Singapore, 12:00 PM, GMT +8

The city bustles with energy as the heat settles in to welcome summer. Through midday traffic at Upper Pickering Rd., a silver LX 570 Lexus with dark tinted windows turned and stopped at the ParkRoyal. With seemingly practiced haste, one valet hurriedly informed the welcoming staff of such incident and ran to open the back to open the passenger seat.

A middle aged man with a clean cut hair and casual suit stepped out to be followed by a young woman.

The man moved to the side and allowed the young lady to walk ahead of him. As the lady processioned to the lobby, the welcoming staff lowly bowed. The lady in return slightly bowed in acknowledgment.

“Theo, do I have anything planned this afternoon?” The young lady finally spoke as they walk to the elevator.

“Surprisingly nothing, ma’am,”  said the man as he browses through his Ipad.

“Really?!” She stopped and turned. Glancing at the man with a calm expression but with an excited glint in her eyes.

“Yes ma’am.”

They turned a corner to a private elevator reserved for specials guests. They reached their floor and opened the door to their suite.

“Theo, can I wander this afternoon? I’ll have Jude and Ruth with me.” She pleaded.

“I’ll have to inform your mother. But, I don’t see any reason not to.” His face soften and hinted a little smile.

“Thank you, Theo. I’ll take a nap. Tell them to wait for me at three o’clock.” She waved off as she took off her Chloe pumps.

The man bowed. “You’re welcome, Miss Shu-Pei.”

He proceeded to exit the suite after making sure all the bags have arrived.

-:-

“I’ll be walking out,” Yoongi announced to his bandmates.

“Who’s going with you?” Hoseok asked.

“Mark is going with me.” He replied while tying his laces.

“Okay, man. Bring me something back.”

Jin passed by while eating some ramen and noticed Yoongi.

“Be careful, man.” He said with concern and tapped the man at his shoulder before drifting to his room.

 

It was a common occurrence that Yoongi likes to explore alone. Though it is well-known for him to sleep through the day, he also likes getting to know the places they go to. It also remains unannounced for obvious security reasons. Before the immense fame, Yoongi was able to walk for some need break time. It helped soothed the grinding schedules, and rest without the staff breathing down on him. I mean, he loves the staff but, it isn’t comfortable for him to be looked after all the time.  He also prided himself of consistently doing this without any incidents. He thinks it’s one of the few reasons he is still allowed to do it. 

He wore a nondescript black shirt with well-worn tattered pants, and his old pair of black Converse. He usually takes out his jewelry except for a stud in his left ear. He kept his hair in a dark green baseball cap and covered his mouth with a black face mask. He was glad this comeback opted him to wear his natural hair. It helped him blending in without the hassle to hiding his hair. He, later opened the door and waited for Mark before heading down to the elevator.

After walking a considerable distance from the hotel, Yoongi stopped to look at the food stalls. He, then, choose to nibble on some street satay and walked through the crowds.

His bodyguard loosely followed to not arouse suspicion.

He turned to Cross Street where admired the rows of traditional colonial shophouses.

He took a left to find a place to throw the stick of the satay.

“Hey, I’ll go to the restroom,” Mark tapped his shoulder.

They walk to China Square Central to find the restrooms.

“Sure,” He replied.

It is the least he could for troubling the man with this request.

They walk to China Central Square to find the restrooms. Yoongi followed him near the restrooms and waited for him outside.

As he leaned on the wall to wait, he noticed someone sneakily carrying a camera and pointing it at him.

He ignored it at first but got annoyed as the paparazzi near him. He panicked and turned sideways. The paparazzi didn’t relent. He, then, proceed to walk to what looks like an emergency exit to a rear alleyway.

He sped up his pace, and turned to notice the paparazzi doing the same. His pace sped up to a fast walk to a full-on run.

“, I should have waited for Mark,” he thought to himself.

He started to ran out of breath when nearing the corner to a busy street. He turned to check on his pursuer.

