Chapter 2: Conversation

The sounds of the piano echoed in the back of my mind, every key pressed aggressively in fortissimo. I twitched my eyes from the haunting tune melody luring in my dreams.

"Please, I beg you. Stop chasing me in my dreams. Go away for just once. Actually, don't come back anymore," I stutter under my heavy breath.

"Save me… Find… the Map... Look for it in your unconscious mind..."

"How many times am I going to tell you?! I don't have it! Look for someone else!"

"Find it in you, we don’t have any time left. I can't stay in your unconscious mind if you keep pushing me away every time."

"Make. It. Stop."

I closed my eyes and took in a deep breath. I attempted to erase him from my thoughts. I heard a snap as I slowly lifted my eyes and realized that the electricity came back and my surroundings turned back to its usual ambiance. I've escaped from him, for now.

“Mia, you’re zoning out again. Let's go, I’ve already paid the bill for our lunch. You should stop zoning out randomly, it’s becoming unhealthy.”

Gosh, I wish it would stop it too.

“I haven’t had an ounce of sleep since last week. Don’t worry, I’ll try to sleep this time.”

We took a shortcut as we began running up the stairs. We went inside to play some mini-games first as she started taking videos of us for her vlog. I'll do my “performance” at the end of the day as the highlight of her video. We approached the Just Dance station and picked players for the videogame. Brianne urged me to join the game. "Mia, come on let’s try dancing. Let me pick our song, do you have any suggestions, Mia?"

I hesitated. "Sorry, let me pass this. I haven't practiced dancing for a while."

She looked at me with puppy eyes. "Please...do it for me. And for my subscribers."

I couldn’t say no to my best friends’ request. She worked so much to gain subscribers. Plus, I didn’t want to look like a kill-joy in front of the camera. "I insist that you choose a song for us. I'll just dance with any song you'll choose."

"Alright. Let's dance to... Boombayah of Blackpink."

My eyes widened, "Boombayah? Don’t you think that it has a bit of a difficult choreography to pull off?"

"Come on Mia, We all know how great you are at dancing, you just don't showcase it often."

I can’t say no in front of her camera. "Okay fine, if I commit a mistake, please don't laugh at me. Your laughter is contagious which makes me laugh every time."

The music started with a catchy rhythm. Then, I suddenly feel the beat as I move from one step to another. It has been a long time since I've last practiced. It feels so good to dance again.

“Mia, you're unexpectedly good at dancing. Why haven’t you tried auditioning for our school’s dance troupe?”

I coughed at the sudden question. “ I don’t have my parent’s permission. Remember, I don’t have my parents’ permission anymore in terms of those kinds of activities.”

“Oh, right. I almost forgot about it.”

After we exchanged turns with the next group of teenagers, I glanced at my side and noticed the same guy I've bumped into across the windowpane, looking satisfied with my dancing skills.

Do not mind his gaze Mia, he's just passing by and coincidentally recognized me from a while ago.

The moment arrived, we entered the mall’s KTV to record me singing. It was an open mic day where usually a bunch of people would perform in front of a small audience.

They cheered at me as my name was being called. " You’re born ready for this! Fighting!"

I walked onto the stage with the white spotlight shining directly on me. I'll do it for her subscribers, maybe for myself too. I lost confidence before yet maybe this will help me regain it back.

At first, I felt the pressure and nervousness, but as the song reached its first chorus, I was able to adjust my voice and bring out my singing voice with ease. I reached all the high and low notes without cracking my voice this time. I missed performing in front of many people, even though I'm barely seen in the chorale.

The crowd cheered and clapped after I ended my performance. As I went down the stage, I recognized the Korean guy approaching, the same person I bumped with a while ago. "May I speak with you for a moment?"

"May I speak with you for a moment?" He turned his gaze at me accompanied by a familiar voice striking my curiosity. His eyes, isn't he the Korean guy a while back?

Who is this man? What does he want?

"I would like to recommend you to attend for PMF's, Past Meets Future's audition in search for female trainees."

I was surprised by his sudden statement. Me, an ordinary girl who grasped someone's interest in my talent? Impossible. Why would they scout an ordinary person like me?

I remembered the conversations Brianne and I had. PMF Entertainment has a strict policy where only males are allowed to audition. Why would they suddenly scout for female trainees if it's against their policy?

I don't think the agency will visit the Philippines often. They could have scouted teens in South Korea instead. Why would they even look for trainees in the Philippines when they can find somebody else in South Korea, their own country?

I remained motionless. Is he a stalker? No, I have only seen him today. Me? A trainee of PMF?

"Sorry, I'm not interested," I replied, trying to ignore his offer with a disbelief tone. He's just making the story up.

"Don't you want to audition? You have that potential star quality that everyone may easily notice," he said at the moment my friends slowly approached me.

"I don't believe your words. Besides, how would I know your true intentions for me? You're a complete stranger –"

He went closer and looked at me with hearing eyes before I could finish my sentence. "Give me a chance. Let's talk somewhere private, I'll let you know who I am. I'm not just a stranger."

Before I could even reply, my friends spotted us talking and startled after they understood my awkward situation with this Korean guy. They tried to take me away from him, but it seems like they're too shy to interrupt my conversation with him.

I almost forgot, Brianne was filming my whole performance. They might didn't expected this stranger's sudden approach towards me with suspicion.

He faces his direction toward my friends. "Excuse us ladies, but are you this lady's friends?" he asked as he gestured his hand towards my direction.

Brianne looked at the guy from top to bottom. It seems like she doesn't see any problem between me and the stranger. "Yes. Is there a problem?"

He cleared his throat and continued, "If you excuse us, I wish to talk with her to somewhere private, if it's okay with you ladies. I have important business to handle with her. Don't worry, it'll be quick."

