It was a loud cry like a rooster crowing at the break of dawn Director Park had made. In just a second, it was answered by another cry coming from a baby boy. It woke the sun up that stretched its light to the sky. Helen lost a track of time, her adrenaline was still on its highest peak. How could she not panic when her anger caused Director Park to labor in opportune time. Good thing, there was Siwon... but where is Siwon now?
She was pulled out from her reverie when Siwon answered her question by simply standing in front of her, holding a cup of white tea to her. "Drink this." he said then occupied the seat beside her in the waiting room.
She was pulled out from her reverie when Siwon answered her question by simply standing in front of her, holding a cup of white tea to her. "Drink this." he said then occupied the seat beside her in the waiting room.
"Where have you been?" It was a stupid question that slipped from Helen's mouth. Of course, he went to the cafeteria to buy you a tea. She could not think of anything to say or ask to Siwon. Since then, the effect he had on her was inexplicable. She could not even put it into words.
"You must have been tired, so I bought you a tea. White tea, your favorite." Siwon answered and showed his white and perfectly aligned teeth. Ya, Gongju-ya! Don't be fooled by his charm!!! Helen then cleared her throat and tried to appear more formal.
"Choi Siwon, thank you for the last night. I did not know what to do. Thanks to you... really." she said but her eyes avoiding his. Is thank you really hard to say? To the man who have hurt you?
"Its nothing." He smiled again, pointing to her white tea, "Just finish your tea if you want to say thank you." Helen just nodded, she was trying to peek at Siwon when her peripheral vision permits. For ten minutes they were just sitting there, not talking to each other. Feeling each other, perhaps?
"You're welcome." Siwon said surprising the clueless Helen. "You finished your tea already, that's why I said you're welcome." he laughed at himself, soon Helen found herself laughing too. Laughing at the awkwardness. Soon, their eyes met saying all those things they couldn't tell to each other. The things they kept to themselves for three years. They were quiet for some time, looking at each other. No one had the guts to speak what their eyes were saying. Then the nurse from the Operating Room came into the scene beckoning them to the room. Siwon was the first to rise, offering his hand to Helen.
"You're welcome." Siwon said surprising the clueless Helen. "You finished your tea already, that's why I said you're welcome." he laughed at himself, soon Helen found herself laughing too. Laughing at the awkwardness. Soon, their eyes met saying all those things they couldn't tell to each other. The things they kept to themselves for three years. They were quiet for some time, looking at each other. No one had the guts to speak what their eyes were saying. Then the nurse from the Operating Room came into the scene beckoning them to the room. Siwon was the first to rise, offering his hand to Helen.
"Wait." Siwon said before Helen could take his hand. "I know I have hurt you. I didn't mean to, believe me. If I hurt you before, I'm sorry... Can we start all over again?" His smile was shy like what a schoolboy could give to his teacher when caught sleeping. Sorry and full of promises of never doing it again.
And like a considerate teacher, Helen took his hand as a sign of second chance. They smiled to each other. A smile so wide it stretched up to the coldest of hearts.
"Agassi, my name is Choi Siwon. I want to be your friend." Siwon said it in a playful manner as playful as his hand, still playing with hers. Helen grinned at his humor, she missed it. For a moment, she thought she was in empyrean, what a heavenly feeling when all the heartache has gone and buried six feet under. But gravity pulled her over to the ground, in disagreement. She noticed. They noticed, Helen and Siwon. Someone was observing.
"Get your damn hand off her!" the man piercing eyes told them, enough for Siwon to let go of Helen's hand.
Ooops. Its Lee Donghae.
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Of all the places and coffee shops, why it has to be you. Stupid! Why it has to be Handel and Gretel?! Ara was complaining to herself. She did not have a choice, she could not complain to Heechul because... she simply can't. Heechul asked her to come for a brainstorming. Is she really that head over heels to Heechul? Well, her heels must be in pain now, when she did sprint just to be in their rendezvous in time. How come Heecul was late? Ara is worried more than disappointed.
Ara had a crush on Heechul since her college days. She kept it to herself, not telling even her best college friends, Gongju and Suri but she introduced Heechul to them, which she shouldn't have done. Neither keeping it to herself or introducing them because after that Heechul asked for Suri's number. The rest was history. Yes, history like the ringtone of her phone, the song by EXO. Then, she noticed her phone was ringing. Upon seeing the name registered on the screen, she smiled and tucked the hair in her ear, then answered. "Heechul oppa?"
