Chapter 8
Of all the places to avoid, the supermarket was definitely one of them. If I told Chiguo who I was, I couldve explained why this wasnt a good idea, but that wasnt something I could do either. I should have said no, but the irrational part of me was trying to spend as much time with him as possible.
The really irrational part of me was thinking about tomorrow.
Luckily, the supermarket he chose to go to was massive and bustling, with people barely looking up from their carts or phones.
What would you like to eat? Chiguo asked, gesturing to the sea of aisles in front of us.
I hadnt thought that far ahead. I couldnt have anything too heavy or greasy since I was still on a strict diet and nothing too complicated since we would be eating it in my hotel room.
Instant noodles? I suggested. They were easy to make and if I got a good brand, they would be tasty.
Chiguo nodded. Im okay with that. Lead that way.
A quick scan of the signs pointed us to the right aisle where rows and rows of instant noodles in all shapes, varieties, and packets were available. There were so many flavours, I felt quite excited getting to try them. I rarely felt like I got to choose things like this myself.
What about these ones? Chiguo asked, gesturing to some premium-looking pots.
I leaned in so I could look at them with him, brushing against him as I did.
He let out a soft groan and I found myself smiling in response. I knew exactly what we were going to be doing once we were done eating.
Theyre perfect, I said. Look, theyre even self-heating.
I didnt realise that was a thing.
I shrugged. You get used to it when youre on the road a lot. I might not get to choose my flavours, but Id certainly eaten my share of it.
I grabbed two of the pots, thinking to get some of the pickled vegetables and spicy sauce to go with them. That would make it an extra enjoyable meal.
I turned towards the tills, feeling Chiguos hand on my lower back as I did. I leaned into him, enjoying the touch in a completely different way to how I had last night.
My eyes widened as I spotted a lovely display of pears.
Chiguo leaned in. We should get some, he murmured in my ear.
I nodded, touched that hed noticed my interest. Then again, hed seemed in tune with me since the moment we matched on Jinx.
He grabbed a couple of them and offered me a smile that made my heart flutter.
It wasnt a very special breakfast but I looked forward to it, and not just because of the company. This reminded me of when I was young, running through the supermarket with my mum and picking out my weekly treat. I didnt know why Chiguo kept making me think of my family, but he did.
At the check-out, I realised there were no cashiers and everything was machine operated. I glanced at Chiguo, hoping he would take the lead but he was looking expectantly at me. This was really not the time to be a pampered pop star who didnt know how to do their own groceries.
I tapped the screen, glad when instructions popped up.
Do we have any bags? I read, hitting the button that said no. Scan items. Scan them... where?
Chiguo looked just as baffled as me and I felt slightly better. Maybe this kind of thing was just confusing to everyone.
I glanced at the neighbouring check-out where a child was operating the check-out with ease. Slightly embarrassing but that helped.
I think we scan it here, I said, taking one of the noodle pots from Chiguo and twirling it to find the barcode. The machine beeped when it recognised the item and the name appeared on the screen. That was easy enough.
Please place the item in the bagging area, an automated voice said.
Startled, I bumped into Chiguo, but he steadied me with a firm arm around my waist. I looked at him and smiled, feeling my whole body doing funny things in response. It was a real shame that I had to leave the city tonight and had no idea when I could come back here. If I was here more often, maybe we could do this again sometime but it wasnt fair to ask him that when he didnt even know why I was only here for a short time.
Please place the item in the bagging area, the machine repeated, breaking me out of my wishful thoughts.
Chiguo let go of me and pointed to the section next to the machine. Do you think it goes here?
Maybe. There arent any bags there, though.
Heres one. He pulled a bag off a hanger with a price tag on it. But we have to buy it.
There should be a barcode on the bottom, I said, taking it from him and presenting it to the laser. The machine beeped and flashed the same message. I put the bag and the first noodle pot on the metal plate, relieved when it gave me the option to scan the next item.
Chiguo stepped closer, pressing himself into me. Can I do one? He sounded genuinely excited.
I chuckled and nodded. Of course, go ahead.
His boyish smile made him even more handsome and adorable as he brought the second noodle pot towards the laser. His face lit up when the machine beeped and he put the pot on the side. This is fun.
Have you not done this before? I asked, surprised by his reaction and a little hopeful. If it wasnt that unusual not to know how to do this, then I didnt have to worry as much.
He gave me a weird look. No, of course, I have. Its just... I like it.
Then you can do the fruit, I said, relieved that I wouldnt have to figure them out.
