Jaejoong's POV

            “That's funny man!” T.O.P burst in laughter on Yoochun's joke.

Yoochun, T.O.P, and Hyunjoong are here in my house now. We're having a few drinks and chatting

too. I just smile and my eyes caught my coat which I just hang on the sofa. Suddenly her face

flashes in my mind. I remember how her eyes stare back into mine.

            “Don't think that you can fool me with your delaying tactics Yoochun...you kept on telling

funny stories for us not to notice that you are not drinking...” T.O.P says.

            “I'm not slow...it's just that you guys are like sinks...”Yoochun defends himself.

I didn't comment. I'm not in the mood to join T.O.P in his bully talk against Yoochun.

            “Jaejoong, what's the matter?” I heard Hyunjoong asks me.

            “Huh?”

            “There's something wrong...is there a problem?” he says.

My friends always say that I'm very simple to read so they could easily point out if I'm up to

something. I didn't answer but sigh instead.

            “Spill the beans okay?” T.O.P says. Everyone's focus is on me now.

            “I don't know either..” I unconsciously brush my fingers to my hair.

            “I don't think its work related...everything's doing fine for us...”Yoochun says when the two

looked at him.

            “Did something happen to your family?” ask Hyunjoong.

            “Nothing...not in my family..” I sip my drink before finally saying what's haunting me.

            “There's this person...” I'm not yet done but their faces brightened.

            “Eyyy......” T.O.P and Yoochun says in a teasing tone.

            “So it's a girl?”Hyunjoong confirms. I nod.

            “Do we know her?”

            “She's a celebrity too so you've heard of her before but I don't think you met her in person...”

            “Ah.......so, what's the problem?”

            “It's embarrassing to admit but I think she's not into me...” I bit my lower lip.

Nobody says anything. All of them look at me with wide eyes as if they are thinking if I'm joking or

what.

            “How sure are you that she's not interested in you? She's just probably playing hard to

get..”Hyunjoong says.

            “It's not like that...I ask her for coffee yesterday..”

            “But she said no?”Yoochun voices out.

            “She says yes in a condition that we'll go for a wine instead of coffee...”

            “She asked for wine instead of coffee...isn't that more of a date?” T.O.P says.

            “Believe me...that is different from what you have in mind...she asked me if I’m trying to

make a move on her.”

            “Wha….She’s straight forward…”Yoochun reacts.

            “Then?” T.O.P says.

            “I wasn’t able to answer and she says that she’s not interested in me.” I smile in

embarrassment.

            “Maybe because you looked hesitant in front of her…you should make her feel how

interested you are in getting to know her. Pursue her with sincerity…her heart will definitely

softens if you succeed to make her see that.”Hyunjoong advises.

If only they knew who is the woman I’m talking about. They might encourage me to do the

opposite. Image and publicity is something that idols protect the most so anything that can cause

harm should be avoided. I put my fingers to the temple of my head. Thinking of all of this gives me

headache even though nothing really happens yet..

            “Well, actually I think it’s a good sign…you’re interested again to date after your break up

with Boa…” T.O.P says making Hyunjoong and Yoochun frown.

            “Do you really need to bring that up now?”Hyunjoong says to him.

            “Huh? S-sorry…I think I had a lot already…” T.O.P suddenly retreats while pointing the

beer can on his hand.

Dating…love…it only complicates my life…Boa and I secretly dated for 4 years. Only close friends

and the management knew it. We were from SM so we developed a strong friendship and love for

each other….or so I thought…When Junsu, Yoochun, and I left SM, a lot of friends turn their back

on us…I just didn’t see Boa doing that on me until she did..Our relationship ended with just a short

phone call. She only told me that she loves me but she has some other interest to protect too. The

big boss ordered her to end her relationship with me. I understand her decision but it really hurts

knowing that the woman you love will also left you in the middle of a very hurtful time. Now after a

year, I’m finally starting to think about dating again but….with the least ideal woman..

