[Chapter six]
The Van pulls into the nightclub “Place” it is the newest club in town and there is already a large line infront of it.
“I think im getting too old for this” Changsu sighs as he examines the length of the cue.
“Ya Changsu, watch what you say!”
“Hyung, im serious. I think im an 80 year old stuck in a 20 year olds body” Changsu pouts.
“Pabo. Just keep your eye on Hong Ki will you. I don’t want a repeat of our debut party” Geun Suk looks at Hong Ki first then Changsu.
Their debut party has always been “one of those stories” that never get old – ‘Tequila shots’ and ‘the gutter’ are two phrases which are never uttered in the same sentence unless you want Hong Ki clinging onto you waiting for an apology..
“Hyung ~~~~~ I told you I know my limits now!” whined Hong Ki as he was fixing his hair.
“Arasso Arasso, let just get this over and done with” says Geun Suk as he gets out of the Van. “hmm.. I should get Manager Ma to drop off my car so I can leave after one drink” Geun Suk thinks to himself as he dials his number.
R20 walked in from the back door of Place, so as to reduce the amount of attention and to prevent possible chaos breaking loose. They walked towards the private reserved area located upstairs. They take a seat on a lounge table.
“May as well get a drink, anyone else want one?” asks Changsu as he gets up from the lounge.
“I’ll come with you but im not going to drink so don’t anyone say anything!” Hong Ki quickly states as they walk towards the bar where Six is already ordering rounds of beer.
“How was your filming Hyung?” asks Nic
“ohh… it was fine. Just like any other shoot we’ve done before” he quickly rambles. “Yours? Oh and don’t think im not watching you – you’re making the rest of us look bad being such a gentleman!” adds Geun Suk.
“Hyung, its only polite. Besides she is their leader and also a nuna so….” smiles Nic.
“YA! Do you think everyone is silenced by your angelic smile? Who do you think taught you that smile? Huh?! Huh?!” prods Geun Suk
“Arasso. Leader is the best ok?!” laughs Nic as he hands over a beer Changsu bought back to the table.
“Yeboseyo? Manager Ma. Oh yes just park it next to the Van. Thankyou” Geun Suk flips his phone shut.
“You should learn to party more Hyung! Don’t drive back from every party” grins Hong Ki
“Just drink your Apple Cider or you may end up in the gutter!” retorts Geun Suk
-
“You look ready! Good thing I bought you a change of clothes” Jessica is approving Shin Hye like a work of art.
“Unni, its just a party – no need!” Shin Hye says as she tries to pull down her dress.
“Stop it! Our stylist lent me the dress so don’t struggle!” They walk towards the Van to meet Chloe and find Sandra Unni had also arrived for the celebrations.
“You look pretty Shin Hye” Chloe Unni comments
“Komowe-yo Unni, oh - by the way what’s between you and Nic? Jessica Unni keeps asking me to update her.” Shin Hye looks at her with a confused expression.
“Ignore her Shin Hye. I just mentioned I don’t mind having to work with Nic-ssi and now Sandra and Jessica wont let it go” says Chloe with a disapproving head shake.
“but I should ask you, what do you think of Geuk Suk-ssi?” Shin Hye was surprised by Chloe’s sudden question.
“Wei-yo Unni?” questions Shin Hye.
“Just by looking at your innocent eyes I can tell you’re confused by my question. Nothing, Im just being your protective Unni. Forgive me Shin Hye, but promise me to be careful ok? Not just now but even when im no longer your leader. Most men look pretty on the outside but they are no good for you on the inside. Trust me. Use your looks for good not evil ok?” Chloe smiles as she pinches Shin Hye on the cheeks.
“Yes Unni…” Shin Hye tilts her head in confusion but tries to accept where she coming from.
As the Van drives along the highway headed towards the party, Shin Hye sits in the Van drowned in her own thoughts.
“what was with Geun Suk today? At first he was obnoxious, then Hong Ki came and he ignored me, then that gaze – I swore he said something….
