Jaejoong’s POV

            “Wow…the pictures came out really pretty! This is more than having paparazzi taking your pictures.” Yoochun says after seeing the pictures on the net of my date with Athena yesterday. Just as expected, people who took our photos posted it making it a hot topic.

            “I can’t imagine the burden of going on a date but people keeps tailing around…” Junsu says.

            “That’s true but only at first. After some time, we managed to ignore them. Aside from following and snapping some photos, they didn’t really get near us. We still had fun on our date.” I say.

            “It’s really fun to go out there and enjoy a date with her. I guess you feel envious?” I tease them.

            “Dating in secret is much thrilling.” Yoochun answers.

            “Maybe it is fun but thinking about the disadvantages….no, thanks…Hae Won and I could still enjoy dating even in private.” Junsu says.

            “She hasn’t called yet?” Yoochun asks him.

For the past days, Junsu is a bit gloomy because he had a misunderstanding with Hae Won.

Junsu sigh and shake his head.

            “Give her some time to think about things. She’s still adapting to the situation.” I advise.

            “Will everything be okay? Is it really like that?” he asks.

I know how scared he is. He had been on the same situation for a couple of times in the past but those relationships ended. Her past girlfriends broke up with him because of lack of time and dating in secret is really difficult. I know how worried he is this time. After being single for years, he finally fell in love again. He loves Hae Won so much and he has a lot of hopes in this relationship.

            “Don’t worry…she’ll talk to you once she’s ready.” Yoochun comforts him.

Manager hyung enters the room.

            “Reminders…Junsu, you have a photoshoot for a Japanese magazine at three o’clock.

Yoochun, your filming schedule for the drama will be moved tonight.”

            “Huh? Tonight? What happened?”

            “Jaejoong, you have no schedule for now…”

            “Hyung, maybe you had mistaken…I’ll be doing a CF today, right?” I ask.

He looks at me.

            “That’s what I’m about to discuss….I was just informed by that company…they want to withdraw…”

            “Huh?”

            “But since the contract had been signed on…we managed to convince them to carry on with the CF. They decided to get Yoochun in your place.”

I couldn’t say anything. It was not surprising anyway. I lost several projects after my relationship with Athena became public.

            “Also, the magazine spread that JYJ will do next week will be changed. They removed you and would want to continue with only Junsu and Yoochun.”

            “What? How could they do that? They reformat it with only a week left?!” Junsu says.

            “Why do they have to remove Jaejoong hyung? It’s not JYJ then..” Yoochun comments.

            “They reformat the concept. They decided to focus on YooSu bromance.”

            “Isn’t that unfair for Jaejoong hyung?” Junsu appeals.

            “Why don’t we just refuse their offer instead? Manager hyung, I won’t do the CF. ”

Yoochun says.

            “That can’t be helped….Don’t worry about me. Its work so do what being asked of you.” I say.

            “Hyung…” they say in unison. I turn to Yoochun.

            “Yoochun, go and do the CF….do your best on it in my place.” I tell him.

            “Are you really okay with it?” he asks with worry in his face.

I smile and tap him in the shoulder.

            “Yes. That’s a good opportunity for me to take a rest. Also, I will Athena to Baeksang tonight.”

I secretly sigh.

_____________________________________________________________________

Athena’s POV

            “You will present with Hyun Bin? Wow so lucky!” My make-up artist Ms. Han couldn’t contain her excitement knowing that I will be a presenter for one of the awards together with Hyun Bin who just came out of the army.

            “He just came out of the army. He looks manlier now…” she says while applying me some blush on.

It’s pretty obvious that she’s a big fan of him judging by the twinkle of her eyes as she mentions his name.

            “He did an interview on a magazine not long ago. They asked him which actress he would like to work with for his first project after army. Do you know who he chose?” she asks me.

            “I don’t know….Han Ji Min? Kim Tae Hee? Shin Min Ah? They are the trend nowadays…” I answer.

            “No…he didn’t choose any of those ladies…He answered Athena.”

            “Me? Why?”

            “He says that he finds you amazing as an actress. He admires your works and he told them that he had seen your latest movie. Not only that…according to him, JYJ’s Boy’s Letter MV is very popular among soldiers because you are in it.”

            “Really? That’s weird….”

            “Aigoo…What’s weird with that? Do you know how proud I am because of that? Among all the actresses out there, he chose our Athena? Don’t you agree with me, Ms. Go?” she turns to Ms. Go.

I shake my head lightly. Maybe I’m too used to be getting bashed by people nowadays so being admired is kinda vague…Well, I should not be surprised…after all, I’m Athena…People recognize my talents as an actress. I almost forgot, I will be attending Baeksang tonight not only to be a  presenter. I’m also nominated for three categories.

