CHAPTER THIRTY NINE

LEE TAEMIN

All the representatives and executives were now present in the conference room, so the meeting began immediately. Ever since Hongjoong,Suah and I founded the company, we've never really faced any serious problems or issues. Our business's fame and sale had skyrocketed in the past years, and it felt so surreal everytime I thought about it.

" The designs and fabric for the new clothing line have been selected, so all that is left for now, is to select a marketing strategy and models ". The presenter said and turned on the slide projector.

" Go on ". Suah said

" Since it's our first line after a long time, we need to make the line promotion bigger and better. Considering the age bracket of our target market or audience, we need to make use of things that are common or popular among them to promote our clothes. Right now the most popular and common thing for our target is BL ". The presenter said and looked around.

" BL? "

" What is BL? "

" Is that some kind of slang? "

" Oh....I actually watch those "

" I do too "

I looked around at the executives as they murmured amongst themselves.

" Please save your questions till the end of the presentation. Please continue". Hongjoong said.

" BL also known as boys love is a genre of dramas or series that depicts a gay couple as it's main lead. It has become really popular and wildly accepted among a lot people. The on screen couples, usually do promotions"

" Hmmm that might work. We just have to pick the ones that are currently trending ". Suah said.

" I have prepared a list of some of the most popular 'couples'. I have organised them according to this month's ratings"

Photos of different actors flooded the screen as the presenter introduced them. I stared blankly at the screen, as my chest tightened. Eunsoo's picture was boldly displayed on the screen and next to him, was his partner. A slideshow of their pictures filled the screen and all my bottled up anger resurfaced. How dare he break up with me without giving me any reason why or talking to me about what was bothering him and then runaway behind my back. I understand that he may have left because he felt embarrassed to depend on someone, but abandoning all of us after everything we have all been through together, is something that I can't understand.

" In first place, we have actors Kyung Eunsoo and Han Bada. The pair starred in a series that was released earlier this year, 'MY WISH LIST',that gained a high number of positive reviews and popularity. The pair is still currently in the spotlight, after the conclusion of their fan meet. They currently have the highest ranking for most popular couple "

I could barely hear the things that were being said around me, as I was too fixated on my thoughts. Deep down, I knew I was nowhere near ready to see Eunsoo. He cut off all contact with all of us and...

" Hey! ". Hongjoong said,while tapping me.

" Ah....well, since the couple's have been presented, we can go ahead and pick our models. What couple do we choose? ". I said as I jerked back to reality.

" Obviously we should go for Kyung Eunsoo and Han Bada, since they're the most popular ones ". Minjoo said.

" Asides their popularity, they fit the aesthetics and the category we need ". Dahyun said while staring at me.

I sighed deeply, as the reality dawned on me. I guess I'll be seeing him soon.

" Alright. If we all agree, we can go ahead and send their agency an email ". I said and got up.

The meeting ended and I walked out of the room sluggishly. I want to see him but I also don't want to.

" I'm going to go mad ". I said.

" Are you okay? "

I turned towards the direction of the voice and sighed when I saw Hongjoong.

" I'm fine "

" Are you sure? "

He walked closer to me and placed his hand on my forehead.

" I said I'm fine "

" You don't have a fever ". He said and shoved his hands in his pockets.

" Pftt...it's not like you know what you're doing ". I said and jabbed him lightly.

" Ya....I was studying premed in my first year, until I decided to follow my heart. I would have taken over the world with my brains ". He said with a smug expression.

" You're obnoxious ". Suah said as she walked over to him.

" I love you too ". He said and laughed.

Suah rolled her eyes and ran over to me.

" He is crazy. Taemin let's eat lunch...just the two of us "

" Ya". He whined.

" It's alright. You two go ahead ". I said

" Are you sure ".Suah asked.

" Yeah...go on ". I said with a soft smile.

" I'll bring you some snacks ". Hongjoong said

The both of them turned around and walked away, still bickering. I smiled lightly as I watched them leave. He was probably taller than Eunsoo with a big build and stern eyes. He looked tough and scary but in reality he's really soft and goofy. Suah on the other hand, had more of an athletic build with calm eyes but was a big time introvert just like me. I feel safe and lucky to have them in my life.

KYUNG EUNSOO

I got out of the bathroom with a bathrobe draped over my body and headed to the kitchen. The smell of potatoes filled the room as I walked in.

" Hyung I'm making potato pancakes and tea ". Bada said as his big beady eyes lit up.

" I know. I can smell it "

I walked over to him and sat on the counter, next to him. I picked one pancake and began to munch on it.

" How does it taste? "

" To be honest....

" Is it bad? ". He asked while looking up at me.

I took a deep breath and he got even more anxious. I suddenly laughed and gave him a thumbs up.

