"Hey, Ms. Writer," a voice behind me said.
I turned around and saw him. The guy from last night. He was lining up for the food, smiling warmly at me as if we knew each other.
I shifted uncomfortably. Why was he here again, talking to me?
I ignored him and walked away, bringing my food with me. I sat at an empty table. He sat across from me, but to my left. I notice that he wasn't carrying a plate of his own--just coffee again.
"Do you mind? There aren't any other vacant seats," he asked politely.
I scanned the room. He's right. I wanted to roll my eyes but stopped myself.
Maybe what bothered me the most was not because he was being nice and friendly, but the fact that a guy would ever be like that toward me at all. I found it weird. Disconcerting. Unusual. He wasn't really being creepy. If you think about it, it's nothing out of the ordinary. Was he flirting? Maybe. It's disturbing me not because he's being some kind of pervert; but because a boy was giving me any attention at all.
"So," he said, nervously rubbing his thumb over the cup's handle. "Have you finished your work?"
I kept my eyes on my plate. The table. Other people and other things. Just not him.
"Are you usually this quiet?" he asked, totally oblivious and carefree. I looked at him then, trying to match his gaze. He smiled again, his dark brown eyes intense. My eyes flit to his tousled jet black hair, his dimples, and his oversized gray shirt. How can this guy look effortlessly gorgeous and hot even if he just rolled out of bed. My heart flipped, my stomach churning.
"No," I answered curtly. "I'm loud and funny with the right people. With people I know." I said pointedly.
He nodded slightly, still smiling. "Sorry. I should have introduced myself. I'm James." He reached out for a hand shake. I did not reciprocate.
He drew back his hand, a bit disappointed and timid.
"To answer your previous question," I continued. "Yes. I'm done with my work. It's time to go on vacation. For real this time."
"I see. Well, good for you."
I stared at him. "Look, you know what? You're being creepy. I don't want to seem like such a bitch but you're making me uncomfortable."
James' expression fell. He looked utterly and genuinely embarrassed. "Oh, gosh. I'm sorry. I didn't think-" he bowed his head politely. "I'm really sorry. I was just making small talk, is all. I didn't mean to upset you."
For a moment, I felt bad for him. But my slight guilt was quickly forgotten when I realize that people around me were looking at me weirdly, like I've lost my mind. Were they listening in? Did they think I was being mean for calling him out? Is the woman going to be blamed here again? Jeez.
"Maybe you should tone it down a bit," James said softly. He looked troubled.
I scoffed. "What? I'm not in the wrong here. I'm just politely calling you out."
"I know. I know But people might misunderstand," James whispered.
"Misunderstand? I don't care what they think."
"Alright. It's hard to explain, but it's really not what you think it is. The reason why they're looking at you funny, I mean."
I breathed in, then out. There's no point in lashing out right now.
"Where did you go last night?" I whispered sharply. I tried to keep a calm and nonchalant expression. "What I meant was, you just disappeared."
He laughed silently. "I didn't want to bother you any further. If I stayed, you wouldn't have finished what you were doing," he said in a low, meaningful tone.
Was he implying something? Like, sexually?
I cleared my throat and looked away. Jesus, how do people flirt nowadays? Was that what he was doing? How do I respond? Was I even interested in him, when he's being such a creep? Was he being a creep? Oddly, I didn't feel as uncomfortable as I thought I was. It felt... normal and easy talking to him. What weirded me out was the people glancing at me like I've gone insane.
James was attractive. There's no doubt about that. He's my type. But how do I know if he feels the same way? I've never done this my whole life. And for someone who reads and writes a lot of romance scenarios, I should at least have an idea.
"Should I leave...?" James asked. "I really didn't mean to creep you out."
"No. Just... shut up for a moment," I said bluntly.
He nodded sheepishly. James just sat there while I ate breakfast. It unnerved me.
"You haven't introduced yourself," he said hopefully, easing the tension.
"Oh, I'm Hana."
"That's a beautiful name. It suits you."
My heart slammed against my ribs. I turned my face away to hide the blush spreading on my cheeks.
A waiter approached us. "Ma'am, is there anything wrong?" he asked, concerned.
"No, I'm fine. Thank you," I replied.
The waited smiled and left.
"So, your vacation. Are there any places you're planning to visit?" James asked.
"I think I've seen all there is to see here," I replied, trying to stay composed.
"Oh, I think you're absolutely wrong. Maybe you just need to see those places with someone else. That'll give you new perspective," he said confidently. "Then why do you keep coming back if you've seen it all?"
"It's not just about the tourist spots or the fun activities. It's about the way this place makes me feel. I love the peace and quiet. The climate. The people. All of it just draws me in," I said wistfully.
"Wow, you really are a writer," he said in awe.
I smiled. I couldn't help it. "Why, did you ever doubt that?"
"No, not at all," he said, chuckling lightly.
For some reason, my heart swelled. Was it his sincerity? His easygoing nature?
"Hana, if it's alright with you," he began shyly. "Can we visit those places together? Both old and new? I think you could use a travel buddy," he said, more confidently and determined this time.
I almost choked on my coffee. Was he… Asking me out?
One moment I said he was creeping me out, the next I'm about to say yes to a day field trip with a complete stranger.
When I didn't respond and merely stared in confusion, he grinned. "You might be wondering. I'm a local here. But I live in the capital. I always book a room at this hotel whenever I feel like coming home. So yeah, I know the place well."
"You book a room in a hotel, even if this is your hometown? What about your house?" I asked.
"It's… complicated. Well, no. Just…" he said, flustered.
"It's okay. You don't have to explain or tell me more if you don't want to," I said dismissively.
"No. It's not that I don't want to."
I nodded.
"So, uhm…" James murmured, waiting for my reply. He looked so hopeful, so nervous and wide-eyed and innocent.
"Hey, look. I don't know. How can I trust a stranger?" I said apologetically. "You're persistent, aren't you?"
He sighed. "I guess you have a point. I may have come on too strong," he laughed quietly.
I shrugged. Gosh. Talk about awkward.
I really wanted to say yes. But I can't deny the fact that it's kind of scary. I've never done something so spontaneous and reckless before. And yet, I want to. I want to get out of my comfort zone and stop boxing myself in. Is this the right way to do that, though? But should I keep doing what's right? I've been sticking to rules and order and plans all my life. Maybe it's time to let loose and stop being too hard on myself.
Alright. I'll go with him. There are many tourists this time of the year, so we'd be in a public place, every time. I pretty much know all the tourist spots in this town so he couldn't scam me on that. I'll tell the receptionist or hotel staff that I'm going out (pun not intended) with this guy and if I'm not back by 11 PM I'm probably dead somewhere. I can always kick him in the groin if he tries any funny business. Police are dispatched everywhere since it's summer and many travelers are flocking in. I have my phone. I have a sturdy umbrella that I can use to hit him with.
"Okay. I'll come with you, but only if you give your full name and phone number to the front desk. Deal?"
He laughed. A genuine, happy one. "No problem, Hana. But I think, to be fair, you should leave your number and name at the front desk too. For security purposes," he said, beaming.
I scoffed. "Fair enough," I said, smiling. We laughed.
"Meet you at the lobby in 30?"
"Okay."
…