Stop saying cringy things. Youre embarrassing me.

Since youre wearing a mask and sunglasses anyway, you dont have to worry about people looking.

But theyll still know its me.

How?

Is there anyone else youd be holding hands with?

She was right. Cho Min Joon stared at Kaya. At that moment, Kaya was thankful for her sunglasses and mask. If she hadnt hidden behind them, she wouldnt have had the confidence to look him in the eyes. She felt like Cho Min Joons hand was hot. Cho Min Joon asked, Why was it so hard to get a hold of you?

Sorry.

Is it because what we talked about last time?

In response, Kaya didnt answer. There was no point in asking in the first place. That was the only possible reason why Kaya avoided his calls. Kaya put her right hand in her pocket. Cho Min Joon asked in a worried voice.

Its cold, isnt it? Should we go somewhere warm?

Hey, todays 27 degrees.

Oh yeah.

Cho Min Joon answered in an embarrassed face.

The two of them continued to walk without minding the eyes and cameras that were pointed toward them, and it was only after they left the airport that they realized they had nowhere to go. Cho Min Joon asked with a troubled face, Where do we go?

Wait, you havent even decided?

I didnt even know if we could spend time together. By the way, are you feeling okay? Youre a little warm.

Cho Min Joon put his hand on Kayas forehead and neck and asked in a worried voice. Kaya answered, Hey, I dont know about my forehead, but how can you touch my neck?

I dont know. Whos the one who kissed my neck last time?

What? Which bitch Oh, that was me.

Kaya knitted her brows before she remembered what happened in Florence and mumbled to herself . Cho Min Joon smirked and asked, So what do you want to do? Do you want to rest or walk around?

Im hungry. I want to eat.

Oh, I know the perfect place. Kaya, do you like fun places or nice places?

Kaya took off her sunglasses. Her eyes looked playful beneath her dark smoky makeup.

Ill hit you if you keep testing me.

***

You brought me to a hot dog place?

You said you were hungry, and this place will surprise you. Its famous in LA.

Cho Min Joon brought Kaya to a one-story shop in downtown. Aside from their hot dogs, their fries and various beers were famous as well But the hot dogs were the most unique. Toppings, sauces, and the sausages, they could customize all three, and the restaurants most lethal weapon was their sausages. Kaya mumbled in a disoriented manner, Jalapeno sausage, Italian Vegetarian Sausage, Apple sausage, Mango sausage snake meat sausage? What is this place?

Isnt it fun? I have to keep coming here until I try all of their flavors.

You were going to bring me here no matter what I answered, werent you?

Cho Min Joon turned his head with a startled face. He ordered and headed toward a table in the corner while holding Kayas hand. They would be seen by less people here, but since they couldnt keep holding hands after sitting down, Kaya let go and asked, You know your stuff. Have you dated before?

No. Never.

Never?

Cho Min Joon thought for a moment. When Cho Min Joon was 20 before, he did have experience, but not the Cho Min Joon now. So he didnt know how to answer, but the fact that he couldnt answer made Kayas eyes glare.

So you have. Was she pretty?

No, I havent.

Youre lying now? I thought you werent going to lie to me.

I mean it. Ive never dated. Why do I have to explain myself?

Do you really have no idea?

Nope. I dont.

In response, Kaya glared at him. At that moment, a Caucasian man with a tattoo of a woman on his thigh put down hot dogs, fries, and a plate with sauce on it on the table. He glanced at Cho Min Joon and spoke. Unlike his tough appearance, his voice was high.

Youre back, Min Joon. After you came last time, I watched your videos. I guess you can guess all of the ingredients in our toppings and sauces.

Should I not eat them then?

Of course not. Who would stop you from eating just because you have a sensitive palate? Please enjoy. And the same goes for your girlfriend. Have a good time.

He didnt recognize Kaya. It was possible he didnt even know her. If he didnt watch TV, he couldnt recognize famous actors, let alone Kaya. He only found out about Cho Min Joon after hearing from other customers that he has the perfect palate.

He didnt recognize me.

Are you sad?

No, Im happy. I feel like Im a customer. These days, everybody knows Im Kaya Reuters Its tiring because they try to see the Kaya Reuters from TV instead of the real thing.

Kaya lowered her mask to her chin and put the hot dog in her mouth. The one she got was the sausage made of chicken meat marinated with apple juice. On top of the sausage was sauce made of cinnamon and apple jam, and on top of that was fried pork pieces and onion.

The one Cho Min Joon ordered was made of lamb meat and hot pepper flakes topped off with truffle oil and cooked bell pepper. As soon as Cho Min Joon took a bite, Kaya remembered something.

Oh yeah, what were we talking about earlier? Lets continue.

Instead of answering, Cho Min Joon took a big bite of his hot dog. After glaring at him, Kaya leaned in and put the other side of Cho Min Joons hot dog into her mouth.

