A/N: Chapter Four is now released!
Onto reviews: No worries, I'm just grateful for your effort! Glad you enjoyed it! And I think we've all been in the same position, unsure of what to write without sounding strange. I know it's definitely relatable for me. I know I'm not very good at writing letters either, ha ha! And yes, I had to give Shin Woo some jokes. The sleeping medication.. This was somewhat of a risk to take, since I wasn't sure of the responses to it. Why I included it.. I'll leave it up to my readers to imagine! I figured stress is a main factor behind Tae Kyung being unable to sleep, since he seemed to be surrounded by it for some time. While some of these stressful things were in the past, I imagine they keep coming to mind when he's alone or trying to sleep. And the last part I enjoyed imagining ha ha! Thanks for your review (JHsgf82)!
Onto business: I thank those who are being patient with me! This chapter has been half-written for about a week now, but I didn't get to finish it until now since one of my other stories had a long chapter (it's ending), and that put a halt to other updates. But other than that, I hope it was enjoyable, and don't worry.. There WILL be some things coming up very soon. But thanks again! I appreciate feedback and I also enjoy listening to your thoughts! But most of all, enjoy!
"Tae Kyung!" whined Jeremy as he fell off the couch and onto the floor. "Why are you being this way?"
"Because one, you ate almost everything. Even leaders need to eat, aish!" Tae Kyung responded out of frustration. He closed his eyes momentarily, feeling the exhaustion flow over him. "And secondly, I couldn't sleep last night because your noisy snoring kept me awake...so I deserve a spot on the couch."
It wasn't all honesty. Most of it was actually a not-so well thought out lie. But it was the best excuse Tae Kyung could think of on the spot––all to be beside Go Mi Nam without having to openly admit that he wanted this particular spot. If anything, it would only humiliate him far too much. And along with that humiliation, Tae Kyung would also be teased relentlessly by his fellow band members. Plus, now that Go Mi Nyu––his girlfriend––became Go Mi Nam, Tae Kyung had to be extra careful. If he was with her, and allowed anything to slip to the public––even those they're familiar with––then it would only mean trouble for Anjell. And trouble was not needed. Anjell did their best to avoid drama at all costs, though there were several incidents where drama had unfortunately included them.
Tae Kyung opened his eyes in time to see everyone's reactions. Jeremy opened his mouth in both surprise and slight horror at the 'truth.' "I snore?!" Shin Woo looked confused as he glanced over at Go Mi Nam and exchanged a curious glance with her. But she simply shrugged her shoulders with an equally confused look on her features.
"Yes," Tae Kyung responded simply, not feeling the slightest bit guilty for what he said.
Shin Woo was the first one to say something about his obviously suspicious excuse. "But there was another spot on this couch for you, Tae Kyung.." His calm gaze shifted over to the empty spot on the end of the couch.
Jeremy nodded his head rapidly, as if he just realized it himself. "Yeah! Yah! Why did you push me off for, Tae Kyung?!" Jeremy pointed a finger accusingly at the band leader. "There was enough room for you––why did the spot matter?"
Both Jeremy and Shin Woo looked to Tae Kyung curiously. Tae Kyung shifted uncomfortably under their gazes, shooting them both a glare as he scoffed. "I don't need to explain myself to you.." Just as he turned his gaze away from them and over to Go Mi Nam right beside him, he noticed that she was also staring curiously at him. "You too?!"
Before anyone could persist that he answer, another voice––along with the sound of footsteps––interrupted them. "Isn't it obvious? Tae Kyung wanted to sit with Go Mi Nam and get closer to him."
They all recognized that voice. Each member all turned their heads to President Ahn who stood beside Manager Ma. He had a grin planted firmly across his features. Tae Kyung tensed up a bit, and so did Go Mi Nam.
"President Ahn, what brings you here?" asked Tae Kyung as he shot a glare to Manager Ma, who smiled fearfully and flinched under his cold gaze.
President Ahn––who rarely visited the dorms unless necessary––blinked slowly. "I came to check up on our star idol, Go Mi Nam. I wasn't able to visit him in the hospital due to business. I have to say, I was worried we would be ruined. I mean––hit by a car? I'm surprised you're okay––I was expecting there to be some injuries since reports have made it out that way.."
Damn, that's right.. Go Mi Nam wouldn't leave unscathed.
Go Mi Nam looked as stuck as Tae Kyung, since she just stared blankly at President Ahn. Out of nowhere, Shin Woo spoke up, "Well, there wasn't any serious injury and he has an amazing and talented stylist. Manager Ma makes a good team with her."
