| Fan Fiction |
by biniBningPunkista
When I got inside the hotel room I immediately had this sense of familiarity, but I still couldn’t put my finger on what makes me feel that way. Is it the scent of the room? Or maybe it is just the furniture. Still, I have this nagging feeling that something is vaguely familiar in this specific place.
I looked around the room as I sat crossed legged on top of the bed. It was huge beyond my expectation, the bed was comfortable, a lamp stand was at the corner of the room, the LCD monitor was propped opposite the bed which by the way I have an itching feeling I would never be able to use at the rate of my foreign knowledge in the Taiwanese vocabulary. The view outside was breath taking. I could see the city below my feet as if it was taken out of a picture. If it’s this beautiful in the morning… how much more would it look at night?
What I liked most in this room was the large walk in closet near the entrance with its huge vanity mirror inside, it is paralleled to the bathroom door where there is a large bathtub perfect for a good old warm bubble bath.
I only have two bad feeling about this room. First was the stupid abstract painting that is hanging on the vacant wall, because I was never an abstract fan and second… the way I got it.
It is something I am not very proud of.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As soon as I stepped out of the egocentric actor’s car, I almost stumbled on the lobby due to my hurried movements. I can’t help but feel the sudden need to get out of the car immediately. The guy was freaking suffocating me already, just because of his cocky smiles.
God… I needed a real breather.
When I finally took the time to look at the place, I had this sudden craving for ice cream. Not because it was hot in Taiwan especially this time of the year… I just like it for no apparent reason. This place is really weirding me out.
I walked towards the receptionist and gave the brightest smile I could muster even though I was already feeling crappy because of my ride.
At the back of my mind I’m still feeling relieved that I would finally get to rest and relax before I go hunting off for my fiancée.
“Hi… I was wondering if I could get a suite room for one?” I asked her in Japanese trying to sound sweet as I could.
The receptionist looked troubled before answering. Then she answered in Chinese, which sounded more like bird language to me.
Shit. No wonder she looked troubled! She couldn’t speak Japanese. She was suddenly speaking in an alienated language with more sshii and auhnn… and hao.
HOW THE HELL WOULD I UNDERSTAND HER?!?
I looked around the lobby feeling mortified. It didn’t occur to me to bring a dictionary because all I was thinking of was finding Toma. Where was Erika when I needed a translator???
The receptionist looked at me worriedly, repeating the same thing over and over again. I thought my head would burst from hearing her voice. I looked at her helplessly trying to say I don’t speak her language and that I don’t understand her. I did hand gestures and started wiggling my eyebrows to emphasize what I was saying, but to no avail. We just looked weakly at each other. I was too exhausted doing my charade that all I could do was rest my chin on the lobby desk and look at her with tired eyes.
Then she bowed her head then said something which I didn’t get, but she gestured with her hands as if saying that I should stay put. Or maybe I should go??? But she looked like she was leaving me there!
I was about to open my mouth and pull her to stay when a man’s voice rang out behind me, speaking the same language she does. As soon as the receptionist heard him, her facial expression changed to one that was totally relieved. Then she started typing on the computer. I also noticed that she did this extra smile for the man who was behind me. Baffled as I am, I swirled around to see who owned the voice which was very familiar.
This time, I wasn’t that much surprised to see Matsumoto Jun. What surprised me though, was the fact that he can speak Taiwanese. It was impressive yes, but he said earlier he was just the same as I was. Lost in translation and LOST literally. I gave him the evil look.
“What?!? What did I do wrong now? Didn’t I just help you get a room?” He asked defensively.
“Didn’t you just say that you were just like me? That you can’t speak Taiwanese and that you were lost… JUST LIKE ME???” I looked at him accusingly.
“When did I ever say I can’t speak the language? You assumed too much Mao-chan. I wasn’t exactly like you. It was more or less… ALMOST like you. I wasn’t really lost, I am always in this country so I know the streets. I know where exactly to go… I just didn’t know what hotel to go to. So the LOST term was good for saying, I don’t know where my hotel booking was exactly. So there.” He gestured with his hands like he was giving me something invisible then shrugged both his shoulders for emphasize.
