Chapter Text
It was a surprisingly warm day, especially for April. I remember how in the morning, I changed at least three times in front of the mirror; somehow all my clothes felt wrong on me, which by the way has happened to me a lot of times before. Dad's train (he prefers that to driving all the way to Seoul) was supposed to arrive by ten, so I had to leave at o'fourtyfive.
The clock was ticking, so I was stuck with my first choice which meant a short sleeve, blue wrap dress with white polka dots and simple, white linen slip ons. I let my hair down which I braided last night, so I had nice curls after waking up. After checking myself one more time in the mirror, I threw my things I'd need for the day into my bag (being organized is key) and left.
Of course, the train was delayed by ten minutes, therefore I had (had!) to get myself a cup of milk coffee so that I wouldn't stand there all by myself looking awkward, because even my headphones were gone. I probably lost them somewhere the last time I went for drinks with my friends, which was ages ago. The plan was to get coffee with Dad and then rush back to uni while he's exploring the city with my older sister. She's so much better at these stuff anyways. I mean Polly. In fact, her name is Eun Joo, but her baptised name is Polly, after our grandmother.
After Dad arrived, we bought him the daily tickets (for public transportation) and left; there was no time to just lurk around. I was just telling him how I managed to get two of my team members to make up with each other after they fell out yesterday over something silly when I noticed a man in his late fourties, standing not too far from us. Since I have a pretty good memory, I recognized him immediately and it's only been a couple of weeks since I last saw him (for the first time of my life).
- Dad, isn't that Mr Park? - I asked, but even if he didn't recognize the man in front of him, Mr Park still recognized Dad. The moment he noticed us, his eyes lit up and he came over to greet us.
- You see, Min Ho, we only had to meet once after almost 20 years and here we are meeting again! - he said, smiling. - Lucky this beautiful young lady here convinced you to come and see that championship for yourself.
Truth be told, the only thing that would've made me even happier that day if I could get a photo with his nephews or at least their signatures. Dad and Mr Park started talking and I didn't mind at all, I was happy they got the chancec again to be nostalgic about the past, the good old times. They used to work at the same company before and became good friends about almost thirty years ago.
Bill and Paul were in a hurry. They were late from a meeting; their uncle texted them about ten minutes ago, asking where they were, but the extra thirty minutes in training was not their fault; Mr Choi, the swimming team's coach insisted on it and it was advisable not to make him angry. Bill and Paul were the country's (and maybe even the world's) best swimmers which of course had its disadvantages as well, that is why they had to wear sunglasses and hoodies most of the times they were on the streets of Seoul. Lucky for them, the café they were supposed to meet their uncle was not far from the swimming arena. When they finally saw Min Guk, he was talking to a man in his fifties, and there was also a girl, standing with her back to the boys in a blue dress and undeniably nice legs. They probably noticed the letter at the same time, because the brothers looked at each other and grinned; Bill even pulled one of his eyebrows up. They didn't need to use words to understand each other: "hot chick". They bypassed her from both sides and stopped to say: "Hi, Min Guk".
- Hi, Min Guk! - I got so scared from the sudden closeness of their voice I even jumped a bit. Then when I looked up to see whom those voices belonged to, I saw the Ahn brothers smiling at me. I froze for a moment, but only just a moment. Much to my luck, I've always had that ability to completely mask my feelings, so instead of hyperventillating in excitement, I just smoothed a lock of hair behind my right ear and said (perhaps with a resting bitch face): "Oh, hello!"
- Boys, this man used to be a very good collegue of mine, whom I met again after a long time at your competition. - Mr Park said and the boys shook hands with Dad. - And this is his daughter, Eun Joo. Do I remember right? - he asked, looking at me.
- Eun Jae. - I said, correcting him and looked at the boys again. Deep inside, I was still jumping in excitement.
- Hi! - Bill and Paul smiled at me and I returned the gesture.
- See? Now you can ask for their signature. - Thanks, Dad. How embarrassing!
- Were you there at the championship too? - Bill asked. He was 2 and a half years older than Paul. He's 27 while Paul just turned 25.
- Of course I was. I always go to all kinds of sport events.
- Don't let us get ahead of ourselves, eh? - smirking, Bill poked his brother in his ribs, who was still not too talkative.
- So what are you doing here, pal? - Mr Park asked Dad.
- Getting coffee with Eun Jae and then I'll meet my older daughter.
- Great, we were just planning the same! You could join us; we'd continue recalling the old times and I'm sure the young ones will be just fine too.
Dad liked the idea (and I didn't exactly hate it either), so we all went inside the café together. There were three free tables inside, but all of them apart, so the middle aged men sat down to the one next to the window; me and the Ahn brothers chose the one in the corner. The moment we entered the building, I noticed we were being watched by two teenage girls, obviously they recognized the guys. I just sat on my chair when they come over to our table.
- Hello! - the two girls said at the same time. - Can we take a pic with you?
- 'Course! - Bill stood up, with an 1000 Watt-smile on his face.
- How would you like the pic to be taken? - Paul asked, following his brother. Of course, they both wanted a pic with them individually and together, with both of them together and seperated, so I offered to take the photos for them. After that, the girls looked at me in a slightly friendlier way. They thanked me for my help and went back to their table, but I caught them staring at us from time to time.
- Oh my, this is so weird! - I said, rubbing my face.
- I suppose this isn't how you planned your day to be. - Paul said, looking at the coffee plate.
- No, you suppose right, but I guess this isn't how you initially planned to spend your time with your uncle either, hm?
- Not really, but I'm not bothered by this kind of change in plans. I never am. - Bill smirked. It was the kind of smile which no one could resist. I know, because I was head over heels for him too for a couple of years then. To mask how awkward I was feeling by his compliment, I went on:
- Anyway, this is not what I meant. It's just weird that you're both top athletes and I always watch all your swimming events. But at the same time, we're the same age and now I don't know if I should treat you like celebrities or just normal people. - So much for keeping it cool, Eun Jae.
