I stood in the bustling airport, clutching my luggage, still trying to process what had happened yesterday.
"Biny, you need to go to Thailand for a one-month trip."
I had frozen when I first heard it. "Why? And when?" I asked. My phone hovered in my hand as my mind blanked. I had an appointment tomorrow — a schedule I couldn't just cancel.
"There's a training camp," he explained. "Three sessions a week. The competition is in two weeks."
Two weeks?! My eyes widened. The competition was so close, and the notice came at the very last minute. But as an archer, I couldn't say no.
"Who's organizing this?" I asked, trying to sound calm.
"The president of DM Company," he said.
I froze. Trying to act normal. I whispered "Okay… I'll go. Who's coming with me?"
"You'll be going alone," he replied. Alone. My first trip abroad without my friends. A mix of excitement and nerves churned in my stomach.
Shaking off my thoughts, I headed to the check-in counter. Suddenly, the crowd ahead surged, pushing and cheering as if someone famous had appeared. I stepped aside, trying to avoid the commotion — and then, I noticed an elderly woman who had stumbled to the floor.
Without thinking, I dropped my luggage and helped her up.
"Oh! Thank you, young lady! Are you the archery champion?" she asked, eyes wide.
I felt my cheeks heat. Even here, someone recognized me.
"Where are you headed, ma'am?" I asked, steadying her as the crowd pressed around us.
"I'm going to Thailand!" she smiled.
A spark of happiness lit inside me. "I'm going there too," I said. We walked carefully together, me keeping her safe from the pushing crowd.
Then it happened. Someone barreled into me. I lost my balance and stumbled — only to feel a strong hand catch me, lifting me almost effortlessly.
"Watch where you're going, shorty," a deep, commanding voice said.
My heart skipped. That voice… it sounded familiar.
I looked up and saw a man. Model-like, tall, lean — an idol's aura radiated from him. A mask hid most of his face, but even so… he was impossibly good-looking.
"I—I'm not shorty!" I stammered, feeling my face heat up.
He didn't look at me. Instead, he bowed slightly to the elderly woman. "Sorry, ma'am."
And just like that, he was gone.
I helped the woman to her check-in point and her seat, still reeling. My own seat was by the window in economy.
I barely settled when a voice came from beside me: "I think you're in my seat."
I looked up. The same masked man.
"This is my seat," I said quickly, fumbling for my ticket.
"You're next to me," he replied in a deep, slightly frustrated voice.
I blinked. Realizing my mistake, I jumped up. "Oh! Sorry!"
He took the adjacent seat, glancing at my small frame. Something flickered across his eyes — curiosity, maybe recognition. "You look familiar… but I can't place you. Like a… small bunny," he muttered.
My heart jolted. Small bunny? He… noticed me?
Then he pulled down his mask. Time seemed to stop.
Sharp jawline. Perfect nose. Piercing eyes. Full lips. A face so flawless it felt unreal.
I turned my gaze away immediately, cheeks burning.
Beside me, he exhaled softly, seemingly unaware of the chaos he'd caused in my chest.
This was fate, wasn't it?
He was seated next to me. On the same flight. To Thailand.
Who was he?
And why did my heart feel like it had just missed a target it didn't even know it was aiming for?