He was right. I was wrong for assuming too much. I hate looking like a fool, and right then I looked like one which irritated me more.
“Fine.” I said shortly.
Since I have nothing else to say and his point was taken, I quickly turned around and took my wallet out of my bag. Grabbed my visa card and took the room key out of the receptionist’s hand. I swiftly proceeded to the elevator which was located at the back of the building leaving Matsumoto Jun behind.
I looked at my room number as I waited for the elevator. After a couple of minutes it opened and a few people came out, I stepped inside as soon as it was emptied. I gingerly stood at the middle excited to get into my room and forget all about the incident earlier.
The elevator doors were about to close when someone deliberately stuck a foot between the doors causing it to open again. Lo and behold the foot belonged to the same guy I was starting to loathe that day.
I stared at him directly at the eye then smirked but did not bother to move aside. He casually stood at side of the elevator, leaned his back on the wall and looked at me.
“I think I’ve seen you somewhere, aside from the magazines.” He said, aiming for a small talk.
I simply shrugged and looked indifferently at the numbers on top of the elevator doors.
Why can’t the guy just shut up and think to himself? And why does the elevator have to be so fucking slow?!?
My room was located at the 30th floor, and we were still on the 6th when the doors dinged and opened. A bunch of Koreans rushed into the elevator which forced me to stand aside and get squished to the unspeakable guy I was trying to ignore. I tried to give some space between Matsumoto Jun and me, but the Koreans kept on pushing me to his side that I gave up trying and just let my arm touch his.
The Koreans were talking loudly, that it was almost giving me a headache but suddenly I heard a low chuckle beside me as stood there very annoyed with the group.
“I can’t believe you let me get this close to you.” He said teasingly then sniggered some more.
“Oh shut up.” I hissed at him.
“It’s not like I have a choice.” I gestured at the group that was squishing us together.
“I wonder how your FIANCE would feel if he saw me like this, almost hugging you intimately?” He asked nonchalantly as he slowly moved to huddle me closer to him.
Before he was able to move his arms around me I immediately elbowed his side, hard.
This made him cringe in pain as the elevator doors opened. I smirked triumphantly at no one and walked stylishly out of the cramped lift. Then I heard him call out,
“Chotto! Chotto matte!” Matsumoto Jun stumbled out of the elevator doors that were about to close.
“Yo! Inoue! That completely hurt. I was just teasing you.”
“Why did you have to come off at this floor?” I asked completely irritated by his teasing.
He rose up his hand and showed me his key number.
“I’m staying at the same floor as you. Coincidentally your room is just opposite mine. Isn’t that cute? I’ll get to see more of you. Besides, you still owe me plenty. First the ride and then the room, also counting the elevator scene where you harassed me…” his voice trailed off on my head as soon as I heard him saying I harassed him.
“WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?!? WHO HARASSED WHO?!? Don’t you know that I also have my own connections at the media industry? I could label you off as a sexual assaulter!” I shouted completely bewildered by the things he was saying.
The ride and the room were ok... but harassing??? Harassment my ass!
“God, Inoue… you look cute when you’re mad. Ok. That was a cheap trick, will not and will never let it happen again. We could be civilized people with each other you know… only if you let me.” Matsumoto Jun winked at me before he entered his room and closed the door behind him.
Aaargh!!! This guy is too infuriating! I didn’t know whether to kick his door or gun him down. I’ve never met someone as annoying as he was. I was used to being the one who annoys, not the one being annoyed.
I think I need a bubble bath. Now.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Yosh!!! Finally, I can set my gear and find my fiancée.
I stood outside the Hotel waiting for my taxi to come. The day seemed brighter since I didn’t run into the actor who was taking away the joy in my whole being.
I took my phone from my pink tote bag which consisted of my minimal belongings, my wallet with all my credit cards in case I see the perfect shoes that could never be found in Japan, the passport for incase anything happens and a small pocket dictionary which I would be needing if I wanted to communicate with other people. This seemed like a little adventure for me.
I pressed Erika’s number and started calling her through roaming.
“Mosh mosh?” Erika’s voice answered.
