A pair of big dark eyes stared right back at her. Self-consciousness slowly crept to her as she examined her perfectly mussed hair and makeup. For the past five minutes, Lisa had been fretting over her look—an unusual behavior for an experienced model. But she couldn’t help it that she felt sort of exposed even though her outfit wasn’t that revealing. Maybe it was because of the fact that she wasn’t there for a shoot by herself or with just someone else...

“Are you okay, Lisa-ssi?” The stylist asked behind her and Lisa turned around—feeling like a rookie once again.

Pointing at the wide neckline of the black sweater she was wearing, she asked, “Does it really have to be this low?”

The stylist chuckled.

“Don’t worry. We need to accentuate your cleavage and I think it looks great like that.”

Lisa pouted as the theme of the photoshoot was supposed to be fun and y. She could do a fun and y shoot anytime. But with Seung Hyun? She couldn’t bring herself to imagine the awkwardness of it all. There wasn’t a time she didn’t embarrass herself whenever they were alone together. What more for a magazine…

Walking to the set with some of the staff, she could feel her heart start pounding against her chest. It had been almost two weeks since she had last seen Seung Hyun. She was in Bangkok to visit her family and had been too preoccupied with work and business. And Seung Hyun was busy with preparing for BIGBANG’s new album. Their 16th anniversary was coming up and they were planning to release the album before then. The two’s schedules this July and August were too hectic with their movie promotion, MV shooting, YG Family concert, as well as their individual projects. And so when she finally laid eyes on the man she missed so much, a huge smile broke out on her face.

There he stood in a black turtleneck and a grey coat even though it was the middle of summer. Typical. She thought adoringly. When his gaze met hers, he smiled as well as the two bowed to each other.

“How are you, Lisa-ssi?”

He was speaking formally and she couldn’t help but play along. They always had to be like this in front of the others. She had never stopped speaking formally to him but her actions were the exact opposite in private.

“I’m doing well. And you, sunbaenim?” She could’ve called him oppa and the people there wouldn’t care. But she just wanted to .

He tilted his head back a little as a smirk briefly crossed his lips. “I’m fine.”

And then she noticed his eyes glance down to her chest and lingered there for a moment. Lisa instantly blushed because he wasn’t being subtle at all.

“You look great.” He whispered—eyes surveying her exposed right shoulder and collarbones.

Lisa adjusted the white strap on her shoulder and scrunched her nose. “The wonders of push-up bra.”

He chuckled and shook his head in amusement. Lisa cleared and moved to where the photographer was. Hong Jang Hyun had been working with a lot of YG artists for years and Lisa felt comfortable with him as he showed them some concept photos.

“It’s strange to have you two at the same shoot.” Jang Hyun remarked with a laugh. “I’ve done so many photoshoots of you two individually and now…”

He looked at them with amazement in his eyes and Lisa couldn’t help but smile.

“We’ll make sure to do well.” She looked up at Seung Hyun and lightly nudged his side. “Right, sunbaenim?”

Seung Hyun rolled his eyes. “You can stop calling me that.”

The photographer laughed out loud. “That’s the chemistry I’m looking forward to seeing.”

Lisa had no idea why she was anxious earlier. As soon as the shoot started, she just found herself doing what she knew she was good at. Jang Hyun was a great photographer who knew how to guide his subjects. And Seung Hyun was as professional as she always expected him to be. When they shot the movie poster months ago, it was quick and had a different feel. But this time, the atmosphere was lighter and they both looked stylish and cleaned up.

During one of the many takes, as Lisa leaned her chin on his shoulder to look up at him, Seung Hyun turned his head to look at her in return. Their faces were an inch apart and the sudden proximity surprised him that he quickly shied away. His closed eyes and sheepish smile made Lisa and the staff laugh.

They had changed to three different outfits and the rest of the photoshoot went smoothly. That was until the last one where Lisa found herself on a white mattress on the floor with Seung Hyun. He was lying on his back—head on her right thigh while she was on her side. Her cheek and hand rested on his abdomen. He kept on bloating his stomach making her head bounce and she couldn’t help but laugh. Jang Hyun just continued shooting without saying anything. Once they were instructed to do the last part, the two straightened up as the staff fixed their hair and clothes again.

“We’ll do the lipstick mark for the last cut.” The photographer announced as he and the make-up artist walked to them. The older man studied Seung Hyun’s face closely and then said, “Three marks. On the left cheekbone, jaw, and neck.”

Seung Hyun’s eyes widened. “Who will…”

“Me, of course.” Jang Hyun replied seriously and there was an awkward silence before the former laughed out loud. “We have our make-up artist here… and we also have Lisa. You can choose.”

Lisa looked at the people around. There was a cameraman in charge of the behind the scenes footage and she didn’t really want to be attacked by the fangirls. It seemed like Seung Hyun was thinking the same when her worried gaze met his. And she knew he was going to choose the make-up artist. Looking at the woman, Lisa couldn’t help but feel a little annoyed. The woman was probably a few years older than her and was trying her hardest not to combust at the possibility of kissing T.O.P.

