“Hello Darren,” I said, and smiled as sarcastically as I could, and he started laughing.
“What’s so funny?” the DJ asked Darren.
“Nothing,” Darren smiled. “Just thought of something funny.”
“Keurae? Wanna share it?”
“Not now,” Darren smiled.
“Why are we booked on a show he’s in?” I hissed at Shoei.
“He’s filling in for the other DJ this week. We didn’t expect him to be here at all,” Shoei replied.
“Crap,” I muttered and started flipping through the script that hyung had prepared for us.
“Annyeong haseyo, this is Seung Ho and Darren on today’s segment of ‘Hot This Second’,” the DJ, Seung Ho, started as we went on air.
“Annyeong haseyo, Darren-imnida,” Darren greeted. “Today, we have three very special guests with us, Sierra, Skye and Shoei of S-Cube,” he announced and we all had to clap our hands.
“Annyeong haseyo, urineun S-Cube-imnida,” we greeted together.
“Sierra-imnida,” I said.
“Skye-imnida,” Skye said.
“Shoei-imnida,” Shoei said.
“It’s great to be here,” I added.
“It’s great to have you here,” Darren said, and I know he said it on purpose because he was winking at me when he said it.
“The whole of South Korea knows that S-Cube is the band of the moment, especially this month. Your new album has been flying off the shelves and you’re all given big assignments abroad. Tell us more about them,” Seung Ho said.
“First of all,” Skye said. “We aim to continue to be the band of the moment for longer than this month,” prompting Shoei and I to cheer.
“Haha… of course,” Seung Ho replied.
“As for the assignments, only Skye and I will be going abroad,” Shoei said.
“Sierra’s staying here?” Seung Ho asked.
“Fortunately for everyone, I am,” I smiled.
“We’re definitely fortunate,” Darren grinned. “Is there some strategy for doing this?”
“I think the management wants me to strengthen my fan base and continue to improve on my Korean,” I replied. “I’m still very much a stranger here, and I think it would do me good to focus my activities here.”
“Stranger?” Seung Ho laughed. “Sierra, you are definitely no stranger to South Korea. You’re one of the most famous foreign stars to have made it in our industry.”
“It’s easier for people to accept me when I had Skye and Shoei by my side,” I said.
“True, but I do know that S-Cube was started with the international, or shall I say, Asian concept. All 3 members are of different nationalities,” Seung Ho said.
“I used to think that this concept would be a novelty for a short while,” Darren said. “But you have proven that you were not a once off project. You’re here to stay now.”
“Yes we are,” Skye said. “I think it’s thanks to Shoei and Sierra’s diligent efforts in learning Korean and the way of life here that helped us continue. Because they have almost made themselves feel local, people no longer think of this as a band made of different nationalities. We’re now a Korean band.”
“Thanks Skye,” Shoei and I said.
“Alright… that’s a lot of information. We didn’t really expect to go into such detail, but it has been very enlightening. Now, let’s listen to the title track on your latest album, and may I say, the MV is one of my personal favorites. Would you like to introduce it?” Seung Ho asked.
“Nae… everyone, this is our title track from our third album, ‘Connect the Dots’,” Shoei announced, and the song started playing.
“I can’t sit here,” I whispered to Shoei as soon as our microphones were turned off.
“You can’t leave now,” he said, grabbing onto my hand to make sure I didn’t take off.
“Darren is pissing me off. He keeps giving me these knowing smiles, and… arrrghhh,” I complained.
“We’ll deal with him after the show. Focus now,” Shoei said, and we started looking through our scripts for the rest of the show.
“How have you been, Sierra?” Darren asked, somewhere in the middle of the song.
“Fine,” I smiled tightly.
“You seem tensed today. You’re not feeling well?”
“Jerk,” I muttered under my breath.
“Nuna had a late night, with Jae Joong hyung,” Skye very helpfully piped in.
“Skye!” I exclaimed.
“It’s nice to hear that the both of you are still so into each other after… a year? Has it been a year?” Seung Ho said.
“Almost,” I replied.
“In my mind, relationships in the entertainment industry fizzle out so quickly. It’s really reassuring to see that there are couples who are doing well,” he added.
“We try. But it’s not always rainbows and butterflies,” I said.
“Of course, of course. All relationships have their ups and downs,” he agreed.
“Are you going to marry him?” Darren asked.
“Here we go again,” Skye laughed. “Nuna has been asked that same question time and time again.
“People seem to think that when a couple lasts more than a year, they automatically get married,” I said.
