To Kiss An Idol

The Exchange of Ideas

The area near Kyung-Soo still smelled like lavender. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and took in the sweet smell of perfume, Nivritti left behind. Why did she have to run away from him? What did he do? He just greeted her. Or was it because he kissed her? He wanted to follow her and ask her about everything, but people started pouring in.

The lift came and the door opened before him. He had to get into it, he had a meeting with the CEO after all. The CEO called him to discuss Rencontre with him. He had to go to the 21st floor. He entered the lift followed by a few people. Girls were swooning over him. They could not stop giggling at him.

He was aware of the attention he got everywhere he went. It was like a routine for him. Everyone wanted to be close to him but that girl, that girl ran away from him. It was a strange behaviour he never expected from anyone. She saw him and ran away as if she saw a serial killer in front of her. What was that about, he had to know.

People kept getting off the lift and he rode the elevator all the way up to the 21st floor. He knocked at the door but there was no answer. He looked around, but the CEO's assistant was not there. She must be on her way. He again knocked and the door opened. A stout, middle-aged man opened the door. There was not a single wrinkle on his face, but his hair was all white due to the stress of running a big company.

He was on his Bluetooth speaker talking fast in Japanese. Being the head of a huge company, he made a point to learn at least two languages. So, he knew, Mandarin and Japanese and of course, his mother tongue, Korean. He smiled at Kyung-Soo and gestured for him to sit. Kyung-Soo bowed down to him and Hu Bong nodded at him with a huge smile.

He then went back to talking on the phone. After a few minutes, he disconnected the call and placed his Bluetooth set on his table.

Kyung-Soo again bowed down to him and greeted, "annyeonghaseyo, Hu-ssi."

"Annyeonghaseyo, King. So early?" asked Bong.

"Could not sleep," replied Kyung-Soo.

"Everything okay?" Bong was concerned.

"You have no idea," thought Kyung-Soo. And then he decided to lie, "yeah, yeah, everything is fine. You wanted to meet with me?"

"Yeah, the script department is working on something special for Rencontre," informed Bong.

"We are not performing?" Kyung-Soo was shocked.

"Of course, you are performing, that is the main event, but this year is the special, seven-year curse and all. So, I thought of doing something more," educated Bong.

"What do they have in mind?" even Kyung-Soo was curious.

"I don't know," smiled Bong.

"What?" Kyung-Soo was now confused.

"They are still working on the idea. Choi-ssi will finalise it today and I want you to come with me to approve the idea. I know mostly Young comes to these meetings, but I want you this time," informed Bong.

The moment Kyung-Soo heard the name of the script department his mind raced to the girl. The beautiful fairy he saw today and kissed yesterday. He would get to see her again. Maybe he could ask her everything he wanted to. He was over the moon. "Of course, whatever you say," he replied politely.

"Okay then, be ready for my call. I will inform you as soon as Choi-ssi gives me the green signal," said Bong.

"I will be," smiled Kyung-Soo. He bowed down to Bong and left his cabin. He went back to his practice room and started waiting for his team member to arrive.

In the meantime, Nivritti ran to the stairs and started climbing them as if her life depended on it. After climbing two stories, she stopped and looked back. No one was following her. She was all alone. She placed her back towards the wall and caught her breath. She closed her eyes, clutched her purse near her chest and kept breathing heavily for a few minutes.