God, how much I missed her voice. I haven’t seen her for weeks! Ever since she announced her engagement with Shota, she’s been busy haggling her schedule with her fiancée’s family and relatives. No time for me to even call her and tell her I am getting married myself. I swear she’s going to kill me once she finds out both me and Toma went to Taiwan without telling her and to top it all I didn’t tell her I’m engaged as well. What kind of crappy best friends are we?!?
I took a deep breath before talking on the phone with my best friend who’s in another country and probably making the best toast in the world at her own apartment for her breakfast.
“I know you’re gonna kill me when I get home because of this news I’m about to tell you, but I had to call you first thing in the morning and tell you that I have arrived in Taiwan yesterday, got lost but got help from an actor named Matsumoto Jun. I almost wasn’t able to get a hotel yesterday if it wasn’t for the said guy. Don’t worry I’m not cheating on Toma with an actor because the said actor is a plain dick. He’s the epitome of an ass and I swear I would have strangled him if I could. There’s not a chance that an actor would replace my fiancée. Toma and I are getting married. I followed him here because he was in search of his dad. So there. I’m in Taiwan looking for Toma, my fiancé.” I said all at once and as fast as I could before she starts hollering at me. Quickly, I moved my phone away from my ears and cringed at my phone carefully waiting for her screeching voice, but surprisingly nothing came.
Slowly and carefully I placed the phone back to my ear.
“Erika? Are you still there?” I asked.
Still there was nothing but complete silence.
Was the line cut unexpectedly?
“Mosh mosh? Erika?” I asked carefully once again.
“You are getting married to our best friend? Toma?” Erika finally answered quietly.
“Ano… yes.” I responded timidly.
“And you are in Taiwan right now?” She asked again.
“Ano… yes.”
“And you also met Matsumoto Jun?” Erika asked very carefully.
There was a tiny edge in her voice, but she wasn’t shouting. Which was a very good sign.
“Well, yeah… we’re both staying at the same hotel.” I finally said casually, feeling no sense of danger from losing my ear drum.
“YOU ARE FUCKING WHAT!? YOU DO NOT GET TO STAY AT THE SAME HOTEL WITH MATSUMOTO JUN!!! THAT IS NOT FUCKING RIGHT!!! I HATE YOU!!! YOU ARE A……”
Then the shouting started. My eardrum was almost shattered because I let my guard down. My hand jerked aside to put the phone as far away as possible from my ear. I completely forgot that Erika was a freaking diehard fan of the guy. She totally lost it on me. Now she’s shouting and cussing incomprehensible words that were too loud and too fast for me to even follow. I just looked at my phone trying to get the gist of what she was saying.
Finally when her voice died out I carefully placed the phone back to my ear and I was suddenly aware that the taxi I was waiting for was already in front of me. I signaled at the driver to wait before I finish my conversation.
“Are you done ranting out?” I asked gently.
“You are totally bitching at me right now. I’m sorry I’m much more surprised that you’ve seen and talked and probably even breathed Matsumoto Jun’s breath than the fact that you’re getting married with Toma. I’m so pissed off right now I don’t know what to do. It’s your lucky day I’m not there right now; coz’ if I were, I would have probably pinched your whole body at this moment that you won’t even be able to walk. I know you’re a celebrity, not that I am not just like you in-my-own-chef-world but you cannot always snag the hot guys in town! I don’t care if I’m getting married, I also want a piece of that man!!!” Erika started ranting out on me again.
I can’t help but hide my laugh at the petty reasons she has for getting mad at me. At least she’s not mad that I wasn’t able to inform him about my engagement with Toma and the fact that I’m in Taiwan and wasn’t even able to tell her. Although, she had the right to get mad when she said that I was snagging the hottest guys in Japan, I did almost snag her fiancé unintentionally. Though kissing doesn’t really count.
“At least you’re not mad that I’m getting married with our best friend, who by the way is missing right now. It’s been three days since the last time I saw him and well… there’s this unspoken rule that we shouldn’t be calling each other before he actually fix things with his father. I’m just the loser girl friend who can’t wait for a stupid call.” I said almost trying to get her sympathy.
