"Oppa, let's go on a date"

***********************************************************

Kai had gone to bed, Taemin came back to the living room after tossing and turning in bed for about 2 hours. He couldn't sleep...the feeling was indescribable, it was his first time, the feeling of being powerless, being able to do nothing to better his situation made him sick to his stomach...and it worsened after receiving Naeun's text for the first time in 3 weeks.

why does she want to go on a date suddenly? is she going to forget what happened..just like that? is she going to break up with me?

his head pounded as several question flooded his mind. 

maybe she wants to break up because of the apology on SM's website he thought...he wouldn't blame her if she wanted a break up...who wouldn't in this case? "argh" he sighed in frustration

and picked up his phone to dial her number...he had no other choice, he wasn't okay with just texts, he was going to break down at any moment

"hello" her voice rang out from his phone, he took a deep breath before answering..and then another one then he slowly brought the phone close to his face

"hello, uh Naeun-ah" he whispered shakily 

"o...ppa" he could hear her voice break

"mianhe, Naeun-ah..jinjja.. jinjja.. mian..he"  a lump arose in his throat and he was choking up ..tears welled up in his eyes 

"It's okay, oppa...I'm okay..are you okay?"  her question dug up feelings he's never experienced, overwhelming feelings that made way for his tears. His head was hurting from guilt, his heart was aching because of how much he missed her.

"I miss you Naeun..you don't have to say anything...I just wanted you to know how much I have missed you" 

"I miss you too, Taemin oppa" she replied

Taemin sighed, he didn't know whether to believe her or not....would she miss him after going through all that?

"that was why I wanted us to meet and have a date" she continued

"Okay" he said half-heartedly  "where do you want to go?" he asked 

"I'm in Ilsan right now with my grandmother...I can't really come to Seoul.."

"Don't worry Naeun..just give me the address and I will be there" he said

"okay, I will text you the address ..is Thursday okay for you? or anytime you're free just call me so we can meet"

________________________________________________________

"you're up bruh" Kai said as he walked towards the fridge "did you even sleep at all?" he continued speaking to Taemin who was sitting limply on the sofa. Kai poured water into a glass cup and drank, he also poured some for his best friend.

"you're up so early" he continued as he handed the water to Taemin before sitting next to him.

Taemin drank the water without saying a word.

"hey..this might be awkward but ...is it okay if I speak to her on your behalf ?" Kai asked in an unsure voice

"I spoke with her last night" Taemin replied

"really?" Kai's face lit up 

"Yea she wants to meet up...for a date"

"problem solved bruh" Kai laughed  "your misery is over"

"I have a bad feeling though I don't know what to think" Taemin turned, facing Kai

"what? you think she's going to break up?" Kai asked 

"I don't know, I'm just confused..we'll see...I'll text you" Taemin said before standing to grab his jacket

"You're meeting already?" Kai asked, standing up as well

"No, Thursday. I need to see the CEO" Taemin replied. He zipped his jacket and headed for the door. "I need to see if we can work something out before I meet Naeun"

"whew" Kai sighed, patting his friend's back. "take it easy bruh..call me if anything okay?"

"later" Taemin said before heading out of Kai's apartment.

_______________________________________________________________

Naeun opened her eyes and immediately squinted at the brightness of her room. She looked beside her and as usual, Nana had woken up before her. She stretched a bit and laid back down. The conversation she had with him yesterday flooded her mind as she questioned his actions. She couldn't get the fact that he cried out of her mind. She felt guilty, she had thought that she was the only one who was suffering..he was suffering as well  she thought. She wanted to see him, hug him or do anything to comfort him. She couldn't wait for Thursday, she was nervous for their date, she had to make up her mind before then....it is going to hurt but in the long run, it's the best decision she assured herself

"Munchkin!! breakfast is ready..get outta bed lazy head!!" 

_____________________________________________________________

 "Morning sir" Taemin bowed slightly as he entered CEO Lee Sung Min's office.

"Hi there Taemin" he replied, walking towards Taemin for a handshake.

They shook hands and sat, on the sofa, facing each other.

"You're back from your holiday so quickly" the CEO said "its barely new year's and you're here..how are your parents?" he continued

"good thanks" Taemin replied avoiding eye contact. He was sure the CEO knew the reason he had visited but didn't know how to begin the conversation.

"here" the CEO said handing him a glass of  orange juice, Taemin was watching him but didn't notice when he got the glass or poured the orange juice.

"You requested to see me" the CEO said as he adjusted his glasses and leaned forward slightly.

grateful for the CEO's initiative Taemin summoned up courage "Yes sir" Taemin swallowed while the CEO nodded in anticipation

"..concerning the issued apology on the agency's website" Taemin continued 

"Yes we did issue an apology...and you know its purpose right Taemin?"

Taemin swallowed "Yes I do"

"You see Taemin, calming the fans is our priority especially for a celebrity of your status, thankfully we are also a bit safer because of your status" Taemin nodded in agreement. "Also, your fanbase hasn't decreased much due to the company's quick intervention" he took a sip of his juice "so I believe you're here because you  have an important concern?" he said giving Taemin an opportunity to speak

Taemin cleared his throat "Yes sir...ummm first of all, I'd like to apologize for creating this mess, I'm truly sorry" he bowed 

"Naeun and I...sorry I meant when I met Naeun during WGM I didn't know that it was going to come down to this...of course I'm aware of the conditions in my contract and going against it will mean forfeiting my musical career which is very important to me...but I can't seem to let go of her."

