Think, Talk, Love?

Xiao Yu sat inside the cab thinking. She thought about the photographer who subtly tried to chase them; she didn’t know there was someone following them, and in this case, taking pictures of the two of them until Tao had warned them about it.

She replayed the events earlier that evening, going through the moment she had shared with Kris. What did they exactly do? Were they too intimate that would give the impression of them dating? Well, they are dating that moment, and even though she felt good about it, felt good first time in years in the romance department, it would be bad for Kris and his career.

They held hands and Kris said sweet things to her, but nothing more than that.

Xiao Yu felt relieved that they hadn’t done something overly intimate, but she can’t help but feel disappointed too; they just reunited, went out on their first date in years, but then it was cut short because of some photographer.

But those things that they did may be enough to stir up a scandal if used properly.

“Jiejie, are you okay?” Tao’s soft and quite voice asked in Mandarin. She nodded and looked at Tao, giving him a smile. “I’m okay.” She answered. “What I’m worried about is…if you guys are going to be okay after this.” 

Tao hasn’t said anything, but she could see the worry in his face. He too knows, what bad things could possibly happen and Xiao Yu can’t help but feel guilty about something. Nothing has happened yet, but she would feel really guilty if something did and it ruined the life Tao and Kris, as well as their group mates have worked hard for.

 “Tao…can you tell me one thing?” she asked. Tao nodded eager to answer her question, the worry in his face easing up a bit. “What is it jiejie?”

“You guys are not allowed to date, right? What happens if you break that rule?” Tao bit his lower lip, the eagerness gone. He looked hesitant, but then answered after a while. “It’s either we get punished or…our contract terminated.”

Xiao Pei found her sister standing in the middle of the kitchen, lost in her own thoughts. After having a date with Kris, she thought that she’ll see a happier and beaming Xiao Yu. “Jiejie?” she called as she leaned on the wall, trying not to put pressure on her bad knee.

Xiao Pei’s voice snapped Xiao Yu back to reality; she looked at her sister and smiled. “Yeah?” she was in the middle of making breakfast when the things that happened the night before filled her mind. She tried calling Kris right after Tao had safely tucked her in her own house, but he didn’t answer.

She tried again earlier this morning, but still, he didn’t answer. “Are you okay? You look worried.” Worried? Of course she’s worried. “Just thinking of some things.” Xiao Yu’s eyes looked down at her sister’s knee, whose bruise is slowly healing, the colours of the skin turning black and yellow.

“Can you walk to school?” she asked worriedly as she started frying the egg and bacon. The sizzle in the pan filled the room; Xiao Pei limped her way on the stool and sat before answering her sister. Yes, she can walk, but it would definitely take her longer than usual.

“I can.” She answered simply while her sister distractedly placed a plate of bacon and eggs in front of her. “Call me if you need help or something.” Xiao Yu said and moved on to cutting the loaf of bread and gave her sister a slice.

Her sister is distracted. Pei rolled her eyes. “Jiejie are you babo? Haendeupongaobseoyo, remember?” Xiao Yu narrowed her eyes and hit Xiao Pei’s head with her hand. “Are you studying Korean cuss words? Call me stupid again and I’ll hit you with something else.” Xiao Pei talked back to her sister and they started bickering.

Ding dong.

They both stopped and looked at each other. Xiao Yu’s heart started thumping; what if those are reporters? Have they discovered her house? “Jiejie I would very much like to open the door myself, but it’ll take me two hours just to walk at the door.” Xiao Yu glared at her sister who is unaware of the fear that she’s feeling right now.

She untied the apron on her waist and placed it on the kitchen table and hesitantly walked to the door. Before opening it, she tip-toed and looked through the peephole. There was some unknown guy standing; he didn’t look anywhere near a photographer but he could be in disguise so she cautiously opened the door. “Yes?” she said and looked at a cute guy with small eyes.

He immediately bowed his head. “Annyeonghaseyo! Um…I’m looking for Xiao Pei…” Sehun said nervously as he placed a hand on his nape, rubbing it. “My sister?” Xiao Yu asked and looked back inside the house. “Are you her friend?”

Sehun hesitated and licked his lips, he nodded, but his nod was slow and hesitant. “Oh. Okay…what’s your name?”

