09 | Missing

 

 

Sulli has never been this nervous for her entire life. Maybe because, what she's about to do is something she shouldn't. However, her heart, she must feed it - at least, it will smile if she'll get to see Luhan smile with her own gift.

 

Taking a deep breath, she nervously opened the young boy's locker, and place that box, that has a smiley sticker. She then locked it back and it was on time the bell rang - echoing the entire building. She is really glad Luhan gives her a duplicate key for his locker and she can able to put her gift.

 

Alertly, she runs to the nearest comfort room and hide there. Slowly, she peeked her head a little, watching students running here and there, while others just casually walks out there room.

 

"Come on, where are you Luhan?" muttering, she keep her eyes busy, hoping in no time, Luhan would appear before the next bell. She sighed when for the next minutes she can't still see him. She was about to give up when Luhan finally appears, running towards his locker. A big smile just plastered across her face the moment he opens his locker and saw his gift inside.

 

Luhan opens the box and smiled upon seeing a star key chain. He took the folded note inside and reads what's its content.

 

I just want someone who likes the stars just as much as I do ;)

- LoveStar

 

He stared closely to the star, a shining smile plastered in his face when he realized it will glow if you will shake it gently. Then much to his surprised, there's his name craved on it. "LoveStar Huh? I have a secret admirer?" chuckles him lightly. Because he didn't expect to have one admirer. Though not new, this is the first time someone gives him a gift. He didn't hesitate and put the key chain hanging in his backpack. Looking around, he doesn't seem to see any suspicious student around. Still smiling from ear to ear, he locked his locker back after putting on few books before opening his phone and dialed Sulli's number.

 

Sulli who was in the comfort room, behind the door, quickly closes it and waited for any moment her phone would ring. It didn't take a minute and it rings. She intended to keep it ringing for a while before she answered such call.

 

"Luhan!"

 

[Where are you? I thought we're going together to the gym class?]

 

"Um, Just go there first, I'll follow."

 

[I said where are you?]

 

Sulli whined quietly, hearing that stubborn reaction of the young lad. "I'll just follow, I promise."

 

[You know I won't stop this if you're not going to tell me. Sulli, You know me.]

 

Sighing, Sulli didn't still want to say. "I'll follow in a while. We're-"

 

[Sulli, I'm in my locker only. I'll wait here if you don't want me to know where on earth are you.]

 

The end calls just like that. Sulli hissed and faced the mirror. The red cheeks in her face is still so visible from the previous happiness of her heart. Yet, she quickly shake that and calm her nerves for a couple of seconds. But it won't left her face still. She decided to just let it that way. But before that, she fixed her hair and add some little make-up. Patting her cheeks gently, a smile crept across her beautiful features. As then, she turned and walked to the door. It was lucky and there's no students coming in to the comfort room. Otherwise, she would be so embarrass.

 

Stepping out of the comfort room, there she saw Luhan, resting his back against the locker while holding the star key chain she gave. She quietly tiptoed until she stopped and quickly shows her infamous grin.

 

"Omo. So fast?" Luhan almost jumps in surprised.

 

"I'm just in the comfort room you know. Why would I tell you to go where am I?" Sulli stated fact.

 

Grinning widely, Luhan wrap one arm around Sulli and without warning, he drags her with him. Sulli could only chuckle and wrap one arm around his waist. At first it was gentle, but as they got more closer to the school's stairs, he didn't hesitate and playfully runs, dragging still the latter. Sulli almost trip, but sooner or later, she also runs with him. They run down the stairs, laughing, hitting each other, and shouting random things. Students are looking at them, all the way outside of the building, until they reach the gym.

 

With no more words, they fall in to with the other students, as their class started that instant.

 

Sulli can't help it and sigh, as she felt so happy with her decision. To be able to deliver her feelings towards Luhan, she'll be his secret admirer. And hopefully, it would change his feelings towards his Seohyun Unnie. She felt so excited as she imagine it. Yes, if Luhan doesn't want to stop courting his beloved Unnie, then it's not a reason for her to give up. There's still a hope. She believes so.

