Annie had woken up that morning and head to work. She was looking forward a new day and working hard for what she wants.

As the hours passed that morning, it was finally time for Annie's lunch break.

[2PM] As she eats her packed lunch she did the night before behind the counter, Laura walked into the diner taking a seat in front of her. Annie looks at Laura as she sits there eating her lunch standing behind the counter. Then Laura asked......

Laura (*asks Annie as sitting there) : your on your lunch break ?
Annie : yes.
Annie (*asks) : coffee ?
Laura : sure, why not.

Annie puts down her lunch on the counter, pours Laura a cup of black coffee, and slides it right in front of her while she sits there. Laura takes a sip of the coffee while Annie continues on eating her lunch. Then Laura starts to ask....

Laura (*asks) : did you get the message from Mrs. Tuan ?
Annie : i'm not sure. i was working all morning and i didn't get to check my phone.
Laura : well, check it.
Annie (*asks) : right now ?
Laura : yeah.
Annie : i'm working right now.
Annie (*asks) : what if Liz sees me ?
Laura : you know she's cool with it. your not technically working, your on your break.
Annie (*sighs & says) : fine.

Annie puts down her lunch on the counter again and pulls out her cellphone from underneath the counter where her bag was. She unlock the lock screen button and saw a message there. She took some time to check it and saw it was from Mrs. Tuan's message.

It read : "I want to talk to everyone tonight after your day is over. Its really important so please come. Bring your bodies. See you all tonight at my house."

Annie exits the message and locks her lock screen. She puts her cellphone away in her bag and continues her lunch. She starts to ask Laura......

Annie (*asks) : did something happen to Mrs. Tuan ? Mr. Tuan ?
Laura : i have no idea. i think this goes to everyone.
Annie (*asks) : who's everyone ?
Laura : me, you, Jennie, Irene, Andrew, Kevin.
Annie (*asks as looking directly at Laura) : Jennie ?
Laura : i know you hate her but she's coming too.
Annie : i don't hate her, its the other way around. (*asks) remember ?
Laura (*asks) : what did you even do to her that she still hates you ?
Annie : i have no idea.
Laura (*asks) : don't you think its kind of strange that Mrs. Tuan ask all of us to be there ?
Annie (*asks) : what do you mean ?
Annie : its probably something really important, she said so herself.
Laura : i know you don't want to hear this but Mark hasn't been home for 4 years.
Laura (*asks) : don't you think he might come back with the rest of the GOT7 members ?
Annie : he's busy, very busy. he probably has no time to come back to LA anyways.
Laura : you don't know that for sure Annie. he might come back this time around.
Annie : i highly doubt he be back. he's a really busy person living the life he dreams of.
Annie : i don't want to talk about this.

After hearing that, Annie began to walk to the back to wash her lunch containers and Laura followed her to talk to her about Mark. Liz saw Laura come to the back following Annie and she directs her to go back to the front because only employees are only allowed in the back.

Laura (*asks Annie from the front) : cant you at least come out here so we can talk about it ?

Then Annie made her way back to the front counter to talk to Laura about it with Liz hearing the entire conversation as she fills the napkin bins on the counters.

Laura : you know him more than anyone else here.
Laura : he's coming back to LA and you know it.
Annie (*says as she's sure) : hes not ! stop saying such nonsense Laura.
Laura : you know its true.
Laura (*asks) : why else would Mrs. Tuan ask us all to be there tonight ?
Laura : its for Mark and his members. he's coming back.
Annie : hes not.
Laura (*asks) : why wont you admit it ? why didn't you ever tell him how you felt ?
Annie : i cant and i will never tell him anything.
Laura (*asks) : why ?
Annie : its not worth saying.
Laura : it is if you love him for this long Annie. nothing is in the way of you telling him.
Laura : its just you don't have the courage to ever tell him.
Annie : i'm afraid of rejection, okay ?
Laura (*asks) : your afraid of rejection ? Annie is afraid of rejection ? since when ?
Annie : since the day Andrew told me that he liked Jennie for so long.
Annie : he had told her once that he had loved her but she turned him down.
Laura : just because he got rejected, doesn't mean its going to happen to you.
Annie : i know but it could've been me this time.
Annie : i was so close to telling him at the airport before he left years ago.
Laura (*asks) : and what happened ?
Annie : Jennie beat me to it. from that moment on, i walked out on confessions.
Annie : i never did it again, i couldn't.
Laura : Annie. you should've told me this before. i would've helped you.
Annie : i didn't think it would work from the beginning but you know, its okay.
Annie : i moved on, Mark moved on, and everything is okay now.
Laura (*asks) : you don't miss him one bit ?
Annie : every single day. i thought about what he was doing, how life is going with him.
Annie : i worried sick for him and he will never know my feelings.
Laura (*asks) : if you could relive that moment at the airport, would you tell him ?
Laura : tell him how you felt.
Annie : i would do anything to tell him how i felt about him.
Annie : you know. every disaster, situation, failure he had, i was always there for him.
Annie : i practically saved his life during those times and i'm proud that i could.
Laura : because you ARE his best friend forever, no matter what happens.
Laura : he's a superstar because of you.
Laura : if it wasn't for you, he wouldn't be where he is right now.
Laura : so thanks to you, he's living the dream of being an artist in Korea.

