FAULTS

Chanyeol
I bought a shirt.

Hana
Show me.

Chanyeol
You won’t like it.

Hana poured herself coffee with a smile on her face.

The fashion show was three days away. The coffee house a few streets away had been booked. Invitations are sent out. Advertising had been going strong. Models started to have rehearsals. Junmyeon had been going on her neck to never forget about their tight budget and short list of sponsors. Everything was busier than ever but she felt at calm.

When her phone beeped, she put down her mug and opened the picture she had got, on it the funniest t-shirt she has ever seen.

Chanyeol
You’re taking too long to answer. I knew you’ll hate it…

Hana
I don’t. It’s funny. I like the dog with sunglasses.

Chanyeol
… That’s a cat.

Upon reading that, Hana scrolled up with a laugh to see the picture again. In the middle of her joy, Hugo slinked to her side and indicating his presence, rubbed his head against Hana’s calf.

She jumped a little at the sudden contact but then leaned down to pat the animal’s head.

“You’re hungry, aren’t you?”

While the animal was eating, Hana snapped a picture of him and pressed “Send”.

Hana
Hugo disapproves.

Chanyeol
You have a cat? Cute~

The girl closed the application seeing the time on the clock. She had to go back to company. She had been there eight hours ago but despite of all the preparations there were still a lot of things to do. She should be grateful she could sleep eight hours on a bed.

Hana put on some comfortable clothes which she was sure will remain comfortable towards the end of the day too and left her apartment. Hugo sat next to the window and watched as his owner walked to the closest bus stop in haste.

It was a little after four in the afternoon. The bus was filled students going home to have a meal. Hana was lucky to found a free seat around the middle of the vehicle.

This fashion show was important. They can succeed and have high hopes for the Autumn/Winter season, maybe they can even get a few more minutes if they do exceptionally well. Or they can fail and get bad reviews, no interest, walking down the runway at the Seoul Fashion Week in shame. It was all or nothing.

Hana leaned her head on the glass. She was exhausted. She tried to push it aside, concentrate on what’s the most important, saying she’ll have weeks to recover after this but the effects of lack of sleep and low intake of food had been showing. Even Kyungsoo noticed who usually cares more about her designs than her health.

She was two stops away from the café when she got a message. It was a notice from Tiffany, saying the staff had arrived and that they’re waiting for her with any decisions. After reading it, Hana noticed another message as well, from the application he had closed not so long ago.

Chanyeol
You’re at home, right? Rest a bit before you come back. You start to look like a ghost. I don’t want to see a ghost at the rehearsals. You can take this as a threat.

Hana snorted. Her fingers itched to type a response but at the end she didn’t do that. They’re going to see each other soon anyways.

The thought felt good. It was weird. Chanyeol was a good guy to begin with: optimistic, diligent and kind under the pretense of negligence but even Hana was surprised how fast she took a liking to him. It wasn’t a bad thing. She wasn’t uncomfortable with him but the quick process of going from strangers to the casual friendship they’ve had concerned her a bit. Is this okay? Will it be okay if it goes like this longer?

Hana had become smarter in the year. She knew the best is to stop thinking here, going further just would cause problems she doesn’t need right now. So she did.

She got off the bus a corner away from the coffee house. After a little walk, she arrived at half past four, just in time.

“Ya, where were you?”

Of course not in time for everybody.

Heechul came forward in his three-days-to-D-day outfit – in leopard print from head to toe, orange glasses lying on top of his bleached hair. He’s been the stylist who brings together the designers’ ideas and the model’s looks to create something coherent, spiked with his own magic and color. Also if there was one people who Hana was happy she doesn’t have to see everyday, it was him.

“Hi, oppa.” She greeted while dropping down her bag and coat to a free chair. All the pegs were occupied with clothes from the lightning and coordi staff. “What’s up?”

“What’s up? You ask what up is? My blood pressure, that’s up in the clouds, baby!” Heechul exclaimed, not missing an exaggerated hair flip either. “What is this mess? The show is in three days.”

“This mess is waiting for you to get coordinated.”

“You should have told me the problem is this big. I would have come back sooner from Milan.”

“Would you?”

Heechul chuckled awkwardly.

“Well, probably not. Anyways, fill me in, Hana, on what I’ve missed while I was looking around abroad.”