I mouthed the word 'no' but they looked at me with a sneaky face. "Of course, we'll let you talk with her. But before that–"

She took a picture of the guy. "Make sure that she'll be back here after 10 to 15 minutes. Because if she doesn't, we'll report you to the authorities. We won't let you kidnap our friend."

The guy laughed in amusement. "Don't worry, it won't take long. And I'll bring her back safe, I promise. Thank you." I tried to convince him to let go with my furious gaze which shows that he's wasting his time yet he still didn't stop.

Brianne whispered to my ear, "Don't worry, we'll be at your back watching from behind so that we're sure you'll not be kidnapped."

Wow! She has the guts to tell me this? What if something horrible really happened? They couldn't ensure my safety if we were away from each other, even the way this random guy looks at me seems nerve-racking.

"If something bad happens, it will be entirely your fault."

The man pulled me straight towards the balcony of the mall where only a few people are visible. We moved towards the corner as he looked at his back so that no one may see us. This situation heightened my cautiousness. It's scary thinking that it's just the two of us, two strangers who hid from everyone.

"As I said earlier, I'm not interested in your offer. PMF Entertainment won't possibly cast a foreigner like me. I'm someone who isn't qualified to audition. I don't think that they'll suddenly come to the Philippines for recruitment. Mianhamnida (Sorry), but I don't want to audition." I said firmly, trying to make him understand my point.

"Seriously, you have great potential to be an idol. I started young but now I'm famous–"

"You're famous? Just who are you exactly?"

He stepped back. "Oh right, I haven't introduced myself yet. Let me take off my face mask first."

At first, I didn't believe my eyes, but the person in front of me is the golden maknae of the group. The main vocalist of an extremely famous group. It's–

"Annyeonghaseyo, I'm Dong-Yul from PMF's 7AD." He smiled ecstatically. "You recognize me, right?"

Is he really Dong-Yul? Or is he or an impostor? He might have undergone plastic surgery. He could be an impersonator of him. He could just look like him and act as if he's truly Dong-Yul.

"As far as I know, No one from 7AD is proficient in English, except for Jin-Ho. And I don't think that he'll approach a random stranger like me, knowing that it might amass arising rumors and scandals when the press knows about this."

"Why would I ever pretend? You don't personally know 7AD. In fact, we're studying English and I'm proud to say that I'm gradually improving. I could speak with you easily with the skill I've learned."

"He can't possibly be Dong-Yul of 7AD." I reminded myself repeatedly. He has an almost similar vibe to Dong-Yul but I shouldn't jump into conclusions.

7AD's break started two weeks ago. I think that they'll rest more, spend more time with their family, and enjoy doing past time hobbies. They've also ended their world tour, maybe he's trying to fool me. His accent sounds forced, but this accent would be expected for those who can't speak fluent English. But still...

"You can't fool me. You may sound and look like him, but I can't possibly believe in every word you're saying. Besides, whether you're him or not, I just know that he's not the typical guy who would approach a lady that easily. And I'm not that girl you're looking for."

"I'll sing a song for you. Maybe you'll recognize my voice after I sing "If You" by BigBang."

I tried to cut his words off but he still continued singing.

His voice was hypnotizing. It flowed back and forth in a melancholic tune. He did sound like Dong-Yul. I heard Dong-Yul's cover of it before because of Brianne and he truly reminded me of Dong-Yul singing it.

Maybe he's Dong-Yul, but I have to make sure. I remembered what Brianne said about Dong-Yul, he's too shy to even approach a lady, even sit beside his celebrity crush.

"The reason why I was in a rush a while ago is that I thought someone recognized me so I had to come back to my vehicle and wait 'til I can come back inside. Your name is Mia, isn't it? I'll give you time for now. Just wait and see, you'll eventually find out and believe me soon."

A smirk plastered on his face as he walked away with confidence. Wait, did he just mention my name? My eyes widen as he took faster strides away from me.

"Wait! How did you know my name?" I shouted at him, realizing that it drew too much public attention. He continued walking with his head down, leaving me frustrated

I cannot believe that I have wasted my time with that Korean guy. However he is, he is just a fraud, he couldn't be Dong-Yul. I also can't possibly accept his offer knowing that I have little knowledge of. I have a future to reach for my family. I can't waste all my efforts on a scam.

I looked on my left and suddenly the flash took me by surprise. Wait, is it true? Is he Dong-Yul? If he is really Dong-Yul, was there an anti-fan who just took a photo of us?

I blinked my eyes several times. Maybe he's telling the truth. What did he even do that made me suddenly refuse?

Don't fall for his tricks Mia.

Past meets Future Entertainment is a label who treats everyone equally, well that's what Brianne told me. I should reconsider, I looked at the business card and kept in inside my pocket.

7AD's success was not a joke. When they were first introduced to the music industry, other companies look down upon them. They weren't treated as special as those who weren't from a well-known company. They never gave up, their lyrics have their own meaning which touched the hearts of their fan club, Reality.

They would usually remind Reality this: We are different in each other's vision, but I am sure that you are my reality. You showed us the sunshine for us that illuminated the hidden truth masked by misty sweet lies.

Another group under PMF also had their debut two years ago. However, I don't really remember their names. They also had other sub-companies under their label. Yet, they have never debuted a girl group before because of a previous scandal.

If they were really planning to debut a girl group, should I audition? Will I be able to reach their standards if I do?

I walked back inside the mall, startled at the shadow of a manly figure. It approached me as our surroundings began to lose its gravity and fragmenting into pieces, except us.

He stuttered as he began speaking, "This is your first clue. You have to recognize your persona. Your persona is your true self. The real you."

The moment he disappeared, a bright flash of a camera made me wince.