“Well, when it seems like such a good match, why not?” Seung Ho smiled.
“When we’re ready,” I said.
“The standard answer,” Darren said knowingly.
“The truth,” I corrected him, and continued to read my script, ignoring him.
The interview was over in another 20 minutes. They’d played 2 of our songs and asked more questions and as the last of our song played, we were allowed to leave the studio.
“Bye Sierra,” Darren drawled as I walked out, and I just smiled, for Seung Ho’s benefit.
“That pig!” I exclaimed as soon as I walked out of the studio.
“Let’s go,” Shoei said and he steered me out of the room into the corridor, Skye and hyung followed behind us.
“Sierra!” hyung yelled from behind, “Where were you?”
“Umm… I overslept.”
“You almost missed the show!”
“Mian,” I smiled.
“Mian? Your behaviour is becoming unacceptable. You think just because you have a little popularity now, you can behave like that?”
“Aigoo, hyung! Keugo aniya,” I said. “We’re not even that popular.”
“Then? Is it because your boyfriend is Yong-ung Jae Joong of TVXQ?”
“Hyung! I just overslept. It has nothing to do with all of this,” I said in an exasperated tone.
“You’d better buck up, Sierra. There’s no room in a band for a diva.”
“I know, hyung. I won’t do it again,” I said, and he just huffed.
“Sierra,” someone called from the direction of the studio we’d just left.
The 4 of us whirled around to see Darren walking towards us.
“You forgot this,” he said, and he held out my file.
I’d been in such a hurry to leave that I’d forgotten all about it.
“Komapda,” I said.
“Where are you guys headed?” he asked.
“Brunch,” Skye replied.
“Mind if I join you?” he asked.
“We’re actually in a hurry,” Shoei cut in politely. “We’re probably just going to grab a quick bite and move to the next venue on our schedule.”
“Aww, that’s too bad,” Darren smiled.
I could punch him for that smile. I’m starting to hate him more and more. Even though we don’t know what his motive is, but I can tell he is waiting for the opportunity to do something.
“Yea,” Shoei said. “We’ll catch you some other time.”
“Right then, see ya,” Darren said and he turned and left.
“Kaja,” Shoei said as he put an arm around me.
“I so wanna slap his smug face,” I said.
“What’s wrong now? You guys having some kinda fight with Helix?” hyung asked us.
“Aniya,” Skye replied. “We’re just not fans of them at this moment,” he snickered.
“Don’t stir up trouble. People see you as rivals, and to stir up trouble would put you in unfavorable light with their fans. We don’t need a fan war.”
“Nae,” we chorused.
After grabbing a quick bite to eat, we were again guests on another radio show. This time, it was Super Junior’s Kiss the Radio on KBS, with Ee Teuk and Eun Hyuk.
“Teukie, Teukie!” I called out as I walked in, and he laughed.
“Can you stop calling me that? You never let me forget.”
“How can I, Teukie?” I laughed as I sat down.
“Everything alright now?” Eun Hyuk asked me, with a concerned smile.
“Jun Su…” I cringed. “That blabber mouth.”
“It was big news,” Eun Hyuk said.
“Then I suppose everyone knows?” I sighed.
“Not everyone. Just the usual crew,” he said as he patted my hand.
“Aissshiii,” I said as I buried my head in my arms on the table.
“Hyung,” Skye said as he fiddled with the equipment around. “Are we gonna play soccer this weekend?”
“Aren’t you going to Taiwan or something?” Eun Hyuk said.
“I am… one last game before I go?”
“Count me out,” Ee Teuk said.
“Waegeurae?” Skye asked.
“I can do without the soccer games. Sierra and I can go shopping while you guys play,” he said, and he winked at me.
“Shopping? I love shopping,” I nodded.
“I’ll go shopping too,” Shoei piped in.
“Ya! Don’t you wanna play soccer with me?” Skye asked Shoei.
“Nah. I can’t keep up with you,” he replied.
“Miweo…” Skye sulked and slouched in his seat.
“Ya, ya, yah…” Eun Hyuk said as he poked Skye. “Sit up, young man. We’re about to go on air.”
Skye sat up straight while continuing to grumble about us not wanting to spend time with him, but as soon as we were on air, he shut up.
“Annyeong haseyo, Ee Teuk-imnida,” Ee Teuk greeted.
“Annyeong haseyo, Eun Hyuk-imnida,” Eun Yuk said.
“And you’re listening to Super Junior’s Kiss the Radio,” they announced together.