Ani – Shin Hye he was just doing his job. Pabo. Chloe Unni’s advice is true. Pretty men are definitely not any good for me. ”
“Ok ladies, we have a few minutes before we arrive at Place so let me remind me of your upcoming tour schedule” Manager Song starts.
Jupiter have been busy promoting their debut album and because of the fantastic response from fans their record label has decided to hold “The Stars – first debut concert by Jupiter” in Korea with brief visits to Singapore and Japan.
Shin Hye along with her other Unnis have sacrificed many weeks of sleep over their repertoire rehearsal and choreography sessions in preparation for this mini tour. Hopefully they will be able to have a holiday at the same time, which was a hinted possibility by Manager Song. Shin Hye has always wanted to visit Singapore and swim in their pure waters.
“… so have fun tonight but remember you need to be alert for rehearsal tomorrow. There are only a few more days before you leave Korea” Manager Song finishes as the Van pulls into the parking lot.
Shin Hye walks in Place’s backdoor into the sudden loud music of the night club and looks around. Sandra Unni notions for Shin Hye to follow her upstairs where it says “reserved”. She can already hear Six slurring “Welcome welcome! Free drinks tonight! Take a seat take a seat!” signalling that Chloe should sit down on the lounge seats. Not wanting to be alone Chloe drags Jessica to sit down with her.
“Shin Hye! You girls sure took your time!” Shin Hye looks at Hong Ki with a weary smile.
“Mianhe, Unni made me get changed” she replied sheepishly while trying to pull down her dress.
“You look nice Shin Hye. Be careful thought because Clubs aren’t the safest places for beautiful ladies like you” Nic joins Hong Ki carrying over what looks to be a cup of Apple Cider.
Shin Hye laughs at Nics comment. If anyone else had said that to her she would have walked away but Nic always makes everyone sound so sweet with that smile of his.
“I assume it’s your first time at such an event?” Nic continues. “You sort of look out of place”
“I’ve been to clubs before for friends birthdays but that’s about it” Shin Hye comments while looking around at the venue.
“If you’ll excuse us, you’re girlfriend is going to steal Shin Hye” says Jessica to Hong Ki who chokes on his Apple Cider.
“Arent you meant to be with Unni?” asks a surprised Shin Hye
“oh yea, Sandra went to replace me after she saw Changsu was sitting there” giggled Jessica.
Shin Hye laughed too. She knew this was typical behaviour, always trying to create drama where there was none.
“So what are we having?” asks Jessica as they approach the Bar.
“ummmmmm… “ Shin Hye wasn’t fluent in the alcoholic menu so she just told Jessica to order her whatever she was having.
“Two Double shot vodka oranges it is!” Jessica winked.
-
Shin Hye leant against the barrier overlooking the dance floor sipping her second drink. She was starting to feel tired and she swore everyone was starting to look double their size.
“You should watch yourself you know. Double shot means double the potency” Shin Hye turned to find herself in the company of Changsu.
“Oh Changsu. Kunchunna-yo?” Shin Hye tried to remain articulate.
“I should be asking you the same question. Standing here by yourself and looking half asleep” grinned Changsu.
“You’re really softly spoken you know” Shin Hye started to lean a little closer to hear Changsu whom is taken back by the sudden approach.
“Erm- - Mainhae, ill try and speak a little louder” Changsu quickly diverts his attention onto the dance floor.
“Where are the other nuna’s? Why did they leave you here by yourself?”
“umm… I think Jessica Unni is arguing with Oppa about something and Chloe Unni is dragging Sandra onto the dance floor. See I think that’s them!” Shin Hye said pointing them out. Chloe Unni was wearing a Blue sequenced halterneck dress which reflected against the neon lights dancing with…… Is that Nic?!
“You really call him Oppa then?” Changsu tilted his head to read Shin Hye’s reaction properly.
“Huh? Who? Ah, Hong Ki? Yes. At first I was sceptical but he gives me a warm comfortable feeling now and he always has a way of making me laugh. I know what you’re thinking, but he is more like an older brother more than anything” Shin Hye answers in response to Changsu’s sudden twitching eyebrows.
“I look after you too Shin Hye ah. That’s what im doing standing here!” complained Changsu.
