Zoey's P.O.V

Waking up this Monday morning was hectic. I didn't want to get out of bed, but in one way or another, I would have to. I lay awake, thinking. I didn't want to face off the challenges for today knowing that one of them was dealing with Jehan. Since I still have the teddy bear, I wasn't as free as I expected myself to be.

I couldn't stop wondering what Seungri and TOP were doing at the mall yesterday. As much as I wanted to believe that it was a coincidence, I couldn't help but feel that something was wrong.

Could they have known about Jehan? And if they did, then how? I shook my head. Maybe all that was nothing but a coincidence and I was just being paranoid. If they really had found out about Jehan, they would have been asking questions about him and what he does while we were shopping. But they didn't. We just had our usual conversation.

I brushed off all those thoughts aside when the alarm on my phone rang telling me to get up. The last time I had ever put up an alarm was the morning of my last day of high school. Eversince I became a musician, I never put up an alarm when I knew I had someone around to wake me up. Like Sam.

But now that she wasn't here, I had to wake up on my own. Most of the time, I would do so without her help. But when I overslept, she was always there to wake me. Anyway, right now, I was just too troubled in my sleep that I must have woken up early before the alarm rang.

I sat up on my bed and switched off the alarm. I checked the empty bed beside mine and I couldn't help but realise how much I miss Sam. I don't know why I was feeling this way, but I hated the fact that I was missing her so bad. Not after what happened yesterday at the mall and all over social media.

After seeing her with G-Dragon yesterday broke my heart further into tiny pieces. As much as I knew she was only there just to try and resolve things with G-Dragon, I was filled with fury seeing the two of them together. And to make matters worse, after I had left the mall, I went online and there were pictures of the two everywhere. They were a trending topic for the whole day. That left me devastated.

I couldn't stop looking at pictures online even when I came back to the hotel. I read so many comments. As much as there were so many haters around (like myself), so many people couldn't stop talking about how adorable the two looked together. I couldn't help but admit to myself that they were right. They really did make a cute couple. And that left me envious. I wished it was G-Dragon and I. Not G-Dragon and Sam.

That sent me boiling to a point where I almost threw my phone away. When Christine came to see me in my room and found me in an angry fit, I told her how painful I felt seeing G-Dragon and Sam together.

Christine had told me to cool down and that I shouldn't be jealous. She told me that Sam was only with G-Dragon because she was only trying to resolve things. I told her that I already knew that. Christine quickly left me to myself when she realised that she couldn't calm me down. So I was alone for the rest of the day, not speaking to anyone. I didn't even join the others for supper. I had ordered for my supper to be taken up to my room.

And now, I had to face another challenge of seeing everyone today, most especially Sam, since we have to finish up on the dance routine and start working on the music video as soon as possible. I have to put up with all this today when I was still so upset.

I quickly got out of bed and went in the showers, hoping the cool water would cool down all the boiling anger in me.

After I was done, I quickly dressed up. And carrying my purse with me, I went to meet the others at the dining table for breakfast.

I found them already settled. When I came to sit, everyone mouthed out a "good morning" to me, except Sam. And I replied back with a smile on my face.

I felt a little awkward when I looked at Sam who sat across the table next to Collins and hadn't said a word. She was busy with her breakfast, her usual bacon, eggs and toast with juice. I realised she hadn't even looked up at me once and that also felt weird.

I know that she and I aren't talking to each other at the moment, but I expected her to say a "good morning" or even look at me to acknowledge that I was around. She was one person even if we ever had an argument, she would at least try to say something to me. The fact that she didn't greet me, made me feel like something was wrong.

I poured myself a cup of coffee, trying to ignore what I was feeling at the moment. I got some slices of toast and ate my breakfast.

"Hey, Sam," said Mike, who sat right next to her. "Have you seen what people have been saying about you and G-Dragon?"

My heart almost skipped a beat and I almost choked on my coffee. What was Mike getting at? I know he does things just to annoy me sometimes, but this time, he's gone way too far. I was over here! Hello!

"You don't have to remind me," Sam said as she looked at her brother. "I've decided not to go online today."

