Chapter 1

"...take a break."

My coworkers laughed, good-natured smiles on their faces as they waved me off. You'd think I just made a joke, the way they reacted so happily to my declaration that I'd be taking a break. One coworker in the same department as me teased, "Keep us updated on Roy, okay?"

Then she pointed with her puckered lips to the phone in my hand.

I rolled my eyes, yet laughed all the same. It was light teasing, so I didn't mind it. "Believe me, I will," I said. "Don't regret it when I tell you everything later."

"Hey, why'd you have to make it sound like a threat?"

"Because that's what it is?" I joked.

"Ah, this kid...yes, alright, we'll listen to everything later," said a coworker from the sales department, shooing me off with a hand fervently flapping in my direction. "Now shoo, go eat! Our youngest isn't allowed to starve!"

"Yes, yes."

I smiled and gave a wave back, before turning around to leave the office.

It wasn't like the teasing was unwarranted, now that I thought about it. We've all been working together for five years already, and I've been obvious enough with my interests that even the most oblivious person is sure to notice a pattern.

I always took my breaks to check up on Roy Hirsch, my one and only idol for five bright years of my life.

When was it, again, that I started loving him as a fan?

"Welcome—ah, our regular is here!"

I paused in the middle of entering the shop—a sweet little café a few blocks away from our office that had an atmosphere well-suited for artists.

Once it sunk in that those words were meant for me, I ended up laughing as I let the door fall shut behind me. I hadn't expected such an enthusiastic greeting just from me opening a shop door. "You're going to make me feel embarrassed, saying that. Do I come here that often?"

What was his name again? Richard? I subtly lowered my gaze down to his name tag as I approached the counter, and held in a sigh of relief when I realized I got his name right. Damn my bad memory when it comes to names...

"Often enough for me to remember you," Richard said. For a guy working in customer service, he was more chipper than I'd expected. It was already nearing evening, and yet, he still had the energy to spare to greet me this happily.

It was somewhat nice, even if a little overwhelming.

"I'm flattered," I said sincerely, smiling as I looked up at the menu above and behind his head. "I'd like a hot matcha and a cream cheese bagel, please."

He punched in my order, and I paid him the exact amount.

Then he said, "You really like bagels, huh?"

I didn't understand the need for him to start up a conversation, but I wasn't rude enough to leave him hanging. With a laugh, I said, "Actually, I just really like cheese. The bagel is a bonus."

A quick glimpse at his face gave me a good view of his bright smile. It was amazing, how he could maintain such a nice expression for so long. It was no wonder that I often saw him on the receiving end of people's flirting.

"Oh, who's this? Sofia?"

I clammed up at the sight of Richard's coworker entering from the back, just as he left to make my matcha. She took up his spot at the till with ease; her name tag, pinned to her chest, boasted the name "Nelle."

She had a figure that I would, quite honestly, die for. Nice muscles, a silhouette fitting for a gym model, a gorgeous smile...

My preferences were like this, after all.

"Hey," I said eventually, giving a small wave of my hand as she grinned at me. "Late shift?"

"Because I knew you'd come around," she teased, winking at me. "Wouldn't want to miss seeing such a cute customer, would I?"

I laughed to hide my shyness at the sudden flirting. Wow.

"Thank you," I said. "That means a lot, coming from someone so pretty."

"Aw, thanks! I could just eat you right up."

I coughed. "Oh, I don't know if I'm delicious enough for that..."

I immediately backtracked when I saw the flash of mischief in her sharp eyes, her wide grin. "Uh," I stammered, "have you tried watching that show I recommended?"

"The one with your favorite actor?" she asked. Her smile softened up, turning into something more amused than flirtatious. "Mm-hmm, I watched a few episodes. You were very convincing, I can see why you work in marketing."

I smiled brightly. "Thanks! What did you think?"

"It's not my usual genre, but I'll admit that his acting was good," she said, leaning onto the counter with folded arms. I gave a look behind me, and held in a sigh of relief when I didn't see any other customers waiting. Nelle added, "I've been putting off watching his stuff because I figured he might just be overhyped, but his popularity makes sense now that I've seen a bit of his work."

"Right?" Eagerly, I leaned into the counter closer to her, my own hands resting on the smooth surface. "It's easy to misunderstand that his popularity wasn't rightfully earned just because he's, well, good-looking, but once you give him a shot you can really see that he always gives everything his all."

"I can tell that you like him," she said, resting her chin on her hand. She was still smiling, so I smiled back. "How long have you been a fan?"

"Around five years?"

"Whoa," she whistled. "That's a long time. What'd that guy do to deserve such a cute fan like you?"

I leaned back at the sudden compliment, scratching at my cheek. "I just think he's cool, is all. I'd like to have at least half of his capabilities."