“Arasso, you can be my Oppa too” promised Shin Hye
“That’s if you remember tomorrow” mumbled Changsu to himself.
“You know, you seem like the loner type in the group. I mean the more quiet one” Shin Hye was trying to keep her thoughts coherent.
“hahaha compared to Hyung’s Popularity, Hong Ki’s constant need for attention and Nic Hyungs angelic smile – I guess I am the quieter one. Works better that way, its always been like that, even in our trainee days. That’s why I always score the coffee CF’s where all I need to do is drink coffee and stare out the window pensively” joked Changsu.
“Well Chang- er Oppa, I feel as though im starting to know you better” concluded Shin Hye while patting Changsu awkwardly on the arm.
“YA! Shin Hye come here! You’ll never believe who I just bumped into!!” Jessica was practically screaming into their ears.
“Who?!”
“Jung Soon Oppa!!!!!!!!!” dances Jessica up and down.
“who is he?” asked Changsu without fully turning around.
“Only Shin Hye’s high school crush! Hahah lets go! He said he wants to meet you again!! Mianhe Changsu!” said Jessica as she dragged Shin Hye away.
-
“Enjoying yourself Hyung?”Changsu asks as he sits down.
“You know me better than that” Geun Suk replies with a bored tone “Yah – I saw you talking to Shin Hye over there. Why?”
“Nothing. She looked lonely and spaced out. Her eyes kept dropping and she kept making promises she cant keep” laughed Changsu as he recollected their conversation.
“Would you care to elaborate?” he asked in the same tone.
“She promised to call me Oppa from now on, just like Hong Ki. She’s so innocent.” Geun Suk choffed at the idea that the two youngest donseangs in his groups were being addressed as Oppa. Geun Suk wonders how much she has had to drink since she doesn’t seem the type to be able to take much alcohol.
“why did you leave her? Where did she go?” Geun Suk scans the floor.
“Oh she went to meet some high school Oppa that she had a crush on or something. Jessica took her to meet him” says Changsu finishing his beer.
“Another Oppa? Pft.” Geun Suk thought. He was about to leave the conversation at that, when he saw Jessica walking by herself to the bathroom.
“Where is Shin Hye?” Geun Suk grabbed Jessicas shoulder which made her spin around.
“Oh – Oppa! You scared me. Shin Hye is talking to Jung Soon Oppa down stairs. He seems very eager to talk to Shin Hye. Guess she can finally get her first kiss!” laughed Jessica.
“You just left her by herself?” Geun Suk felt hot again. Was it getting hotter in the club?
“Ani- I just left to go to the bathroom. Calm down Oppa, Jung Soon is an old friend so Shin Hye will be fine!” Geun Suk let go of Jessicas shoulder and turned around.
“Oppa! Where are you going?!”
“Don’t call me that. I am not
your Oppa”. He said as he walked down the stairs.
-
“Shin Hye ah – you know ive always thought you were pretty right?” Jung Soon leans in and Shin Hye can smell the bourbon on his breath.
“Oppa, don’t say things like that. Its embarrassing” Shin Hye tries to lean away.
“Its true. I couldn’t like you back in high school because you were never in class. People said you were busy training and rehearsing. I never understood what for but now I know.” Jung Soon slurs.
“Oppa are you our fan? Kamsamnida.” Shin Hye manages to utter. She looks around trying to see whether Unni was coming back anytime soon.
“I want you to meet some of my friends Shin Hye. Please?”
Shin Hye thinks that this is the better option, at least she wont be alone with Jung Soon. Shin Hye meets 4 of his friends all whom she senses are equally as intoxicated.
“OMO Hyung, you weren’t lying. You do know Park Shin Hye!” a large muscular fellow approaches Shin Hye. Suddenly Shin Hye wants to flee, however she finds herself surrounded by 4 rather large men.
“Oppa, I think I should go now… Unni is waiting for me” Shin Hye tries to back away but bumps into another tall figure with pimply skin.
“Shin Hye, don’t you want to make Oppa happy? Stay a little while longer” he says while sliding his hand around her waist which makes Shin Hye squeal.