"For one who doesn't like attention, you might just disappear off the face of the earth," said Collins.

"I can do that," said Sam, staring up at the ceiling obviously building castles in the air.

"I have no doubt about it."

"But I don't see why you have to," said Daniel. "Just because people make stories about you and G-Dragon dating, doesn't mean that you are."

"One thing about fans is that they can make a story so believable, even those who don't know what's going on, might end up believing it," said Christine.

"I know," said Lee. "Right now, some k-pop news sites are already taking this to the next level. But they all say they couldn't be too sure about it until they get an official statement from you and G-Dragon."

"Wow, that's serious," said Sam.

"But right now, we have no time for interviews," said Collins. "We have a music video to work on."

"I can work with that," said Sam, with a smile on her face.

"Alright, guys, finish your breakfast. You know the drill."

"Aye, aye," said Daniel.

"Well, you're quiet today, Zoey," said Christine as she looked at me. She sat directly across from me on the table.

"Do you have a problem with that?" I asked, eyeing Christine.

"You're just too quiet, that's all."

"You should be quiet more often," said Collins as he got up from the table. "It kind of suits you."

I frowned at Collins. "Thanks. I'll try doing so more often. That's if I really want to."

"Now that's the Zoey I know," said Mike, raising his eyebrow at me and smiling.

I stuck my tongue out at him but he continued to smile mockingly nonetheless. I noticed that the others were laughing and smiling at the whole thing, except Sam. She still wasn't looking in my direction.

Soon after breakfast, we left for YG. In the SUV, Sam sat at the back with her brothers. We were all chatting happily in the car but she was quiet the whole way. She was like that nowadays, always lost in thought. I wondered what she could be thinking about. Sam was one person who never really shared what she thought. When you asked her about it, she would usually say "nothing" and say no more. But if she really wanted to share with you, she would.

We arrived at YG and we found ourselves back at the dance studio we were practising in on Saturday. We found our dance instructor and all the BigBang members with the rest of the backup dancers, waiting for us.

When everyone was exchanging greetings with each other, G-Dragon didn't respond to me when I said "hi" to him. Given with what happened yesterday, I bet he was still mad at me for how I behaved towards Sam. He didn't even want to hang out with us soon after Sam had left.

He not responding to me felt awkward and I longed for him to at least give me some attention. He didn't say "hi" to Sam either but just nodded his head when she greeted him. At least that was acknowledging someone even if they weren't talking to each other. And he was staring at her the whole time even when she wasn't looking. I thought of throwing a shoe at him, but I just looked away instead.

We went straight to practising for almost a good five hours. And those proved to be the hardest five hours of my life. Since the dance routine starts with G-Dragon and I, it was really hard having him so close. I realised that I still had feelings for him. At some point during practise, I almost hugged him, but I brought myself not to. And that wasn't the worst part.

During pratice, I noticed that G-Dragon still couldn't take his eyes off Sam. This was getting to the point where I wanted to scream at him to snap out of it. I wondered what he saw in Sam and that sent me thinking.

G-Dragon wasn't the only one who liked Sam. Come to think of it, Daesung also liked her. Probably even Seungri and TOP, given that Seungri had a beautiful crown made just for her and TOP flirts with her whenever he gets the chance to. Taeyang already had Hyo-rin and always takes Sam like a sister. What did Sam have that even most of the BigBang members like her so much?

As her best friend, I should be aware of her qualities. She was nice and friendly to whoever approached her. She is very pretty and had a great body, though she was never ever fully aware of her physical beauty. She always thought she was like any other ordinary girl but she was more than that.

She is also smart, caring and always understanding. She is a great leader and one who always had our backs whenever we needed it. I don't know how many times she had always tried to get The Toxins out of trouble. I agree that even if it looked like we don't appreciate what she does, we really do.

Sam has a lot of good qualities. Maybe that's why she is liked and loved by everyone. Even her fans. She is honest, when she wanted to. She is also a pretty good liar, only when it was necessary to do so. And she is one who wouldn't want to hurt anyone around her.

