-We are about to land at Kansai airport. Please check your seatbelts. Thank you for flying with us. -Stewardesses voice announced through the speaker. I rubbed my sleepy eyes and look through the window. Little shake made me realize that the plain already touched the ground. I was in Japan, to be exact in Osaka. My boss Mira sent me here in a hurry. There were some problems with the shipment. I had to meet our representative here and together we should try to resolve this problem.
When I left the airport building and sat in a car sent there for me, I realize how important this task was. Why my boss gave this to me was still a mystery but I decided to take this opportunity and show her that I'm a capable and trustworthy girl. My driver left me near some building and said I should go to the third floor.
Mr.Kito was waiting for me and we sat in his office. He pulled some papers explaining to me what was the problem. After reading all that I called Mira and told her about it.
- Just go there personally and give them the written permission I gave you so they can start with a shipment.
- Ok I will do that.
Mr.Kito and I went there and soon the problem was resolved. Luckily this was an easy task and I left a sigh of relief and went back to my hotel. There was no flight back until tomorrow and I had some free time.
- I should go for a walk it's too early anyway.
After I took a shower I decided to wear my new red dress and made a side braid. Just adding a little red lipgloss I was ready to go.
Osaka was a nice and exciting place. Even tho I have never been overseas, I had no trouble finding my way to the center. Passing by one famous restaurant my stomach started to growl so I decided to have my dinner there.
The waiter showed me one small table right beside a big paravane with samurai pictures on it. While I was waiting for my order I heard voices behind it. They were speaking my language and that made me pay more attention.
- You should sit here next to paravane beside me- said a familiar voice. I tilted my head trying to see who that was and saw Jin.
- HyeMin!- he called me with a surprise.- What are you doing here?- I smiled awkwardly
-I came to Osaka today to resolve some issues about shipment. Henry stood up and called me
- Come sit with us then.
- I nodded and sat between him and Jin. Bobby gave me a high five with a bright smile on his face.
- it's good that we run to each other like this! - I smiled too
- Yes.
My eyes were looking for Jun and I realize that when I met his intense look. He just nodded and turned to Charlie reading him the menu. Charlie laughed and looked at me
- You should order this dish too, it says inside of it are cherry blossom petals and who eat this will become prettier!
-HyeMin is already a pretty girl- Jin smiled and hit Charlie's hand.
-Sexy girls are better! Sexy like Stella!- Jun was still looking at me. I looked away because I decided to ignore him this time and smiled at Jin
- You must be tired, I heard you had two concerts today. - He left a sigh
- Yes but it was fun. Interactions with fans always give us a new burst of energy.- I nodded
- That must've been so exciting. I can imagine how do you feel standing in front of so many people and they all are looking at you and your every move.
-It's not that scary as you think. I feel more like I'm with friends at a big party. We dance and sing together, laugh or cry. It's a unique experience and that is why we want to do it again and again.- Bobby laughed
- It's a mutual addiction. We need our fans and they need us! - Henry made a funny expression moving his hand like he was flipping his imaginary hair
- No they need only me!! - We all laughed teasing him.
Our food came so we started to eat. I felt relaxed sitting with them and happy that we met here. Throughout the whole time, I didn't look in Jun's direction. If he wants to provoke and tease me every time I'm not gonna give him that satisfaction. He can take that fabulous Stella and fly to the moon with her!! I don't care!!- I thought all that but my heartbeat in a different rhythm. All my senses felt his presence... felt his eyes on me...
When I was about to finish eating I heard my phone ringing. It was an unknown number and I took the call.
-Do I speak with Kim HyeMin?- woman's voice asked
- Yes it is me...
- I'm calling from the general hospital to inform you that your mother is received here... she had a heart attack.
I put my phone on the table and kept eating.
-HyeMin- Jin called me and I looked at him
- Why do you cry if something happened?- When he asked that I touched my face wet from tears I didn't even realize that.
- My mother is at the hospital...- I said quietly and they all looked at me in surprise
- What happened?
- She had a heart attack...- My lower lip started to shake and I stopped talking.
- Do you need to go to see her right now?- Bobby asked wrapping his arm around my shoulder- I nodded not being able to speak. He helped me to get up
- Let's go to your hotel to pack your things first.
- I don't have a flight tonight...- my voice sounded like a whisper but he squeezed my hand
- You can come back with us in our plain.
We went back to the hotel and Bobby pack my things while Jin was with me. He wrapped his arm around my shoulder but kept silent. Through the whole time we were at the plain he was sitting next to me. When we landed at the airport I took my bag and said "thank you" to them turning to leave
- How will you go to your town now?- Jin asked with concern. I shrugged
- I'll catch a cab and asked if they can drive me there....- I was so calm while talking even I was surprised. That must've been from shock. My mother was not the best mother but I only had her and knowing that she might die scared me and froze my emotions.
While I was turning to go outside Jun took my hand and pulled me
- Come on I'll drive you, my car is here at the parking lot. - That surprised me but I didn't say anything but I was grateful to him.
