CHAPTER 6 – THE INEVITABLE CONFRONTATION

 

Zoe’s celfone is ringing but she can’t hear it because of the loud music but she felt it’s vibrating. She look at who’s calling her, Jin’s name was flashing on the screen. She decided to ignore the call and turn off her phone. She’s not up to having a confrontation tonight.

 

Sam was startled to see the person coming their part of the dance floor.  Zoe and Rob are busy talking and dancing that they didn’t notice him. The person stop behind Zoe…

 

“What’s wrong Sam, the cat got your tongue?” Zoe asked her.

 

“No, I think somebody’s looking for you”

 

“Who?”

 

“Well, he’s behind you”

 

When Zoe turn around the man she just ignored was standing right behind her.

 

“Hey, Jin. You’re here!” trying to hide her surprise

 

“Isn’t it obvious? Ano, can I borrow your friend?”

 

“Sure” Sam beamed at Zoe.

 

“Let’s have some coffee” Jin invited Zoe.

 

“Okay, do we really have to talk right now?”

 

“Yes, as in now”

 

“If that’s what you want”

 

Jin held her hand and led her to the parking area where he left his car.

 

They arrived in Starbucks; they decided to just take out the coffee to avoid being recognized.

 

“Mocha Frapuccino for me” Zoe told Jin when he asked what she wanted.

 

“Okay. Wait for me here don’t you dare run away”

 

“I won’t. “

 

He get back carrying a 2 brown paper bags the one with their drinks and the other with croissants.

 

“ I haven’t eaten dinner so I decided to buy some croissant” Jin informed her.

 

“You haven’t eaten yet you went to the bar to drink. Do you want to have a stomach ache or severe hangover?” Zoe was worried.

 

“Are you worried about me?”

 

“Of course”

 

“Why?”

 

“Because I care”

 

Zoe’s sudden outburst surprised Jin.

 

“I care because you’re my friend” Zoe added nervously. “That’s close,” she thought.

 

 

They drove near the park and sat inside the car to talk.

 

“How did your concerts go?” Zoe asked to break the deafening silence. They’ve been sitting in silence for 10 minutes already.

 

“Fine. The six of us enjoyed the whole tour. And the fans too”

 

“I see you must be thinking of rest after the strenuous work? I mean you have concerts rehearsals and shooting for your show too.”

 

“We shoot some episodes during the concert tour since we can’t do it in the studio”

 

“Yeah, I’ve watched your Sendai episode when Kamenashi-kun, Ueda-kun and Nakamaru-kun became AD”

 

“You watch our show? “

 

“Yes, I find it entertaining and funny. Specially when you bully poor Junno or even Maru-kun” and to herself  “and to see you of course that’s the main reason”

 

“I’m touched, did you miss me?”

 

“Huh?! What kind of question is that?”

 

“Don’t answer me with another question. It’s a yes or no question only”

 

“No, I didn’t miss you. I’m buried with so much work I got no time”

 

“I missed you. Calling you everyday has become a habit. My day won’t be complete without hearing your voice”

 

Zoe stared at the person speaking she can’t utter any words.

 

“The 4 days I didn’t call or answered your mail is because I’m trying to sort my feelings out. My hand itched to dial your number several times. I even asked Kame’s advice. He said that I better sort things out first so I won’t hurt you. But it seems I unconsciously hurt you. I’m really lost those four days. But it made me realized that you’re someone important to me.”

 

Silence.

 

“I’m planning to visit you tonight. But I want to gather my courage first so I dragged Kame to go to the bar to have a drink or two. I was really surprise to find you there and annoyed that you’re dancing with a guy”

 

“You’re jealous?”

 

“Yes I am. I’m burning like hell”

 

“For your information I’m not the one interested in Rob we’re just dancing. It’s Sam who likes him and I think he likes her too. I don’t go snatching my best friend’s man you know”

 

“That’s good to hear but sexy dancing with him is not a very beautiful sight for me. “

 

Zoe is debating within if she’ll confess that she missed him too. There’s nothing to lose anyway. “Jin, I lied”

 

 

“What about?”

 

“I missed you. I wanted to see you or even hear your voice badly. It’s only 4 days that I haven’t talked to you but it feels like years. I’m thinking so hard if I offended you or something during one of our phone calls, I don’t know why you suddenly stop calling”

 

“You missed me???? Really???”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Prove me then. Don’t I deserve a hug”?

 

She leaned forward to hug him when Jin met her halfway banging his elbow to the steering wheel.

 

“ittai!”

 

“Baka. Come on I’ll give you a hug to ease your pain”

 

They embraced they didn’t know how long. It feels so warm to be hugged by someone you like.

 

“Zoe, daisuki da yo.”

 

“heh?!”

 

“That’s not the way you’re supposed to answer a confession. I know this is so sudden we’ve only known each other in less than 2 months… ”

 

“I’m shocked baka”

 

“So what now?”

 

“Jin Akanishi, you’re a baka, you made me go crazy but being that and all, and I know I like you too.”

 

“I’m not a baka!!!…nani.. You like me too??”

 

Zoe nodded in response.

 

“So It means we can go on date like I can call you anytime I want and visit you any time. Like your mine exclusively.”

 

“Yes. But don’t call me in the middle of work okay.”

 

“HAI!”

 

“If you don’t mind can we go home now? The sun will rise soon I’ve been up for almost 24 hours already”

 

“You can rest in the car. I want to watch our first sunrise together”

 

“Sure. I would like that also. I want to see your face early in the morning. Good thing there are no work tomorrow”

 

They rested inside the car while waiting for the sun to rise.

 

When the sun spilled it’s warm rays the “new” couple was standing beside the car holding hands.

 

“Time was never really a basis of falling in love with somebody. There will be times that you’ll fall so deep in a blink of an eye. The important thing is to treat the time you spend with your love one as the most precious times in the world. Each day is as important as yesterday and the coming tomorrows.”

Enjoy~