Chapter 1

“You’re busy…AGAIN?” he whined, slightly jutting out his lower lip. He was currently on the phone with his girlfriend, whom he hasn’t seen since two weeks ago.

“I’m sorry, jagiya. I really wish I could spend more time with you, but you know my schedule,” his girlfriend apologized.

Certainly, it was true that it wasn’t her fault. After all, the both of them were idols, and fans and schedules were always the upmost priority. He fully understood their situation but it also didn’t mean that he had to accept it.

“But, Gina…I really miss you,” he whispered.

She giggled happily. “And I miss you too, baby,” she cooed.

“Gina, you’re up in five!” her manager called out from the background.

Gina heavily sighed, “I’m sorry, jagiya, but you heard my manager. I have to go back to the photoshoot.”

“But I just called you!” her boyfriend complained.

“I know, and I’m so sorry! But I’ll make it up to you, somehow!” she promised. “Ah, shoot, I really need to go, baby. But, Merry Christmas jagiya! I love you, don’t forget that!”

“Love you too,” he trailed off, ending the call. He stuffed his phone back into his pocket and walked back to the sofa, promptly plopping down next to Donghae. He sighed deeply again.

He observed the room and watched his group mates horse around. It was Christmas, the day everyone should have spent with their families. But lo and behold, here they were, at Salon Serendipity, getting their hair done before another schedule.

And lo and behold, here he was, sitting at the sofa, waiting for his turn, when he should have been having a romantic candlelight dinner with his girlfriend. Just the thought of spending Christmas without her made his stomach churn. He sighed again.

“What’s wrong, Hyukjae?” Moira asked him, watching him from the mirror. She was currently working on Ryeowook’s makeup.

“I’d thought the phone call to Gina would have made you happier,” Haneul chimed in. She was four months pregnant, but her bump was not yet visible. Or at least, she tried to make it not visible by wearing loose clothes.

“It’s Christmas and I’m not spending it with Gina!” he finally let out. “It’s not fair!”

“Now, Hyukjae, she’s an idol and you’re an idol. It’s inevitable to not find time together with your busy schedules. And not to mention, she’s currently promoting her new album,” Moira reminded him.

“That’s easy for you to say!” he pouted, “At least you get to spend time with your boyfriend.”

The stylist snorted. “Yes, I call this spending time together,” she drawled. “While I’m working on Ryeowook, Kyuhyun’s sitting in my office on the other side of the room, playing Diablo on my laptop. That’s some quality time there.”

“Well, you still have the MBC New Year’s Eve performance to see her,” Haneul pointed out. “You two can still meet up backstage.”

“But that’s six days! Six days I’ll have to spend without her!” Hyukjae exclaimed.

“That’s such a looong time,” Donghae said, not looking up from his phone. “I mean, it’s not like you spent three months in Taiwan without her.”

“He got you there, hyung,” Ryeowook chimed in.

Hyukjae leaned back into the sofa and crossed his arms. “Hmmph!” he cried out, pouting.