Chapter 2!

I was a mess today… as if it’s new. I tried to fix the leaking faucet and as I turned the wrench up…

“Aaaaaahhhrrrgg! The F!!! Where the hell is that friggin’ plumber?!!!”

“Hello! Min? Min! I told you to call me right after breakfast and what now? What happened? Huh?!!! Gawd, Min… Don’t you know that I had to fix my own faucet because that son of a gun plumber isn’t here yet and this?! Stop telling me to calm down; I want you to fix this mess with the suppliers. No buts, no ifs. Just do it.”

I was drenched and tired not to forget starving. I haven’t eaten anything ever since I woke up and all I was left with was a messy reflection of myself in a much messier and wet kitchen….when will this bad streak gonna end?

I was about to change when… *DingDong*

Nice. That son of a gun plumber has arrived. I muttered then I went straight to the front door.

“Hey, thank god you ca—-who the hell are you?” I was sort of expecting a 5’2 guy with white streaks on his hair but instead, I was gazing at a lovely, “Oh please,” a very decent 5’9 beautiful bud, “Really now?” Okay, Kim Hyoyeon…stop it.

“So… what can I help you with Mister…”

“Junho. My name’s Lee Junho…sorry but I couldn’t help but overheard something earlier. Your scream was a little bit loud.”

With a raised brow, I quipped, “Oh and then?”

He chuckled, “Sorry but I’m pretty sure you needed help with something.” He then looked at me from head to foot and judging by the way he looked, more like stared, putting up a pretty defensive tone wasn’t that appropriate.

“Uhm…yes…I tried to fix a leaking faucet and looked what happened. By the way, I’m Hyoyeon.”

“I know! Uhm, I mean… I saw you once….twice I think.”

“Really? Junho… Junho right? It was really generous of you to knock on my door and lend me a hand but I’m afraid I can’t let you in. Sorry.”

“Uhm, okay, I understand but are you really sure you don’t need my help? I mean, you can call security if you want and let them know that I’m here in your unit. And by the way, I’m living in unit 215. And don't worry, you’re safe with me.”

I didn’t answer at first. Well, he looked good, handsome I must say. And pretty decent too.

“Okay, I really need your help. I won’t call the security but don’t you dare pull something strange young man coz I know self-defense.”

And as I’d let him in…as he followed me to the kitchen…I thought I heard more chuckling.

An hour spent with a stranger. Not bad considering my fate today. He was not only good looking but a handy man too. Yep, he succeeded in fixing what’s needed to be fixed. Happy Hyoyeon.

“There you go. It’s all done.”

I was somewhat zoning out when I heard him speak, “Hyoyeon-sshi, your phone?”

“What? Ah, my phone, wait. Don’t go yet.”

She turned her back and god knows how I tried not to stare again. The thing was, I did hear her scream but really, I wouldn’t normally knock on someone else’s door and offer help…it’s just that I had been seeking ways on how to meet her…introduce myself.

“Junho-sshi, thank you very much for your help today. Sorry if I was a little rude earlier. The plumber called and he said that he’s on his way but I already told him that it’s already fixed. Thanks again!”

And how about that, my first genuine smile…from a not-so-nice and apprehensive Hyoyeon. This must be my lucky day…

“As I was saying, would you care for some brunch? My treat.”

Okay, now Junho, you are zoning out.

“Sorry, come again?”

“I said do you want to eat? My treat! Actually, I haven’t eaten anything yet. We can eat at the coffee shop in the lobby…if you want…”

“Sure.”

“Great. So uhm…let’s see each other later?”

“Ah…ah okay. Sure, I’ll just pick you up later so we can go there toge---”

“Thanks but no thanks Junho-sshi. Let’s just meet…at the lobby…. at the coffee shop.”

“Uhmm. okay. I’ll go now.”

Five minutes passed. And I waited like an excited kid.

Ten minutes and I’m beginning to doubt if the invite was true or not.

Fifteen minutes and the door opened. I saw her. Smiling. Another luck.

“Hi! Sorry, caught up with another call. So, what do you want to eat?”

And that string of words started our first real encounter….not in a terrace separated by two or three units, neither was it a fateful twist by the bar just like what happened the previous week. For here I am…speaking…interacting…with the girl who got me interested…too interested in fact, I was sort of hoping for a good friendship…and more… but no, friendship is good. For now.

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