A Fateful Encounter

The next few weeks went by in a breeze, with the help of Lauren of course. She was a very handy person as well as a close friend of mine and I didn't have a lot of friends. She helped me with much of the paperwork needed for the trip. This was going to be the longest trip I would take and Lauren would be needed to look after the company. She was trustworthy and proved to be a loyal friend so I didn't have to worry about anything.

Soon it was time to go and I stood at Sydney airport with my bags. The cool evening air felt nice against my skin and the sun gave off serene vibes as it settled for the dusk.

"Boss, one more piece of paperwork and you're done"

"Lauren we're at the airport and I still have paperwork?"

"I just found it yesterday, it's not very important but I think you should sign in any way."

I was about to argue some more when a voice boomed from the airport speakers.

"THIS IS THE FINAL BOARDING CALL FOR PASSENGER NICOLE CONOLLY BOOKED ON FLIGHT 342A TO KOREA. PLEASE PROCEED TO GATE 2 IMMEDIATELY. I REPEAT THIS IS THE FINAL BOARDING CALL FOR NICOLE CONOLLY.THANKYOU"

"I guess that settles it boss, you better hurry up and I need only a few signatures anyway."

Sighing in defeat I hastily signed all the papers without reading them—there was no time for that.

"This will be the longest time you will be taking care of the company Lauren," I say

"I know, it's going to be so hard without you."

"Oh, you underestimate yourself, Lauren. You are very clever and witty so you won't have to worry about anything" she smiles.

"Let's say you're right this time boss"

"Pah, I'm always right"

I hugged Lauren goodbye and sat on the seat reserved for me. I looked out the window and sighed, I had never felt any kind of emotions while leaving this place. Probably cause I never felt any type of good connections to the place or the ones that were there hurt too much to think about.

I took a deep breath and shoved those traitorous memories at the back of my mind. An uneasy feeling crept unto me about the fashion show, it was only another fashion event after all, but a slight tug at my gut told me not so, but I silenced it with a shake of my head- I was being ridiculous, maybe I was just tired.. that was it or I was having pre-event jitters- which I find rather annoying.

"Ahhh! What a pain!" I cried in exasperation but soon settled down as I saw the passengers around me looking at me with weird faces.

"Sorry," I said and ducked back into my seat hiding my face in my coat, I normally never had these kinds of outbreaks. A rather handsome man who looked vaguely familiar sat next to me and chuckled. He had warm brown hair that nearly covered his eyes and reached to the back of his neck. He had a beautifully carved face with a slightly large nose and wider lower lip that exposed all his pearly white teeth when he smiled. He had a rather fine figure even with simple black jeans, a white shirt with some green writing I couldn't make out and a denim jacket—similar to the one I had on.

"Apology accepted," He said and smiled. "By the way, my name is Kim Taehyung " he held out his hand

"Nicole Connolly" I replied and I shook his hand.

"Something seems to trouble you miss," he says

My eyes narrowed at him, why was he bothered?

"What's it to you?" I say without thinking and rather rudely. As soon as the words were out my mouth the lady in front of me whispered to the woman next to her.

"Isn't that Nicole from N.C Industries, how she dare speak to Kim Taehyung from BTS like that"

"I know right what a rude person and he was only concerned for her"

I gaped, was he actually one of those big shot singers, I guess I should apologize or it might set off the media.

"I'm sorry sir I didn't mean for it to come out like that, I was just merely wondering why a grand person like you would be concerned about me"

I say a bit louder so that the women hear me and offer my sweetest smile. Oh, the things one needed to do to keep the media in line-even if it meant putting myself down in front of this obnoxiously famous human.

"Oh come on now don't be so modest you're very grand yourself as an owner of the biggest fashion Industry in Australia"

"Thank you very much, sir"

I looked away, turning towards the window, and just stared out for no particular reason. Then it suddenly hit me. How did he know about what I did – was it because of the lady, but then he was in Australia so he might have been here for a tour, but that doesn't explain how he knows me, suddenly I noticed his outfit...OF COURSE the clothes, the outfits I had designed last summer, they were used by the stylists during the tour. How could I forget? I mentally slapped myself for being such an idiot. I guess that explains how he knows me and we share the same jacket.

"Oh, by the way, could I please have your autograph?" he smiles sheepishly "I'm a fan of your work" he slides out a notepad and a pen from his duffle bag.

"Of course...Here"

I sign his notepad and give him my business card. He grins and thanks me. I smile slightly but genuinely. He then turns around and whisper-shouts something to some people behind. I didn't want to turn to see who it was so I just assumed it was the other members from his band. I plugged in my earphones and took out my design pad and started sketching designs for a spring fashion line, as a way of escaping unwanted conversations of course.

About an hour later the air hostess came up to me for my dinner order. I gave her the usual order with no coffee since I wanted to sleep later and not stay up because of the caffeine. I knew I needed all the rest I could get for the next day. All of a sudden Taehyung gently nudged me.

"Miss Nicole, sorry to disturb you but those are some really awesome sketches you got there, may I see them if you don't mind" his face was hopeful and eyes big. I usually would give a big fat no because of copyright issues but what would an annoyingly handsome singer with puppy dog eyes do with just sketches?

"Of course here"

I watched as his eyes widened as he flipped over the pages smiling and grinning every now and then

"They are for the spring fashion line," I said and he frowned slightly

"They look quite winterish for a spring fashion line," he remarks

"Excuse me?"

I guess I looked mean since he gulped and explained again.

"What I'm trying to say is, they are very stylish and unique but if I was looking for clothes in spring I would wear something with less long sleeves"

Hmm, why didn't I think of that? Did the spring fashion survey not go well? I guess that explains the sales last year.

"Point noted, thanks."

"No problem," he says nodding.

He hands me back the book and smiles, I smile back and something clicks inside me making me feel giddy. What was wrong with me? Just then the air hostess brings our orders...I guess I was just hungry. We talked for a while after eating, I realized we had a lot in common and that I hadn't felt this comfortable while talking to someone in ages. Eventually, I fell asleep as I was exhausted.

In the morning I squinted my eyes open as I watched the light stream past the window. I turned my head slowly, but as soon I did I shouted and leaped back.