“Damn. This guy won’t——“

A force stopped him and knocked him sideways to the pavement.

“The !?” He heard an angry shrill of a girl.

 

While a bit disoriented from the collision, his arm was forcefully pulled up.

He opened his eyes to a face with mixed anger and confusion with a slight hint of caution.

Beneath him were shattered pieces of cups.

His fall was so hard that he hard notice the ceramic breaking on the pavement.

The girl across was checking the bag to salvage some cups.

He turned to his arm being secure by a woman slightly taller than him and enough strength to keep him in place.

“What was that for?” The girl across him asked.

Whilst this was all happening, the paparazzi was having a grand time taking pictures of the scene.

Tired and confused, Yoongi gestured his head to the paparazzi hoping the girl and what seems to be her bodyguard to understand.

The girl then turned to the direction.

To his surprise, her face calmed down and turned to focus on him.

She looked like she was figuring out who he was. After a few short moments, she nodded and held his other hand.

“Ruth, deal with the man. Ask Jude to turn the car around. We’ll wait inside.” The girl held his arm as she dragged him to the entrance of what seems like an office building.

“Is it safe, ma’am? Do you know who this is?” Ruth replied with reasonable concern.

The girl stopped to turn and said, “Ninety percent sure I know this guy and ninety percent I’m safe around him.”

Ruth hesitantly let him go and turn to the paparazzi.

“Just call me when it’s all sorted out.” The girl shouted back and pushed the large glass doors to the building. They went inside and rode the nearest elevator up.

Still dumbfounded about the events, Yoongi let out a heavy sigh.

“Uhmmm...” He stuttered.

“Sorry about that. Ruth can be a little overzealous.” She replied in Korean.

His little eyes widen in shock. Though almost perfect, her pronouns was just a little off. But all in all, it was quite impressive.

“Do you really recognize me?” He asked as the elevator stopped to load passengers.

He stopped his inquiry to face down and moved back.

After a few seconds, the elevator again stopped.

“This is our floor.” The girl whispered to him. They scouted from the other passengers to enter the floor.

They walked out to an open space that looked like a balcony. To his relief, there were no people around.

"Are you okay? You hit the pavement pretty hard." 

He checked himself. His hurt a little but other than a few bruises, he's fine "I'm okay. I think you kinda cushioned the fall. I should be asking you."

She giggled. "It's good to hear. I'm good. Ruth grabbed before I hit the pavement" She said with obvious relief.

He watched as the she searched her bag. She retrieved a pack of cigarettes and begun to light one.

"Do you mind?" She was being considerate.

"Go on. Don't mind me." He said.

She gestured to him but he didn’t accept the offer. He places his hands in his front pockets of his jeans.

To say Yoongi was perplexed is a deep understatement. He started out the day planning a calm walk around the city maybe a few pictures, yet here he was sheltering from the paparazzi at a deserted balcony after a stranger saved him.

He assessed her. It was logical to point out how she looked. She was shorter than him by probably four or five inches. She had thick straight light brown hair with the edges bordering dark blonde. He could say she was pretty. She had big eyes and full lips. Her frame was curvy but lean. She wore a simple white blouse with black shorts and some casual sneakers. With his own knowledge in fashion, he assessed that the bag she carried is designer along with the shoes.

He could tell she was wealthy from the clothes and the security. She also carried herself with an air of confidence. He couldn’t describe it but he always noticed a slight air of grace and maybe, self-assurance from people of wealthy backgrounds. He noticed this from some of his colleagues from the business. He was also jealous of them since he started off with no confidence while some people are inherently born with it.

A hundred other queries ran through his mind but he chose to remain silent.

After releasing a puff of smoke, she finally spoke.

“Would it be usually for me to know you?” He almost forgot about his question in the elevator.

Yoongi thought the question was rhetorical and kept his mouth shut.

She smiled. “Well, you just had a concert at Kallang Stadium last night. Big fan by the way” She confirmed.

