Zen "I actually gave up a lot of things for her. Sometimes I wonder if she would give up the same things for me as well. Now I know that she would and nothing makes me happier than that."    Chapter 8   A white van makes a U-turn into an apartment complex, parking at the side. Mark peeks out of the window seeing that it is, indeed, an expensive place. If she was an idol, she wouldn’t be able to afford this unless she had rich parents. Even then, newly debuted people were to live in dorms and if she had a partner- they would not be allowed to live separately. Then again, they were faceless and had a weird concept, Mark to admit that that made them different. Maybe they had a different system all together.   “Where should we go? I need to buy water, is there a convenience store around here?” His Manager asked roughly and Mark concluded that he was in a bad mood. The white skinned boy took out his phone, unlocking it with his finger before pressing his recent calls. It started ringing and he waited until she answered, his heart anxious that she wouldn’t accept the call. That would mean his trip here would be for nothing. But they had an agreement, right? “Hello?” Her voice came out of his headphones and he had to strain his ears since she was whispering. “Hello?” She repeated. “Ah, it’s Mark. Seems like you did not save my phone number.” He let out a light laugh to deem it as a joke. “I reached your complex, which way should I go?” There as a moment of silence and Mark waited until he heard her say “Excuse me, I’ll have to take this call.” before there were sounds of her standing up. Was she with someone? He could hear her walk towards somewhere before the sound of the door closing reached his ears. “Uhm. Where did you say you were?” Her sound was now a bit echoed and he guessed she had left the apartment and was in the hall. “I’m here in front of…. There is a sign saying Seoul Metro Apartment. Where should I meet you?” “I actually can't go far away from my apartment right now.” Her voice sounded apologetic. “But since you’re already here can you go to my apartment building parking lot? I’ll head down-“ “I can go to your apartment and we can exchange it there, it seems like you’re pretty busy.” Mark offered, not wanting her fret about him being near. “My boss just came from work to talk to me and my friend. I’m sorry for bothering you.” “Don’t worry about it, like you said. We’re friends.” Mark chuckled a bit and looked around again. “What building are you in? I see around 5 buildings.” “The Complex Building. Turn right and go straight from there.” “Someone is rich.” Mark teased and he heard a smile in her voice when she replied. “Not as rich as you.”   So she must know about his family background. He had to admit that he was pretty loaded because of the family business. Their house in L.A had a swimming pool. “When you reach the parking lot you’ll see an elevator. I’m on the top floor, I’ll meet you at the end of the hall by the elevator.” Her instructions were clear and Mark was grateful for that, he didn’t need to ask any more questions from her. Mark told his manager, his manager grumbling about being deprived of sleep and water as he gave another U-Turn. The white van reached the front of the building, taking a full turn just to see the underground parking lot. Mark looked around at the lack of cars, it looked somewhat empty. “It’s here.” He said, pointing at the elevator that was for people who parked their cars. “I saw a convenience store up front, I’ll go there and you call me when you’re finished.” His manager let out a statement as if it was an order and Mark just nodded not wanting to piss him off even more just smiled and waited for the door to unlock. He got out of the car, combing his hands through his hair when he walked towards one of the elevators. He pressed the button and waited, the ding sounding in his ears and the elevator doors opening.   Mark Tuan entered the elevator, rubbing his eyes. He could not remember her face, his hands went up and he placed it on top of his head while his other hand pressed the 18th button. The elevator ride took a good two minutes and he wondered why she would want to live on the top floor. The moment the doors opened, he saw her standing by the elevator with a black mask on her face. She looked up, and gave a small smile that made Mark smile in return. “______-ssi.” “Mark-ssi.”   Your POV  I looked up in surprise when the elevator to my floor opened. I didn’t expect Mark to arrive this fast. When I saw his face, however, my lips turned into a small smile to show how much I appreciated him coming over to give me the jacket. The jacket was on his arm and it looked clean. I had his jacket draped on my shoulder and I approached him after he called my name, saying his name in return. “Why are you wearing a mask?” He suddenly asked and I blinked. “I’m sick.” I answered, pulling the mask down onto my chin. He knew how I looked like, there was no point hiding it. As long as he did not know what I worked as. “I just had a cold recently, it’s okay to take it off. I’m practically immune.” Mark said to me and I smiled, nodding. “Here’s your jacket.” “Thanks.” I took my jacket back, instinctively bringing it to my nose and smelling it. It was a habit to smell things. I even smelled food or whatever I put into my mouth. Before I brush my teeth I end up smelling the toothpaste for a few seconds. Mark watched me until I got to my senses, lowering the jacket embarrassed. “Here’s yours.” I gave his jacket to him.   “I washed it for you. It may smell a bit feminine but I’m sure if you spray it with cologne it’ll ease.” I told Mark. I saw him do the same thing, bringing it up to his nose and smelling it. “It’s fine. It kind of smells like you.” Mark told me and I could not help but chuckle. “That did not sound weird, right?” “Not at all. Did your manager bring you here?” “He’s at the convenience store. He said he saw one nearby, do you know where it is? I really did not see one around here.” “Ah, the store is behind this building. Walking distance.” I paused trying to think about how to explain to him how to get there when my phone vibrated in my pocket. I took it out and read the preview, frowning that it was from Zen. Mr. Lee Soo Man had come to visit us today. It was a totally surprise visit and we all sat down to see what we could do with our career. We were earning a stable salary, but it wasn’t enough. We already were given special treatment so we both had to earn at least three times what we earned now.   Zen: Can you stay out for a little while? I want to talk to Mr.Lee about something in private.   I put back my phone, forgetting for a moment that Mark was there. I frowned at the thought that my best friend would have a private conversation with our boss without wanting to tell me about it. We never hid things from each other. Then again, he probably would explain later. Maybe my presence would make it harder for him to speak his mind. “Is there something wrong?” Mark asked, and I whipped my head around being drawn away from my own world. “Oh. No.” I said pocketing my phone. “Where did you say your manager was?” “The convenience store, I think I’ll walk there. My manager was in a pretty bad mood so I really don’t want to bother him by asking him to take another U-turn.” “I’ll… walk you.” I told him. “I have time, wouldn’t want you to get lost.” “Good, I kind of want you to.” Mark answered and I turned to him. I must have been wide eyed because he laughed at my expression. “Shall we go?”   __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________   Jongin was in front of his car seat, his eyes trained on the elevator. He did not know why he was doing this, but curiosity got better of him. The tan skinned boy leaned against the seat alone. His dri