The two of them walked around the set while discussing the matter at hand. The lighting was great, as well as the short presentation be played behind the walking models. The sound engineer had a little problem with one of the microphones but that soon got handled by an assistant of his. The models were expected to arrive an hour later so Hana and Heechul skipped the backstage and instead went around in the audience to check the seat arranging.

“I see you know who to invite.” The man said as he was reading the names on the seats. “Magazine editors, big scale representatives, fashion bloggers… Oh wait, I’m wrong.”

Hana looked over her shoulder in confuse.

“Why so?”

Heechul pointed at two seats in the second row.

“Two seats for Blanc & Eclare? Are you at your right mind?”

It was a tough decision. Her bitter feelings told Hana to send none. The should be satisfied with what she has bought out from under her through the years. As a designer, she would have done so but now she wasn’t “just” a designer. She was the head of Hong’s House. She had to put her feelings aside and invite the competition. That was what manners had told and unfortunately they mattered more.

“Are they not enough?”

“Good question. Almost impossible to answer it right.” The stylist tapped one of the place cards thoughtfully. “I’ve heard your pet left for her. Accept my condolences.”

Hana’s hand clenched into fist by her side. She has seen the articles, the pictures. “Jessica Jung’s new boyfriend makes grand debut at Blanc & Eclare’s winter fashion show”, said one of the headlines. She knew all those are lies but they nonetheless hurt. He was smiling on the pictures. He looked good in those damn jeans. He should’ve been devastated and crawling back to the company’s door after a month but he’s been happy and building his career steadily without her. The last thing was which irked the girl the most. Without her.

“I’ve also heard you’ve found a new one.” Heechul continued, not noticing the distress in the other’s face. “Baekhyun can’t shut up about him for a second. Tell me, is he really that good?”

Hana took a deep breath to calm her nerves.

“You’ll see.”

* * * * *

By six in the evening, all models were backstage getting their makeup and hair done. Jongdae and Baekhyun were deep in the work, instructing assistants left and right.

“Seulgi!”

“Yes, oppa?”

“Bring this guy a shot of vodka. He can’t stop squirming like a dying rat.”

Chanyeol looked away form his reflection to the right where makeup artist’s face currently working on his horrible under eye circles.

“I won’t drink that.”

“Damn you will.” Baekhyun snorted. “It’s one thing your makeup will be messy but you will wobble on the runway like Jongdae after a good weekend if you can’t calm down.”

“TMI, dear!” The hairdresser shouted over from the other side of the room. “And it’s not like you’re better. Shut up.”

Chanyeol hoped both of them will shut up. He was used to neither their love quarrels, nor the uncomfortable topics they’ve kept bringing up. His head started to hurt, actually.

Sehun, who was getting his hair done by Jongdae and saw and heard everything, smirked.

“The new guy is not an experienced one, huh?”

“He must be. With looks like that I think he knows what he has to know.” The hairdresser responded while combing through the model’s floppy hair. “He’s not as experienced as us though. And he should be thankful for that.”

“I like how you say us.”

“Baekhyun doesn’t like it. So stop flirting… Jongin, the grass on Sehun’s head is extra dry today. Could you wait a bit more?”

The tanned model, sitting in the corner and playing on his phone, nodded.

“Of course, hyung. The savanna needs you.”

Sehun glared at him in the mirror.

“ off, Kim Kai.”

All he got was a wink in response.

Approximately ten minutes later another model entered the room. Someone who was late by forever and went by the name of…

“Huang Zitao!” Victoria came out of a nearby room furiously. “Where the hell were you? Why was your phone off?”

“I had to run a few errands.”

“Oh, did you? Well, you’ve had a magazine shoot today as well which somehow you ing forgot to show up at!”

The staff in the room stayed quiet and did their work diligently, leaving the manager and her client settle the matter.

Zitao sat down in a seat and let an intern clean his face.

“That shoot was today?”

“Are you kidding me? It’s been scheduled for you for two months. You’ve been excited to get this job. What’s wrong with you?”

“What’s wrong with this atmosphere?”

The sentence came from Heechul who arrived backstage with Hana after a tour in the bar.

Hana instantly noticed the Chinese model in his own set of clothes and off stage makeup.

“Tao, give us an explanation, please.”

