for a coffee. I'm really crazy.

No, this is really an apology treat for someone I had thought to be harassing me and he was even called a pervert by Yim. So it's only right to say my sorry.

Now I can't just stay here and contemplate what I did. I must go and prepare the treat for him, right.

Right. I can't let him wait.

+++

ZEE'S POV

I wanted to pull my hair out for my stupidity. How can I just agree to him to have coffee when all I wanted was to run away from him.

My mind is really messed up because of him and I don't even want to feel like this. What should I really do now.

A minute after he came out from the door that I figured it was the pastry shop kitchen.

He was now holding a tray that had coffee and a freshly baked chocolate cake and there was even a cookie along with it.

"Here is your coffee and cake." As he was all smiles putting down the tray.  God even his smiles were the same as Nunew.

"What's the cookies for?" I ask trying to distract myself from looking at his similarities with Nunew

"It's in the house. It's one of what my usual customer would buy every time." He said making me frown.

"Do you own this place?" I suddenly ask for a confirmation to what he just said.

"Kind of." He said as he stared at me.

"Oh that's why. Thank you" As I take everything out of my tray putting everything on the table.

"You're welcome." and he takes the empty tray and puts it aside.

"Can I sit along with you?" He ask.

"Sure." I said instructing him to sit down. He immediately sat on the other side looking at me intently while he was smiling so sweetly.

God, what is wrong with him? I don't know what's with his gaze as it's making me feel something inside.

I awkwardly got the coffee and sip on it slowly.

I stop as I got the taste of it. Why do I feel like I've taste this kind of coffee before? It tastes just soo good.

"Did you made this?" I suddenly ask, curious if he was the one making it.

"Yes. Do you like it?" He ask as I nodded.

"It tastes so good." I said gaining a wide smile from him.

"Thank you. That's good to hear from someone who just tried it." He said still not taking his eyes off me.

"Maybe this is the reason for this place to be this full of customers." I said looking at how many customers are going in and out of the pastry shop.

"Is that so?" He asked resting his chin on his hand still staring at me. I nodded before I got a folk and started to get a small piece of cake and eat it awkwarly.

I pause again, this time couldn't believe how tasty the cake was. It bring a sudden memory of me.

"Hia how does it taste?" He ask making me smile as I'm eating it slowly.

"This is soo good Nunu. How do you even manage to cook, bake and paint. You're too talented on everything huh." I said making him giggle.

"Ohh you're fluttering me Hia. I only learned this from Ma." He said dipping his finger into the chocolate filling of the cake and tasting it.

"Hia. You're a liar it's too sweet."as he wined at me.

"I'm not lying It tastes really good, though it really is sweet but it really tastes so good." I said. Then he pouted.

"You're just saying that cuz we're best friends." He said.

"And best friends don't lie to each other." I said.

"But you keep the truth that it's too sweet." He said again pouting so cutely.

"That's not called a lie. I just didn't tell." I said again smiling at how cute he really is.

"Whatever Hia." He said as I continue to eat every bit of the small cake he made.

"You have to endure the sweetness now." He said.

"But this is not sweet than you Nunu. Making me this cake is sweeter than the actual cake." I said making him blush and look away.

Then he suddenly look at me again and smile.

"Don't worry Hia. I'll master this baking so if I'll open a cake shop you'll be my first customer." He said making me smile thinking how great it would be if he really did it and I'll be his first ever customer.

"But I thought it would be an art gallery you were going to open?" I said.

"It would be that two." He said.

"You're too greedy. Then that means you'll be more famous everywhere?" As I playfully put chocolate in his face.

"Hia stop. I've already taken a shower before I came here." He wined and took revenge on me by putting some of my face and my arms too. As we both laughed at what our naughtiness made us look.

"Hey! Are you okay." I heard his voice and I'm back at the present again as I look at the face the same as my Nunu. How can I be like this talking to this guy while I'm thinking about Nunew.

"I'm sorry." I said eating the cake once again. The cake tasted so delicious as what Nunew has made but to me it's nothing to compare how great the memory that brings. If he was here he might have fulfilled all of his dreams. Or I might have fulfilled it all for him.

"It's fine." He smiled understandably.

"By the way I wanted to say sorry to you for everything." He started to say. I stop and look at him again. Now this feels more awkward. It feels like I'm talking to Nunew when I'm not.

The way he said sorry with his eyes that's pleading for sorry really reminds of Nunew.

"It's okay. You don't have to say sorry" as I smile at him assuringly.

"I should be the one to say sorry for harassing you back then." I said taking a sip of my coffee.

"You already say your sorry then, my turn now." He said.

"Then let's forget it so we can be even, I guess?" I said making him laugh. Now I was stunned on the way he laughed. No, why can't I just stop comparing them to each other.

Then he stop laughing and look at me again.

"Before I forgot to introduce my self. I'm Park Song Rin by the way." He said bowing at me.

