•

The next four weeks my schedule was tight with rehearsals, filming, and mentoring between Girls' Generation's and my own individual activities.

The only time I saw a glimpse of my husband was when he was already fast asleep at around 2 am.

"I'm home." I softly whispered into his ear. He slightly shifted in bed. I smiled and slipped into the covers after I complete my nightly skin routine.

The next morning when I wake up Minjae is long gone. It's a Monday so it's a work day for him. I sit up in my bed and stretch my arms out.

Today, I barely have any activities aside for two. Rehearsaling the choreography with the other girls and mentoring Baekhyun.

I open my phone to check when the manager will come by to pick me up. After last nights activities, I finally won the game that I do with the girls.

I was the last to be picked up today. Drawing last meant more time to get dressed and sleep in. It was different from my usual luck of being first.

I focus my attention towards my phone screen. My full schedule for this month was staring back at me. Why is this open?

I tap on my screen to exit out of my schedule and notice a line of other tabs open: Messages, Contacts, Instagram, Snapchat, and Calendar.

I wouldn't leave these open. I had a habit of closing down all my apps when I'm done with them to save my battery. Maybe I forgot?

My thoughts are discarded when the manager calls informing me he will be at my house in 15 minutes.

I quickly get out of bed leaving my phone to charge on the bedside table.

-

Into the afternoon when the orange colors emitting from the sun spread into the practice room. The bustling day changing into a calm night.

The sound of his voice echoing off the walls covered with mirrors and glistening floorboards. His voice cracked for the second time. Disappointment and stress written on his face.

Every single time he went through the lyrics and notes, the highest note couldn't be reached. His vocal cords strained from the force.

"Don't force it anymore." I spoke up. We've only been practicing for an hour and a half. 

"I can do better." Baekhyun insisted, an edge of frustration in his voice. 

I heaved a sigh before glancing up at him, "If you continue this, you won't be able to practice." He'll make it worse. He knows that. We learn early on as trainees what our limitations are, the rules of maintaining our vocals. 

"I can do it, Taeyeon." He stared at me.

For as long as I've known Baekhyun, he has always been persistent. Desiring to achieve a goal right away. Yet hard on himself when he didn't achieve it in the time he wanted.

The date for the performance was getting closer. The pressure was weighing down on him.

I press my lips together, "Baekhyun, I know you feel pressured and you want to give your best but you can't do that if you can't sing."

I know he can reach that note. He just needed to stop over thinking and sing like he always does. The way I know he can.

He sighs in defeat, "I'm sorry..." His tense shoulders fall and he turns his body towards me.

"It's okay, I understand and I know you can do this. You always could even before."

The ends of Baekhyun's lips curved upward into a warm smile, "Sing like it's the only thing you have to give..."

The first time EXO had concert in Seoul. I attended the show to support the younger group and Baekhyun.

Although, he had been on many stages, nothing could compare to this one. Thousands of fans and hours of practice invested into one two hour long concert, made him beyond nervous.

He didn't think he was good enough to give a performance the fans wanted. Each member tried to talk him out of his self-doubt including Chanyeol. Until they decided to call me backstage to talk to him.

When I told him those words out of the many others I said, he pulled himself together. After that, whenever we knew we were getting ready for a performance whether it be for a festival, concert, or comeback stage. It was our good luck quote.

I nod in response, "Exactly." Under the lights, his eyes are chocolate brown. Shining with hope yet lost.

"Even if you leave now, it doesn't change the fact that I love you." 

I avert my gaze away from Baekhyun's first. The sudden echo of past words poking my heart.

The glass practice room door clicked open. Me and Baekhyun shift our eyes on the person peering through.

A man with dark black hair down and parted in the middle. Dull dark almond eyes and lips curved up into a friendly smile stepped in.

Without much words exchanged between the three parties they knew who this unexpected guest was. 

The silver wedding band around his slender finger matching perfectly with Taeyeon's diamond ring was enough of an introduction.

•

Minjae showing up unexpectedly (it is really unexpected) that's nothing new. But why is he there? (I'm stirring the pot more). Let's see shall we.

-MoonBae🌸