Already Taken

Already Taken
Chapter 133

Kim’s POV

Surprisingly, Ruby didn’t press on the matter, which, if I had to be honest, shocked me completely. She had to have something up her sleeve. Right? 

But I was wrong. She didn’t. 

We just showered, ate, changed, and drove to the rest of the team’s space. 

The team here in Germany was outstanding, very welcoming, and easy to work with. 

After our little introductions, I addressed them, telling them what they were here to do. I even appointed two to three people as my ears and eyes. So wherever they went, they returned with information. 

Not wanting to drag the meeting out, I dismissed them immediately, moving back to where Ruby stood. 

My shoulders slumped with relief as she beamed at me, giving me two thumbs up. “I guess that went smoother than I expected.” 

“Yeah, you go girl.” She bopped my nose. “If we finish what we came here to do, we might even have time to explore the city! Or better, the whole freaking country.” 

I laughed lightly, pulling my phone out of my pocket. "Yeah, that’s a bit extreme, don’t you think?—” 

I paused abruptly as my phone began vibrating, and the name ‘Adam’ appeared on my screen. 

My heart flipped. Yeah, it was just a little bit, but it was still something. 

I smiled, gesturing to Ruby to keep her mouth shut as I answered the call. “Hey.” 

“Hey pretty girl. How are you doing?” He sounded happy. Really happy. 

“Umm… I’m good. I’m just… you know, finishing up at the team’s space. Getting familiar with how this thing in Germany works.” 

He let out a small laugh. “So I’m guessing you didn’t see my text then?” 

My brows shot up. “Oh my God, you sent a text? I didn’t see it.” I pulled the phone out of my ear, wanting to check for the text, but then I changed my mind, deciding I'd check it later as there was no use now that he was on the line. “Sorry.” 

"Oh, don’t sweat it; it’s totally fine. You were busy.” He went quiet for a few moments, as if he was considering if he should speak or not. “But… are you busy now?” 

“Oh…” That was a bit unexpected. I turned to Ruby, who was staring at me with waiting eyes, like she also wanted to be part of the conversation. “No, I'm not busy,” I finally answered, causing Ruby’s mouth to drop open as it was obvious what was about to happen. 

“Oh thank God. Uh… can we meet up then? I’m about to go rehearse with my team, but I thought it would be nice if I could… maybe see you again before I go.” 

I let out a breath, a bit touched by all of this. It was cute how he was stumbling over his words while speaking to me. It made me feel like I was some… precious princess or something.

"Yeah, I think that would be nice too.” I nodded, like he could somehow see me. I could even hear the relieved breath he let out. “Same place yesterday?” 

“Oh no. That place would be a bit too formal for this kind of meetup. Uh, I’ll text you a location and we’ll meet up there, okay?” 

“Oh, okay sure.” 

“See you soon, then?” 

A light chuckle slipped out. “See you soon, Adam.” 

I’d barely ended the call before Ruby literally pounced on me. “Is that another date? Two dates in the space of twenty-four hours?!” 

“Ruby!” I whisper-shouted, gesturing for her to calm down. “Keep it down. We’re not in our room, remember?” 

Now this was the Ruby I knew. 

“I know I know. But this is so exciting.” 

“Relax, we’re just meeting up.” 

“Date,” she corrected with a grin. “Just so you know, I’m gonna follow you this time, and no, you don’t have any say about this,” she added when I parted my lips to protest. 

I groaned, rolling my eyes. Maybe I should have just enjoyed it when she wasn’t pressing, instead of being worried. 

And just as she said, Ruby followed me, but what I would’ve never expected was her getting sidetracked by whatever it is that grabbed her interest so much. She didn’t even notice when I left her behind. 

Maybe her desire to give Adam and me some privacy was even stronger than her will to bug me. 

I wasn’t sure if I was in the right location. Adam hadn’t texted a cafe or a mall or anything; it was just a street. Were we going to meet and just go our separate ways? 

I wasn’t even given a chance to answer myself, as I heard a voice from behind me. “That was fast.” 

I swerved around to find him there in the flesh, flashing his boyish smile at me. “Uh, are we going window shopping or something, cause I don’t see any place for us to sit?" I said, looking around. “Except for that bench, but that couple beat us to it.” 

He let out a breathless laugh, shaking his head. “You’re funny. And no, this is not the place; I just wanted to take you there myself.” 

I blinked. Then again. “Oh, that makes sense.” 

“It’s just like a three-minute walk from here; come on.” 

And so, we walked together, the city slowly giving way to softer streets, then open views that almost felt unreal. 

Then after a while, he stopped, gesturing with his hands. “This is it.” 

I stopped too, following his gaze, and my breath caught. 

The walls of the street stretched endlessly, covered in art. And no, it was not the type you see in galleries, but bold, loud pieces. The colors spilling into each other, faces half-formed, words I didn’t understand but could somehow feel them seeping through me. And just like a cherry on top of a cake, the sunlight poured over everything, making the colors glow like they were alive. 

“You know I’ve always intended to visit this place when I arrived in Germany.” He then turned to me, letting his gaze drift over me slowly. “The only difference now is that I’m here with my soulmate.” 

My heart stilled, but for the wrong reasons. 

I tore my gaze away from his. “I don’t think you should be joking about something like that; besides, I’m already taken—”

I stopped myself a little too late. 

I didn’t intend to say the words out loud; I just didn’t want him playing with stuff like that. I guess when something sinks into your mind and stays there, you tend to just blurt it out. 

“Oh?” Adam sounded unoffended by my comment. 

Or did he? 

An unsettling feeling floated in my stomach. Adam sounded unoffended, really. But I could still see the look in his eyes when he glanced at the walls. 

He was disappointed. 

Oh God. 

He didn’t even let me dwell on it or call me out for what I’d said. He just gave me a tour around the place, showing me some of the art that was posted online. And before I could even try to bring it up again and apologize, he got a call and headed to practice. 

Bummer.