✎ Issue 2: Question
Scandalicious✎ Lee Taemin ✎
I glance at my phone to make sure that I'm not late. My lips form into a curve when I see the notification of a new text message from one name.
"Areumdaun"
"I'm going to pick you here later then," my manager repeats from behind the steering wheel. "Two hours and we're going straight for the interview."
"Call us if you need anything," Onew, the oldest member and the responsible leader, reminds me with concern. "Don't make yourself too tired, okay?"
I chuckle and nod, "I know, I know. Don't worry. I just want to read some books like what I always do. I'll call if I finish before the time. See you guys later."
The car drives away, leaving me stand alone in front of a small public library. I turn around, pretending to enter the library but, after making sure that the car is nowhere to be seen, I change my direction immediately.
My pace fastens since I know my time is limited somehow. I make sure that my disguise equipment hides my face before I enter the apartment building which has became my third home after my real one and the current apartment with my groupmates.
It's been six months since the first time I came to this place and I never get bored to visit her apartment. Maybe it's because my frequency to meet her keeps decreasing lately due to my schedule.
I guess I just can't stop missing her despite the fact that we're a couple.
Once I arrive in front of her apartment door, I take out the spare key and open it. I take off my shoes and step inside to find her in the main room with laptop on her lap.
"Surprise!" I exclaim with excitement to have her attention. She quickly closes her laptop and turns to me with shock on her face. "Ah, are you working?
She shakes her head quickly and I find it really cute. I grin ear to ear and sit next to her, "Then what are you doing?"
"Nothing," she pouts and puts the laptop on the table. "Want to have something to drink?"
"Sure," I smile and then lean closer to her until my lips are only centimetres away from her ears. "As long as you're here with me."
"Y-Y-Yah!" she stammers, standing up as quick as possible. Her cheeks are blushing and I can't help but to feel amused. "I-I'm going to get something in the kitchen then..."
She rushes to the kitchen and my gaze lands on the laptop. I wonder what she is doing just now. I reach out my hand to take the laptop but I stop all of a sudden, knowing that she will not be happy if I do that.
It feels that it's wrong for me to take a peek of her work even though she is my girlfriend.
I decide to look around the room to find something interesting. There is nothing changed though and the sad feeling I always have stays the same whenever I realize that there is no trace of me here.
Sometimes I wonder if I will ever find a picture of us at her apartment. I really hope that I can visit her as much as I want without worrying how to hide myself.
Does she feel the same with me?
"Here you go," she returns with a glass of chocolate milk in her hand. I take it from her and she sits back on her seat, "Aren't you tired?"
"A little," I take a sip of the milk before I put the glass on table, "but I feel nothing now that I'm looking at you."
She flinches a little when I intertwine our fingers together. I smile with satisfaction since I know she is blushing because of me. It makes me feel special for a reason.
"Sweet talker," she mumbles and puffs her cheeks. I finally laugh and let her pinch my cheeks, "I'm still older than you, Lee Taemin."
"But I'm still your one and only boyfriend," I take her hands with mine and give her a quick peck on her nose. "Am I right?"
She smiles sweetly and says, "You're the busiest boyfriend a girl can ever have."
My smile disappears when I hear her statement. I know she doesn't mean to make me sad but my heart sinks upon her words.
Looks like she notices it because she cups my cheeks and states, "No one is lucky enough to have you as a boyfriend except me."
Her words definitely make me feel so much better. She always knows how to make me smile again. She always knows how to make me fall in love more and more with her.
"I'm the lucky one," I hug her and bury my face on her hair, inhaling her scent as I close my eyes. "I never even dreamt to have you in my dream, Hayeon."
She cuddles and lets me hug her for seconds before I break the hug and look at her with playful smile, "I'm a lucky dongsaeng, right, Noona?"
"Aigoo, you're really a tease," Hayeon pinches my nose lightly and chuckles. "Anyway, can I ask you a question?"
"Anything," I answer and put my left arm around her. "What is it?"
"I'm just wondering if there is a secret your group hides. Maybe your leader... Onew, right?" she tilts her head cutely.
"A secret about Onew Hyung?" I raise my eyebrow with curiosity. "I don't think he has one that can get your interest. Why, Noona?"
Hayeon nods randomly and mumbles, "Aniyo. Just asking."
I study her expression and lean closer to plant a kiss on her forehead, "Jagiya, it's been a while since the last time we met and you're asking me about another guy?"
"Blame me for being a journalist then," she replies, sticking out her tongue. "I can't help but to think about an article of the most famous idol group like SHINee."
"I know, I know," I ruffle her hair and rest my forehead on hers. "If you didn't put yourself into Jonghyun Hyung's relationship before, I don't think I would be with you now."
Hayeon smiles softly and puts her hands on my chest and I'm pretty sure that she can feel my rapid heartbeat, "It's difficult, isn't it, Taemin?"
I let the silence fills the room before she continues, "If you're tired, you know that I-"
"Don't," I stop her by placing my index finger on her lips. I know where this conversation is heading to. "How many times have I told you, Hayeon? It's not difficult at all as long as you let me love you."
This is not the first time she brings out this topic. I know she is not trying to end our relationship. She is just worrying about me and I take it that she cares a lot about me.
In fact I'm the one who supposes to say those words to her. It must be very difficult for her to hold on with this kind of relationship.
How does it feel to have a lover who you can't meet everytime you want to? Isn't it lonely for her because we can't talk each other whenever we want to? Isn't it irritating that we can't be like ordinary couples out there?
Being an idol, I know that I don't want to let Hayeon to live under pressure of being my girlfriend. Not to mention that she loves to live in peace, the same reason why she decided to work under a pen name instead of revealing her real name as a journalist.
Though I feel happy that we can pass the last six months together, I must admit that I'm afraid to imagine, to think that one day Hayeon will be tired with the secretive relationship.
"We have our own secrets to hide from the world," Hayeon catches my finger with her left hand. She smiles to me, "Let's hide them together, shall we?"
I embrace her hand and smile back at her, "If it means that I will never lose you, I'll hide them until the end of time."
"Now," I lift her chin with my other hand, brushing her lips slightly with my thumb, "I have a question to you as well, Jagiya."
"Hmm?" she blinks in confusion, tilting her head aside. "What is it?"
"Will you go on a date with me next week, after I return from New York?" I ask her without bothering to draw distance between us.
Hayeon smiles wider once she heard my question. She teases me playfully, "What if I say 'no'?"
"Then I guess...," I whisper vididly to her, "...I just need to make you say 'yes'."
I kiss her lips gently, loving the feeling of having her in my embrace, wishing that the time will stop for us.
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Glossary #2
- Arumdaeun (아름다운) : beautiful.
- Aigoo (아이구) : an expression. Used by a person who is surprised or fascinated by something.
- Hyung (형) : a male's older brother. Only used by a male to call an older male.
- Aniyo (아니요) : no. Sometimes shortened as 'Ani' (아니).
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