"And I'm Zee Pruk Wang." I said and wai at him making him smile.

"Nice to meet you Mr. Zee Pruk Wang." He said

"You're to formal." I said making him laugh again.

"Then can I call you Zee?" He ask raising his brows like his getting an approval.

"Sure. You can call me that." I said. Now why does this feel comfortable all of a sudden?

"Then can I call you Rin? or you prefer Song Rin?" I ask.

"Just Rin is okay. Song Rin is way longer to say." He said.

"Okay. Hi Rin." I said

"Hello Zee." He then replied with a giggle making me smile at his reaction.

"Are you a tourist or you live somewhere here in Korea." He ask making a comfortable conversation between us.

"I'm a tourist. Actually I came here with my dad as we attended a business summit that was held here." I said.

"So you're a business man. Let me guess you're a Thai." He said

"Not purely. My dad is Chinese and my mom is Thai." I replied.

"Ohh." As he nodded.

"You know Thai language. Are you a Thai descendant? " I ask curiously. Wanting to know more about him. Now I got curious of his life.

"No. I just have a friend that is Thai."

"The one we met at the police station back then." I guess and he nodded.

"I also have an older brother who's father is a Thai and he grow up with him and learn to talk Thai to, and I learn with them both." He explained and I nodded understanding him.

"How many days are you staying in Korea." He ask.

"This is that last day. We'll be going home tomorrow." I said.

He nodded but I frown when I see sadness on his eyes. Is he somehow sad because I'm going home now.

"Then can I give you something from here  to bring back home?" He said.

"No I should buy it." I said.

"No I wanted to give it for free. It's an extended apologies of me. Just tell me what you want here so I can prepare it for you." He said. God why doing things by the way?

Are we now good friends?

"Moreover I wanted to be friends with you."  Now his offering a friendship.

"Are you sure you want to be friends with me?" I ask him couldn't believe he wanted to be friends with someone like me.

"Of course I'm sure." He said confidently.

"Aren't you realizing that the first time we meet I've been an asshole? And now the second time you want me to be friends with you. Aren't you afraid to be taken advantage of?" I ask him. Cuz really. I know he wants to apologize, and even my fault. But making friends with me and even offering to give me something to bring home free, that's unbelievable.

"What are you gonna take advantage of me? I'm only gonna give you some pastries and I've got nothing to lose. But you, from the looks of it you're a rich business man. You should be the one to be afraid to take advantage with?" He replied making me laugh. Then I stop when I know I had something I've lost.

"I've got nothing to lose anymore. I've already lost the more valuable one than my money and all." I said unconsciously.

"Sorry to hear that." He said. It's funny how someone looks exactly like Nunew saying sorry to Nunew's death.

Will even if he doesn't really know what I really loses.

"Will tell me. As a new friend who wants to give you free pastries. What do you want to bring." He said changing the topic.

"Okay let's make a deal." I said. He frowned in confusion. Cuz I can't just take and not give in return right.

"I'll take what you want to give me. But in one condition." I said making a deal with him.

"What condition?" He asked curiously.

"The next time I come back here in Korea it should be my next treat. Deal?" I said.

"That means you're going to come back here again?" He asked as light of happiness would see in it.

"There's a huge possibility." I said.

"Then it's a deal." He said smiling so brightly. I nod in response.

+++

I came back to the hotel holding 5 bags of pastries. I really wanted to decline him but we already made a deal. Now I have to take back these pastries home.

"What on earth are you buying that many cakes and cookies and some other more for, son." My dad immediately said as he was sitting on the elegant couch in our hotel room. I think he was just scrolling to his phone waiting for me.

"Ohh, a friend of mine gave it to me dad. Take some of this to mom." I said.

"That's many. Is he sending you the whole bakery?"He asks as he smiles looking at every cake inside. That's what you get from someone who's a sweet lover, a very sweet smile from him too.

"Your mom would be happy with this Zee, son." He said as he took out a box of cookies and started eating it.

"Wow this tastes so good, son. Give me my thanks to that friend of yours." He said smiling from ear to ear.

"I will dad. If we see each other again." I said knowingly. Will I should really come back here again so I can payback for this tasty treats he gave me.

**************

SONG RIN'S POV

I woke up feeling good today, as it's been days that I haven't had any nightmares again.

I don't know why but this all stops the night that I've met Zee again. It was a great night I had with someone I barely know.

That night was too good and I had really good dreams that even in days past that nightmares had stopped completely.

"What's that smile for huh Rin." Yim says just when he came inside my shop.

"Good morning Yim." As I greeted him with a smile.

"Good morning?" He replies in confusion. While I continue prepping other things needed for the customers.

"What happened to him." Yim ask one of my employees.

"I don't know sir Yim." As my employee shrug in replied

When he couldn't get any answers he came to me and looked at me intently.

