Hello everyone, sorry for the delayed post. Thank you all for your comments and follow. I really, really enjoy reading them :)
The waiter called to their table and handed Junpyo the filled glass before he started collecting all the empty glasses around the table. No, thank you. Not even a nod was extended to the waiter as Junpyo just took the glass and started sipping the sweet alcohol. His eyes on his drink; he had tried not to look but had failed as she was right in front of him. Her arms crossed, she sat back against her chair. The black dress, not covering her arms and shoulder, was ignored as his eyes landed on her striking face and dazzling eyes staring back at him. Her softly blinking eyes had a message of their own as she slowly started scanning him. She wasn't even trying to hide what she was doing as her eyes lowered to his chest and started slowly moving up. Even for Junpyo who was used to being looked and gawked at, this was odd. It felt beyond weird to follow her eyes tracing the coat covering his body. As they reached the collar, her eyes had switched to his neck and slowly moved up to his face. How somebody who doesn't eat properly or sleep properly had no pimples or any sign on his face was bothersome as she didn't even see a hint of dark circles across his clear skin. Unlike her massacred lashes, his thick dark lashes were a result of genetics as they guarded his dark eyes, waiting for her eyes to clarify why they were scanning him.
" She looks different without uniform" Yijeong noticing Junpyo's eyes broke the silence again hoping what he said was the reason behind the two people staring at each other.
" If you work with a stylist, I wonder. '' He didn't finish his sentence as his eyes slowly shifted from Junpyo's to Jandi's. He had looked at the right time to chat with her, scanning his friend's face. The unimpressed way her eyes had trailed his friend, Yijeong was silenced by that. Her boldness was what surprised Yijeong.
" You're bold. Do you know that?" he asked, crossing his arms and waiting for Jandi to respond, which she did with her eyes turned to him. Before she said anything, her friend had arrived, changing the focus away from her.
"You're here," Jihoo had said as he walked past Junpyo and headed to his chair. Junpyo didn't respond to Jihoo, he continued with his hand that was sending a slice of cake he took from Yijeong's plate to his lips, demanding some sugar to add to the alcohol he was consuming. Sitting right in front of him, Jandi hadn't missed taking note of everything he was doing. This included noticing how he doesn't mind eating from others plates, at least his friend's plates. A habit of Junpyo which she dismissed for now but would be reminded of again and again. Her examining eyes from him went to the girl who walked to Junpyo's chair.
" You're finally here. We were waiting for you" Seohyun seemed to be the only one with excitement in her voice as she was filled with big smiles after noticing him. Her sparkling eyes, the way they lit up when Junpyo turned her way, and his eyes landed on her, Jandi was the only one who didn't know exactly why.
"Hey" Junpyo, turning around, welcomed her calmly. His eyes quickly returned to the glass he picked up.
" What do you mean, hey?" The first slap landed on his back as she stood behind him and started pulling his chair. He should have known he would not get away with what he had just done but hoped she wouldn't annoy him in such a place.
"What did I say about sitting down to greet "
" Seriously," Junpyo started complaining but had started standing up after placing his glass down. Jandi's careful eyes followed his hand that placed the glass down as they traced up his arm and landed on his figure, standing tall and now facing Seohyun. The long coat he had on had highlighted his height, which wasn't necessary.
" Hey," Junpyo repeated, moving his hands behind him to stand like the waiting staff and giving her a small bow.
" Fix your face" Both her hands sent to his face, she squeezed his cheeks close to make a silly face. Junpyo's immediately reacted to her touch; both his hands had come to his face as he started fighting to get his face out of her grip. The step between them Seohyun took, she was standing right in front of Junpyo as she kept slapping his hands down and squeezing his cheeks. The smile all over her face; even Jandi was picking on the odd interaction between the two as she sent her quiet eyes to Jihoo. Sipping his drink, Jihoo had sat silently as Jandi returned her eyes to the two people that seemed beyond comfortable with each other.
They seemed close, very close.
" I haven't seen you in days, and this is how you say hi. '' Her hands finally pushed away from his face, with some force, headed to his hair. Her slender fingers the moment they entered his lush hair, Jun Pyo Right hand had pushed her away as he also moved his face by leaning away. Her playful hands had tried again as Junpyo again had sent his right hand to push her hand away from him. Jandi wasn't sure if how comfortable the two felt touching each other resulted from years of friendship between the group, but she hadn't seen it with Yijoeng and Seohyung or even Jihoo and Seohyun. She had seen Seohyun touch Jihoo's hair, whisper in his ear, and touch him, but it wasn't as playful as the ones she witnessed right in front of her. Was it playful? She even questioned the terms she used.
"Hello," Junpyo finally gave her what she wanted as he said with a small smile.
"That wasn't hard now, was it?" her right hand slapping his shoulder; she walked past him, heading to her chair next to him. Yijeong hadn't been the only one to catch how SeoHyun was sitting in between Jihoo and Junpyo. Jandi noted this when she saw Jihoo start helping pull Seohyun's dress under the table while Junyp helped pull her chair. Both were quick with their hands extended to help the graceful girl who all were treated like some princess. Jihoo's behavior made sense as he was gentlemanly with everyone. Jandi focused on Junpyo and his odd behavior as she carefully observed how he pushed Seohyun's chair back and followed by standing until she completely sat down. So he does know how to act right when he wants to. And, of course, he would be a gentleman for the goddess sitting next to him. Trained to read between every line, she hadn't missed how Seohyun had brushed his hand as a thankyou. More than that, the smile she sent his way and the small one Junpyo gave her back, Jandi glanced at Jihoo to make sure he was watching what she was seeing, and he was. Behind the glass he was sipping from, she had noticed how he had seen the smiles exchanged along with the soft brush of hands.
" It doesn't cost you to be nice," Seohyun's comment brought Jandi's attention back to her.
