ㅇㅇㅇ

The day of the company's celebration came.

Infinite just finished all their goodbye stages and now we're going to celebrate their successful promotions.

So we're all here at a Korean restaurant which the company rented.

I'm not really in the mood to go but since all the employees are invited, it would be embarrassing to be left out.

"Congratulations Infinite! And to everyone! Thank you for all of your hard work! Cheers for our success and for more success to come!" the CEO raised his glass for a toast and we all did the same.

"Cheers!" Eonni gave a toast to me.

"Cheers!" I replied. We drank the soju in our glass.

Our tables are filled with food and soju. I grabbed this chance to gobble food. I really love free food!

Everyone has their spirits up. Laughter and chatters filled every corners. And also the noise from the karaoke. We're a music/ entertainment company after all.

I stuffed my mouth with samgyupsal when I accidentaly glanced at Sungkyu's spot. I can't help it! His angle is pretty much in my view! And he is seated two tables away from me.

I stared at him for a moment and then he caught me!

I immediately looked away pretending to listen to Minji who's talking animatedly right now. The other girls are giggling and I just nod my head though I don't understand what they are talking about.

"How about you Sujeong," Minji asked afterwards.

I'm caught! "M-me? W-what?" I seriously don't know their topic!

"Your ideal type?"

"Huh?" So they were talking about boys and I was nodding my head? Oh! This is so humiliating. I'm not really comfortable with this kind of topic.

"Come on tell us!" Hye Jin eonni seconded.

"Oh...hmmn... I haven't really thought about it." But their faces shows so much interest.

I found myself glancing at Sungkyu and he is laughing so hard together with everyone in their table. I pouted. My annoyance with him is starting again.

"I don't like guys who nags a lot. I don't like guys who built grudges. I don't like guys who makes you confuse and leaves you hanging!"

"Most importantly, I don't like guys who kiss sexy girls in the stairway," I dropped my clenched fist heavily in the table. I think I did it too loud catching attention.
I looked around and everyone in our table is looking at my direction! Even some people in other tables. Even Sungkyu!!!

He didn't hear me, right?

Someone please burry me!!!!

Minji looked shocked with my outburst. "B-but Sujeong, w-we were asking about your ideal type, not the quality of guys you don't like."

"A-ahhmm! T-that was a-haha joke. Yeah. Haha!" I'm pinching myself under the table. How can I be so careless!

"Huh?"

"I mean, the opposite of what I said are the qualities of my ideal guy."

"Hmnn... Okay," they just nodded at my response though they still looked confused. They went on questioning other girls in our table.

I let out a breath and just listened to them.

Later, some group at the end side started chanting for our CEO to sing. "sajangnim! Sajangnim!" We joined the chant. It was a long convincing process but, yeah, you can't really push him to do things like that. We always get, well, rejected.

So we turned to the managers instead. Poor Jeong Wook, since he is new, he was forced to sing next. He stood there scratching his head and we just laughed at him.

Someone chose a really hard song for him and he was refusing to go on stage but Dongwoo and Sungyeol dragged him in front.

He started singing and he is really a tone deaf!

Some girl staffs are shouting, "Don't worry, we still love you!" which brought another roll of laughter.

"Beware! That happens to all new employees!" Hye jin eonni wink at me.
I swallowed hard.

She wouldn't mean me? Right? I've worked in the company for almost two months already. That is beyond the definition of 'new', right?

I lost counts of the shots I made. I just went nervous. But as time pass by, it seems no one noticed me. And I became more relaxed.

Later, was Hoya's turn to sing. He sang something RnB I can't remember the title but it was really nice. He's got an amazing voice, you won't expect he is a rapper.

After his
performance, we all clapped for him.

"Sujeong!"
I almost got up in my feet when I heard my name.

"Someone said my name?" I asked my Hye Jin eonni. She smiled and pointed Hoya at front.

"I dare Babysoul, I mean, Lee Sujeong to sing next," he stated.
What the! Oh no! 'Hoya? What are you putting me into?' I shoot him questioning looks but he started chanting my name.

"No please!" I waved my hands infront of my face gesturing my rejection.

"Lee Sujeong! Lee Sujeong!" Hye Jin eonnie joined.

"Lee Sujeong! Lee Sujeong! Lee Sujeong!" the others followed and now, everyone is chanting.
I wanted to run away.

"Eonni! Help!" I pleaded to her. But she's the one who urge me to stand up the most.

"Lee Sujeong! Lee Sujeong! Lee Sujeong!" Everyone is still chanting in the background.