The stylist Ms. Wang comes in with the dress in her hand. I follow her to wear it. This burgundy chiffon dress is one of Zuhair Murad’s creations.

            “Omo! Omo! That is one smokin’ hot dress!” Ms. Han says.

            “This will surely make it to every magazine cover the next day…” My stylist proudly says while helping me with the dress.

Ms. Go gives me my phone. Jaejoong sent a message. He’s almost here.

            “Jae is almost here. Please tell him that I’ll be out in a few minutes…” I instruct Ms. Go.

            “Omo! Kim Jaejoong is coming?!” Ms. Han asks.

            “Yeah…He’ll attend the award ceremony with me.”

            “You already have Kim Jaejoong then Hyun Bin is yours too…..God, He really blessed you…” she says.

I smile silently.

            “Yah! Why did you choose a y dress like this?! Jaejoong will feel uncomfortable with this!” Ms. Han tells Ms. Wang.

The dress has a plunging neckline and a high slit that shows up to the thigh. It’s not like my first time to wear a revealing dress. Now that I think of it, I don’t know what will be Jaejoong’s reaction.

            “But on the other side, seeing Jaejoong jealous will be nice too…I think he’ll look cute when he’s jealous…” Ms. Han says in a dreamy tone. She really is a fangirl….

            “Did Kim Jaejoong get jealous on your kissing scenes?” Ms. Wang curiously asks.

            “I wouldn’t want to see it the other way around either.” I answer without giving details.

Jaejoong clearly understands the nature of my work but being jealous is normal. He still doesn’t like me kissing or doing skinship with my leading man. Who would want that anyway? I’m a cool head about Jaejoong having kissing scenes for work but I wouldn’t dare watch it either.

            “Kya!!! Then it’s confirmed…Jaejoong gets jealous! It’s cute!” Ms. Han says like a teenage girl. 

Why do girls want to make their man jealous? I find it childish….In my own opinion, making your man jealous on purpose is a ridiculous idea. Isn’t it enough to know that he loves you so why would you have to go to the extent of doing things that will make him jealous? I wouldn’t want to make Jaejoong feel insecure or threaten so I would never give him a reason to feel jealous.

            “Athena…Jaejoong is here.” I hear Ms. Go says.

            “Oh…I’ll be there in a minute!” I say.

Ms. Wang gives me one final look before giving me a thumbs up.

            “Go….slay them all!” she proudly says.

She opens the curtain and I see Jaejoong sitting on the couch. He looks at me like he’s in a daze. He even has his mouth open.

            “Eyes in here.” I tell him while gesturing a hand from my chest upwards my face.

He blinks his eyes and look at my face.

            “You are going to the award ceremony wearing that?” he asks.

I nod.

            “Hm. It’s a sponsored dress so I have to wear it. Why, you don’t like it?”

            “I like it…I love it…but, other men will like it too…” he honestly says.

            “Why would you think of them? I dressed up for you not them..”

            “I know and I really like it but…what will you feel if I will dress like this too?”

           “What else? Definitely I’ll laugh to death if you wear something like this.” I answer bluntly.

            “Huh?” Jaejoong looks at Ms. Han and Ms. Wang who are giggling to the side because of what I said.

He couldn’t help but smile too because of the absurdity.

            “That’s not what I mean…” he says.

           “Wow….you look really handsome tonight. You sure want girls to swoon over you…” I say.

He looks dashing in his black tux. His hair is awesomely styled giving him a suave look. He’s also wearing the earring I gave him in his left ear.

            “Don’t get me wrong…I only want to look handsome for you..” he defends himself.

            “See my point now?”

            “But still…”

I place my hands to my hips.

            “Why, Am I too hot to handle for you?” I decided to dare him instead.

            “Chincha….this woman…” he says with his disbelief tone.

            “Can you walk the red carpet with me or not?”

            “Of course I can! What do you take me for? Huh! That kind of dress won’t waver my confidence.” He says

That’s all I need to hear. I don’t want him to feel jealous even though I wear such clothes on an event. I want him to be confident after all, he’s the man who’ll be standing next to me and not any other men.

I turn to my make-up artist and stylist.

            “That cool guy is my man.” I proudly say.

            “Aigoo! You two look cute….You suit each other.” Ms. Wang comments.

            “He looks like a dazzling y vampire while she looks like a fierce goddess…Aigoo…you have the perfect visual!” Ms. Han says.

            “They will be the hottest couple to walk the red carpet tonight.” Ms. Wang seconded.

            “Enough of those exaggerated words…we’ll go now.” I tell them.

