Night-Owl Romance
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Note:Chapter shall be edited within the following week, but for now "early" release of the miracle that came out of my brain today. Might change some things with the end, but the general gist shall not be changed. ^o^
Soon the fic will reach chapter 40 ^o^ Dare to say we are barely half-way to the end.
Enjoy ~!
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Chapter 39: A Beauty in Denial
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[Jaehee Kang]: It pains me to realize how Zen's boundless passion in his work had caused him an injury.
[Jaehee Kang]: He was practicing so hard that he'd hurt his ankle...
[Jaehee Kang]: *sulking emoji*
[MC]: Jaehee...
[Jaehee Kang]: It's incredibly rare when he is in need of hospitalization, only happening in dire moments and, thankfully, those are extremely rare occurrences.
[Jaehee Kang]: Although, I do hope I am mistaken and tonight it is not one of those instances.
[Jaehee Kang]: However, he is not active on social media.
[Jaehee Kang]: Nor is he able to pick up calls.
[MC]: Perhaps he is resting – doctors usually order lots of rest to their patients.
[Jaehee Kang]: ... Yes. You are correct.
[Jaehee Kang]: *sulking emoji*
[MC]: Cheer up, Jaehee~! ^^
[MC]: Zen said it himself when he was logged in earlier – his injury is nothing to worry about~!
[Jaehee Kang]: He did and I also remember you were disagreeing with him. Profoundly.
[MC]: ...
[Jaehee Kang]: No matter – one thing I do know is certain.
[Jaehee Kang]: His rehearsals take place in a couple of days but with his ankle in its swollen state then the chance he shall miss practice is very high.
[MC]: It does leave him with a small window of time to prepare but he is diligent with his acting and a quick learner.
[MC]: Perhaps he could juggle the rehearsals around his injury and successfully pull through!
[MC]: It feels like he is the type of person who would do this professionally enough.
[MC]: He seemed confident in this idea as well.
[Jaehee Kang]: I agree that Zen's skills and work ethics are remarkable but it is not up to him entirely I'm afraid.
[MC]: What do you mean by that?
[Jaehee Kang]: I've been researching information regarding his new production ever since the announcement was made and it is incredibly high-budgeted for a musical.
[Jaehee Kang]: What's more, I've been a fan of the musical genre for many, many years. On a production of this size, usually rehearsals are expected to be unyielding and thorough in testing an actor's abilities and worth. Mistakes can lower the odds of keeping one's role.
[MC]: Is the musical world that strict...?
[Jaehee Kang]: Of course!
[Jaehee Kang]: And Zen cannot show his best image and portrayal of the character whilst his health is suffering!
[Jaehee Kang]: A delay might be the only solution and that if the director wishes for him to keep the role.
[MC]: A delay...
[Jaehee Kang]: Yes. But one choosing to delay rehearsals can become a costly endeavor which may negatively impact everybody involved.
[Jaehee Kang]: Currently, in the acting world, Zen does not hold up a high enough ranking for a production of this scale to change its schedule in order to fit his unforeseen health problems.
[Jaehee Kang]: Furthermore, some veteran actors don't get special treatment either, their roles being passed onto the next actor waiting in line.
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[MC]: Maybe these rehearsals don't need delaying after all.
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[Jaehee Kang]: ?
[MC]: Well, I was wondering whether Zen could perform his role at practice without necessarily having to do the accompanying moves and dances. They could see him do his routines when his leg is in a better shape, I'm sure a few days won't become a major hindrance.
[Jaehee Kang]: Hmm.
[MC]: Would it not be possible...?
[Jaehee Kang]: I suppose it could be, but – realistically – it might not.
[Jaehee Kang]: ...No.
[Jaehee Kang]: Definitely not.
[Jaehee Kang]: I can't be positive about this.
[Jaehee Kang]: *sulking emoji*
[Jaehee Kang]: What a golden opportunity to slip away...
[MC]: But –
[MC]: Zen was so happy with his new role and sounded really excited!
[MC]: He just got it, too!
[MC]: Losing this opportunity so suddenly, it's – I don't believe this!
[Jaehee Kang]: He should give up on the rehearsals and not get too stressed for missing out on this production. With his improving talents, I sense that it won't be a one-time chance for advancement in his career.
