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The first time you met him, it was pouring hard. You could hardly see a few meters ahead. You checked your phone again, the bus had been delayed and you had no umbrella, so, until the rain let up, you were effectively stuck here. At least you were dry and your phone was charged.
“Here.” A strange tall man with a loose posture held out an umbrella for you. “You need it more than me, I guess.”
“N-No- I couldn’t.” You said quickly.
“Nah-” He said easily, his smile was disarming. He held out the umbrella, holding it by the tip, the handle towards you. Keeping a very respectful distance.
“But-” You looked around. “But what about you?”
“A little rain won’t hurt me.” He winked. “But pretty ladies shouldn’t get wet.”
Your skin burned at the comment. You took the umbrella and thanked him profusely. But before you could ask his name- He’d already disappeared in the rain.
The second time you met him, it had been at a small cafe that you didn’t think anyone knew about. There was no rain today but the sun was harsh and you’d been using that same umbrella for months now.
The handle of the umbrella was hanging on your arm as you stood in line, typing furiously on your phone not looking up.
“Next, please-” The barista said and you went to place your order.
With a drink in hand, you turned, eyes downcast to your phone again when you almost walked into a solid wall of a person.
“Sorry, I-” You looked up, and it was him .
“You should be careful.” He laughed softly. “Oh hey! You’re using my umbrella!” He said brightly.
“ You .” That was the only word you could say.
He gave you a big toothy smile, nodding. “Coincidence, huh? I love their lemonades. Oh, you got one too?” He was talking too fast and a lot-
But once again, before you could say more, ask more, the barista said next please , and he moved.
“It was great to see you!” He waved at you and walked ahead to order for himself.
You wanted to wait and talk to him but your phone went off again and you had to rush.
The third time you met him, you met him, it was dead late. You’d been dragging your feet across the pavement to get home when you decided to make a small trip to the corner store. And there he was.
“I think you’re following me.” He teased when he saw you. You laughed, too tired to care for social etiquettes or the fact that he was still very much a stranger.
“Or we just live in the same city.” You said softly as he grabbed a bottle of wine from the shelf then walking beside you as you picked a few night snacks and sodas.
“City is too big for meeting like this.” He mused, giving you a sidealong glance.
He walked with hunched shoulders, as if trying to make himself look smaller. And tryin to catch your gaze without you having to look up at him.
“Or maybe it’s fate, then? Hm?” He laughed, going to the checkout counter with you.
You were so exhausted, you never in noticed how he paid for all your little things and bagged it all for you.
“Fate.” You rolled your eyes and yawned, covering your mouth with the back of your hand. “Sorry.” You sighed. “It’s been a very long day.”
“I know a thing or two about long days.” He smiled, still accompanying you. He noticed your exhaustion, the way you weren’t even noticing how he was walking you home now. “So, what do you do?”
“Hm? Oh- I work with the- the- fuck - My brain is not my friend right now-” You yawned again and just showed him your work ID. You were legal secretary to the partner in one of the biggest law firms in the city.
He whistled lowly. “Impressive.” He handed the ID back and you tucked it into your bag.
“Pays the bills.” You hummed and soon enough you were at your apartment building.
“Have a good night.” He smiled and handed you the bags.
“You too.” You said with a daze and went home.
It wasn’t until morning when you’d realized what had actually happened the night before.
The fourth time you met him- Well, you didn’t meet him, you got something from him. You were at work, sitting at your desk, outside your boss’s office when the delivery came.
You’d gone to the bathroom when it had been delivered and the box was sitting neatly on your desk when you came back.
For my stalker , said the card and you smiled to yourself.
“That little shit-” You shook your head and opened it. On top of the layer of shredded paper was another card. For your impressive job.
Your brows rose and you dug your hands in. Nothing could have prepared you for what you could. It was a beautiful Swarovski paperweight in shape of an apple.
“What the fuck-” You whispered to yourself.
You went through the entire box, trying to find a return address, a name or anything but found nothing at all. He knew you- Your name, your office, even your apartment building. But you knew nothing about him at all.
The fifth time you met him, he’d somehow managed to make the interaction even stranger.
Once again, it was late, you were leaving work. And there we was. Leaning against a lamppost, that loose hoodie covering his obviously impressive frame. He smiled brightly and waved at you.
“My stalker!” He jogged across the street to you.
“Me?” You laughed. “Debatable. I think it’s definitely you.”
“I told you. It’s just a coincidence.” He put his hands on his chest as if your little jab hurt him tremendously.
“Coincidences don’t send crystal apples like- like mafia santas.” You waved to hail down a taxi.
“No car?” He pouted and you shook your head.
“This is easier. Don’t have to worry about maintenance and upkeep and wonder why the check engine light keeps blinking.” You shrugged. As the taxi stopped and you opened the door, you turned back to him. “Do I get a name this time or you planning to run off again?”
“Aww- Don’t make me stop playing this game with you.” He said sweetly, again, with that same toothy smile.
You gave him and eyeroll. “See you around, stranger.”
He helped you get in and closed the door. “Bye, my stalker.” He said cheerly and you looked back at him as the taxi drove further and further from him.
The sixth time, you weren’t expecting it at all. It had been months and it was monsoon season again. You were leaving that corner shop and making your way back home. Using the umbrella he’d given you a year ago.
And there he was. His clothes soaked through, his hair plastered to his forehead, but still smiling.
“Ah- Guess I should’ve kept my umbrella, huh?” He laughed, making you smile too.
“Guess so.” You nodded. “I’d give it back but I don’t really know the name of the original owner.”
“That’s on me.” He chuckled again. “Moon Baek.” He said sweetly. “I’d shake your hand but I still don’t think pretty ladies should get wet.”
“Never?” You raised a brow. A very bold move on your part, considering you knew next to nothing about him.
“Well-” He stretched the word. “Under certain circumstances, I think it’s a requirement.”
“Really, now?” You mused, walking ahead and he trailed behind you like a puppy.
“Oh- Certainly .” He walked with you until your apartment building and you turned to him.
“I’d invite you up but I don’t have anything that would fit you.” You said honestly.
“I mean- If you have a dryer and you promise not to look.” He smiled, “I could work with that.”
“I can do that.” You nodded.
“Good-” Moon Baek said softly. “Then, please , lead the way.”