            “We are not exaggerating…It’s true!”

            “Yeah…yeah…” I swish my hand to shush them.

Ms. Go arrives.

            “The van is ready…let’s go.” She says.

Jaejoong assists me as we walk.

            “My nose…I think it’s bleeding..” he says while holding to his nose. I hit him lightly.

            “Aishh…I’ve seen you wear daring clothes too! You even flashed your stomach to the girl viewers…Stop overacting.”

He smiles.

____________________________________________________________________

Jaejoong’s POV

I go down the van first and help Athena. I hold her elbow as we strut the red carpet together and camera flashes here and there. Fans scream on the sides. We stop and pose for some pictures but it took longer than the usual because there are lots of photographers who ask for some shots.

            “The Jaejoong-Athena couple has just arrived. Athena looks fantastic in what I believe to be a Zuhair Murad’s dress while Kim Jaejoong looks charming in his black Armani tuxedo. As  you  can see, people are so crazy about this couple…Now they are walking in the red carpet…Kim Jaejoong escorts her lady love like a true gentleman. They certainly are beaming with hotness… There’s no doubt, they are a power couple.”

Then we stop for a quick live interview before entering the hall.

            “Now I have next to me the hottest couple I’ve seen for this evening…Kim Jaejoong and Athena. Welcome to Baeksang awards!” Kim Won Hee noona introduces us.

Athena and I clap.

            “Good Evening..” we both greet.

            “Wow, Athena you look gorgeous in that dress.”

            “Thanks…I think my stylist did a great job..” she says.

            “I think it is the very first red carpet event that the two of you attended together.”

We look at each other.

            “Yeah…it is.” I say while Athena nods.

            “Athena, you are both a presenter and nominee, how do you feel?”

            “I’m really grateful and flattered to be nominated but at the same time, I’m nervous especially I have to go out there and present an award. But all in all, I think Baeksang is such a great event and everybody is happy to be a part of it like this.”

            “Being nervous is understandable…not to mention you are on the run for three awards. Do you think you’ll go home with the awards tonight?”

            “I don’t know, I don’t know…It’s too early to say….”

Kim Won Hee noona turns to me.

            “Do you feel nervous for Athena too?”

            “No, I feel relax and my main priority now is to be a support to Athena. I’m sure she’ll win…I’m pretty much confident about that.” I look at Athena. “I also hope that fans will silently pray for her to win.” I add.

            “Oh…he’s very supportive….Since you got Kim Jaejoong as your no. 1 supporter tonight, Do you feel cheered and encouraged?”

            “Of course…Of course.” She says giving a very short respond.

            “Well, Kim Jaejoong recently debuted in film. Do you wish to be a nominee next year?”

            “I’m really honoured that they gave me the opportunity to act on such a nice movie. I sincerely hope I could do more films in the future and ahh…to be nominated in Baeksang will be a dream come true for me.”

            “Let’s be positive. That might happen…next year you might be nominated together. Do you have the confidence?”

            “Yes. In him.” “Yes. In her.” We answer at the same time making the three of us to

chuckle.

            “That is sooo cute…You look great together. I can see L.O.V.E around the two of you.” Kim Won Hee noon smiles at us widely.

We chuckle because of her comment.

            “Kim Jaejoong, Athena, thank you so much for granting us a quick chat. Athena, hwaiting!”

            “Hwaiting!” We bow slightly before finally going to the hall’s entrance.

The hall is full of Hallyu stars and I feel somewhat out of place. This isn’t my usual crowd. I attended many awards ceremony before but not like this. Music awards are different from film awards…I’m quite confident on music awards since I’ve been in the industry for long but I’m still a newbie when it comes to acting.

I look around. I see Lee Jung Ki, Gong Yoo, Hyun Bin, Jang Dong Gun, Won Bin, Kang Dong Won, Jo In Sung, Song Seung Hun, So Ji Sup, Kim Rae Won, and Lee Dong Wook. Why does it have to be filled with good looking and high profile men?

I’m also aware of people’s eyes on us. Many random guys couldn’t keep their eyes to themselves and so I’m silently sending them a ‘back-off’ signal by placing my arm around Athena’s waist.

Whenever I notice someone looking at Athena’s chest or legs, I pretend to do something to be able to cover her from their sights. I don’t even want to imagine what’s going through their heads when they check her out. On the other hand, I don’t think I should be dictating what she’ll wear or not because I don’t want to be a controlling boyfriend.

‘You can't stop guys from looking at her. That's just a reality. No matter where she is or what she wears there will be men who are attracted to her. That is just reality. You cannot control that. Let them die of jealousy because they can only look at her. They won’t have the slightest chance at her. Athena is with you and that’s because she wants to.’ A part of my mind says.