“Oh Mao… How the hell did you to get there anyway? And what’s with Toma suddenly looking for his dad? Isn’t he supposed to be like the fatherless child anyways?”
“You’re being too mean Erika.” I pouted at no one.
“Sorry about that. I wasn’t trying to be mean… more or less I was just stating a fact. So spill, what really happened?”
“It’s a long story and I will tell it to you by the detail when I get back. As of now, I have a cab waiting for me and I have to go hunt my boyfriend now fiancé. Oh and by the way Erika-chan… I miss you! Hugs to Shota. Ja ne!” I quickly hung up my phone before she was able to say a word.
I waved at the cab driver then opened the door and sat at the back seat. That’s when I noticed that the Matsumoto Jun was already in the cab sitting at the front seat.
“What the hell are you doing in my cab?!?” I asked bewildered that he dare sit in the cab I called for.
“Waiting for you to get in.” He answered casually then told the driver something that made him start the car and drive on.
What the fuck is he thinking???
“Tell him to stop. Right this instant.” I demanded to Jun. If looks could kill he would have been dead by now.
“What’s the fuss Mao? I’m not going to kidnap you or anything. I just want to go around town with someone, besides I also realized that Taiwan’s not much fun if you’re not around.” He smiled slyly at me through the rearview mirror.
“You are such a fucking jerk.” I muttered loudly, my mind working and thinking on getting off the car once it stops.
“We actors are always accused of being one.” He said then chuckled ridiculously.
As soon as the taxi stopped on a red light, I immediately jumped off the cab and walked away, not even bothering to pay the cab driver since Jun took the initiative of using it. While walking, I was also trying to identify the streets that would lead to Kennishiro Tomoko’s building
There was none.
I took out my small dictionary with small conversations on it like asking for directions. I browsed to find how to ask for directions. As I read through the small book I felt a presence behind my back, it felt that the person was looking over my shoulder trying to see what I was reading.
Again it was the annoying Jun.
“You know this is getting old Matsumoto Jun.” I told him completely tired from being irritated.
“Can’t help it. You’re too kawai to be left alone.” He grinned then pinched my cheeks.
“Itai!!!” I exclaimed completely caught off guard, then started rubbing my cheeks.
“You moron! That actually hurts.” I told him, my irritation going sky high.
“So were exactly are you heading to?” He asked his face finally looking serious.
“I’m looking for Kennishiro Tomoko’s building. Why? Are you going to help me again?” I smirked at him.
“Isn’t that what I have been doing all this time? I’ve been like your baby sitter! This is really a first time for me you know.” He grinned.
“Shut up!” I shouted then turned around to leave him once again.
“Look, you don’t know the language, you don’t know the streets… so how exactly are you going to find what you are looking for? You need me and that’s the truth.” He muttered behind me.
Shit. Reality bites. I do need this guy.
I bit my lip and abruptly stopped from walking. I debated with myself if it was all going to be worth it to have his help once again. After my own inner deliberation, I sighed deeply before turning around.
Ever so slowly, I turned to face Jun.
“I do need your help… I will let you help me and I would consider it as my debt. BUT! The payment would not require any sexual advances and smart talks. It may be cash or a specific painting you want or…”
“…or I can just have your company?” He suddenly cut me off.
This statement took me by surprise. I never thought he really needed someone to be with him. Weird. I thought egotistic actors don’t like companions?
“Eh?” I was at loss for words.
“Just you, me and Taiwan... that’s all I ask for payment.” He said with finality then grabbed my arm and walked ahead on the busy street walk with me on his tow.
I didn’t know what to say but my heart made a slight jump which I don’t understand.
What the hell...?
~To be continued~
This is purely a fan-fiction.
------------------notes------------------
It’s been too long for an update… gome ne. I wonder how this turned out for you guys? This has been sitting in my files for quite some time. I thought of sticking it with the supposedly 13th chapter, but then again I owed this chapter for those who have been waiting for it. Tell me what you think ne? Till the next chapter! (I’m suddenly missing Toma, after watching Maou earlier.) ^_^v