It has been five days since you had seen or spoken to Yonghwa. You didn’t mind as you were either busy practicing guitar with Jonghyun in your dorm or cooping up in your room, trying to get the emotions right for your debut song. You sighed for the umpteenth time just as Jonghyun handed you a glass of juice. The both of you had been practicing guitar since 12pm and it was almost 6pm now.

“Why don’t you take a break?” Jonghyun suggested as he sat beside you.

Taking a gulp of juice, you shook your head. “I can’t. I still have to practice on my debut song later. Yonghwa-ssi said that my chorus part wasn’t strong enough.”

Jonghyun nodded, “That song was composed by Hyung. That’s why he wants it to be perfect.”

You were slightly taken aback by surprise but felt pleased as it was a wonderful song. No wonder Manager Kim had arranged for him to coach you but you couldn’t help but wonder why he haven’t been able to coach you after he left abruptly that day. You didn’t have his number and didn’t dare to ask for it thinking that he must be busy.

Your mobile phone rang suddenly and seeing the name ‘Manager Kim’ flash across the screen, you picked up.

“Your debut with Jimin will be coming up soon, so let’s have a small party tonight with the other FNC members to celebrate. The director has booked a club for the party. Be there at 8! I’ll text you the address.”

You agreed to go and after hanging up, told Jonghyun about the party tonight. True enough, ten minutes later, he got a text from Yonghwa asking him to be present for the party tonight.

“So, will Yonghwa-ssi be there tonight?” You asked, trying to sound as casual as possible.

“Yea, hyung will be there.” Jonghyun replied.

Good, you could take the chance to try and ask him to coach you on the song again. Jonghyun and you decided to get ready and head to the party together as Jimin will be meeting you there directly. Yonghwa, Jungshin and Minhyuk had also informed Jonghyun that they will be meeting him there instead.

You weren’t hungry so after Jonghyun had left your dorm, you showered and got ready to go to the party.

===========================

You were sure you and Jonghyun weren’t late but it seemed that the party was already in full swing as the both of you stepped into the club. It was dark but through the flashing lights, you could spot Minhyuk with some people in a corner.

“Ah, the both of you have arrived!” Manager Kim said happily as he thumped Jonghyun on the back. “Come, let’s sit together over there.”

The both of you followed him as he led you to a booth. You could see the FNC director and Yonghwa sitting with them. You recognized a beautiful woman who was sitting with them immediately. She was the leader of the girl goup, Cherries.

Jonghyun and you bowed as you reached the table as the director chuckled and motioned for the both of you to sit down.

“Ah, the two lovebirds have arrived together!” The director said loudly.

“Director, don’t drink so much,” Manager Kim advised, laughing awkwardly with him. “And they’re not together.”

The director smiled and then turned to you and Jonghyun, “Jonghyun-ah, we’ve heard from the producers of ‘We got married’ and they’re hoping that they could pair you up with ______-ssi.”

“What?” You replied, shocked. “But why would they want that?”

Jonghyun seemed surprised as well but said nothing as the director turned to you. “It seemed like you have garnered quite a bit of attention from the online photos with Jonghyun so they are quite interested for the both of you to be in their show.”

“Shouldn’t Jonghyun’s partner be a surprise to him?” You asked. “Are they allowed to tell us that they want us as a couple?”

“Don’t you know that the show is scripted?” Yonghwa said as he stared at you just as the leader of Cherries giggled beside him.

“Ah, that’s right,” Manager Kim chimed in. “Yonghwa has been on the show a few years ago. The famous YongSeo couple.”

“I think that it will be a good chance for you to be on the show, _______.” The director said to you. “It’ll help boost your popularity.”

You shot a look at Jonghyun who was sitting beside you. You don’t mind being on the show but what about Jonghyun? He seemed to have gotten your message as he smiled.

“I’m okay if you’re okay.” He said to you.

“I guess I’m okay then.” You said as the director clapped his hands in delight.

“Good, I’ll let the producers know tomorrow!” The director said happily.

“You’re here!” You head Jimin’s voice behind you as you turned around happily.

Jimin smiled as she pulled you up from the booth. “I see you’ve met Hyorin unni!”

So, the leader of Cherries who was sitting beside Yonghwa is Hyorin. You smiled, indicating that you have met her as Hyorin stood up, smiling.

“Come, I’ll introduce you to the rest of Cherries.” She said as she held your wrist and steered you and Jimin away.

You didn’t like the touch of her hand as her grip felt cold and firm. She led the both of you to a table where three other girls were at.

“Girls,” She said to them. “Meet our new FNC members.”

One of the three girls smiled at you and Jimin kindly as the rest introduced themselves.

“Sit and drink with us!” One of them said as you and Jimin sat down.

You didn’t want to but felt that it would be impolite to refuse. The three girls from Cherries seemed okay but you didn’t know why you felt so uncomfortable as Hyorin stared at you.

