I was about to keep running when a clear but urgent voice spoke above my head.
"Are you okay?"
My heart was beating so fast. I couldn't tell if it was from all the running… or from the stranger's surprisingly nice voice.
I tried to look up to get a better look at him, but he quickly placed a finger to his lips.
"Shhh."
Footsteps approached.
"Did you see where he went?" a guy asked from somewhere nearby.
"No, but I think he passed here," another voice replied. "Let's check."
The strangers walked past us, and I finally breathed a quiet sigh of relief.
Then I heard that same gentle voice again.
"Are you okay?"
Slowly, I looked up at him.
And instantly I froze
It couldn't be.
There was no way the person standing right in front of me was him. The same face I had seen on posters, on my phone screen, and on stage at concerts.
My heart skipped a beat.
"Why are you staring at me like that?" he asked quietly, glancing around to make sure the people who were chasing him hadn't come back.
I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came out.
"You…" I finally managed to whisper.
He raised an eyebrow. "Me?"
"You're—"
"I looked up at him and instantly I froze."
"You're,
"You're Minho? The one that got into an accident and… he's missing? Oh my God!"
It all made sense now. No wonder people were chasing you.
"You're Minho!" I blurted, panic and relief mixing together.
Ahh… my groceries! Where are my groceries?
I clutched my empty hands. "No, no, no! I left them while running! I paid for them—ahhh, my fish!"
He looked at me, calm amidst my chaos.
I took a deep breath. "Okay, okay… don't panic. I have Minho. I'll get the five million won for finding him. Yes! Yes!"
"Where's my phone? I need to call Yuna to send me the number—ASAP! Damn, my phone's about to die!"
I fumbled through my bag and finally dialed her number, heart pounding.
That's when I heard it.
"Who's Minho? And why is everyone calling me that?"
The smile on my face froze.