Before Seung Hyun could say anything, Lisa spoke up, “I’ll do it.”

What’s three lipstick marks compared to a torrid kiss in the movie? Her head would’ve been hunted no matter what the situation was.

“Great!” Jang Hyun clapped his hands once as the make-up artist dejectedly put on the red lipstick on Lisa.

Seung Hyun was quiet and maintained a great poker face when Lisa kissed him on his left cheekbone. The mark was vivid and clung to his skin as if screaming for attention. Jang Hyun pointed at the jaw and Lisa kissed it quickly. Another coat was applied, and she held Seung Hyun’s shoulder before bending down to kiss his neck—skin warm and soft. And his familiar perfume smelled stronger in that spot. For a split second, she felt him stiffen and she repressed a smile as she pulled back.

“I hope the September issue sells well.” Seung Hyun muttered which made everyone laugh.

They finished the shoot in no time and Lisa was in high spirits as they looked through all the photos. Everything came out well and she felt proud for accomplishing something she unnecessarily dreaded. They spent the next hour doing the interview. She talked about why she got interested in the project, the difficulties she had during filming, and then that question came up. Lisa found it a little awkward to talk about Seung Hyun’s qualities as an actor and a senior when he was just sitting right beside her.

“Since this is my first major acting role, TOP-sunbaenim really helped me a lot. I know I had to give my best so I had a lot of worries. I spent majority of my scenes with him and watching him being so hardworking and meticulous made me realize that I must strive to be as passionate as him.” She paused as she glanced at him. Seung Hyun was just looking at his feet with a shy smile playing on his lips.

“He gave useful advices and whenever I felt anxious, he would make the atmosphere lighter by cracking a joke. We would sometimes dance in between takes and he was always the one who initiated it. So everyone was able to work well together.” She bowed to him with a smile. “Thank you very much.”

“Anytime.” He replied softly.

The female interviewer smiled and then regarded Seung Hyun. “How about you, TOP-ssi? How was working with Lisa-ssi?”

He gave a soft hum before speaking. Lisa felt her heartbeat pick up the moment his gentle voice resonated inside the small room. This would be the first time she would be hearing his opinion about working with her.

“I was surprised to know she already signed on to the movie when I was still just considering it.” It was his turn to glance at her. “Maybe it was my curiosity that led me to accepting the role.”

“What do you mean?” The interviewer clarified.

“I already worked with the director before and the script was very compelling. Jung Woo Sung-hyung is a good friend of mine, too. When I found out Lisa-ssi was also in the movie, I decided to do it because I wanted to work with her as well.”

Lisa’s eyes widened at that information.

“And how do you think she did?”

“As she said earlier, she had a lot of worries. I did as well. But she was very attentive to details and learned very quickly. When I tried to improvise, she was able to respond well and make the scene work. She could be gentle and then fierce the next second without trying too hard. And she can express a lot of emotions through her eyes.” Seung Hyun pointed at Lisa’s eyes. “They’re very big. Bigger than mine!”

That earned laughter from the people in the room. The rest of the interview went on with a few more laughs which really meant a lot for Lisa. It made everything easier and memorable as the first time she was promoting with Seung Hyun alone.

Dinner at my house?

He texted while she was having her makeup removed.

I’ll cook.

No, I don’t want food poisoning.

She snorted which made the make-up artist look at her curiously.

I make a mean Pad Thai. My global chef dad trained me.

Okay. I’ll just have the antidiarrheal medicine ready just in case.

Lisa laughed out loud then before pocketing her phone. The make-up artist had just left and Jung Hwa was already waiting in the car outside. Slinging the black Chanel bag on her shoulder, Lisa made her way out of the empty dressing room. She was about to reach the door when someone quickly walked in and closed it.

It was as if her heart dropped to her stomach the moment she saw the person’s face.

“Long time no see.”

His soft voice spoke and Lisa could see how hard he was breathing as if he had ran to get to where she was. His usual styled hair was messy as if he had raked his fingers through it countless of times. Aside from that, nothing changed in his appearance. He still looked handsome in a boyish kind of way.

“What are you doing here, Kim Jin Hyuk-ssi?”

“I had an appointment here.” He smiled. “You’re not calling me oppa now?”

“That right disappeared the moment I broke up with you.” She became colder in an instant. “Now if you would just let me leave, I have somewhere to go to.”

She moved to reach for the doorknob but Jin Hyuk blocked her path. Lisa felt scared then. She was alone in a room with her ex-boyfriend she absolutely despised. Her manager was outside and Seung Hyun had probably left already. But she didn’t let that show on her face.

“What do you want?”

“I just need to talk with you.” He sighed. “You’ve avoided me since last year and I never got to explain my side.”

“You don’t have to explain anything. It’s been what? Two years? What’s done is done.” She tried to move to the door on