The celebrity lights were not new to Bae Joohyun but she never did get used to it. The simple girl from Daegu who ended up being the new Korean Sweetheart preferred the quiet celebrity life rather than the extravagant one. It was however, impossible for her to have the simple life back. At every corner fans and anti-fans could be lurking around. It didn’t help that some of them would stop at nothing to get to Joohyun.

 

The young singer was not one to remember all her fans but she did find a fan very special. Over a sea of red she would be the only one in orange making her standout during concerts. The fan often stood at the front row, nearly impossible for Joohyun not to recognize. Ever present, the fan would have this cute eye smile that, most of the time, made the singer’s heart flutter.

 

It wasn’t really hard for Joohyun to literally make eye contact with her.

 

Joohyun felt silly sometimes. It was because she felt her cheeks blush at those lips when they curve into a smile, or those eyes gazing sweetly at her.

 

She wasn’t like the others though.

 

The woman stood in place while the rest of the world tried to come near her.

 

Until that day

 

A group of fans struggled to get to her, breaching even the steel barricades. One fan almost reached Joohyun until that woman jumped and stood in between.

 

A normal fan would stop at nothing just to be that close to her. This one didn’t even try touching her.

With the distance, Joohyun could now see how tall she was, how wide those shoulders were and how those arms pushed the crazy fan away.

 

Her lips broke into a frown when her manager called out to the woman making her turn.

 

“Seulgi-ah, good job.”

 

Somehow Joohyun’s heart ached. She thought she found someone who was willing to protect her no matter what.

 

She was just a job.

 

From then on, Seulgi would still stand on at the center during her concerts. Although this time, the bodyguard didn’t watch Joohyun anymore. The woman was facing the crowd instead of her. Having those eyes watching her intently were moments she was starting to miss. She couldn’t talk to Seulgi too. Seulgi was had become a normal part of her entourage that if she did, paparazzi’s would be bound to take pictures of her.

 

Hired

 

She wished the bodyguard was a fan instead.

 

Even if she would never admit it, she wanted to get to know Seulgi.

 

Joohyun thought she would be given a chance when Seulgi approached her during rehearsals. She had the star’s water bottle and a piece of notebook on hand.

 

The bodyguard had reddened cheeks which Joohyun found cute. She smiled then took the water bottle. Seulgi scratched her nape.

 

“Miss Bae, would it be alright to get your autograph. It’s for my friend…”

Joohyun took the notebook and the pen with a smile while Seulgi held the water bottle for her. She was starting to sign but had to ask.

 

“To whom should I address it to?”

 

“Son Seungwan, she’s a friend of mine. She’s really a big fan of yours.”

 

“I see…” Joohyun finished writing then gave the notebook back to Seulgi.

 

The bodyguard merely smiled at her. But her heart wanted to prolong this conversation.

 

“Seulgi-ssi… Could you accompany me outside? I think I’d like to take a walk.”

 

“Don’t you think we need the whole team for this?”

 

“I’ll just wear a hoodie and a mask. It’s fine.”

 

The bodyguard furrowed her brows not wanting to agree on it she would presume. But Joohyun wanted the time alone with the woman. It may look like a date but somehow she wanted it to be that way.

 

“Please. I think more people would attract attention. Besides, you are the best, I presume.”

 

Seulgi smiled then gave her a nod.

 

A few minutes later the two were already strolling around a nearby park. She felt relieved that the people didn’t recognize her and was enjoying the silence.

 

They reached a spot.

 

Joohyun motioned for Seulgi to take a seat with her on the grass. The spring wind had been blowing and the star never felt more relaxed.

 

“You don’t talk much do you?” She finally asked.

 

If she didn’t start the conversation, Seulgi would probably never will.

 

“My apologies Miss Bae…”

 

“Joohyun…” She said turning to look at her bodyguard’s flushed face.

 

“You can call me Joohyun when we’re alone.”

 

Seulgi merely nodded then shyly turned to look away.

 

These were the things that Joohyun learned throughout the time she spent with Seulgi.

 

The bodyguard had a hard life. But fortunately she was brought up by responsible parents. School wasn’t really Seulgi’s cup of tea, but she managed to graduate and enter the military. After five years in service, she had to leave because her father had gotten sick. An only child, she had to come back and help take care of her father. She did odd jobs and other stuff that required her physical strength. It didn’t take long till she ended up in Joohyun’s agency.

 

The moments she spent with Seulgi alone became more frequent and Joohyun liked it. She loved the fact that talking to Seulgi felt comforting.

 

She loved the fact she was getting to know her little by little.

 

@@@@@@@

 

She felt jealous.

 

Joohyun had just received word that her bodyguard was out because she had a date. She didn’t really know if it was a joke, but the thought didn’t sit well for her.

 

Her best friend, Park Bogum, eyed her with an amused smile.

 

“You like her, don’t you?”

 

Joohyun doesn’t answer. She continues to pout at the lack of Seulgi’s presence. What was more important to Seulgi? Here she thought since the bodyguard took her job seriously that Joohyun was her priority.

 

“Tell you what my friend, I’ll help you see if she likes you back.” Bogum finally said taking her out of her inner turmoil.

 

Those words suddenly felt like music to Joohyun’s ears.

 

A few days later, her friend was done with the ‘helping’ part. A punch would never have been enough if Joohyun could do such act. Her friend just announced to the world the she was his ideal girl. She felt her head throb back stage. Bogum would definitely get a piece of her mind when he comes back. It didn’t help that Seulgi was more distant now than ever before. It frustrated her. Standing up, Joohyun didn’t realize that the heel of her left shoe break making her lose her balance. Praying, she closed her eyes waiting for her head to hit the floor.

 

It never did.

 

When she opened her eyes, Seulgi was staring at her with reddened cheeks.

 

Their faces were inches from each other making her heart flutter again. Her hand began to have a mind of its own, fingers reaching for the body