Realising this made me feel a little guilty as I looked at Sam who was dancing in front of me with Taeyang beside her. I looked at her face and she had this smile that reflected her innocence. I realised that I had been giving Sam a real hard time after I found out G-Dragon likes her and not me. She is my best friend and would do nothing to hurt me. I know she was only looking out for me like she always does, but I am just too ignorant to realise it till now.

"Wait, hold on a minute guys," said the choreographer. We all stopped dancing as instructed.

"Zoey, you aren't concentrating," said the choreographer as he looked at me. "This is the second time you have made the same mistake."

"Oh, sorry," I said, scratching the back of my head feeling embarrassed. "I'll try to be more cautious next time."

"Okay. Let's continue from where we left off."

It was lunch the time we broke off for a break. The choreographer left and the others were talking to some of the backup dancers. I noticed Sam at the corner of the room with Christine and some of the backup dancers talking. It looked like they were having one hell of a funny conversation because they were all laughing.

"Hey, why are you here all alone?" came TOP as he came to stand right next to me.

"Nothing," I replied, looking down at my sneakers. "I just want to be alone today."

"Still not talking to Sam?"

"Nope."

TOP's lips rose to a smile. "You really are stubborn."

"Too bad it's in my DNA." I smirked.

"And how long do you think you're going to put up with it?" TOP folded his arms as he looked at me.

"Maybe till we go home." I shrugged my shoulders.

"I doubt it. Judging by the way you performed today, you looked really preoccupied that you made several mistakes."

"Being preoccupied is Sam's thing."

"I know. But you aren't yourself, that's for sure. The Zoey I know wouldn't be here all alone. You would be chit chatting like you always do."

"What if I just want to be alone for today?"

"It's okay. Everyone has those kinds of days. But you make it look like being alone sometimes is a bad thing."

I frowned. "Why?"

"Because you look miserable."

I didn't expect that coming from TOP. My mouth was agape as I looked at him.

"Miserable!"

"Ya." TOP nodded his head. "It clearly shows."

I thought for a moment and went back to looking at Sam and Christine with the backup dancers. Mike, Daesung, Seungri and Daniel had also formed their own little circle and were laughing and chatting too. Taeyang and G-Dragon were with some of the backup dancers, having a normal chat.

Seeing all this in front of me made me realise that TOP is right. I am definitely miserable. By now, I would be with the others, chatting. But here I was, all alone. Until TOP came to talk to me.

"I guess you're right," I said. "I am miserable."

"Don't worry about it. Aren't you going to resolve things with Sam?"

"I don't know," I said as I looked at Sam who was laughing out loud. "I'm still mad at her, but something in me says that I can't stay like this for long."

I told TOP what happened in the morning and how it felt weird that Sam didn't say a word to me nor even looked at me.

"I felt so bad about it," I said, shaking my head.

"Then why don't you talk to her?"

"Pfft!" I rolled my eyes. "Why should I? Sam always does all the talking."

"Really? You think Sam would do that this time around? Besides, she wasn't really at fault with all this."

"I know."

"So? Are you going to try and talk to her yourself?"

"I'll think about it."

"Hey, guys," came Seungri, suddenly calling out to everyone in the room. "Who wants pizza?"

Everyone muttered out "me!" really loud. Seungri smiled and said he would bring the pizza.

"Mind if you guys can help me?" Seungri asked as he came up to TOP and I.

"Sure," I said. I really needed to get out of here for a while and breathe.

The three of us went out of the room and headed to the elevator to take us downstairs. Seungri already had his phone out calling the pizza parlour to take the order.

As soon as we reached the ground floor, we stuck around in the lobby waiting for the pizza.

"I'm so hungry," said Seungri, staring at his watch.

"Chill, you just ordered pizza like right now," said TOP who was sitting right next to me on one of the chairs in the waiting area of the lobby.

"But I'm so hungry."

"Trust me, you aren't the only one," I said as I looked at Seungri who was still standing. "Sit down or else you're going to drain the last remaining blood you have."

"Well, that's mean," said Seungri as he sat next to me. "What's up with you?"

"Nothing," I said as I folded my arms.

"She's cranky, don't mind her," said TOP.

"I'm not cranky. Just having an awful day."

