CHAPTER 4

Khun felt weird as soon as he woke up. He felt as if he had just had a nightmare. He could recall every detail of his awful dream, as if it happened in real life. In his dream, Victoria had tried to break up with him, and no matter how he chased her she wouldn’t turn back to him. He held his head for a moment and remembered he had a schedule that morning. He checked his phone, zero messages. Out of impulse, he sent her a text message. He was still slightly groggy and out of his sense, so it came out through SMS. In informal style of speech, he had said to her “If you ever try to break up with me you will regret it.” Afterwards, he got up and got ready.

Victoria stared at his message for a long time, as clueless as a foreigner lost in translation. Luna and Krystal looked at their leader in concern at the breakfast table.

“Maybe he found out about something. Something to be jealous about.” Luna said.

“But I’m not hiding anything. I have nothing to hide from him.” Victoria replied in utter confusion.

“He sounded so scary though.” Krystal remarked.

“I know. It’s so unlike him.” Victoria agreed, feeling scared herself. What could have triggered this, she thought to herself. After minutes of pondering over his mysterious message, her confusion turned into annoyance, which then slowly turned into anger. How could he say that to her casually? Was she some kind of object that he owned? Who was he to threaten her like that? These questions were floating through her mind. She decided not to reply to the message, in fact, she decided not to talk to him for a while, not unless he explain why he was saying such things.

“You two should talk.” Luna suggested.

“No that’s not necessary.” Victoria said curtly.

F(x) was scheduled to visit the MBC building that day, where coincidentally, 2PM was also going to be doing a taping. As soon as the girls arrived, they were prompted to go up to the radio station., they were to do an interview. Victoria was feeling a bit blue that morning what with Khun’s morning greeting and all. While her members were in the lounge, sleeping and waiting for their turn, Victoria decided to get a cup of coffee from the vending machine downstairs. She pressed the elevator button and as it opened, none other than Khun appeared on the other side of the doors. It was like a magical moment from the movies. Victoria faltered a little, as she and Khun stared at each other eye to eye. It took her awhile to step inside, Khun had to pull her in.

“Aren’t you going out?” she sort of stuttered.

Khun shook his head and hit the close button. No one else was in the elevator.

“What floor?” he asked, rather gloomily.

“Uhm, second.” She replied quietly.

There was eerie silence for a few moments, neither of them blinking, neither of them looking at each other. Then, before both of them died from the awkwardness, Khun decided to break the tension.

“What’s the problem?” he blurted.

Victoria looked up at him, as if surprised.

“Problem?” she said.

“You seem bothered.”

“No, not really.”

“You’re lying.”

“You’re really quick at judging aren’t you?”

“What?”

That moment the elevator bell chimed and the doors slid open to the second floor. Just as Victoria was about to step out, Khun blocked her way and hit the close button. Not only that, he also pushed the emergency stop button, the flaming red one. Victoria froze a bit.

“Okay, are you mad at me?” Khun said, rather roughly. She has never seen this side of him.

“You’re one to talk, what with that text message you sent this morning.”

“You’re upset about that?”

“Of course! It was as if you were threatening me.”

Khun blinked that puppy dog eyes of his, as if he couldn’t comprehend the gravity of the situation.

“You..you—you were th-threatened?” he almost laughed.

Victoria just looked at him.

“That was my way of enforcing my boyfriend role with you. Like you’re mine, everything about you is mine. And you’re not aloud to break up with me.” He explained with great gusto.

Victoria held her hand up to his mouth, covering it.

“Ssshh don’t say that. There aren’t security cameras here right?” she said, looking up at the four corners of the elevator. There was none.

Khun pulled down her hand from his mouth and moved closer to her.

“Are you crazy right now, you pushed the emergency stop button.” She hissed, gently pushing his chest.

“It’s early in the morning, there aren’t people yet.” He said in a low voice. Khun pulled her face towards his and stole a kiss.

Victoria laughed nervously and backed away from his kiss immediately.

