When Minho received Jinki's call saying that he had to meet him at his studio he had expected everything but not a smiling Jinki greeting him. They were a close group of friends and teammates but they weren't the kind to meet all the time or call often so that quick call filled with urgency and no explanations whatsoever coming from Jinki had left him worried that something had happened, something that wouldn't prompt a smile on Jinki's face. So he canceled the appointment with his friend that he was supposed to meet and drove to Jinki's studio.

"What happened?" Minho asked, confused.

Jinki placed a hand on his chest stopping him from entering.

"I'm sorry but this was the only way."

That answer didn't explain anything and Minho frowned. "What do you mean?"

Jinki nodded his head to the side and Lillie's head popped out from over his shoulder. Why were the two of them at the door acting weird?! They weren't the most normal couple but even that was too weird for them.

"It was Lillie's idea."

"Guilty!" She exclaimed, grabbing Jinki's arm.

"Someone wanted to talk with you and you weren't taking her calls so…."

Lillie pushed Jinki forward making him stumble on his words and now that they stepped outside the apartment leaving the door open for Minho he could see the reason for all urgency. Sodam was in the middle of the room playing with the sleeves of her oversized hoodie seeming extremely out of place and yet adorable.

Minho blushed embarrassed. He had been ignoring her calls and texts, taking the cowardly way out because he didn't know what to tell her after what happened. He knew it wouldn't go away, that's not how problems worked, and yet he tried his best to pretend that nothing had happened for the past couple of days.

"Good luck!" Jinki patted his arm. By his side, Lillie smiled at him.

"I'm cheering on you!" She added before both left.

Minho swallowed, joining the dots. Sodam and Lillie grew close so she probably had told her about his behavior or asked her for help. Either way, it only made him even more flustered. He showed a side of him to Lillie that was very uncool. That and the way she saw him cry and drink the other day…he probably lost his idol image completely. Surprisingly that didn't seem to upset him as much as he thought it would.

"Aren't you going to close the door?" Sodam asked.

"Ah, right!" He shut the door behind him and slowly took off his shoes trying to win some time to think about what he would say to her which was futile. He had several days to do that and hasn't reached any conclusion.

"You have been avoiding me." Soram went straight to the point. " which is pretty childish of you, if I may say."

He frowned. Even though she was right it still pricked his pride.

"I wasn't expecting that since you usually behave more mature than most men I know."

"Is that a praise? Didn't feel like one."

"Well, you are the one to blame." She smiled weakly but he couldn't help but feel like she was implying more with her words. It was mostly her fault that they kissed. She had been the one to push him to do it. Of course, she was drunk…in the end, he felt guilty but didn't want to admit it when she was accusing him like that.

"It's not like it's entirely my fault. You were the one who seduced me."

"Oh, so I forced myself on you? Is that it?"

"No, of course not."

She sighed frustrated and ran a hand through her hair.

"I'm sorry I avoided you. I just didn't know what more to say. I knew you were drunk and I let things escalate and I'm sorry."

She parted her lips, staring at him as if she couldn't believe what she was hearing so Minho awkwardly added "And it won't happen again….it won't!"

" Why?" She asked, seeming almost disappointed.

" B-because it's wrong, that's why!"

"Why? We are both adults and single."

"Yes, but you are Jonghyun's sister."

"Not yours…"

"Not mine but it's almost as if you were!" Minho exclaimed the words firmly setting inside him. There was no point in having illusions about a possible relationship between them. After all, she hasn't shown that she had any interest in something serious either, or anything.

"Well, this is new to me." She said, hardening her stare at him. Minho had seen her upset before with Jonghyun but never had she looked at him like that. It was scary and yet a little y. The idea of picking her up and kissing the hell out of her crossed his mind but he quickly dismissed it.

Instead, he furrowed his brow and asked "What is?"

"A coward Minho that easily gives up." She sighed a bit dramatically crossing her arms "I guess everyone is wrong about you. You are a chicken, not a tiger...so disappointing!"

He felt his face heat up and stepped closer to her, his voice becoming even lower as if his body was trying to show her that he was much indeed a tiger.

"I'm no coward."

"Oh, but you are!" She stepped closer with a mischievous smile on her face, a challenging light in her eyes "Choi Minho can't admit that he liked kissing me!" There was a slight change in his expression and Sodam's lips moved imperceptibly. It was more than that and she risked it. "Maybe...you wanted to kiss me. Maybe you still do."