 

 

 

 

[FAB Building]

 

 

"I'm not going--"

 

The young manager of FAB couldn't able to even continue her words when a hand covered . And without any words, she was being drag back inside the conference room. She could only slumped back to the leather chair and turn her uncaring gazes to that one particular girl, wearing her winning smile towards her. She audibly sighed, shifting her gazes to the laptop. It's 9:45am, and apparently, the entire large room is still empty. The schedule of her first official presentation in regards to the stuffs she had accomplish for the past 2 days has been pushed to 10:30am, the reasons why they're yet alone inside. This presentation is basically her Uncle's request, so the board of directors will know how the new manager is a good choice.

 

"I hate this." Seohyun hissed, closing the laptop that was already connected to a projector.

 

Yet, Yoona opens it back. "It's only an hour. Just focus." she smiled, as reminded herself Seohyun is wearing a dress, unlike she used to see. What surprises her, she doesn't need to tell her about her dress.

 

"Why are you smiling?" Seohyun glared at her assistant, upon noticing that meaningful smile across the girl.

 

"Nothing. I just... It's just so good to see you - wearing  a good dress." Yoona uttered, quietly biting her lower lip. She recalls, she was really speechless that time.

 

Flashback...

 

"Come on. We only have 30 minutes left to arrive there. We still have to prepare the stuffs." Yoona's voice echoed the entire house, as she couldn't hold back and whine. For the past 15 minutes (?), Seohyun has been inside her room, suddenly not planning to leave? Or is it just her thoughts? However, she can't still hear any foot steps, nor did she hear a response. "I swear, if you are not leaving the room, I'm going to break this door. Don't try m, Boss! You know I'm good at taekwondo. And yes, I can break this."

 

Again, Seohyun did not reply. However, she finally heard foot steps. And to her surprised, fast foot steps. She's running back and forth?

 

"What are you doing? Are you trying to find something? Let me help you." Yoona says, feeling like she is helpless, with her outside the room. Too bad for her, there's still no answer. Well at least, she's now working on something she doesn't know.

 

She keep her patience at bay. She crosses her arms under her chest and waited... and waited... until she can finally hear foot steps. A slow foot steps this time, approaching the door.

 

Bracing herself, the door opens -- with Seohyun in front, wearing a gorgeous smile in her face. But that wasn't it only. Yoona's lips parted slowly as she blinks and blinks, staring from head to toe towards the latter. Apparently, Seohyun is making her speechless again when for the first time, she's watching her wearing one piece of dress. An all white piece of dress. Unlike that office dress, it's a cocktail one she's wearing. An above the knee dress. What made it fit her, her skin is so white like a porcelain. She's sure, if one stranger would look at her, they would really stop and admire her. She looks so... pretty gorgeous. Damn Goddess.

 

"Um... " Speechless, she slowly looked back at the other girl - eye to eye.

 

"Doesn't it look good to me?" Seohyun feels so uncomfortable. And apparently, her cheeks are flushing.

 

Totally speechless, Yoona just smile and cough to clear her dry throat. It's quiet surprising, but she really likes it. Girls who wears cocktail dresses are really good to her eyes. She felt like her cheeks are heating up, as she stared into Seohyun like an idiot love struck.

 

"Tsk,tsk,tsk... It's not good. I'll just-"

 

"N-No! NO!" Yoona alertly pulled Seohyun back before she could go back inside. "It's good. Really. I... just don't know what to say. It fits you. I-I mean... yeah... it really does. Your Uncle will like this." sighed her, as she felt her heart beats fast. 

 

Seohyun giggles, realizing that Yoona is also blushing like her. She somehow knew that kind of reaction from the doe-eyed. "7:2?" She never  intended to do so, but did she made Yoona speechless?