“Sehun.Oh Sehunimnida.” The boy looked so nervous as he keeps rubbing a hand on his neck. Xiao Yu noticed that Sehun was wearing a school uniform and felt relieved. She smiled at him and invited him inside the house as she called on her sister. “Xiao Pei your friend is here.”

Sehun followed Xiao Yu in the kitchen with his heart hammering against his chest, his hands sweating. He doesn’t really know why he’s being nervous and even questions himself on what he is doing at Xiao Pei’s place in the first place.

“What are you doing here?” Xiao Pei was surprised and then confused. She carefully placed the slice of bread on her plate, looking at her sister who was eyeing her carefully. Xiao Yu carefully observed her sister and Sehun, trying to see some connection or some hint that would reveal their relationship.

“He’s not my boyfriend.“ Xiao Pei pointedly answered her sister’s unspoken question. Sehun blushed and composed himself before answering Xiao Pei. “I’m hear to pick you up.”

“Why?” Xiao Pei asked. Sehun sent her home two days ago when she can barely walk. She clearly remembers what happened that day: she thanked him and Sehun went his own way. They never talked about him picking her up.

“Um…I was worried about your bruise.”

Really Sehun? You’re worried about her bruise? Why can’t you just say that you are worried about her? Right, because her sister’s inside the room and observing the two of you.Sehun argued with his conscience as he tried his very best not to show how nervous he was, which he had failed already without him noticing.

“Okay…” Xiao Pei answered, trying to read Sehun’s actions and intention. There is definitely something going on with Sehun. They are friends yes but is that how Korean guys treat their friends? Even going out of his way to pick her up without her asking for it?

Awkward silence veiled over Xiao Pei and Sehun, while Xiao Yu watched them, amused. Sehun definitely has something towards her sister. “Have you eaten breakfast yet Sehun?” he looked at Xiao Yu and shook his head. “Come on and take a seat then, you’ve still got time to eat.”

Sehun watched Xiao Pei closely as they walked their way to school. She was limping, but there are no traces of pain in her face; his arm wasn’t on her waist or anyhting. He just stood closely next to her, ready to catch Xiao Pei if her leg failed to support her. She was talking about something, but Sehun hasn’t heard and understand a single thing. He just looked at her. All he did was look at her.

“You are not listening. Is there something interesting in my face that you couldn’t stop looking at me?” Xiao Pei questioned, half-annoyed, half-amused. She could feel Sehun’s gaze at her the whole while she was talking. She tried to ignore it, but eventually, it got to her. Sehun looked at her, surprised that she noticed, but didn’t look away.

They stood there in the middle of the road; Xiao Pei waiting for him to answer, while Sehun tried to say something. “If you continue look at me that way, I’ll start thinking that you like me.” The word like made Sehun stopped looking at Pei and he felt his cheeks warming.

She was just asking you, stupid. She doesn’t really know yet that you like her.

“Aniyo. I’m waiting for you to fall and trip or something, that’s why I’m looking at you.Ppalli, we’re going to be late.” He answered and started walking ahead, embarrassed in being caught. Sehun knows that Pei was only teasing, but her words hit him like a bullet—her words got him.

Xiao Yu had checked her phone for the nth time already, but there’s no single call from him. She stopped herself on calling him, not wanting to disturb him or anything in case he’s working. To forget some things, she headed to the university to consult her professors for her thesis.

The trip to the university certainly made her forget of her worries about Kris, but well, it was replaced by stress and worry for her school work. Being a graduating student is tough; she has to make sure that she finish her thesis on time for the defense, attend other classes into her load all the while juggling it with her part time job.

She was doing alright the past years, but with Xiao Pei coming, it got a lot harder. Not that she hates her sister or anything; she actually loved it when her sister came and lived with her because finally, she’s got a family with her. But undeniably, things got harder financially and a mere part-time job would not support the two of them.

“Xiao Yu, there’s someone looking for you.” Her classmate called and pointed at the man waiting outside the door. She bowed and thanked the girl and went to the man. “Are you Ms. Lei Xiao Pei?” the man asked the moment she stepped out of the room. 

She nodded, unable to recognize the man. She’s certain that she never had seen him before. The man looked young; he was wearing a long-sleeved chequered polo and a white shorts; he stepped closer to her and said something, enough for only her to hear. “I’m a staff member of EXO. I was wondering if you are free now to go with me. We have to talk about what happened last night.”