“This is going to be fun….” Says the tall muscular guy.
“YA! WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU’RE DOING?!” Shin Hye suddenly feels herself being tugged out of the circle by the arm and flung back onto the edge of the dance floor.
“WHO DO YOU THINK---- JANG GEUN SUK?” Jung Soon is both angry and amazed at the same time.
“DO YOU HAVE NO SHAME? DO YOU TREAT ALL WOMEN WITHOUT RESPECT? YOU ARE A DISGRACE TO YOUR FAMILY NAME! DON’T YOU EVER TOUCH HER AGAIN YOU HEAR ME?” Geun Suk grabs Shin Hye by the arm and drags her outside through the back door.
“Geun Suk-ssi please let GO! YOU’RE HURTING ME!” Shin Hye screams as she looks at Geun Suk who is still trembling and swearing.
“YA! ARE YOU STUPID?! Who goes off by themselves to talk to someone they barely know in a nightclub wearing a dress like THAT??!!” he looks at her dress.
“HE wasn’t someone I barely knew – we went to school together!” Shin Hye yells in response
“JUNG SOON OPPA RIGHT? Do you happen to call anybody who flirts with you Oppa?!” Geun Suk yells.
“WHAT?! HOW DARE YOU? Is that what you really think of me?!”
“You didn’t answer me!”
“No ok! I don’t know what happened tonight and I feel stupid ok. Are you happy now?!” Shin Hye starts to cry while explaining the situation.
Geun Suk tells himself to calm down and realises they shouldn’t be making a scene..
“Get in the car. Ill take you home” he says coldly while walking towards his car.
“No.” she looks the other way.
Geun Suk starts the car and drives over to where she is standing. He starts rubbing his temples when Shin Hye doesn’t look his way. He winds down the passenger window as a sign of amnesty
“Look im sorry ok. I shouldn’t have yelled at you before. But…. Ok fine I know I shouldn’t have interfered in your life but you looked like you needed my help so I helped. Ill butt out of your personal life from now on. Promise.” Shin Hye starts to remember how she was glad Geun Suk was there to pull her out of the circle. She starts to get into his car.
“You don’t need to say that. Fine…let me just text Unni and Oppa to tell them ive gone home” says Shin Hye hesistantly, she doesn’t want to seem like the one in the wrong.
“You exchanged numbers with Hong Ki.” Geun Suk states as he drives off. Shin Hye realises its not a question, rather more of a statement..
“Ney – umm.. Should we?” Shin Hye asked lightly. She remembers earlier today before the whole nightclub fiasco.
“Unnecessary. If you need to contact me, contact Manager Ma” he states in the same tone. He is very difficult to read.
The rest of the car ride is silent until Geun Suk reaches her dorm and parks under a street lamp.
“Geun Suk-ssi. If I have done something to offend you, please forgive me.” Shin Hye looks honestly into his eyes.
Geun Suk looks back into her half illuminated face confused.
“During the shoot today, you seemed annoyed at me like I did something wrong. I apologise” she continues
Geun Suk realises what she must be talking about – when he saw Hong Ki and her exchange numbers. “You have nothing to apologise for Shin Hye. Its nothing personal, its all business in our industry. I may come off cold, but in my position I have to set an example for my members” he realises his white lie but continues “Im sorry if I made you misjudge yourself” he finishes formally..
Shin Hye realises that she has once again thought too much. It is always business when it comes to Geun Suk.
“For the ride home, Kamsamnida Geun Suk-ssi. Goodnight” Shin Hye gets out of the car.
“look Shin Hye, if your photo was taken like that tonight it would have caused a riot on tomorrows newspaper for you” Geun Suk paused to study Shin Hye’s reaction “and that would have made us both look bad for the new CF” he quickly added on the end.
“Dei- Goodnight”. Shin Hye knew he had to add that part on at the end.
“Ill be seeing you soon?” says Geun Suk through the passenger window.
“No. We will be on tour for 3 weeks starting on Monday. Drive home safely.”
And with that Shin Hye walked into her dorm with an unexplainable tightening in her chest.