His eyes immediately moved down to her lips and she stepped closer raising her hand to touch his chest. He flinched as if she burned and their eyes met.

That was a big mistake because every possible wall he had built crumbled down and all he could think about was kissing her. That's what he did.

Seizing that breach between his defenses, Sodam cupped his face with her hands holding him so that she could deepen the kiss. He parted his mouth giving access to her and they kissed hungrily, completely giving in to their desires.

She was the one who drew away, even though both of them weren't still satisfied, but she was out of breath.

She his cheek, fascinated with his proximity and how well she felt close to him. Sodam wanted him to envelop her in his arms, to hold her saying sweet words, to kiss her senseless. It was as if she was looking at a different Minho. She had known him for years now. He had grown up with her brother, with her. She had seen him often when she went to events to see her brother, when she visited the dorm and Minho was always the handsome boy that was a friend, he was never more than that. Of course, she had noticed the changes from boy to man, she didn't see him as one anymore but in the last months, she hadn't realized that her perception of him had completely changed. Minho was attractive. More than that he made her hot and it wasn't only the physical attraction, it was more. She liked to be with him, to talk with him. He made her laugh and treated her better than any other man, excluding her brother. Of course, he had his flaws and his thirst for competition sometimes baffled her. But even though she couldn't understand that side of him she still found those flaws adorable. Now that she thought of it, her perception of him started to change when she witnessed a conversation with her brother. They were joking around and Minho cursed like a sailor not realizing she was in the room. When he did he blushed deeply and apologized and she started laughing, finding the moment hilarious but above all finding him extremely charming despite that not so gracious moment. Maybe that's when it all started, maybe it was all because he showed a side of him she wasn't supposed to see.

Sodam pressed her thumb to his lower lip wanting more and when she leaned forward to kiss him again Minho stepped back. He was pale and his eyes seemed bigger than ever and she knew he was already regretting his downfall.

"...…" He wasn't using a filter anymore and she knew he was completely freaking out.

Calmly Sodam went to the fridge and took out two cans of beer. Minho had sat on the couch with his head hanging low and she sat beside him offering a can to him pretending to ignore the way he winced as if she was going to attack him. It was quite funny how someone like him, apparently not scared of anything, was so frightened of her and his inability to resist her. She smiled to herself happily.

They drank in silence for a while until he spoke first.

"I know there are rumors about me...about how I dated a lot."

"There are?" She feigned ignorance. The truth was that she wasn't entirely different from Jonghyun. She also liked to protect him and she had since the day he debuted searched the forums facing haters of her brother and all the members in the only way she could, leaving good comments. She had seen many rumors, most of them false, others slightly true.

He looked at her and quickly away. "It's all lies! I haven't had the time. I did go out on some blind dates but nothing much came from those."

She wondered why since he was the perfect boyfriend.

"I'm busy as I said and…" He swallowed "and hardly called back when I wasn't interested."

"So you weren't interested often?"

He rubbed his temper "Then I met someone." There was a long pause and Sodam knew that he was going to talk about her - the one. She didn't know her name but she had heard briefly from Jonghyun about a relationship he had had that had gone completely wrong. She didn't know why but knew she was special to Minho.

"Her name was Eun Ha. She was our stylish assistant and therefore off-limits."

Has the sister of an idol she knew most of the rules they had to follow.

"Yet I was attracted to her and we started talking and eventually we fell in love." He fixed his gaze on Sodam as if trying to read her reaction to that and even though she said nothing she didn't look away either. He had loved and he had lost and she would know all about it soon since it didn't seem like he would stop there.

"We started a secret relationship. We would go on dates and meet secretly inside the company. We were happy or at least I thought we were." He his lips "We were, I'm sure we were. She was my first love, and I thought we were endgame. We were close and…"

Intimate. She could read between the lines. She had been not only his first love but his first everything even heartbreak. Sodam slid from the couch to the floor and he did the same sitting beside her, leaning against the couch. The harder part was yet to come.

"Then she started acting weird as if she was hiding something. I learned later that she was having a hard time at work and she left SM. She found a job at a TV company and that's where she met this director. He offered her an opportunity to rise in the ranks if she became his mistress."

