Chapter 8: 8. At Shilla Hotel
Kirti and I finally arrived at the Korean BBQ place, the savory aromas making my mouth water. As we settled in, Kirti's eyes lit up when our waiter, tall and handsome, arrived to grill for us. She leaned in with a grin, batting her lashes. "You know," she said, playfully, "you're making this meal unforgettable. Do you ever make... private house calls?"
The waiter chuckled, catching her flirtatious tone. "Maybe for the right guest," he replied smoothly, his eyes twinkling. Kirti didn't miss a beat. "Then maybe after your shift, you'll find me at the Shilla Hotel?"
He nodded, clearly intrigued. "I'll see what I can do."
After a delicious meal, we headed back to the hotel to unwind. I was ready to collapse, but Kirti, as expected, was buzzing with energy. Moments later, a knock on the door broke the quiet. Kirti smirked, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Opening the door, she greeted the waiter with a grin. "Well, look who made it," she purred. He stepped inside, glancing at her with a smile that hinted at all the mischief in store.
Kirti shot me a mischievous grin and asked, "So... are you joining us?"
I laughed, shaking my head. "I think I'll leave you to it."
Without missing a beat, I stepped out, pulling the door behind me but not fully closing it. Through the small gap, I saw them both exchange a look, and before I knew it, they were already tumbling onto the bed, their laughter and whispers filling the room.
As I walked down the hall, I couldn't help but smile. Typical Kirti—always turning every night into an adventure.
I bet he performed very well.
I stepped out of the hotel, the cool night air brushing against my skin as I walked along the empty street. My mind was spinning, replaying the encounter with Mingyu, every detail etched into my memory.
"Why didn't I just go for it?" I muttered to myself, sighing. "I had him right there, looking at me like that... I could've kissed him. Years of watching him on screen, dreaming about this moment... and I froze." I shook my head, laughing softly at my own nerves.
I glanced up at the sky, my voice barely a whisper. "If I ever get that chance again, I'm not holding back. Next time, I'll be ready."
As I wandered down the street, I couldn't help but smile, my heart racing just at the thought of him.
Lost in thought, I barely noticed the car honking behind me until the sound jolted me back to reality. I glanced over my shoulder, feeling a pang of fear. Was I blocking the road? I quickly stepped aside, but to my surprise, the car pulled over and stopped, too. My pulse quickened, a mix of nerves and dread building as the door slowly opened.
Then, I saw him—Mingyu, stepping out with that familiar smirk.
"Mingyu?" I stammered, still in shock. "Are you... are you following me?"
He leaned against the car door casually, a mischievous look in his eyes. "Well," he replied smoothly, "you told me you're staying at the Shilla Hotel. Figured I might run into you."
I laughed, partly in disbelief and partly in awe, feeling the thrill of the moment. "So, you tracked me down?"
He shrugged, stepping closer, his gaze locked onto mine. "Maybe I just didn't want to miss my chance this time, either."
I raised an eyebrow, trying to act casual, even though my heart was racing. "What chance are you talking about?"
Mingyu's smile deepened, his gaze never leaving mine. "Why don't you hop in, and maybe you'll find out?"
I hesitated, a hundred thoughts rushing through my mind. I knew what I'd seen backstage... and any sensible fan would probably keep their distance. But here he was, offering me a moment I'd dreamed about for years. I bit my lip, mentally calling myself a "dumb fan" but unable to resist.
"Alright," I muttered, trying to keep my cool. "I'll go."
I slid into the car, my nerves tangled with excitement. He closed the door behind me, slipped into the driver's seat, and glanced over with that familiar spark in his eye.