"Eonni, Kini here. Oppa is busy, he said sorry he can't make it today. Bye." Kini hang up. Ara looked at her phone. Am I dreaming again? No! Before it was Suri, now it's Kini? Jang sisters!!! At this time, its 7am, Kini and Oppa, they are together. Did they spend the night together? No!!! The thoughts from her thalamus was transmitted to her fist in a nanosecond as it bashed the table. Making noise at Handel and Gretel was becoming a hobby.
"You like making scene here, eh?" It was Yesung. He did not look mad or irritated. He looked cool like his mint v-neck shirt. His collar bone is sexy.
"I'm sorry. I was just carried away... ah I better go." Ara said, embarrassed again, in this place again, and in the presence of this guy... again. She gathered all her things and bowed to Yesung. But the latter blocked her way.
"Ya, we're not properly introduced. Hyung told me, I would be working with you. Can you spare me some of your time and sit there?" His tone was authoritative that Ara acquiesced. "By the way, I am Yesung but if this project made us friends, you can call me Jongwoon." He grinned like a braggadocio.
Is he suffering from ADHD? Weird. Yesung was still grinning, which soon irritated her. I need to get out of this place! "I am Seo Ara, call me Director Ara and if you' ll excuse me, I need to go now."
"Arasseo." Yesung was startled by her formality. He might have learned that he's irritating. Then, Yesung's face blushed, trying to hide his giggle but he couldn't help it. Soon, he laughed to the point that a tear was warning his eyes. Weird. "I'm sorry... omo... your name... your name is funny. Seo Ara. Ara Seo. Arasseo?" Soon, the customers laughed with him.
Ara looked at them in embarrassment. No one ever dared to tell that to me. Her breath was getting heavy like her fist, wanted to launch on Yesung's smooth face. But she has to keep her cool. She took a deep breath and bowed to her north, east, west and south. To every corner of Handel and Gretel. Goodbye to this place. "Goodbye." She left the coffee shop, which for a second kept their mum but laughed again after she left.
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"Hahaha!!!" Heechul was laughing after Kini told him what happened that morning when Suri arrived home and found her sleeping with a stranger. "I want to see Suri's expression. I wish I was there." He said then gave his ramyeon a gentle blow and ate it.
"How many yes do you need? You are always welcome here, my star-crossed sister in law." Heechul playfully stroked her hair. "By the way, my cousin also stays here. He just arrived from France. He's aloof but he's harmless." Heechul smiled at Kini as a sign of reassurance then the doorbell rang. "It must be him." He stood up and went to open the door.
"Sungjoon-a, where have you been?"
Omo, the stranger!!!
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Suri went to Han Riverside Park for a walk. She needed all the fresh air she could get after her 6885 miles journey just to land in Korea from the city that never sleeps. And she hasn't slept from there. The breeze coming from the river welcomed her face. It was soporific. She was really tired, she needed a rest and a good morning sleep. She had to combat the jet lag soon, she had to adjust to her original time zone.
Suri knew that Kini would be staying with Heechul. She didn't have to worry, she just wanted to give Kini a lesson. Is it the right thing to do? Heechul likes to spoil her? She shook her head trying to pour off anything about her sister from her brain. Her hypothalamus was uprising. She should sleep.
Before leaving the place, Suri opened her arms wide and felt the breeze through her skin. Its real. I am now in Korea! Universe, kamsahamnida!!! Her moment with the universe and the nature was interrupted by a call. At first, she hesitated to answer it but it was from New York. It might be her boss. Reluctantly, she answered it.
From a phone located thousand of miles away, crossing thousands of rivers and risking the north pacific ocean. The message was clear. "There's a rumor that Jeremy Lin secretly went to Korea. Be alert." Suri stayed paralyzed for a moment. She saw Jeremy Lin at JFK airport, could he be the same guy she saw earlier this morning running... at Han Riverside Park? She scanned the place then a ball accidentally hit her head. She felt dizzy but more sleepy.
"Miss, are you okay?" He must be the owner of the ball. Wait, I know him. Jeremy Lin? Faints.