Sodam couldn't help but gasp but she quickly composed herself. Minho didn't even seem to notice, focused on telling her everything.

"She was also a victim of harassment by her peers there so she was stressed and...I failed to see that…"

"It wasn't your fault. I'm sure of it." Sodam said quickly, placing a comforting hand over his knee.

"It wasn't. I see it now but back then…" He sighed "I was with your brother. We followed her to a hotel. She came out with the man. She had been seeing him for weeks while she was still with me." He frowned, upset "She was probably sleeping with both of us at the same time and at the time I felt so disgusted, so cheated...what words was she whispering to that man in bed?! Did she also tell him she loved him as she told me...did…" He groaned looking away and Sodam leaned her head against his shoulder.

"It doesn't matter anymore. " He added.

"It does. It hurt you. I'm sure she had her reasons and she probably regretted it later but she was a ."

Minho chuckled and Sodam grasped his arm "She was a total ...well worse than that…" He blinked his eyes, laying his head back "I'm overdoing it?"

"No, it's fine. I don't hate her though, I'm just hurt and she did say she regretted it. By then it was too late."

"Understandable."

"I dated Minseo after that. She is Taemin's current girlfriend by the way."

"Oh!"

"I did it to forget Eun Ha, to get something similar to an act of revenge and end up hurting her and making Taemin upset. It's all fine now!"

"I see."

"That's it. I wanted you to know."

"Why?" She knew why but she wanted him to tell her nonetheless.

"Because you are important to me." He chose his words carefully "And you need to know how messed up my love life was."

"Mine was way simpler but as disappointing as yours. I had a couple of relationships that never went anywhere. My first boyfriend ended up cheating on me when I told him I didn't want to have with him. I didn't feel ready and we were only in our first year of college. I was overwhelmed by everything and while I was struggling to adapt he was screwing one of my friends."

"What an !"

" I know!" They chuckled, lightning up the mood a little "Then my second boyfriend was like one of those brooding heroes that acted all tough. I thought I was the heroine who would change him but I ended up being the loser who lost her ity to him, the one he had with for a couple of months and then dumped. I felt so used, such an idiot."

Minho pressed his lips together. No wonder Jonghyun was so overprotective of her. Did he even know about all that? He probably had seen her meltdown after each failed relationship at least.

"I want to punch those guys," Minho confessed blushing slightly and Sodam grasped his hand interlinking her fingers with his.

"The third was more interested in dating the sister of a famous singer than in me. He approached me only for money and my brother."

"!"

"After that, I've been searching, suspiciously...I mean after the guys I've met, who can blame me?!"

Minho nodded.

"But I never lost hope to find a decent one. I have the most amazing man living under the same roof as me - my brother. Don't tell him I said that!"

Minho laughed. "I won't!"

"And I also knew you, Jinki, Kibum, and Taemin. You are decent guys."

"We try."

"I've learned that you have to kiss a lot of frogs to find a prince. That's what people say, right?"

He wanted to ask her but before he had a chance she answered it for him.

"And I found him and...I wish I was his princess too."

"You are a princess indeed but…"

"And I'm not Eun Ha."

"No you aren't, but you are Jonghyun's sister."

"Do you care about me?" She turned to face him waiting for his answer, hopeful that that would set everything. If he did like her then eventually her brother would accept it. He esteemed Minho after all, that was half the way to get there already.

"I…" He struggled with his words, his eyes drifting all over the room as if he was in some kind of struggle." I don't."

She parted her lips disappointed. Could have she been that wrong? Did she fail to read the signs? Maybe he was only attracted to her. He did say he had tasted the forbidden fruit and liked it before.

"I thought…" She made a gesture to stand up embarrassed with her actions but he grabbed her hand pulling her down beside him again.

"No!" He said firmly "You need to understand. It's more than caring...I know. I've been there. I can't say that it is the same but it does feel the same differently."

A conversation with her brother they once had came to her mind. It had been after her first breakup and she was struggling to tell him what she was feeling, to name that mix of anger, disappointment, and frustration...and maybe even love and heartbreak and hurt.

"It is hard to put a name on a feeling." He had said "How can you catalog something that can't be seen, that only you can have a perception of it, that is a result of something no one else has lived beside you. Some might have similar experiences but none went through it all the way you did. It's fine...no need to label it."

