“What is this about?” Ri In asked innocently. “It’s not like what they said, at least for the both of us,” she pointed herself and Yoochun.

Junsu grasped on Ri In’s elbow fiercely, “What do you mean by at least for the both of you? Nothing much differences between two of us and you two too.”

Ri In widened her eyes and not believing what she just heard from Junsu, “The difference is big. I and Yoochun oppa are only colleagues and very good friend,” she stopped awhile for some air then continued, “But can you say nothing is on between you and Taeyeon?”

A moment of silence occurred in the meeting room. Junsu could not utter a word to fight back upon hearing that question from Ri In.

“Since when did Ri In start being so brave to have an eye to eye talk with Junsu hyung?” Changmin whispered to Jaejoong.

“I was wondering for that answer too, didn’t they have a cold war for almost two years?”
Jaejoong whispered. As he was about to further their whispering conversation, Yunho elbowed the two of them warningly.

Junsu looked away and said barely above a whisper, “There’s not a need to give you any explanation.”

“It’s not for her but for the company,” Manager Min stated solemnly.

“Probably they are not in a serious relationship,” Manager Kang tried to help Taeyeon cover up. “Just try our best to cover this news and nobody will really go after this if not much news had been revealed.”

“It’s not like what she said,” Taeyeon finally said something. She slipped her hand into Junsu’s wanting support from him, “We’re serious in this relationship.”

Upon hearing that, Ri In stepped back, awkwardly. Taeyeon looked up to Junsu. “Yes, we are…”

It was an answer which Ri In didn’t want to hear the most. Never would she expect that this could happen. Two years ago, she was once in this situation as well. Junsu had fight for her but she chose to pull back for some reasons.

“So you are saying whatever reported in here is true?” Manager Park frowned.

Junsu looked away as he released Taeyeon’s hand, “Yeah…we are.”

‘knock knock’

“Mr. Lee would like to see Junsu, Yoochun, Ri In and Taeyeon in his office in three minutes time,” a girl came in and informed.

Yoochun sighed, “Aish...why is this happening to me…”

Ri In walked passed him with a glistening glare, “Stop grumbling and faster make move to Mr. Lee’s office. As if you don’t know how far his office is from here.”

“Yah, why suddenly sounded so unenthusiastic? Didn’t you bombard Junsu very well just now?” Yoochun sneered.

“If it’s not because of you,” Ri In pouted. “I wouldn’t have gone into this again.”

-Mr. Lee office-

“I wonder why Mr. Lee would see Ri In personally first…” Yoochun sounded worried.

“Ri In didn’t you promised this will not happen again?” he threw the newspaper on her lap, “What is this? After Junsu, Yoochun, giving me a challenge?”

She lowered her head, “I’m sorry…Yoochun and I are just colleagues.”

“Sorry have no cure…as usual, write me an apology letter.” It was rather surprised for Ri In to see him letting her off so easily.

“Are you sure?” Ri In stood up, slowly making her way towards the exit.

“Didn’t you exiting my office already?” he glared jokingly. “Don’t practice too hard…” he concerned as he heard from Manager Min that Ri In caught a cold recently.

“Done? So fast?” Yoochun widened his eyes.

A wide smile formed on her face, “For me, it’s done…bye sunbaes…” she cheerily hopped out from Mr. Lee office area. As she is far from them, the smile on her face faded as she leaned against the wall stressfully. Closing her eyes, she fills herself in thoughts again.

“Everything is okay?” Hankyung asked in Chinese.

“Han Geng ge ge,” Ri In turned to see Hankyung leaning on the wall right beside her, she asked frighteningly, in Chinese “Why are you here?”

“Worried about you,” he reached out his hand to move a strand of hair on her forehead behind.

“There’s nothing else to worry about,” Ri In looked down on the floor. “Worried that he would still love me, can’t forget about me…this wouldn’t happen anymore.”

Hankyung stood straight, “He’s really dating Taeyeon?”

