Chapter Sixteen

When her eyes opened, she didn’t waste much time and sat up quickly.  On the usual white screen, was the familiar sight of Kris sitting in the same fancy white chair he sat in the night before. With one of his legs elegantly cross over another, he gazed at her in the perfect pondering pose.  

“Have you been waiting for me? Because it sure looks like it.” She said coyly to the screen, tilting her head cutely. Kris just nodded his head. The lackluster response had her curious. “What’s up?”

“Have you ever been under so much pressure you thought you would break?” He asked in a clean and straightforward manner. She was a little shocked, considering the question was a little out of context compared to their usual greetings. She pondered a bit before answering. 

“In a way, I guess I have broken down due to pressure before.”  She replied. She specifically recalled when she first arrived to EXO, and when she finally found out about her mission. 

Kris’ expression turned into something that resembled uneasiness.  So, she quickly added in, “But, there was always someone that could piece me back together afterward.” And she awkwardly laughed and shot him what she hoped looked like an encouraging smile.  She remembered the times when Chanyeol cheered her on or how Sehun always seemed to snap her back into sanity.

“I don’t have someone like that.” Kris replied lowly. Heaviness dampened the air around her as a proportion of her heart suddenly started to ache.

“That’s not true. I’m here, aren’t I?” She matched his tone and scooted closer to the screen, placed one of her hands flat onto it.

“And you know,” She smiled, “Instead of being put back together, you could find someone who can help prevent you from breaking in the first place. I hear that method is a lot less stressing and more time efficient.”

His expression did soften a little. “And how does someone prevent a break down?”

“There are a few ways, but I think you could start with talking about what’s pressuring you.” She looked up at him with a look of caution.  Kris didn’t look like he would be all that eager to start spilling his inner worries to her. She thought maybe some coaxing would be in order.

“We can start with baby steps if you want.” She wasn’t given a reply to her suggestion, so she just considered it a green light to go ahead. “So, did anything happen today that stressful?” His gaze faltered when she asked the question and it veered off to the side to recall memories.

“A lot of things.” He mumbled out, playing with his fingers.  “I’ve…I’ve been working very hard for this one goal for majority of my life. I’ve put in so much work. But, just when I feel like I’m so close to achieving that goal, I start to have second thoughts. It's just so frustrating.” He sighed in an aggravated manner.  

“So ...the things that are causing you stress are two conflicting ideas, right?”  She asked. Kris promptly nodded.  She paused for a moment and tried to imagine herself in his position. “Hmm, well I guess I could tell you what I’ve done in the past when it comes to stuff like that. You can, of course, take or leave what I suggest you to do.”  Kris just stared at her, so she went ahead explaining.

“Anyways, if I was in your position, I think I would make something like a pros vs. cons list.” She pursed her lips in thought. “But you know, with the initial goal vs. the second thoughts instead.”

“I don’t see how that helps. I’ve compared them before and that only make me more agitated.” Kris replied with a look of irritation appearing on his face.

“Let me guess, you just let your thoughts fly about, right? Well, that isn’t going to do you much good. You need to be more structured.” She clarified while frowning towards him. She was attempting to help him but his impatience was getting to her, “Try physically writing it out. As days go by, keep adding new attributes to your lists and eventually I think you’ll be able to come to a decision.”

Kris did not look all that impressed, “You’re advising me to carry around a piece of paper all day and write things down when they come to mind?” He said as he raised an eyebrow.

“Yeah I am.” She glared toward him, “Listen, you don’t have to do it. I just think the best way to control stress is to organize it.”

“I don’t have time for that.” He gripped his hair, “I need to fix this quickly.”

“Stress usually doesn’t go away with a quick fix though.” She iterated cautiously.  

“You don't understand!" He exclaimed, shocking both of them at his volume. He cleared his throat a little and continued more softly, "I don’t have enough time. My goal is close and I can’t afford to be second guessing like this at the last minute. ” His expression was becoming more frantic as the seconds went by. She could see he was tearing slowly at the seams. So, she quickly reacted and knocked hard against the screen.

“Hey! Hey Kris!” She said increasing her own volume, “Stop that! Right now!” He turned his questioning gaze toward her.

“Listen, you need to stop being so down on yourself. I think you’re perfectly compatible of making this decision in time, whatever it might be.  Remember, the most important part with making a decision is that you need to believe that you can make it in the first place. I mean, you already have all the pieces scattered in your head, you just need to piece them together.”  With her speech done, she slumped down and huffed.

“Remember what I said yesterday! Kris and Ileana fighting!!” She once again fist pumped into the air like the night before, making sure to look as determined as she could.