The bread crumbled, and the white teeth that poked out of her thin lips bit into the sausage like it was slow motion. And every time her tongue appeared, he felt dirty as he had seen something erotic.

He couldnt tell if he was taken aback or if she was really eating it slowly. Kaya looked at him and said, Hmph. Ill let it go since the hot dog is good.

You might give me your cold.

If you were afraid of that, why did you hold my hand?

I can just wash my hands.

So you calculated all of that, huh?

Kaya spoke in a sulky voice. Cho Min Joon sighed and took a bite of Kayas hot dog this time. It was where Kaya had already taken a bite. But of course, there was no alarm telling him, This contains Kayas saliva.

Cho Min Joon looked back at Kaya. Kaya looked at Cho Min Joon with a nervous face. She then opened her mouth.

Happy? I have your cold now.

You said all I have to do is take care of you.

Will you?

What about you? Would you?

If you want.

In response, Kaya smiled. The two fo them continued to eat their hot dogs without a word. By the time they almost finished, Kaya slowly opened her mouth.

You know, if I end up making a big mistake with you what will you do?

I dont understand.

Would you see me again? Can you forgive me?

He didnt know why she was asking such a question. He couldnt think of how she could make a mistake with him. Cho Min Joon stared at Kaya for a moment. The makeup around her eyes was clear, but her eyes looked like they were overwhelmed with anxiousness. Cho Min Joon looked her in the eyes and answered, That depends on what you do, but Id see you again.

Why?

Is there a need for a reason?

Yeah, thats true.

Kaya shut her mouth again. Cho Min Joon dipped a fry into some mustard and put it into his mouth. It was spicier than he thought. And when he dipped another fry and gave it to Kaya, she stared at it before opening her mouth like a baby bird.

The conversation only resumed once she finished chewing the fry. Kaya spoke as if it was no big deal, My father contacted me.

Cho Min Joons face stiffened up. He knew the rough story about Kayas father. That he was quite violent and that he got her mother pregnant with Gemma before leaving. Kaya mustve realized what Cho Min Joon was thinking because she quickly added.

Not that father. My biological father.

Your biological father?

Yeah. He called me saying he wants to meet.

Cho Min Joon didnt know what to say. He didnt know anything about Kayas biological father. He wasnt sure if they had never met or if she never mentioned him to the media. Or perhaps he had never read the related articles

But this is no time for this.

What else did he say?

What was important was the reality. The one Kaya wanted an answer from wasnt his future Cho Min Joon, but him in the present. Kaya hesitated before answering, That he doesnt want any money. What he wants is to talk.

Cho Min Joon stared at Kaya. He realized why Kaya tried to avoid him. She wanted to overcome it on her own. And the reason why she was telling him now wasnt because she gave up. It was probably because she had already overcome it. If she hadnt, she wouldnt have brought it up.

He grabbed Kayas hand carefully. Kaya stared at a burnt fry and said, At first, I didnt want to meet him. Ive been waiting for almost 20 years, so why now? I just didnt want to.

But you do now.

Kaya grimaced. Her face contained sadness, longing, happiness, and excitement, as well as her desire to keep her pride.

I really hate him. Why would I want to see the father who abandoned me? My mom raised me, so he doesnt deserve to see me just because were blood. Thats weird.

Thats not weird.

Why not?

Because no matter how much you want to deny it youre his daughter. But I understand how you feel. Its up to you what you do. But Kaya, I dont want you to have any regrets.

Those words impacted her. Kaya thought carefully before making up her mind and raising her phone. She then called her agent.

Hi, its me. Do I have things to do tomorrow? Good. Im going to meet my father. Tell him to come to LA tomorrow, but dont give him a plane ticket. If he really wants to see me, hell get his own. Yes. Thank you.

You decided so suddenly.

Cho Min Joon looked worried as he watched Kaya end her call. He was worried she was straining herself. Kaya slowly shook her head and bit down on her lip. She then teared up and looked at Cho Min Joon.

If I dont decide now, Ill just keep putting it off. I might cuss him out when we meat. I might just cuss him out like crazy. I dont think Ill understand. Because of my mom, Ive never missed my dad before. And thats his fault. I dont think I can forgive him for the pain, but Ill see him.

You dont have to forgive him or understand him, and you can cuss him out. If you want, Ill go with you.

Cho Min Joon whispered to her with comfort. Kaya smiled at Cho Min Joon.

Yeah. Like you said, youll take care of me.

Cho Min Joon smiled. Kaya noticed the burn scar on Cho Min Joons neck. She stared at it and slowly opened her mouth.

Im saying this in a pure sense, so listen to me as if youre a boy.

What is it?

Keep your promise to take care of me. I have a cold right now.

Sure. But why should I listen to this in a pure sense?

I want you to be with me until I see my father.

Kaya continued, Can you stay the night with me?