talk to my face.

“Dude, didn’t we tell you to invite us to the wedding?” Wonho frowned. “How selfish can you be running away and eloping during our break like that. I can’t believe we had to hear it from the press after you told us you guys weren’t involved. We’re a team, we want to celebrate with you too.”

“For the last time, there was no wedding or eloping,” Hoya gritted as he slipped into his cleats. He was seated on the field, getting equipped when at least half of his team, including his coach, decided to surround him. He wasn’t expecting anyone else to be at the stadium but him. However, his team was like him. Sport addicts. “You guys, I’m serious. There is nothing—er romantic going on with me and—Miyoon-sshi. How many times do I have to tell you that all you’re hearing are just rumors.” He explained tiredly.

“Oh, he’s using the honorifics card. Trying to throw us off, Howon-ah? We already knew you and her were a thing when she showed up with your family. I mean what girl just comes with a man’s kin like that? The girlfriend type I tell you.” Coach Sang chimed in with a sly grin. “It’s good you’ve found yourself a companion so then my Kyungmi can get over you.”

“Aish,” Hoya groaned shielding his face behind his hand. He shook his head and exhaled deeply. “I don’t want to have to keep explaining this to everyone. I came because I thought nobody would be here so I could finally have some peace and quiet. Why couldn’t you all be unproductive and lazy and stay home. We have four break days left.” He huffed.

“Aw, great minds think alike. That’s why!” another player shouted.

“Since most of us are here, why don’t we have a little scrimmage. And to make it more interesting, if Howon’s team loses he will have to introduce us to his missus.” Coach Sang declared cheekily. The men immediately cheered in agreement but Hoya was not willing to accept such a deal.

“No way, coach! I told you already.” He exclaimed, standing up. “She and I are not dating! We don’t even like each other!” he pointed out making an X with his arms.

The team stared blankly at Hoya before bursting out into wild laughter. “Sureeeeee you don’t. It’s because you love each other, right? Ahaha, too bad Maru isn’t here, he would be having a blast. Why don’t we just play and let fate decide what happens.” Wonho chuckled.

“You are all the worst.” Hoya grumbled. “But fine. If my team wins, there will be no more talking about me and all the dating rumors going around. Got it?” he compromised, putting much stress on the dating rumors part. Sometimes he felt like his words just went through one ear and came out the other since none of them were really listening to him.

Suddenly, they all huddled together and after a few minutes of conversing, they chose to take him up on his offer. “You got yourself a deal, super star.” Coach Sang proclaimed. “I will be the ref and Hoya and Wonho can be the captains. So go ahead and select your players.”

It had been three days since the “couple’s” return and being taken by surprise, Miyoon and Hoya were not expecting anything they had experienced since their arrival. When the paparazzi had these two in their sights, they were never going to let them out of their clutches unless they got what they needed—what they wanted to publish a story that would be worth a fortune. It started first at a gas station where Miyoon nagged Hoya to refill her tank for her and how famished she was feeling because they hadn’t eaten eat as well.

The duo had just entered the city and conveniently enough, the store owner recognized Hoya due to the fact that he was a huge fan. Then he spotted Miyoon coming inside and he was able to put the pieces together. He stared at one of the magazines on sale and compared the photos to her. When he confirmed she was the same person, he started feeling giddy. Without a care for the privacy of others, he figured he could make some quick money if he were to tip off the press.

With nothing but selfish desires lingering in his heart, he called the top magazine editors and in less than five minutes, his business was flooded by vans full of reporters, photographers and nosy folks who obviously had nothing better to do.

With the cameras everywhere, Hoya knew something wasn’t right. Miyoon had gone in to purchase some snacks so when she came back out, she was blinded with the flashes not bearing even the slightest clue to what it was that she had walked out into. She didn’t pay attention to the magazines, causing her to still be unaware of the current predicament they were facing.

Miyoon had clumsily fumbled to the car but before she entered, they were bombarded with questions and comments all dealing with when they started dating, how they met, what were their opinions on marriage and were they planning on having a family together soon.

Not knowing how to deal with the situation, Miyoon was at a complete loss of words to what was taking place. However, Hoya caught on quickly and ran to her rescue. He blocked the press from making any sort of physical contact with her as he assisted her with getting into the car.

Once he had accomplished this, he crammed himself through the massive crowd who were endlessly snapping pictures of them. He climbed inside and had to beep a number of times before he parted the bodies they were emerged in.

And as he raced back to his house, it was no surprise to him that there were a few vans awaiting their presence. However, luckily a small gate built around the property bordered them from entering. So basically, they were locked out and even if they did come onto his driveway, it would have been trespassing, providing the police with a good reason for an arrest for any violators.

For the second time, they were engulfed by a sea of people. But because they weren’t crazy or suicidal, they didn’t hinder the car from rolling into the driveway. Miyoon was completely bewildered and then they were greeted by the women of the household who reported everything to them inside.

The news was ludicrous to them both and although they tried explaining to the public they were not dating, they were not taken seriously. And because of their constant denial, the media was not willing to go away unless Miyoon and Hoya answered to their liking. So for the next two days and three nights, Hoya’s residence along with Miyoon’s home was always under tight surveillance.

Their lives were pretty hectic and chaotic and there was nothing they could do about it.

Hoya was use to all of the glitz and glam but Miyoon on the other hand had no idea on how to deal with anything. These people didn’t want to leave her alone and she was going insane. She had been cooped in her house for awhile now and Miyoon was aware she couldn’t stay in there forever. And how Hoya didn’t bother to call her so that they could come up with a plan to end all of this was agitating her.

Plus, she was supposed to go to go to the SIHS building to find out where she was going to be interning at. So whether she was ready or not, Miyoon had to go out and face those leeches.

The other party was more experienced therefore he knew how to get the press off of his tail. That was how he ended up at the stadium playing a scrimmage in which would determine if he was going to introduce Miyoon properly to his team or not.

Unfortunately for him, it looked like luck was not on his side seeing that his team had fallen behind by a gaping ten points. The score at the moment was five to fifteen and soon enough, Hoya realized his team was throwing the game. He reached this conclusion after one of his offense players blocked one of his shots, a defender scored for the opposing team and finally because all of the points his team had was thanks to him. He was the only one actually trying to win. The only one actually playing the game.

“I’m open!” a teammate hollered, waving his hands in the air but not wanting to take the risk, Hoya ignored him and took the shot himself. The ball whizzed by the goalie but then the whistle was blown.

“No goal!” Coach Sang yelled.

“What?!” Hoya gawked. “How was that not a goal?!”

His coach looked at Wonho who shrugged at him, “You were—off sides? Besides, the game’s already over which means you lost, Howon-ah.” He cooed.

“You cheated! This is bogus!” Hoya snapped. “That huddle you guys had, you planned to throw the game, didn’t you? Aish, I should’ve just played alone.”

“Oh come on, bro. A deal’s a deal. There were no rules so technically speaking, we won fair and square. So you have to bring your girlfriend to our first official game so we can meet her properly.” Wonho stated.

If I do that, it will only make the rumors grow and spread some more. It won’t help. Aish, why did I have to make such a bet? Besides, I