[Jaehee Kang]: I trust in him fully!
[MC]: Jaehee, I...
[MC]: We should wait until Zen returns home until making such assumptions, nothing is written in stone yet.
[MC]: Instead, we should focus on wishing him a speedy recovery than contemplate in negative scenarios.
[Jaehee Kang]: I was only stating the facts after years of indulging myself with musicals; it was not my intention to appear negative or unsupportive.
[Jaehee Kang]: On the contrary, I very much wish that I am proven wrong and Zen's role won't be in peril.
[Jaehee Kang]: I really do, but... Alas.
[Jaehee Kang]: He has been gone for hours and his injury might be graver than expected.
[Jaehee Kang]: I wish I could visit him at the hospital and see him but I do not know which one he got admitted into.
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[MC]: I don't think you should be the one going there tonight, Jaehee.
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[Jaehee Kang]: Beg your pardon?
[Jaehee Kang]: *surprised emoji*
[MC]: The roads may not be entirely safe due to the snowstorm and it's quite a late hour – outdoor visibility is really poor.
[MC]: This end of the city is under a heavy fog, I'm looking out the window atm.
[MC]: Your best odds might be to wait until early morning when things get better.
[MC]: Plus, hospital's official visiting hours are generally limited to daytime hours unless you are family.
[MC]: Only then exceptions can be made.
[Jaehee Kang]: Ah, yes...
[Jaehee Kang]: You are correct.
[Jaehee Kang]: During the morning would be ideal to visit since it would be futile to visit Zen tonight, though I cannot help but remain worried.
[Jaehee Kang]: His recovery rate, however, puts me at ease a bit.
[MC]: I still find it hard to believe that his recovery rate is that fast.
[MC]: I keep thinking you guys are always exaggerating.
[Jaehee Kang]: *sparkling emoji*
[Jaehee Kang]: He has the recovery rate of 10 people put together!
[MC]: Woah! (E) O-O
[Jaehee Kang]: It comes in handy with his demanding profession. ^^
[Jaehee Kang]: Speaking of professions – I'd like to talk to you about the party.
[MC]: Alright.
[Jaehee Kang]: I have gathered some delightful proposals for guests which I hope you can approve of. Every option has been carefully selected by me but you are free to ask me any questions if you have doubts about each of them.
[MC]: Okay~!
[MC]: I'm all eyes and ears.
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~oOo~
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"PHEW!"
Mina pressed her back onto the couch's edge while cupping her chest and breathed out relieved after seeing Jaehee off the messenger. The girl could not really admit out loud that she did not particularly favor the assistant's presence when online, being the least person she would choose to interact with compared to the rest of the R.F.A. members.
Who could blame her though?
Their previous conversations were rather – uptight – to say the least. However, after tonight's conversation which took an interesting turn, the party planner's view on Jaehee had been slightly altered.
For the better.
Mina was happy that the woman hadn't reacted high and nosy for not even a split second regarding her newfound closeness towards Zen, nor had she shown hints of being bothered by their familiar interaction. It would have been uncomfortable to repeat a disagreement out in the open and have the party planner defend herself for being too friendly.
To imagine such logs at the disposal of the R.F.A. again... *shudders*
It was bad enough that her misunderstandings with the actor were public knowledge and fuel for Seven to use in his oh-so-numerous teasing messages.
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... Also, her real name too,
No thanks to Zen's slip-up which in turn is thanks to Seven's slip-up.
*sigh*
Apparently, secrets were hard to maintain within this organization. =.=
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Anywho, perhaps Jaehee was just too busy with Zen's injury to focus on that aspect, to which the girl was pretty thankful for. The woman may have been rude to her in the past and had clearly overstepped her boundaries with countless unfounded allegations, but deep down, Mina could feel that she was a nice lady and was quite considerate of the people surrounding her.
She was really protective of Zen and did not hide it.
