AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I nod. The elevator arrives at the first floor. Mom gives me a tight hug before we get out.
“Have a good time and stay safe!” she says.
“Thanks, Mom!” I reply. We go opposite ways, and I put on my face mask before stepping outside the building. Because of high levels of pollution, masks are normal in Seoul. But they also happen to be a nice way to make it harder for people to recognize you.
I was planning on taking the bus to the amusement park, but that plan fizzles out the moment I see Bryan’s black van waiting in the parking lot.
In a state of wild panic, I look around for signs that anyone else has noticed the van besides me. Normal people in Korea don’t just casually own a luxury black SUV, and especially not people who live in apartments like the one my parents and I live in. And sure enough, a small crowd of curious onlookers have already gathered right in front of the building. No way am I getting into Bryan’s van while my entire neighborhood watches.
Hey, I text Bryan.Have you lost your mind? Why did you come all the way to my apartment? How did you even find out where I live?
Bryan replies almost immediately.Got your address from the production staff. And why not? I wanted to start off our date with a bang.
“Wow, do you really think a famous celebrity lives in our apartment?” says one of the ahjummas that are standing in front of me. “I hope it’s Hyun Bin. He’s so good-looking.”
“Why would Hyun Bin live in a crappy apartment like ours? Didn’t you hear how wellCrash-Landing onto Youdid? Even President Moon watched that show with the First Lady.... He’s a top star!” replies another ahjumma. “I could have sworn I saw Noh Hong Chul check his mail at one of the apartments the other day. Maybe it’s him.”
I want to scream.
Everyone is talking about your van, I text Bryan back.Can you PLEASE leave the apartment complex and park somewhere down the street so I can meet you guys there? Idon’t want people to find out about where I live.
I expect a smart comment back, but a few seconds later, the SUV’s engine roars to life and the car slowly pulls away from the parking lot.
“Hm, maybe we missed whoever went in the car,” the first ahjumma says, sounding disappointed.
“Or maybe it’s just the driver that lives here?”
I wait until the coast is clear before walking across the parking lot, glancing back every few seconds to make sure that no one is following me. I find Bryan’s van parked at the curb a few blocks away. When I’m within hearing range, the door slides open and someone sticks out their hand. From the obnoxious way they’re waving it, I can only assume that it’s Bryan.
When I pop my head into the van, Bryan says, “Why, hello, there.”
He’s dressed in a sky blue coat tailored to his exact specifications, along with crimson red high-top sneakers. Obviously, his team didn’t give him the same “be discreet” memo that Sophia gave me.
Well, at least he has a face mask, I think when I notice the mask tucked in his coat pocket. It’s the color of a tomato, but at least it’ll obscure his face a bit. Only Bryan Yoon would think of wearing abright redface mask.
Various members of his team also wave and bow their heads at me. Since I’m still standing, I go around and do full bows to everyone, the proper Korean way to greet people. When I’m done, Bryan scoots over and pats the seat beside him.
“You ready to rock these netizens’ worlds with our scandalous love affair?” he asks as I settle down into my seat. I roll my eyes as an answer. If I were into Dungeons and Dragons, I would classify him as Chaotic Evil.
“I was thinking...” he says after the van pulls onto a main road. “I know you’re American and all. But what do you think about calling me Oppa?”
I grimace. “Uh, gross. No thanks. Do I have to call you that?”
Bryan shrugs. “I mean, Iamolder than you. And we’re supposed to be dating now, right? It’ll be weird for you tonotcall me Oppa, in terms of Korean culture anyway.”
There’s a part of me that knows he’s right. Oppa means “older brother” in Korean, but it’s also a general term of respect used by girls when they’re addressing a close male friend or boyfriend that’s older than them. But there’s also an emotional component to the word, since it’s meant to be a term of endearment. And right now, Bryan is anything but endearing to me.
I sigh and then tense up.
Bryan waits.
“O—” I cringe. “O—”
Bryan cups his hand to his ear. “Yes?”
“O— Ugh, I can’t. Sorry.”
Bryan looks disappointed. “Okay, then. We can try it again later. You already saidO, so all we need to do is get you to say the second syllable. Baby steps!”