"Ya, we can see that," said Seungri with a smirk on his face.

I didn't say anything as I shook my head. All of the sudden, I felt my phone vibrate against my thigh in the pocket of my sweat pants. I took out my phone. Jehan was calling.

"Isn't it that French guy we met yesterday at the mall?" TOP asked, looking at my phone screen.

"Can you please not look!" I said as I turned the phone screen away from TOP's eyes.

"Okay, well you better answer that call."

I stood from the chair and answered Jehan's call when I was a few feet away from the two.

"Hello," I answered.

"Hey, Zoey," said Jehan. "Are you busy today?"

"Ya, I'm very busy," I answered. "Why?"

"We have to meet today, ASAP."

"But I can't. I have a lot to do today and I don't think I'll manage to meet with you."

"I don't care. I need that teddy bear today. Not tomorrow, but today."

I knew Jehan was going to call and demand for the teddy bear. Luckily, I carried my purse with the teddy bear in it. I hadn't removed it from my purse since yesterday and I checked to see if it was still in there this morning. The purse was upstairs in the dance studio.

"Okay, what time do you want to get the teddy bear?"

"I'm coming to YG to get it."

"What!" I was horrified and equally surprised. "No way. You can't come here."

"Fine. If you have a better idea, then call me or text in the next thirty minutes. I have to get that teddy today."

"You don't have to remind me," I snarled.

He cut the call and I looked at my phone like I was ready to throw it out of the lobby through the open entrance doors. This was bad. Real bad. He wanted to come here to get the teddy. That was going to be dangerous. If anyone were to see him they would start to ask questions.

"Zoey," came Seungri's voice behind me.

I turned around and there stood Seungri and TOP staring at me.

"What?" I asked.

"Was that Jehan you were talking to?" TOP asked.

"Um, ya. Is there a problem?"

"You two didn't seem to be having a normal conversation," said Seungri. "It sounded like you were arguing or something."

"Arguing? Pfft. No," I gave out a small laugh trying to hide my fear. "It was just some silly misunderstanding."

"Come on, Zoey," said TOP. "That was no ordinary misunderstanding and I know an argument when I see one."

"Guys, it's nothing. You're worrying for no reason."

"Oh, ya? Then why were you talking about that teddy bear then? It's that small cute teddy he had sent you, right?"

Dang it! I was cornered now. They had heard about the teddy. I couldn't come up with a lie. If anything, I'm a terrible liar. Looks like the truth will always come to light no matter how much you try to hide it.

"Tell us, Zoey," said Seungri softly. "It can show on your face that something is wrong."

I sighed as I looked down on the floor. "Fine. But don't tell anyone."

"Okay. Now tell us what's going on," said TOP.

We went back to settle down on the chairs. We were at a reasonable distance away from the receptionist so I could talk quietly.

I told them everything from what happened in Paris till now. They listened carefully and hadn't said a word until I finished the whole story.

"Have you told anyone about all this?" Seungri asked.

"Just you two," I answered.

"Wow, this is serious," said TOP, trying to take it all in. "He's a diamond smuggler?"

"Surprising, right?"

"He seemed so nice when we met him," said Seungri.

"We should involve the police," said TOP.

"No! We can't!"

"Why?"

"You know word goes out fast. The next thing we know, it's going to be all over social media and might give The Toxins a bad name. I would rather do this quietly."

"And how are you so sure he isn't going to use you again?" Seungri asked.

"He assured me that this will be the last time he will ever use me to do any of his dirty business. I just have to give him the teddy bear and that's it."

"Give who the teddy bear?" came Christine's voice.

The three of us turned and we saw Christine standing a few feet away from us. We hadn't heard the elevator doors open nor her footsteps. How did she get here unheard?

"Christine, you're here?" I raised my eyebrows.

"Ya, I came to check up on you guys since some of us are really hungry," said Christine.

"The delivery guy hasn't arrived yet," said Seungri with a smile.

"What's this about some guy and a teddy bear?" Christine asked as she looked at me.

"Ummm, it's nothing, Christine," I said, waving my hand in the air. "Just talking about some random stuff."

"Random stuff involving a teddy bear?" Christine shoo