"Aren't you going to tell me why you look so happy today. No not just today but this whole week. I just have the chance to ask you now. Tell me." He said and I only smiled at him continue to count all the utensils.

"It's just a good day Yim." I said so he can get an answer.

"You're keeping a secret from me now." He said pouting.

"No I'm not." I said.   "It's just a good day today. Moreover it's grandpa's company's anniversary next week so I'm happy." I said making a great excuse. Will I have to keep a secret of my meeting with Zee and what I did after that cuz I know Yim would not like it. Surely he would say I became crazy.

"Ohh really? No other reasons than that?" He ask with scrutiny. I nodded at him again.

"But I got something important to say to you that's why I'm here." He said.

"Hmm, Go on." I said making him continue.

"Our college department is going to held a reunion next month." He said making me stop and look at him in worry. God I can't go there with my condition right now.

"Do I have to go Yim?" I ask in so much worry.

"Yeah, you have to Rin. Everyone is waiting for you to come at every reunion. They even talk that maybe you don't like them anymore." I look down on my feet contemplating if it would be good to go there or not.

"You know that's not the reason. I can't Yim and you know the whole reason why Yim." I said and walk out of the counter. I went inside my office and saw my manager who's busy on his computer.

"Can you please excuse us. Mr. Kim." Asking the manager to go out of the office as I want to talk to Yim in private. My manager nodded and walk out. Yim followed inside after.

"Rin. You can't just run away with this everytime." He said locking the door.

"Yim how should I face those people. I still can't." I said.

"Come on I'll help you with this. Just attend this reunion. After this you wont see them again" He said making me sigh in frustration.

"Yim what if-" I tried to talk but he stop me.

"No more what if Rin. What you fear won't happen. I'll be there." He said as I try to hold back my emotions.

"We have time to prepare. It's still early to think of the worst." He said. Then he walks over me and hug me for comfort.

"Don't worry anymore Rin. Everything will be fine." He said rubbing my back.

But shit why do I have to worry on these things over and over again. This is making me anxious.

**************

THAILAND

ZEE'S POV

It's been a week since I came back from Thailand and I've been piled up with work.

I still give time on visiting Nunew when I'm on my way to work but in the past days I've only visited him for a minute and I'll go. It's something I couldn't do about, as I've been taking care of three businesses now. I have been handing a helping hand for my dad's business and at the same time make the Keerati textile afloat and mine to still be stable and be of the top.

But the thing that I looked forward to was to go back to Korea, as we've been invited to attend the fiftieth anniversary of my fathers new investor by next week. And we also wanted to thank him for trusting us.

I have been trying not to show the excitement I am feeling to anyone as I don't want them to question me, moreover my brother Tutor who I know would be the first to say something if he found out the real reason why I'm being excited.

Now I can't wait for next week to come as I could be seeing him again. I'm really looking forward on treating him to a meal.

"Is this all I need to finish today?" As I ask my secretary who handed me ten files of reports that I must review and sign after.

"That was all the files for today sir." She said as I nodded and continue to review. Now I've got time to visit Nunew after I finish.

"Buy me a pink rose today Phai, please." I said as she was waiting for me to finish what I'm doing.

"Okay, sir." She replied. I handed him the file.

"That one needs revision. This five is okay now." I said before she took it and said okay and walked out of the room.

Then I continue to review the remaining files waiting for my time to end.

+++

I have finished my work early so I immediately go to Nunew. I put down the pink rose but I frowned as I saw another pink carnation on Nunew's grave.

This is the second time now. The first time this appears it's when I didn't come to Nunew for a month and now this again.

Who is giving him this kind of flower.

"Who is this visitor of yours baby Nunu." I ask him putting my flower on his grave while the I put the pink carnation on the vase.

Now I'm really wondering who might be this person is.

I sat on the bermuda grass cleaning the dust on his marble grave even if it's all already clean.

"Everyone must really missed you cuz they are visiting you and giving you flowers." I talk to him.

"I'll be visiting Korea again." I said after a minute of contemplating to tell him or not.

I've been keeping the meeting I had with Song Rin to Nunew. I just can't tell him about it. It feels unfair to tell the one I love with what emotions I am feeling with this Song Rin, cuz that makes me feel stupid.

Back then months ago before I met him. When I visit this place I always feel peace, but now I'm here I don't feel that anymore. I even feel heavy as my emotions are not steady and even feel more guilt about it.

Even telling him where I'll be going doesn't lessen the guilt. But still I have to tell him where I'll be going, even if I have to hide the truth that I'll be going there for another reason too.

"I hope you can understand me in some ways baby Nunu." I just said, as I am afraid to tell him more about it.

I continue to talk to him but never open up my visit to Korea again.

_____________________________________________________________

Many unanswered questions hang in every one of us but let's all uncover this one by one. But before anything let's just watch how Zee and Song Rin figure out their feelings for each other in the coming chapters.

That's it for now. See you again on Friday PH time, 7AM