 

"What?"

 

Seohyun pushed Yoona lightly as she closes the door in front of her face. Blinking for a couple of times, Yoona hit her head physically, realizing the obvious reaction she had. "Babo."

 

End of Flashback...

 

 

"The dress is only for this presentation though. I want to make sure the board won't be disappointed. So yeah, later on... I will just change." Seohyun stated, correcting Yoona's beliefs. Though she liked it when Yoona got speechless over a piece of clothing only, she's not really comfortable with a dress. She's not going to wear a damn dress anymore after this.

 

Upon hearing the words, Yoona was upset. But she somehow expected it. She sighed and took her seat to a leather chair.

 

"But if you want - I can always wear dress... but only for you." Seohyun muttered, quickly changing her mind, somehow surprised with her own words.

 

"What?" Yoona's eyes widened, looking back to the other girl.

 

"Hehe, Nothing. I was just talking to myself." Seohyun quickly denied. She turned away and focus her attention back to the laptop. Fck.Fck.Fck.Seohyun. Why did I said it? Geez, I'm so stupid.

 

Yoona sure she heard something but it wasn't clear. She just shrugs and pushed herself closer to the latter. 

 

"Do you think they will like this?"

 

"Just don't exaggerate the things. Keep it simple." says Yoona, as she reached for the mouse that has Seohyun's hand, while her left arm is supporting to the leather chair. "Hold on, I want to share something." She didn't mind it and  control the cursor around gently. Oblivious how her boss is apparently staring into their hands. Seohyun doesn't like Yoona holding her hand like that. Especially that, for the first time, she take notice how soft and warm is her hand. 

 

"Here. Take..." Yoona stop momentarily her own words when she realized her boss not paying attention. Following her gazes, she finally noticed their hands. 

 

Seohyun tilt her head towards Yoona, only to stare at her, intently - close to her face again. She's sure, she really love it when their faces are so close. It takes her breath away. However, Yoona soon realized the position, immediately let go and pulled back.

 

"I-I... I'm sorry."

 

"Aigoo, If I don't know you like someone else, I would assume you are falling for me." Seohyun was quick from ignoring their almost kiss again, as she returned to stare at the monitor. However, only to realize the monitor is now showing a video of a tiger. A wild tiger, running around it's cage, while trying to break free from it.  What made it a little not good to her eyes, there are a lot of bubble speech above the tiger's head. And most of it are against her. She got speechless. Yet, She instantly looked back at the doe-eyed, with her obvious displease expressions.

 

"3:7?" Yoona grinned victoriously.

 

Seohyun opened her lips, but only to closed it back, upon seeing the door opens. Board of directors are slowly walking in to the room, with Chairman Seo as the last time person to enter, and the last one who took her seat in front of them. She and Yoona casually stands on their feet, bowing in the process in front of them.

 

"How was your first week, Seohyun?" Chairman Seo chooses to address his niece comfortably in her nickname.

 

Seohyun almost want to ignore if Yoona didn't nudged her. "Uh, Y-Yes. It's fine, Chairman Seo. I'm having fun." she smiled, awkwardly.

 

"That's good. Miss Im?"

 

Subsequently, Yoona returned the projector to the laptop so the the board can see the start of the presentation. She then nudges her boss again to introduce herself first.

 

"Um, I'm he-here... " Seohyun started but got stammer when once again, she realized each face of the board is so serious. Again, she hated it when they're serious. It always made her uncomfortable. As if, they're all judging her? "... here t-to... I mean... " she paused, suddenly mind is blank and her tongue stiffened. The next thing she can see, each person in the room is like an evil, cursing a lot towards her. She looked down, closes her eyes tight and clenched her fist. Apparently, she can hear a lot of voices again. All of them - they're all accusing and cursing her.  