"You want a way to juggle your relationship and career?" the CEO asked "any suggestions on how we can help you to do this?" he continued 

"I'm not sure sir...thats why I'm here " Taemin replied 

" I'm not in any way against your relationship Taemin but unfortunately due to your contract conditions I think the best way to go about it is to lay low and concentrate on your group career for now and then I will suggest you go on hiatus after 2 years so that at the end of your hiatus you can go solo, in that way you may be able to protect everyone involved, especially Naeun-ssi....what do you think? his concern filled eyes reached across to Taemin.

"so I won't be able to meet her for 2 years?" Taemin sighed in frustration

"I'm afraid not" the CEO replied.

"Think about the future Taemin, you can either bear it for two years and still have your career or you can continue to meet her and lose what you've achieved so far. why two years you might ask, but we need to give the public time to get over this because right now, they consider this a scandal but in two years you'll be 27 and at that age being in a serious relationship won't be frowned upon, also remember that Jonghyun and Onew will be going to the army and your group activities will stop for those two years" he stopped, expecting a reply from Taemin but none came, he sighed and continued

"also according to your contract, you have two more years to be able to date, you can use those two years to solidify your career so you will be strong enough to go solo at the end of your hiatus" 

 Taemin saw the CEO's resignation  he wasn't ready to beat the issue further either. He was frustrated, in the end, it looked like everything was benefitting him. How would he tell Naeun? He wouldn't blame her for any decision she makes. The thought of not seeing her for 2 years killed him, would she wait for him? he wasn't sure

"Taemin" the CEO's voice  knocked him back to reality. 

"Yes Sir"

"think of me as a friend, not your CEO... now here's my honest opinion" He moved closer to Taemin

" you see  I have known you since you were a teenager and watched you grow into a fine young man and I must say that you're one of the most talented artists in this company but does your life revolve only around your career? No. As a healthy 25 year old you are bound to have relationships, its normal, so raise your head high and stop slouching your shoulders like you've done something wrong" he watched as tears welled up in Taemin's eyes and then reached forward to pat his back  

"think about how Naeun-ssi would feel if you had to give up your career because of her...she would forever feel guilty" silence engulfed the room as the CEO watched Taemin make the most difficult decision of his life. 

"Thank you Sir". Taemin finally spoke up as he stood up, bowing to the CEO in an attempt to leave the room.

The CEO  looked at Taemin's long face, his eyes were void of any emotion, he stood up and walked him to the door

"you can call me at any time when you've made your decision" he said .... Taemin only nodded.

__________________________________________________________________________

"Munchkin, I thought you said you had a date tonight?" Nana said as she walked into Naeun's room "look at the time, its almost 8 pm" 

"What's wrong with my outfit?" Naeun said looking at her outfit. It was her most comfortable grey sweat pants and hoodie.

"Whatever floats your boat" Nana sighed as she left Naeun's room.

Naeun couldn't be bothered about her outfit, she was comfortable. In fact, it was the least of her troubles. It felt like she had been sitting in the same position for the whole day. Her nerves had gotten the better of her, she couldn't even call him to confirm the time he would be there. She was just as nervous as she was before their first date  but this time, she was more nervous for what might be their last date. Her phone vibrated suddenly, she hurriedly picked it up and checked her message, it was him 

"Its number 20 Sunil drive right?" 

"Yes" she replied 

"are you almost here? are you lost?" she typed then deleted it. "whew" She sighed loudly staring at her phone.

_______________________________________________________________________

Taemin pulled over outside the traditional home, he could hear his heart  pounding in his chest, he gave out a low but frustrated sigh and  hopped out of his car. He didn't want to text her, he was just going to knock on the door. He walked past the heap of snow and opened the gate, peeping inside for anyone in sight but there was no one so he walked to the main house, climbed a couple of stairs leading to the balcony then dusted the snow off his boots before knocking.

Immediately he knocked, Nana came out of the house, smiling. He was confused as to whether to return her smile or not..he chose to bow instead. 

"Good evening Madam" he said, bowing 90 degrees to the old lady.

"Good evening, my son" she replied before letting him in.

Taemin stood by the door and waited until Nana closed it.

"Here" she pointed to the floor by the door "you can leave your shoes here"

"Okay" Taemin replied as he removed his boots. He followed her as she ushered him to the living room.

"umm, Madam.."

"call me Nana" she interrupted 

Taemin's eyes widened at her words "O..okay" he stuttered

"Here" Nana pointing to the sofa. "Thanks" he replied as he sat down and continued with his introduction

"My name is Lee Tae Min"  he said 

"I'm..." he swallowed, fiddling with his fingers "I'm .." he looked up to find Nana smiling

"you are?" she asked teasingly, then placed her hand on his sweaty palms " you're my Naeun's boyfriend aren't you?"

He nodded in response, his eyes then drifted to the door where Naeun was standing. He slowly stood up, not taking his eyes off her for even a moment. Nana also turned and noticed Naeun.

"Munchkin, your visitor is here" she said smiling as her eyes travelled b