- Oh no, it was all going so well until you said this. - Paul frowned, but then a little smile appeared on his face when he looked at me.
- What was your original plan, anyway? - Bill asked, putting his phone on the table.
- This time I was only gonna get a coffee with Dad; I'm rushing back to uni.
- But it's Saturday! - Paul said, surprised.
- Yeah, but... - the waitress came to our table to get our orders. She was probably in her thirties, but I suppose she wasn't immune to the Ahn-effect either, because she was smiling wider than normal, especially directed at Bill.
- Eun Jin, what would you like? - Paul asked.
- Eun Jae. I'd like an ice cappuccino, please. - I corrected him and smiled at the waitress, who took our orders which were three ice cappuccinos in the end.
- So. Why are you in university on a Saturday? Are you really that enthusiastic?
- As if. No, it's about a competition. June, in Paris. For PhD students.
- Sounds grand. What competition? - Bill asked, elbowing on the table as he leaned a little closer.
- We're designing the heat system for a not-yet-existing office center. In a team of four.
- So you're the smart kind of girl then. - he concluded.
- I'm no Einstein. - I said with a shrug. - And what do you usually do when you aren't in the arena?
- We just started Russian course this year.
- Both of you?
- Please. - Bill spread his arms with a smug look on his face. - It's like a perfect marriage. - he said and all three of us laughed out loud, it was so unexpected.
- Do you speak any other languages by the way? I know about English of course..
- Un peu de français. - Paul said in a perfecltly sexy French accent which made me melt inside, like the ice cream in the little girl's bowl at the table next to ours. - And a bit of Chinese.
The waitress arrived with our orders. As she put my glass on the table, I stole a glance from Dad's table. Apparently, they were so deep in talking I doubt any of them would've even noticed if a volcano erupted next to them.
- Can I ask you something? - I asked, turning back to the boys again.
- No. No, you can't. - Bill said with a serious expression on his face.
- Alright, I'm sorry.
- But you might try with our manager. - Paul smirked. Of course they had their manager, considering how popular they were.
- I won't bother asking now, not like this. - I said and crossed my arms in front of my chest.
- Come on, of course you can ask! - Bill smiled again.
- What's the secret behind your relationship? I mean you seem to have such a good bond between you, but I bet you do fight from time to time as well.
- Why, do you fight a lot with your siblings? - Paul asked, taking a sip from his cappuccino.
- Please. - I scoffed. - My sister is three years older than me and my brother is thirty. We never stop fighting. - Did I just make the Ahn brothers laugh? - So what's your secret?
- We don't really have any. - the younger one said. - A couple of fights here and there are inevitable, but ever since we were born, our parents have always told us that at the end of the day, we can only rely on each other. The fact we do most things together also helps.
- This is so nice, I guess your parents must have had it easy with you.
- I'm sure that's not true though.
- No, you're right, actually. - Bill said, correcting Paul. - We're awesome. And what do you do when you're not at uni?
- I like to paint, although I don't really have much time for that hobby of mine. Or inspiration. And I enjoy horse riding as well.
- I can see it, you have that figure. - Bill winked. What a womanizer! And of course, I felt devastatingly awkward, so I did what I always do in similar situations: escape!
- Well, I believe I have to get going now.
Of course the moment I stood up from the table, I knocked over the sugar bowl. Amazing!
- You just go ahead, we'll clean this up for you. - Paul smiled at me. Well truth be told, that smile was even nicer in real life.
- Okay, thanks. - I said and started looking for my wallet in my bag.
- It's on us.
- Wow, the Ahn brothers paid for my coffee? If I tell the others... - I said, a little overacting the typical fangirls who like them. People like me, but they don't have to know about that. - I doubt we'd meet again, so it was really nice to meet you two. But in case we do meet up by accident, I'll try to look a little bit more acceptable.
- Well, yeah, we didn't know how to tell you how horrible you look. - Bill said in a playful way. They stood up and gave a kiss on both of my cheeks and I turned away and left to say goodbye to Dad as well before I'd turn as red as a lobster. I told him I'd get home around ten; it was going to be a long night.
No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't erase the smile off my face. Did I really have coffee with the Ahn brothers? It took more than an hour until I could focus on my tasks in the uni. We were working on our project like maniacs when my friend, Moon Jung suggested we should take a break to get something for dinner. Just like the others in the room, I took my phone in my hand and went online to see if I missed anything. There were a couple of messages from random people and... And! A notification. They both started following me on Instagram! If any of my best friends were there, I would've boasted about it to them, but in the end, I didn't even text them about it. Not even after I got home.
I had to get there by noon the next day, so I brought lunch to the others as well, like a true, caring team member. In the morning of course, I checked if they were still following me and all that happened last night wasn't just a dream. Nope, they were still there.
Ever since I can remember, I always felt sorry for Mondays. Probably because most people hate them; I on the other hand never found it as hard as anyone else. Especially that Monday. I was at uni (surprise, surprise!) when I got a message from Paul. He sent me a pic of my journal and a text: "Don't you miss this one?"
As a matter of fact, I did miss that, but I thought I left it in one of my bags, so I didn't stress about it that much earlier. Of course I didn't respond immediately; my pride would never let me and I had loads to work on. Eventually I sent him a simple and straightforward message: "You could've given it to my dad."
The answer came faster than I expected: "Jesus, you don't like making things easy for people do you?"
"I never have in the 26 years of my life."
I had to continue working on our project, so I put my phone down and didn't even look at it until our lunch break, when another message was waiting for me: "So. Are you in uni today?"