“You’re really crazy, seriously. I have to get off now.” She whispered, trying to reach for the open button.

The doors slid open immediately and to her luck, there were no people around. The second floor was merely a small lobby where there were vending machines and a bathroom. Khun got off with her and looked around for people, just a janitor from the other end of the hall.

“What are you doing right now?” she exclaimed at him.

He leaned in to her ear and whispered something very suggestive. All she could do was hold in her laughter and shock and hit him on his chest.

“What is wrong with you today? Your members and manager is here with you, crazy ert.” She said in bewilderment, her cheeks thoroughly pink from what he had just whispered.

“What?” he said defensively.

“I’m only here for my coffee then I’m going back up, we have a radio guesting in 30 minutes.” She said in a final tone as she went to the vending machine and put in a coin to claim her coffee.

As she was doing this with her back turned to Khun, he was behind her, putting his lips on her ear and stealing kisses on her neck. She would cringe from time to time.

As hot coffee poured from the tap and into the small cup, Khun said, “You know what we can do for 30 minutes?” he said in a silky voice and whispered in her ear once again. Victoria almost dropped her cup and lost herself.

She turned to face him and whispered “Those dirty suggestive words coming from an angelic idol’s lips. Tsk tsk.” She said playfully and headed towards the elevator. Khun merely smiled boyishly and followed her inside. As soon as the doors closed, he pulled her towards him and kissed her full on the lips. At first she struggled to break free, careful with her coffee but seconds into that kiss she surrendered and kissed back. That tingling feeling in her stomach whenever he kissed her was always magical and addictive—how could she say no to that. Then, just as the elevator chime sounded and right before the doors slid open, they both pulled apart from each other as far as possible. People were waiting to get in, so Victoria strutted out the elevator holding her coffee nonchalantly as if nothing happened. Khun pursed his lips as people came in, trying to off the traces of Victoria’s lipstick.

After F(x)’s guesting on MBC Radio Star, Khun had texted Victoria that he and s were in the dressing rooms for Music Core. He told her to come by if she didn’t have any schedule to go to. Luckily for him, she had none, and so she had a few time to spare to visit him. She asked for her manager’s permission, and thinking it was for WGM, her manager agreed. As she walked through the hallsm she passed by many colleagues, and she bowed and greeted to every single one of them like she always does. She bumped into Super Junior member Heechul.

“Oh hi.” He said with a cheerful voice.

“Hi oppa.”

“I saw your husband just now. Waiting for you.”

“Yeah I’m on my way now.”

“He asked me for something. If you know what I mean.” He grinned boyishly, raising his eyebrows up and down as if he knows a secret.

She gave him a puzzled look as he walked away with a swagger. As confused as she was, she went on her way and knocked on the door that says 2PM. Khun opened the door immediately and let her in, locking it as soon as he closed it. The room was empty.

“Where are the members?” she asked as she sat on the couch.

“Went out to buy food.” He replied, sitting next to her.

He looked beat and tired, he must have done rehearsals, she thought.

“Were you looking for Chansung by any chance?” he asked menacingly, as he rubbed the back of his neck.

“Aish, of course not.” She said exasperatedly.

“Massage me.” He said and put his head on her lap.

She then gave his shoulders a light massage.

“Heechul oppa approached me and told me you asked for something from him.” She said as she rubbed his back.

Khun sat up and dug through his pocket. He carefully pulled out two small square plastic packs and placed it on his palm, showing her.

“Ah.” Victoria nodded, and he hid it back immediately.

“I thought we were going to keep this a secret.” She said.

Not that Heechul was some stranger. She trusted him as her senior but this thing between her and Khun was very private and delicate, it’s dangerous to let anyone know, even close friends.

“I didn’t tell him anything about us. I just asked for it. I don’t want to go to a convenience store and buy it myself you know.” He said.

He had a point, she admitted.

“How long are you free today?” he asked.

“I have…five hours at least. I have a meeting with our boss later tonight.” She said, looking at her watch.