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*BADUMP*
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Which should be enough for Mina to be happy in knowing such a woman since it was a rare trait to see such loyalty in people nowadays. How many are willing put others' wellbeing above their own and wish them all the success in the world without ill intent or secret gains in return? Nonetheless, Mina's stomach was a tight knot while noting Jaehee's strong reactions to Zen's wound, the assistant obviously projecting the actor's pain as if it were her own. Despite her blatant negativity surrounding his future in this Echo Girl production, there was not a shred of doubt that she cared greatly about the actor.
The party planner could see this fact even by skimming through the detailed guest list Jaehee had provided Mina with. These latest suggestions were from the arts' field in order to help Zen with finding new sponsors to sustain his work and, honestly, Mina could not deny any of Jaehee's suggestions.
They were all so good!
Plus, the woman had put a tremendous amount of care and thoroughly researched about each candidate during her scarce spare time, coming with the best options for the party planner to choose from.
"..."
Mina's heart was hurting, though...
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Did Jaehee really mean it when she confessed how she would not dare look at Zen with eyes other than a fan's?
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Because she was doing things for him beyond what an average fan would do.
And...
It made Mina's body tingle sourly,
Because the girl felt that she was not doing enough to help the actor,
To help the others in the group,
Other than be a burden who is always causing misunderstandings everywhere she goes.
And creates needless drama as a result.
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*sigh*
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"Let's hope I am able to do Jaehee's guest list justice.", Mina nodded with determination, pumped up with further resolve: not to screw up anymore e-mails and to fix the blunders she did with the previous guests, trying to salvage the situation and reconnect with the people who were becoming weary in joining the party due to her lack of judgment when offering them replies.
It was time for the party planner to stop moaning and mopping sadly, and crying, and – overall – feeling miserable. She should, therefore, show the members that her presence within the R.F.A. was not merely a fluke of destiny.
She could become just as hardworking and useful to this organization like the other members!
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~oOo~
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*BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ*
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As always, the powerful resolve from the other night had sort of dimmed down with the upcoming rays of an icy morning, forcing the girl to retreat into the burrows of a man-made cave of blankets. Mina's grouchiness flourished due to the constant buzzing of her restless phone, calling for the girl's attention over, and over, and over again until her headache became far too present to ignore.
"Ngh..."
Brushing her fingers sleepily across the wooden floor, she lazily tried to aim for the phone with the least amount of effort possible when the clutches of reality finally took a good grip upon her body. Suddenly, her eyes snapped open as she almost flew off the couch during her rush in picking up the device, nearly dropping it on the spot due to her trembling.
"Zen?!", she asked no one in particular while rummaging through her inbox.
"..."
Soon the bright light within her orbs began fading, her expression darkening with each passing second.
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He had yet to give an update even at this hour...
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"Zen, are you doing okay...?", she questioned softly, deciding to ignore the discomfort of her stomach while typing a short greeting to the silent actor. Mina tried playing it cool, pretending how she wasn't that concerned about his well-being, nor how she was unable to get his image out of her mind, but had expressed curiosity regarding the state of his health, wishing him a jolly fast recovery and a pleasant/wonderful sunshine-y day~!
"I sound like an annoying internet add...", Mina sighed annoyed and was ready to slap her cheek in irritation, brushing a hand over her heated forehead.
*BUZZ*
The MysMe app was overly-lively today, the girl checking the recent chat room in hopes of finding her share of good news –
"... Wow."
– only to be submerged in texts and texts of trolling taking over the messenger. Kudos to the youngsters of the organization, Yoosung and Seven, the mischief duo who were heartlessly mourning the loss...
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Of Echo Girl's autograph.
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~oOo~
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[707]: Echo Girl's autograph – a dream which had perished like the stars in the daylight sky.
[Yoosung]: Perishing dreams...
[Yoosung]: *crying emoji*
[Yoosung]: It must be so upsetting for him.
[Yoosung]: Hyung, please take care in the future!
[Yoosung]: Please let us meet Echo Girl~!
[Yoosung]: *crying emoji*
[707]: I guess I am going back into hacking those music show feeds and watching the backstage activities.
[707]: *proud emoji*
[Yoosung]: What?! *shocked emoji* You have access to footage backstage?!
[707]: Did I say hacking?
[707]: I meant accessing Echo Girl's official channels on V-live.
[707]: That's right.
[Yoosung]: Ashi, so jealous!
[Yoosung]: Hyung...