"It's alright we don't have…"

"I love you." Minho his lips, staring at her, deep into her soul in a way she feared that none had ever done and once again she couldn't define what she was feeling. Her temperature rose and something burned inside her. She loved him too, her way whatever that meant and not in a way you love a friend or a brother it was more, much more.

"I don't know how it happened. I didn't want it to happen. I was scared after Eun Ha and you...I never saw you as a woman. I mean, of course, you are a woman..."

"I know." It was the same for her.

"But you were there and you were always beautiful and warm and the kind of person you effortlessly care about and want to protect. And then it grew. We became friends, closer and you weren't only Jonghyun's sister, you were...you!"

She smiled because she knew exactly what he meant. Minho was always there and she hadn't realized how much she cherished him there until just recently when he started being in all her thoughts.

"Jonghyun is one of my best friends. He is a brother to me and I fought this because I didn't want to hurt him. I still don't!"

"I know!"

"And I wasn't sure if you felt the same for me so I kept quiet."

She nodded and released a soft cry which made him panic.

"Why are you crying?"

"I'm just happy!"

Minho smiled a little confused but mostly relieved that he was able to tell her everything.

"Well…" He awkwardly caressed her hand in his and she kissed his lips.

"I love you too."

It was settled then.

They kissed again, sealing the start of their complicated relationship.

"Alright…" Jinki mumbled in a cute voice looking at her expectantly.

Lillie fixed her gaze on the road in front of her and breathed slowly.

After they left Minho and Sodam having their secret rendezvous in their place, Jinki had driven to the mountains and parked in a huge parking lot that was mostly empty with only two cars. They planned to teach her how to drive, or recall how it was done since she had a driving license from her country.

Lillie hesitantly the ignition. "What should I do?"

"Well, you have to put the first gear…"

"No, I mean what should I do? Like, drive around the parking lot and park?"

"Whatever you want. Take me for a ride!"

She frowned, not feeling the joke and put the car in motion, being the most careful because that car was special for Jinki. She knew how many hours he had spent improving it and how despite it being old, he still kept it as a special treasure.

He didn't say anything looking way more relaxed than her which made her feel a little better. Jinki trusted her enough to lend his car to her and seemed to believe in her driving skills.

"You can accelerate. It's not like there is traffic here."

"I'm scared."

"Scared?"

"What if I ruin your car?"

He chuckled "How? We are alone here. The only way to ruin it is if you crash against those two cars in the distance, which by the velocity you are going will take two hours." He grinned "Or you throw it down the mountain. Then yeah it will be a bummer since you will probably break us both too!"

She stared at him with a grim face "Don't make fun of me! I know how important this car is for you." She accelerated and turned to the right planning on parking there to practice.

"Important? I do like it but it's an object, you are way more important."

"Don't….flirt with me when I'm trying to concentrate!"

He leaned back on the seat placing his elbow on her seat making her release a small scowl because that was no time to play with her.

"I love to ruin your concentration!" He caressed her cheek with the back of his finger "Have I ever told you that you smell great?"

"Seriously? Right now?"

He laughed having a lot of fun with her ordeal.

"Yeah. I love your perfume...and your shampoo. Hum…"

"I've been using yours, remember?" She was surprised at how well it worked on her hair. At first, she felt guilty that besides using his house as her own she was also wearing his toiletries or part of them.

"Oh...why does it smell better in your hair than mine then?" He pulled a strand of her hair to his nose and kissed it.

She grunted, reversing the car until she was perfectly parked.

Jinki looked out of the window and raised a thumb up. "Well done."

"I guess I still know the basics."

"You do." He his seat to look at her, his expression more serious "I know exactly what your problem is and it's not only in driving."

"What is?"

"You lack confidence."

She rolled her eyes because that was extremely obvious.

"No, really, hear me out. You do everything as if you're going to fail!"

"Well, you aren't Mister Confidence either!"

"I'm not, that's true, but I do have a bit of self-esteem and I've been able to fight my shortcomings in that field." She sunk in her seat feeling as if she was being scolded. She knew he meant no harm and that everything he said was true but still it hurt to hear that.

"I know, I'm trying."