The corner of Khun’s lips curled into what could only be a smile.

“Well, I’m done for the day. You want to visit our dorm?” he asked rather brightly, all tiredness forgotten.

“Eh?” was all she managed to say and before the knew it, Khun was driving her to their dorm using his manager’s car while she sat n the passenger seat, hoodie and sunglasses on.

Khun put his arm protectively around her as they walked quickly from the car to their building. Alas, they arrived at 2PM’s scared dorm. No one was home, so it wasn’t its usual rowdy self. Khun showed her the living room where Chansung and Wooyoung slept. The place was small, only had three rooms. Khun had a room all to himself. He showed her gifts from fans. Banners, cards, dolls and even expensive ones like ipod, laptop, headphones and Nintendos. Everything was all in place although he had a lot of stuff in his room.

“This is cute!” she laughed, pointing at his Winnie the Pooh pillow which fans gave him. Khun laid down on his small bed and beckoned her to join him. Since it was small, they had to snuggle closer to fit.

“So how many girls had slept here?” she asked, smiling wyly.

“Girls aren’t allowed to come here.”

“What about me?”

“You’re an exception of course. Even my members are asking why I don’t let you come here.”

Victoria smiled prettily and took the initiative of kissing him on the cheek.

“Too bad we can’t be like this on WGM.” She said.

“When we’re really married for real, we can.” He laughed.

“Idols can’t get married right away though.” She remarked.

He kissed her forehead and put his arm around her as if she was his stuffed toy.

“If I could, I’d give up my idol status to marry you.” He whispered.

That was the cue for them to start doing what they were supposed to do. Although his bed was small and squeaky, they still made good use of it. Khun tore the first pack of that Heechul gave him, and contrary to popular belief that using it could reduce sensation, he had to cover Victoria’s mouth as he had with her in his dorm for the first time. He didn’t want the nextdoor neighbors to hear his girlfriend’s moan. It’s up to your imagination as to what the details were in this scene.

After much cuddling, they both got dressed and ready to leave. When Khun opened the door, Taec was standing in front of them with his arms crossed, and behind him were the rest of the members on the couch in the living room with big smiles on their faces. Victoria involuntarily cowered behind Khun in embarrassment and shock.

Khun stuttered for a moment as he was trying to speak, he was incoherent due to the situation.

“Annyeong haseyo noona!” the 2PM members chorused brightly.

Victoria gave a slight and shy bow, trying to hide her face.

“What, you look like you’ve done something very wrong.” Taec laughed as he lightly slapped Khun’s arm. He motioned the couple to join the others in the living room.

“I thought you guys had gone somewhere!” Khun exclaimed, his ears the color of tomatoes. Victoria remained hidden behind him, clutching his shirt.

“Yeah but we decided to head back here to rest.” Wooyoung replied, munching on Peppero.

“It’s alright noona, we don’t bite.” Junho grinned at Victoria. Junsu and Wooyoung stood up and offered their seat to her.

Khun told her to sit down. At this point he had calmed down.

“Where’s MInjae hyung?” Khun asked them.

“Who knows. Looking for us, I bet.” Taec said amusedly, as if it happens all the time.

“Noona would you like something to drink?” Chansung asked as he opened the fridge.

“No thanks.” She replied with a little bit of aegyo.

“Noona we’re apologizing for Khun hyung’s stash.”

“Noona I wanted to see that leg kick in NU ABO!”

“Yeah, I always wanted to see it up close! Show us!”

“Show us! Show us!”

At this point all members, except Khun were in chorus, and here within Chnasung got himself a banana and sat beside Victoria, who was covering , restraining her laughter.

“Ya!” Khun yelled at his rowdy members.

“Aish we were talking to Victoria noona, not you.” Wooyoung said, making a face.

“Actually we always wanted Khun hyung to bring noona here. We never get female visitors.” Taec implied, as the other members nodded.

