Min Jae
Park Min Jae couldn’t believe his good luck when he made it to NIK Entertainment headquarters without being noticed. It surprised him how well he was able to sneak around even though he was 6’0'' tall. He had just been discharged from the military that morning, but the world wouldn’t know he was released until tomorrow. Tomorrow he would leave the Pohang military base in his fatigues and officially re-enter the world as a free man. There would be cameras, interviewers, and hundreds of screaming fans. He’d probably be facing some reporters today if anybody knew, but he hadn’t told anyone, so he had a free day to arrange a few things.
He had just sneaked into NIK Entertainment’s main building and had paused to admire the posters of his band, Hydra, when he bumped into her. He caught the young lady before she hit the ground, but not very smoothly, and her purse still fell to the floor. For a moment, he stared at the girl, making sure this wasn’t a dream before he put her back on her feet.
For years he had been haunted by a pair of golden-gray eyes belonging to a foreign fan. He’d first seen the foreign girl with the mesmerizing eyes at around Hydra’s K-pop debut. She really caught his attention when she stepped out of line to save one of their rookie cameramen from falling when he tripped over a cord. He studied her closely when she later came through the line because he wanted to remember something good about the event. It had been extremely stressful to get to that point in their careers and they were just starting out. A year later, at a high touch event in the United States where they shook hands with some of their fans, he saw the girl with the fascinating eyes again. He wasn’t sure if he’d see her again after that, but he’d caught sight of her off and on at fan meets and in the front row of concerts before his enlistment. Now, beyond his wildest dreams, here she was again.
“I’m so sorry!” the not-Korean lady apologized. “I wasn’t looking where I was going.” She spoke Korean very well.
“No, no, it’s my fault,” Min Jae said as he picked up her purse. “I was trying to admire the changes in here.” He smiled at her as he handed her stuff.
She didn’t look up as she took it from him with both hands and a small bow. “Thank you,” she said, her voice not as confident now. In fact, she seemed on the verge of tears.
He looked around, found a bench she could sit on, and guided her to it before she had a complete breakdown. Once she sat down a few tears escaped, but she was far from becoming a blubbering mess. It amazed him how well she kept herself from falling apart.
“Are you okay?” he asked, pulling out a handkerchief and handing it to her.
“Yes, thank you. I’ll be alright. I’ve been having a rough time lately,” she said, gaining more control of herself. “I’ve held it together this far, it would be a shame to lose it now,” she said in English, as if to herself
“Can I help you get somewhere? Do you need a private room to compose yourself? They have some on the second floor.”
“Thank you for your kindness, but I’m fine. I was just leaving.” She didn’t look finished with her cry, but she handed the handkerchief back anyway. “Sorry I couldn’t wash it before returning it to you, but thanks for the use of it.”
“You keep it.” He pushed it back toward her. “You might need it again later.”
“Thank you,” she said, then stood, and with a bow, turned to leave.
“Hey, Miss!” Min Jae called out to her. She stopped and looked back at him. He quickly approached her. “I don’t know what is bothering you, and it may not seem so right now, but things will get better.” He reached out and patted her shoulder. “Hang in there.”
“I will. I have to,” she said. With a ghost of a smile she left the building. He noticed the smile didn’t reach her eyes.
“I probably should have tried harder to make sure she was okay,” he said to himself, turning to the elevator. He was going to talk to the president of the company and see what all he needed to start preparing for Hydra’s comeback, and he was already thinking of some songs he’d like to write for their next album. Particularly one about the sad young lady he just let go.