PROMPTS

Runaway

A/N: I've been meaning to write something and have had numerous drafts but I could never land an ending I'm happy with. So here's another attempt at a short one, inspired by the concert of The Corrs here in Manila.
—-

Say it's true, there's nothing like me and you
Not alone, tell me you feel it too

She ended the night winning an award for her recent movie - a movie she had worked so hard for and was truly proud of. This award was an amazing reminder that this fickle industry still had space for her talent, something she never took for granted. After she deposited her trophy at her agency's office, she headed home, washed her face to rid it of the minimal make up she already wore, dressed in her pyjamas, she now lay in bed scanning photos of the day.

Was she looking at the events for the awards ceremony?
No.

She was looking at posts about the earlier showcase of the current movie of hers that was showing.
The one where she was a cop.
The one where he was a villain.
HE.
HIM.

She scrolled her phone gallery of the pictures that she took.

"Omo!" She sat up. "What am I doing?" Looking at a nearby mirror, she realized she was blushing. "You've worked with so many handsome men! Some projects are so romantic that you could easily fall for the male lead and yet this has never happened. What's wrong with you? You're too old to have a crush!"

But, as she stared at their photos again, she could help a giggle. Yes, she had a crush at a very handsome man.

Timing had seemed to keep them away in the past. Numerous project discussion that didn't work out for one reason or another. Then, sitting together at that awards ceremony yet having no chance to talk because of events usually are. Finally working together and realizing they were very similar, but he was in a relationship.

Now, they were both single... and seemed very interested in one another.

Was she reading him correctly? It wasn't just her that was feeling this, right?

Ping!

A message came through her phone.

Congratulations! Another award well-deserved. I hope you're resting now or having a great time celebrating. Let's have a celebration at the next showcase.

HIM.

Smiling, she typed, The promotions for our movie are almost done. Last one in Daegu soon. I'm not sure if we'll have time because we both have next projects lined up.

She was partly playing coy and partly beginning to put distance between them. This was what she did with former co-stars who expressed interest. She knew they were still basking in the forced intimacy of dramas or movies and the promotions and her method of keeping distance always served her well. How will HE react?

Finally, his message came in. We can have dinner in Daegu then. You grew up there and can show me around. Don't they have a great golf course there, too?

She rolled her eyes. You and that boring sport of yours.

Golf IS NOT boring.

IT IS, she insisted.

It is not. Let me teach you and show you what you've been missing.

She hated the sport. Golf was too slow for her liking and she told herself she would never pick this sport up again. She was not interested in golf, but she was interested in him.

Okay. Let me try.

*

I would runaway, I would runaway with you
Coz I have fallen in love

He had been the consummate professional for years and he was well aware of how the popularity he was currently enjoying could vanish in an instant.

But there was also something in him that knew, if he didn't make the effort and take every chance she gave him, he would miss this opportunity and timing might mess with them again. They could be given another chance but he wasn't willing to risk it. He knew he had to prove himself to her.

So, even if he had been tipsy at the wrap up party, he set 5 alarms and asked the hotel reception for a wake up call so that he won't miss his flight to see her and welcome the new year together.

"I like you but I'm not sure," she told him once.

It pained him to see the conflict in her eyes. The feelings were there - attraction, interest, enjoying each other's company. He knew that if it were just them, he could convince her to say yes and date him. Yes, he had enough confidence to know what he had to offer. BUT, he also knew their industry. How tough it was on a woman. His dating history didn't make him a great candidate for her to date publicly.

"I wouldn't want to deny you and hurt you. You're too close of a friend of mine to hurt like that," she explained considerately. Then, as an afterthought, she asked out of curiosity, "Is it very liberating for the public to know your relationship?"

"Yes and No," he said. "In some aspects, it's great because you don't have to deny and some burden is off the relationship. If people see you, they don't wonder and it lessens the amount of questions you get about who you're dating."

"But?"

"But sometimes that's all the interviews ask - your relationship - when all you want to do is talk about the work. And then, it becomes a burden on the relationship as well. At some point, you wonder if you're still together because you still love each other or because the public still likes you to be together."

She nodded in understanding. "Do you think it's the same with people with office work?"

He thought about the question before and answered honestly. "Perhaps. There will always be people interested in a relationship after all. With social media, there are more opinions about people's lives as well. With our work, it just has the added pressure of news outlets covering it."

She sighed sadly, leaning back on her couch. "I guess I'll never date. I want the conditions to be perfect."

He played with her hair then rubbed her ear, an intimacy she now allowed after months of being friends. "It doesn't have to be perfect conditions."

"Then what? The perfect partner?"

He answered quietly. "I do believe there's a perfectly imperfect partner for me. I just hope she let's me in and takes the risk with me."

"What if she's scared?" She asked with a shake in her voice. "This job is my passion... I'm sorry if I can't just follow my heart but the years I put in —"

He gently cut her off with a finger on her lips.

"I'll wait until she's ready. I'll wait for YOU."

They stared at each other for what seemed like ages before she leaned her forehead on his and whispered, "Please don't get tired of waiting. I just need a little more time."

—-
A/N: Maybe I'll continue tomorrow but let me know what you guys think!