[Chapter four]
Two weeks went by faster than anyone imagined. Amongst promoting their debut mini album, Jupiter was getting ready for their new CF with significant makeup and style changes. R20 were busy endorsing their other products while preparing for their comeback album.
“Does my makeup have to be this thick?” asks Shin Hye as she stares at her reflection. She sure does look much older and more elegant. The makeup defines her cheekbones and jawline which brings out her more mature side.
“don’t touch your face! It probably costs more than the outfit you’re wearing!” says makeup stylist Amy Unni.
“oh la la what do we have here? Our little Shin Hye is growing up!” says Sandra poking her head into the makeup studio. “have you seen what you’re wearing Shin Hye?” continues Sandra with a playful glee in her eye.
“ani---- why?” asks Shin Hye hesitantly.
“oh never mind. Just you wait! Geun Suk will love it!” and with that Sandra left Shin Hye wondering what was instore.
“ok all done! Off to wardrobe please Shin Hye ssi” says Amy Unni.
Shin Hye walks out of the makeup studio and heads towards wardrobe where she sees Jessica trying on her clothes for the photoshoot. As always, she looks stunning in whatever she wears and wonders how Hong Ki is going to be able to focus on the shoot with Jessica swaying next to him in her baby blue tulip chiffon dress.
“Shin Hye ah, come here! This is what you are going to be wearing! Its so pretty!!” says Jessica as she grabs Shin Hye by the arm. “Go on, try it on!!”
Shin Hye stares in amazement. She changes slowly into her dress. Not only is it the most amazing thing she has seen but the design is beyond her years. Not knowing whether she looks ok, she searches for Jessica Unni’s reaction of approval.
The dress is a deep red, with a V neckline, it flows gently all the way down defining tugging at her tiny waist with a long split on the left side of the dress exposing her long legs.
“Definitely Elegant. You look amazing Shin Hye! I hate what im wearing now!!” laughs Jessica.
“Ani Unni, you are definitely the prettiest!” says Shin Hye as she hugs Jessica.
“ah good you are both dressed. If you would like to come out, we want to do final touches and get approval for the final photoshoot. Hurry hurry!” says Stylist Ae-Young Unni.
~~o.o~~~
“Manager Ma, where are we going again?” Geun Suk asks in the middle of texting.
“We’re going to figure out the final details to your couple style and other finer details” says Manager Ma without looking up from the schedule sheet.
“ok good we’re here. Please walk towards that large building to your right. Ill be right there” says Manager Ma as he gets out of the Van.
In anticipation, they walk towards the large building and are met by the CF director in charge.
“Ahhhh anyong haeseyo, you must be R20. Please come into my office. My name is Seong-woo but people call me Six, I’ll be directing this CF . Please sit down.”
Geun Suk takes the furthest seat away followed by Changsu, Nic and Hong Ki.
“Ok our meeting will start when Jupiter gets here. Ah, you two have never met have you? Well we’ll do that first” Six finishes his own thought by himself.
Geun Suk looks around the office at all the photoshoots Six has taken.
“Pretty impressive line up… 2PM, 2AM, SHINee, Big bang….” He thinks to himself.
“Ahh here are the lovely ladies. Oh and good, you have all done your hair and makeup.” Says Six as he gets up to greet Jupiter as they walk in.
Geun Suk looks over and immediately shocked at the sight of Jupiter as they walk in one by one. Chloe… Sandra… Jessica (wow Hong Ki is definitely lucky).
He unknowingly searches for the one person who he has yet to locate.
“Where is Shin Hye ssi?” Six asks, as though he can read Geun Suk’s mind.
“oh, the stylist wanted to change her shoes. She’ll be here any moment” informs Chloe who Geun Suk immediately recognises as their leader and notes her aura of confidence.
“Jwe se hamnida! I was changing my shoes” says a puffed out Shin Hye as she enters the room.
“Anyong Haeseyo Shin Hye imnida” she introduces herself to the rest of R20. They all bow in acknowledgement while Hong Ki grins as if he has seen an old friend.
Geun Suk thinks to himself “She isn’t as great as Hong Ki makes her out to be...I guess”
Six is busy explaining the concept of the photoshoot and how they will be styled similarly to the Jupiter ladies.
Geun Suk hears Changsu whisper to Nic “Shin Hye is really pretty ey? Geun Suk sure is lucky.” To which Nic softly laughs in acknowledgement.
“do they really think Shin Hye is pretty? She is decent at most.” Geun Suk thinks to himself.
“ok so if you guys can break up into your individual couples and get to know each other better. I have to talk to your managers for a moment, if you’ll excuse me” Six gets up from his seat and walks outside.
Geun Suk watches as Jessica skips towards Hong Ki “Anyong Hong Ki!” “Anyong nuna!!”
“already so informal? Tsk tsk my maknae needs some lessons” Geun Suk mentally notes.
Nic is already pretty comfortable sitting with Chloe exchanging polite smiles and general conversation. Geun suk notes that they look good together, perhaps something may spark? It's been a long time since Nic has liked anyone Geun Suk remembers.
