[CONTENTID1]At Present[/CONTENTID1]

 [CONTENTID2]Chapter XIII [/CONTENTID2]

 [CONTENTID3]

         Around three years later.

         December 9, 2018 - Inkigayo Win, Mino writes on the back of the polaroid photo he took with the dancers earlier. Even with the effects of a tiring day now seeping into his body, the satisfaction and happiness of ‘Fiance’s win keep him awake. Just like always, he remains in his dressing room, alone, for a few minutes to reflect and be thankful for another eventful day.

         Sinking into his seat, he thought of the rap he wrote for his ‘thank you’ speech, and recalled the fans’ proud and supportive cheers; of the other groups that were there with him, and out of habit, he thought of her. How charismatic and confident she was on stage, how she seems to have grown a lot over the years, how beautiful she still is.

         You got to snap out of it, man.

         Shaking his head, he got ready to leave the room when the door suddenly flew open to reveal a sobbing Irene.

         He found himself alarmed and thoroughly surprised, and it took him a second or two to regain his senses and approach her, “Hey, what’s wrong?”

         Inhaling sharply her head turns from one side to the other, “oh god, I’m in the wrong room, I’m sorry,” her heels turn to backtrack her steps; her hand grasping the doorknob already. 

         "You don't have to go." He finally manages to say. His palm gently rests on her shoulder and where he could feel her trembling. "My staff members have left. No one is coming. You are safe here."

         Safe.

         The way he said the word, soft and affirming, made her peek over her shoulder to where his hand rested. “I can leave if I make you uncomfortable. I’ll guard the door for you,” he suggests.

         Irene sniffles and wiped away the tears staining her cheeks, “I don’t want to be alone, actually.” She mumbles and a big warm hand touch hers that was still holding the door. Mino locks it and leads her back to sit beside him on the leather couch.

         “Here.” He hands her a red handkerchief and with red and tearful eyes, she hesitantly gazes up to the man. Immediately, his fingers curled tighter to the piece of cloth and it took all of him to stop himself from gathering her small frame to a comforting embrace for it was not his place to do so. “I didn’t blow my nose or wipe my sweat on it, I swear to god.”

         She gives him a reprimanding look over his silliness, though they both know it was enough to feel a tad less awkward over this sudden situation. She accepts the handkerchief and dabs it on her cheeks gently; the scent of his perfume lingering on the fabric.

         There was nothing but silence as Mino sent messages over to his manager, telling him he might take longer and to be patient with him while Irene tries to gather herself and cease the tears that still try to fall.

         “Noona, did something serious happen?” He finally asks as he tilts his head down to look at the female whose eyes are glued to her hands. “Did anyone mess with you or – ”

         “No, nothing like that,” she quickly reassures as she plays with her fingers. “It’s just – it’s hard to explain. ”

         “Try me,” h