Making of an Idol (5): Following Fate

Jinhyun was seated across the host for an exclusive interview. The response for the show has been positive so far as the social media trended Rogue Culture all over the world. 

Within an hour, the show shot to the top. To bank off the popularity, the channel was airing a pre-recorded interview with Jinhyun. 

"Our audience would like to know why did you choose to open your own agency instead of joining a new one?" the host asked him. 

"I wanted to create my own music, " Jinhyun chattered. "Get complete freedom over the songs I produce. I also wanted to give a chance to aspiring artists so that they can make their own songs as well. Which is why I formed Rogue Culture. To give them a choice." 

"I heard you personally picked the trainees," the host stated. 

"Yes," Jinhyun said. "Regardless of background or experience, I only chose the best ones. All the contestants had to do was to state their name and area of interest. I did not look into their past nor their families. If you have the talent and determination, you're welcome here."

Cherry was watching the interview with disgust on her face. 

"Talent and determination?" she scoffed. "For someone who was hellbent on defying fate, you just crashed into it willingly." 

She found it ironic that now she must unite the two people she loathed the most. There was a sadistic pleasure in it since she wanted to see how Jinhyun would eventually give in to his fate. Once he does, she can rest peacefully and be rid of this world. 

This really calls for a celebration, she thought in glee. Even though Cherry was a bad drunk, she still loved her booze. She had a large collection of vintage wine bottles. Browsing through them, she picked up a red wine bottle. 

She did not bother to pour it in a glass. Instead, she downed the whole bottle instantly. Hiccuping a little, she picked another bottle. Within seconds, she finished that one too. 

"Need more red wine," she slurred. She tried to find another bottle but in her drunken state, she could not find any. 

"I want more wine," she whined. "I'll go and buy some!" 

She did not bother to change and went outside in her pajamas, barefooted. 

…. 

Jinhyun had just stepped out of the elevator when Cherry stumbled out of her house, singing. 

"Gee gee gee gee baby baby baby!" she sang happily as she swayed around. 

"What the-" 

Jinhyun frowned. Why was she behaving like that? 

Cherry's eyes fell on him. She blinked at him in confusion before letting out a fit of giggles. 

"The star of tonight!" she declared as she danced towards him. Jinhyun barely managed to catch her and prevent her from falling. 

"Miss Wang are you alright?" he asked. He was talking to her for the first time in months that too when she was inebriated. 

To his surprise, she hugged him tightly. A little too tightly as Jinhyun felt suffocated by her hug. She was damn strong. 

"Miss Wang you're choking me," he wheezed. 

"I know," she gave a creepy smile. Jinhyun managed to free himself. 

"Let's take you home, alright?" he coaxed her but she was not budging. 

"I want red wine!" she insisted. 

"You're too drunk," he said. "No more wine." 

"I want wine!" she demanded, stomping her foot on the floor. "I want wine! I want it now!" 

She was behaving like a child. Unlike her usually stoic and cold personality, her drunken self was childish and naive. Jinhyun could not help but snicker. 

"There's wine inside your house," he bluffed. "Let's go in."

He led her towards her apartment. 

"Type in your key and go in," he said gently. But Cherry stood there, confused. 

"I forgot my code," she said innocently. She looked at him with her large blue eyes. Jinhyun was in a dilemma. 

Leaving her alone like this was not safe. Even if she had magical abilities, there was no guarantee that she could use them in this state. Moreover, someone may try to take advantage of her. 

He let out a sigh. He was going to regret this decision in the morning but there was no other choice. 

"I have wine in my house," he baited her. She broke into a dazzling smile. 

"Yaii!" she cheered. "Let's go!" 

She half pulled him towards his house. Jinhyun typed in the passcode. As soon as the door opened, Cherry barged in, looking for wine. 

"I want wine!" she demanded. "WINE!" 

"Okay okay!" Jinhyun assured her. "Just sit here and I'll bring you wine." 

He led her towards a couch by the chimney. For once, she obeyed and sat down. Jinhyun went into the kitchen and opened his fridge. He took out a bottle of grape juice and poured it into a glass. No matter how much she wanted wine, he knew that giving her more alcohol will only make her worse. It would best to trick her with juice. 

"Here's your wine," he said, placing the glass in front of her. 

Cherry flashed him a drunken smile and took the glass. She drank it all in one go as Jinhyun watched in wonder. 

"More!" she demanded, holding out the glass towards him. 

"You seem happy," he commented. 

"Very," she giggled. 

"Why?" he asked as he handed her another glass and sat next to her. 

"Come closer," she said in a hushed tone. Jinhyun edged towards her. Cherry looked directly into his eyes. 

"I'm happy because…" she started. Jinhyun felt hjs6 heartbeat rising. She was really close. Her cheeks were blushing furiously while her eyes gleamed with an innocent mischief. Her defenses gave away, revealing the childish and naive woman beneath it. 

"I'm happy because…" she repeated. Then she paused. "Your eyes have a little red in them."

Jinhyun blinked. 

"Your eyes are really pretty," she said, pointing at them. She inched closer. 

"Your fate is near," she whispered. Their faces were very close as Cherry leaned even closer. She inched towards him, her eyelids shut as their lips almost touched… 

Jinhyun pulled back, causing Cherry to almost fall on him. She frowned for a while before drowsiness overtook her and she slumped on the couch. 

He stared at her sleeping figure. His heart was  beating very fast as he reflected on what was about to happen. 

"I really don't understand this woman," he muttered out loud as his cheeks blushed furiously. But no matter how much he liked her, he would never take advantage of her when she was in a vulnerable state. 

She began to snore softly. He sighed and gently picked her up in his arms. He laid her on his bed and tucked her under the blanket. She stirred a little, mumbling some words before going back to sleep. 

Jinhyun picked up a spare pillow and headed for the living room. He took one last look at her and smiled. She looked so innocent in her sleep. He turned off the lights and shut the door behind him. 

He lay on the couch, thinking about their last meeting. They had not talked since then and he did not think they would cross paths again. She kept on mentioning fate and how he was destined for someone else. 

But Jinhyun felt differently. Because if fate kept on bringing her in front of him, then doesn't it mean that there is something more to their strange relationship? 

"I think I'm going to follow my fate after all," he grinned.