Note before reading: If the scenes feel rushed, that means that the book still needs to be revised after completion. As I said, feedback is highly appreciated if there are mistakes or anything that you want to let the author know. Lovelots! 💕

▬▬▬▬ 💙 ▬▬▬▬

Kiara looked at me with a raised eyebrow as soon as I ran towards her direction and didn't even hesitate to sit right down on the bench she was at. I could already tell that she wasn't expecting me to react like this.

Usually, I'd have a bottle of coffee in my hand or even food in a take-out. Probably McDonald's at the time.

But all I had was a messy bun, a panicked expression plastered on my face, and a frantic breathing as I faced her.

"You looked like as if you've encountered a ghost," she commented as I only waved my hands to her, shaking my head.

"Not really, I just caught a person with my camera with my flash on. He doesn't seem too happy." She blinked at this for a while before she giggled.

"Typical Cia. You're always taking too much pictures," she told me before shaking her head. "Come on, who was the guy?"

"I have no idea but I might throw the photo later on. Or just take another photo of it on my phone and crop 'cause I really need the scenery."

After that, I decided to go through my bag to give her some prints of the manuscript I was working on.

She had her eyes fixed on it and I could tell she was excited - judging by how she swiftly took it out from my hands and read the first few lines.

"I swear, I adore your novels a lot. You make me feel jealous of the characters who has a happy relationship with their lovers." Looking inside my bag as she read the manuscript, my eyes widened and ruffled the remaining stuff.

Wait, where's my journal?

I panicked. That was where I put my notes for my novel. Without it, the flow might change and my publisher might point out more plot holes than I planned.

Maybe I just forgot to bring it?
Kiara raised an eyebrow at me once I sighed in exasperation. "Is there something wrong?"

"I think I misplaced my journal somewhere." Kiara's smile suddenly disappeared. My hands went back to look under the bench and even in my bag but I still couldn't find it.

Ah, this is bad.

I still remember parts of what I've written. But I'm scared I might change some of it if I didn't plan it again properly.

A call interrupted my thoughts, making me raise my eyebrows in confusion. I wasn't expecting a call right now so I was a bit taken aback.

Who could it be at this time?

Kiara had the same reaction, nudging me to answer it if it was important.

Answering the phone, I was surprised to see an unknown number. Though, I still made sure to say 'hello' to the other person on the other line.

A voice of a guy rang out. A familiar one.

"Hey! You dropped your journal here at the park." Taking a glance at Kiara, I couldn't help but gasp. Wait, no way. I then decided to take out the polaroid from my bag and looked at the man who was in the photo.

It was Eli.

Putting it back inside, I decided to lay low and answered back to him. "Oh hey, Lee. You found my journal?"

"You dropped it earlier as soon as you also took a picture of me," I squinted my eyes a little bit before I sighed, rubbing a hand on my nape.

"Terribly sorry about that. I didn't really know it was you," I replied. But Eli didn't seem to buy it. A scoff was heard from the other line, almost asking me if I was kidding.

There was a slight pause between us after that. I wasn't sure if I should say or ask anything again but I did tell him that I'd throw the photo once I'd have the scenery captured in my phone.

Thankfully, he agreed.

"I'll get the journal once I get back," I told him before thanking him. After our conversation, I decided to end it and went back to Kiara.

Her eyes widened at me and looked hopeful as soon as I faced her. She had stopped reading as well, her hands dropped as she lays the manuscript down the bench. "So? Did Mr. Lee have your journal?"

I nodded at her question. "Turns out, he was the one on the photo. I didn't really see him 'cause his face was blurry in the distance."

Kiara gasped at this before she chuckled. "New York's pretty big but look how small it is to you."

"I'm sure that he was just trying out his compositions. Or maybe the other ones he made," I answered before Kiara nods unknowingly, since she had focused on the manuscript instead of chit-chatting.

Well, I better get that journal soon.

===

After that meet-up with Kiara, I decided to go back home and talk to Eli. It didn't take long though since I saw him standing right outside his unit, looking impatiently at his phone.

Once he saw me, he didn't hesitate to give the journal and went back inside. My eyes blinked a bit before looking back at the notes I had made on the pages.

Nothing seems to be out of place.

Maybe he was just in a bad mood after that photo was taken. I only shrugged at this and was about to go inside my unit, only to see his cat being locked out of the unit. Still, the cat didn't seem fazed about it, purring next to me and licking her paws.

"Hey little cutie, you got locked out? Did you walk outside once your owner went back?" It only purred and the first thing I did was to knock on Eli's door. He didn't seem to mind it so I was guessing he was busy.

I tried three knocks, still no response.

Looking back at the cat, I softly smiled. "Well, looks like it's just you and I. Let's go in my unit first and get you some snacks."