[Yoosung]: Why'd you have to break your leg now, couldn't it wait?
[Yoosung]: *crying emoji*
[707]: Good bye rehearsals...
[Yoosung]: Good bye acting with Echo Girl...
[707]: Good bye Echo Girl's autograph...
[Yoosung]: Good bye meeting and knowing famous celebrities...
[707]: Well, not quite, lawl.
[Yoosung]: Huh?!
[707]: You already know celebs, just look at Jumin and V – you can say how you already know a few.
[707]: Maybe even Zen, though his star meter might drop.
[Yoosung]: Uff... V. I'd rather you not remind me.
[Yoosung]: Yeah, Zen's pretty famous in his own circle at the theatre but it's not the same...
[Yoosung]: As Echo Girl!
[Yoosung]: Not the same at all... *crying emoji*
[707]: Yeah.
[707]: You're right, boy, not the same!
[707]: *cheerful emoji*
[Yoosung]: *annoyed emoji*
[Yoosung]: Don't call me boy! O-O
[707]: Yeah, girl!
[707]: *cheerful emoji*
[Yoosung]: *angry emoji*
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"What in the world – They aren't even remorseful about Zen's condition, only losing Echo Girl's autograph!", Mina exclaimed in shock with her eyebrows furrowed.
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Such good friends...
^^;;;;;;;;
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~oOo~
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"Ashi, is this what my life is shaping up to be...?", a weak whisper broke through the suppressing silence, spotless white walls causing a hint of claustrophobia for the isolated man slouching on the bed.
The silver haired actor had been left alone in the room while the doctor was busy writing out his release form, Zen remaining behind to admire the new tightly-wrapped cast which was decorating his leg. Frustratingly, he kicked the tall bed harshly at the side, feeling an intense pain penetrating his skin and echoing through his entire body in waves.
"F**k...", he growled pissed off at himself for being in this pitiful state.
Zen had been so certain that his doctor could work out a miracle ointment or procedure to enhance the healing process, but the regular he was normally visiting had taken some days off to enjoy the winter celebration with his family – the worst timing possible for the silver haired man who had since been stuck with a man that had never even heard of the actor, let alone comprehend the absurdities written in his crazy medical history. This new doctor had wasted precious hours in checking the information within Zen's files because they were simply too shocking for the old man to believe.
Thus it had to be fiction and the actor's presence some type of prank done by his colleagues! "This isn't humanly possible!", was the overall consensus Zen could not change until the man had finally reached out to his regular physician on the phone who had swiftly confirmed the actor's words – yes, it was damn possible!
Unfortunately, regardless of his alien abilities in mending wounds, the cast around the youth's ankle was mandatory to be kept and worn until his next scheduled appointment at the hospital.
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"For two entire weeks."
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Zen was convinced he needed a hearing aid prescribed to him as well because being incapacitated for two entire weeks was an unacceptable notion and fairly ridiculous. Seriously, doc, he had a musical to perform into and the rehearsals were right at his doorstep –
"Don't strain yourself, young man. Otherwise, you'll make the healing process take longer."
"But doctor, please listen to me. I am sure that in a few days I will be able to –"
"I'm sorry, however in no condition are you recklessly allowed to apply pressure on your leg unless you want to aggravate the injury and risk permanently damaging the affected area. Please return to my office at the specified date and not a second earlier for your check-up!"
"But –"
"Good day, sir."
"..."
Zen was clearly speaking to a wall as thick as the ones enveloping his room, giving up shortly.
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Ashi...
He was so tired, unable to get a proper shut eye because of this needless stress...
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*BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ*
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The actor had just resurrected the connection of his phone during the taxi ride back to his apartment when the liveliness of the messenger spammed the cab's interior with its noise. His nose twitched upset for Zen did not want to chat with any of the members at this moment. Red eyes roamed across countless missed calls, mostly coming from Jaehee.
Really...
He did not want to face the consequence of his foolishness out in the open yet – although, he was absolutely sure that his injury had been on people's minds since the other night.
*sigh*
He really did not have the strength to face anyone right now.
*sigh*
However –
"..."
– there was one person he did not mind speaking with despite his fallen mood. He wanted to press onto the green dialing button but ended up rejecting the foolish notion due to the intense shame washing over him.
