Hacks for You! by Athena

This story is part of the Make it Bitter or Make it Better Writing Challenge, where we invited writers to explore the storytelling possibilities of a simple situation. We gave authors free reign to interpret the prompt as they see fit, provided that they give their story a clear ending.

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Note: This story has not yet been proofread.

                        Hacks for You!

On a warm Sunday afternoon in the city, Layla Ann Dimapili was busy ticking off the boxes on her long to-do list. "Do the groceries, check.. go to Mass, check.. buy a new book, hmm.. that’s next..” She said with a smile. “But first, let me drop off these groceries..” She then rushed to the nearest available elevator at the posh building of her studio-type condominium unit. 

Before the elevator door closed, a woman who’s probably in her mid-40’s shouted, “Wait!” So, Layla hurriedly pressed the “open” button for her. She entered the elevator and said, “Thank you,” with a mischievous grin. “No problem,” Layla answered. She was dressed fashionably in Gucci with a jewel-studded pink Dior bag hanging on her right arm. 

Layla felt quite uncomfortable when the woman eyed her from head to toe, seemingly judging her simple white shirt and jeans outfit. She couldn't wait for the elevator door to open on her floor and decided to step forward to avoid any conversation. For some reason, she felt the ride was taking longer than usual and she was feeling a bit nauseous. Just then, the woman said, “You’re blessed, young lady.. I’ve officially chosen you to be this year’s Ultimate Lady Hacker,” while gesturing to her to accept a sparkling pink envelope. “I’m sorry but I’m not interested..” Layla swiftly responded and brushed it off. She then went out when the elevator doors opened to her floor, and ran as fast as she could to her unit.

She unlocked her door and upon entering, she sighed with relief. “That was close.. is she a cyber-criminal? Was she trying to recruit me to her hacking syndicate.. Ultimate Hacker huh?” Layla reached out to her pitcher of water and poured some to her wine glass. She just loves drinking water from her wine glass ‘cause it’s more chic that way. After a few minutes of rest, she unpacked her groceries and carefully arranged the food inside her refrigerator and the other items on their respective shelves. She was down to the last few ones when she was surprised to see a sparkling pink envelope at the bottom of the ecobag.

“How in the world did this envelope get here?” She said, astonished. Just then, a sudden gust of wind from her windows made the envelope fly and it actually opened by itself. Small sheets of paper went out of it, and each had one big letter written. There were 11 papers in total, but she could not decipher what the letters meant. After a while of trying to sort them out, she realized that 4 of the letters spelled the word “H-A-C-K.” There’s one letter “S.” Then, two other words popped up: “F-O-R” and “Y-O-U.” 

All in all, they say, “H-A-C-K-S F-O-R Y-O-U!”

“I can’t believe this. Why did that woman slip this envelope in my ecobag without my permission?” She then decided to throw all the papers and the envelope to the garbage chute. After checking the time, which was exactly 2PM, she remembered that she was going to the nearby bookstore. She got her bag and rushed, brushing off her thoughts of annoyance at the woman who tried to recruit her to be a hacker.

When she reached the bookstore, it was packed with millennials and Gen-Zs all taking videos and selfies, aesthetically. It turned out that there was a scheduled book signing event with Zhang Mingyue, a famous Chinese author and heartthrob who is also a Math wizard. “He’s got it all!” A lady in her 20’s squealed from a distance. Giggles arose in her friend group, and they can’t wait to have their photos taken with Zhang.

The organizer spoke on the megaphone, “Please fall in line and wait calmly for your turn, ladies. Zhang won’t come out unless everyone’s organized.” Everyone rushed to fall in line properly.. except Layla. She really wanted to get a new book at the bookstore, but because of the book signing, only Zhang Mingyue’s books were for sale that day and the other shelves were covered. His books are written in English and she could try reading them but she didn’t want to be mistaken for a fangirl. She never really liked the idea of making someone an “idol” and spending one’s hard-earned money just to have a “meet-and-greet” and a photo op. “To each his own but he’s just human like us, ladies, why bother getting his autograph and taking a photo with.. “ she mumbled, irritated, at a corner shelf. 

“Let me tell you why,” she was surprised to hear a guy’s voice from behind her.. someone mysteriously wearing a black cap and face mask. “Says who..” she answered, annoyed but curious. Just then, she felt like the whole world seemed to stop.. the noise around was silenced momentarily, and the only person she could see in that moment.. was.. the guy with the prettiest eyes she has ever seen.

In a daze, she didn’t hear what he said but she immediately held his hand when he offered. She thought he was just introducing himself, but then all of a sudden, he pulled her to run quickly outside the bookstore. “Where are we going!?” Layla finally said, catching her breath after about 10 minutes of running. She didn’t really notice the clock ticking ‘cause all that’s on her mind was this stranger’s soft hand holding hers, making her forget all the cares and worries of this world. “Is this what they call love?” She shyly thought to herself.. smiling with “heart eyes” and feeling giddy like a child. 

