Red Velvet dorm

“What is this, Seulgi?” Irene give her phone to Seulgi so that the younger girl can see the pictures that currently shown on the screen

Seulgi furrowed her eyebrows when she saw a few pictures of her and Sunmi at the café last night “Unnie, where do you get this? Who sent it to you?”

Irene chuckled “Seulgi, these pictures flooded the SNS. No one sent it to me. I checked my Instagram and that picture was tagged to me too. I don’t need anyone to give a picture of you to me. Our fans give it without I asking”

“Unnie…”

“Seul, I am not posting anything on my Instagram doesn’t mean I’m not checking it once in a while. I always keep-updated about what happen to all of you”

“Unnie, it is not what you think”

“Then what do you want me to think? Thinking positive when you and Sunmi were hanging out together while last night you told me you go home directly after your radio schedule?” Irene showing cold smile “It easy to deceive me because you not stay with us anymore”

“I’m sorry for lying. My phone low battery, that's why I'm not telling you but we’re not alone. Manager oppa was also there with us. He is not in the picture maybe they took it when oppa go to the toilet” Seulgi explained herself

“No new excuse?” Irene ask sarcastically because Seulgi always use the similar excuse whenever Irene caught her go out with Sunmi

She actually doesn't mind if Seulgi hangs out with her friends like Moonbyul or her non-celebrity friends. She is just insecure when Seulgi hangs out with Sunmi because Sunmi has feelings for Seulgi even though she knows Seulgi and Irene are dating. Everyone knows Seulgi is dating Irene but Sunmi never gives up. She openly shows her interest in Seulgi in front of the camera and she gets actively chasing Seulgi since Irene is taking a break for a while. She know she don’t have obstacle to approach Seulgi because Irene is not around to stop her

“Sorry, unnie” Seulgi look down to her laps

Irene rubs her face “I can’t always look after you. I can’t go out often with you like before. I put my trust on you but you often make me insecure. You used to call me possessive girlfriend then I try not to control you so much. Now what you do to me. You can use oppa's phone to text me but you choose to hide it. Even if you try hard to sneak out to see her, I will find out. Please Seulgi, have mercy on my feeling”

Seulgi took Irene's hand and caressed it “I’m very sorry for hurting you again. I really don’t mean to hide. Oppa is there with me during the meeting. We are not taking too long. Just about 30 minutes, we went home. Please forgive me”

It take few minutes of silent before Irene slowly nods her head “Okay”

Seulgi lips tugged upwards then she pull Irene to her embrace “I love you, Hyun” she kiss Irene temple

“I love you too” Irene whisper softly

……………………

Last night Seulgi slept at the dorm. She does not go back to her apartment because she has a night schedule with Wendy. She decides to sleepover since they arrive late at night and she doesn't want to trouble their manager to drive her to her apartment. They still keep Seulgi’s room so that she can sleepover if she hangs out with them at the dorm. Seulgi also sleep there if she have schedule together with the members

Seulgi goes to the living room after wearing her clothes. She has an evening schedule today so she has more time to spend with Irene and the members in the morning. Yeri and Joy are also still at the dorm because they don’t have a schedule today. Wendy, who is also done with her promotion, also spends her time at the dorm accompanying Irene. Sometimes she and Irene visit Joy at the studio to cheer her up. They are unable to visit Yeri at the filming set because only the cast and crew are allowed to go to the location. They just send coffee truck for her

“Unnie, when is your schedule?” Yeri asks after Seulgi plops herself beside Irene. After the argument last week, now her relationship with Irene back to normal

“I have an evening schedule. I will leave after lunch”

“Okay”

“How is your drama going?”

“We are almost done filming. Only few scenes left before wrap up”

Then Irene looked at Joy who was busy drinking warm lemon juice “Sooyoung, you don’t have a schedule today?”

“No unnie, I’m free today”

“Tomorrow is your last stage at music bank, right?”

“Yes, will you come?” Joy showing puppy eyes

“Of course, I will come with Seungwan” say Irene while Wendy quickly nods her head as approval

“Yes!” Joy squeal

Yeri suddenly frowning “Yaaa, I want to go too but I have shooting tomorrow” she pouting

Irene caressing Yerim head softly “You can send video message to her to cheer her up”

“Okay”

Wendy asks Seulgi “Seul, are you coming tomorrow?”

“Yes, I will come. I will see you and unnie there tomorrow. I can’t sleepover tonight because I have another schedule at night”

“Alright”

Doorbell suddenly rings, stopping their conversation. Wendy goes to open the door. She come back with their manager behind her

“Hi oppa” the girls greet their manager brightly

“Hi girls” the manager take a sit on the chair

“Why do you come this early, oppa? Any news from the company?” the leader questioning

The manager nods his head “Yes, I have an upcoming schedule for all of you since Joy will end her promotion tomorrow” he scrolls through his phone “Next week on Tuesday, Irene and Wendy will start vocal lessons. Joy and Seulgi will join on Wednesday since Seulgi has a photoshoot with Amuse and Joy goes to a radio program on Tuesday. Yeri will join on following week after finish filming her drama”

“Noted, oppa”

“As for Seulgi, you have a meeting with Producer Lee this Friday regarding your collaboration with Sunmi-ssi. She and her manager will come to SM for the meeting”

Seulgi gulped down her saliva when the manager talked about her collaboration with Sunmi. She is not telling Irene about the project. She knows Irene will not agree. It’s Sunmi's idea to have another collaboration with her. As a kind person, Seulgi accepted the proposal without thinking twice. Her manager is also hesitant at first because they know Irene is disliking Sunmi. They don’t want to have problems during the preparation process. However, Seulgi assures them that everything will be fine. She will keep it from Irene until the preparation is done

Wendy, Joy and Yeri looked puzzled while Irene still looked calm but her calm face was scary. She is hiding so many things behind her calmness

“That’s all for today. I will inform you all again next week”

“Okay oppa”

“I have to go now. See you all tomorrow. I will see you at company later, Seul”

“Alright, oppa”

Wendy walks the manager to the door then she comes back again. Everyone is still in their place. No one is talking or moving. Only sound of TV filled the living room

Almost 10 minutes silent until Irene speak “Seulgi”

“Y-yes unnie”

“Do you pack your clothes already?”