" It's good "

" Hyung ". He whined.

" I'll make the tea ". I said.

He nodded his head and giggled while looking up at me. I got off the counter and ruffled his hair.

" Cute "

......

I lay in my bed, phone in hand and a troubled expression on my face. I scrolled through the many unopened messages from Taemin and the others. Earlier, I was too embarrassed to reply their messages and now, I'm too much of a coward to open them. I sighed heavily and buried my head in my pillow.

It was very deep into the night now and I still lay awake. I turned on the light and opened my drawer. I pulled out the pack of drugs and headed to the kitchen for water. I walked quietly past Bada's room and headed straight for the fridge.

" Can't sleep again? "

" Yeah ". I said as Bada walked over to me.

" Have you taken your drugs yet? ".

" I'm about to "

He handed me a glass full of water and I swallowed the drugs.

" Do you want me to stay with you? ". He asked as he rubbed my arm.

" Don't worry I'll be fine "

" Are you sure? "

" Yeah. Go on "

I've been battling insomnia for the past two years and the sleeping pills seemed to have stopped working. Bada had been very helpful, always waking up to make me snacks or tea and worrying about me.

.......

" To the director's office? ". I asked manager Park as Bada and I walked into the company's building.

" Yes. The both of you bagged another modeling gig. They would like to meet you and have a proper introduction ". He said.

Bada and I walked towards the door and I slowly pulled it open. I walked into the room and the cold air from the air conditioner hit my face as I walked over to my seat. I pulled out a chair for Bada and then had my seat. I looked over at the person sitting across me and my fingers went cold.

" Eunsoo and Bada, say hello. They are our new business partners "

Bada and I bowed lightly and reached forward to shake their hands. I looked up and saw those eyes I've been dreaming about. Taemin stared back at me for a while before releasing my hand. I looked over to the man seated next to him and then back to him.

The talk went on for a while, and soon we were done. I kept glancing over at Taemin, but he always had his gaze fixated on everything but me.

" I guess we'll be meeting again tomorrow ". The man named Hongjoong said with a small smile.

" Ah...Yes ". I mumbled.

" Why don't you have lunch with us ". Bada said.

We all stepped out of the office and headed to the cafeteria. Taemin kept avoiding me but had no problem talking to Bada. Bada, being the bubbly person he was, kept the conversation flowing and Taemin kept leaning on Hongjoong whenever he giggled and it kept irritating me.

" Hyung ". Bada said as he tapped my shoulder.

" Yeah? "

I looked over at him as he kept pointing to his food. I chuckled and pulled his food tray towards me. I picked the seaweeds out of his soup and dumped them on my plate.

" Mr. Bada....you don't eat seaweed? ". Hongjoong asked.

" No. It has a weird texture and please just call me Bada". Bada replied with a small laugh.

" Then why order seaweed soup? ". Hongjoong asked.

" Understanding Bada is impossible. So we all just accept whatever he does ". I said and laughed.

Hongjoong and Bada laughed, but Taemin remained quiet. He suddenly looked up at me and then back to his food.

" Mr. Taemin are you enjoying your food? ". I asked as I stared at him.

" Maybe it's because I'm uncomfortable and a little angry, but I might be getting indigestion ". He said while glaring at me.

" I..."

" Are you okay? Do you need more water? ". Hongjoong said while patting Taemin's back.

I took a deep breath and just went on with my meal.After the meal, Bada and I walked them to their car and waved them goodbye.

LEE TAEMIN

I picked up my glass and downed the beer. I couldn't explain the different emotions that filled me up and it annoyed me.

" Did you talk not talk to him? ". Minho asked

" What could I have said to him huh? "

" I want to ask how he's doing but I'm sure you don't want to talk about it ". Deokhwa said.

" He's doing just fine, for someone who abandoned his family ". I said.

" Come on.....you know that's not what it was ". Deokhwa said and looked at Minho.

" Yeah. I'm sure he felt really bad for putting you through all that trouble, and thought that leaving was the best option then ". Minho said.

" I'm not mad just because he left. I'm mad that he thought we didn't love him enough to support him through his darkest moment. I'm mad that he cut us off after everything we've all been through together. I'm mad that after everything, I still want him to come back ". I said while drawing in deep breaths.

" Everything will be fine ". Minho said.

My phone was vibrating in my pocket, so I pulled it out and checked the caller identification. I stared long and hard at the screen, to make sure I wasn't seeing things. Eunsoo was calling.

KYUNG EUNSOO

I sent a text message to him after dialing his line for a while. I felt tears fill my eyes as I scrolled through all the messages he had sent me. He read my text message, so I waited for a reply but non came. After waiting for a while, I fell into a troubled sleep.