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He couldn't face Mina with terrible news and worry her needlessly...
He couldn't be this selfish in contacting her after everything that had transpired so far...
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*BUZZ*
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"Oh?", his expression lit up momentarily, feeling his heart make a huge leap inside his chest while disrupting the normal beating rate. Pale skinned cheeks were painted in a pretty rose color as his lips curled upwards.
"..."
He had left her no choice.
Zen was going to be a selfish man!
He couldn't resist – he was far too weak to resist,
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The amount of sweetness that had been poured into her morning message~!
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~oOo~
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*RING RING RING RING*
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Mina was in the middle of reprimanding the two boys for their insensitivity with fangirling over Echo Girl while Zen was going through his rough patch when the phone started ringing in between her hands. Her breathe was instantly caught inside her throat, fingers slipping onto the green button.
*CLICK*
The party planner disliked how eager she sounded with her greeting, feeling like an idiot after calling out his name so loudly. Zen however did not carry this image in his head – her soft voice was laced with evident worry and, to such an extent, that the actor's own heart began bouncing in return.
His voice contained a weaker tune while talking.
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While explaining that he was on his way home.
And everything would be alright with him, his doctor quite optimistic with his recovery prowess.
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When the harsh reality was that losing the role in the production with Echo Girl had yet materialized in his mind as Zen's denial was wiping away such an unlikely nightmare from existence.
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"Oppa... I'm so glad you're going to be okay~!"
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Her melodic voice almost felt like it worked miracles on his body, the youth sensing his leg becoming stronger as his confidence rose! Nevertheless, the burn of his blatant lie hurt deeply inside his heart, more so than his ankle did at the moment but Zen was not sorry for masking the truth to the party planner. He tried shifting her attention away from the painful topic with the usual parade of verbal teases, the actor's sharp weapons ready to cutely embarrass Mina into admitting her hidden emotions to him~!
After all, there was no woman immune to his handsome looks~!
Mina could deny this fact all she desired but the truth could not be hidden or erased as Zen could almost feel her eyes trailing his photographs saved inside her photo gallery. The silver haired beauty was willing to bet his house and savings on it – he shall win the jackpot prize!
"Hah? Oppa~? Yo, Mina... is it me or have you been warming up to me quite a lot these past few days?"
"I thought I was seeing and hearing things, but... Hm? How many times did you call me oppa since your arrival in the R.F.A.?"
"Because it makes my heart beat so much faster than usual..."
"I like hearing it very much, jagiya~!"
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'I like you very much.', Zen thought but never expressed out loud.
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The corners of his mouth hurt from how wide his smile was, the silver haired actor desperately latching onto the few fragments of joy he could pick up during their conversation as he joked his way towards the girl's heart. Or towards the button that will make the glass of her patience full and then shatter with her irritation spilling out – "Oppa, oppa, oppa, oppa~!"
"H-Huh?", Zen had a trembling reaction at her sing-song reaction to his teasing. "Mina..."
"Oppa, if it makes you feel this happy, then I will continue saying it until you are bored of me doing so.", the party planner actually managed to stun Zen shut, his smile instantly dropping while his red orbs became wide as saucers.
"Or... until you are healed." , she added nonchalantly. "Then I'm taking a break."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"Are you still alive?"
"Yeah..."
"You're so silent, are you truly ok – "
"You're actually serious right now, aren't you?", he asked abruptly, freezing Mina from surprise as she gulped down. The girl became concerned that she might have pushed past the limits of what was acceptable to use as an answer and what not.
"Am I serious...?", she whispered confused.
"Have you really warmed up to me that much?", Zen's eyes glinted as he nervously waited for a satisfying reply, the actor gazing at the winter sky while wishing for the gods of this world to grant him one selfish little wish today and have the girl... not hide from him anymore.
But be open and honest.
"W-Well...", Mina's shy meter was filling up the gauge near max level and, in turn, had caused Zen to sigh softly in defeat – the sky gods had been yet again deaf to his desperate pleas. As a result, the party planner was succumbing behind high walls placed in front of her heart –
"I guess so...?"
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"AIGOO!"
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