As Sungmin and Eunhyuk were about to get into car to head for the photo shoot, Eunhyuk grumbled, “Why didn’t you wake me up? Isn’t this supposed to our boys’ time out together? Aren’t we supposed to do things together on this trip?”

“I tried waking you but you were sleeping like a log. You must have been really tired. You were so comfortable that I couldn’t find the heart to wake you.”

“Anyway, aren’t you leaving me to meet your friend while I work?” Sungmin quipped.

Eunhyuk was at a loss for words as he stammered, “Well, that…uh…that…I can’t be of much help…”

“You’ve always been saying that you own shares in the company. That was why you dragged me here. So you should do your part for the company too,” Sungmin teased.

“Uh…uh…I’m just a sleeping partner,” Eunhyuk fumbled for an excuse as his expression tensed up.

“Oh come on! I wasn’t being serious,” Sungmin remarked as he gently punched Eunhyuk on his left shoulder. “Ok. I’m all set. Come on, let’s go.”

Just as they got into the car and buckled up, Sungmin suddenly popped a question, “So who is this person that you’re meeting? Some hot chick?”

Eunhyuk squirmed in the car seat as he turned his uttered, “Just someone.”

Noticing Eunhyuk’s uneasiness, Sungmin chuckled and playfully nudged Eunhyuk. “Come on, let’s go.”

……

The location was already abuzz with activity. Eunhyuk accompanied Sungmin to meet with the art and creative director of YOUnique – Kim Heechul.

Kim Heechul had a rather flamboyant, outspoken, larger-than-life, confident persona, not to mention a trendy fashion sense, Sungmin noted silently.

“So you’re the photographer that Eunhyuk recommended,” Heechul casually remarked as he studied Sungmin. 

There was a condescending tone within him that Sungmin did not appreciate.

“Lee Hyukjae, are you sure he’s any good,” Heechul questioned.

“Trust me hyung, he’s the person for the job,” Eunhyuk guaranteed.

“Do you know who you’re working with today?” Heechul quizzed.

“Uh…” Sungmin stuttered. He did not know who the model was, and thus was unable to answer.

“Victoria Song!” Heechul exclaimed and he gesticulated.

“She’s one of the top models, if not the top. So you have better do a good job,” Heechul warned.

“Our chief editor isn’t here yet. So let me introduce you to the managing editor,” Heechul said.

Heechul craned his neck around and shouted. “Ya! Lee Donghae! Come over here! Meet the photographer!”

Turning back to Sungmin, Heechul said, “And for your information, Victoria is our chief editor’s Cho Kyuhyun’s girlfriend or fiancée or whatever.”

Just then a man came bumbling over towards Heechul, Sungmin and Eunhyuk. It was Donghae.

His jaw dropped and he started gaping while his eyes widened.

“Monkey-face…!” Donghae exclaimed.

“Fish-face ahjusshi!” Eunhyuk called out.

……

Eunhyuk was at the car rental counter of Jeju airport. He was trying to obtain a rental car with an open roof for the trip.

“But I’ve already made my reservation,” he protested.

The counter staff apologised profusely to Eunhyuk and explained to him that the company had only one vehicle left as another was undergoing maintenance – and the other vehicle had been reserved by an important customer.

It was just then Donghae sauntered up to the counter and beamed at the staff whilst ignoring the person next to him (Eunhyuk).

Donghae took out a sheet of paper and handed it to the agent followed by a credit card.

“Jeo-gi-yo!” Eunhyuk said indignantly without looking at Donghae. “I’m still being served here. Where are your manners?”

But Donghae pretended to ignore Eunhyuk as he hummed a tune.

“Aish! Jin-jja! How could anyone be that rude?” Eunhyuk hissed in frustration as he turned to his left to take a look at the offensive person.

“Ahjusshi! You!” Eunhyuk snarled.

Donghae turned to look at Eunhyuk and offered a brief disdainful glance before turning away.

“Agassi, I’m in a rush for time,” Donghae cooed.

“Jeo-gi-yo!” Eunhyuk called for the agent’s attention. “But I was here first.”

However, he was snubbed by the lady who returned with car keys in her hand as well as some papers and a map.

“Here you go, sir,” she said and smiled broadly as she handed him the keys. “The open-top car which you requested. You can...”

“Jam-kkan man yo,” Eunhyuk interrupted to protest. “Didn’t I request for an open-top car too? So why is fish-face ahjusshi here getting it?”

