KYUHYUN   “Thanks.” I heard Angela said in an almost faint voice as soon as we came to a halt just right in front of the house.   Since we left downtown, that was the only first word that had been spoken. I guess I got her speechless by my sudden act of kindness.   Well, okay. I’m gonna be honest. I wasn’t able to resist seeing her cold, considering that I was somehow at fault. The weather was indeed extra chilly tonight and unfortunately, the usual cotton made top and the usual jeans won’t be enough to keep her warm. I don’t know what’s gotten into me but I just knew I had to do something. I got her a couple of Hotteok for her to eat since it was almost dinner and I’m sure she was feeling hungry already, considering that I did drag her out of the house instantly.   And fine! Maybe I also felt a little… (take note: A LITTLE) guilty of the fact that I’ve caused her so much misery these past few days, specifically last Friday night. Though I know she was mostly at fault, I am aware that at some point, I went overboard as well; and after pondering about the thought a little, my friends were right. I was acting very unreasonably. No wonder I’ve been falling under their constant teasing but they can’t take away from me that I got surprised too!  And no, I don’t think I’m being an overprotective father or an overprotective boyfriend as they have put it.   Now speaking of an overprotective boyfriend, I hope they don’t—   “Am I supposed to pay you back?” Angela asked, breaking me out of my thoughts.   I turned my head to face her and I noticed how she seemed to look better now compared to earlier. “Do you always have to see me as the bad guy, Angela?” I asked her bitterly.   She shrugged her shoulders as she avoided my gaze. “That’s what you always show me, hence, that’s what you are to me.”   “Huh,” I scoffed at her, my arms finding its way to cross itself.   Seriously! This girl is quite insensitive and impossible.   “Is that your way of saying thanks? You’re welcome!” I told her sarcastically.   “What? I was just stating the obvious.”   Pfft. Now I’m kind of regretting why I did those gestures of kindness especially…. ARGH! Just the thought of me doing it earlier is irritating me now. I don’t even know what’s gotten into me! This just tainted my pride as a man.   “You know what? For a second there, I thought—” I paused and let out a defeated sigh. “Never mind. So much for being a nice guy.” I mumbled under my breath before stepping out of my car, closing the door more forcefully than the usual.   I walked away as quickly as I could, letting her carry all the stuff that we bought downtown. Ha! Let’s see if she’ll even feel a tinge of guilt.   “Hey! You’re back!”  Zee greeted as soon as she opened the door. I entered right away, slightly noticing that she was peering at my back.  “Where’s Angela? You didn’t leave her again, did you?!” Her voice raised one note higher. That accusatory tone. Tch. Of course.   I didn’t answer her, as well as ignoring Heechul hyung and Sungmin hyung’s questionable gazes at me along the way and just went straight ahead to the kitchen so I could get myself a glass of water.   “Oh! Angela, there you are!” I heard Zee exclaim joyfully with relief as I jugged down the liquid.   “Your company’s such a gentleman of course. How typical.” Zee remarked sarcastically as she probably had seen Angela carrying all of the stuff that we bought. I heard some shuffling of the plastic bags as I assume that Zee took some of the hand carries from her.   Hey, I was really going to help her carry those but she insisted that she always sees me as a bad guy. If that’s how she wants it, then so be it!   “Nah. Don’t be too hard on him.” I heard Angela say and I suddenly stopped midway in filling up my glass. “Ahjussi’s been kind enough in helping me earlier.” She continued a bit louder as if she was intending for me to hear it.   Oh I can hear you well, you brat! Now what’s gotten into you?   “Really now?” I could imagine Zee looking skeptic as she raised an eyebrow at her.   “Sounds unbelievable, I know.” Angela said.   “Uhuh. And good to know he didn’t even think of leaving you behind again.” Sungmin hyung snickered.   Huh, if you only knew how I wish I did already. I gulped down the water again as I kept my ears open so I could listen to their conversation.   “Well, yea. But that’s because I’ve got a hold of something which he could not just let go.” Angela told them with a little laugh and I just heard the rest of the gang going with their teasing ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’.   And mind you, I could already imagine that evil glint forming on the evil couple’s eyes.   “I’m guessing it’s your heart.” Heechul hyung piped in teasingly in our native tongue that I nearly spat my water out.   “What?” Angela asked and I could imagine her wearing her innocent look face again.   “Oh don’t mind him! Heechul just has this habit of blurting out nonsense stuff whenever we’re in the middle of a conversation.” Zee explained and covered up for this other half and Angela seemed to have bought their excuse as she laughed the issue off when Heechul hyung scowled at Zee’s remark.   TCH. You evil couple!   Well at least Angela didn’t bring up the scarf issue. I’m sure she didn’t want the gang teasing her and of course, I didn’t want it as well. So I guess I could give her credit for that.   “Oh! By the way, Zee! Before I forget, I think this is yours!” I heard Angela say and my heart was making the loudest thudding sound it could ever make.   I put the glass down on the sink and rushed just by the doorway of the kitchen as I peeked through them at the dining area.    I saw Angela taking off her jacket as Zee gave her a questionable look. I was praying to the heavens that Zee would take notice of my presence and look at me straight in the eyes. Angela was done taking off the whole thing and handed over the piece of clothing to Zee.   Oh no! She can’t find out about it! At least not now! Zee eyed the clothing material for awhile. “I don’t remember owning—   “AHEM!” And I had to cut her off by faking a cough as I got out and joined them at the dining table.   All of their heads turned to look at me. Well, there goes nothing.   I was trying to make subtle looks at Zee, hoping she would get the message I’m trying to send to her.   “Oh yea!” Zee suddenly said with a feigned realization tone as she took the jacket from Angela. “I only got to wear this once and I left it in Kyuhyun’s car. I’ve been looking for this for almost how many months now!”   Relief seemed to have flowed inside of me. Thank goodness my best friend knows me too well! And I couldn’t thank her enough for riding in on this stint of mine. I could feel Heechul hyung and Sungmin hyung already giving me teasing glares but I tried to remain calm so as to not give myself away. Not when infront of Angela.   And yes, if you guys must know, I did buy that jacket for her. Happy?! Don’t ask why. I don’t know what’s gotten into me either.   “Well, at least you’ve reunited with it now. It’s really nice. It did keep me warm.”   “Yea, this is a pretty good quality.” Zee agreed as she surveyed the jacket.   Of course that is of good quality! That’s Abercrombie & Fitch! They happen to have a small outlet store downtown so that’s where I got it.   “Good thing Kyuhyun thought of lending this to you.” Zee turned to look at me with that evil, teasing smile and I saw my other two hyungs snickering in silence.   “I told you. Ahjussi’s been kind enough to me today.” Angela glanced at me then looked away as she smiled at Zee, who was already looking back at her too. “He may act like a total jerk at times but I thought what he did earlier was really thoughtful of him.”   I suddenly felt the corner of my lips forming into a smile but I was preventing myself from doing so since from the corner of my eye, I could see Heechul hyung and Sungmin hyung high fiving one another with those Hyena-like grins plastered on their faces.   UGH. What is happening to me??   “Well, wouldn’t it be nice if Ahjussi would be like that all the time?” Zee said, giving me a teasing glance.   I was about to retort something but she gave me no chance as she spoke to soon again. “Anyway, I think you should keep this, Angela.” Zee said as she handed back the jacket to her.   Angela looked surprised. “What? Why?”   Zee shook her head sieways with a smile. “Frankly, I’ve got too many jackets in my closet already and…I think you need it more than I do.”   “Are you sure? I mean… you said you only wore it once.” She paused as she gave a shy smile. “Plus, you’ve done so much for me already, Zee. I don’t think I can just—”   “It’s okay, Angela. It’s yours now and I mean it!” Zee said with finality as she already hanged the jacket on Angela’s arm so she won’t give it back again. “It looks good on you too, by the way.”   Tsh. Such a stubborn girl. Why can’t she just accept such blessings?   “Okay, thank you.” Angela gave a defeated smile. “Anyway, if you’ll excuse me for awhile, I’ll just have to use the washroom.”   As soon as Angela was out of earshot the moment she got inside her room, I saw three heads turning to look at me, indicating that their trolling would begin in a span of seconds.   “What was that all about, Kyu?” Zee asked me with an amused expression.   “I’d say the evil maknae’s starting to make his move!” Heechul hyung piped in enthusiastically.   “That’s a pretty nice jacket you got her although I think it would have been nicer if it was in pink.” Sungmin hyung commented.   I looked at Sungmin hyung with a 'what-the-hell' expression. Of course, I forgot who I was talking to.   “I’d say it would have been nicer if Angela knew that he was the one who bought it for her.” Zee commented as she started taking out the Kimbap out of the plastic bag.   “Well, I couldn’t agree more but then I guess that’s Kyuhyun’s courting style.” said Heechul hyung as he opened the container of Soondae and was about to take a piece had Zee only not spanked his hand.   “Wash your hands first!” Zee ordered him and the latter instantly went to the sink and did what he was told.   “That’s not a courting style of mine, hyung.” I said out loud so he could still hear me from inside the kitchen. “That was nothing so stop jumping into such conclusions.”   “Oh please Kyuhyun-ah!” Sungmin hyung said as he sat down across me. “That can’t be just nothing. You’re starting to care for her and you won’t just admit it.”   “I couldn’t agree with Sungmin Oppa more.” Zee said as she laid our dinner infront of us. “And didn’t you know? Giving clothes to another person is a sign of showing one’s care and affection.” Sungmin hyung nodded his head in agreement to what she said.   