“We’re going to see the woman in Gucci..” he replied. “What!?!?” Layla asked, disappointed. She actually thought they were going on a date, and was already half-dreaming of their adventures in the theme park just a few blocks away. “The woman in Gucci with a pink Dior bag,” he said calmly while catching his breath, too. Just then, Layla came back to her senses and remembered the woman at the elevator. 

They talked while drinking fruit shakes they bought from nearby, and Layla found out that the woman in Gucci told this mysterious guy that he was chosen to be this year’s.. “Ultimate Gentleman Hacker.” The difference is when he opened the pink envelope, it only contained one thing — Layla’s photograph with her name, location and an instruction to find her and bring her to the theme park in an hour. “Are you for real?” Layla said, surprised. “Why would you follow random instructions like that?” She added, finding the whole incident very funny. (But deep inside, she was very disappointed that this guy with pretty eyes only held her hand because he was instructed to do so.) 

“Because the woman stole my car.. which has all the important, I mean, very important files I need for my work..” He replied with a sigh. “I’m an architect and all the files I have inside that car mean the world to me.. so please, Layla, come with me to the theme park..” He said with a pleading tone. “Only if we’ll ride the rollercoaster,” she answered him with bright eyes. 

They arrived at the theme park which was already buzzing with people just in time for the 1-hour time limit given by the woman. However, they couldn’t find her anywhere. What they found, instead, was another pink envelope. Inside it was a “hacker task” which they needed to finish to get to the next destination in the park where the next envelope was. They collected the envelopes and felt like they were in an “Amazing Race,” but it was more interesting because each task became meaningful for the both of them. 

The first “hacker task” was a “food trip” together at a nearby cafe, whose rustic interior made Layla want to pose for photos. They just needed to eat their chosen cakes together for 40 minutes. This task was, technically, like a first date wherein they ate while chatting to get to know each other better. Layla shared about her job in a BPO/IT company as a Subject Matter Expert and the mysterious guy whose name was Min Ji-uk shared about his life as a half-Korean, half-Filipino living in the Philippines since he was 14 years old. After that, a random child gave them the next envelope.

The second “hacker task” was to try the so-called, “Breakout Mystery,” in the theme park wherein they needed to solve puzzles to win and get out of a giant maze fast. They enjoyed the thrill of solving, and ended up laughing heartily when they eventually lost and got caught by the “Rabbit Guard.” Again, a random child gave them the next envelope afterwards.

The 3rd to 6th “hacker tasks” made them try the park rides while searching by themselves for the next pink envelopes: “Royal Carousel,” “Log Jamify,” “Fly Swiftly” and the “Ultimate Rollercoaster.” Both of them had the time of their lives because they had fun sharing their stories and “out-of-the-blue” jokes with each other. Time definitely flew and they found themselves wishing the day wouldn't end. 

The 7th and last “hacker task” was to ride the “Grand Ferris Wheel.” It took them a while to ride it because Min Ji-uk was very hesitant due to his fear of heights. “Just hold my hand and close your eyes when we’re at the top, we can do this.. let’s go!” Layla assured him, raising her right fist in the air. They rode the next cart with Min Ji-uk sitting very close to her. 

The giant wheel turned slowly and Layla almost found herself drifting to sleep. Just then, her heart almost leapt out when upon looking at Min Ji-uk, he suddenly inched closer and clasped her hand tightly. “Woah! Min Ji-uk, how could you be so afraid? We’re not gonna die, don’t worry.. I’m here!” She exclaimed. “But what if.. what if this machine is not as sturdy.. what if we.. we fall..” Min Ji-uk responded, albeit shakingly and very terrified to look outside the cart. 

“Are you falling for me?” Layla said with a teasing smile, while looking directly at his dark brown eyes. “What if..” Min Ji-uk started, looking back directly at her. They continued looking at each other for the next minute or two.. until the cart reached the very top and suddenly stopped. It stopped because the passengers in the carts below were already alighting. 

But Min Ji-uk’s fear suddenly went back. Layla was surprised when he hugged her in a warm and tight embrace. She hugged him back and assured him softly, “We’ll eventually get there.. and alight, too.. Don't worry, Min Ji-uk..”

All of a sudden, their surroundings changed. They were no longer in the ferris wheel. They were now in a place filled with white clouds floating around like giant cotton candies. “Where are we?” Layla stepped back from their embrace when she opened her eyes. “Is this heaven?” Min Ji-uk said with profound wonder. 

“No, my dears..” the woman in Gucci with a pink Dior bag said, walking towards them. The both of them were shocked and at a loss for words. “Let me explain what brought you here, my Ultimate Lady Hacker and Ultimate Gentleman Hacker..” She added, still with that same mischievous smile. It turned out that she was a so-called “Fairy Love Momma,” wandering the earth in search of souls that have stopped believing in romantic love. Min Ji-uk and Layla were two independent souls, both thriving in their respective careers but never had the chance to experience being in a relationship, nor have ever tried going out on a date. Both of them have reached the point in their 30s when they were already convinced that they would never find their “person,” and that they are completely fine with that. 