"And you are so much better. " He caressed her cheek "And made me proud every day. I'm just saying this because I see you always being so hard on yourself. Doesn't matter where it is, your work, drawing skills, your relationship with others, and mostly ours."

"You sound like my therapist." She joked.

"You don't have one!"

"Then the place is yours." She poked his forearm playfully "look at me being naughty, flirting, and sleeping with my therapist."

"It's a bonus that comes with hiring me."

She furrowed her brow "How many clients do you have?"

"Only you!" He pulled her closer and kissed her "Only you." He his lips and added, "I'm sorry if I hurt you with my words."

"It's alright. It was the truth and I know that even though I'm getting more confident I'll always suffer from the thought that I'll never be good enough or pretty enough…"

"You are enough even though you don't believe it. Just never forget that!"

She kissed his lips again, carefully tasting him, and then drew his mouth with her fingertips. He offered her a flirty smile and nibbled the tip of her finger.

"There are many reasons why I like this car. One of them is the fact that it is so spacious."

"So?" He pulled his seat back while she watched him curiously and then picked her by her waist. She placed her hands on his shoulders to help him and then sat over him straddling Jinki.

"This….this…" her face was flushed and she looked out of the window worried that someone might see them in that compromising situation.

"We are a couple now." He reassured her by kissing her neck.

"Yes but I don't want to trend online as the naughty girlfriend of an idol."

He chuckled, pulling back to tuck her hair behind her ear. "Therapist...not an idol."

She scolded him with a click of her tongue but gave in leaning down for a kiss. He fervently took the opportunity, caressing her back, tasting her lips with his tongue until she parted for him. She slowly relaxed in his hold but despite that he didn't try to go further with her, lazily kissing her instead.

She pulled away breathlessly rubbing her nose against his and he caressed her cheek enamored.

"We probably shouldn't do this for long."

He nodded weakly "Probably."

Yet his mouth found its way back to hers and they kissed again this time a little more ardently. She moved her hand down his chest intending to push him away and yet she couldn't find the will to do so. They kissed for a while until her body was warm enough, the window on his side foggy and she felt something hard below her.

Just then his phone started to ring in his pocket and she winced feeling it on her inner thigh.

He chuckled, helping her raise from above him and taking it out. It was a text from his manager and he quickly read it and placed his phone, this time on the pocket of his coat on the back seat.

"Well, that was interesting…" He remarked with a teasing smile "the way you…" He mimicked her squirming above him.

She playfully punched his shoulder but he didn't stop laughing.

"A bit too…" He added with a wink and she looked down between their bodies. He was aroused, she could feel his growing member below her.

"Well, I guess you liked the way I reacted to it."

He his lips "I did."

His honesty made her cheeks hot and she remembered the last conversation she had with Jules about shops and toys. She had never been to any before and she certainly didn't know much about the toys you could buy but even she knew about some that could vibrate.

"Maybe...I could...well not now because if someone recognizes me it will be extremely embarrassing."

"What are you talking about?"

"You know…" she lowered her voice to barely a whisper as if someone was listening to them."Toys..that vibrate and…"

He parted his lips in a silent oh and smiled "That would be fun, but right now I need to end our therapy session."

She laughed and he helped her sit back on the driving seat.

"Sadly you didn't renew your driving license here. It would help now if you drove us back home."

"Why?" Her eyes fell on the bulge in his pants.

"Hard to concentrate right now." He released a long breath and she giggled.

"We can wait. We have time." She waved a hand trying to refresh herself. "Do you think things worked out between Minho and Sodam?"

"Probably, they might be doing the same thing we were doing just now."

"Oh…How do you think Jonghyun will react?"

He thought for a while "If he caught them making out? he would kill him!"

"No, I mean finding out about them together?"

"Badly but he will accept it eventually."

"I hope so."

Jinki leaned back on the seat and the radio.

"Can I help somehow?"

His lips tipped into a naughty smile.

"I mean with Minho…"

"You are helping already."

"I hope they manage to convince Jonghyun. They are such a cute couple."

"Can't be cuter than us."

"Didn't think we were competing."

He leaned closer and poked her cheek. "That's because no one can beat us."

"Aigo…" Lillie smiled to herself recalling the picture she had secretly saved on her phone of them laughing together from when their relationship was revealed. They were indeed adorable together.

"Even insecure Lillie agrees!" Jinki pointed out reading her easily.