I wanted to protest but I closed my mouth again knowing that Zee’s got a point. I remember my Eomma telling me about that bit when I was younger. But it’s not like they should know that I’ve been caught red-handed, right?   Good thing they didn’t know about the scarf incident. Whew!   “Well, fine! If you must know, it was partially my fault why she was feeling cold. I dragged her out right away, not knowing she didn’t bring her cardigan with her. She kept on making that chattering sound it was annoying the hell out of me so there, I bought it for her! Satisfied?”   “Not exactly.” Heechul hyung emerged out from the kitchen with his freshly washed hands. “I’m pretty convinced that there’s something more to that.”   “Nado.” Sungmin hyung and Zee said in unison.   “Aish! Think whatever you guys want. To me it’s just really nothing.” I told them confidently.   “But Kyuhyun-ah, if it’s really not much of a big deal for you, then why don’t you want Angela to know that you bought it for her?” Sungmin hyung asked, trying to stop the playful smile that was forming on his lips.   Heechul hyung and Zee both nodded their heads in agreement.   “It’s just that it’s…” I paused for awhile, struggling to find the right words and I could see the three looking at me eagerly with a hint of smugness. “It’s just better that way, okay?!”   And as if on cue, we heard Angela’s bedroom door open. It’s about time to wrap up this conversation.   Heechul hyung chuckled to his own delight and said, “Oh Kyuhyun-ah. I really see myself a lot in you before Zee and I got together.”   I was about to speak up but I already heard Angela’s footsteps approaching the stairs. I just let out a defeated sigh.   When will they ever give up with the teasing?     ANGELA   I can’t believe I’m already in my second week in Seoul and I’m still alive and breathing. I even landed a job here at Zee’s pet hotel and so far, everything’s been really great. Somehow, I’ve already gotten used to the idea that for the past few weeks that I’ve been here, all the people who are surrounding me are actually celebrities. Well maybe there are a few exceptions like Zee, Kim Shin and Eun Hee who are just ordinary people like me. Well, maybe except for Zee since she’s dating Heechul oppa and she has already established a tightly knitted relationship with each of the boys but then… well, since their relationship is not known to the public yet, she is somehow still living a normal life, I guess. But once it goes out to the public, it will really create a huge impact on Zee’s life.   I think the same thing goes for me once their fans find out that a girl like me is living with some of the boys.  Zee, Kim Shin, and Eun Hee had already warned me about how some of their fans could go really crazy when they find out that their oppas are being linked or close to other girls.   I kept on shuddering at the idea of their fans finding about me. Oh please spare me from their wrath! I still want to live. I have no interest in their oppas no matter how nice and good looking they are, except for one though. I don’t really understand why they keep on teasing me and Kyuhyun. I guess that’s what we get for fighting a lot. That’s why as much as possible, I’m trying to restrain from fighting with him and I guess he’s doing the same. I don’t really know what happened but his little act of kindness last Sunday really surprised me. I couldn’t help but smile to myself every time I remember it and to be honest, I thought it was really cute of Kyuhyun when he was sulking because he thought I didn’t appreciate his kind gesture.   What I’ll never forget was when he handed me over those two hot pancakes that had sweet Cinnamon fillings inside. It really tasted good! I wonder when I’ll be able to get those again.   Meh, maybe that’s why I can’t stop thinking about those pancakes is because I’m already starving. Hehehe.   I placed one last red ribbon on this pooch that I’m grooming before placing it back on its cage and then after placing all the grooming materials back to its proper drawers, I headed back downstairs.   “Hey Angela!” Zee called out to me as I got down the lobby for lunch break. “You done grooming the pets in the second floor?”   “Yes! And I managed not to get any more scratches for today.” I told her as I proudly showed her my scartch-free arms.   The truth is, the first time I started working in here last Sunday, as much as I loved handling animals, some of them weren’t as friendly and cuddly a I have originally perceived them to be, which is why I got some scratches courtesy of some cats to be precise. The scratches were nothing serious though, thank goodness!   “Very good!” Zee told me with a smile. “By the way, we’re just working half day today. We have to leave now.”   “What? Why?” I asked her, looking totally clueless.   “I’ll explain to you later but right now we really have to go. Kim Shin, Eun Hee, you guys take care of everything okay?” Zee was already tagging me along with her.   “Have fun you guys!” Kim Shin said as she bade us goodbye.   “Especially you Angela!” Eun Hee added and it just got me even more curious.   I was about to ask Zee what on earth was going on but she was moving really quick so I just let it go. I just gave in to my friend’s request as she was very persistent in pulling me along. I wasn’t able to change in my regular outfit anymore as Zee told me to just get changed and freshen up in her apartment.  The moment I got a hold of my bag, Zee and I rushed outside to catch the bus that was just about to leave.   “What’s with the rush earlier, Zee?” I asked her as soon as we both got a hold of chicken wraps from a store nearby her apartment. Lunch was her treat by the way. Hehe.   “Today’s the showcase performance at SM Entertainment.” She told me before taking a bite of her food.   “SM Entertainment? Isn’t that Super Junior’s company?” Zee nodded at me as she kept on chewing. “But wait, what has that got to do with us? Why do we have to be there?” I asked her as we stepped inside the elevator and that’s when I also took the chance to start eating.   “I’m performing with them.” I looked at her surprised. “And no, I’m not officially a part of their talents nor am I their trainee.” She continued. It’s as if she just read what I was thinking of asking her.   She told me how it was all Super Junior’s manager’s fault that she got into the whole thing. The company’s president even offered her a contract but she declined since she’s not really the type who enjoys the fame and spotlight. She also confessed to me that she’s been performing alongside with the boys in their Asia tour concerts.   Wow! Life must have taken a 360 degree turn for Zee ever since she met those boys. How much more when she and Heechul oppa decide to come out in public? Sooner or later it’s going to come out. I wonder how she’ll be able to handle that.   “That’s pretty cool, Zee! But wait… why do I have to come along?” I asked as soon as the elevator had come to a stop in Zee’s floor, which was the 10th.   “Of course! So you can watch what we’ve been practicing so hard last Sunday.” She told me as she started to input the numbers in her code.   “But… I was asleep the whole time you were practicing last Sunday.”   Well, actually no. I did wake up at some point and a beautiful, soothing singing voice was the one I instantly heard. It was only like a 10 second preview though which is why I was left hanging too. I don’t know whose voice that belongs to. I was actually guessing it’s Heechul oppa’s voice since when I got down, it was him whom I saw handling the microphone as he sang his heart out. However, Zee said that he sounded like a choked up rooster and I actually couldn’t agree more at first.   What? It’s not like I can say that aloud, can I? Well, at least not when I’m still afraid of Heechul oppa. Haha!   But then, maybe Oppa wasn’t just singing properly that’s why his voice didn’t come out as beautifully the first time I heard it the moment I woke up.   “The more reason for you to watch then!” Zee said enthusiastically as she placed her shoulder bag on top of the dining table. “Now go and freshen up. You can use the washroom in the guest room.”   “I really appreciate the invite Zee but will they even admit me in there? Won’t their security be tight especially to ordinary people like me? And does Kyuhyun know about this? He might bite my head off once he sees me there.”   “Well, not when I’m around. He won’t be able to do that.” Aww, this is why I love Zee! She really is like the older sister I never had. “And about your other concerns, don’t worry, we’ve got the boys to back us up.”   An hour later after our preparation, we were already outside the building of this so-called SM Entertainment. Zee and I ended up taking a ride along with the boys and their managers. Almost all of the boys were delighted to see me except for Kyuhyun maybe. He didn’t try to fight with me when he saw me but by the looks of his face, he couldn’t wait to ask ‘what the hell is she doing here?!’ Maybe that’s because they’ve got their managers with them and he wouldn’t want my cover to be totally blown.   Speaking of their managers, they have taken notice that I was a new face in the group and interrogated them about my identity and all. As always, Zee came to my rescue and explained to them that I was her second cousin from her mother’s side who came for a vacation in Korea.   They have two managers with them at the moment and they both seem nice. One of them could also be mistaken as a part of the group! He is very good looking and he could pass of as Siwon oppa’s brother. Zee told me that his name was Kim Junghoon and to my surprise he’s got quite a number of fans too! His fans call him Prince Manager, I think. Well, he does sure look like one.   Before I could even take my eyes off him, Prince Manager turned his head behind as if he was looking for something and was able to catch me looking at him. I almost froze, not really knowing what I should do but then he flashed a smile at me, a warm one to be exact, before he went on looking for the other Super Junior members.   I stayed right beside Zee the entire time so just in case there were anyone who would question me, she’d be there to back me up. However, when we were about to go inside the main building, I was almost held in by the security from going in.  Zee was about to explain when to my utter surprise, Kyuhyun came back and explained something in Korean to the guard. A part of me was already thinking that he told something that would make the guard shoo me away but his face softened up and finally gave me access to go inside.   Hmm… I wonder what he told the guard?   “What are you doing here?” Kyuhyun said in a low voice as he shoved me his black shoulder bag, which in my honest opinion looks like a lady's bag. I had the urge of asking him why he’s bringing around a bag like it but I guess I’ll