Woobin knocked on the door

“Come in” came the serious tone of mr lee from the other side of the door. Woobin gulped and went inside

“You called for me sir” he said after bowing

Mr Lee was engrossed in looking at his computer screen “Are you keeping tab on Hyunjoong?” he asked not taking his eyes off the screen

Woobin heart fluttered. He wasn’t…afterall why would he? The SS501 members were segregated, his drama was closing down—everything was how his boss wanted. But now if he said so he would surely die...

“Yes sir” he lied thinking Mr. Lee was just checking.

“What’s the latest news then?” Mr.Lee inquired casually

“No-nothing sir…no movements”

“Hmm….” Mr Lee turned in his seat,taking his eyes off the computer screen for the first time since Woobin came into his cabin. “Tell me something…” he backed in his seat and laid his head on the headrest “how old is DSP?” he asked losing his eyes

Woobin was abit taken aback by his question. The question was very peculiar but then again Mr.Lee was weird. Woobin instantly regretted of not being updated about his employing company. “ten years?” he made a rough estimation

“Incorrect!” He rose up in a jolt, he eyed Woobin like a hungry tiger looks at its prey “Twenty-one…it’s been twenty one years since I have been running this company and you think you can lie to me!” he yelled. He took out a bunch of photographs from his drawer and threw them at Woobin. The photos hit Woobin’s face and landed on the table or the floor beneath it. Woobin bent down to look at the photos closely and immediately identified Hyunjoong in it.

“He went to New York to meet his family” Mr Lee snarled

Okay so the guy went to meet his family….so what? Woobin didn’t understand why his boss was throwing a fit because of that. “I’m so-sorry sir…but is there a problem if he does so?” he asked timidly

“No..ofcoursenot.” My Lee said, a fake smile forming on his face.Woobin gulped nervously. He has asked the wrong question. Mr lee sprang up from his chair and picked another photo from the table and ed it into Woobin’s hand “This is” he said,looking at him with disgust. “Recognize her?” he asked

Woobin breathing nervously looked at the girl in the picture who was walking hand in hand with Hyunjoong “It’s-it’s the AD” he identified

“Wow! Atleast you know something!” the DSP chairman got hold of Woobin’s collar “I don’t pay you to spend your days chewing donuts here!” he left his collar forcefully making Woobin lose his balance momentarily

This was indeed big—there was definitely some strong relation between the two; Woobin devised that much but what he didn’t understand waqs Mr. Lee’s hyper reaction to this. Fine he didn’t report Hyunjoong to be out with the AD but why should he? Their motive is never to let SS501 get back together again, not letting Hyunjoong or any of the other members have a love life!

“Sir I am sorry I didn’t know about this…but still…how does it matter? Hyunjoong can have a girlfriend cant he?” Woobin asked,gathering all his courage

“Hyunjoong is not an easy fish, Woobin…he’s a stubborn kid! Once he sets his mind onto something he’ll get it no matter what!” Lee said thoughtfully

“So what do you want me to do sir?”

“The premiere’s coming up. I bet Hyunjoong is planning something…and we HAVE to stop it!” Me Lee threw a fist on the table. “This girl….” He took up a picture of Hyunjoong and Somin walking hand in hand “is gonna be our Trump Card”

---------

The day of the finale premiere was getting close. Dong Sun managed to book the Saitama Auditorium for the showcase. It was the biggest showcase in the history of broadcasting. Everything was grand and the workload was excessive. Everyone, ever associated with the project was busy and Jihoo and Somin weren’t exempted as well. But surprisingly they hardly encountered each other. When Somin handled paperwork he was onsite and vice-versa. The credit for it went totally to Dong Sun and Jessica who knew about their complicated situation and made them stay away from each other. Somin didn’t like the arrangement and tried to speak to Jihoo. But a few times when she got the opportunity words betrayed her and she ended up staring at him sadly. As for Jihoo, there was an eerie kinda aura around him—silent and creepy. He didn’t talk much,infact during leisure times he was so quiet his co-workers remarked they couldn’t even realize he is in the same room. But since he did his work diligently none could say anything. Hyunjoong was working both ways—on one hand he was preparing for the finale premiere and on the other he was working on their album. He knew Somin was very sad about the Jihoo situation and could relate to it since he had gone through the same guilt feeling with Haera. Luckily for him, Haera met her soulmate Junjin and so his burden was off. He wished Jihoo would find someone too but things didn’t look that bright.

Youngsaeng was busy with the album work. Since Hyunjoong had to manage both ends it was mostly him and Hyungjun who were working. Hyungjun was a great partner—he always welcomed ideas and was a great lyricist. He was great except for his occasional whining. It was one such evening when hyungjun started whining about a treat.

“Hyung treat me! Treat me!” Hyungjun nagged

“oh c’mon I just ate out 2 days back! Let’s just make some ramen”

“Ani ani we ate ramen yesterday…” maknae cried “plus Hyunjoong hyung is best at ramen! But he’s not here and you simply at cooking”

“I ?” Youngsaeng glared at him and started hitting him

“OW!OW! OW!” Hyungjun cried

“Fine you’re on your own…I wont cook and there’s no way I’m treating you!” Youngsaeng sat down in his chair and went back to work

Hyungjun pouted and took out his ringing phone. “HWANGBO NOONA!” he cried

Hyungjun’s sudden cry made Youngsaeng turn to him. Hyungjun noticed Youngsaeng turn and put the phone on speaker,smirking

“Hyungjun-ah…how are you doing?” Hwangbo’s voice echoed in the quiet house. Her voice felt like soothing melody to youngsaeng’s ears and a slight serene smile formed on his face

“not good noona” Hyungjun pouted,eyeing youngsaeng from the corner of his eye

“Wae?” Hwangbo asked

“Youngsaeng hyung hit me when I asked him to treat me” Hyungjun complained

“YAH!” Youngsaeng glared “Why are you—…I didn’t hit him!” he panicked

“He did and he’s doing it again as we speak!” Hyungjun cried as youngsaeng got up to hit him again. youngsaeng sat down quickly denying Hyungjun’s accusation

“Don’t worry Hyungjun-ah I’ll take you out for a treat…is that okay?” Hwangbo said cheerfully

“YAY!” Hyungjun rejoiced “we are not taking hyung right noona…it’s just us ne?” he said sticking out his tongue to Youngsaeng

“Yah! Hyungjun-ah!” Youngsaeng called out sternly

“No no we’ll take him…what will he eat otherwise? And could you eat happily knowing your hyung is straving?” Hwangbo explained

“Kure…hyung you can join us” Hyungjun shrugged his shoulders

“I am so honoured!” Youngsaeng mocked

“See you two in half an hour. Bye” Hwangbo hung up

Youngsaeng’s heart fluttered at the prospect of meeting her--it’s been days since he last saw her.