A knock on the door made Lillie close her laptop immediately. She knew Jules would scold her for once again checking the shawols fan pages, searching for the good and bad comments about her relationship with Jinki. Even though Jules was right and she knew that that wasn't healthy she simply couldn't help it. There was always a subconscious fear that something more about her was released to the press, something she didn't want others to know, something dark about her, about how she wasn't fit for Jinki, good enough for him. If fans found out about how she was abused she probably would be mortified and she feared it would also hurt Jinki. He didn't like to see his life exposed in the media and with good reason.

"Hey." Jules entered the room and quickly sat over Lillie's bed. "Am I interrupting? Are you drawing?"

"No and yes. I mean it's fine. What's up?" She lied knowing that Jules wouldn't ask her to show her what she was working on.

"So tomorrow I'm going out with a couple of friends and I thought you might want to go. Ever since you came back from your boyfriend's apartment you have barely gone out."

Since Jinki would be promoting his solo album she had decided to go back home. She assured him she felt safe and she did, most of the time at least. Mostly she didn't want him to be worried about her when he was already busy and overworked.

Going out meant possibly meeting someone who knew who she was and that maybe hated her. She was never the confrontational type and she had no idea how to react if that happened.

Lillie knew why Jules was doing that. She would be close and protect her like a good sister and even though Lillie was grateful she had to decline.

"Oh, why? Common Lillie, it's going to be fun! It's only me and Vanessa and that German girl I met last month, oh and Jessi."

"I really can't. I promised to go watch a play with Jimin."

"Oh." Jules' expression immediately darkened. It had been like that a couple of times ever since Jules met Jimin. Lillie wasn't sure what was wrong or if something happened between the two. She even had shared it with Rin and she had suggested that maybe she was jealous since lately, Jimin had gotten closer to Lillie.

Lillie bit her lower lip. Usually, she wouldn't say anything but she needed to know.

"About Jimin …"

"What about her?"

"I've noticed that you don't like when I mention her. Just because I've been talking with her a lot later doesn't mean that you and I…"

"I'm not jealous." Jules sighed and started catching her hair into a ponytail as if she was getting ready to do something long that needed her full attention, like working out or cooking.

"I'm sorry. It's just that you seem to not like her."

"That's it. I don't like her. And it's not because she is your friend or because you are close." Jules groaned "I just don't think she is a good friend. There I said it. I don't trust her."

Lillie didn't answer because she knew why Jules was suspicious of Jimin. After what happened at SM and how she had taken a long time to call for help like planned, Lillie also had felt wronged. But eventually, Jimin had become someone with whom she could confide about her new role as Onew's girlfriend. Jimin had been a trainer for a while and even though she wasn't one anymore she had her share of contact with SM.

"I'm not saying this to try and influence you to cut ties with her nor do I want to pressure you. I just want you to be careful. Not everyone is what they seem to be.”

"I know. I'm not a child."

"I know but you are my friend and I care." Jules shrugged "And I had my share of snakes befriending me and I was not related to a famous person back then."

Lillie knew what she meant. Now that people knew she was connected to Jinki they might try to hurt or use her.

"I'll be careful. Besides, she isn't that interested in Jinki despite being a shawol too.”

“If you say so.” Jules acted unaffected. “Anyway, if you want to go out tell me. I’m up to it.”

“See you tomorrow.” Sang-Hoon, one of the dancers who had practiced with Jinki hugged him patting his back before taking his leave.

Jinki, who was always the last one to leave the practice room collected his bag from one of the seats and then turned off the light of the room before leaving.

He checked his phone for updates and read a text of goodnight coming from his mother, one of congratulations on his new solo from K.Will and another from Lillie saying that she was back home from going out with her friend and asking if he ate. It was late now and she was probably sleeping already and he smiled. He knew she waited every night for his good night message or call but would always fall asleep. He had been extremely busy that week and his solo debut was going well. He wasn't crashing the charts but he wasn't doing badly either. He made some variety appearances and everyone seemed to like his album which was good enough for him. He felt even a little proud of how hard he worked and blessed that the members had helped him either by working with him on some of the songs of the album, like Jonghyun or by giving him tips and suggestions.