“I’m so sorry, sir,” the agent turned to Eunhyuk. “The other customer has perks due to his credit card.”

“Shall I arrange for another car for you instead?” the agent helpfully offered.

“Agassi,” Donghae called out for the agent again sweetly and winked at her.

“I’m so sorry,” she apologised. Here’s the contract. You would have to sign here.”

“Agassi,” Eunhyuk cut in. “But this isn’t fair to me...I really need the open top...”

Donghae who had finished signing the necessary papers and had collected his credit card back from the agent, turned to Eunhyuk and waved his card mockingly at Eunhyuk’s face. “Status...status! Don’t you understand rubber face?”

“What a show off,” Eunhyuk huffed.

“Agassi, are you almost done? I’m in a rush to get away from this person here.”

“Do you think I want to be here, fish-face?”

“Agassi...”

......

“What are you doing here?” both Eunhyuk and Donghae chorused in unison much to the bewilderment and curiosity of Heechul and Sungmin.

“I’m the managing editor. I work here.”

“My friend is the photographer of today’s shoot.”

Both of them replied at the same time. There was a tinge of animosity and ennui in their tone.

“Ya! Kim Heechul. Why is he here?” both of them exclaimed unanimously.

“Why couldn’t you hire someone else?” Donghae complained.

“Why didn’t you tell me that such an ahjusshi works here?” Eunhyuk griped.

“I’m not an ahjusshi,” Donghae retorted.

“Ya! Enough! Stop it you brats!” Heechul yelled. With each hand, he pulled each of their ears as they groaned in pain. “How dare you be rude to Kim Heechul? Where are your manners and respect? I’m older than you two.”

Satisfied that they have learnt their lesson through pain, he let go of them. He folded his arms and glared at the both of them and turned to Donghae.

 “Lee Donghae,” he said while pointing to Sungmin. “The cute guy over here is the photographer.”

Heechul’s remarks caused Sungmin to blush.

“So why is monkey-face here?” Donghae demanded.

“Hey, you’re mean. Don’t call people names,” Eunhyuk complained.

“Pot calling the kettle black!” Donghae spat back. 

“Stop it!” Heechul yelled. “You two are driving me crazy! Hae, monkey-face, oops, I mean Eunhyuk here who is also known as Hyukjae is Sungmin’s friend. He recommended me to Sungmin since there weren’t any other photographers available at such a short notice. After looking at this portfolio, I thought that he would be good choice.”

And whispering into Donghae, Heechul said gleefully, “And he isn’t as expensive as some other photographers out there. It saves the company money. Isn’t that great? I have done well, haven’t I?”

Donghae eyed Sungmin doubtfully as he whispered to Heechul, “Does he have any relevant experience? Has he done fashion shoots for magazines before? This is an important shoot. We’re talking about the centre spread here.”

“A few...two or three...did a few advertisements here and there. Don’t worry,” Heechul replied.

“Fine,” Donghae said softly before raising his voice. “Make sure monkey-face isn’t around then.”

“I wouldn’t even want to stay here even if you begged me too,” Eunhyuk snapped.

Turning to Sungmin, Eunhyuk said, “Sungmin-ah, show them what you’ve got. I’ll come pick you up after the shoot is over. Just give me a call. Good luck.”

“Thanks. Have fun.”

Heechul then briefed Sungmin about the photo shoot – what as required, the concept and theme as well as the expected outcome. Sungmin meanwhile visualised the pictures in his mind. Heechul then introduced Sungmin to the fashion director/coordinator Kim Kibum also known as Key.

Since Victoria Song, the model had yet to arrive, Sungmin then scoured around the area for the best scenery and light to complement the photos.

It was just then his heart started to unexpectedly flutter causing him to stop what he was doing.  

He scanned his surroundings and he spotted a familiar figure with tousled bangs.

It was the same guy from earlier that morning. It looks like him. Sungmin wasn’t too sure as the other guy had sunglasses on. But his gait was recognisable and unmistakable – the confidence and poise the man had in him.

Besides him was a beautiful girl with long flowing hair. That was probably the model – Victoria – he was holding her hand as they sauntered in side by side.

And then Sungmin’s heart began to thump followed by a biting pain on his chest.  

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I apologise for the short update.

Anyway I will be heading for a long vacation next week. So I will update one more time, before letting this story sit idle for a while. I'm sorry if there isn't much KyuMin in this chapter. But let's settle for an arguing EunHae.

Thanks for all the comments. Please continue to comment and subscribe to this story.

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