“Not yet”

“Why not get ready? Do you want to arrive late at the agency?’

“No” Seulgi shake her head

Irene sighs then she leaves the living room. She headed to Seulgi’s bedroom. No one dare to ask her because they know Irene mood is not good

“Seulgi” Wendy speak after Irene left

“What?”

“Are you out of your mind? What with the collaboration with Sunmi unnie? You know Irene unnie doesn't like her but you still agree to work with her? Is there no one else that you can collaborate with?” Wendy is really puzzled

“I don’t have a choice but accept it. Besides, she only proposed to work with me. I will feel bad if I reject her” say Seulgi

“Lame excuse, unnie. You always say that when you caught with Sunmi unnie” said Yeri

“We’re so sick with your answer” Joy added

Irene came back to the living room and sat in her former place “Seulgi, I already packed your clothes and prepared your lunch. Go eat it before you leave”

“Unnie, I’m sorry”

“For what?” Irene looking at her girlfriend

“Because I don’t tell you about the collaboration with Sunmi unnie”

Irene sighs heavily “Even if I do not agree, nothing will change. You will have a meeting with the producer. That means the decision is final. You are preparing for the song. You and her already go this far so what could I do, right? Just enjoy working together with her. Don’t mind me”

Seulgi is speechless. She knows the meaning behind Irene’s words. It’s not a good thing but disappointment and hurt. She also knows, at this rate Irene doesn't want to hear any explanation no matter how hard she tries to convince her. Nothing will work on Irene

“Go eat now” Irene command again

“Okay” Seulgi walk lifelessly to the dining table to eat her food

…………………………

Next day Irene, Wendy and Seulgi go to the TV station to support Joy for her last stage. They are filming for her vlog that will upload in their group's official Youtube channel. The unnies walk Joy to the backstage to cheer her up

“Sooyoung, all the best for you” Irene patting Joy’s head

“Thanks unnie” Joy hugging the leader

Then Wendy takes her turn “Fighting, Sooyoung-ah! Unnie will cook delicious food for you tonight”

“Yay! Thanks unnie. I will not disappoint all of you” Joy say cheerfully

After that, Seulgi squeezes Joy's shoulder “We look forward to watching your last stage. You will make us proud as usual”

“I will do my best for all of you”

“That’s our girl”

Then the staff called Joy to get ready because she will start in a few minutes. Irene and Wendy sit on the chairs while waiting for Joy to perform. Seulgi excuse herself to answer the call

……………………

“Unnie, why Seulgi has not come back yet? She leave too long already” said Wendy

Irene realizes that Seulgi still has not returned after answering her phone “You’re right. She still not come back” she said then try to call Seulgi phone “No answer”

“Hm, maybe she is at waiting room”

“I think so. Let her rest. She maybe still tired after late night schedule”

Wendy smiles warmly “You’re so considerate to her but seems like she takes you for granted. She often hurts you, makes you angry instead of making you smile. I don’t know what else she look for even after she got a perfect woman like you”

“No Seungwan, I’m not perfect. Look, Seulgi is still looking at anyone else other than me. I still have lot of weakness”

“About her and Sunmi unnie, what are you going to do?” Wendy looking at Irene side profile

“I don’t know. If Seulgi really doesn't want me anymore, I don’t have a choice but to set her free. I guess Sunmi can treat her better that’s why Seulgi is comfortable with her. You see, I do so many things so that I can make her happy but she still choose to go out with Sunmi secretly even she know I don’t like her seeing Sunmi”

“Unnie, you should talk about this with Seulgi”

“I bet there is nothing to talk about anymore. We already talk and argue because of this issue. She only listens for a while then she meets her again. I don’t want to be selfish. She deserves to be happy too. We’re together more than a decade, maybe she tired seeing me every day”

Wendy feels sorry as she hears Irene complain “I feel sorry for you, unnie. Whatever happens, me and our maknae are always holding your back. You’re not alone”

“Thank you” Irene smiled sadly. If anyone looks deep into her eyes, they can see the hurt that she bears right now but she covers it with a smile. Irene not easily showing her sadness to anyone especially her members. She doesn't want the girls to see her crying. She always be strong for them even she hurt deeply

……………………

After Joy's performance, all of them go back to her waiting room. However, there is no Seulgi in the room. Irene asking their staff that is inside the room

“Unnie, do you see Seulgi come here?”

“No, she not come here since you guys leave earlier”

“Eh?” Irene and Wendy looking at each other

Joy came out of the fitting room after changing her clothes. “What’s wrong unnie?”

“Seulgi is not around. Her bag is still here” Wendy pointed at Seulgi’s bag on the table

“Where is that person going?” Irene mumble while trying to call Seulgi but she not answering

Joy quickly looked at one of their managers “Unnie, when we arrived earlier, we bumped into Sunmi sunbaenim manager, right?”