He, then, realized that she wasn’t bluffing.

“Sorry about the cups. I’ll repay them if you like.”

The girl shook her head, “Don’t worry that was hardly anything valuable.” She sounded like she didn’t want any more argument.

Yoongi also took in how the girl just had an air of authority to her. Sure, she seemed polite and charming but her body language hinted strength and resolve even fewer people he had encountered possessed. Sure, you can be rich and confident but, being able to handle authority without coming off as arrogant hinted some level of intellect.

“Thank you for that by the way,” he added. “You really didn’t have to.”

He was taken aback when the girl giggled as she put off the cigarette before throwing it.

“I’m flattered you think I was doing it for you, but truth be told, I was also doing for me.”

“I’m sorry I don’t follow.” Yoongi replied.

“Like you, I also don’t want to be photographed. My family is advised not to do so. Also, being photographed with you does complicates things if ever they blow up.” She walked to sit on a bench, and gestured to him to sit beside.

He was conscious of the fact that he was the one left with questions in a one sided conversation, but decided to just run with it.

He sat beside her in a respectable distance.

“So what’s the deal with your family?” He asked.

“Well, let’s just say it’s complicated, and we prefer to be discrete.” She said with a hint of amusement in her voice.

He took a moment before saying. “No mean to disrespect but is it anything illegal?” He grunted internally at his bluntness but it was necessary to address the elephant in the room.

She laughed. A full bellied laugh. She covered and held on to her stomach as she bended almost down to her knees.

Once again, he was left clueless on how to proceed with the conversation.

He was shocked when she patted his shoulder after wiping some tears from the corner of her eyes.

“It’s partially my fault since I did give off that impression. With the mystery, and all.”

Yoongi was impressed how self-aware she was.

“Well, it’s not like that. My family is just shy. Notoriety is something we don’t aspire to.”

Yoongi understood the concept of keeping to yourself. He understood it more than most people. But at his current position, he couldn’t afford it. With his teammates and company counting on him, it came as a sacrifice that came with the job. And, here was this girl being so different what he was. Someone to have life completely opposite to him, it made her interesting.

“I don’t mean to make this awkward but I still don’t know your name,” he politely slipped in.

She looked surprised, but also glad. She reached out her hand and said, “You can call me Kai.”

“Min Yoongi.” He received her handshake.

Her phone rang.

“Hello, Ruth.” She suddenly sounded a little calmer and solemn than hardly a few moments ago.

He heard the muffled voice from the phone.

The female bodyguard droned out a report while Kai listened with occasional mumbles of acknowledgement.

She, later, placed the phone down and stood up.

“Everything has been taken care of. The scene has been cleared, and my driver is waiting for us in the entrance,” She said while waking to the elevator. “Your bodyguard is also waiting for us,” she added.

“, Mark.” He grunted at his stupidity. Who the hell forgets about the bodyguard?

She giggled. “He was quite at a state when Ruth saw him. Apparently, they knew each other and Ruth filled him in.”

He nodded. Yoongi was surprised with the coincidence of it all. The day. The girl. The incident. Of all the days and people to come across with, he met a girl that fixed a problem that would probably screwed his chances of ever walking around alone in his free time. And for that, he was grateful.

They exited the building and walk to the car blinking hazard at the street. Ruth and Mark were standing in front of the car.

They neared the car and Ruth opened the door.

“Sorry for the disturbance, Miss Shu-Pei.” Mark bowed to her.

Yoongi was glad he finally learned the girl’s last name, and to have a footing of who she was. He turned to see her reaction.

She bowed in acknowledgment, but Yoongi notice a slight sadness veiling her features. It was fleeting as she proceed to enter the car.

He was hesitant to go in since he didn’t receive any invitation to do so.

He stepped back and said to Kai, “Thank you for today.”

She suddenly looked perplexed while Mark placed a hand to his lower back.

“They suggested to take you to where you needed to go next since the paparazzi won’t be able to trail us if we are in a vehicle.” Mark informed.