 

Yoona hissed quietly, as she take closer stand next to the latter. She was reminded by their hands earlier, yet, she has no more choice. This may cheer her up. She opened Seohyun's right hand and sneaked her hand to Seohyun's right, giving it a gentle hold and squeeze it. All the voices that echoed Seohyun's mind disappeared as she find her eyes opening and find Yoona's hand, now holding her. She slowly looked up, staring into Yoona's warm gazes.

 

"Relax... like I've said... breath in... and out." Yoona says close to Seohyun's left ear. The did as what she said. "... don't mind their faces. Um... Imagine that the one sitting at the last row is me. Just imagine, it was yet another rehearsal we've done last night... and yes... earlier. Relax... relax... calm all your muscles." she whispered additionally, as she didn't stop squeezing her hand. She feels like instructing a kid rather than a boss.

 

Looking down to their intertwined hands, Seohyun felt like she's holding her mother instead of Yoona. The way her voice is echoing her ears - and to her mind, just remind her of her mother, every time she would do a presentation in front of the class. It's quiet the same. She literally goose bumps, somehow, missing her mother, and at the same time, it gained back her strength. She didn't imagine it was Yoona, instead, she faces every faces of every person in the room. Especially her strict Uncle.

 

"I'm so... sorry for the delay. I kind of lost for a couple of seconds." She says in a soft voice. She held Yoona back unconsciously as she continued with no more stammering. As soon as she started from an introducing, she let go of Yoona and walked to the front. A confident and brave Seohyun was back, as she ignored her phobia and continue her presentation.

 

With Yoona standing on the side next to her boss, she is the proudest assistant again, watching and hearing her, doing all her best. She's even more proud to hear her not swearing. It's adorable, listening to her quiet 'Okay', constantly throughout her report.

 

The boards and his Chairman himself, was impressed. All of them applauded when Seohyun ended it so well.

 

Generally, All thanks to her tips and advises, Seohyun was able to end it like she never stammer in her first sentences.

 

"Wow. I can't believe you've done it so well." Yoona praises the moment her boss is free from every person in the conference room greeting her.

 

Seohyun just flashed a simple smile, taking her seat with a deep sigh of relief. "I didn't know it would turn out like that." she literally just praise herself. That was good one hour without any interruptions. She felt so good inside, all them had agreed to some of her ideas for the future FAB.

 

"But I'm more than proud when you mentioned about hiring new composers. Have you been thinking about that?" ask Yoona, as she casually take her seat as well. She immediately return her gazes to the device in front of them.

 

"Nah, It just came to my mind. I just noticed, all composers here are boring. They compose songs without any sparks of it. Just a plain hip-hop song. Such a waste of hiring them." Seohyun says, pushing herself closer to the deer, as she looks at the monitor as well.

 

Yoona was speechless with Seohyun's response and decided to just move over another topic. "Okay, so far... here's your plan. For the future FAB. For our artists to be known not just inside the country, you plan for an Apple Music Account, Itunes, Spotify, and basically let each artist have their SNS accounts. Also, Produce more concerts for the next 2 years. The contract - it should also be lowered from 5 years to 3 years - So the company can able to release a lot of new artists in a year. Moreover, producing various kinds of music and digitally releasing digital tracks, before albums. Are you sure you can handle this all?" Yoona had a light chuckle, couldn't believe all of the plans are quiet tough to do. FAB has their own composers, however, they're all local. And on top of that, the company was known for hip-hop and RNB music.

 

"Donghae's report about the album sales aren't that good. I want to see to it that in each album we release, we sell a lot. And you know what's the secret of it? Good singles. Good album. Quality album. Something that can be imported not releasing locally. Technically And Look, we only have how many artist? 5? Including the famous idol group, BTS. Compared to trainees? We have a lot of it. Tsk.tsk... The last general manager is so irresponsible. Whoever that dickhead, he or she is just sitting in her chair, not managing well the entire company. Chairman Seo looks like so disappointed about the last general manager." Seohyun ended her speech with another sigh.