" Does standing up have anything to do with being nice?"
"Because it's a nice gesture "
" It doesn't do anything." his hair he started brushing, Jihoo and Yijeong went on enjoying their drinks as they had heard this conversation before. It wasn't new.
" It makes me feel nice. Why can't you just do it for that? "She asked as she brought her glass to her lips and sipped. The graceful way she was holding the glass, her soft smile accompanying her eyes focused on Junpyo, Jandi wasn't giving the conversation much thought as she was focused on reading body language and the words hidden behind the glances.
" You do it for your girlfriend ?"
" No, he doesn't" Yijeong was happy about sharing that fact. He had even smiled back at Junpyo's annoyed eyes that had looked at him.
" Yaa!" Seohyun's right hand landed on Junpyo's left shoulder. Jihoo and Jandi were the ones to catch that it was the third time her hand landed on Junpyo's shoulder and this time it had stayed longer as she picked the small felt from his coat and brushed it away.
" He doesn't even open doors, let alone do all this," Yijeong added.
"You have two hands," Junpyo added, moving his shoulder a little away from Seohyun. He didn't seem uncomfortable by the touch, so Jandi wondered why he was trying to escape. With every chance, he quickly moved her hand away from him and got away. why? Was answered quickly as she remembered the person just mentioned. His girlfriend. But that can't be it. He makes out with random girls in clubs, but being touched by one is where his girlfriend draws the line. She wondered if it's because they are in a serious public space.
"It's so simple. I don't know why you are so bothered," Seohyun asked.
" He is the prince, that's why" Yijeong had been the one that forced a smile on all by what he said and how bothered Junpyo looked by it.
" Others open doors and stand up for him," Jihoo added, hiding his smile behind his drink. All enjoyed annoying Junpyo by calling him the prince, which he hated. They have used it since childhood, and it never gets old.
" The arrogance" Seohyun's smile was warmer than Jandi expected. Her shiny eyes glued to Junpyo, Seohyun was smiling big at how ridiculous this boy was turning out to be.
" If you were just a little nicer, " Seohyun asked, gesturing to a small gap between her fingers.
"So many people would like you."
" Oh, enough people like him already" Yijeong proved her logic wrong.
" He has too many fans to keep track of, actually," Yijeong added, pointing at Jihoo to confirm.
"Girls love his arrogance," Jihoo whispered, confirming what Yijeong said to be true.
"That's because he's handsome and rich," the adjectives she used. Yijeong changed his focus to Jihoo and caught how Jihoo looked at Seohyun, sitting next to him when she said what she said about his best friend.
"They throw themselves at him" Yijeong was choosing to add fire; he wanted to see Jihoo lose his cool for once. Even though this was not the right place or time, Yijeong was too eager to see it.
" Why are we talking about this" Junpyo picking up his glass, complained
" Where is your girlfriend?" Seohyun asked about the person even the two other boys hadn't thought about. Even Jandi was curious about this question. Why she was curious wasn't something she thought about as she sat wondering how he had a girlfriend on earth. That was where she was stuck as her eyes examined his smiling lips, then his perfectly cut jawline...What kind of girl does it take to get the title of being his girlfriend? How does one trust a person like him? He doesn't even hide his cheating? While her mind busied itself with those questions, her eyes had shifted to his hair. He brushed behind his ear as he finally glanced her way. His smile faded away, his eyes were quickly notified of her scary eyes staring at him.
Her arms crossed, she was sitting under the hanging golden light that looked like it had created a halo above her. Since the moment she sat down, he had tried to ignore looking at even the general direction of the one sitting in front of him because he knew he wouldn't be able to look away once he did. He had made the first mistake as he glanced her way to find her imposing eyes staring at him. The blank look on her face wasn't helping as it had forced all the focus on how she looked.
" Why do you care?" Junpyo had asked Seohyun as he tilted his head to distract himself from thinking about the other girl sitting at the table. His bottom lip received the sharp edge of his teeth that bit into it, the tingly pain from his lips was forgotten about and erased as the focus was all on avoiding Jandi.
"Because I keep hearing all these things about her but have
" From who?" Jihoo asked, and all got their answer when Seohyun pointed at Junpyo.
" Wait, he talks about his girlfriend; since when?" Yijeong, with a full smile on his face, asked. Yijeong's curious eyes shifted to Junpyo, who started brushing his hair as he sat back.
" He always talks about her and says he's with her when I ask him to hang out," Seohyun shared as Junpyo picked up his glass and sipped his drink. His eyes. His eyes had softly glanced at Jihoo, who didn't need any explanation as to why Junpyo had to do that. Junpyo never talks about his girlfriend. He doesn't even mention her name to the point some have doubted if they were even a couple; So for him to tell stories about her, and make claims about her, there was a reason behind it, and both Jihoo and Yijeng knew exactly why. There was a serious reason Junpyo had to talk about his girlfriend and use her as a shield from Seohyun, and Jnadi was the only person across the table who wasn't aware of it. It was all done for the sake of his best friend and his eyes glancing at Jihoo had been able to remind Jihoo of what he does for him.
" Oh yeah, they are so in love and always together" Yijeong was just trying to back Junpyo up but had startled the same person he was trying to defend
"What?" Junpyo asked with a smile. It was ridiculous even for him to hear what Yijoeng said.
" She is his longest girlfriend, so there has to be something," Jihoo added.
" I have to meet her" Seohyun was serious about this one.
" I have to meet this girl that has your attention," she said, sending her right hand to his shoulder
" I have to meet the one that stole this. '' Her hand had slowly lowered to his chest; even Jandi was questioning this one as she sent her eyes to Jihoo. Unlike Jandi, Seohyun's attention was on Jun Pyo, and she was serious about wanting to meet the mysterious girl she had heard so much about. According to what Junpyo had been telling her, he spent more time with his girlfriend than Jihoo, and she was beyond curious about what type of girl it takes Junpyo to be that committed.