The guy turned around to look at the girl with a smirk.

“Hi, Hana. I haven’t seen you in a while. How you’re doing?”

“Good. Now, your expla –“

“I don’t owe you anything.”

Chanyeol watched the scene unfold warily. Spending time with Sehun and Kai, he has heard about Tao but it was the first time he has seen him. According to them, the Chinese hasn’t been doing any work by Hong’s House recently. He got casted to this fashion show months before, that’s why he was seen among the fashion house’s staff again.

“I’ll better go and put on my clothes.” Tao announced after deafening silence.

He was about to stand up but a push to his shoulder startled him and successfully kept him in the seat.

“Apologize. Now.” Hana’s voice was firm and unforgiving. “Not to me. I can’t say you don’t owe me anything but if you don’t want to include me, fine. However, you owe an apology to every other person inside this room and outside, at the stage. They’ve been working for your one minute long stroll all day and weeks before and you show no respect for that by showing up late and behaving like a kid. Come on, Tao.”

This was a different Hana. This Hana was cold, tough and cruel. What she had said was right but how she worded it sounded bad and unfair to Chanyeol. He looked at Baekhyun seeking help but the makeup artist shook his head quickly to indicate they better not interfere.

Tao clenched his mouth and stood up. For a second it looked like he will just march out but at the end, he spoke up before that.

“I-I’m sorry.”

When he left, Victoria ran after him.

Heechul put an arm around Hana’s shoulder lazily.

“There you go, baby. That’s how you show who the boss is. It wasn’t hard, was it?”

The girl hung her lead low and didn’t respond. When she felt the courage to look up, Heechul was at Baekhyun’s side to converse and her eyes met with one she has seen a lot lately. They were different though.

Chanyeol looked at her disappointed. Hana has never thought she will but was missing his dumb but encouraging smile in that moment.

* * * * *

Despite of the turmoil backstage, the rehearsal went without further problems. Heechul was overall satisfied with the setup and choice of clothes and could only complain about nuances Hana knew he just says to get some criticizing done.

“Look at that face. Does he think he’s at a funeral or something?”

“Andre’s face is generally like that and that’s exactly what we want from him.” Kyungsoo answered. He had arrived a few minutes ago but already had enough with their stylist’ . He could never be as patient with Heechul as Hana could. “Anything else you want to bring up?”

“You’re such a bright cloud, Kyungsoo-ya.”

“I know.”

Hana sat between the two of them amused.

Her mood was still down though. Zitao’s sad face kept replaying in her head. She felt guilty. It wasn’t right on the model’s part to be late, moreover missing such an important appointment as a photoshoot (Victoria informed her a few minutes later) but she was in no position to speak so lowly to him either.

He was currently coming forward in a suit fitting him perfectly. The light, sandy color looked great with his blonde hair and darker skin and his pose was as perfect as always.

“He’s very Versace.” Heechul couldn’t help but comment. “He’s almost shaking his hips more than a VS Angel. Recklessness runs in his veins, huh?”

“That’s Zitao’s strongest point.” Hana came to their models’ defense this time around. “He draws attention and keeps you entertained. Once you see him, you won’t forget him.”

He walked too fast to see his face for long but just from his movements, Hana saw Tao is hurt. He’s always been sensitive, owner of a fragile heart behind the bad boy attitude. The girl had decided to look for him after the rehearsal ends. She needs to apologize this time.

The next up was Chanyeol. He couldn’t even reach halfway and Heechul was already turning towards Hana with a disgusting smirk on his face.

“Baby, your eyes never go wrong.”

“Don’t flatter me, oppa.”

“I’m serious. He’s something.” The stylist watched as the new guy turned around and walked back. “Looks goofy but also youthful. It’s hard to find such a face-body combo, especially one which works out this well with a suit. A little more training and he might make it big… Don’t you think, Kyungsoo?”

The designer had been quietly doodling in a notebook all the while without a sound.

“No comment.”

“Why? Hana obviously likes him… or that’s the problem?”

Hana looked at the stage instead of listening to the two men’s useless bickering. Chanyeol looked like a model. As in he’s always looked like one perfect to perform the task but on a real stage with the right music and lighting, he was sparkling.

All models walked out after their individual turn and lined up at the front part of the stage. For a second Hana thought she saw Tao lean close to Chanyeol to say something to him but since the models were standing close anyway, she convinced herself she saw it wrong.