I caught another non-celebrity guy staring at Athena.  

            “It’s driving me nuts…” I mutter and I pretend to some of Athena’s hair strands to cover her from that man’s view. Athena is wearing a red daring dress and I’ll give her the credits. She totally rocks it but the effect that it gives to other men is vexing.

            “Calm down…you don’t have to do that.” Athena whispers. She knows what I’m doing.

            “Stop thinking of what those guys are thinking. Apart from looking, they can’t possibly do anything to me.”

            “I trust you. It’s them I don’t trust.”

            “Do you only have that little confidence to yourself?” she looks at me in the eyes. “You are above them…They got nothing compare to you. Do you know why I’m with you?”

            “Why?”

            “Because I believe that only a Kim Jaejoong can handle being Athena’s man.”

I smile. She entwines our fingers and smile at me.

God….How I love this woman….let us be happy like this forever.

Athena managed to do her job as presenter well.  Next to her is Hyun Bin who is one of the ultimate Korean heartthrobs but I no longer feel than pit in my stomach. I finally find my confidence and I’m rest assured that no man can take her away from me.

            “You did a good job up there.” I say when she joins me back.

            “Thank you….You really know how to be a good supporter….I’ll treat you to a good meal after this.” She jokes.

            “I’ll order the most expensive on the menu.” I get along her joke.

She then wins the Most Popular Actress then not long after the Best Actress Film for her action movie. She thanked Baeksang, her parents, colleagues, fans, viewers, and other nominees in both her speeches. 

            “How come she didn’t even mention Kim Jaejoong in her speech?” I accidentally hear the woman on my back says.

I remain quiet and pretend not to hear them. Maybe she just forgot I thought. I know how it makes one forgetful and speechless. Athena returns with her awards. We do a high five.

            “Congratulations.” I say.

            “Thanks.” She answers.

We continue to watch. Her drama ‘Fragments’ with Kang Dong Won also wins the Best Script and Best Drama.

            “Now…the most awaited moment of the night…We are finally down to the Daesang Award.”

Yoo Jae Suk sunbaenim says.

            “Yes….I’m also anticipating this moment….who do you think will win Yoo Jae Suk sshi?” Choi Ji Woo asks.

            “It’s really nerve-wracking Choi Ji Woo sshi…We have six talented actors and actresses…”

            “I agree…Alright, now let us begin with the nominees….”

They named the six nominees. I must say, her competitors for this award are really great. Nobody could predict the winner. I hold and squeeze Athena’s hand.

            “I’m good…I already have two…” she whispers.

            “And the winner for the 49^th  Daesang Award goes to……..Athena! For ‘Fragments’.”

The camera goes to us.

            “You won…” I tell Athena. She looks like she’s really surprised.

She walks towards the stage to claim her third award of the night. 

            “W-what more can I say? My heart is overwhelmed by all of these awards I got….” She breathes in. “I think I already thanked everyone earlier except one. So now….I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude towards that special person.”

The entire hall becomes silent. Athena looks at my direction and stares straight to my eyes.

            “When you barge in and let me know of your existence, I was so scared….I pushed you away making you think that things are your fault.  But…really, I was just plain terrified….For every word I say..for every move I do, people always have something to say about me. I admit to that…I’m not perfect. I got my bad side…I have flaws but you….you see pass all that….” She swallows. Her eyes mirror her emotions.

Aside from her, I’m not hearing a single soul. Athena is known for having a strong persona and being extremely private. But for the first time, she is opening up her own emotion and showing her soft side. I’m sure people are surprise as they witness Athena lay her heart on the table.

            “You found me on my lonesome place. You proved me that leaning on to somebody is not a bad idea after all. Thank you….for making me feel again….”

I nod at her. She continues.

            “I’m no longer alone because I have you…Having only you….I can blissfully settle with  that….because I know……that my heart has finally found a home.” She sincerely says.

Somebody claps from the crowd and the rest follows. This is not an acceptance speech…but a  public confession. She just confessed to the whole world her love for me. She officially addressed me.

She love only me….My heart pounds because of happiness. I feel like the happiest man at this very moment.

Athena left the stage and walks back to me. We hug tightly.

            “You are the most precious award I got.” She whispers at me.

I only see the two of us….in this wide hall….there’s nobody else but Athena and I.

_____________________________________________________________________

[Author's Note]:

Yeah....Dress B got the most votes. Thank you to those who took the time to speak about their opinions. 

So what do you think of the recent event? I'm currently working on the next chap....

Please comment....(Love to hear more from you guyz. ^-^)

Happy weekend!