" She's not" Junpyo focused more on pushing her hand away from him than finishing his sentence, and didn't even finish his sentence as his right hand moved her hand away from him. It was more important to make sure she didn't touch him.
" I want to know what kind of girl it takes to get you to stop being a fuckboy"
" Oh he is still one" Jihoo corrected to make sure it was known. With the tone in his voice, Jandi was able to pick up the hint of irritation.
"Has girls in every zip code" Yijeong used the term woobin to describe all the girls Junpyo messed with.
" Was there some group text about tonight being about me that I wasn't aware of?" Junpyo complained rather than trying to dispute what they said. There was no disputing it. His reputation was bigger than his and was based on true events his friends had witnessed firsthand.
" Are you proud of yourself? Seohyun crossing her arms, asked
" Two, three at the same time, sometimes" Yijeong added
' Yaa" Junpyo's voice changed this time as his annoyed eyes landed on Yijeong
" Seohyun nonna knew" Yijeog raised his hands and complained back. Junpyo's eyes slowly glanced at Seohyun next to him. Her serious-looking eyes were scary to even bother to respond as he adjusted his seat and focused on his drink.
" I don't know what he says or does to them, '' Yijoeng pointed at Jun Pyo.
" Maybe it's the arrogance and not opening doors" Junpyo circled back as everyone started laughing.
"That might be true because Jihoo is the nicest and he doesn't have any" Yijeong knew the perfect time to divert the topic to the person who doesn't like being the center of attention.
" I am glad Jihoo is not like that"
" But he needs to start dating, don't you think?" Yijeong asked. Junpyo, looking at his drink, kept his opinion to himself.
" I don't think there is a girl alive that is worth it" How much Seohyun adores and loves Jihoo wasn't a hidden fact; it was obvious and something she didn't mind sharing openly.
"You should find him somebody," Yijeong whispered, to be warned by Junpyo's eyes that gave him a quick warning. How quick Junpyo was to come to his best friend's defense even when he was mad at him, Yijeong finds it adorable.
" I am sure he will find somebody amazing" Seohyun's slow turn to Jandi had forced all, , including Junpyo, to turn their focus to the girl that had been silent. Seohyun didn't need to say anything else for everyone to guess what she was hinting at.
" He deserves the best, so I am sure he will," Jandi whispered, staring right back at Seohyun. Yojeong was the only one that had the rian power to look at the look between the two women. Jihoo and Junpyo were more focused on the attitude hiding right underneath the soft tone she had used in her response. Jihoo was stuck on analyzing what she meant by he deserves the best while Junpyo was taking in the amazing view in front of him while her eyes were away from him for once.
" Do you have a boyfriend?" Seohyun asked a question none of the boys across the table had even thought about.
" haha" janie's small laugh had caught all of the guard but none more than the yijeong who was sending her laugh for the first time.
" No" she responded as her right hand came to her lips and covered her mailing mouth. These people really are ridiculous, she thought at how stupid their question was.
" why not?" Seohyun had a follow up as Jihoo sat comfortabel back against his chair, he wants to hear this one.
" If you don't mind sharing, '' Seohyun added as Yijeong crossed his arms waiting for her response.
" I don't have time to waste. '' Jandi shared her honest opinion on the matter but Seohyun wasn't accepting that.
" oh come on"
" You go to a school filled with pretty boys," Seohyun said, raising her chagrin to her lips.
" That's what they are," Jandi whispered, forcing Seohyun to almost choke on her drink. Seohyun was getting a small test of what Jihoo had been telling her about the girl he can't seem to stop talking about. Seohyun wasn't the only one in full admiration of the girl, Yi Jeong was having a hard time because this girl had the guts to say this in front of them.
" What's your type, maybe I can find you, someone," Seohyun focused on her question. All had caught Jandi's eyes that gained at Jihoo, including Jihoo himself. Although it was unconscious, that was all the sign of his protective mode to go into effect and come to her defense. A soft glance was all it took.
" Maybe she doesn't want one. '' Jihoo responded to her while enjoying his dessert.
" She seems like she likes nice guys. '' Yijeong said, leaning back, scanning the jandi.
"Actually maybe not, she is feisty" he changed his observation
" Do you know that she slapped him?" he added, pointing at Jun Pyo.
" I heard" Seohyun took a sip of her drink, and she focused her curious eyes on Jandi. Yijeong and Jihoo enjoying their cake while the other two were sipping their drinks, all events were glancing at Jandi while the table turned silent.
" Excuse me, Jumpy was the first to leave the table as he headed away while placing his phone, which was buzzing, to his ear. Minutes later, both Seohyun and Jihoo were called away. After sitting next to Yijeong for a minute, even Jandi decided to leave, choosing the garden as a better option. The ten minutes she took enjoying the garden, she came and stood by the edge of one of the exits. She had a good view of the crowd, and she was going table by table, enjoying quickly watching these people. The fancy dresses, the suits, the small laughter, the handshakes, and the silly jokes, she was scanning everybody until her eyes shifted to the front of the stage and rested on a figure that looked familiar. It took only a second to remember his face. How could she forget the man who pinned her against the wall Friday night? Her eyes studying his every move, she was finally made aware of her intuition that was being alarmed as she took more mental pictures of his laughing face. What was he doing here? Who is he? She was beyond curious and was the only thing of that when her peace was disturbed.
" One of your clients on Friday?" Junpyo, standing by her side, asked. Her eyes from the man slowly turned to her right. Junpyo crossed his arms and stood, turning his back to the party and facing the garden behind her. His profile she got a good look at him, and she dismissed how she didn't notice him walking her way.
" Did it look like that?"
" You were pinned to the wall and kissing," Junpyo mind quickly replayed the image from the hallway of the club. He quickly shook his head to erase it as quickly as it arrived.