"You work in marketing, do freelance work in writing, you draw, you have dance classes every Friday evening, and you're enough of a devoted fan to do promos for him for free," Nelle enumerated, one eyebrow raised as she watched me shrink with every word. "You're doing a lot, and that's only talking about the things I already know. Somehow, I doubt you're even able to relax on weekends."

I hid a wince at her frankness. Was I that predictable? "You remembered a lot," I said, one corner of my lips curled up in an awkward smile. "I didn't think I'd mentioned that much whenever we spoke."

"You tend to talk more when the conversation starts with Roy."

"Ah..."

Richard smoothly slipped into the little space between Nelle and the counter to say, "Mind if I butt in?"

"Yes," Nelle teased, before giving way as Richard handed me my tray of food and drink. Observing my order, she said, "Just a bagel? I could put in a cake, as a treat."

"Please don't."

Nelle laughed. "On a diet?"

"No, I just know I won't be able to eat that much," I said, shaking my head. "It'd be wasted on me. Thank you, though."

"You could share it with friends?"

"I don't really have those at the office."

She raised a brow at me with seeming disbelief. "You've been working there for a while, but you don't have someone you consider a friend?"

"They're coworkers," I said, smiling wryly. "We can be friendly, but that doesn't automatically make us friends. Besides, I'd rather enjoy any cake from you on my own."

She blinked.

I looked away, but I wasn't quick enough to not catch the growing smile on her face.

"Thanks," I told Richard, giving him a smile. I didn't wait for a response, nor did I bother to categorize his expression, as I swiftly turned around to find a corner table to eat my food at.

Nelle was barely able to hold in her snickering as I went. When I glanced over, just a teensy tiny bit, her entire frame was vibrating as she leaned into the counter; her head, bowed into her folded arms with the force of her laughter.

...I should really learn to control my mouth. It's not like I didn't already know on my own that I'm terrible with being on the receiving end of flirting.

With a slow exhale as I sat down, I opened my phone, allowing myself a smile when I saw the multiple photos of Roy on my social media feed.

Thank god that Roy exists as a distraction from my own embarrassment.

I scrolled through photos and posts as I ate, sending out "likes" and comments whenever a post caught my eye. I immediately blocked any accounts I deemed a little too weird—ones that went too far, ones that were too inappropriate, accounts that I just couldn't tolerate on my feed for whatever reason.

[Ping!]

I blinked when I saw the notification banner at the top of phone, then immediately gave a "tap" once I realized just who the notification was for.

On my screen, it read:

@deerking ✓

Taking a break from work! Don't forget to drink water, and rest up when you can, everyone.

04:15PM - 24 Apr XX

Posted alongside the text was a photo of Roy taking a drink from a bottle of water, all while sending a wink at the camera. The background made it seem like he was on set somewhere. Taking a break from shooting, maybe.

...what a handsome guy.

I sighed, resting my cheek against my hand as I set my phone down on the table. I let my finger scroll down repeatedly on the latest post from Roy's official account, refreshing the page to show each new reply as they loaded by the second.

It was amazing, how happy I could feel just from seeing him. I was basically receiving free serotonin just from looking at his posts, and his face. And what a beautiful face it was...

I startled when my phone started vibrating out of nowhere.

"Who..?"

One look at the screen showed the caller's name.

MJ.

I picked up the phone after the second round of vibrations, carefully putting it to my ear. "Hey?"

The voice that greeted me sounded far too cheerful for a late afternoon.

["Fia! Are you free later? After work?"]

"You could've just texted..?"

["I wanted to hear your voice, though?"]

I sighed with amusement, rubbing at the skin between my brows. If this were a comic, a heart would be drawn right next to her words—it was practically a skill that she could sound so cutesy.

"Where did you want to meet?"

["Let's meet at your favorite milk tea shop! I'll drive there, then I can take you home after."]

"You don't have to—"

["No, you have no choice. I want to spend time with you, so I'll take you home."]

I huffed out a laugh. This woman really...

"Fine," I conceded. "I'll treat you when you get here."

A light giggle of a laugh reached my ears through my phone.

["Yay, okay! See you then! Love you!"]

"Yes, see you," I said, laughing a little. "Take care on the way."

["Of course I will. Bye bye!"]

[Beep. Beep.]

Really. I might not have a lot of people I consider friends, but the few that I have...

They were intense.

I didn't hate it, though.

I finished off my matcha with that thought in mind, stacked the empty cup and plate on the tray, before tucking my phone back into my pocket. I was greeted with twin smiles from Nelle and Richard when I returned the tray to their counter; I was a little thankful that Nelle didn't bother to bring up the embarrassing thing I said just earlier.

It was back to work since I was already done with my break, but I could at least look forward to meeting with MJ later.

I had to wonder, though.

What could be the reason for the sudden meet-up?