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Seunghee cuts off all communication with SMDJ. Elkie's still in Hong Kong and it seems like she's taking her time and won't be back anytime soon. She does chat with her sometimes but she can't really do anything for her unless she's there herself. Well, she's with Jeonghan now, and she just wish everything will work out fine. She can't let her parents know she's living with someone she just met, who's not even her boyfriend. Either way, they would be furious so she has to make this completely work until she saves enough to find a place herself.

She now works as a server at a club S3 is a regular at. Seems like they don't have room for an acoustic act or any of the sort. They only offer slots for boy and girl groups. Since she doesn't have connections, cuz Minhyun was always the one who worked his best for their band to be casted, she settles down being a part-time waitress for the time being. She goes to work at 7PM and works for 4 hours. It's her first time with this type of job and it's apparently not easy. Sitting around, singing for hours is way easier than this. But she can't go back now. After all that happened, she has to make it on her own. She can't face another harassment from a previously precious friend.

It's 8PM and she's working now. It's only her third day and the pub is packed. Jeonghan and his friends standby for their cue. They have a VIP lounge at the balcony and he can easily see Seunghee around the pub. It's good they have secured a nice place in that pub where he can monitor her easily since Soonyoung knows the owner.

"She looks tired," Jeonghan murmurs.

"What do you expect? This pub is always crowded. She has to be extra mostly during weekends," Soonyoung says, lazily laying on the couch.

"I wonder when Elkie-ya will really come back? Three months is too long. Hope she comes back soon, Seunghee really needs her to be here this time," Seungkwan states.

But Soonyoung sneers at him with smirk, "Are you talking for yourself?"

It's obvious Seungkwan wants his girlfriend to be back, "Is it that obvious?" he only adds a chuckle.

Then Soonyoung just shakes his head.

"Hey, can we just perform here for the mean time? I want to look after her," Jeonghan says without the cringe. He's serious in doing the protection thing.

Soonyoung wanted to laugh but he holds it in and replies, "Of course not," seriously.

Jeonghan glances at him upset then he bursts out laughing. Seungkwan just giggles at the side.

"I was just joking hyung. Come on! Loosen up! Of course, we can. I can tell Mr. Lee that we're staying for a while. Besides, it's hard to get castings outside these days. It's racking my reputation," Soonyoung utters. "You can take her home starting tonight. Just don't think of doing anything funny."

"What's that supposed to mean? Of course I won't. I'm letting her stay in my apartment for free because I want to help. And she's moving out soon. After her first two months here, she said she'll find a place," Jeonghan says.

"Soon? Two months is a long stay hyung," Seungkwan says in fact.

"And two months is long enough for you to calm junior down," Soonyoung chuckles.

Jeonghan grabs a small pillow beside him and throws it hard at Soonyoung, though the latter is still smiling about it. Seungkwan also snickers a bit.

"You guys... I don't have anything to explain to you. But for sure, I won't lay a finger on her. You can bet on it," Jeonghan says annoyed a little and drinks his beer.

"Whooo!!" the two boys just mock him.

"Aish..." Jeonghan just grumble.

He stares at her again as she keeps roaming around the area getting and carrying orders. If he can only help her, he would. But then he has faith that she'll be able to pass this. He's just behind her, if there's anything she needs, he'll be there to support her.

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A week has gone. They have the same routine everyday. They take turns who takes the bath first. Seunghee buys her own paraphernalia and stuffs. She placed her things neatly at one corner of the room so there's less disruption of his things. She barely keeps her things to herself, which feels like she's merely a guest in his home. Jeonghan doesn't tell her what to do of course. If she wants to it be that way, he won't tell her to be otherwise. He just wants her to have her own space and pace in the house. He doesn't want her to feel like he's trying to control her.

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"Jeonghan-ah, can I ask something?" Seunghee says.

She's sitting in the living room while Jeonghan is at the kitchen brewing some coffee. It's early on a Saturday and they're resting the day slowly.

"Yeah, what is it?" he replies.

"What's Soonyoung-ssi's relationship with Mr. Lee?"

"He's his godfather. And their families are close. Coffee's done!"

"Oh, sure!"

She walks to him slowly and he hands her the coffee cup when she reaches the table. She's dressed plainly in her everyday clothes, which is an oversized shirt and a pair of mid-thigh shorts. She has her hair in a messy bun, with strands of hair falling down the sides of her neck. She looks dazzling like this and Jeonghan is completely blown over. He's now starting to get afflicted. Seems like Soonyoung's comment a few days back is gonna haunt him for real. To calm himself down, he mostly just not look at her often.

She sips the coffee and smiles, "This is just great Jeonghan-ah."

"Thanks," he replies.

She glances at him. He's busy keeping the coffee beans and the coffee maker back in place. He looks so gentle but masculine at the same time. His broad shoulders stand out under the shirt he's wearing and it just looks so seamless on him. His bleached hair is laid back with a clip and it looks really cute. And those eyes of course, are something she wants to be on her. She's dreaming infront of him and it's not a good sign, she berates herself. For how long is she gonna wait? She asks herself. Thinking about it, she only heaves a sigh.