" I wasn't k" she stopped herself. She doesn't need to explain anything to this jerk, she reminded herself as her eyes stayed on his that turned her way.
" I wasn't drunk enough to imagine that," he whispered as his eyes stayed on her face that turned towards the event, giving him her side profile. Her right side was beyond captivating to look at thanks to the shadow and low light they were standing by.
" I was' ' she whispered softly as her eyes slowly turned his way. Her golden shimmer eyeshadow was the perfect color to highlight the honey-brown color of her eyes he was forced to stare at. That was it. It took one look into her eyes to understand what she meant. His dark eyes never needed an explanation to understand what her brown eyes were whispering to them.
" What does that mean?" he asked as she turned her focus back to the event. Her eyes were placed on his right arm holding hers rather than his.
" Do you have my bag?'' she asked as she started brushing where he touched her. Junpyo didn't fail to notice how fast her hands were to clean even a trace of him away from her.
"The one you left behind?" Junpyo asked as he took a step back, his eyes unable to believe how disturbed she looked by being touched.
" Where is it?" she asked, sending both her hands to cross and taking a step away from him.
"On the table at home" he whispered, choosing not to force her with questions he knew she wouldn't answer. He was also lost on how he was disgusted by his touch.
" I need it"
" You can come with me and get it", Sending his hands to his pocket he responded. Something about how bothered she looked was bothering him and his response was to give her what she wanted. Something that would become a habit until he was made aware of it and by then ,he couldn't stop even if he wanted to.
" When can we go?" her eyes finally looking at him, she asked.
" In a few minutes. I have some people to talk to"
" Good" was the only thing she said as she started walking away and heading to their table. She needed to get ready to leave but as she got to the table, Yijeong had changed her mind by telling Jihoo not to leave before saying bye.
" Do you know where they are?" Jandi asked
" The presidential suite, 5th floor' Yijeong' without even looking up from the phone he was typing at responded. Jandi took a minute to problem-solve and decided to leave her bag and jacket behind to make sure Junpyo knew she was still there.
"Huh" her hands warming her arm, she rushed out of the garden and into the lobby. The 5th-floor button presses and she is really excited to say bye and leave this place. The fact that he didn't say much about it, she knew meant he hadn't opened it. She was happy about that as she started her cheerful steps to the presidential suite that was one right turn down the hallway, at the corner of the floor. Her eyes were on the view of the garden, and she took slow steps to the door that wasn't locked.
The moment the door started slowly opening, her hands dropped from the handle the second her eyes landed on the scene of the two people standing by the other side of the room. Her right hand slowly returned to her side, it was the only thing in motion as even time had slowed down. Her startled eyes rather than looking away had zoomed their focus on the two subjects. Jihoo's handheld Seohyun's neck, pulling her closer, that was where her eyes started as they zoomed in on the two beautiful bodies standing closer than ever. His hands holding onto her neck were as gentle as his lips that had crossed the blurred lines of their friendship and were on Seohyun. The stunned Jandi needed more than a few seconds to accept what she was watching was in fact happening. Why did it feel unreal? Why was it startling? Why did it freeze her right there? None of those questions were asked as she was forced to sit with just watching Jihoo kissing Seohyun.
She heard about it, had seen it, and accepted it as a fact but seeing this. Hearing the two had a thing was nothing compared to what she was witnessing. Standing by the door, the stunned Jandi had no emotion she could refer to that could describe what she was feeling. The emotionless state she had worked hard to maintain had been slowly eroding since knowing these boys. And it was about to get worse when the one that had been bringing all types of anger out of her arrived.
" Are you sad?" The raspy voice she heard had pulled her out of the paralyzed zone she was in as she quickly turned around. Her hope for it not to be Junpyo was solely erased as she turned around and found him standing by the edge of the wall. How shocked he was for being caught was all over her face as she quickly turned her eyes to the couple to notice the two hadn't noticed the slightly open door.
" What would I be sad about" she responded as she slowly sent her eyes to the door and pulled it almost closed.
" Seeing him kiss her" Junpyo, sipping from his class, whispered letting her know he had seen exactly what she was staring at.
"Why would I be sad about that?" her slow walk his way, Jandi sent her hands to her back. She needed to hide her nervous hands that were calm enough after being caught staring at Jihoo kissing Seohyun. It was beyond embarrassing for her, and rather than question what she had seen had brought to she focused on that embarrassment. It was none of her business what the two did, and it was only embarrassing to be caught watching them, she tried convincing herself. That was the only thing she allowed herself to feel. That was the only thing she could feel. She can't feel anything else. It was none of her business. Her fingers fighting each other was all the chaotic energy going through she was sent as the mask she used was put on her face. Her blank face was excellent at keeping her protected.
" Because you like him" The moment Junpyo's word hit her ears, her fingers had stopped along with her legs that were taking steps. All her focus became Junpyo standing a short distance away from her. Standing against the wall, she even hated the fact that she had to walk by him to escape. Why couldn't it have been anybody else, why he had to be the one to catch her, she blamed the heavens as she sighed. Her eyes reading him, she knew not to argue with Junpyo.
" He is my boss, '' she responded, repeating the term she always used to describe what Jihoo is to her.
"Was that why you were staring at them like that" his smile hidden behind his glass resulted from the annoyed look that became visible on her face. She was so adorable when she was annoyed and angry.
"I wasn't staring at them"
" It's okay to like him, you know" As she started getting closer, Junpyo adjusted his eyes from her body, walking his way to her face.
" It's okay if you're sad seeing him kiss somebody else '' Junpyo added, fully enjoying the annoyed look on her face that was coming closer. It was fun to annoy her, and he knew he only had to breathe to annoy her. With her hate for him, Junpyo knew it didn't take much for him to get the emotions she kept caged freed.
" Even if I like him," her sentence was cut short as she heard the door open and turned around.