“So, what do you think of CN Blue?” Hyorin asked suddenly, leaning over the table as she stared at you.

“T-They’re nice.” You replied.

“Really?” Hyorin smiled, flashing her perfect set of pearly whites. “I heard that you couldn’t get Oppa’s song right.”

You raised your eyebrows at Hyorin as her smile widened.

“Oppa?” You echoed and then realization hit you. “Oh, you mean Yonghwa-ssi?”

Hyorin’s smile never left her face as she nodded at you to continue. She was starting to creep you out with her smile as you realized that her eyes were still very cold even when she was smiling at you.

“About Yonghwa-ssi’s song, I’m still trying my best.” You replied truthfully.

You prayed that the other members of Cherries would include you in their conversation with Jimin but apparently they’re engrossed in their conversation while you were stuck with a very scary Hyorin unni.

“Oppa is a very busy man,” Hyorin said as she poured you a drink. “So, don’t expect him to be able to coach you too much. Here, drink.”

You obliged and drank slowly as Hyorin continued to stare at you.

“So, you’re really attending the show with Jonghyun, huh?” Hyorin asked as she topped up your drink.

You nodded as you tried to pull away the glass. “Unni, I can’t drink too much.”

Her eyes snapped up to you and you felt yourself flinch.

“It would be rude to refuse a drink from a Sunbae, you know.” She said, her tone indicating that you’re on dangerous waters.

“But I…

“Just drink,” Hyorin commanded as she pushed the drink to you. “You wouldn’t want to disrespect your sunbae in FNC, would you?”

The club was noisy and Jimin and the other girls from Cherries didn’t seem to notice the situation. You had no choice but to accept her drink.

“Do you know that Jonghyun used to be the leader?” Hyorin rambled on as she poured you another drink, much to your dismay.

You have heard about it but wasn’t really concentrating on her anymore as you felt your vision starting to spin. You could feel Hyorin lifting the drink to your lips, as she urged you to drink. The alcohol slid down your throat anyway and then you heard Hyorin telling the rest of the girls and Jimin, “It seemed as though she’s not feeling well, I’ll take her to the bathroom.”

“Unni, it’s okay, I’ll take her.” You heard Jimin say as Hyorin hoisted you up.

You leaned against her immediately as she replied, “Jimin-ah, it’s okay. It’s your party too, so you should enjoy.”

Everything was starting to spin as you watched Hyorin guide you to the side of the club. Her grip wasn’t gentle and you couldn’t help but wince as her sharp fingernails dug into your arms.

“Unni,” you mumbled. “Isn’t the bathroom there?”

Hyorin had led you past the bathroom and was now walking up the spiral stairs. She ignored you as you continued to stumble against her.

It wasn’t long before she opened a door and shoved you out as she closed the door behind you, laughing.

The smell of fresh air hit your nostrils as you stumbled and leaned against a wall, breathing hard. You could see the sky and stars and there wasn’t anyone around. She have brought you to the rooftop.

You felt your vision blur as you finally sat on the ground. Why did she bring you here? You stumbled your way towards the door and tried to open but realized that it couldn’t. It seemed as though it was locked from the inside.

“Hyorin unni?” You called out weakly as you banged your fist against the door.

There was no reply. You decided to call Jimin but when your hands reached into your pockets, you realized that your phone was gone. It should be there! Feeling dizzy and slightly panicky, you banged on the door again.

====================================

It had been two hours since you left the table with Hyorin and Yonghwa was feeling bored. He had been busy these few days and didn’t feel like attending the party but the director had said that it was compulsory for all FNC members. He still couldn’t believe you had agreed to be on ‘We got married’ with Jonghyun. He didn’t hate the show and agreed that it would bring a big boost to your popularity but somehow, he always felt that after the show, there were more people who concentrated on that fictional world instead of his music.

He had mentioned that to Jonghyun before and found it weird why Jonghyun would accept that offer. He couldn’t help but wonder if Jonghyun actually have a thing for you.

“Hyung, have you seen _______?” Jonghyun asked as he came back to the now empty table.

Yonghwa shook his head. “Why?”

“I went to ask Jimin but she said Hyorin had brought her to the bathroom since she had too much to drink.”  Jonghyun said. “So I asked Jimin to check on her in the bathroom but she said that the bathroom was empty.”

“Maybe she left the party.” Yonghwa replied, but he stood up.

He didn’t want to tell this to Jonghyun but he always knew that Hyorin wasn’t a nice person. He had seen how she had looked at you and wondered if Hyorin was up to something.

“Have you tried calling her?” Yonghwa asked.

“She didn’t pick up.” Jonghyun replied worriedly. “Hyung, I’m going to go search for her. Call me if you see her.”

Jonghyun then left as Yonghwa searc