He unfortunately turns and takes a glimpse of it so asks, "What are you sighing about?"

She's surprised and looks at him with wide eyes, shaking her head, "Nothing! The coffee, it's just hot. Yeah, it's just that."

"Yeah, I'll be going out today. We're having some recording at the center. Do you wanna come?"

"No, I think I'll pass. Maybe next time."

"Okay. Make yourself at home."

"Yeah. Thanks."

After the finishing the coffee, Jeonghan changed into something and is out to go, leaving Seunghee on her own for the very first time in his apartment.

"Don't wait for me. I think I'll be home late," he tells her before closing the door.

"Yeah. It's okay. Have fun," she says.

"See yah."

Right then he has gone and she's now alone in his house.

She walks in and sits in his living room. She takes a good look at the corners of the room. She's impressed cuz his place is clean. It looks like he does clean his place on a regular basis. Even his bed was neatly fitted when she first used it. No wonder he wasn't in a panic or in a hurry before he let her in. Actually, now that she's at it, he's always calm. He will look at her like inspecting her sometimes but doesn't really feel bothering. But he's a guy. Maybe he just keeps his secrets well. But then, that's his privacy. All that matters is that he's true to her and he respects her. She knows he's protecting her and she knows he's not being superficial.

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Jeonghan goes home even later. It's 1AM and he's restless. He did text Seunghee a couple of times today and she replied all his messages too. But he's still anxious about it. He feels the obligation to keep her company but he had to leave her on her own today. It's not like she's a little kid or something or that she might get lost when she goes outside, he just felt the responsibility for her. That he has to make sure she doesn't feel alone cuz he's with her.

When he arrives home, he enters silently, careful not to awaken her. But as he draws further in, he can hear the low volume of the TV and surprisingly, finds the drowsy Seunghee at the living room, presumably waiting for him.

"Seunghee-ya?" he comes over her and she only notices he's there.

"Jeonghan-ah..." she murmurs, brushing her eyes. "I couldn't sleep, I wanted to wait for you. Good thing you're here now."

He sits beside her, feeling somewhat guilty about it. "I'm sorry, I'm very late tonight."

"No, it's okay. It's just me. I'm just not used to your place yet. And being alone here kinda feels a little sad. I'm sorry, I don't mean to oblige you. I just... I'm sorry it's just me really. Don't think about it. Next time I'll be okay."

He looks at her pitiful state. She's lonely and tired, and here is who just left her on her own.

"Sure. Come on, you should go to sleep."

"Yeah, good night."

"Good night."

Seunghee stands up, walks to the room, and shortly after, locks it. Jeonghan heaves a long sigh as he leans his head on the cushion. It makes him feel really guilty. She's going through a tough time now, he should've known better that she needs someone beside her. Ahh... what a bad friend he is, he kicks himself inside. He can only make up for it in the days to come.

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It's the start of another week and Seunghee is working well and warmly. She's tired. She looks tired. But she's still smiling and serving the rowdy, unruly guests of the bar efficiently. Some are drunk, some are snobbish and some show very little respect, but she handles it all well. If she doesn't make it through with this job, she can't really handle worse things. This is training for her.

And as she does her best, someone is watching her back. Jeonghan doesn't get his eyes off her for a minute. He knows a place like this is very dangerous for an extremely beautiful girl like her. If he can make decisions for her, he'd tell her to find some other job safer. As usual, Soonyoung and Seungkwan are with him on their part of the pub. They've just had their stage a while ago.

Soonyoung elbows him as he mutters, "She's doing good hyung. Besides, there are bouncers and security guards all over the place. But she's really good for a rookie."

"Noona's nailing the job. And she's working hard," Seungkwan adds.

"What can you say about her hyung?" Soonyoung jokes, picking up an imaginary mic infront of his hyung.

"She's perfect," Jeonghan murmurs to himself. It's too low that the other two couldn't hear.

"What did you say? I couldn't catch that," Soonyoung asks.

"I said she's perfect," he finally makes the claim bolder.

"Whooaaa!!" the two boys reacts.

"Now, you're talking! So have you made a move on her yet?" Soonyoung chuckles with a gleaming, excited eyes.

Jeonghan puts his palm on his face and slowly push him back, "Of course not, you naughty boy."

Seungkwan just can't stop laughing. "That was epic hyung."

"Come on, hyung! I was just kidding!" Soonyoung complains.

"You guys, I think I really have to tell her soon," he tells them.

"Just go for it! You're a grown man and she's a grown woman, it's a matter of time you actually do," Soonyoung advises.

"Yeah, and it's even intriguing me why she agreed to stay with you. Just that stirs my curiosity," Seungkwan adds.

Jeonghan just stares at her even more. He's still afraid she might not be ready for some other things right now, since she's preoccupied with her own dilemma. But seeing her everyday, being with her everyday, it's just too hard for him to slow his feelings down. So maybe it's finally time for him to tell her. And besides, he can't really hide it forever.

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TO BE CONTINUED...

Published: 01/12/17