" Oh God," she whispered as she turned around, facing the door.
" Jandi, what are you doing here? '' Seohyun asked as she interlocked her right arm with Jihoo's left one. Both staring at her, Jandi needed a second for her focus to move away from the interlocked arms to the question she was asked. Junpyo standing next to her had also turned his focus to see how she would explain what she was doing.
" Were you looking for me?" Jihoo asked when her silence took longer. His eyes from Jandi switched to Junpyo. Jandi's eyes were on his friend, Jihoo, trying to figure out what the two were doing as he tried to figure out what they were exchanging in their silent glances.
" I wanted to say Bye before leaving" Jandi, sending her nervous hands behind her, responded. She hoped the jerk next to her would not spill what she was doing.
" You're leaving '' Seohyun was the only one who brought the excuse as Jihoo's curious eyes stayed on his best friend, who was just sipping his drink. His eyes finally left Jandi and came to Jihoo.
" I am so sorry for us leaving you; these things are nerve fun"
" Oh, it was fun," Jandi tried to make Seohyun feel better.
" We are going for a drive, do you want to come?" Seohyun asked, trying to be nice and offer a better solution than being stuck at this event.
" What? No!' Jandi's quick response, even her hands returned to the front as she shook both in defense of what she was asked.
" We have things to do" she whispered something that caused more harm as her fidgeting fingers pointed at Junpyo standing beside her.
" We?" Jihoo asked, shifting his eyes between his best friend and Jandi, who cursed herself for the words she slipped. Her kind focused on getting away from Jihoo and used whatever excuses not to be around the two.
" Huh" Jun Pyo taking another sip slightly moved his body against the wall to shift her way as he waited for her to explain what she had said. It was fun to see her when she wasn't composed and in control of the situation. Her fidgeting fingers she sent on her back, her eyes moving between him and Jihoo. Her startled eyes were looking for an escape. For now, Junpyo was finding it all fun and interesting. It was even cute how she lost her composure around Jihoo. It was interesting to witness, and that was where he focused not on that it was becoming easy for him to read this girl.
" Just tell the" His words were silenced when her right hand grabbed his arm. With his left hand in his pocket, Junpyo's eyes had landed on the arm she grabbed to silence him. It wasn't just him, both Jihoo and Seohyun had followed her hands to where she had grabbed Junpyo. While Jihoo, confused about what was going on, stared at the two waiting for either to say something, Seohyun had erased everything she heard about the two and focused on examining the glance between the two. She was the only one smart enough to read the body language of the two since the moment she noticed the weird air around them.
" We have something to talk about," Jandi, her hand still on Jun Pyo, thought that was a good enough explanation.
" Is he still bullying you?"
"Oh no. No '' Jandi's shaking hands defended Junpyo leaving Jihoo startled by how quick she was. His eyes, demanding answers, focused on Jun Pyo, who intentionally avoided him.
" It's something else,"
" What is it? '' Jihoo asked as Junpyo's eyes turned to his best friend. Even Seohyun had turned to Jihoo next to her as she sensed the tone in his voice.
" We are going on a drive too." Junpyo, solely moving his body away from the wall, stood tall as he responded to Jihoo. His right hand lowered the glass to his side, and his tall body was now standing next to Jandi, who rather than clarifying what he said, just quietly stood there accepting what he said as a way out and just focused her eyes on Jihoo. Seohyun was the only one to catch the look between Jihoo and Junpyo.
" We have something to talk about, '' Junpyo added as he tilted his head while staring back at Jihoo. It was interesting to see Jihoo, who was second ago kissing Seohyun, be this bothered about Jandi and what she does. For Junpyo, who always changes jihoo to be vocal about what he wants and fights for things, this was an area where he didn't mind pushing his friend and that was what he was doing. Trying to get Jihoo to react.
" It was a really nice event" Jandi, who wants to get away as soon as possible, shifted the focus to Seohyun.
" Thank you for having me, I enjoyed it," she added, giving Seohyun a small bow.
" My pleasure, hopefully, I will see you soon," Seohyun gave Jandi her famous beautiful smile.
" We should go," Jandi whispered to Jun Pyo, her eyes shaking up at him; only Jihoo was having a hard time accepting what he was seeing as reality.
" I'll see you Tuesday" Seohyun shifted her smile to Junpyo, who smiled back, giving her a nod. The dinner all were invited to, was what Seohyun was referring to as she said bye.
" Bye" Seohyun was the only one to say it as Junpyo followed Jandi and turned around before turning left at the corner and heading straight to the elevator ahead. Jandi, brushing her hair, crossed her arms as she walked straight ahead. What just happened? Her fighting fingers were sent to squeeze her arm crossed as she was forcing herself to look back at the people they were walking away from. What just happened?
" They seem close," Seohyun, lending her head against Jihoo's shoulder, whispered as she kept her eyes on the two walking away. Maybe it was the black outfits, she assumed as the two walking away looked quite good in their black outfits and matching steps.
" It doesn't look like they hate each other to me. I th" she added for her words to slowly fade away as she saw Junpyo's right hand extending to press the elevator button as he stood right behind Jandi on her right side. Not even looking up, Jandi looked lost in whatever she was thinking about. Her body, nicely wrapped with the back dress, had walked into the elevator without thinking about anything. It was only the two people on the other side of the hallway that were left puzzled by watching Junpyo letting her walk in first. Not only let her walk first, but he had held the door open as Jandi walked in. It would have been easy to dismiss what they saw as insignificant and just a drunk imagination if not for Junpyo's eyes that turned from Jandi to them. As he let go of the door and started walking, he made sure to give both a small wink along with a , slowly moving her head away from Jihoo, turned her eyes to the one beside her. She sensed the energy coming from him; she needed
" huh." Taking a deep breath, Jandi brushed her hair back as she sent her hands to her back. The nonsense she was thinking about needed to be shut down. It was beyond ridiculous to feel anything about having to leave with Junpyo. Why was she even bothered by Jihoo knowing she talked to Junpyo? What was she worried about? These people are nothing to her. Nothing, she tried conniving herself as.
