Chapter Text
Real life just never gives you what you want, right? I was so fed up with my work that I immediately chose to take a leave. Everything was so stressful that I could not be happy even when I watched my favorite soap opera; obviously laughing at how stupid it was. I did not think much about the trip. All I could think of was to get away from my work so, I thought it was a good opportunity to visit South Korea I had been yearning for years.
I was not thinking straight, and I flew to Seoul.
I was on my first solo trip to South Korea for a week. It did not take long for me to lose my sense of direction. I reached Hongdae at night and I was searching for hotel. When I passed the zebra cross according to my map, I got caught in waves of people crossing as well. I had never imagined that it would be so harsh that I lost my map.
I am certain that I am in the right area… but I don’t know where I am. Of course, I checked the GPS, but the signal was gone, oddly. Sighing, I thought I should just keep walking until I found convenient store where I could replenish myself and ask for directions.
It was not a bad feeling to be lost. Perhaps, it was what I needed… was what I thought, and I was wrong. I did not expect the road would be so empty. There was no one other than me. It was so still just like in any horror movie. The wind whistled, and I heard a rustle. A gust of wind swept through and the rustling became louder. Gulping the lump in my throat as I braced myself to run… turned out It was just some scraps of paper.
I heaved a heavy sigh as I kept walking down the street. I got through the road and heard some ruckus. My eyes turned to the source and I saw a man walking in slightly rushed manner. He wore a white shirt topped with a black coat. He also wore black pair of jeans with white sneakers. A black handbag in his right hand. He had a fresh look and he seemed like he understood English, so I came up to him, halting his track.
“Excuse me, can you please help me with directions?” I said as I rushed to him and made a bow. He stopped but probably because he was surprised.
“Eh?” He voiced as he blinked at me confusingly. “A-ah, tourist.”
“Yes. I am a tourist. Can you help me?” I asked as my eyes went to crowd of people behind him. “O-oh, are you in trouble?”
“No! No!” He waved his hands as he smiled sheepishly.
“What’s with the people behind you? Are you sure you are alright? We can go to the police station, if you want a company. Obviously, because I don’t know the way.” I was probably just being nosy but the look on his face concerned me. I could hear a name from the whispers those people uttered. It was probably this man’s name. Something that sounded ‘Jungkook’.
“No, it is okay. What help you need?” He turned the question to me with firmer tone. He seemed to have calmed down.
“I need to go to The Designers Hotel, but I don’t know the way. Do you by any chance know where it is?” Seeing how he was kind of fumbling words in English, I thought he was not fluent, so I unconsciously added some hand gestures to which he seemed amused.
“Designers Hotel? Aah, I know. You walk straight from here. You see Seven/Eleven, keep walking until you see way to left. Just walk to end then left.” He tried to explain with some gestures as well but being the direction-blind I was, I could not process the directions he was giving.
That moment, the herd behind him started to whisper although they did not take any steps closer. I realized that most of the mass were women then it struck me that this man I was talking to was a model or actor.
“I am sorry for the trouble.” I apologized immediately, wanting to escape the place before I shrunk by the stares from those women.
“Ah, you don’t know?” He said as his eyes rolled upwards, thinking. He made a small mischievous smile before saying something that surprised me, “Come.” He said as he started to walk forward.
“Huh?” I instinctively followed his steps, with the mass following slowly behind. With those people behind, he wouldn’t bring me to dangerous place, right? I tried to convince myself. My worry probably leaked from my face that, that Jungkook man, scoffed.
“Are you sure? Those people are following us…”
“They are ARMY. My fans.” He glanced at me as he explained.
“Fans?”
“Yes. I am a worldwide superstar, you know.” He smiled playfully, chuckling at the end.
“I’m sorry for the trouble… you must be busy.” I apologized sheepishly.
“Today is holiday.” He replied as he looked at me softly as if he was telling me that it was no problem for him.
We continued to walk straight, and it was somewhat a long way. We did not talk but people following behind us were a bit fussy. I had the feeling as if I had just landed myself in landmine. Would there be any scandal after this? What if I approached the wrong person just for directions?
Reaching the end of the road, turning left, Jungkook spun towards the mass and spoke in Korean. Although I had no precise idea what he was saying, I supposed he was telling them not to follow.
My heart beat fast to my guess and I hoped I would not be in trouble. I prayed mentally. What made me cautious was, after telling the mass, he turned to me with a kind smile. I could swear my heart betrayed me when I was supposed to be cautious around this Jungkook guy.
He said he is worldwide superstar. Well, he certainly has the vibe and looks. But would a celebrity usually do this to nobody? Am I thinking too much? My mind worked on a merry-go-round as my legs continued to follow him.
“Why you lost?” He asked.
“I lost my map…My phone has no signal for GPS too…”
“Don’t worry.” He assured as we turned left and walked straight. We were still in the main street, so I supposed he was truly just helping me. I sighed in relief. In around five minutes, my eyes spotted the board sign of The Designers Hotel. Naturally, I smiled widely.
Seeing how I was so happy and relieved, Jungkook looked at me and gave me a smug look. “See?”
We made it to the entrance of the hotel and I bowed deeply as I thanked him. “Thank you so so so much! Thank you! I am sorry for thinking badly of you because I was so worried.”
“Yes.” He said, beckoning me to stop. “Let’s go.”
“What did you say?”
“Let’s go.” He tilted his head towards the hotel.
…Wait, what? I looked at him dumb-founded. I could not process what he said. His words fried my mind. What should I do?
Jungkook chuckled as he took his heels into the hotel. Way as I may, I followed him into the hotel.
“Jungkook-ah!” A light-toned voice rang. A man separated from a group of good-looking men to Jungkook. His hair was blonde, and he had chain earring hanging on his left ear. He seemed to be asking Jungkook a question which I guessed was ‘where were you?’
“Jimin-hyung…” Jungkook gave him a smile as he explained the situation. The blonde called Jimin looked at me and I immediately bowed. Jimin bowed back as well with a grin.
“Ok. Bye. Be careful next time.” Jungkook said with a hand raised before he went with Jimin to a group of people in the lobby. So, we are staying at the same hotel. I thought as I saw them going in the elevator.
It wasn’t long until I was led to my room after registering at the reception desk. I was resting and was too confused to process everything. I poured myself a cup of tea and turned the TV on only to see Jungkook’s face popping full-screen. I choked on my tea and fumbled around my cup. After I had calmed down, I learned that Jungkook was indeed a worldwide superstar belonging to a group called BTS as shown on the TV.
“Oh shit. How did I survive?” I sipped my tea.