Changsu on the otherhand seems overwhelmed by Sandra’s personality. You can always tell when Changsu is overwhelmed because his eyebrows give the impression of being plastered on the top of his tall forehead- but Changsu being the gentlemen he is, politely nods and smiles back at Sandras jokes.
“Geun Suk ssi… have you been well?” Guen Suk turns around and sees Shin Hye politely waiting for his response.
“ahh.. yes thankyou for your concern” stutters Geun Suk.
“ive been meaning to thankyou for that other night at Music Bank when you lent me your mic pack” says Shin Hye not exactly meeting Geun Suk’s eyes.
She is very feminine and calm. I guess Changsu’s judgement wasn’t entirely off.
“oh. Not at all. That backstage guy wasn’t very nice so I thought id help you out. That’s all. I hear you did another spectacular performance.”
“ahh thankyou.” Shin Hye blushed a flush crimson.
“she blushed? That’s a little endearing. A little.” Geun Suk thought to himself.
“well I guess we are a couple, er- I mean partners for the next few months” Geun Suk says to break the silence.
“Yes. Please take care of me and ill try to perform the best I can” promised Shin Hye with a determined face.
~~~~
Manager Ma instructs R20 to go to the next room and change into their new styles. Each couple was allocated time try different poses for their concept infront of the camera.
“Ya, Nic, you and Chloe look comfortable together” noted Geun Suk
“haha I was about to say the same thing” adds Changsu.
“well what about you Changsu, hows Sandra?” asks Nic as he tries to change the subject.
“its definitely going to be interesting…..” says Changsu as he rubs the bridge of his nose with a laugh.
In the other room Hong Ki and Shin Hye are getting final touches of their makeup done.
“You seem comfortable with Unni, Hong Ki ssi” says Shin Hye with her eyes closed.
“I told you to call me Oppa! And yes Jessica Nuna is very funny” laughs Hong Ki
“and pretty too?” Shin Hye questions opening one eye to peer at his reaction to which Amy Unni immediately reprimands Shin Hye to close her eyes so as to let the eyeliner dry.
“yes well.. all of you are pretty” mumbles Hong Ki as powder is applied to his nose.
“aw, Oppa you’re making me blush” jokes Shin Hye as Hong Ki blushes and is somehow immediately fixated by a spot of dust on the floor.
“Alright. Geun Suk ssi if you can move to your left abit more. Shin Hye ssi if you can put your hand on his shoulder. Yes- just like that. More angle please!” Six is giving very clear and direct instructions. Geun Suk was see why he is so successful.
Having Shin Hye so close is a little nerve wracking. Is it because they haven’t worked with each other before? Reminding himself its only business allows Geun Suk to regain composure.
He also notes that Shin Hye is trying really hard. “figures since this is her first CF photoshoot” he mentally notes.
“Ok Geun Suk can you get closer to Shin Hye ssi please? And smile. Friendly happy vibe if you would?” Geun Suk leans closer to Shin Hye however finds a piece of her hair flickering in his face.
Gently pushing the hair back behind Shin Hye’s ears, Shin Hye suddenly squeals and runs away from the camera.
“Hyung! What did you do to Shin Hye?” Hong Ki walks in to find Shin Hye crashing into him in the process.
“Shin Hye, kunchunna? What did Hyung do?” Hong Ki is looking from Geun Suk to Shin Hye.
“Ya I didn’t do anything! I was fixing her hair and she ran away from me like I gave her a disease or something!” cries Geun Suk still staring at Shin Hye.
“ Oppa. Kunnchunna. I just have sensitive ears that’s all” she mumbles.
“
Oppa? Did Shin Hye just call Hong Ki, Oppa??” Geun Suk is still watching those two interact laughing intimately.
“Ok Ok lets just leave it here for today then, Hong Ki you’re next. Where is Jessica ssi?” says Six as he is signals to change the lighting for the next shoot.
“Hong Ki I never knew you were close to Shin Hye” comments Nic as they are changing out of their costumes. Geun Suk stops and watches for Hong Ki’s reaction.
“huh? Oh yea well who can resist me? Haha. Shin Hye is sweet but thats all.” replies Hong Ki half heartedly.
“What about Jessica? Hong Ki the play-yerrrr!” jokes Nic as he dodges an arm punch from Hong Ki.
“Hyung! Its not even like that!!” cries Hong Ki as he tries to chase Nic around the room after the failed arm punch.
“I guess I wasn’t the only person who noticed that Hong Ki was close to Shin Hye. But that’s not really any of my business, as long as Hong Ki doesn’t interfere with the quality of my promotions. Yes that’s is definitely why im anxious.” Geun Suk says to himself.
“Hong Ki ya – its fine if you are friends with Shin Hye but just don’t distract her from her work ok? Otherwise your Leader looks bad too, do you want that?”
“Arasso Hyung. But don’t worry, Shin Hye is a very focused person anyways” notes Hong Ki as he shoves on his brown beanie covering his thick blonde hair.
"she's not the one im worried about" thinks Geun Suk as he tightens his tie.