" It's cute how you lose composure around him. '' His whisperer, Jandi's eyes turned to Junpyo standing at the right corner of the elevator behind her. Her baffled eyes increased in size.
"Ha," Junpyo could only smile.
" I don't
" You don't have to lie to me," brushing his hair.
" Convince yourself first." He hit this one on the mark.
" It doesn't matter what you think." As the door opened and she walked out, she responded to his accusation.
" All that matters is what you think of him." Junpyo was enjoying her eyes that turned his way again. With the anger now present, he could only hide his small smiles.
" You're annoying. '' Turning her eyes to the grand lobby, she started their walk down the hallway to head back to the event. She hadn't failed to notice the hotel manager who gave Junpyo a small bow as he walked away, and the waiter Junpyo signaled to take the glass he handed him.
"You're annoyed because you haven't figured out your feelings"
"But am okay with being blamed for it" leaning her way, he added.
" Move away" How nonchalantly both her hands had landed on his side, which she pushed away, was only noticed by the hotel staff. Junpyo focused on enjoying the annoyed and angry look on her face and hadn't thought much about the second touch of the day and the body she pushed away. His eyes on the girl matching away from him, he chose to follow, walking slowly.
" Huh," his smile hit his own lip to hold; his eyes were softly tracing down the body walking ahead as he moved from her dark hair and landed on her bare shoulder. Her slim body, his arms recall carrying, he was reminded of what it felt like to her resting against his chest. The black dress his eyes traced down to her legs reminded him of the soft and warm skin she had covered up tonight. For once, her legs were hidden behind the thick fabric while her shoulder and arm were left exposed. The fresh but not cold air, the moment she walked out into the garden, her shoulders had moved in reaction to the cold breeze. Her arms crossed, she quickened her steps as she headed into the event.
The hotel staff she walked against, giving her small smiles, were giving him bows as they moved out of his way. By the time she got to the table, she first grabbed her coat and started putting it on. At their empty table, she hadn't cared to even look at what was happening with the event as She focused on her coat, which she zipped up, and the bag she picked up. She just wants this night to end.
" Huh," she sighed, taking a deep breath as she turned to Junpyo standing steps away, talking to one of the men, shaking his hand. Her head tilted left; she showed him where she would be waiting for him. Her first steps were as quick as she changed her focus back to her legs and started heading to the left exit. She needs some fresh air and to move away from this place.
" I don't know much about that. '' Junpyo, giving the man fake smiles, focused his eyes on Jandi walking away in the opposite direction. Her eyes were glued to the floor; her steps were faster, as though she was rushing to get away.
" I don't deal with company stuff." Trying to free his hand, Junpyo tried using his fake smile as a nice way to move, but his hand held still. He had a couple more questions about the company he had to answer before he was freed from the conversation. Both his hands were sent to his hair; he had brushed it to his face to hide away as he started rushing out of the event in the same direction Jandi had taken minutes ago.
"Huh" the deep breath he took the second he left the event and started walking in the garden, the cold air was enough to calm his anxiety down from the pope he ran away from. His hair was now brushed away; he sent his hands to his pocket to look for the emotions that often help him manage the unwanted emotions events like this bring up. Finding one in his left pocket, he placed it between his lips. He continued his walk across the garden with his hands now tasked with finding his lighter. A good 2 minutes of searching is what it took to find his lighter, which he made sure to put in his coat pocket so he could easily find it. The cold air brushing against his face was, in seconds, eliminated as the smoke he inhaled was breathed out, clouding his view of the massive garden. Two deep breaths in, the cloud of white smoke he breathed out had cleared to showcase the figure standing by the small water fountain. Her jacket zipped up and standing in the almost dark garden, how he could it was her just by her figure was alarming.
His fingers bringing the cigarette to his lips, he inhaled the nicotine while his eyes questioned what she could be thinking about as she stood lost in the water, falling down the statue in the middle of the fountain. Her arms crossed, Jandi stood still, her eyes guided to the woman in the middle of the figure the water was flowing down from. Her hair flew left and right, and her left hand slowly brushed behind her ear as Junpyo got a good view of her side profile.
Puff- the white smoke he blew away was cleared in seconds as his captive eyes were forced to follow her right hand that extended out into the water. A small smile escaped her lips when the cold water started stripping her hand; Junpyo's left hand was moving in slow motion as it brought the cigarette back to his lips.
The soft movement of her cheeks forced a smile on her black face; there was something oddly innocent about the things that made her smile. He wanted to give her some silence so she could enjoy what she was doing, but her excellent eyes had made out the small movements on her right, which turned out to be who she was waiting for. Her arm was quickly retrieved from her jacket pocket; she turned to face him.
" Can we go? I want to be home before midnight," she asked as she noticed the cigarette in his left hand. She had noticed how he smoked with his left hand, which was not his dominant hand.
" This way," Junpyo pointed in the direction behind him as she slowly started walking his way. Inhaling the nicotine, he waited for her to get to his side before he started walking. Her careful steps across the rocks became faster once she got to the pavement he was standing on, and in minutes, the two would be walking back into the hallway leading to the main entrance. His cigarette was thrown away, and his hands were in his pocket as he tried to ensure they left the lobby as quickly as possible. Walking next to him on his right side, Jandi noticed his hair he brushed to his face and his wandering eyes, trying to avoid anybody looking their way. Her assumption that he might be trying not to be seen next to her was wrong, but nothing stopped her from making it. She deeply sighed, and placed both her hands in her pocket as she reminded herself not to care. Why she even makes these assumptions was worrying as she had always been the one who never cared about what people said about her. It doesn't matter.