“Hey, it's me.” He tried to call Lillie but as he suspected she didn't take the call probably because she had fallen asleep, so instead, he left her a voice message. ”Sleeping? I ate and finished practicing now. Going home. Sleep well. I love you.” He turned off the call and rubbed his neck. Jinki felt sore and exhausted and he only had a few hours of sleep before his manager would pick him up again for a recording for a music show.

“Oh!” Taemin exclaimed, almost bumping against Jinki.

“What are you doing here?” He didn't expect to find the maknae so late at the company.

“I was practicing. Trying to take my mind out of things.”

Jinki didn't pry because he wasn't the kind to and usually that made Taemin share more. Not that time though.

“Manager Minho waiting for you?”

“Manager Euisoo waiting for you?"

They both chuckled and walked down the hallway together chatting about Jinki’s solo even though Jinki was sure Taemin wanted to talk about something else.

They were almost at the elevator door when they spotted Min-Hee alone seeming confused.

Taemin greeted her before Jinki had the opportunity and she raised her eyes up from the floor, quickly diverting them from the youngest member of SHINee to her ex-boyfriend.

She released a small cry looking at Jinki and then reached out to him. Before he had time to ask what was wrong she fell into his arms.

“What the…” Taemin mumbled while Jinki immediately grabbed her in his arms and carried her to the small waiting room couch in front of the elevator.

He placed her on it but before he could raise up to call for help she grabbed his arm firmly.

“Don't leave me alone, please.” She begged him looking extremely pale and tired and he frowned.

“Have you eaten? Are you starving yourself again?”

He knew how often she dieted when they were dating. If for male idols it was hard to keep the ideal weight and follow the beauty expectations for female idols it was almost impossible.

She cried pressing her lips together and he knew he was right.

“You need to stop doing this! If you don't stay healthy you won't be able to be on stage to do your best. What does it matter if you have the ideal weight if you can't even keep yourself standing?!” He scolded her before turning to Taemin “Can you order something for her to eat?”

“No!” She touched his face making him look back at her “I can't eat now. I'll be bloated tomorrow.”

“Screw it. You are eating. We will eat with you!” And it was finale. He rarely raised his voice and everyone knew how soft he was but Jinki could also be unwavering on his decisions when they were made to help someone and he was trying to help her because he cared. Min hee nodded giving in and Taemin discussed with Jinki briefly what they should order and how they should tell the managers to come up and eat with them, and stepped away to make the call and give them some time alone.

“I can't believe you are doing this to yourself.” Jinki frowned so adorably that she had fought the urge to kiss him on his lips, yet she kissed his cheek which made him immediately step back.

"Sorry. I know I wasn't supposed to do that but I wanted to thank you. When I saw you...I…” She was feeling so sick and tired that when he showed up in front of her she couldn't help but go to him.

“Don't do that, please.” He swallowed hard “I told you that you and I could never be lovers again and…”

“I know I'm not in your heart but you still care…”

“Of course. You are my friend and even if you weren't, I am your sunbae.”

She her lips, troubled, almost scared that he might leave her and he added “I will help you, with the singing and in situations like this but that's it.”

“I know.”

“I made the order.” Taemin interrupted and Jinki sighed, sitting the furthest away he could from Min Hee. He hasn't left, yet he showed through his actions and words how far away she was from his heart. She wondered if she was ever close if she had ever managed to touch it even if a little but probably she didn't. His girlfriend had been there always and it seemed that nothing she could have done would take her away from there. She had read the news about them, watched the lives they did together, even the one where they sang on the piano in the same room where she had confessed to him and stolen a kiss.

She had never seen him smile like that, he had never looked at her the way he looked at Lillie and it pained her not only because she wanted his affection but because she wanted that for herself also. Would anyone ever love her like that?

Taemin awkwardly sat in the middle of the two in silence also deep in thought, the three of them waiting for the food to arrive.

Yo~~

Hi everyone. I updated! It's a miracle! XD
Sadly lately I've been too tired or busy to write. This chapter was written during small breaks I had at work. I would write for 15 - 30 minutes every day on my phone which took me like 2-3 weeks to finish. Today I managed to sit down for 2-3 hours and write the parts it was missing, proofread and edit everything to post.
Writing is a hard process, well at least for me, and yet I feel like the chapters are always lacking. I know I could have done better. >.<
 

Chat with me on twitter.