Kyungsoo stood up and clapped to grab the attention of others.

“Alright, people. With this today’s rehearsal is over. Please, go backstage to handle back the clothes. Carefully, one rip or unwanted crease and I’ll make sure you iron or sew it together with your own hands. See you tomorrow same place, same time.”

The models grumbled out a unison “yes” then flowed out.

Hana stood up not a second after.

“I’ll have to settle something in the back. Don’t wait for me.”

“But –“ Kyungsoo stopped in speaking once he realized the girl is already on the stage.

Heechul put a hand on his shoulder with a smirk. He could put two and two together.

“Your boss is not at her best. Keep an eye on her and don’t forget to give feedback.”

The designer shrugged off the stylist’s touch frustrated.

“I know what I have to do, hyung. You don’t have to remind me.”

All the while, Hana was shuffling through the changing rooms, looking for that one model in the sandy-colored suit. She searched in the room Sehun was staying at, Zitao was bound to be somewhere there but for her surprise only Jongin and Chanyeol shared the room with him.

“Who are you looking for?”

“Tao.” Hana answered involuntarily when Chanyeol asked. She didn’t wrong to him but she couldn’t forget the way he looked at her previously. “Have you seen where he went?”

Chanyeol folded his arms in front of his undershirt clad chest.

“It was my first time meeting him but I don’t think you should disturb him more, Hana.”

“I don’t want to disturb him. I want to apologize.”

“He won’t feel the difference.”

The girl pursed her lips in annoyance. She’s never liked busybodies.

“Look, unlike you, I know Tao. So whether you give me your permission or not, I’ll go and make up for my mistake. Thanks for your concern.”

Having all room covered, Hana went outside the balcony. Tao is a smoker. She should have looked there at the first place.

She indeed should have. Leaning on the railing there was the Chinese model, blowing out smoke long. His hand holding the cigarette was trembling. He still had the trousers from the suit on.

“Kyungsoo will kill you if he finds you here.”

“That’s cool. Kyungsoo wouldn’t look for me.” Tao responded without a pause, eyes trained on the nearby tall building. “Actually I’m surprised you came too. Do you have more complaints to say or…?”

Hana stepped next to him cautiously and mimicked his posture.

“I was way too harsh with you. I’m sorry.”

“Are you really?”

“Yes, I am… Tao, you used to believe me instantly. Why are you questioning me?” She continued, trying hard to keep her temper. “I’m not blaming you I just… I don’t like you being distant to me. Distant to all of us. Tell me what’s wrong. Maybe I could help like I did.”

Tao took one last draw from the cigarette then tossed the stub into an ashtray.

“Times have changed, Hana. It’s never going to be like how it was.”

“Don’t say that.”

“That’s the truth though. You should face it.”

“Stop talking in riddles you too!”

For the first time she found him on the balcony, Tao turned his head to the side, to look at Hana. She was biting her lower lip stressed, her eyes were pleading for a clear answer. He wondered if it was the same face Kris had seen the last time he belonged to Hong’s House.

“So ge hasn’t told you why he left after all.”

“No. He kept saying dubious things, just referring to matters not actually pointing them out… All I could understand is that I’m the one to blame.” The girl sighed. “That’s why I’m so worried about you. I don’t want you to leave because of miscommunication. Let’s tell each other everything from now on, okay? Like in the old times. I believe we can go back to those times, Tao. Hell, I don’t think we’ve ever stopped being like that.”

Tao couldn’t help but melt a little. Words couldn’t solve the problem he has had but a part of him was still hoping things can change. She is not one to do against her words. At least they should try.

“Obviously I can’t tell you everything. But it’s fine. Let’s try again.”

Hana reached out a hand for him to shake. When Tao accepted it, she pulled him in for a hug. The model stiffened but Hana hold him close with might.

She can’t let one more of them go. Ever.

Author's Note
I think I'm not telling you a big secret with that the next chapter will be the fashion show. :D Are you excited for it? This chapter had some tension but the next one will have even more... About the actual chapter, if you have any thoughts, don't hesitate to tell me them in a comment. I've hinted at some things I'm curious about your deductions. ^^ Subscribe if you like the story so far!

Until next time, take care!
chloris