There was a small moment of silence between them. Kris just continued to stare into her eyes and her smile slowly faltered due to his lack of reaction. He was completely still. Then, he broke into the most brilliant smile she ever saw.  She stared at him in complete awe.

“Wow.”  She mumbled. He raised an eyebrow.

“What was that?”

“Nothing.” She quickly supplied, smacking her lips together.  He let out a small chuckle.

“I don’t understand how someone like you can exist.” He lightly smiled, “How can you stay so optimistic?”

“Easy.” She replied, “I don’t. I mean, I have my share of negativity. Emotions can get the better of me at times and it can completely take over my rational thinking. I’m not perfect you know.”

“Could have fooled me.” He replied sarcastically.

“Not nice, here I am offering my advice and you go and act like that. See if you ever get my help in the future.” She huffed, crossing her arms childishly.

“Ileana.” Kris said lightly. She turned her head away and continued to act haughty.

“Thank you, Ileana. For listening me. I feel a little better.” His voice rang out in a clear and rhymic fashion. She slowly uncrossed her arms and met his eyes. She let out a small smile,

“You’re wel-“

A sharp tug harshly pulled her and she found herself greeted with the sight of Kai only centimeters from her face.

She shrieked loudly and reflexively pushed Kai away. Kai, equally surprised by her action, tumbled backwards and fell onto the floor. She sprung up and willed her heart beat to stop racing. She took a few breathes and found herself calming down. She looked down at Kai who looked up at her in shock. He quickly stood up and straightened out his clothes.

“You know, for a robot, you aren’t as graceful as I thought you would be.” She muttered.

“Oh?” He asked, raising an eyebrow.

“And next time you wake me up, try not to scare the living daylights out of me okay?”  She sat up and got off the couch while stretching. “Guess we should go.” She made her way past Kai and to the entranceway of the flat. Kai met up with her quickly.

“We have time to grab some food before we head over to Lay’s. You’ll definitely need the energy anyways.”  Kai explained as they walked down the stairs.

“I’m really going to get worked to the bone, aren’t I?” She groaned back.

“If Lay can work you harder than that, he will.” Kai winked at her and pushed the retractable stairs back up.

“Your reassurance skills could use some work.” She muttered.

“Sugar coating it will just give you the wrong expectations.”  

“Forbid that should ever happen.”

They exited the shop and Kai locked the door behind them. They walked through the streets in the early morning for a few minutes. They stopped at the tea shop where she met Chen and she happily ordered the same thing she had from the previous time. They ate on the go and after maybe a 20 minute walk, they found themselves in front of a very tall building with mirror like windows.

“What is this place?” She asked, eyeing it suspiciously when she entered the lobby. It looked like a fancy office building.

“It has multiple uses. People rent out space for personal use, offices or private businesses. Lay actually owns the place.” Kai explained when they entered an elevator.

“He owns it? Wow. He must be loaded.” She said and whistled as she admired the interior of the elevator. She looked at the floor buttons and her eyes popped out, “75 floors? You can’t be serious.”

Kai reached over and pushed the number 25, “Why? There are taller buildings around.”

“It’s just…I don’t think I’ve been in such a tall building.” She explained, nibbling at her lip. “To be honest, I’m kind of scared of heights.”

“Good thing we’re only going to his dance studio then. “ The elevator dinged and the doors opened, “His main office is on the top floor.” Kai said coyly before he walked out of the elevator. She gulped a little before following after him.

They walked up to the front desk that was a few meters away from the door. A woman was rapidly typing down on a touch screen looking keyboard behind the big round desk. When Kai and Ileana approached, she peeked up and smiled at Kai.

“Kai! Welcome back! I shall call Lay down for you.” She smiled over enthusiastically and didn’t remove her gaze from him when she picked up a communicator. “Sir, Kai is here to see you down in the studio.”  She hung up the communicator and continued to stare at Kai with dreamy eyes.  “He’ll be down any minute, Kai.” He smiled and nodded back. His eyes looked past her and then grew in size.

“Please tell me that’s not the actual time!” Kai exclaimed, staring at the clock that hung behind the woman. She looked over her shoulder and nodded.

“It’s the correct time.” She clarified and then pouted, “Do you have to go?”

“I had to go ten minutes ago.” Kai explained while turning toward Ileana, “I have to go open the shop. I’ll come back and pick you up after I close it, okay? Lay should be able to take care of you until then.”

Ileana was not okay with that, “Wait, can’t you wait until Lay gets here?”

“If Kai has to leave, let him leave.” The woman behind the counter sharply cut in and glaring up at Ileana. Ileana looked down at her with a raised eyebrow.

“Shouldn’t you mind your own business and get back to work.” She snapped back and turned back towards Kai. Unfortunately, when the office woman snapped at her, Kai ran off and was now waving goodbye to her from the elevator, which quickly shut its doors.

