Ji Hyo leaned her head over the window as she waits for the others to finish changing and get in the car to start the race. It's as if life was playing a joke on her. Just last night, she was talking about what if she met old foes, thinking that it wouldn't happen because that's just ridiculous for her to meet someone that tore her heart into a thousand pieces again. And although, they may be in the same entertainment industry field but the chances of meeting one another was low. That is what I thought, I guess I was wrong. 

Just then her phone beeped, informing her that someone sent a text message. Ji Hyo-ah, are you okay? A smile broke out on her face, the first smile since those horrifying minutes of the first brief filming of today. Only Jong Kook would know that something was wrong with her, she knew he would know. That's just how Kim Jong Kook is, knowing how his close dongsaengs feel and are on an off day of theirs.

She watches from the corner of her eyes as Jae Suk , Haha, and Ji Hoon walking toward the car with their VJs in tow. It's okay, I'm fine. Just tired. It was a simple enough of a text to let Jong Kook ease his mind a little bit. As much as she would love to share her stories with him, it's something that only she could know. "Oppa, hurry. Jong Kook's Oppa team already left to the first mission." 

Haha laughed as he got into the backseat, sitting next to Ji Hyo. "Jong Kook's team? How come we never assumed to call it Suk Jin's team?" 

"Because it's not," Jae Suk joked. "And it never will be." Ji Hyo and Haha burst out laughing while Ji Hoon stared at the camera in front of him in awe. Taking notice of his nervousness, Jae Suk patted his shoulder. "Ji Hoon-an, it's okay. You'll get used to the variety in no time. Isn't it better that Ji Hyo's in the same team as you? Ease the attention a bit since you two worked together before?" 

Ji Hyo and Ji Hoon caught themselves staring at each other from the rear view mirror. "Yes, it helps a little." In actuality, it probably increased the tension and nervousness he is feeling. "But I haven't seen or talked to her for awhile, it'll take a bit before we become aquaintences again." 

"It's okay, Ji Hyo's nice." Haha said. "Until you make her angry." Haha laughed when Ji Hyo slightly punched his arm.

Ji Hyo stared down at her phone, hiding it from the camera so it wouldn't be seen. She just received another message from Jong Kook. Liar. What did I tell you about lying to your hyung? Pabo. If you didn't want anyone to know, should've been better on lowering your tone. Ji Hyo silently laugh to herself as she reread the message again. Haha looked away from the window and watched as Ji Hyo text back a message to someone. A grin spread across his face as he already knew who it could be. 

. . . 

Jong Kook opened the messenger and stared at Ji Hyo's reply before silently cracking up. Aniyo. How much more can I lower my tone? How about you try and lower your singing voice, Kim Jong Kook-ssi. He looked up his phone to see that Gary missed the exit that they were supposed to take for the first mission location. "Ya, where are you driving? It was suppose to be that exit!" 

"Jinja?" Gary asked bewildered. "Hyung, you were busy on your phone instead of showing me the way!" 

"Why am I the one that has to show you the way when we have the navigation telling us where to go, Gary-ah?!" Jong Kook argued back. He watched as the navigation showed a new route for them. "Drive another mile and take the next exit, okay?" 

Kwang Soo yawned. "Hyung, you've been on your phone since we got on the car." Kwang Soo smiled as he sent wink signals. "Girlfriend?"

Jong Kook pushed Kwang Soo back to his side of the seat. "Shut up, it's nothing like that." 

. . . 

After a few games played, arguments spewing out left and right about who won, jokes said between both teams, and food being eaten - everyone is on their last mission now. Every ounce of energy in them feels as if it was taken by a dark cloud. Everyone arrived at the last location, which was one of the shopping malls. Ji Hyo's team won 2 of the missions so far, earning them the right to choose two bags. Whether the gold is real or not, this is where the results will be at. 

All Ji Hyo could think right now was the fact that within a couple minutes or so, filming will be over and everyone will head toward the closest hotel to stay at for the night. It's already ten at night, she still has a decision to make about the next drama she will be doing. 

"This machine will show if the gold you have is real or not, the one with the highest amount of goodwill win tonight's race." The PD explained. "Jong Kook's team, please place your gold in the machine." 

Jong Kook grabbed the only bag they were able to win throughout the day, pouring the gold contents into the bag as the screen in front of them detect which pieces were the real ones. They were told that the machine would indicate the real pieces and show a number on the screen on the amount of real pieces they have. After a few seconds of anticipation, it showed that his team has twenty-five pieces of actual gold. "Wow!" Jong Kook screamed as his team jumped in joy. 

Jae Suk shakes his head. "We might win, we have two bags!" As instructed, Jae Suk poured all the contents into the machine and turned around to see what the number would be for his team. His eyes widened in shock to see that the number came out to be only ten real pieces of gold. "Ayeeeee!" 

