Lilly Min:

"Lilly, please serve table two!" my mother yells from the front desk, taking payment for an order.

"Yeah," I mumble as I pick up my notepad and head to the table. As I reach them, I notice it's the husband and wife from a small local Korean family we always serve.

"How are you tonight?" The mother asks in Korean as I reach them, pen and paper ready.

"I'm good Mrs Choi, how are you?" I respond. Her husband claps appreciatively.

"You're getting good, Min Lilly,"

"Thank you," I beam, "Now, what are we ordering today?"

They place their order, exactly what they always order when they come here. The wife sighs and looks around the restaurant.

"Finally, a night without the kids. You're not too busy tonight," She giggles.

I look around the restaurant. She's right, only 4 tables out of 20 are taken tonight. But that's pretty usual for a Monday. But it's boring, and I wore my favourite uniform combination tonight.

I am wearing my favourite black jeans with a comfortable, stretchy white blouse. It's the most comfortable and professional-looking outfit in my entire closet.

I am also wearing a fair amount of makeup tonight. I allowed my cousin to practice a little before I started work. But it looks really decent, a lot better than my attempts. I don't feel like I have to wear makeup, but there is nothing wrong with dressing up and trying new things, right?

Of course, the only people who have been able to see my new look are a couple of drunk older men, a few families, couples and an Irish travelling group. It was almost not worth it.

I thank them and move towards the kitchen, order in hand.

"Nan, I have an order for table 2," I beam, passing my grandma the slip before I turn back to my mum, who is in charge of the front counter.

"I'm just going to take a break and have some noodles, okay?" I don't wait for an answer. I pout happily as I enter the kitchen, grab a bowl, and take 2 spoons full of whatever my grandma has cooking in the largest pot and some utensils.

I take the bowl out the back and into the staff room. As I sit down, I remember him again. Earlier today, I took Tahlia to the Harbour Bridge. When we turned down that street, I noticed the foreigners were going that way as well.

It was strange, but I had a feeling one of them was watching us as we walked back to our car.

All of a sudden, a random girl started screaming something at them. Tahlia and I both stared at each other, shocked and slightly startled.

Then, a whole mob of people began charging towards them. I didn't recognise them from anywhere, so how could an entire group of all types of people be flocking to these foreigners? What do they do that is so amazing, so intoxicating, that non-Korean people are interested in them too?

Are they Korean musicians? Is Korean music being recognised internationally now because of the internet, and I just wasn't aware because I don't keep up?

The only Korean boy group I ever knew was Big Bang, and that was only because they were very popular when I visited Korea when I was young. But even if this group was Big Bang, I wouldn't have recognised them. I wish I could say that I have always been a devout VIP, but I really struggled to keep up with all the content.

After their fans finished screaming at them, a van pulled up and collected them. I watched them go, feeling strongly linked to that car.

I'm not sure why I am so invested in what is going on with them, all I know is that I want to meet them. I want to see them, talk to them, and find out what their interests are. Why are they so popular? How good is their music? Were they really Korean musicians? If only I had listened to the chanting fans, or even asked them who they are, maybe then I would have found out more about them. I have been wanting to broaden my taste in music, maybe I should start with kpop? My dad is a huge fan of classic rock, my mum loves boybands, everything from Shinhwa to Backstreet Boys, and my grandparents love Korean trot music. So, in turn, that is what I listen to.

Am I being shallow? Am I only interested in them because they are famous?

The staffroom door slams open, revealing my slightly flushed mother.

"Lilly, I need you to put some tables together. We have a large group who need seating,"

I groan loudly and place my bowl on the desk.

"Yes, Mum," I groan, straightening up in time to enter the main floor. I rush over to our large group section and place another 2 tables at the end of an existing 6-seater table. Mum said to set them up in a corner away from the front door and windows.

Weirdly specific.

As I finish setting the plates and side dishes, I hear my mother's high falsetto, which suggests to me that the group of people are either really attractive or friends of ours.

I bet it's that big family from North Sydney again. They always bring way too many people for a short visit.

I roll my eyes as I move around the corner to greet them.

"Hello," I bow slightly, "Please follow me to..." I freeze, realising exactly who I am serving. It's the famous guys again. I blink rapidly, trying to wake myself from this absurd dream.

Are they following me?

Don't be stupid, Lilly.

Two much older guys clear their throats, giving me looks that plainly say, 'If you're a fan, leave, now'.

I bet those fangirls would be keen to be in my boots.

I laugh, trying to hide my mistake.

"Sorry, I just recognise you from the harbour earlier today," I explain, "I am surprised to see you again. Please, your table is this way,"

The two older men, which I am going to assume at this point are their managers, look at each other and nod. They pass by me and take a seat. The other boys follow, chatting happily between thanking my mother and me.

One of the guys hasn't moved. He isn't a manager, and I don't think he's a security guard. But those eyes, I'd recognise those eyes anywhere. It's the guy I locked eyes with when I first passed them.

These men definitely look much more attractive without all the coverage. I assume that was to make sure no one spots them, which they did anyway.