_____________________________________________________________________

I just arrived at the venue. My manager just drove me here and he’ll be leaving soon to look after

Yoochun on the set of his drama.

            “Annyeonghaseyo!” A woman in formal clothes greeted us.

I bowed my head together with my manager.

            “Annyeonghaseyo! You are Athena’s manager right?” My manager said.

            “Yes. We just got here.” She said.

My eyes went to the woman at her back. It’s Athena wearing a pair of jeans and sweat jacket. Her

hair is tied into a slightly messed ponytail. Her face glows despite the absence of make up. We’ll be

attending an event for the product that we are endorsing. The four of us ride the elevator. Our

managers are talking to one another while the two of us quietly stand at the back.

We had our makeup and hair styled on a room. We are both silent even when the stylists left us. I

glance at her from the chair next to mine. She had her eyes closed indicating her lack of interest to

talk to me.

            “Hi…” I still tried to greet her.

She opens her eyes and nods her head a bit in response. I was about to open my mouth but she

shut her eyes again. I heave a sigh instead.

_____________________________________________________________________

The event ended successfully. From what I know, this is Athena’s first official public appearance

after the incident on the premier night of her movie. Still, a lot of press but she was able to keep

her composure by being mum on the said issue and just concentrating on answering questions

about the product. We were away from each other so no chance for me to talk to her.

When we are escorted to the exit, I took the opportunity to talk to her. I walk next to her.

            “About your question last time…what if I tell you that I want to be closer to you?” I said

in a low voice enough only for her to hear. During the entire event, I’ve been thinking what would

be the best thing to say to her. In the end I decided to go straight to the point since I don’t know if

there would be another time.

She glance at me but waited ‘till we finally leave the place. When we’re on the parking lot, she

asked her manager to wait for her in the car. The security people stand on a distance giving us

some time to talk.

            “Why are you doing this? What will you get from all of these?” she started.

            “I told you, I wanted to know you more..”

            “Why?”

            “Do you always ask why people do what they do? Can’t they just do it because they want to?”

She just stares at me for a few seconds before saying something.

            “So you’re now admitting that you are making a move on me?”

            “Probably..”

            “Do you know what you’re getting yourself into?” she asks.

            “I think I know.”

            “You said you wanted to get closer?….Well, you don’t have to go that far..”

Before I could even react, she already pushes me against the van to hide from people’s sight. She

kisses me hard. I lost my mind on the sweet smell of her breath and her soft lips pressing against

mine. My lips started to move and respond to her kisses. I can literally say that this surely is the

sweetest kiss I ever had. Our lips parted so that we could breathe some air.

            “This is all what’s in me…nothing much to be curious about..so stop now.” She says before

leaving me.

I stood there staring at her as she walks away. My heart pounds harder inside my chest. This is so

bad…my mind alarms. What I’m feeling for her is not just a simple liking…my heart recognizes this

feeling but my mind couldn’t agree. 

_____________________________________________________________________

Athena’s POV:

            “Is it something important?” my manager immediately asks after I close the vehicle’s door.

            “Nothing…just stuff..” I shrug my shoulders to discourage further questions.

            “Is there something going on between the two of you?” yet she has a prepared a follow-up

making me feel irritated.

            “It’s not like that okay? So stop combining one thing to another.” I hiss.

She sighs as a form of surrender. I never wanted her to meddle in my personal life and she knows

that. That’s the no. 1 rule in our talent-manager relationship.

            “Alright…That’s beyond my work scope..I just forgot..” she stop and return her attention

to the driver. She talks to him about our next stop like nothing happened. 

I look outside. My fingers touch my lips. I did that to make him stop with what he’s planning. I’m

used to kiss anyone because that’s a part of my job but why is my heart beat so hard now? There’s

no room for infatuation here.

            It’s just a kiss…..just a kiss…..I keep repeating in my head.