“Today we have really special guests with us. One of our SM family members, S-Cube!” Ee Teuk announced.
“Annyeong haseyo,” I greeted.
“Urineun, S-Cube-imnida!” we greeted as a group.
“Annyeong haseyo, Sierra-imnida,” I greeted.
“Annyeong haseyo, Skye-imnida,” Skye greeted.
“Konichiwa, Shoei-des,” Shoei added, and we all laughed.
“What’s with the Japanese today?” Ee Teuk asked.
“Well, as you all know, I will be leaving for Japan next week, so I’m making sure I don’t forget my own mother tongue,” Shoei replied.
“Does that mean I will need to speak more Mandarin?” Skye asked.
“Nae. Do your greeting again!” I said to Skye.
“Da jia hao,” he said in his shaky Mandarin, “wo shi Skye!” and we started clapping.
“You sound almost native,” Eun Hyuk snickered.
“Cheongmal?” Skye asked.
“Yea… native Korean,” I piped in, and we laughed hysterically.
“Okay, let’s move on,” Ee Teuk said, as soon as he had his laughter under control. “Let’s answer a listener’s call before we play the first song of the day.”
“Nae,” we all replied.
“Annyeong haseyo,” Eun Hyuk said as he answered the call.
“Annyeong haseyo,” the caller said, and the voice was vaguely familiar.
Wednesday, 30 May 2007
Sunday, 27 May 2007
Chapter 89: 믿어요 (Believe Me)
[Sierra’s POV]
I’m lying on the bed, with Jae Joong’s arms around me and my head on his chest; he’d decided to spend the night at my place.
“I missed you,” he said as he stroked my hair.
“I find that hard to believe,” I said, pretending to be indifferent, but my heart was practically bursting with joy.
“I told myself everyday that I wouldn’t call you, but my fingers itched to dial your number.”
“Then why didn’t you?”
“My pride got in the way?” was his reply.
I gave him a wry look, and he just smiled. He knew that the line was overused, especially in songs, but he used it anyway.
“Shoei’s going to Japan, and Skye to Taiwan,” I said.
“I heard.”
“I’m gonna be alone here, for at least a month.”
“Want me to move in and keep you company until they get back?”
“Would you? What would the guys say?”
“They’d understand.”
“We’ll see.”
“And when Skye and Shoei return, it’ll be our turn to leave the country.”
“Where are you going?”
“To Japan, for a few months.”
“It’s not going to be on and off, like for you last album?”
“No. We’ve been neglecting our Japanese fans, so it’s going to be a long stint, this time. We’re going to participate in a lot of shows and host our radio program like we did for the 2nd album.”
“What am I supposed to do while you’re gone?”
“I’ll try to visit you whenever I can. You can come over.”
“I wish,” I sighed. “We’ll have S-Cube’s single to promote with Hee Chul, and the special single Yun Ho and I are doing.”
“Yea… he will definitely be traveling back and forth. Come to think of it, I should’ve taken the project; me and my stupid pride.”
“Yea…”
“You don’t have to be so supportive, you know,” he smirked, and I giggled.
“What made him volunteer to take the project?”
“I told him that I didn't want it, and that we’d probably fight if we had to work together, then I just walked out, and he had to handle the producers for me.”
“See how much trouble people go through for you,” I poked him in the ribs, making him jump.
“Araso… I’m the bad guy. I make life a living hell for everyone.”
“Glad you know. You’re truly a devil, disguised as a beautiful guy,” I said.
“Beautiful? That’s what I love to hear,” he grimaced.
“Take it or leave it,” I said.
“It depends,” he grinned mischievously, and tightening his arms around me.
“Depends?”
“On what you’re giving out,” he smiled suggestively.
“Yah… p’yeont’ae!” I exclaimed and smacked his arm.
“I didn’t do anything,” he complained, pretending to be hurt.
“You were thinking it,” I pointed out.
“No I wasn’t,” he said.
“Yes you were,” I replied.
“I missed our little squabbles,” he said, out of the blue.
I sighed and snuggled closer to him when he said that. I missed how he’d make my heart skip a beat with his disarming smiles and comments. It’s been so long, and you’d think the magic and mystery had long disappeared, but Jae Joong always made the effort to keep it alive.
People always say that relationships tend to become drab after you’ve seen everything there is to see about a person. We’ve seen each other in the morning, dragon breath and all, we’ve seen each other dressed up in our finest, we’ve seen each other in our most comfortable states, and yet… it has diminished nothing. He would always be beautiful to me, and he’d mentioned often enough, so was I to him.