This man has thick wavy hair that parts like a curtain to reveal his adorable face. He has beautifully shaped eyes, deep and full of intensity, but also cute and full of happiness. The best way to describe this man would be to say he resembles a Korean prince. Perfect jawline, high cheekbones, yet soft, cute features.

Tonight, he is dressed in a basic white long-sleeved t-shirt and jeans.

After a moment, he steps forward.

"Hello, my name is Park Jimin," He asks in slow Korean, unsure as to whether I speak it well or not, "What's your name?" He begins fiddling with his shirt.

"My name is Min Lilly," I respond, surprising him. He beams, bowing slightly and extending his hand.

"It's nice to meet you, Min Lilly," His smile is gentle, nothing like the cute, childish beams he was giving the others at the ferry pier.

"Yah, Jimin, are you going to introduce us to the waitress or am I going to have to?"

"Uh..." the guy shuffles to the table, taking the last remaining seat.

"Well, good evening, Mrs Min and Lilly," Namjoon begins as he stands up, "My name is Kim Namjoon, I am the leader of this group. We are called BTS in Korea."

Okay, so kpop has grown since I was in Korea, and these guys are kpop singers.

"My stage name is RM. This is Kim Seokjin, his stage name is Jin," Namjoon indicates to the other guy who helped Namjoon round up the others.

"This is Min Yoongi, and his stage name is Suga. He is a rapper," Namjoon indicates to the silent one who is moving the least. He looks up at me and holds my gaze. He has such strong, intense eyes. He doesn't seem like he has a cute personality at all.

"This is Park Jimin, who you met. His stage name is Jimin," I try to smile at Jimin, but he won't meet my eyes now. He is hiding his face behind his hands.

"This is Jung Hoseok. His stage name is J-hope," I giggle as Hoseok poses cutely.

"Now, this one is Kim Taehyung. His stage name is V," V gives me the peace sign, smirking happily.

"And this one is Jeon Jungkook, known as Jungkook," Namjoon laughs as Jungkook stands and bows aggressively. I grin, encouraging them too much.

"And these two are our managers, Manager Sejin and Manager Hyunsoo," They wave at me.

"Now," Namjoon sits down again, "What are we eating today guys?"

A few moments later I finish taking their order and hand it over to the kitchen.

These guys eat a lot!

Eventually, they are the only ones left in the restaurant. They are pretty loud, enjoying themselves thoroughly.

As the night progresses, I don't just suspect, I know one of them is watching me like a hawk.

It's Jimin.

Every time I look over there I see him looking away, whether I am serving another customer or cleaning the tables. He is watching me the entire time.

And yes, I understand that people would probably think that I would react differently if he was ugly. I'd probably call him a pervert and tell him to mind his own business. But Jimin just plucks my heartstrings. He's not staring intensely, just watching me quietly, stroking his lips, resting his head in his hands, all sorts of romantic gestures.

Realistically, his appearance may have caught my eye, but his personality is what is drawing me in.

Just before the night ends, I take myself out the back and give myself a pep talk.

He doesn't like you! What sort of drama are you writing, Lilly? What is the possibility of a Korean singer falling for me and wanting me?

I would be lying if I said I consider myself horrendously ugly. But realistically, I don't have perfect skin and I don't really look after myself as much as other people. Celebrities date celebrities. It has always been like that, right?

I need to pull myself together, stop getting my hopes up, and be professional.

I nod to myself, probably appearing like a crazy person to any other crazy person watching me right now.

I got this!

I turn and head out into the restaurant. BTS are standing around the main desk paying for their food. I stand beside the desk and smile, bowing occasionally.

"I hope you enjoyed it"

"Come back whenever you're here next,"

And a few more basic waitress lines.

"Let's go!" Taehyung calls out, ushering the members out.

Suddenly, Namjoon doubles back, heading straight to me.

He stops in front of me and smiles.

"Min Lilly, can I ask you for your phone number?"

What. The. Fuck.

I blank. I completely freeze up and fall apart internally. This superstar is asking for my number. Me? Why? Is this allowed?

Jimin is standing in the doorway, watching with his mouth open.

"My... my number?" I manage to mutter, a deep red flush spreading across my cheeks, making things very awkward.

"Not for me," Namjoon turns and motions to Jimin, "Jimin has been watching you all night, and I know that if I don't do it for him now, he'll never get your number,"

Jimin begins spluttering and blushing. He glances at me, freezes up, and rushes outside, a giddy little spring in each of his steps. The other members watch from the window curiously.

I nod, pulling out my phone.

"That's awesome," Namjoon types it into his phone, "I'll pass it on to him when he has returned to earth," Namjoon winks, waves, and rushes from the restaurant.

I look out the store window and watch him tell the other members to leave him and Jimin alone. Once they're gone, he gives Jimin my number.

Now 2 Korean singers have my number.

"I'm just..." I trail off as I turn and head back into the office.

As soon as I close the door, something erupts from me. I begin jumping and squealing, laughing and crying, gasping and sighing. That beautiful man, the man who has been watching me longingly all night, has my number.

That kind, considerate man has my number.