10. Didn't Come

With unsteady steps, Luna continued her journey across the sidewalk crowded with people rushing to work or school. She walked cautiously, sometimes ducking to avoid colliding with other pedestrians in a hurry. Yet, amidst the hustle and bustle, Luna appeared calm, her eyes fixed on the imminent goal she was about to achieve.

The morning atmosphere felt so peaceful and fresh. The morning sun greeted with its warm rays illuminating the small city streets. Luna strolled slowly amidst the busy early morning crowd going about their activities. The sky was bright blue with slow-moving white clouds, providing a beautiful backdrop for the morning.

The cool morning air still lingered on Luna’s cheeks despite the sun beginning to warm things up. Along the way, wildflowers on the sidewalk edges adorned the view with captivating colors. The sound of trickling water from a fountain in a small park added to the serene ambiance.

After a few minutes, Luna arrived at Byeol Tower, a renowned music company in the city. The tall building with a prominent company logo displayed clearly at the entrance. Luna entered with a mix of nervousness and excitement.

Inside, the office buzzed with activity. Office staff hurried by with files and laptops. Luna navigated through the hallways lined with walls adorned with music posters and photos of famous artists. She finally reached the waiting area and sat on a comfortable leather sofa.

Luna sat upright in the brightly lit waiting room, yet her heart raced. This meeting was so important to her. The agency Luna worked for had partnered with Byeol Music Company, one of the most prestigious companies in Seoul. They had given Luna the opportunity to attend this crucial meeting, a significant step in her career.

Shortly after, a strikingly handsome young man approached her. Luna was mesmerized by his looks—his sharp face with a warm smile that made Luna’s heart beat faster.

“Good morning. Nice to meet you, Miss Luna,” he greeted warmly with a smile. Luna seemed captivated by his charm, unable to move or say anything but gaze admirably at his face.

“Miss Luna?” the man called again, but Luna remained silent, hypnotized by the handsome figure before her.

He raised an eyebrow slightly, perhaps a bit puzzled by Luna’s reaction. He tried again, this time with a gentle voice, “Are you okay, Miss Luna?”

Luna snapped out of her reverie. She nodded slightly, trying to calm herself. “Oh, y-yes, sorry. Nice to meet you too,” Luna replied awkwardly, smiling shyly.

The man extended his hand friendly. “I’m Kim Min-joon from Byeol Music Company. Let’s start our meeting, shall we?”

Luna nodded and shook his hand with a smile. They walked to a small meeting room at the end of the hallway where the meeting would take place.

“My company and your agency have agreed to collaborate, and now you’ll be signing a personal contract with us,” the man disclosed—who upon closer inspection was Byeol Music Company’s producer.
Luna nodded with a smile. “Alright, thank you.”

During the meeting, the producer explained the collaboration plans between Luna’s agency and Byeol. He was very professional yet warm in his explanations. Luna listened attentively, noting every important detail for her music industry career.

After the presentation, the man observed Luna’s seriousness. “We’re very interested in your talent and potential, Miss Luna. We believe we can achieve great things together. How do you feel about it?”

Luna felt her heart swell hearing those words. She couldn’t hide her joyous smile. “I’m very grateful for this opportunity, sir. I’m ready to work hard and collaborate with Byeol Company.”

The man smiled satisfactorily. “Excellent. We will arrange the details of this collaboration soon. Hopefully, this is the beginning of a shining success for you, Miss Luna.”

They shook hands again as a sign of agreement. Luna felt excited and confident after the meeting. She left Byeol’s office with light steps, full of hope for her future in the music world.

Outside the building, Seoul’s sky was still bright. Luna breathed in the fresh air with a smile she couldn’t contain. She believed that her steps today would bring great change in her life, bringing her dreams closer to shining on the music stage, and certainly with the handsome producer who would color her days.

...

“Luna,” Starla called out while packing her belongings. Today was the day she would return to London after her vacation.

“Luna!” Starla exclaimed again, but Luna seemed lost in her thoughts. It was as if Starla’s calls weren’t reaching her. “Luna, you space out, huh?! Don’t daydream too much or we’ll miss the flight.”

“Hehe, sorry,” Luna replied with a smile.

“You really forget everything when you see a handsome guy, huh,” teased Starla. “Come on, let’s-“

Starla paused when her phone rang. She quickly retrieved her phone from her bag and looked at the notification. Her hands trembled slightly as she opened the message on the screen.

Kim Ha-neul: Do I still have a chance to say goodbye to you?

Starla: Not yet, I’m just heading to the airport now.

Kim Ha-neul: Alright, I’ll meet you there soon.

Starla smiled happily. Somehow, Ha-neul’s message made her feel excited before leaving Seoul. While Starla finished packing, Luna helped tidy up some last-minute items. They then headed to the airport by taxi, leaving the apartment they had rented during their time in Seoul.

It had been almost 15 minutes since Starla and Luna arrived at the airport, but Ha-neul had not shown up. Starla looked around anxiously, scanning every corner of the airport in hopes of spotting Ha-neul. However, she couldn’t find him anywhere. Starla felt uneasy. She tried to contact Ha-neul via text, but there was no reply.

Confused by Starla’s worried expression, Luna asked, “What’s wrong, Starla? Who are you looking for?”

Starla shook her head, though her expression was full of worry. She stared at her phone screen with a face filled with concern. Where was Ha-neul now? Anxious thoughts haunted her mind as she awaited news from the person who occupied her thoughts. Her mind was filled with questions and unease, hoping to hear from Ha-neul soon.