13_ The Kiss.

13

Hardin and his members arrived Tokyo Japan after 11 hours flight, they had two hours of rest and then it was time for them to prepare for their concert.

Hardin was at the backstage smoking and drinking whiskey straight from the bottle, he checked his phone every minute, waiting for the time to come when Kandy walked up to him.

She wrapped her hands around his waist and placed her head on his brood back.

"I missed you so much." She whispered softly and giggled, "It is so nice to touch you again like this."

Hardin puffed out a smoke and dropped the cigarette on the floor, he stepped on it with the sole of his shoes and pushed his hands inside his jeans trouser. He brought out a mint chewing gum and unwrapped the wrapper before putting it inside his mouth and chewing it. All this while ignoring Kandy who was wrapped up behind him.

He throw the empty bottle of whiskey inside the nearby trash can and turned around to face Kandy.

"When did you get here?" He queried, his eyebrows raised.

Kandy smiled and intertwined their hands.

"Over an hour ago, you can see that I am dressed already." Kandy retorted.

Hardin let out a deep breath and stared into Kandy's eyes.

"How prepared are you?" He questioned quietly. Their previous performance was carried by Hardin because Kandy couldn't practice well and ended up forgetting some of her lines. He wouldn't want the to happen again.

Kandy scoffed and raised on her toes then kissed him lightly on the lips.

"I am always ready to perform with you." She responded. Hardin nodded his head and wrapped his hand around her waist and pulled her closer to himself.

He slammed his lips on hers, kissing her hurriedly. He needed to touch her. He wanted to desperately have her around him but since he couldn't, he settled for a kiss instead.

Emma was searching for Hardin at the changing room and wondering where he had walked off to until she stepped outside and saw Hardin and Kandy almost tearing their clothes off.

Emma gasped and quickly covered her mouth.

When they heard her, they slowly release each other and glanced her way.

"I....I just wanted to tell you that it's time. You have to drink some water before going on stage." Emma stammered. Hardin nodded his head. He glanced at Kandy and winked at her before walking towards Emma. He collected the bottle of water from her and drank before handing it back and walked away.

"So it was true. The blogs weren't just posting baseless rumors and photoshopped pictures. Their relationship is real." Emma thought and closed her eyes.

What chance does she have against Kandy?

She opened her eyes and glanced at Kandy who was already walking towards her.

"You are one of the trainees right?" Kandy inquired and Emma nodded her head.

"Yes, I am." She responded and Kandy pursed her lips.

She just doesn't like Emma.

The first time she saw her she knew that she was an overachiever.

And then the way she caught her staring at Hardin.

"Why are you the one assisting Hardin? There are GY staffs here." Kandy said and Emma smiled sweetly.

"SHAKE is my ultimate group, I just wanted to help and also learn from them. Besides, Manager Tristan let me and I'm not the only one here." Emma retorted and glanced back inside. " If that's all then I'll have to take my leave."

She bowed her head and walked back inside.

Kandy stand there for a while, wondering what it is about the trainee that doesn't settle with her.

"Kandy, what the hell are you doing there. Get ready. Hardin is about to go on stage." Nene called on Kandy and she rushed back inside.

*****

Emma listened from the backstage as Hardin perform and she sing along. She grinned widely while listening to him, her eyes filled with adoration for him.

"You fancy him don't you?" Sandra asked from behind her and Emma jumped back in fright.

"You scared me," She uttered with a deep frown on her face.

"I didn't mean to scare you, you were just so lost in the music." Sandra retorted and stood beside Emma when Kandy's voice came on.

"Damn, she's too good. I want my voice to be that flawless." Sandra said and sighed. "How I wish I could get Hardin to mentor me, I heard that he and Scott were Kandy's mentor during GX1's training days."

"That is just a wish. It's not going to happen." Emma replied and listen intently as Kandy's singing voice and Hardin's rap blended with each other.

How she wish Hardin would train her. She would be better than Kandy and she knows it.

"What's on your mind?" Sandra questioned.

Emma tilted her eyebrows and pursed her lips. Her fingers digging into each other.

She was restless.

She have to let Hardin see her worth. Even if that would make him train her, she would appreciate that.

Emma turned around to face Sandra and grabbed her hands. "Sandra, what would you do if you want someone to notice you so badly?" She inquired curiously.

Sandra cocked her head to the side and frowned.

"I'll have to find out what the person likes and keep doing it. If the person likes a particular thing that I also like then I'll do it. For example, if I like Hardin and since Hardin loves music, I will sing more around him." Sandra responded.

Emma thought about the reply that Sandra gave her for a while and nodded her head.

"Yes, you're right. That is the only way." Emma said and smiled. "Thank you, Sandra."

Emma walked back inside the dressing room and saw Marcel and Danny reading something from a iPad.

Marcel looked up and his eyes met hers, he cocked his head to the side and raised his eyebrows in silent question.

"I am Emma, one of the new trainees." Emma said and smiled.

"Haa, we were on the jet together. You are a beautiful girl."Marcel said and Danny pumped him with his shoulder.

"Are you hitting on a trainee now?" Danny asked.

"Of course not, I'm just letting her know how beautiful she is." Marcel responded and winked at Emma.

Out of nowhere Scott came and wrapped his arms around Emma's shoulders.

"Hi." He whispered.

"Hi." Emma said back and smiled. "I just wanted to check up on you. Are you going to perform now?"

"Yes, we'll be joining Hardin on stage soon." Scott responded and Emma nodded her head.

"I'm wishing you the best, fighting!"

"Thank you." Scott stated and Emma smiled before walking away.

She just want the night to end already.

*****

Days after days and things were still the same. The keep flying from one state to the other, from one country to the other until the night of their final tour.

Throughout the night of the performance Emma's eyes were on Hardin. She knew that the moment they go back to Seoul then it will be really hard for her to see Hardin.

She watched him silently through the night and throughout their plane ride back to Seoul.

"Thank you for your hardwork, we're all having dinner tonight at GY building tomorrow night, be sure to be there." SHAKES Manager said before a SHAKE members get into their Van and drove off.

A Van came and pick up Emma, Sandra, Nana and Jennifer up from the airport and throughout the ride everyone of them were sleeping.

It has been a long month with little to no sleep. They just couldn't wait to get to their dorm and sleep like babies.

The next morning they didn't go to GY building, Manager Tristan let them take a rest from the long journey and then in the evening they started getting ready for the dinner at GY building.

Emma dressed up in a short black yoke skirt and a pink turtle neck shirt.

She sat down to do her make-up. She wanted to look good tonight.

Emma had every intention of catching Hardin's unwavering attention at the dinner.

Even if it means dressing up beautifully.

It has been months and he hasn't noticed her yet. He has to. She has to make him notice her no matter how embarrassing it might be.

What do they usually say? "Good things don't come on a gold platter. You have to work for it."

When Emma for out of her room Jennifer smiled.

"Are you planning on seducing someone tonight? Girl you're dressed to kill." She said and Emma laughed nervously.

"Does my outfit give off that impression? That I'm planning on seducing someone?" Emma asked carefully.

"Of course not," Jennifer responded and walked towards her. Jennifer smoothened Emma's turtle neck and winked. "You look sexy. You look your age tonight. Young and sexy."

Emma giggled and glanced down at herself. She was happy that her hard work to make herself look good really paid off.

"Shall we go now, Manager Tristan is waiting for us inside the Van." Nana announced.

The night is going to be something else.