Chapter 3

            Hayeon rose from the warm pool of natural water, her eyes gleaming with playful revenge. In one swift motion, she stole over the wooden bucket from the shivering hold of a laughing Jongup. When he finally regains his posture, her weapon was already ready. “What? When did you-“ His words were cut short as the impact of the spring water left him flabbergasted. Jongup spit out a mouthful of the spring water that managed to enter his half-agape mouth and watched as Hayeon burst into a course of laughter, throwing the bucket in the middle of the mineral spring pool. “You sly donkey…” He muttered, still unable to get rid of the weird taste of the spring water that hung on his tongue. He leaped into the greenish-blue waters, beckoning her to follow while biting on his lower lip suggestively. As Hayeon descend the concrete steps, he retreated further, his hands behind his back. Jongup kept his eyes on her, just as his hands behind his back searched frantically for the floating, hollow wood.

            “You’re going down, Moon Jongup.” Hayeon sneered.

            “Nope, you’re going down.” Jongup laughed as he heaved the pail of water over his head, which he proceeded to pour over Hayeon’s lean, shocked build. “You-“ Renewed fury ignited in those hazel coloured eyes, replacing the mischief that was once there. Jongup instinctively recoiled, retreating till his back touched the cool, wet surface of the concrete wall that put an end to the warm pool of spring water.

            “Let’s see who’s going down now.” That signature smirk of Hayeon danced through her features before she tried violently to get the bucket from Jongup’s grip. “GIVE IT TO ME!” She screamed, trying with all her might to pull his fingers from the handle of the bucket. When Hayeon finally managed to get it away from him, or rather, when Jongup released his grasp on the chilly metal handle, the wooden edge decided to play a role in their fight.

            It punched Jongup on the forehead.

            “Ugh,” Jongup groaned, his hand flew to his bare forehead, coming into contact with the crimson red liquid that was flowing from a slight gash.

                                                            ***

            “Why am I even friends with her,” Ryu Jaeyeon questioned herself. She was sweating from all the rushing about, but she was still freezing inside. It was, afterall, mid-winter.

            She slammed the polished pale yellow door of her convertible, pulling her Samsung Galaxy for one last dial. “Hello?” A drunken sounding guy picked up the phone, groaning like he just woke up. Shocked, Jaeyeon ended the call immediately. Maybe I dialled the wrong number, Jaeyeon thought, blaming herself for her supposedly carelessness. She called Jongup’s number again, making sure every digit was exact and accurate. “Hey,” Hayeon’s voice rang clear. “YOU STUPID . WHERE ARE YOU?! WHY DIDN’T YOU PICK UP MY CALLS?” Jaeyeon dived straight to screaming in the phone, hoping that Hayeon would be deafened by the scolding.

            “Hey, erm, I was kidnapped, remember?” Hayeon faked a laugh.

            “Don’t give me this crap, Nam Hayeon. When I find you, I’ll-“

            “Wait,” Hayeon interrupted Jaeyeon’s threat, moving further away from the phone and converse with someone else. All Jaeyeon could hear was some mumbles from a deep voice, and Hayeon’s ‘Okay, thank you.’

            “Sorry, Jaeyeon. What were you about to say?” She sounded so distracted that Jaeyeon couldn’t help but ask, “What is happening over there?”

            “…we…we are at the hospital.”

            “WHAT?! WHAT HAPPENED? Did you get injured?” Jaeyeon unknowingly raised her voice by an octave, earning stares from passing strangers.  

            “Hey, I’m going deaf here,” Hayeon sighed. “I’ve injured someone…”

            “Is he okay?” Jaeyeon asked in politeness.

            “Yeah, of course. Just a scratch.” A series of protests erupted from the background and out of the blue, Hayeon asked, “How did you get Jongup’s number?...”

            “I’m a professional stalker.”

            “Really.”

            “Anyway, do you have time tomorrow? Wanna join me and Zelo for a trip to Lotte World?” Excitement bubbled in Jaeyeon, as she thought of the fun times she could have with Hayeon at the famous amusement park since Hayeon was always busy.

            “I can’t.” Hayeon’s voice reeked of guilt and envy. “I’ve got to finish the report on my latest design…”

            Jaeyeon sighed. “It’s okay. Next time, then.”