“Really?” Yoongi saw the logic of it all, and went in the vehicle.

Jude was at the helm as the driver with Ruth seated at the front passenger seat. Yoongi was between Mark and Kai at the back seats. After settling in the Lexus, they drove off to the street.

“So, sir. Where would you like to go?” Jude inquired.

Yoongi took a while to answer. He didn’t plan anything. He just planned to walk around with no clear direction. Sightseeing and a little alone time.

“I’d rather go back to the hotel. I’ve troubled you enough.” Yoongi concluded.

“Which hotel, sir?” Jude asked.

“Just the ParkRoyal at Pickering.”

Kai giggled beside him. “Funny, I’m staying there as well.”

Yoongi faced her with equal shock. Another damn coincidence.

She smiled back to him. Due to how smoothly she handled things, it is easy to overlook just how young she looked. She looked to be in her late teens, early twenties at most.

She looked away from him. “Ruth, can I see the camera?” She asked in English.

“Yes, ma’am,” She retrieved the camera from the glove compartment and handed it over to Kai.

“We’re lucky he didn’t seem to recognize you, but he was adamant on keeping the photos.”

"I believe you handled it." Kai said.

Kai studied the photos and scroll through the gallery.

"Yes, ma'am"

Even with his limited vobulary in English, he understood the gist of it. Yoongi was, then, again surprised on the lengths they went to. They seem to really take their privacy seriously.

He turned to Mark and noticed he wasn’t a bit surprise at what’s happening.

When they arrived at the ParkRoyal, the welcoming staff was enthusiastic in unloading the truck and placing them on to the trolley.

“I’m sorry but is there any way for me to repay,” Yoongi said to her while they’re walking in the lobby.

"You're hanged up on that." She said in amusement.

"Yes. It'll on bothering me."

“Ever the gentleman." She paused to think. "I really couldn’t think of anything else. Ruth already replaced the cups.” He marveled at how efficient her staff was.

“This isn’t just about the cups. It’s for everything. I caused you trouble and you fixed mine. Kinda losing here.”

She stopped and sighed, “Fine, why don’t join me to dinner?”

After all the things that happened, and the many times he felt out of place, this really took the cake. He couldn’t help but laugh.

“So forward,” He slyly joked.

She choked and blush a little. “It’s fine if you don’t want to.” She started walking ahead out of embarrassment.

Yoongi didn’t really have a similar past experience, so he really didn’t know how to react. He walked faster to catch up with her.

“It’s not that I’m rejecting it but, are you sure?” Yoongi politely asked.

She stopped and turned to him. “I don't know why I suggested that. Don't bother." She started to walk away again. He grabbed to stop her.

"I'll eat dinner with you but, why me? Don't you have other people with you." 

" RIght now, I only have my staff. I came here alone and I’m flying back tomorrow, and it beats dining alone a restaurant with no one to talk to. I just want the company, and I like talking to you.” She pointed out key points.

“We hardly talked other than thank you’s and sorry’s,” He blurted out.

She smiled. “That’s true.”

Yoongi sighed, “So, what time are we eating?”

She smiled but this time it seemed more sincere. “Do you like dimsum?”

“I’m fine with it.” Yoongi replied.

She giggled a little and covered . “Okay. See you at six o’clock.”

“So, where do we meet? How does this work?” Yoongi was really lost. It pains but this situation was out of his league. Since she is calling the shots, why stop her now?

“Just wait at the lobby.”  She replied.

She, then, extended her hand at him. “Nice to meet you, Min Yoong. I’m looking forward tonight.”

Yoongi took the hand and shook it. “Thank you for today. Really.”

She smiled sweetly before bowing. “See ya.” And with that, she turned to a hallway leading to the exclusive elevators. Ruth followed her shortly after. She waved at him as the elevator door closed.

Yoongi was left dumbfounded. He shook his and thought, “What have I gotten myself into?”