"You mean.. she concealed all of it up with make-up?" repeated President Ahn, surprised to discover this. "It looks too good––but that's great! Good job." He patted Manager Ma on the back, congratulating him on such a feat. "The fans of Anjell will be relieved to see their precious Go Mi Nam without a scratch. Everyone was worried, even I was.. But that is all in the past, isn't that right Go Mi Nam?"
Go Mi Nam didn't respond. All three of the band members––including Manager Ma and President Ahn––stared at her intently, though she just stared back, blinking a bit as she didn't seem to understand why all eyes were on her now.
Did she forget the part she's supposed to play already?
When seconds passed with no reply from her yet, Tae Kyung elbowed her lightly as if to hint at the fact a question had been asked of her.
"O-oh, ah, y–yes!" she replied immediately. "Sorry, I was just...thinking about my worried fans.."
"Are you sure you're okay? Do you need to return to the hospital?" began President Ahn before Go Mi Nam interrupted him.
"N–no!" she blurted out. Afterwards, she smiled forcibly. "I'm positive I'm okay! Really.. I don't want to let Anjell down, so please.."
This seemed to be enough to convince President Ahn, seeing as he nodded his head. "Fine, but…" He raised and pointed his index finger at her, "If anything at all is wrong, or if I see you acting suspicious, I will send you back there for a check-up. If you're unwell, you will only let Anjell down." Tae Kyung clenched his jaw, not very pleased to hear those words directed towards his girlfriend. Had it not been for the fact that her identity needed to be keep a secret, he would have spoke up against President Ahn's words. But he remained silent and simply watched as Go Mi Nam nodded her head like an obedient puppy. "But I trust in you, Go Mi Nam. Maybe one day you'll replace Tae Kyung as leader of the group," he added jokingly, though he was the only one with a grin on his face. Tae Kyung remained irritable as always. He was never completely comfortable or very trusting towards others. If anything, he was only particularly close to Go Mi Nyu. Jeremy and Shin Woo were the two other exceptions.
"M––me?" repeated Go Mi Nam with a surprised expression and widened eyes as she pointed at herself as if to clarify. "R-really..?"
"It's possible," responded President Ahn with a grin, "Are you interested Go Mi Nam in becoming the leader of your own band? Maybe this one?"
She didn't respond. Tae Kyung was about to take that as a shy "no," except when he glanced over at her, it was as if she were really considering it. He blinked and flicked the side of her head irritably. "No, you don't. Not this band. If you want a deal like that, leave this one and go find another band."
Go Mi Nam rubbed the side of her head as she pouted a bit. "I wasn't really going to consider taking your spot, Hyung-nim.."
"Good to know that I won't need to talk some sense into you," he mumbled, turning his gaze away from her and placing it back on President Ahn and Manager Ma who was laughing silently. "Is that all?"
"Not yet. I have one more proposition. The National Fairy has requested a meeting with you." President Ahn pointed a finger at Go Mi Nam. "Since you saved her life, she said that she needs to thank you properly."
"Thank me?" Go Mi Nam blinked.
Tae Kyung was already getting uncomfortable with the idea of Go Mi Nam meeting with her. "Tell her to forget it. It's not worth our time."
"This is a request for Go Mi Nam, not you, Tae Kyung. You don't need to worry about meeting with her yourself," President Ahn focused on Go Mi Nam once more. "What do you think?"
To Tae Kyung's satisfaction, Go Mi Nam began to shake her head in response. "A thank you isn't necessary.. I did what any person would do."
"It just isn't about a 'thanks.' This could get publicity––good publicity––for you and for Anjell. You've refused the reporters, the least you could do is just meet with her and receive a thanks for what you did. It'll be like almost winning an award. Besides, if I do refuse the National Fairy's request, Anjell will be no better than the average group of jerks, flipping off the world sweetheart," said President Ahn, with Manager Ma giving a small nod in agreement.
"You heard him––" began Tae Kyung before Go Mi Nam interrupted him.
"I'll do it," Go Mi Nam finally agreed.
Tae Kyung simply blinked as President Ahn grinned and Manager Ma gave her a thumbs up. "I'll let her know then, and we'll take you right on over soon, yes?"
"Y–yeah," agreed Go Mi Nam as she nodded her head. "Can Tae Kyung, Jeremy and Shin Woo come with, too?"
"If they wish to, then sure thing," responded President Ahn, eyeing the three members who shifted once more uncomfortably at the idea of associating with her. "I understand that Tae Kyung and He-Yi had problems with their relationship, but that doesn't mean you can avoid her forever. You three know well enough that you have to associate yourselves with her in the world of popularity."
