Mikrokosmos

Surprisingly, Jin was right, no one paid much attention to the two of them as they moved from room to room, taking in a small sliver of some 2.3 million items on exhibit. 

Jin was excited to share some of his favorite pieces in the Fashion exhibit, notably the Balenciaga interactive display that followed the career of the iconic designer. 

Rory could hardly keep herself from smiling the entire time. Not just because this museum was among her favorites, but to see it from Jin’s perspective was very enjoyable. She made a habit to keep herself free from the constraints of relationships, but that did come with the reality of exploring places like this alone. It was nice to have someone to share things with, even just for a while. 

They continued to enjoy each other’s company and observations about the various installations, Jin surprising her with his interest in architecture and modern art. 

She was quietly enjoying a set of photographs by renowned photographer, Julia Margaret Cameron, when she felt light pressure on the small of her back, once again sending pulses of heat through her body. She looked slightly behind her to the left to find Jin standing at her elbow. 

“Would you like to get some tea?” Jin asked with a slight tilt of his head.

“Ah, yes, tea would be perfect.” She replied.

Jin guided her gently with his hand towards the cafe where they got a light cream tea. He picks up the tray and walks towards the door to the Madejski Garden.  The ever-present but shadowy bodyguard opened the door allowing the two of them to pass to the outside. Once outside, they find a corner of the lawn to sit down and relax with their tea, with the bodyguard quietly lingering nearby.

“You said you’re on vacation. What made you choose London instead of someplace more...relaxing?” Rory asks, before taking a drink of tea.

Jin leans back on his elbows and closes his eyes, allowing the sun to fall full on his face, highlighting the sculptural quality of his jawline. 

“Hmm, I don’t like to be in a place that is too quiet. It makes me anxious if I don’t have anything to do. And London is so diverse, that I can blend in pretty easily.”

Rory can’t help but stare at how beautiful Jin is. His public persona is always the “Worldwide Handsome” guy, but he is really handsome. Her eyes follow the line from his jaw, down his neck. His shirt is slightly open at the collar, exposing part of his chest. For a moment she fantasizes about what it would be like to lay her head on his chest, to feel his steady breathing. She finds herself involuntarily matching the rhythm of his breathing, allowing her thoughts to wander.

Jin’s cracks open one eye, shielding it from the sun with his hand. “Are you okay, you got quiet.”

She takes another sip of tea, nodding and mumbles, “Mmhm, I’m good, just thinking.”

Jin sits up, looking her straight in the eyes asks, “Thinking about me?”

“Erm...ahhh...well…” Rory stammers and kicks over the tea set as she jumps up from the grass. “Do you want to go back inside?”

Jin crouches down and rights the scattered tea set, then standing up to his full height beside Rory, takes her hand, locking his fingers with hers. 

“Not yet, let’s go for a walk.” 

They walked in silence for a short time before Rory speaks first. 

“Look, Jin...I don’t know how things normally are for you, but I don’t really get involved with people like you. Celebrities, I mean. It never ends well for either person.” She allows her hand to fall from Jin’s to her side, eyes downcast.

Jin stops and looks at her earnestly, bringing his head level with hers. “I understand, but don’t you want to at least try to see what could happen?”

She looks up at him. His face is so close, she can see his long lashes, his perfect lips. “I, I...I don’t…”

Before she can finish her sentence, she feels the softness of his mouth on hers, the warmth of his breath mingling with hers as he pulls her close in a kiss. 

Rory grabs her bag, throwing in her necessities, including her wallet, phone charger, and a compact mirrorless digital camera.

Exiting the hotel room, Rory was taken aback by the presence of a guard outside the door. 

“Are you ready to depart?” the guard asks.

Jin nods and gestures towards the end of the hall.

Following the guard, Jin explains that he asked the guard to get the service elevator ready to ease their exiting of the hotel without much attention. 

Once they reach the end of the hall and get in the elevator, the guard quietly observes them from the corner. Rory finds his presence distracting and keeps looking over her left shoulder. 

After the elevator arrives on the ground floor, they are led through a maze of back hallways, through a small service kitchen and out an alley doorway where they get into a black Escalade with dark tinted windows. 

“I know this is all a bit much just to go out to a museum, but I hope it’s not too much to bear.” Jin asks.

Rory gives a small laugh. “I just normally take the tube like everyone else in London, but it’s fine. Does it bother you, having to deal with this?”

Jin considers her question thoughtfully. “I do feel bad sometimes, asking people to do all this just so I can go out.” He says as he gestures around the car they’re sitting in. “But I know that this is part of their job, just like it is part of my job, and that gives me some comfort.”

“That’s a good way to look at it, I suppose.” Rory realizes she might have touched a nerve with Jin, as he sits there with a contemplative look on his face.

“So, what are the surprises you have for me today?”

“Ah well, if I told you, they wouldn’t be surprises, would they?” He says with a wide grin that breaks across his face.

A short time later they arrive, and the door to the car is opened. Rory exits the car first, followed by Jin. 

“Ta-da!” Jin says, arms wide as he reveals the location of the first surprise. 

They’re standing in front of large, ornate door with beautiful ornate Neo-gothic designs crawling up the sides of the entry. 

“The Victoria and Albert Museum!” Rory exclaims.

 Jin nods excitedly. “I guess you like it?” 

“Yes, it’s one of my favorite places to visit when I’m here.” she says with a soft smile. “But...aren’t you worried about being recognized?”