Ji Hyo laughed as she watched the other team start dividing the gold between themselves, ignoring to ease their loss of the game. "One bag was filled with fake gold, right?" When the PD nodded his head, she hit Haha - who choose the last bag before they came here. She knew that there was something off about that bag that he chose. Getting ready to take of for the mic on her as KwangSoo walked over to the center and made a slate sound with his arms. "Good work today, everyone!" She said lastly before walking over to her manager to talk to him. 

Jong Kook and Ji Hoon both turned around to see where she was going. One guy, curious on how she's been and the other guy, wondering if she really is okay today. 

. . . 

"Oppa, I really am not okay with this." Ji Hyo puts on a jacket and took a deep breath. "They really didn't tell you that he was coming?"

Her manager shakes his head. "You know just as well as I do that I am given the least information around here." He exhales as he handed her a water bottle. "I was worried about you all day. How is it that something we talked about last night actually came true like that?"

"Ji Hyo-ah," Jae Suk walked over. "We're all eating dinner. Come on." He waved goodbye to her manager and looked down at Ji Hyo. "Did something happen between you and Ji Hoon-ssi?" 

Ji Hyo halted her steps and looked at Jae Suk. She is someone who wouldn't lie about anything to someone she respects tremendously. Jae Suk has always taken care of her during filming or even outside of it, he is an Oppa that she very much hates lying to. But with no choices, she smiles and shook her head. "It's nothing, Oppa. You know how it's awkward after not meeting for a long time?"

He gave her a long look, watching her expression to see if she really is okay. "Okay. But if there is anything wrong or something you want to tell me, you will?"

She hugged Jae Suk. "I know and I will." When Jae Suk embraced her back, she closed her eyes to keep herself from crying. I hate this, I hate lying. 

. . . 

Jong Kook watched as the notifications went off on his phone. The only thing he could do was exhale to these false rumors that tabloids has decided to spew out of their butts. Though he can understand why, he's an easy target. Every time new rumors start off, his company and himself never comment on about it. Which makes it suspicious and easy but they're not commenting because they feel as if it's a waste of energy. And it is, it truly is. 

"Just ignore it," Suk Jin said. "It's not even worth it."

Jong Kook chuckled as he took a piece of chicken and put it in his mouth. "I know, Hyung." The door opened and in walked Jae Suk and Ji Hyo. Somewhat still worried for Ji Hyo as they haven't talked to each other all day due to filming, he was glad to see that she chose to sit next to him and Kwang Soo. "Are you okay?" 

Ji Hyo nodded her head. "Just hungry," taking her bowl of rice, she scooped a big spoonful and put it in . "Really hungry." 

"Ji Hyo-ah," she looked at him as she chewed. Jong Kook looked around the dinner table, everyone was making small conversation so with Ji Hoon, trying to make him at least comfortable enough so he knows what to do for tomorrow's filming. As her friend and Oppa, Jong Kook observed Ji Hoon all day and there was nothing crazy about him that sent alarming signals. After a couple of hours of thinking, he assumed it was from the stress of choosing a drama to act in. "Want to go somewhere with me after dinner?" 

"Hmm...okay." Ji Hyo answered. 

. . . 

Jong Kook and Ji Hyo both decided to go up toward the hotel's rooftop. decorated with lights and chairs, the rooftop was known as one of the most proposal sites for couples. A little odd being on the rooftop together, they both managed to laugh about it as they sit next each other on a swing. It was a little past midnight, most of the members are already asleep or doing something else. 

Leaning her head against the swing chain, Ji Hyo looked up at the stars. "What is it that you want to talk about, Oppa?" 

"Oppa? You're calling me that now?" Jong Kook laughed. 

Ji Hyo smiled. "Occasionally," she opened her eyes and looked at him. "What is it?"

Jong Kook shrugged his shoulders. "I just figured that we both needed fresh air and to be alone to think. I mean, I know how much your acting career means to you but sometime soon, a little breather is fine. Don't stress yourself out and let it affect your work day. I get like that sometimes too with my album making." 

She stayed silent for a few seconds. Jong Kook thinks that she is like this because of her drama scripts choosing? Clearing , she shrugged. "Is it that obvious?" 

"Yes," Jong Kook replied. "Don't take it out on innocent people to, Ji Hyo." 

That definitely caught her attention. "Innocent? You're talking about Ji Hoon-ssi?" 

"Maybe you two got off on the wrong foot back then, don't blame him. He seems nice." Jong Kook explained. "Try to get along with him tomorrow. It's going to be an individual battle so it'll be a bit easier, right?" He stopped talking when he noticed Ji Hyo turned her head away and looked over to the flowers. "What's wrong?" 

"Oppa.." The way Ji Hyo was saying it kind of made him worried. "Do you remember how you said that love is something that you want to protect until you find the right one?" She didn't even give him time to answer. "Those words I love you is something you want to cherish and know that you're saying it to the right person. No matter how long it'll take, you're going to wait. That's how precious and important love is to you. But for me, love is nothing. It's not something that I want to have. I feel as if that even if I die now or grow old alone, it'll be okay. That's how much I really don't care for love."