A Chance
"WHAAAT ?!?!" Once again A Lin shouts to her surprised. She even reflexively releases her hand from the hand shake. Han Han immediately hushes to calm her down. "I'm sorry.. sorry to surprise you," he hisses. "What is it you up to ?" A Lin hisses back in anger.
"Look. I don't mean to rush you. I am not asking you to be my girlfriend.. yet. I mean.. I haven't done proper approach.. despite the puppy.. and asking you to accompany me visiting Xiao Ping at the hospital. Oh.. here I go again.. wait..," Han Han explains in nervous. He's getting blurred mind at the end. He stops and even his breathe to calm his mind.
"I just.. I just want to state everything clear," he starts to explain again. "I'm sorry if my acts were unclear, but I am not an opportunist. I have a crush on you since we met. I have never put a crush on Xiao Ping. I drove her home was purely because I was concerned about her safety, as a friend.. and because Yu Jin-ge asked me to.." Han Han can see a change of A Lin's expression when he mentioned about Yu Jin. "I.. I also know that Yu Jin-ge is the one you like. That's why I don't have a gut to ask you to be my girlfriend now. I know the answer already." Han Han slowly stretches his arm to reach A Lin's hand. He sighs in relief inwardly when she doesn't dispute his touch. "All I dare to ask is that you can open your heart and gives me a chance," Han Han continues softly. His hand is slightly trembling. A Lin looks at his hand for a moment then slowly shifts her gaze to Han Han's eyes. "What kind of chance do you exactly up to ?" she asks. Han Han stares her deep. "To mend your broken heart then own your love ?" he answers in doubt. A Lin chuckles, amused to see his silly face. "That's not gonna be easy," she says meekly. "I know. I want to try anyway," Han Han responds in firm. A Lin nods weakly. "Okay, let's try it," she agrees.
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Xiao Ping is coming out from the toilet when she sees A Lin and Han Han get out of the cafe together. She smiles in relief to see A Lin puts a helmet given by Han Han then sits on his motorcycle.
After they are gone, Xiao Ping sits behind the cashier desk and opens the chat software. Her heart is happy to see Takeshi is online. "Hi," she greets him. "Hi," Takeshi greets her back then asks her day. "It's been great so far," she answers then tells him about her last day of school before a year end holiday starts tomorrow. "How is yours ?" she asks in return. "It's been snowing since morning. So I am trapped at home. Fortunately there is no schedule," he answers. "It is also cold in here," Xiao Ping informs him. She still feels a little bit cold after riding her bicycle to the cafe, although she has changed and it is warm inside the cafe.
At Takeshi's apartment, someone rings his door bell. Takeshi furrows. Who could that be ? Hiroshi has his key. "BRB. I have company," Takeshi says to Xiao Ping before he puts his laptop on coffee table then walks to the door. He then peeks through the hole on the door. One he saw makes him deepens his furrows. But eventually, he opens the door.
"Hamada-san," Takeshi formally bows. "What brings you to my home ?" Takeshi then asks, not even inviting Mr. Hamada to comes in. Instead of answering him, Mr. Hamada scoffs him in low voice, "You really are stubborn! I have been patiently waiting for you to change your mind for more than a month." Takeshi raises his left eyebrow in amusement.
"You know what I have prepared for you. Important role in a Hollywood movie, your second album production, ambassadors for international brands. And now look what you've done.. playing at low-rate game shows, being guest host at a gossip show ???" Mr. Hamada's questioning him in a mocking tone.
"Look. I will give you one more chance. Think about it wisely for couple of days, then come to the company to sign the contract," Mr. Hamada continues. Takeshi changes his expression into a solemn face. "I have never been more serious and firm about my decision than one about rejecting the contract," Takeshi tells Mr. Hamada in a decisive tone.
"Do you think you can survive without me ?!?!" Mr. Hamada's question is more like a threatening, "I haven't even done anything to inhibit you yet you already are in trouble." Takeshi sighs. "I know you are very powerful in this industry and I really respect you as one who raised me until this state. Thus, I really don't want to offend you or making us hate each other. But, really, Sir.. I can not sign the contract if I had to break up with my girlfriend. Please understand that," Takeshi once again bows, deeper than the last time. Mr. Hamada smirks. "One who is not by my side is against me" he says then walks away. Takeshi can only straightens his body, covers his face with his hands then sighs.