                                                            ***

            “Who was that?” Jongup sounded lightly annoyed at Hayeon hogging up his phone.

            “My friend.”

            He appeared shocked at that reply. “Why does she have my number?”

            “She’s a professional stalker,” Hayeon repeated Jaeyeon’s words. “Can we go yet?”

            “Yeah, sure. We can.” He glared at her. “You were the one who landed us here,” He muttered under his breath.

            “What?” Hayeon demanded.

            “It’s already dark,” Jongup attempted to change the topic. “You want to go for dinner?”

            “With you?” Hayeon made a face at him as they strolled towards his illegally parked car.

            “Duh,” he rolled his eyes. “What you want me to do, then? Drive you there and hide in the toilet?”

            “Yes.” She replied harshly, her tone serious.

            “Forget it, I’m sending you home. You-“

            “I want to eat BBQ meat. Your treat.” Hayeon strutted to the passenger seat and tugged at the door.

            “What? You injured me and now I have to treat you to dinner? Where’s the logic in that?”

            “Unlock the door and drive me there now or I will pull your door handle out.” She threatened, pointing at the polished handle.          

            Jongup grunted. We aren’t even married yet and she’s ordering me around. My fate is sealed, he thought, unlocking the door for her. “Korean BBQ meat. Now.”

            In a matter of minutes, and a speeding white car diving past red lights, Hayeon grinned stupidly at the sign of her favourite BBQ restaurant. “Do you want to go in, or do you want to freeze outside here? I’d rather go in, if I were you.” Jongup pushed the door opened, and was about to head in when Hayeon shoved him aside, and went ahead. “Hello, miss. Table for two?” The waitress smiled at the both of them, ready to lead them to their seats.

            “Nope, table for one.”

            “Oh, I’m sorry. I thought you were a couple.” The waitress blushed, dropping one menu back into the shelf.

            “We are together.” Jongup protested.

            The waitress was confused. Her eyes searched Hayeon’s for an answer. “Oh, he’s just here to pay. He’s going hide in the toilet till I eat finish.” She smiled. The waitress laughed awkwardly as she picked up another menu for Jongup. “Just ignore her.” Jongup pushed the waitress’ arm gently, nudging her to lead them to the table.

            Jongup sighed, retreating to his phone as he ordered his dinner. He was pretty sure that even before they reach the age of 25, his money would be drained. “Erm, this wagyu beef set… And a plate of ebi… And-“

            He was only 24. And his money is going to be wasted on her just because she’s such a glutton. Worse thing is, she doesn’t get fat. If she doesn’t get fat from eating a lion’s share, what can stop her?

            “Hey! No pork on my side of the grill.” Hayeon glared at him.

            “There’s no your side or my side of the grill.”

            “There is. I will flip all your ingredients if you touch my side of the grill.”

            As if your food won’t cost me a fortune already, Jongup thought, realising that it is probably better to leave her alone.

            “So what are you going to do tomorrow?” He asked casually, checking his phone for a message from his buddy.

            “None of your business.” Hayeon’s mouth was stuffed with food, but yet, she chose to reply him, acting as threatening as she could.

            “of course it isn’t.” He smirked, with a voice that sounded mysterious enough to alarm Hayeon of the possible danger she would be in. ”WHAT. ARE YOU GOING TO KIDNAP ME AGAIN?” Hayeon screamed. The other patrons in the restaurant threw them annoyed, amused and shocked glances causing Jongup to feel much embarrassment. “You are the embarrassment of my life!” Jongup hissed over the table to the frozen Hayeon. “As long as I can get away from you, I don’t mind.” Hayeon smirked.

            “The thing is, you can never get away from me.” Jongup sighed, slumping back in his chair. “No matter how much you and I want it.”

Author's Note: Hey guise! I am baaaaaacccckkk! 8D i dont know if you'll like this update; i think it is pretty crappy, though... Sorry for the late updates... I can't do it at home, so i can only do it in school (maximum 1 hour) each day... I've sacrificed my recess and lunch break for this, so please drop me a comment? n___n please? i'll give you a hug!   \(n___n\)

EDIT// i changed jongup's age, haha. because i thought it was a little too old, right? :/