By now, Serena had regained her composure. She looked at Vega in confusion and asked, "How did you and Christan end up together?!"
"I..." Vega lowered her head, completely different from her usual carefree self, looking like a bashful little woman. "I ran into my idol a few days ago by chance."
"A chance encounter?! And then what?! How did things progress so fast to the point where you're staying at a hotel together?!"
Serena crossed her arms and raised her eyebrows, looking exactly like a suspicious mom grilling a slick playboy who tricked her daughter.
"And then..."
Vega stole a quick glance at Christan, sweet and nervous, then began recounting everything that had happened a few days ago.
That day, she had nothing to do, so she went out in the morning for some shopping.
Around noon, she got hungry and randomly picked a small restaurant.
She had only taken a couple of bites when a tall man wearing a mask walked in.
The man glanced at her, then sat down right beside her.
Vega didn't think much of it at first, just subconsciously looked over in his direction.
After a few more bites, something suddenly felt off.
Those eyes-why were they so good-looking? And... so familiar?!
As she continued eating and thinking, she suddenly froze, a look of disbelief washing over her face.
Those eyes... looked just like her idol Christan's!
And his figure, too-it was so similar.
She hesitated for a long time but eventually couldn't help herself. She turned and cautiously asked, "Excuse me, are you... Christan Ryder?!"
The man didn't turn around, but his posture clearly stiffened. He didn't respond right away.
Vega thought she had mistaken someone else and instantly felt awkward. She didn't have the nerve to ask again.
Just as she was about to give up and quickly finish her meal to leave, the man turned toward her and, in a lowered voice, said, "That's right, my name is Christan Ryder. Nice to meet you."
Vega was so stunned her jaw nearly dropped.
That voice-it sounded exactly like Christan's!
Could it really be him-her idol, the famous Christan?!
But... why would he be eating here of all places?!
This was just a humble little restaurant with ordinary decor and a tiny storefront. Sure, the spaghetti were tasty, but it didn't seem like the kind of place someone like him would visit!
As if sensing her doubts, the man simply pulled down his mask, revealing the handsome face Vega had dreamed of countless times.
"Oh my god! It's really you-" she gasped, but quickly realized the situation and slapped a hand over her mouth.
Christan raised a finger to his lips, signaling for her to be quiet.
Vega nodded frantically, not daring to make another sound.
Her heart was pounding wildly. She had never been this excited in her entire life.
After a moment, she tried to calm herself down and shyly asked, "I'm a huge fan... Could I maybe take a photo with you?"
Most celebrities hated being asked for photos in public. And Christan was known for having a bit of a temper.
She was fully prepared to be rejected.
But to her shock, Christan smiled and agreed, "Sure. Meeting you here is fate. Take as many as you want. Just, please don't share them publicly."
"Yes, yes, of course! I won't share them, I just want to keep them for myself!"
Beaming, she scooted closer and took a few selfies with him on her phone.
After the photos, she figured their interaction would end there.
She respectfully turned away, not wanting to disturb him further.
But a few minutes later, Christan surprised her again-he picked up his plate and sat down at her table. With a pleasant tone, he asked, "Do you come here often?"
Vega was caught completely off guard and stammered, "Y-yeah! I like spaghetti. This place is pretty good."
He took a bite and nodded. "You've got good taste."
"You like spaghetti too?" she asked, trying to muster some courage.
"They're alright. I don't eat them often, just when I've got some free time and a craving."
"..."
And just like that, they started chatting.
By the time he finished his spaghetti, Vega glanced at the time, feeling reluctant-it had already been a whole hour!
As Christan stood to leave, she smiled and prepared to say goodbye.
But then, he unexpectedly asked, "There's a hot spring resort opening soon on the outskirts of the city, would you be interested in spending a few days there?"
"Huh?!" Vega blinked in shock, completely unprepared.
He pressed his lips together and said, "Don't overthink it. I don't mean anything by it. I just feel we had a nice chat and would like to get to know you a little more. If it's inconvenient, that's fine."
Vega felt like she was floating. Was this real life?
No-this was beyond even her wildest dreams.
"I'm free! Totally free!" she stood up in a flash and answered eagerly.
Christan smiled slightly and handed her a card. "Great. Here's my card. Please text me your number, and I'll be in touch."
"Okay! Got it!"
Even after he left, Vega sat frozen in her seat, clutching his business card, grinning like a lovesick fool in the direction he had gone.
A few days later, just as promised, she received a call from him with the details of the resort stay-and he even arranged a car to pick her up.
...
"That's everything!" she concluded, recounting it all with dreamy eyes.
Even though it had already been a few days, just remembering that chance meeting made her heart race and her face flush.
Serena listened to the whole story, but instead of being moved, her suspicions only deepened.
Christan was a top-tier celebrity. Why would he suddenly go to a random spaghetti shop?
And on top of that, just so happened to run into Vega?
***