Xiao Yu’s jaw became rigid, her heart beating faster than usual. So what happened last night has reached the ears of the staff. “Did…Kris told you?” the man gave her a tight smile and nodded. “It is really important that we talk to you. The media hasn’t yet released anything about last night, and so we are still waiting.”

Hasn’t released anything yet. “Sure…let me just get my things.”

The man brought Xiao Yu at SME’s office and snuck her inside through the back door. There were some fans waiting at the front, and some at the back too. The man instructed her to act normal as possible, and in case someone asked, she’s a coordinator.

She was then led to the fifth floor, and then to a small conference room and was told to wait. She sat there inside, anxious and worried, waiting for the next thing to happen. For sure, she’s going to be asked about her relationship with Kris. What should she say? What did Kris say?

Xiao Yu constantly checked her watch because she had nothing else to do, and after 20 minutes, the door opened and revealed another man wearing black-rimmed eyeglasses. Xiao Yu stood and bowed; the man bowed back and motioned her to take a seat.

“I’ll get straight to the point. What’s your relationship with our Wu Fan?” the man asked bluntly, and even though Xiao Yu clearly knows that she’ll be asked that, she can’t help but be surprised. “What did he tell you?” Xiao Yu asked back instead of answering.

The man leaned, his arms on the table while his hands are clasped and looked straight at Xiao Yu. “He told us you’re his girlfriend. Is that true?”

Oh. That’s what he said? Is that what he really said? “Well…that’s what he told me too…” she answered in a faint voice, looking back at the man. The man sighed. “Well…Wu Fan getting into a relationship would earn him a terminated contract; but since the two of you has been going out for six years already, he found his way out of that punishment.””

Xiao Yu sat there in surprise. Wu Fan told them that they have been dating for six years? What else did he say?

The man continued. “I won’t tell the two of you what to do. Even if I force Wu Fan to break up with you, I know he will not. He was so brave last night when he called me and told me everything that happened. So I’m going to leave the decision to you. I’m sure you know what’s best for him, right?” Xiao Yu very well knows what the man is trying to tell her.

He won’t tell her to break up, but he’s driving her into it, with all those ‘I’m sure you know what’s best for him.’ And the man wants her to do it, because Wu Fan wouldn’t do it willingly, so she’s the one to do the work. Xiao Yu looked at the man with abhorrence.

“I’ll have to talk with him about this. It would be unfair if I go and decide on my own.”

Jong-in slowly walked his way to the old piano room, not wanting to get disappointed yet another time. He hasn’t seen Xiao Pei for two days now; he has been waiting, but she didn’t come. There’s no other way to contact her too, and he would never ask Sehun about her even though he possibly know more than him regarding Xiao Pei.

He scowled on the thought of Sehun knowing Xiao Pei more than him. He finds it unfair; Sehun and Xiao Pei were like mortal enemies. But now, the two seem too close for his liking.

The scowl was replaced by a smile as he neared the old piano room; there’s a faint melody playing, and he very well know the person playing the piano. He picked up his pace and hurriedly went to the old piano room. He gently turned the knob and opened the door smiling.

But he was greeted by a scene where Xiao Pei’s playing the piano with one hand, with Sehun by her side, distracting her. Her other hand keeps on pushing Sehun’s face away which is getting too close to  Xiao Pei’s. There were laughing about something Jong-in doesn’t know.

t has been only two days he hasn’t seen her and yet, it seems like Sehun and Xiao Pei’s relationship had progressed into something. Jong-in stared at the two caught up in their own world, waiting for them to notice his presence.

It was Sehun who noticed him first. “Hyung!”Sehun was surprised, but he felt happy seeing his hyung, even though they live in the same house and see each other everyday. Xiao Pei looked at the door and saw Jong-in. She gave him a smile and called his name.

“Jong-in ah!” Her face fell when he saw Jong-in’s serious expression, his eyes looking straight at her with an emotion she can’t comprehend. She was puzzled why Jong-in’s looking at her like he was mad about something.

Jong-in looked away from her and looked at Sehun, the two having an exchange of something unknown to Pei.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

*babo - stupid

*Haendeupongaobseoyo - (I) don't have a phone