"It's bad enough we have to see her because of him," muttered Tae Kyung, folding his arms across his chest. It wasn't because he was once in a relationship with her––that was all fake––but rather because Go Mi Nyu was once blackmailed by her. Tae Kyung would never forgive anyone who tried to harm her. And the last person who needed to discover this was He-Yi, who would clearly be unhappy with this whole situation again. However, Go Mi Nam––Go Mi Nyu's brother––had a crush on He-Yi, which was the reason she was normally invited to whatever they attended. He-Yi had been closely linked to Anjell as of late, and Tae Kyung wasn't about to let that continue. "But I'll attend only to make sure Go Mi Nam doesn't screw anything up."
Despite his words, Go Mi Nam understood them well and grinned brightly. "Thank you, hyung-nim!"
Shin Woo nodded his head in agreement. "We'll be sure he doesn't go off risking his life again."
"It'll be fun to take a ride together again!" Jeremy chimed in.
"Good choice. After this, you all can choose to associate yourselves with her or not. This is just to help with Anjell's reputation. As you all know, we're cutting close with another band," said President Ahn, pointing a finger at each and every one of them. "This publicity will help us. So until then."
Without a goodbye, but instead a wave, President Ahn left, with Manager Ma following directly behind seeing as he didn't want to deal with Tae Kyung's irritation and frustration. Once they were gone, everyone fell silent; particularly Go Mi Nam and Tae Kyung who didn't even dare to look at each other. Shin Woo shifted in his seat on the couch, and he refused to look at either of them, but rather Jeremy instead who was glancing at Go Mi Nam and Tae Kyung.
"..You have to put up a real act, you realize this?" Tae Kyung finally uttered.
"I know, hyung-nim," responded Go Mi Nam.
"If she finds out who you are, this will be the end of Anjell. Her blackmailing will be the reason behind Anjell's fall. Her story behind our break-up was enough to damage our reputation." Tae Kyung exhaled heavily, placing two fingers against his temple. "I have a headache thinking about that.." He bit back the words he wanted to say, the insults he wanted to give her. Instead, he shook his head.
"She won't have to worry. It's just a thank you, isn't it? We'll say we're busy, so she can't keep Go Mi Nam long enough to discover anything," Shin Woo added. "Don't worry," he told her gently, smiling faintly. "We'll be with you to make sure nothing goes wrong."
"Yeah!" Jeremy gave her a double thumbs up. "You can count on us, Go Mi Nam!"
She smiled at their efforts. "Thank you all. I won't let you down."
"Can you guarantee that?" Tae Kyung scoffed jokingly.
Jeremy's eyes suddenly lit up. "Let's make a promise then, Go Mi Nam! That way it's something you have to keep, no matter what!"
"What?" Tae Kyung waved his hand in dismissal. "You're not serious, right.."
"Why not?" Shin Woo voiced himself, "A promise is something that cannot be broken.. If you're so worried, Tae Kyung, you shouldn't be against it."
Irritation was laced in his voice as he spoke, "Fine."
Jeremy held out his hand towards his fellow band members. He urged Shin Woo to do the same, and upon agreement, Shin Woo placed his hand atop Jeremy's. "Tae Kyung, c'mon!" The band leader rolled his eyes before uncrossing his arms and leaning forward to place his hand atop Shin Woo's, even though he despised so much touching. And lastly, Go Mi Nam enthusiastically placed her hand right on top of Tae Kyung's without persuasion. Tae Kyung exchanged a brief glance with Go Mi Nam once their hands touched, and he easily saw her flustered expression. Seeing her in such a state caused his irritation to diminish a little bit. He was almost tempted to grin. "Go Mi Nam; do you promise to do whatever it takes to protect Anjell?"
"Whatever it takes?" repeated Go Mi Nam, blinking slowly. "Even if it's something terrible..?"
"Whatever it takes. It doesn't matter what!" responded Jeremy, eyeing her now as he tried to put on a serious facade. "So.. do you promise?"
Now all eyes were on her, to see what choice she would make. After a few seconds of biting her lip anxiously, she nodded her head with confidence. "I do promise to do whatever it takes to protect Anjell!"
"Good! Now on the count of three, we all yell 'for Anjell,' okay?" Jeremy told his team Once they were all in agreement, some more reluctant than others, Jeremy started the countdown. "Three.. Two.. One.."
And all at once, they threw their hands up into the air, shouting in confidence the same thing:
"For Anjell!"
Afterwards, they all bursted out into some type of laughter. Shin Woo was laughing silently, while Jeremy bursted out into pure laughter; rolling onto his back with closed eyes and a grin. As Tae Kyung grinned a bit to himself, he turned to glance over at the laughing Go Mi Nam, whose eyes were bright with joy as she watched her friends. And strangely, despite his frustrations and irritation from earlier, and despite the promise they just made, he could only just watch and think how beautiful she was when she was happy like this.
A/N: Your thoughts?