“I’m an independent woman who can thrive and be successful even without a partner.. Woohoo!” Layla once shouted, on top of the first mountain she climbed. “I’m an independent man who doesn’t need someone to complete my life.. Woohoo!” Min Ji-uk once shouted, a month after Layla on the same mountain. Little did they know that fate had other plans for them. 

“So, poof! You are both in Dream Loveland!” The “Fairy Love Momma” said with a wink. “With those hacker tasks, I believe you’ll eventually hack your way back into love and back into each other’s embrace.. but for now, lady and gentleman, “Toodles!”

With that last word, Layla and Min Ji-uk woke up from their shared dream, back in their own homes. They both looked at their clocks and it was exactly 2PM on a warm Sunday afternoon in the city. Neither of them could remember the dream completely, but each had bits and pieces of it. The catch is that they both couldn’t remember how each other looked, nor the specifics of what they had told each other such as their jobs, their hobbies, etc. But they can never forget how they felt. It was love — a love that felt so real. 

A year passed and Layla decided to try going to a not-so-hidden public library in the countryside. She browsed through a couple of books and brought home one from the “Give One, Get One” shelf where she left some of her pre-loved books. She got an interesting historical fiction book and was excited to read when she got home. Upon opening it, she was surprised to see a pink envelope, still sealed with the words, “To the woman in my dream..” She couldn’t believe that someone in this day and age will still take the time to write a letter for someone who just appeared in a dream. Out of sheer curiosity, she opened the letter and decided to read it. 

“I don’t know if I’ll see you again, or if I’ll ever get to hold your hand again.. but if I do, I’d be the happiest guy in the world..” 

“Riding that ferris wheel with you is a memory I’ll forever keep in my heart..” 

“Thank you for meeting me in that dream.. how I wish it was real..”

“Your Gentleman Hacker misses you..”

That was the last line of the letter. “Gentleman Hacker.. hmm.. where have I heard this before?” Layla said, touching her chin. While reading it, she was reminded of that dream she had about an unknown guy going out on a date with her — in an amusement park, similar to this guy’s dream. “It’d probably be interesting to meet him,” she thought. 

Little did she know that that letter was meant for her.. accidentally left by Min Ji-uk inside one of the books he placed on the “Give One, Get One” shelf 8 months ago. 

After their shared dream, Layla and Min Ji-uk lived separate but very similar lives — both focused on chasing their goals and hoping to be better as each day passed. The dream became a meaningful memory which certainly hacked their old thoughts on romantic love. It inspired them to reach their highest potential and to work on themselves.. not to chase love, but simply to open themselves to receiving it when the right one comes. With how real the dream felt, they both believed it was God’s sign for them to trust.. to hope.. and to just have faith that the right love will come when they least expect it. 

With that belief, Min Ji-uk wrote a love letter which was never meant to be sent. He wanted to keep it as a sort of memento to document and remember the dream. The letter was placed neatly inside the pink envelope because he distinctly remembered that, as well as the line, “Gentleman Hacker,” which he wrote at the end. He then kept the envelope inside one of his favorite books, which he wasn’t planning to put on the “Give One, Get One” shelf. It accidentally fell into the box of books for donation after his beloved dog named Scarlet pushed the small side table where it fell from. Min Ji-uk didn’t notice that the book, with the letter inside it, was gone.

There goes the story of how the pink envelope ended up in the hands of Layla, who, by now, was very convinced that she and this guy were destined to meet.. soon. 

2 months later, she found herself in the same not-so-hidden public library in the countryside. After browsing through some books, she decided to try the newly-opened cafe in front of it, whose rustic interior reminded her of the cafe where she once shared cakes with someone while getting to know each other.. like a first date.. in a dream. She was waiting for her order when one guy caught her attention.. someone who looks like a male lead in a Korean drama. He was working with some sheets of paper on the table across hers. They looked like architectural layouts.. but she was not exactly sure. 

Suddenly, he looked up at her.. noticing how she had been looking at the papers quite intently. Just then, she felt like the whole world seemed to stop.. the noise around was silenced momentarily, and the only person she could see in that moment.. was.. the guy with the prettiest eyes she has ever seen.

He walked to her table.. and offered his hand. “I’m Min Ji-uk, the architect of this coffee shop. I hope you like its rustic interior, Ma’am..” He said with a warm smile. “I’m Layla Ann Dimapili and I definitely love the aesthetic here, Mr. Architect,” she replied while shaking his hand. Turns out, he thought Layla was the client he was supposed to meet that day since she was wearing a blue shirt with jeans. “Oh, I’m sorry..” He started, but his phone rang. It was the client who couldn’t make it to their meeting. 

Because of that, Layla and Min Ji-uk had their first date that day. It was day 1 of their happily ever after.

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