Zen blinked repeatedly as his eye widened as if he looked like he realized something he was supposed to have realized a long time ago. His hand never removed from her face, Cara felt heat rush up into her system like wildfire. She couldn't understand what's happening and it was frightening her that's why she suddenly frantically looked for ways to break the tension and the heat that keeps on rising in her body as if she wanted to lean in to his touch... As if she too, wanted to touch him.

She couldn't look away at his eyes as if the changes of his reactions were something so precious she wanted to see all of it. She could feel herself feel warm amidst the cool wind that has been surrounding the two of them. Her hands were itching to hold him but she didn't want this urge; she didn't want this feeling.

What the hell is wrong with her?

"Cara." Zen started. Her eyes widened as she saw his face go nearer to hers. Stay back. Stay the hell back. she thought, but she couldn't move. She cannot even look away. She took one step closer as if she was anticipating his approaches; as if this was something that she wanted all this time.

It felt so real. It felt so right. It felt so... natural.

It is as if being here with Zen was the most perfect thing in the world. It frightened her so much that she could feel the panic start to rise up in her chest, causing her mind to hear warning bells.

This was the thing you promised yourself never to feel again, Cara. This is it. You must run. You need to protect yourself. Her mind kept on screaming. She wanted to run away but her heart made the loudest protest by not making her move to where she stood as Zen came nearer to her, closing in the space between them.

When Cara felt him within an inch to her body, she thought she was going to go mad. He smelled of wonderful musk that she only recognizes on him. His height towering hers making her feel safe and a bit vulnerable. He was so close that she could feel him breathe, as if she could also feel his hear beat. She closed her eyes shut as tightly as she could, hoping that he would stop coming near her, that he would not come any more closer.

"RRRRRRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIING!"

She jumped at the sound and realized it was Zen's phone. She released the air that she was holding the entire time Zen was near and she thanked the gods for this interruption because she wasn't sure what would happen if his phone didn't ring. She held her right hand to her chest to calm down her beating heart. Stay calm. Please. Stop this. She kept on saying in her head as she brushed her locks into place. Zen has his back turned on her as he was talking to the director on the other line. She stared at his broad back and she could feel the uncanny pull she has on him.

That's when she knew...

Her hands covered her mouth as her eyes widened and her breath quickened. She slowly shook her head as she closed her eyes as she felt her anxiety creep into her.

"No." She silently prayed. "I can't." As she shook her head as if she wanted to erase Zen's mere presence in her sight.

I can't. Don't do this to me. No, not Zen. Her mind pleaded, but she knew all the while it was futile. She knew. Yet she held back. Images of what happened to her last year rushed into her mind, playing every little detail of that night and the days after and she felt herself feel numb and cold.

She won't let this happen again.

"Yes, I got it. I'll bring her over for the rehearsals." Zen replied as the director asked for him to bring his manager along since they wanted to meet her.

"make sure you introduce her to everybody, alright?" The director added. Zen sighed. "Yes, yes I will." he added and he ended the call. He closed his eyes as he calmed himself down. That was close. He didn't know what he was thinking when he went to close in the space between the two of them. As if touching her wasn't enough. He wanted more. He knew this, but when he saw her shut her eyes as if she was trying to persuade him not to look at her and to stay away, he was so thankful for that phone call that he forgot his intentions.

He wanted to kiss her. He wanted to hold her.

He was the worst. He didn't even voice out his intentions yet his body went in first into taking action. He cannot let this happen again. If he wanted this to work, he needs to tread slowly since Cara is not the ordinary type of person. He could tell she wasn't ready for something as quick as this. He knew it wouldn't be right. Yet she looked so wonderful that he couldn't help himself. He needed to protect her from himself. He needs to know and to nurture everything then he will confess at the right time.

And he knew that right now, it wasn't what Cara wanted. Yes, they have built something more profound than teh simple friendship she had with Saeyoung and Yoosung, but he had no right to take advantage of her.

Besides, he felt as if she was hiding something from him still. They would spend nights talking on the phone, or sometimes, when they both weren't busy, they would meet and hangout and just talk. However, he realized that she never opened about matters of the heart on one of their storytelling sessions. She was always distant and her eyes had this lonely look whenever she refused to answer any inquiries about her love life. This isn't the time to think about this. You came here to just check on her, not harass her, you idiot. He scolded himself. He took a deep breath and turned to where she stood. She was looking at you as if she was so afraid for her life that you suddenly felt concerned.