" Sir," the hotel security gave Junpyo a small bow as they walked out the main door and descended the stairs. Jandi lifted her dress, slowed her steps while her eyes were sent to the driveway, and found his car slowly arriving thanks to the valet drivers notified to pull it up.
" Sir," another security had given him another bow as he passed, and for the first time, Jandi was picking on how many bows he got just in their walk from the lobby to here. Her eyes from the security who left up the stairs changed to Junpyo moving his hair away from his face and behind his ear.
" What?" Junpyo asked when her eyes stayed on him longer than a single look. The way she was looking at him, he could guess she was curious about something and had some questions going in her mind.
"Nothing," she whispered as she finished the last step.
" Miss," one of the valets standing by the passenger door had opened the door for her as he waited with a small smile. Junpyo, leaving her behind, walked around the car and headed to the door opened for him.
" Thank you. "She gave the valet a small smile as she got on. Her hand on the handle, she had tried to do it on her own, but the man had made sure to close the door slowly behind her. It felt weird to be catered like this, she thought to herself. While her hands buckled her belt, her eyes noticed Junpyo handing the valet something. Was that a tip? She couldn't see what was transferred between the two hands before Junpyo entered, and the door was shut. Do they give tips to valets?
'What?' Junpyo asked again as he caught her eyes on him again. His hands were sent to the steering wheel, and he started their slow drive out of the driveway.
"Can you just say it rather than look at me like that?" he added as he signaled to leave to join the main road that leads out of the hotel.
" I don't have anything to say," she responded while pointing at his lack of belt, which was resolved by his right hand that took less than a minute to buckle his seat belt.
"Your questioning eyes beg to differ." All his attention on the road he joined, Jandi noticed how effortlessly he drove as they quickly left the hotel and were on the main road.
" Why do you smoke?" If he was going to be annoying, she chose to go with questions she knew would bother him, which she could use to silence him. After their last two or three interactions, she had learned a few great ways to silence him, and she was happy to use any method. The long drive ahead of them, she knew she had to use sensitive topics, which she was sure would trigger him to dig deeper into. She could use those to get some silence until they get to his palace, and she can get her bag.
" Do you want an honest answer?" he asked, turning her way. Her eyes followed his; her face turned his way. A bit confused by what he meant.
"Why would you lie to me?" she responded with her question.
" Jihoo is my best friend, and you report to him." Junpyo kept his eyes on her; her eyes couldn't lie to him. He has observed her enough not to trust the look on her face, which was emotionless most of the time. It was her eyes he had to look out for.
"Why would you tell me something you wouldn't tell him?"
"Because you hate me and wouldn't care less about anything I say." he had a quick response to her question. He didn't have to add about Jihoo and his love for him; she was quite aware of how much the two friends loved each other and protected each other.
" Why would you hide things from someone that cares about you?" She was honestly curious about this one as she slowly closed the window next to her when the car stopped at the red light.
" He worries too much, and it becomes suffocating." his hands brushed his hair, and she coughed his deep sigh along with his words. Seeing his face, this close felt odd when all his hair was moved away from his face. Her eyes were stuck on that until he turned her way. Not to be caught staring, she quickly focused on the road ahead.
" He worries too much because you do stupid stuff."
"Like?" Crossing his arms, he sat back as he waited for her explanation which never came. She just turned her eyes his way.
" You cursed me and told me to kill myself, I don't think there's a worse thing you can say," he added, giving her permission to say what she was hesitating. His words hadn't failed to remind her of all the things she had said to him in his home, which she still stands by.
" You're suicidal. You drink. You do drugs. You club and party. You're very promiscuous. You smoke. You don't eat properly" The small smile on his face resulted from dismay at what she was listening to.
" You're medically drugged. You bully people for enjoyment, You are selfish and act like a jerk" She chose to end it there and respond to the question in his eyes .
" I've been in that school for a while, been bullied and forced to be around you all," she explained how she knows about the things she listed. Her eyes turning to the road ahead, she chose not to look at him. She wasn't sure why, but looking at him didn't feel right.
" I don't bully people for enjoyment'' His hands returned to the steering wheel. He stepped on the gas the moment the light turned green. The freeway he was heading to was five minutes away.
" Why did you burn my shoes?" she wasn't sure where it came from as even her voice had changed with the words that slipped from her lips. What was scarier were her eyes that landed on him.
" I know it was your idea." Her eyes left him and returned to the road.
" You stared at them every time I was in your view," she added, crossing her arms and sitting back. Her eyes focused on the empty road were replying the day she swore to rip his guts out as he stood there, silently waiting for her to show the pain he had caused.
" Did it make you happy? Powerful?
" Am I curious how you felt doing that to me?" This question she had softly spoken to would be pinned in his mind for months as Junpyo was forced to notice the change in the air between them the moment she asked.
" That's not even the worst thing you did."
"Remember that before you ask me why I hate you next time," she added as she turned her eyes to the window next to her. She can't even look in the front, where she would have a peripheral view of him. She can't look at him. She would either say something worse or would want to punch his face. Her eyes were on the tall trees, and she was given some silence to stop her mind from running wild with all the memories it brought her. She didn't need them. She didn't need a refresher on everything he and his friends had done. Even if he hadn't done something personally to her, she would have still hated his guts for who he was and what he represented as the F4 leader.
" You're going to forgive me, are you?" she heard his husky voice minutes later. The freeway they joined, driving straight, was easier now as he sat closer to his window where he placed his left hand holding his head. He didn't get an answer, which he didn't need. He knew the answer already. She never had to say it, he could feel it. He could sense it whenever he was around her. It was so evident to see for anybody who paid attention.
" You are convinced that I am this devil, and I ' his words fell short when her eyes turned his way. She dared him to finish the sentence as she noticed the hesitation.
" Say it,' she commanded.
" I thought we were being honest," she returned to the topic that started this discussion.