"Come on! Don't be a killjoy. Have fun!" She pushed me in the stage. I was halfway, when Hoya walked towards me and dragged me infront of the karaoke.

He handed me the microphone.
"Babysoul, it's time to show everyone what you have. Don't hold those talents to yourself. Surprise them the way you surprised me." After saying that, he went away.

"Hoya~!" I called back. But he left me there. I swear! I'm going to kick Hoya's butt after this.
I spread my view in the whole place. They are all looking at me. I haven't sang in front of a lot of people before. Never. I was always at the background, playing the piano.

Only four people from this crowd heard of my voice. Two of the directors when I auditioned, Hoya and Sungkyu...

I looked for Hoya, and he is giving me a thumbs up and gesturing I should start. I pouted at him. He mouthed, 'You can do that!'

I don't have a choice but to do this. Walking out would be more embarrassing. I breathe in. I gave a meek smile and clasp the mic with both of my hands.

I don't know what song Hoya chose for me.

But when it started, the first three drops of notes got me staring at Sungkyu. How can I not?

It's Doll's dream.

The song he sang for me before.
He gave me a nod, and like a cue, I opened my mouth and started singing out the lyrics...

"You only look at far places,
I'm right here you know,
If you'd only turn your head,
Just a little you could see me..."

I felt a chill in my spine. I felt it again, those lingering feelings and memories. Whenever I hear this song, I remember the time Sungkyu sang it to me.

The time when I learned that he loves me. That moment when I ran away because I couldn't handle my feelings.

"I was always one step behind you,
Will you forever be unable to see me?
While looking at me,
While speaking with your hands
I will always love you..."

And when the music stopped, I suddenly woke up from being drifted from that memory lane.

I bowed to everyone after the song ended. They are all clapping but I couldn't actually hear them. All I can hear is my heart thumping so loud. It was only now that I can feel my anxiousness that built up.
I immediately went back to my seat.

"You were so amazing! I didn't know you could sing that great!" Everyone in my table welcomed specially Hyejin eonni who looks so proud.

"Really?" Now I'm feeling at ease.

"Yes!" she exclaimed. "You know what, you shouldn't settle at being just a staff! Look at the table there," she pointed. "It seems you caught the attention of the higher ups," she winked at me.

My attention was diverted to the CEO and some of the directors. They're talking and then pointing at me! My heart raced.
My mind jump into the possibility of getting into the company as a trainee but I immediately removed that in my mind. It's bad to assume things without any concrete evidence.
Besides, they are just talking!

"Ei. That's impossible," I commented.

"Sujeong! You are the real ace!" One of the staff praised again. I just thank him.

The people in our table kept congratulating me and praising me. They're even pouring drinks for me which I gladly accepted.
I kept drinking soju that I didn't notice how many bottle's I've consumed.

Later, Minji and Hye Jin said their goodbyes as they have to go home early because they have to pack their bags and prepare for their trip to Jeju.

I felt so envious. They are going on a trip and I'm gonna be all alone.

Alone.

Again, I drank the soju in my glass cup. I wasn't able to keep track of the time. I just kept myself entertained by the gossips the guys in our table are talking about.

And a moment came when I felt I should be going home.

"Goodbye!!!" I said to the guys in the table. But they just ignored me.

I mumbled, annoyed that they ignored me. I went out.
It's already late and the bus station is a little bit far from here. I feel so dizzy. I passed by a bench and stopped for a while to rest.

I feel tired too, though I'm sure I didn't walk that far. Or did I? I think I'm drunk.

I closed my eyes.

I don't know what I'm doing anymore.

Later, I just felt someone moving my head and I heard someone talking. When I open my eyes, I saw him gawking at me.

"My bed, the basement, the rooftop, the bus stop, the stare case. And now this park bench. Where do you wanna sleep next? Didn't I tell you stop sleeping just everywhere you want?"

I raised my hand and waive at him. I also smiled at him sweetly.

"Sungkyu..." I mentioned his name with a giggle.
"So you're really drunk," I heard him sigh.

"Oppa..." I like calling him oppa when I need something from him. I feel like doing an agyeo.

"Aish! What should I do with you?"

"Oppa.. Oppa- "

Why am I being friendly with him? I'm supposed to be angry at him. Right? As far as I remember, I was angry at him awhile. But why was I angry?

I can't remember!

Why do I feel I'm in a weird situation?

Aha! I'm dreaming.

Yeah. I'm dreaming of him again.

<<Author's Note>>
Sungkyu sang Doll's Dream in Beatles Code and he mentioned he sang it for his first love. So I used it here hahaha!

PS. Please support our HOYA on Hit the Stage! :) Let's all watch his performance...