“So, you’re telling me that you stayed overnight in the hospital to watch over Jaejoong even if he told you he likes you?” Ji Eun was in disbelief as she always was.

“Yeah, that’s what happened anyway.” You answered with a shrug.

“Well, that’s strange of you. I remember you keeping distance from your suitors in school. Well with the exception of Myungso-“ Ji Eun caught her words. Her expression darkened for a fraction and she changed the topic right away. “So, what did you say when he told you he likes you?” She leaned closer over the table and grinned expectingly.

“I told him not get his hopes up and that I hate him. Then I ran out.” You replied in a small voice without making an eye contact. “Oh, I like that! You’re playing hard to get!” Ji Eun shivered in delight and clapped her hands like an amused child. “But then you returned anyway to look after him when he was asleep.”

You nodded guiltily and sighed inwardly.

“Aw, that’s so sweet!” Ji Eun said in a small, candy-topped voice and batted her eyelashes prettily. “Stop it, Ji Eun.” You slapped her shoulder as your cheeks burned the brightest of red. “I did it because it’s my job, okay? No malice or any other intention.” You defended.

“Then why were you staring at him with googly eyes?” Ji Eun raised her eyebrow challengingly.

“Well, because…uhm…well…because he’s handsome like anyone would think.”

“Bingo! You finally admit it; physical attraction. One of the signs that you like him.” Ji Eun slammed the table excitingly. “But you do know this is far too complicated right? You being an S.M. Trainee while working part time for Jaejoong.” She added in a rather different tone.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, I have told you that you had to quit your job before becoming a trainee. I thought you would handle it wisely so I let you continue your side job. But this is different. You’re growing feelings for him. And you can’t possibly hide it from S.M. for a longer time. Sooner or later, you would have to quit one.” You can’t believe how Ji Eun’s mood goes up and down. She goes from senseless to serious in such a short amount of time.

 “I know it’s tough to work and train. Especially when school starts. I will barely have time for myself. But why is it that you make it sound so impossible?” Yunho has told you to quit ages ago too. It’s just that there’s something in his words that seem to make you unaware of something.

“Well, duh. It’s not just because of time constraint. If S.M. finds out that you work for a former artist who filed a lawsuit against them, you’d be chucked from the company before you could utter the words hakuna matata. ” She rolled her eyes at you as if you were the dumbest person she had a conversation with. And you feel like you were. Because it was only then that you knew why Yunho wanted you to quit so badly.

“But still, I’m so proud of you because you are the living evidence of Yunjae being defied! I could make money by telling the news reporters.”

You didn’t bother to mind Ji Eun’s next words. Everything that ran in your head was pure confusion.

Why didn’t Jaejoong tell me this when I told him I was to be a trainee? Did he want to ruin me so much that he purposely made me close to him—made me fall for him? So that if S.M. discovers, I would lose my chance of achieving my dreams?

All this because he thought I was a sasaeng fan. Right from the start he pretended that he believed I was telling the truth. But all he actually wanted to get from me was revenge. And I was a fool because I fell for it. I fell for his schemes. I’m so stupid. You’re so stupid, ~~~.

Tears started to run down your cheeks—alarming Ji Eun who thought she was the reason why you were crying. “Yah, I was just joking. I didn’t really mean that. I’m not telling the reporters!” She tried comfor