Naty's followers loved to hear that she would be taking a (much needed) break. She understood that 90% of them wouldn't even know but the loyal 10% were over the moon for her to get some rest. Naty was always transparent about stress she carried and the on-again-off-again battle with anxiety she lived through. She would still be posting content that had been backlogged but her interactions and lives would stop for the week she was away. This way she could spend as much time as possible, focusing on Chan.

But that was easier said than done.

On the way to the airport, waiting for the flight, sitting in the First Class that Chan had arranged for her proved to be too aesthetically pleasing for her to not film content. Though she knew she wouldn't drop any of it for months…she still had to record. Naty sectioned off content for style, make up, secrets she knew for traveling, and any other random thing she could think of. She told herself after each little video and note jot that she could stop. The only time she did stop was for a thirty-minute nap on the plane.

Naty did also use the time to keep in contact with her friends. Though most of them were asleep, she left updates on where she was and what she was doing at the time. It was the same process Noor followed on her solo trip. Even if it would be impossible to abide by every rule, she knew the absolute least she could do was let her friends know when she got on the plane and landed. She also decided the least she could do was let them know when she arrived to her airport and when she left.

On the way to baggage claim, Naty sent the message to the group chat and then a message to Chan to let him know she had landed. Silence met her from both ends. Nervousness filled her at the thought that something could be wrong. It was a possibility that Chan was too busy preparing for the concert. Because of the flight schedule, Naty arrived the night before day one of the shows. She imagined there was lots to do in preparation for a sold-out weekend.

She looked to her phone one more time with a frown.

Nothing from Chan.

Naty felt that twisting in her gut that signaled the potential for a meltdown but she swallowed hard. Chan had booked the tickets and the hotel and sent her all of the information she needed. She could just get an Uber ride to the hotel. That would be fine. There was nothing out of control. Everything would be fine.

With that resolution she stood among the other members of her flight in search for her bags. Being in that position always reminded her of Toy Story and made the waiting a bit more fanciful. As the seconds ticked by, she felt herself relax again and her shoulders lower. The sight of her luggage was the cherry on top. Everything was okay and everything would be okay. She was going to have a lovely weekend whether she saw Chan or not.

Naty reached for the bag but another hand beat her to it, "I've got it from here."

It was Bang Chan.

Naty nearly screamed as she registered who it was and, without her control, she gave him a hug that he awkwardly returned, "Sorry I didn't reply to your message. I wanted to surprise you."

"It's okay, I figured you might be busy. If anything I'd just get an Uber to the hotel," she explained quickly as she pulled back from the awkward hug. "What are you doing here though? Shouldn't you be resting?"

With the mask on and baseball cap covering his eyes, it was hard to read his expression. He simply lead her away from the crowd of people to a quieter area, "I had a chance to sneak away. You travelled all the way here. The least I could do was meet you at the airport."

"I really appreciate it," Naty was thankful her mask was covering the blush creeping into her face.

They were silent again. Naty opened her mouth to say something but another gentleman in a mask showed up on the other side of Chan to take the luggage from him, "This is Fred. He's my main man. Right, Fred?"

Fred said nothing.

"He's a bit shy but he'll warm up," Chan's tone seemed a lot more serious than before and she assumed the body guard did not approve of her being there or his trip to the airport.

They walked quietly outside to a large, black four-door waiting for them. Naty couldn't help but to remark, "It's warmer than I thought it would be. Dry too."

"Oh, definitely but a big-time influencer like you? You'll love it here," there was a teasing tone in his voice that made her smile.

Fred opened the back door for them to enter and Naty followed while Chan walked around the other side. Once the doors shut, Naty watched Fred open the trunk to put her luggage inside while Chan quickly took off his mask, "I'm really happy you're here. I might not have as much free time as I thought I would but I'm really happy to see you. Will you come to the show tomorrow?"

"I'll come to every show I'm allowed to," Naty smiled, hoping that with her mask off Chan could see how genuinely delighted she was to be there.

There was a sparkle in his eyes as he grinned, "So you'll watch me all weekend? I'm sure I can find a way to sneak off at some point with that schedule."

"I hope so. I'd love to buy you dinner or anything to thank you for this. I really can't believe I'm here and that you paid for me to come. I honestly thought I'd never speak to you again," Naty felt foolish for saying what she thought but something tied up Fred in the back and gave her the second to do so.

"There was no way I could forget about you. Naty Higuera? Famous Instagram Influencer?" he teased.

She rolled her eyes, "Enough of that."

"Seriously, I saw you're almost at 450k followers. That's massive," his eyes and tone showed how genuine he was and she felt like she would melt. It was odd how his gaze touched her when they were nearly a foot apart in the backseat of the car.

"I'm just as surprised as you are," she blushed, "So you've been checking up on me?"

His face nearly went scarlet, "Only just…once or twice…recently. Did you bring the dress?"

It was her turn for her face to go red, "Maybe."

"I look forward to maybe seeing it."

Fred opened the door to get into the driver's seat and the conversation ended. Naty didn't know what she expected but she supposed being on guard was not it. The thought of how much bigger Stray Kids had become and how their fanbase continued to multiply came to mind. They had to be extra careful and she was certain the security team did not appreciate a random joining them. That was fine though.

Naty risked a glance at Chan who swiftly looked out the window.

Had he been looking at her first?

She thought it must have been a trick of her imagination but she let herself smile as she returned her gaze to the scene they drove past. Even if things were not as intimate as she hoped. Chan's energy brought a calmness in her that she appreciated. She was happy to be there and more than happy to physically be in his presence.

When the car ride ended, Fred took them around the back of the hotel to a private entrance. He looked through the rearview mirror, "Alright, Chris, this is your stop."

Chan looked to Naty, "For security reasons. I'm have to part with you here."

"That's okay," Naty smiled though she felt a twinge of disappointment. Something inside of her created a dream that he would walk her to her room, "I'll see you at the show."

Another security guard opened his door before he could reply. Just like that, Chan was gone along with the warmth that usually followed him. Fred continued to drive around to the front of the hotel. She expected silence but suddenly he began to speak.

"I'm sure you expected a fun weekend with Chris but that won't be the case. Chris is here to work. That means distractions are to be at a complete 0%. We changed your accommodations and you will be staying on a different floor, far away from the Kids. Their entire floor is rented out by staff so we will know if you try to get on. Is that understood?"

Naty was only mildly shocked by the precautions, "I understand. I'm honestly just surprised and thankful to be here."

"We are surprised too," he mumbled.

"What was that?" Naty asked but Fred parked the car and got out before there was any semblance of an answer.

She got out of the backseat of the car just as Fred brought her luggage to her. From his coat pocket he handed her a keycard, "Here's your room card. The number is on the back. We'll have a female staff member come check in on you in an hour. Stay out of trouble."

Naty nodded as she took the card and her luggage, "Will do. Thanks for all your help."

He said nothing as he got back into the car.

That small twist of anxiety floated through her gut but she counted to three and took a deep belly breath. No matter what, he was happy that she was there and he picked her up from the airport. That was all that mattered.

Naty walked into the hotel and felt the immediate urge to film the entirety of the beautiful lobby but she resisted and found her way into the elevator. It seemed she was already on thin ice. There was nothing she would do to ruin her chances at seeing Chan again.