“I always nagged Khun hyung for a long time too. When will noona cook for us and such.” Junsu butted in.

“Ah really? I can come by if I have spare time and cook you guys anything you want.” She said meekly.

The 2PM members got up, exclaiming and clapping with a little bit of exultation.

“Ya, Khun hyung really married well. Daebak.” Taec said. All the while, Victoria just smiled and giggled.

“No, she’s busy, she won’t cook for you.” Khun said, trying to keep her all to himself. Wooyoung and Junho then got up and tried to push him back to his room, to which everyone laughed at.

“Go back to your room, back, back!” they said alternately.

Victoria was enjoying this too much, mingling with the top male idols of Korea casually in the comfort of their home. She felt like she just became a part of their family.

Khun sat next to her in the couch as they laughed at watched 2PM members being goofy and rowdy, it was like watching a gag show. When it was time for Victoria to leave, Khun’s mood fell down.

“I texted my manager to pick me up here. He’s waiting now.” She told him.

“You told him you’re here? Won’t he be mad?”

“No, he’ll be mad if I don’t tell him the truth.”

She then had to say goodbye to her brothers-in-law, and it took longer than it expected what with Wooyoung’s side comments.

Khun accompanied her to the elevator.

“I had fun with your members.” She smiled, her cheeks pink in joy.

“Come by again soon.”

“Okay. Bye.”

Khun sadly pushed the down button. The elevator doors quickly opened and she got in.

“Kiss me.” He said flatly, evidently gloomy.

She gave him a quick kiss on the lips before the doors closed, separating them. Khun let out a heavy sigh and dragged himself back to his dorm. As he opened the door with his head hung low, s awaited him.

“Aigoooo.” The boys said in unison, mocking his sadness.

Taec and Chansung approached him and pat his back and rub his head.

“Aaaww his girlfriend went home.” Junsu crooned sheepishly.

“Be quiet.” Khun said innocently like a bullied kid.

“You guys should have informed me that you’ll be going home.” Khun told them in a fatherly tone.

“How would we know. You should’ve told us not to come by if you two were just going to be all lovey-dovey here.” Taec remarked.

“But hyung you look really in love though. What about Yoona? Didn’t she show signs of interest just recently?” Wooyoung said in a serious tone now.

“Yeah I heard that since you’ve always said publicly that you liked her, she’s showing signs towards you.” Chansung agreed.

“She texted me a few nights ago.” Khun said with no expression on his face.

“You really like Yoona though right? I mean, I like her too but whatever.” Taec shrugged.

“I do, I mean she’s really pretty and nice.” Khun said as-a-matter-of-factly.

“And you’ve been ing about being close to her right from the start.” Junsu pointed out.

“True. But what wrong timing though. I already have Victoria.” Khun sighed.

“Oh. So you really like her huh.” Junho said.

“Wow I don’t think anyone is brave enough to replace Yoona with someone else.” Taec laughed. The members nodded in agreement.

“Just awhile ago in our interview with Entertainment Weekly you said ‘no comment’ when you were asked to choose between Yoona and Victoria noona!” Chansung exulted as if he hit the jackpot. The members again chorused in letting out an aggrieved tone.

“No, that was, that was to avoid anti comments.” Khun defended.

“Oh but you didn’t say ‘no comment’ when he asked you to choose between Yoona and Park Bom, you answered Yoona right away.” Taec said, enjoying this too much. Everyone enjoyed confusing Khun.

“Wow I’ll make sure Victoria noona watches that interview when it airs.” Wooyoung said rather teasingly.

“Hyung if you don’t want Yoona I’ll go out with her.” Chansung said jokingly.

“Ah it’s getting hot everyone’s being nosy.” Khun groaned as he stood up and slipped off his shirt.

“Hyung yo got scratches on your back.” Junho pointed out, aghast.

Khun touched his back and felt a little bit of sting. Ah, he remembered.

Taec hid a smile and got up to whisper something to Khun.

