Athena’s POV

            “Which one would you want to do?”Chairman Ahn asks while looking at the four folders in

the desk. These are the movie offers for me. I spent my breaks reading each one to make a

decision.

            “This one.” I answered.

            “CJ?”

            “Hm.”

            “It has the earliest start among those four. You are still working on a drama so there

would be an overlap.” The concern in his tone is clear but I’ve already decided to pick this one.

The story is fresh and interesting so I would like to do it.

            “I think this is the best.” I answered while placing my hand over the top of my chosen folder.

He gave in right away and nods.

            “Okay. We’ll inform them.”

____________________________________________________________________

Jaejoong's POV

            That's them...

I am definite that I had seen those faces before. “How did they know I'm here?” is a question that I

already gave up on asking. Having them tailing me 24/7 for the past 8 years made me way passed

thinking. I had tried every method I know to make them stop. Pleading, Begging, Crying,

Yelling....I even once lost patience to lay my hand on one of them but nothing prevents them from

doing what they do.

            SASAENGS....

It .....but I've got to live by it.

I'm not feeling well today. My voice is tired and my energy is drained. I just wrapped up the toxic

taping for the day so I should be heading home to take a rest and sleep but unfortunately, they

wouldn't leave me alone.

I acted like I didn't notice them by walking casually before I turn left. As soon as I'm out of their

sight, I decided to take the fire escape. I ran down the stairs then I heard running sounds making

me move faster. My hand twists the first knob I reached.

            “W-hat?!”

I covered with my palm.

Athena's POV

I went back to my dressing room in order to get the script that I left. All of a sudden a person came

in so I was startled.

            “W-hat?!”

But he covered my mouth with his hand. My eyes got bigger as I see him. He released me right

after telling me not to make a noise.

            “You again? What are you doing in dressing room?” I interrogated him but his focus is on

the door.

            “I wonder if they're gone...” he utters to himself.

            “Didn't you hear me?!” I asked.

            “Sasaengs are outside looking for me..”

            “Ss-sasaeng...?”

Both of us heard someone approaching. I move quickly and pull his hand. We hide behind the

clothes rack.

            “Of all the places to enter, why must it be my dressing room?!” I hiss at him in a low voice.

            “I didn't know you're here.” he answered making me roll my eyes. Duh...my name's at the door...

            “You hide from whoever those people are...how about me? What if there are reporters

outside? We might be in a scandal tomorrow!” Paparazzi are often following me around so it won't

be surprising to know that some of them were able to sneak out of the building.

We continue to have our “chipmunk talk” and we didn't pay attention to the person who opened

the door. The lights went off and we heard the locking sound of the door. It took us a few minutes

before we realize that the security officer locked us up here.

            “Mister! Open the door please!” I shout while tapping the door.

Jaejoong turns on the lights.

            “Is there anyone there? We are stuck here!” He says.

            “Crap...my phone is dead..how about your phone?” he asks so I put my hand in my pocket.

I stop and look at him.

            “I left it at the van...”

            “It’s your fault. If you didn’t come here, I would have gone out after taking my things.

Now I’m trap here with you!”

            “I didn’t plan this you know...”

We settle on the two-sitter couch. Both of us were quiet for a moment before he talks.

            “Why didn’t you reply my messages?”

My eyebrow rises. Is it the time to bring up such things?

            “I told you, whether I reply or not is my choice.”

After all, what reply was he expecting to receive? He just kept greeting me three times a day and

then he would say what he was up to? Must I send him messages like I’m on a taping, pictorial, and

home?

            “That’s fine because I’ll continue to be patient in waiting for your reply.” He says with a

smile.

            “Not because something happened between us that night, I’ll start dating you....how

many times will I tell you to stop...?”

He covered his ears.

            “I can’t hear anything. What were you saying?” he says with an exaggerated expression.

I rolled my eyes for the second time because of his childish act. I don’t know but I find it funny. I

tried my best to suppress my smile.

            “Did you just smile?”

            “What? Why would I smile?”

            “I’m sure I had seen you smile...that’s the first time you smile at me.”

            “You’re just making it up.” I continue to deny.

            “Smiling suits you well because it brings out the warmth in you...but you look pretty and

mysterious too when you are cold...”

He tilted his head as if he’s confused about something. Am I some sort of a weather? Why would he

use words like warmth and cold to describe me?

            “Anyway, I would like it even more if you will always smile at me. After all, this is not

yours.”

I’m astonished when he pinches my right cheek.

            “Wh-what...? How come this is not mine?! Does it make sense that one’s face is not his?”

            “Yes that’s your face but it doesn’t mean that it belongs to you. It belongs to the people

who get to see it more than you do so make sure that you look pleasant and beautiful. In this

way, people will be happy and feel pleasant too. Honestly, it affects people’s mood if they see

your stoic and cold face. Even Mona Lisa will be ashamed if she stands beside you.” He says

while smiling as if he’s stating a fact.