'` Do you have a crush on Jihoo?' he asked, leaving her startled. Her eyes are cute when they increase in size when she is shocked.
'`Testing the honesty thing?' he added, clarifying why Jihoo's name was mentioned.
" I don't know why you wouldn't be honest with me, considering you hate me." he used her own logic against her, and unlike her, both knew he didn't tell Jiho anything. It was one of the things Jandi had noticed about him. Of all the things he had seen, he never told anybody anything about her. His eyes stayed on her while she was calculating her options.
" I don't have a crush on him. I just consider him a friend."
" He is nice to me, and I like working with him." She was frank in her response, but more than her words, the softness of her voice got Junpyo. It wasn't enough how she looked at Jihoo, the warmth and calm in her voice when she talked about him. Just as she talks about him, Junpyo is stuck on that for a minute just as she talks about him. Why she had to be honest and why she had to share this with this one wasn't clear. The significance of what she said was only heavy for the girl who didn't have any friends.
Jihoo being her friend was massive, but only she knew that, or so she thought. The car went silent for a minute before either one said anything.
" I have anxiety." Junpyo's raspy voice brought her out of her thoughts to the space they were in.
"The cigarette helps," he added, responding to her first question. His right hand was sent to his hair, and she was provided yet another proof of his writings that brush his hair when nervous.
"Anything that can shut my mind works," he added with a small smile. She had figured out yesterday how his smiling mask was often used when he talked about himself. She had seen it yesterday, and lucky for her, she could unmask him from it yesterday.
" I know I am not nice," the affliction in his voice, her eyes had no option but to turn his way.
"I am a jerk, but I am not as evil as you make me out to be," he added, keeping his eyes on the long, empty highway. His hair he had brushed to his face; she could not see the eyes he had hidden away as he stepped on the gas and increased their speed. His right hand tightly held the steering wheel. Her eyes left that to notice how his left hand was pinching at his head
Finally, he had given her what she wanted: his silence.
One
Two
Three . ..the minutes went on as they sat silently, both lost in their thoughts. In the dead silence, her eyes had turned his way. Hidden behind his dark hair, for once, she was curious about what look he had on his face.
"Please just ask me rather than staring at me." his whisper was like a plea.
" Your eyes are scary," he added, glancing her way. His eyes quickly looked at her and back to the road; this was the first time anybody had ever said her eyes were scary as Jandi didn't know how to take them. She wasn't even sure what he meant by saying her eyes were scary. Was he scared of her? Scared that she would hit him? What else would he be scared about? It doesn't matter. It is none of your business, the voice in her head was trying to convince her to shut all the conversation down and sit quietly until she got her bag and left.
"If you tell me what you want from me, I will not even look your way," she used the opportunity.
" You keep saying that."
" I am serious," she affirmed her stance on the offer she kept making.
"Where did you learn how to fight?" came the first question as his eyes slowly turned her way.
" Why do you work as an escort?"
" What type of stuff are you involved in to sneak around cops?"
" Why does your record look suspiciously clear? '' he added, giving her another reason to be paranoid. He has run background checks on her and her file that sat at his desk; Junpyo's genius mind was always great at trusting his intuition has been triggered with every line he read on her file.
"The men you sleep with are high-profile people, which seems ridiculous to be unintentional." She was dealing with a very observant person Jandi was getting a test of as she sat forced into complete silence and shocked.
" You were drugged, and not once did you react to that or the fact that I could have taken advantage. Maybe something that has happened before."
" Nothing adds up."
" Why do you care?" she asked as she silenced her fidgeting fingers, hiding them behind her crossed arms. He asks serious questions that could get her in trouble if he finds the answer to even one.
" I don't. I am just curious," he whispered seconds later.
That was the last thing said as the car turned silent until they reached the building's security gates. He drove past and headed to his floor. The circular round he made as she drove up, Jandi was the only one forcing herself to be distracted by counting the floors. The sensor on his car showed how the metal gates had opened as they drove one more floor up to the space with two other cars parked. She had never seen him drive the other two covered; she tried distracting herself as the car slowly drove to the corner and came to a complete stop. Was this his private parking space? She asked Mandaine questions as they both got out, and she followed these steps to the elevator ahead.
The password he entered, she followed him into the glass elevator that quickly started moving up. She remembered that the ride wasn't long as the elevator opened to the hallway. His shoes kicked to the side; Junpyo led the way as Jandi, taking her boots, paled them by the side as she followed slowly behind. The living she could see ahead, she was more focused on the view of the city from the window than anything else. Every step she took brought her closer to it; she admired the view and wondered what Jnpyo was doing as he headed to the sofa set and lowered his back to grab the bag in the middle of the table.
" Huh," she sighed as her eyes landed on her purse in his hands. Her closed bag, she was in relief, noticing it didn't look like he had opened it. Fasting her steps, she came to his side.
Her right hand extended and grabbed her bag, but as she tried moving it her way, he tightened his grip, holding it back.
"What do you gain out of this?" he asked, forcing her to question if he had looked inside her bag.
" I know it's not money," he added, holding tight when she pulled again.
"It's not your business"
" and if it was," his question wasn't what was worrisome; it was how he had pulled at the bag, forcing her closer.
"Would it be my business if I pay ?" he asked as his voice lowered a register while his dark eyes raised another question as they stared into her confused ones. Her wandering eyes blankly stared at him; Junpyo wasn't sure what on earth had taken over him, and the longer she stared back at him with the look, the harder he wanted to push.
"How much do you cost? His whispers of a voice were instantly erased as the echo of the slap that repeated in the massive living room. The sound was what Junpyo opened his eyes to as the pain across his cold cheek was processed and reached his shocked mind. Her anger-filled eyes staring at him was what his dark eyes returned to as he was forced to witness the anger boiling inside her was visible all over her body as she took a step away from him.