 She bit her lip due nervousness. She understood Kai had to eventually leave, but she thought he would have at least been there when she met Lay for the first time. She thought Lay was a little intimidating, especially with his cold stare. His moves were sharp and precise, so she was assuming he would have a similar personality. Kai’s warnings also had her wondering why she wasn’t currently running and pushing on the elevator’s down button. She eyed the office lady, who looked like a tea kettle with her fuming expression. “Where should I wait for Lay?” She asked. The woman only offered her a scoff and started dialing numbers on her communicator. She engaged in a hush-hush conversation with someone and glared at Ileana time to time. Gossiping while working…very mature and classy.

“I thought I told you last week that working hours are not social hours, Qing Zhi.” A clear masculine voice came from behind her, affectively making her jump. She turned around and found Lay casually walking over to her with his signature cold stare.  The office woman hung up her communicator and quickly stood up and bowed to Lay.

“My apologizes sir. It won’t happen again.” She mumbled, still bowing.

“It won’t.” Lay’s voice cut through the air like a knife, “Because you’re no longer employed after today.”  

Shivers ran up Ileana’s back, even though a small part of her was happy that woman got what she deserved, this confirmed that this man was indeed as cold and harsh as she envisioned him. When he turned to face her, she tensed with the feeling her fight or flight mechanisms activating.  His eyes didn’t stay on her long though.

“Where’s Kai?” He directed toward the office woman, who was frowning behind the desk.

“He left, sir.”

Lay turned toward Ileana again and shamelessly accessed her up and down. He didn’t seem pleased with what he saw. He walked past her, lazily beckoning her to follow him with his hand. He shoved his hands back into his pockets and gracefully walked down a hallway. She followed close behind but didn’t dare to try and walk beside him. They walked all the way down the hallway and turned to the right when they reached the end of it.

When they turned the corner, her eyes squinted with the increased brightness the shun throughout the new setting.  They had entered a rather large hallway looking area. One side of the hallway had a series of large windows and the hallway itself was randomly furnished. When they were half down the hallway she realized that a series of mirrors were placed on the opposite side.

“You aren’t planning on dancing in that, are you?”  

She stopped admiring her surroundings and turned to look at Lay. She looked down at the clothes she’d been wearing for the third day straight. “Um, I don’t really have anything else.” Lay eyes drifted off to the side, with maybe a hint of annoyance. He walked over to a trunk and opened it. He quickly pulled out a bundle of clothe and a pair of heels.  He walked back toward her, threw her the bundle and dropped the heels in front of her. He took a few steps back and turned his back towards her while crossing his arms.

She unraveled the bundle and saw it was a nice flowing blue dress with an interesting sleeve cut.  She looked between Lay and the dress for a few seconds before it clicked. He wanted her to change, right there and now. She looked around, minding the large amount of windows to her left, which were facing other buildings. So, she turned her back to the windows and quickly took off her top. She slipped the dress on as quick as she could, and was happy to see that it fit her well enough. When she finished straightening out the dress, she tugged her leggings off. She grabbed her old clothing and put on the heels, which had a black leather and suede design and they weren’t too tall in height. She clicked her way over to a couch and placed her old clothes down on it. Lay turned around and looked her over.

“Good. Now let’s begin.” 

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Oh my god, it's been three days since I've updated (maybe one by the time I finish proofreading thing [i at proof reading btw]). Anyways, sorry for the wait, it's exam period right now at my university and I kind of want decent marks :) I just passed my psychology exam on Saturday. One of the units was on Stress, ahahahahaha. Maybe why the beginning of the chapter was like that. 
Anyways, LAY/ILEANA interaction anyone? Lay is totally not like this in interviews, so it's kind of weird depicting him this way. But, in the teasers, I found that he was a cold city man :P 
 

I'm still keeping updated with EXO when I can. I especially love EXO-M interviews. 

LMFAO, Luhan you kill me. You honestly kill me with your humor and natural cuteness. I can't wait for this interview to be subbed! It looks like everyone was having so much fun during it! EVEN CHEN! :D 
Also, I nearly met an unfortunate end when I saw this:

*dies* Not only is it evidence of the Taoris pairing, BUT THEY'RE WEARING THOSE FRIGGING ADORABLE HATS (/Is Tao wearing a hat or stuffed animal?).  I WANT ONE!! OHEMGEE, I don't think I've seen Kris look so goshdarn gentle <3 TAO YOU SWEETHEART YOU

Hence, the giveaway of the day is : *throws sheep versions of Taoris' hats* Cause I like sheep.

Anywoot, I'm leaving now.
Buh bye.