Annie begins to smile. Then Laura stands up to hug Annie over the counter to make her feel better. She says before leaving.......

Laura : its going to be okay.
Laura : eventually one day you'll get to tell him.
Laura : and that moment will be just right.
Annie (*smiles & says) : thanks Laura.
Laura : i'm always here for you, you know that right ?
Annie : i know. (*asks) isn't that what best friends are for ?
Laura : definitely.
Laura : i'll see you later tonight at the house.
Annie : alright.
Laura : bye now.
Annie : bye.

Laura left the diner to her class. Liz came behind the counter after serving the customers on the side to talk to Annie. Annie were refilling the napkins again and sorting out the silverware from the bin underneath the counter.

Liz (*asks) : are you alright Annie ?
Annie : yeah. (*asks) why do you ask ?
Liz : it seems like you and Laura had a deep conversation.
Liz : you seemed upset for a moment there.
Annie : yeah i was. i'm fine now.
Liz (*asks) : what was the conversation about ?
Annie : it was about Mark Tuan.
Liz (*asks) : that Kpop superstar in GOT7 from Korea ?
Annie (*smiles & says) : yeah, that's him.
Liz : i'm going to give you the best advice you need for the rest of your life.
Annie (*asks) : what is it ?
Liz : whatever you do, you have to stop waiting for the right one to come.
Liz : you have to tell him how you feel about him before its too late.
Annie (*asks) : did you stop waiting for the right guy ?
Liz : i once did but i stopped a while back when my husband proposed to me.
Liz : i knew he was the right one all along, i just didn't see it.
Annie (*asks) : what happened after he passed away ?
Liz : i stopped looking because it was the end of the road.
Liz : no where left to run, no where left to hide. i was more happy that i had Aleenaly.
Liz : i didn't need anyone else.
Liz (*asks) : have you ever thought about if Mark ever loved you more than a friend ?
Annie (*shakes her head & says) : i never thought about it.
Liz : sometimes you have to ask yourself 'what if'.
Liz : that's the only way to know.
Annie (*smiles & says) : thanks for the advice.
Liz (*smiles & says) : no problem.

Liz and Annie went back to work.

Time passed by quickly and it was already [6PM]. Annie took off her apron and went to the back to clock out her work hours. She walked to the front counter to get her bag and jacket. She stood in front of the counter and talked to Liz before leaving the diner.

Annie : i'm leaving now Liz.
Liz (*asks) : i'll see you tomorrow ?
Annie : of course.
Liz : go home now.
Annie : okay. bye.

Annie waves at Liz as she walks out of the diner into her car. The moment she drove off, another car came driving into the parking lot of the diner. The man walked into the diner looking around for someone. Then Liz came over to the man holding the menu in her hands.

Liz (*asks) : how many ?
Richard (*asks) : excuse me ?
Liz (*smiles & asks) : how many are in your party ?
Richard : just one, please.
Liz : please, follow me.

Liz escorts Richard to one of the tables in the middle of the diner. He took a seat and skim through the menu. Liz gave him a few minutes to look through the menu and came back taking his order.

Liz (*asks as taking out her order pad) : what can i get for you today ?
Richard : a cup of ice tea, please.
Liz (*asks as writing down the order on her pad) : will that be all for you ?
Richard : for now.
Liz : alright. i'll be right back with your ice tea.
Richard : thank you.

As Liz was preparing his ice tea in the back, Richard was sitting there looking around at the diner to see where Annie came from. Then Liz came out serving Richard the ice tea by putting it on the table in front of him.

Liz (*asks) : is there anything else i can do for you ?
Richard : yes.
Liz (*asks) : what can i do for you ?
Richard (*asks) : is there a young lady named Annie Lee here ?
Liz : she just clocked off work a moment before you came in.
Liz (*asks) : do you happen to know her ?
Richard : lets just say i'm close to her.
Liz : oh i see.
Richard (*asks) : can you deliver this message for me ?
Liz : sure.

Richard pulls out a business card from his jacket and hands it to Liz.

Richard : please tell her to call me asap, its important.
Richard : i'll be waiting for her.
Liz : sure.
Richard : thank you.

Richard took out a $10 bill and left it on the table before he left. Before Liz was going to say something about it, he had already left.

Annie was at the Tuan house talking about something. They were there for about 3 hours planning the vacation.

[11PM] After Liz had closed up the diner, she drove to Annie's house to tell her about the man who came looking for Annie earlier. While Liz was driving, she called Annie telling her that she was going to meet her. Annie was in the house planning with everyone and got a phone call from Liz. She excused herself from the table and went outside to answer the call.