Chiguo grinned and took the pears from me, his fingers brushing against mine. Even the simple touch sent tingles racing through my arms and I couldnt wait to go back to my room.
He tried to scan the pear through the machine, but nothing happened. His confused frown was adorable as he rotated the fruit and let out a hum. Ah, of course. No barcode.
Then how do we scan it? I asked, looking around to see if anyone else was doing it.
Chiguo presented the pear to the laser. Pear!
The machine did nothing.
I frowned, disappointed in myself for being so out of touch. How do we not know how to do this?
I cant say Ive ever bought a single pear before, Chiguo said, looking adorably confused.
Me neither. I spotted a button for loose items and pressed it. A whole new screen of options showed up, including one that seemed to be for fruit and veg. I tapped the image with a pear on, pleased Id figured it out.
Another message appeared to put the pears in the bagging area and I felt a weird sense of accomplishment that wed succeeded. I had no idea why he was also so clueless about how these things worked, but it made me feel less self-conscious about it, which was a relief.
I reached for my phone and clicked through to my wallet app. At least I knew how to do this part.
Let me, Chiguo said, beating me to the payment, not that it was very much.
You shouldnt have, I told him.
He gave me a warm smile. I wanted to. Shall we go back to your room or do you want to do anything else while were out?
I shook my head. Id already been out without my bodyguards for way too long, I should head back before they noticed I was gone. And if I was honest, all of the small touches and moments were making me eager to get Chiguo alone again.
On our way out, he put an arm around my waist like it was the most normal thing in the world, as if wed done this a hundred times before. It made me long for this kind of normalcy in my life but it felt ungrateful to want such things when I had everything I could ever want.
Almost everything...
Thiswas a fun adventure, he said, grinning widely. I didnt know supermarkets could be this fun.
And just how much time have you spent in supermarkets?
Admittedly not much, he responded.
Well then, maybe thats why. Although, I wasnt one to talk.
Perhaps well have to go to another to find out whether theyre all so much fun, he suggested.
I snorted. A supermarket for each meal?
Yes. We didnt get anything for lunch. What do you say? he asked, looking at me in a way that made it clear he wanted to spend more time with me.
I really wished I was in a position to take him up on that offer. I stared at him, not really knowing how to answer that without ruining the moment. I didnt want this to end but it had to.
An incoming call on my phone broke the moment and gave me an excuse not to answer his question. I grimaced when I saw it was Bo. If it had been anyone else, Id have ignored them. Bo would probably hunt me down if I didnt answer, and that would mean I had a lot of explaining to do.
Sorry, I have to take this, I told Chiguo, swiping the green button up and putting the device to my ear. Hello?
Mei? Where are you? Why arent you in your room?
I-Im on my way back, I said, not sure how to explain what I was doing. I didnt want to, this night with Chiguo was mine and I didnt want to share it with anyone, least of all the press.
You better, Bo said, her voice strained. I cant believe you went out without your bodyguards. You know how dangerous that is.
Im fine, I told her. I knew it was risky to go out without protection but I felt safe with Chiguo. Perhaps it was misguided but I did. Which made it all the sadder that tonight had to come to an end.
I hung up and looked at Chiguo who was respectfully standing a few steps away, studying a board with local ads and flyers. He was so handsome in the morning sun, it ached to have to cut my time with him short. Especially since I couldnt even tell him just how much all of this meant to me, how I would cherish our night and morning together.
Chiguo. I touched his arm, stealing one more touch. Im sorry, but I have to go.
Confusion crossed his face. Right now?
Yes, something came up. Work. Im really sorry.
Oh, okay. He seemed genuinely disappointed, but maybe that was just because I wanted him to be. Thats a shame, I was looking forward to breakfast.
Me too, I told him, biting back the tears. I didnt know why I was so affected by this when I knew going in this was just going to be a single night. I raised myself up on my toes and pressed a quick kiss on his cheek, not daring more while we were out in public. This was already risky and if anyone saw us, he was going to find himself as the subject of speculation in just about every magazine in the world. I wasnt willing to do that to him, no matter how much I wanted to kiss him again. Bye, Chiguo.
I gave him an apologetic smile and turned to hurry away before he could say anything in response. When I looked over my shoulder, my heart ached at the sight of him still standing in front of the supermarket with the bag in hand, no doubt confused about what just happened.
To him, me cutting our date short was probably going to be a sour note to the end of an otherwise great night, but for me, hed made a huge difference. Hed let me just be myself, and hed made me feel as if someone could be interested in that. It was a shame that it could never last.