12. FAN

Theory: The older the people get, the lower the probability that they can meet their soulmate.

The oldest recorded account of meeting their soulmate is 50 years old. Consequently, this also revealed the biggest gap between soulmates which is 42. Sadly, the record was not a fortunate discovery.

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She's pink, going red any minute now. She's muttering words to herself, scolding herself for being an idiot. She embarrassingly peeks over to the two men on the sofa. One is asleep while the other is looking around her place. His eyes curious, finding everything interesting.

Their eyes meet and she hurriedly shies away, looking on the pot of soup she's making. She deduced that they have been out drinking and a bowl of soup is a perfect recipe as a piece offering. As what people say, a man's heart is through his stomach. She has to do her best on this. 

The man stands up, both hands are on his pockets. He then approaches the kitchen counter and sits on the stool. His two hands on his chin, studying her.

"You love plants…" "I am so sorry…"

The two of them simultaneously say. As she zips her mouth, she hears him chuckle.

"You first." He urges.

"I am so sorry for locking you out from your penthouse." She sincerely says. She was too occupied on another rare plant that she just bought at the shop across the building. So much excited for another addition of her collection, she failed to notice that she's been pressing her password on the wrong door. She blames this to the uniformed layout of the building and her clumsiness. She has been living for almost two weeks now in the building and she still manages to be lost. One time she was even on the wrong floor.

"I swear, I meant no harm. It was just a pure mistake." She apologetically bows.

"It's okay. As long as we have somewhere to sleep tonight." There is an amusement on his voice. 

She smiles with a nod. She turns off the stove, wipes her palms and stretches it out to for the man to shake. "Daun." She introduces herself. 

"Muyeol." His voice is strained. She can see a bit of hesitation on his eyes as he watches her hands after telling his name. He just nods and smiles without taking her hands. She sheepishly smiles back and awkwardly takes back her hands, assuming the man doesn't like handshakes.

She understands.

She too is a bit aloof to people, in fact, it's seldom she allows anyone on her place. Not to mention men, but what can she do? She is at fault here. She has nothing to do but to redeem herself and invite the men in her penthouse just across from theirs. She can't imagine them sleeping on the hallway just because they couldn't get in because of her. She's just thankful that the man hasn't reported her as a burglar.

"I hope you forgive me." Her voice is low.

She takes a bowl, serves the soup to him and took the stool opposite to him. He takes the spoon and tastes it as she ogles on his fingers. She is studying him while he was slurping her soup. She find him attractive. He is very handsome. The two of them, in fact. She can't help but appreciate the flawlessness of his skin, the glowing whiteness of it, not so typical for a Korean man. His nose is cute and his mouth pouts a bit when he eats. He's shoulder is wide and manlier than the one on the sofa. And his hands... so attractive. They are huge in comparison to hers. They are very manly, veiny and seemingly molded like those perfect Greek sculptures. She wonders how they would feel. Perhaps they are rough. She doesn't mind to be choked with them.

Realizing how scandalous her mind has been, she blushes. She perks up as she hears him chuckling. Then, their eyes meet. Her eyes widen. The man is smirking at her. She feels like he just read her thoughts... or perhaps she had spouted them aloud? Did she say it aloud? She morphs to ripened tomato as she feels being caught red-handed.

She hurriedly excuses herself and gets a bowl for herself. She can feel his eyes following her every movement, seemingly studying her. She can't bring herself to raise her head...too embarrassed.

'I definitely didn't say it loud, did I?' She side-eyes him and continue to hide her flushed face by putting the bowl against her lips. With her guilty heart, she can't even feel the heat of its contents. She just gulps it all along the multiple sins she has done just for the last hour.

Silence. There is nothing but the sounds of silver wares on the bowl, the soft hum of the air conditioner and the sound of running water.

'Running water?' This alerts her.

Surprised, she looks over to the other man stepping out from the comfort room. He seems so familiar with the surroundings as he walks around with closed eyes. He somehow decides to go back to the sofa, muttering about how his hyung has finally found a very comfy one and how he is deceived for an eat-out but ended up drinking instead. He dramatically groans and carelessly caressed his stomach as he mumbles about being hungry.

"Do you want soup?" She finally voices. She can't help but silently giggle when the man abruptly sits up and ogles at her, eyes so wide and watery from sleep, looking so adorable.

Her brows furrow as the man stands up and steps towards her, face in obvious disbelief. As if she's a dragonfly he's about to catch, he slowly brings his hands towards her red cheeks. Muyeol quickly puts a bowl to his hands before she can feel his fingers on her skin. 

"Behave Jae." Muyeol says and drags the other's shirt to let him sit on the stool beside him. The other however is still mesmerized and continuously looks at her. She could see swirls of emotion on his eyes. "You're scaring her." The older calmly says as he brings the entire bowl to the younger's open mouth and forcefully feeds him.

Daun's shoulders quakes as laughter rasps from her mouth. It's so funny witnessing the younger's confused face as he slurps the soup up and melts with its taste.

'He is definitely hungry. Cute.'

The two men stops and stares at her, making her embarrassed. Then, quickly, she stands to get seconds. She happily scoops more of her secret recipe to another bowl when she hears Muyeol scolding Jae about not to be so obvious. But the man doesn't listen...

"Daun right? It's you right?" She can hear the vulnerability on the younger's voice. Confused, she watches him sniff as if trying not to cry. "We went to your exhibit but you were not there." He tears up. "Your website is down. We could not find you. You don't even have any social media... We thought... we thought... we will not be seeing you anymore." He hiccups.

'We? Exhibit?'

Her gaze jumps between the two. Muyeol is sighing but smiling towards her while the other is gasping for air. Jae's teary face is a mess, hands clasping on the older's, seemingly praying and rejoicing for finally finding her.

As if connecting the details, she clasps her hands together. "Ahhh... You're a fan?" Her heart soaring, finding another one of her fan. It's seldom to meet one face to face.

"Happy to meet you." She brightly smiles.

Once again, silence ensues. 

"Hmmm???" She hums unsure why their eyes are wide in disbelief. Muyeol's hands are on mid-air with his mouth agape. Jae on the other hand stops crying, though hiccups continuously escapes from his lips.

"Y-yeah... we're a fan of yours." Muyeol confirms as she swats Jae's back, making the latter cough for a bit before he toothily smiles and nods.

"Great! Eat up! Let's talk more when you're completely sober!" Her eyes sparkle with joy.

She's much more thankful that they are her fans. Maybe one of her loyal patrons. No wonder she doesn't feel a bit of fear. No wonder she feels happy to be with their presence. No wonder she did not hesitate to welcome them in her place even though they are men, even though they are drunk. No wonder she feels heartbroken just imagining the two sleeping at the lobby. No wonder...

She happily chirps as she pushes another bowl towards the two. Maybe she has to give them a perfect drink to sober up completely.