Annie (*answers her phone) : Hello ?
Liz : Annie, i'm on my way to your house right now.
Annie (*asks) : why ? is there something wrong ?
Liz : i need to talk to you about something. Its urgent.
Annie : okay, but i haven't gone home yet.
Liz (*asks) : then where are you now ?
Annie : i'm at the Tuan's house.
Liz : alright, i'll be right there.

They hung up the phone and Annie stood there waiting for Liz to come.

10 minutes later, Liz had driven up to the drive way of the Tuan's house. She got out of the car and walked towards Annie talking to her.

Annie : hey.
Liz : hey. A man came by today looking for you right after you clocked off.
Liz : he wanted me to give you this.
Liz hands Annie the business card and she looks at it like she had known the person.
Liz : the man looked like he knew you.
Liz : he looks like he could've been your birth father.
Annie (*asks in surprise) : really ?
Liz : yeah.
Annie (*asks) : did he tell you anything else ?
Liz : he wants you to call him asap. He's waiting for your call.
Annie : alright. i'll give him a call tonight when i get home.
Liz (*wonders & says) : its strange.
Annie (*curious & asks) : what is ?
Liz : he came in for a cup of ice tea, but he didn't drink it.
Liz : then he left a $10 bill on the table. he seems like the rich kind, maybe a doctor too.
Annie : alright. (*asks) : is that all he said and did ?
Liz : yeah.
Annie : thanks Liz.
Liz : gotta run.
Annie : Okay.

Liz went into her car and drove home. Annie kept on looking at the business card and thought about what Liz said. After a moment, she went back inside of the house to continue on talking with everyone.

Annie (*asks) : what did i miss ?
Laura : you missed an important part of the meeting.
Annie (*asks) : what happened ?
Mrs. Tuan : i'm sorry to tell you this Annie.
Mrs. Tuan : but Mark is coming home with all of his members, GOT7.
Annie : you didn't have to apologize.
Annie (*asks) : so whats the plan or where are we going ?
Andrew : we're going to Vegas and driving there on a road trip.
Irene : yeah and we were talking about the transportation.
Mr. Tuan : since me and Mrs. Tuan aren't coming with you guys.
Mr. Tuan : we thought we help plan out the trip for you all.
Kevin : i think we should rent a van since its easier to fit all of us.
Mrs. Tuan : that sounds good.
Mrs. Tuan : i will try to rent one for you guys and have it by the afternoon you leave.
Mr. Tuan (*asks everyone) : so how about in a week ? does that sound good to everyone ?
Jennie : that sounds good to me.
Irene : i can ask for a small vacation off at work.
Kevin : i hate my job so i'll be able to go with you guys.
Andrew : i can request a few days off from work.
Laura : i don't have any classes during the next week so yeah.
Annie : and i can get permission to take a few days off from school.
Mr. Tuan : alright, all sounds good.
Mr. Tuan : GOT7 will get here on Saturday night.
Mr. Tuan : so the morning of Sunday, you guys can leave on the the road trip to Vegas.
Mrs. Tuan : don't worry, we have told Mark about it and he liked the idea.
Mrs. Tuan : so don't forget to pack your things for your getaway vacation.

It was a long night and they were all finished with planning the trip together. Everyone said goodbye to Mrs. and Mr. Tuan to leave home.

It had hit midnight [12AM]. Annie got back to her house to get ready for bed.
During this time, Mr. and Mrs. Tuan were in bed. Mr. Tuan were booking the hotel rooms on the internet. Mrs. Tuan were reading a book and she was wondering something. Then she asked Mr. Tuan about something.

Mrs. Tuan (*asks) : do you think everything will be okay between Mark and Annie ?
Mr. Tuan : i think its a good idea for everyone.
Mr. Tuan : their going to be spending time together. and besides, they all need the break.
Mrs. Tuan : i'm worried about Annie the most.
Mr. Tuan : she'll come to a realization and tell Mark how she feels about him.
Mr. Tuan : its a matter of spending time with each other.
Mrs. Tuan : if something happens when they come back, your the one to blame.
Mrs. Tuan (*asks) : you know that ?
Mr. Tuan (*giggles & says) : don't worry, everything's going to be fine.
They went to bed afterwards.

Annie had just got out of the bathroom from showering. She dried her hair as sitting on her bed. After drying her hair, she took out the business card that Liz gave her earlier and began to pick up the phone to call Richard. Through the rings, he picked and Annie were so nervous to talk to him.

Richard (*answers the phone) : hello ?
Annie (*asks) : Am i speaking to Richard Sungmin Lee ?
Richard : yes, this is him.

A silence went through the phone and Annie were nervous to continue on talking. Richard figured that it was Annie through the phone.

Richard (*asks) : Annie ?
Annie : yes.
Richard : there is so many things i want to tell you in person.
Richard (*asks) : can we meet in person tomorrow over lunch or coffee ?
Annie : sure. i have my lunch break at 2.
Richard : alright. i'll meet you at the Amore La Cafe down the street where you work.
Annie : okay.
Richard : i'll see you there tomorrow.
Annie : i'll see you then.
Richard : bye.
Annie : bye.
Annie had already went to bed that night.

Notes