It was about 11 pm when we left the city heading to my town. He turns on the radio and a nice slow rhythm started to play. First drops of rain made little spots on the windshield of a car. Inside was warm and that nice and calm melody made me sleepy. My eyes started closing so I guess I fell asleep because when I felt a little shake on the road I opened my eyes realizing that my head was on Jun's shoulder
- Sorry- I moved quickly to the other side. He didn't say anything. I looked outside seeing the first signs of daylight was appearing slowly. The night was retreating giving way place to the new day. I recognize my town in the distance but then I realize that Jun was driving through the whole night without a break.
Looking at his side profile I didn't saw any traces of tiredness. He looked so attractive, eyes on the road all serious.
- Tell me where to drive now.- he asked and I explained how to get to the hospital.
Asking nurses I find out that my mother was on the first floor so we both went there. He waited outside of the room sitting on the bench and I went in. The hospital room was bright and clean but all that scared me because I saw my mom lying on the bed with closed eyes. I came closer and seated beside her. She looked so small and older that I remembered her. It's been less than three months since the last time I saw her but now I saw big changes in her appearance. She never looked so fragile and helpless like she looked then. Tears started to roll down my face and I brushed them with my shaky fingers. The nurse said to me that she is very weak now. That stroke shook her greatly and she barely survived. She said something must've triggered that but until she wakes up we can't know what that was.
I took her hand and squeezed.
- Be strong mom don't give up. I'm here now... HyeMin is here... - I touched her cold cheeks. Her face was white like she was a ghost.
- if you leave me like this I would be alone in this world... I need you mom... we can start all over again, start a new life...
After I left her room I sat beside Jun. He was sleeping sitting like that. Poor Jun he must've been so tired after two concerts and driving all night. I felt so bad for him. He left me to sleep through the whole time even tho he needed rest more than me. I put my hand to his shoulder and shook him
- Jun wake up! - but he didn't react- Wake up! - I called him louder and he opened his eyes looking at me in confusion
- We both need rest let's go- I said standing up and he followed me. We drove to my house and I showed him my room.
- It's not much to see but you can sleep here..- He smiled and took off his shoes then laid on the bed. The next second he was already sleeping. I left a sigh and left the room. Standing in the middle of my house I looked around in those familiar corners. The cracked mirror was still there. I came closer looking at my reflection.
- I thought I would never come back here but here I am standing in front of this mirror. We all think we could escape from our reality and our problems but they come back to us when we least expected, smiling at us... Like these cracks in the mirror, they didn't break him but you can see them like scars from the battle. Our soul must be like that too- whole but with small barely visible cracks. And if the sun ever shines through them they would be glowing...
I closed my eyes finally realizing that my running from this place was in vain. I turned around and left the house heading to the beach. I wanted and I needed to see my sea. That big water calms me every time. The sound of the waves greeted me and I smiled
- Dear sea I'm back again and I missed you!
Sitting on the rock holding my knees I laid my head on them. I don't know how long I stayed like that maybe I fell asleep but when I opened my eyes all I could see was fog surrounding me. It was scary and cold. My body was frozen from sitting so I get up wanting to get back home. Somehow my leg slipped and I landed on both hands cutting my palms on a sharp rock.
- Ah I'm so clumsy! - Next steps I took slowly watching where to step but the fog become bigger. After a while, I realize that I was going in circles. It was even colder than I hug myself trying to warm a little
- How will I come back now?- I felt like crying. I was exhausted, putting my hands in my pocket wanting to take my phone but realize I left it at home. I never was the person who will panic but this situation scared me for real.
- Maybe if I call someone will hear me? Jun could hear me because my house is not far from here.
- Jun!!!- I yelled but all I heard back was silence
- Jun !!!!!- I kept yelling still walking slowly step by step. After few times I got tired and I sat on one big rock. Tears started to flow but then suddenly two hands lifted me. Jun was carrying me in his arms. He just pops up from that fog and brought me home like it was nothing for him. My head was on his chest and I heard his heartbeats. It sounded familiar... I heard those heartbeats before...
He let go of me when we entered inside. We just stood there in the middle of a room. My coat was wet so I wanted to take it off but my frozen fingers couldn't unbutton it. He was looking at me in silence and his eyes were so dark then came closer and unbutton my coat helping me to take it off. I wanted to go and make us some tea but he held my hand pulling me closer. I looked up and his lips were so close to mine. He couped my face with his hands and I closed my eyes. His lips touched mine gently like he was tasting them. Soft, velvet touch... I felt salt on his lips. He was kissing me slowly but my heart wanted to jump from my chest. His hands pulled me closer and I hugged him around his neck The kiss become deeper, I felt his tongue between my lips. His fingers were traveling down my back and he pulled the hem of my shirt snaking his palms below, touching my bare skin. Fingers traveled up over my spine making me shake. Kisses were hotter and I lost it. Next thing he pushed me away from him, watching me from above with those black eyes even darker than before. I breathed heavily like I was running and opened my eyes in a confusion. He smirked
- Now that we warmed you up I guess you can take the rest of your clothes by yourself. I have to go back to the capital. He turned his back to me and left the room leaving me there all shaky and breathless...