I am speechless by what he just said. This is the first time I heard such thing.

            “Chincha...is that why you always smile to anyone? Because your face belongs to them?”

I look at him with awe. He nods.

            “This face belongs to my family, fans, and friends so I take good care of it.”

Is he always this positive?

            “Now you know why you should smile more...your smile is one of the free things that you

can give to others so, be generous on that. If you do that, you might get an offer for a toothpaste

CF as a bonus.”

I couldn’t help but laugh on that.

_____________________________________________________________________

I open my eyes. It’s already 2:17 am on the clock and we’ve been stuck here for more than two

hours. I look at the person beside me. He has his arms crossed in his chest and sits in a straight

posture with his head slightly bent down. He’s obviously sleeping.

Now I know why he has sasaeng fans...with that flawless physical appearance, girls will surely be

swoon. I have to admit that he’s witty and has a great sense of humour too. I can’t recall the last

time I laugh like that behind the camera.

If I only met him eight years ago...the old me might accept him right away.

If I got to encounter him before all those things happened...I wonder if my life would be different

from now?

Too bad he only finds me interesting because he thinks I’m mysterious.

Stop trying to get to know me Jaejoong. There’s nothing much in here...just a scarred soul..

My string of thoughts was cut when I notice his pale lips. I’m sure they are not that pale earlier.

My forehead started having crests in wonder while observing some more. Is he trembling? I reach

out my hand to touch him and my eyes widen as I feel his burning skin. He has a fever.

            “Jaejoong...Jaejoong..” I wake him up. We were just laughing earlier and I didn’t have any

idea that he’s not feeling well.

            “Hmm..” he groans but didn’t open his eyes so I tap him again.

            “Jaejoong..wake up. You have a fever.”

He opened his eyes.

            “You have a fever...” I repeated.

            “I’m okay...” he said.

I stood up and opened the drawers to my dresser.

            “There’s got to be some medicines in here...” I said to myself while looking.

I’m glad that I found a small aspirin box then I get a glass of water from the small fridge.

            “Here..drink this.”

            “What’s that?” He asked.

            “Don’t worry. It’s not poison.” I put the tablet into his mouth then let him drink. After that,

I drench a face towel with the cold water and took the small blanket I used when I’m taking a nap.

With the wet towel, I wipe his face and neck area before covering him using the blanket.

            “I’m alright...you don’t have to...” he said in a weak voice.

            “It’s not the time to act cool...just do what I’m telling you to do.” I cut him off. We don’t

know until how long are we going to be here and I’m not that bad to let a sick person in this

condition.

            “Now, lean your head here.” I commanded while tapping my left shoulder.

He followed and lean his head. Aside from this small couch, there’s no place for him to lie

comfortably. A few moments after and I can say that he’s already asleep.

Ten minutes....twenty...thirty...forty minutes...we stayed in that position. I’m carefully monitoring

his body temperature. My shoulder is starting to feel numb but I didn't move so he won't be

disturbed in his sleep.

            “Athena? Are you there?”

A few knocks on the door caught my attention. I turned his head on the backrest of the couch

before coming to the door.

            “I'm here...We were trapped...open the door...” I said now that I’m sure that it's none other

than my manager.

The locked door opens.

            “Just as I thought...” she said in a relieved tone.

            “What took you so long? I've been locked up here...”

            “I fell asleep in the van...”

Then her eyes went to the person on the couch then they bounced back at me.

            “He accidentally entered here because he's hiding from sasaengs...that's what he said...”

            “Ah...I think I saw some earlier...”

            “He has sasaengs following him? For real...?”I asked. Still couldn't believe.

            “Of course...he's an idol and not just an idol, but an extra popular one....wait, what's with

that?” she pointed at him being covered with a blanket.

            “He got a fever...aishh...let's just think how to leave...are there any reporters around?” I

impatiently said.

            “None...”

            “Then help me carry this fellow..”

I put his arm over my shoulder while my manager helped me with the other side. We carried him.

            “O-mo!” I exclaimed when my manager let go to lock the door. I supported his body all by

myself. Since he's a bit heavy, I almost lose my balance and had my back to the wall making us

appear to be embracing.

            “Sorry...” my manager apologized when she helps me again. I didn't say anything but rolled

my eyeballs instead. We were a few steps away when his manager came.

            “Jaejoong? Oh! What happened to him?!” He worriedly asked.

            “He's hiding from sasaengs and entered Athena's dressing room by chance. Also, he's

sick...” my manager answered.

            “I've been looking around for hours because I saw some sasaengs earlier...I'm sorry that

you have to bother..” he says while taking Jaejoong from us.

            “It's okay. Just let him take some medicine after two hours..” I said.

            “Yes. Thank you so much.” he answered.

            “Let's go.” I told my manager.

            “Athena..”

I look back because Jaejoong held my arm. He's now awake.

            “Thank you for looking out for me..” he said with a much better voice.

I tried not to look at his face.

            “Hm.” I bowed slightly before walking away.

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