"You okay, Cara?" Zen asked. She suddenly jumped up and shook her head as if she too, was erasing some thoughts in her mind.

"Yes. Yes, I'm okay." She smiled. But he noticed her smile... it was forced. Suddenly, as if some thought crashed into her head, she looked at you suspiciously and she placed her hands on her hips.

"Why are you here? Don't you have rehearsals this afternoon?" She asked.

Oops.

Zen scratched the back of his head as he grasped for an excuse to tell her why he escaped practice to come to her. "Well... I just..." then the though of the director wanting to meet her came into his mind and he quickly formulated the excuse.

"I was tasked to... uh.. bring you with me to rehearsals."

Her eyes widened with shock and she sighed. "Why am I needed there?"

"Did you cause some kind of trouble again, Zenny?" She asked as if he was a little child. God, her angry mom face if more beautiful than her serious one. But she can be quite scary, to be honest.

"N-no! The director just wanted to meet you. To thank you for your hardwork, and to finally lay their eyes upon you since you have been an enigmatic creature to them since you took part in my job as my manager." Zen explained as thoroughly as he could but he could feel himself blush for feeling like a nine year old being scolded by his crush. He felt quite... ridiculous and tongue tied.

She looked taken aback from your reason that she closed her eyes and she chuckled and shook her head. God she's so beautiful.

"Part time." She stated. He smiled back and nodded as he acknowledge that she was your somehow part time manager. "Yes. Part time."

She looked at her watch and she blew her hands together as she got colder. Zen knew he didn't have to keep her outside. He wanted to escort her back in her office but she'd be in trouble if he did so.

"I still have work to finish. But it isn't too much. What time should I be there?" Her working mode was triggered and now she looked at him expectingly. She was searching his eyes for a quick answer so that she could leave, he knew but he wanted to keep her here for longer but he couldn't.

You'll see her later, she'll agree. Zen told himself.

"Uhhh maybe 5pm onwards?" He said. She smiled and nodded excitedly.

"Alright." She smiled. She was supposed to say something else but you were happy she agreed to see him rehearse that you hugged her. She let out a cute squeak as you held her tight and squeezed her. He felt her hands settle on his shoulders, not pushing him away, not pulling him closer either. It didn't matter. This was enough.

"Thank you, thank you." you breathed as you kissed her temple where her beanie and her messy curls joined together. She froze. Zen let her go.

He suddenly felt another phone call vibrate in his pants so he knew he had to go. He held her shoulders and looked at her eyes.

"Promise me you'll be there at 5." He ordered. She nodded. "say it." He pushed.

"Alriiiiight! I'll be there." She laughed

"5 sharp?"

"5 sharp."

Zen smiled triumphantly and he threw back his head as he felt bliss for the mere knowledge that she'll watch him act. With this he was so happy. This is weird but he loved the feeling.

His phone kept on vibrating.

It was time to leave.

He groaned. "Damn." he swore. HE felt a light swat on his shoulder as Cara slapped him and said, "Your words!" she playfully scolded.

"I have to go. They're caling for me already." You started. She nodded and smiled. "I'll watch you come 5pm. I promise. Now hurry! Don't let them wait for you too long!" she pushed.

Zen laughed and nodded. "alright I'll wait for you, okay?"

You kissed her forehead as yous printed towards your motorcycle.

You stared back at her and said, "I'll see you, okay?" you screamed as the roar of your motorcycle overpowered your voice. She skidded a bit to catch what you were saying.

"You be careful, okay!" She yelled back as she waved her hands up in the air as she said goodbye.

You saluted her as you placed your helmet on your head and you kicked the clutch of your motor and started to drive away to where she stood.

You raised your hand as a wave as your drove off and you can hear her yell at you to put your hands back at the motor. You chuckled.

Silly girl.

As Cara watched Zen drive off, her hand suddenly fell her forehead, where the warmth of Zen's kiss was still there. She found herself smile absentmindedly as she remembered the feeling when he held her when she agreed of watching him rehearse this afternoon.

She chuckled and shook her head.

Silly man.