Chapter 18

"I'm just waiting for my baggage. Oh, I see it now. I'll be out in a few minutes." I told Skyler.

I took my baggage, went through customs and out the airport. I saw Skyler waiting for me outside. 

"Welcome to Country Y." He greeted me as he took my bag and led the way to his car.

"I'm glad to be here. I miss you." I told him and gave him a hug once we were inside his car.

"Just hug? I want a kiss." He complained so I leaned in to give him a kiss.

I miss this guy. I hate to admit it but I think I have fallen in love with him. 

"I've missed you too." He said.

It took us about an hour and half to reach his house from the airport. 

"Welcome to my humble abode." He said.

"Wow. I feel very poor right now." I replied as I looked around his place.

His place is huge. He owns a room on the 42nd floor of a 48 floor building. The view here is amazing. 

"I really miss you." He said as he hugged me from the back.

"I know." I replied cheekily and he cutely pouted.

"Let me get you something to drink. Do you want anything?" He asked.

"Water." I replied as I surveyed the place. 

He approached me and handed me the water.

"How was your flight? Are you tired? Do you want to rest now?" He asked.

"I fell asleep on my flight. When I woke up I'm already in country Y." I explained.

"You must have been really tired then." He commented.

"The company is busy these days." I explained.

"Then let's rest now. I hope you don't mind sleeping with me." He said.

"You only have 1 room in this big house?" I asked exaggeratedly.

"For you, yeah. You can sleep in our bedroom." He said and hugged me.

He led me to his bedroom and I saw a king size bed.

"The bathroom's over there so you can wash up." He said.

 I took my suitcase and prepared the things I'll need. I entered his bathroom and was once again amazed by the size of it. I suddenly felt our financial differences. It wasn't that obvious when he went to country Z but now that I'm the one visiting here, it was very obvious that it felt like it's slapping my face.

I'm suddenly regretting my decision to come here. I wasn't mentally prepared for this. 

"Fay? Did you fall asleep?" Skyler knocked on the door.

"I'll be out in a few minutes." I said. 

I didn't realize I was taking a long time because of my pondering. I washed up quickly and went out. I was surprised to not see where my suitcase was.

"Where's my bag?" I asked him.

"I put your clothes in my closet." He said as he led the way to his walk-in closet and showed me where my clothes are.

"You didn't have to unpack my bag. I'm only staying here for 3 days." I said.

"Don't worry about it. This is your closet space. You can leave your clothes here. Are those your dirty clothes? Let's put them in the laundry." He suggested.

He gave me a quick tour of his house after that and went to have a quick shower. I was left alone in the bedroom staring at all this luxury.

This is a bit overwhelming. What am I doing here? I feel like I don't belong here.

"Why are you sitting on the bed and not resting?" Skyler asked when he saw me.

"Why am I here?" I asked unconsciously.

"Sorry. I meant I was waiting for you." I replied.

Skyler went to me and hugged me.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

"Nothing. I'm just a little overwhelmed." I answered.

"Do you not like my place?" He asked.

"What are you saying? You got a nice place here." I replied.

"But?" He prodded.

"I feel like I don't belong. I'm sorry. I'm just being insecure." I replied with a small voice.

"That's not true. You definitely belong here. After all, I only got to where I am right now because of you. All of this was because of you." He replied and I nodded half heartedly.

"Let's sleep." I suggested and he sighed defeatedly.

He hugged me tight as we slept. I really like being in his arms. It's so warm and safe. I fell asleep quickly and when Skyler woke me up it was already 10 in the morning.

"Good morning. I made breakfast." He said.

I washed my face and went to his dining table.

"Did you have a good rest?" He asked as he handed me coffee and some sandwiches.

I took a sip of my coffee to try to wake my soul.

"I did. I feel rested. Thank you." I replied.

"That's a relief. I thought you might have a problem sleeping in unfamiliar places but you fell asleep as soon as we went to bed." He said.

It wasn't an unfamiliar place. Your arms aren't unfamiliar. That's cringey. Let's not say that out loud.

"I don't have problems when it comes to sleeping." I replied.

We finished breakfast and Skyler told me of our itinerary for the day which includes going to local tourist spots. 

I like going to historical places. I like learning the place's story. What happened there? Who has lived there? How have they lived there? It's fascinating.

"Would it be alright for you to go out?" I asked as we passed the 3rd billboard with his face on it.

"I'll wear a mask but in case I get recognized, let's set a rendezvous place." He said and explained how we will be dealing with some possible scenarios.

I never thought that going out needed to have plan A, B,C. It must be tough being popular.

I'm actually shocked at how popular he is. I wonder if we'll get mobbed if they found him out. 

"We're here. Are you ready?" He asked and I nodded.

We got out of his car and went inside an old palace. There were many tourists. It seems like it'll be hard to spot us with this many people. We walked around the place and Skyler played the part of a tourist guide and told some interesting facts and stories about the place.

After we toured the whole place, Skyler took me to a restaurant for a late lunch. 

"My bandmates and I liked their fried chicken here." Skyler said.

"Are you regular customers here?" I asked.

"You could say that. I wonder if they recognise me?" He commented.

"Would it be bad if they did?" I asked.

"Not really." He replied.

"So how many girls have you brought here?" I asked playfully.

"Girls? Hmmm… 2. There's 2 girls I brought here." He replied and I was shocked he did.

I feel a little uncomfortable with his answer too. I shouldn't have asked.

"I brought you and my sister here so that makes it 2 girls." He explained after a while when I didn't respond.

I looked at him and saw his smug face. I sighed in defeat. 

"Are you busy these days?" I asked him.

"Not really but I won't be able to accompany you tomorrow morning and afternoon. I'm sorry. My sister's the one who will accompany you tomorrow. Don't worry, she's nice like me." He explained and comforted me.

"Alright. Then will you meet us before dinner with your family or will I meet you there?" I asked worriedly.

"Which one do you prefer?" He asked.

"Before dinner please." I pleaded.

"Alright. Don't worry my parents will like you." He said.

Our food arrived and I ate with relish. The chicken was really good and I'm really hungry from all the walking we did this morning.

After lunch, he took me to a zoo. He remembered when I told him I like to see a real panda and country Y happened to have one. I was really happy to see one and I took lots of pictures. Skyler could only laugh at my enthusiasm with the panda. He also bought me a small panda stuffed toy.

We spent the rest of the day going to places that Skyler liked to hang out. I feel happy that he was introducing me to his life here. I'm seeing a different Skyler here and it's heartwarming.