“Ya, if she’s going to enjoy it too much, tell her to cut her nails.” Taec said with a sneer, making Khun hold back a laugh.

“These are marks of honor. I’m proud of these.” Khun bragged a little, making Taec shake his head.

That night, Khun waited for her to call like always. She would always call him before she goes to sleep, or sometimes he would call her when he feels like bothering her. Then, just on time, his phone rang.

“Hi.” He said in English.

“Hi.” She said, rather sullen-sounding.

“What are you doing?”

“Nothing, I just got back from the practice room, I was with SNSD friends.”

“My members really liked you.”

“Ah really? I like them too.” She paused for a while. “Yoona approached me a while ago. She asked if you still used the same number. She said that you don’t respond to her texts so she’s wondering if it has anything to do with our fake marriage or if you changed your number.”

Khun gulped.

“She said that?” he asked, his voice faltering.

“Mm-hmm. Of course she said it jokingly since I’m older than her but she was being serious. She was asking me a lot about you lately but awhile ago she was sort of curious about you and me, asking stuff like ‘you two aren’t going out right?’ and sharing stories about how you liked teasing her before and such. You know Yoona is a really pretty girl and she seems inclined towards you.”

She said this all in one breath and it scared Khun out of his mind. Her tone of voice gave him cold sweat.

“We’re just friends.” Was all he managed to say.

“So of course I said no we aren’t dating, and denied everything she teased about me and you. So when I did she started sharing how you two liked to text each other before and how you had a mutual understanding of some sort. It looks to me that she’s interested in you. Very clearly.”

“Calm down, I haven’t even spoken to her.”

“I know. I’m just saying. Nichkhun, when a girl like Yoona shows interest in a guy like you, I know what will happen.”

“Me and Yoona would never happen. I mean, she’s so popular and she has too many male fans who would kill me in a fit of jealousy. You and I on the other hand—“

“So I’m not popular enough and I don’t have enough male fans to be protective of me right?”

“No I didn’t say that!”

“No it’s alright. Of course you’d prefer to be with a safe girl like me, who isn’t Korean males’ number one ideal girl.”

If this was how she got jealous, Khun would probably ban himself from interacting at all with all female species.

“You’re being scary right now.” He said quietly.

“I’m sorry, I just had a rough time when our boss talked to us, his weekly critique was comparing me with everyone else. How I should lose weight because I look heavy next to Krystal and oh, at that time I was beside Yoona and the rest of SNSD so yeah I am SM’s resident fat girl. After that my manager and I had a disagreement again. So it’s entirely my fault for being like this, and it’s unfair to take it out on you.”

It saddened Khun to hear her being like this. He wanted to be that someone who would comfort her and ease he worries. He had never experienced a girlfriend ranting to him.

“I wish there was something I could do to make you feel better.” He said.

“There’s none. Yoona asked permission from me if she could talk with you. I told her she doesn’t need my permission. She’ll probably call you tonight.”

“Why would you do that?”

He felt like he should be guilty. If she were in front of him he felt like he was about to be stabbed by the way she was talking to him.

“Why wouldn’t I? She’s nice and pretty. Anyway, I have to hang up, I’m tired. Wait for her call.” She said in a final tone.

“Hey why are you talking like this?”

“I’m just really tired and not in the mood.”

“Why do you keep throwing Yoona at me? You’ll just give me away like that?”

“To be honest I really don’t care. If Yoona likes you it’s fine with me. She’s a friend of mine who am I to be mad at her.”

Her nonchalant and indifferent answer angered Khun. At first he thought she was being overly jealous but as she said that last line, he felt his anger rising up.

“You don’t care?” he mimicked.

“Yeah. I’m fed up today. Sleep well. Goodnight.” She said, and hung up.

Khun stared at his phone, thoroughly appalled. He felt his face warm up as his frustration got the best of him. He pounded on the screen of his iPhone roughly and held it to his ear. He let it ring on the other end.

“Yoona-ssi.” He greeted warmly.