“Hankyung, Ri In…” Siwon called from behind. “Ri In, why are your eyes all red?”

“Nothing, sand flew into my eyes…” she immediately walked away from them to the elevator. Upon doing so, she bumped into someone, right on his chest. She looked up to see the familiar figure, just like three years ago.

“Be careful,” Junsu grabbed hold on her hand to help her balance herself. As he stares down to see Ri In, he was puzzled to see the pair of red eyes. “Did you hurt anywhere? Pain?” he asked concernedly.

Ri In swung off his hands as she see Taeyeon approaching, “No…” she ran off to the emergency exit instead of taking lift, she uses stairs, leaving Junsu looking at her leave.

-Three years ago, 2005 Korea-

“Ouch…I’m sorry,” Ri In apologized as she rubbed her forehead, another hand proper her specs.

“It’s okay, did you hurt yourself?” he reached out his hand to her forehead. “Don’t rub too hard, it will turn purple.”

Ri In brought up her head and bowed, “I’m really sorry…”

“You are not a Korean, aren’t you?” Junsu asked as he tugged his hand into pocket. “I can tell you’re not from your not so fluent Korean.” He chuckled teasingly.

“Yah, so what if I’m not a Korean and speak influent Korean,” Ri In was upset by his chuckle. “At least I try to learn more language, if ask you to learn Chinese, you would take your whole lifetime, I bet.” She kicked on his leg as she stepped into the elevator, “Move away!”

“Ahh…you,” he pointed at her angrily as the elevator gates closing.

-Dance Room-

“It seems that we’ll be having a new assistant since we complained too much about the previous one,” Yunho said.

“Finally…I hope this one will not be same as him,” Changmin said while typing on his laptop.

“Just what are you downloading?” Jaejoong’s arm surrounds Changmin’s shoulder.

“Good morning…” before she could finish her greeting, she was cut off by the person coming in, right behind of her, “Oh, you again. Am I destined to see you wherever I go?” Junsu brought up his hands to his hips.

“You know her?” Yoochun asked sleepily.

“Of course I know her!” Junsu eyes on the petite sized girl, Ri In.

“Right, she’s your new assistant,” Manager Park said as he walked into the dancing room. “From today on, she’ll be staying in your apartment. So whenever you have any request just inform her.”

“A girl staying with us in the apartment?” all five of them said with their eyes widened.

“Any objections,” Manager Park slightly raised his voice, “A guy assistant you all complain saying he’s not caring enough, so a girl will definitely be caring and soft enough.”

“I guess we have no choice but to follow the flow,” Yunho agreed with Manager Park as he sees the change in his face of expression.

“Hyung, this would be inappropriate,” Changmin disagreed.

“Let me introduce myself, I’m Zhang Li Yin…”

“Zang Ri Yin???” they were confused.

“Zhang Li Yin her Chinese name,” Manager Park corrects them.

“Make it easier just address her by Ajumma since her voice sounded so like she’s in her late 40…” Junsu walked towards the place where they placed their bags.

“Aish…why you are so small hearted, I don’t mean to kick you only if you’d not teased me!” Ri In followed him.

“Ajumma, stop bugging me like a fly, will you?” he rolled his eyes.

Ri In brought up her fist.

“Okay, okay, make it easier; just call her Ri in. Jang Ri In.” Manager Park said. “Seems they’ll be changing another assistant again.” He mumbled.

“Since when did Manager Park name me a Korean name?” Ri In pouted.

“Mr. Lee Soo Man gave you that,” Manager Park whispered to her.

“Okay let’s begin our practice,” Junsu did a little stretching. “Ajumma, turn on the radio.”

“Just stop calling me ajumma,” Ri In the radio.

Jaejoong chuckled, “Then why are you following his order, ajumma.”

“Aish…” Ri In pouted innocently.

Upon seeing that innocent pout on her face through the huge mirror, Junsu can’t help put smile out happily.

Presented by Celestine Blue
//Forsaken Love//