“Why do you think I’m beautiful?” I asked him.
“Why?” he smiled. “Why this question now?”
“You’d always told me I’m beautiful, but I’ve never asked you why.”
“You call me beautiful,” he said.
“That’s different. It’s so obvious and the whole world knows that you are beautiful.”
“Don’t you think the world thinks the same of you?”
“Do you?”
“I think so,” he laughed.
“So why? Sure I have high cheekbones and pretty good skin, but my face isn’t cute like most of the conventionally pretty girls.”
“Your eyes,” he smiled.
“I don’t even have double eyelids,” I said.
“Correction; you didn’t. But you do now,” he reminded me.
“Oh, right. I’d totally forgotten about my surgery,” I smiled sheepishly. “What about before?”
“It’s not about your eyelids,” he said. “It’s the expressions you make with your eyes. Don’t you see them in your photos?”
“I’ve never really noticed.”
“In every photo you take, your eyes stand out. Your eyes portray such depth of expressions.”
“I never knew,” I said, a little awed by his poetic explanation.
“Now you know,” he smiled. “And you are beautiful. Your whole face goes with your eyes. Your face is not just made up of your eyes you know. And another point to note; SM is hardly going to sign an ugly girl. So I don’t get why you are not confident about your beauty.”
“I just feel out of place sometimes. I’m not cute or sweet.”
“Precisely,” he said as he hugged me. “You’re a unique beauty. If the whole world sees it, it’s time you did too.”
“I guess so,” I sighed.
“And you’re not fat,” he added, smiling knowingly.
“I’m gonna kill Shoei,” I growled.
“He didn’t tell me,” Jae Joong said.
“Then who did?”
“Not telling.”
“I’m gonna kill Shoei,” I repeated, and he laughed.
“Come on. Bed time. It’s late.”
“Omigod,” I yawned as I looked at the clock. “It’s almost 5am.”
“Yes…”
“I’m gonna be dead tomorrow.”
“Wanna call in sick? We could run off for the day.”
“Hyung will kill me. I’d better not.”
“If it ever gets too much, be sure to take a break. I don’t want you to get sick. I know how it’s like, going for events and meeting the schedules even when you’re sick. But I don’t want you to do it.”
“You don't want to, but it’s necessary for us to survive. This is a very short career if you don’t push hard while you can.”
“I know. But you have me,” he smiled. “I’ll do the pushing.”
“Whoever said I was going to depend on you,” I said, poking his chest. “I can take care of myself, thank you very much.”
“But I want to take care of you,” he said.
“In due time,” I smiled, and I leaned up to kiss his lips lightly. “Good night,” I said.
“Good night,” he replied, kissing the top of my head and then reaching out to turn off the bedside lamp.
3 hours later, Skye was banging on my door and screaming bloody murder. I stretched leisurely and turned onto my side to look at Jae Joong who was sleeping on the futon next to my bed. He was rubbing his eyes, awoken by the mayhem Skye was making.
“Nuna! We're late!” he yelled.
“I’ll get there myself,” I finally found my voice to reply.
I was so tired, and when extremely tired, my throat would feel scratchy and dry.
“How are you getting there?”
“Jae Joong will take me there,” I said, and I was met with a brief moment of silence on the other side of the door.
“He’s here now? In your room?” he finally said.
“Yes,” I smiled.
He was probably surprised that apart from having made up, we were so intimate again.
“That was fast,” he laughed.
“Yea… get going. Tell hyung I’m having diarrhea or something,” I said.
“Araso,” he said, and I could hear him bound off towards the front door. “Jae Joong hyung’s gonna take her,” I could hear him tell Shoei, and the rest of their conversation were inaudible.
I rolled off the bed, onto the futon and landed on Jae Joong.
“Oof!” he exclaimed. “Yah… twaeji,” he said as he hugged me. “You almost squashed me flat.”
“Mwo? Twaeji?” I said, and I slammed my body on his for good measure.
“Aahh…” he half-laughed and yelled at the same time. “You know… this isn’t the best way to kill me. It’s too obvious.”
“Who cares?” I said as I leaned down and started to nibble his earlobe. “As long as you’re dead,” I whispered in the most menacing, yet seductive, voice I could muster.
“If you wanna get to the studios on time,” he murmured, the tone of his voice conveying his state of pleasure to me, “I suggest you stop doing that.”
“Make me,” I said, and he grabbed my face and pulled me towards him for a toe-tingling kiss.
Half an hour later, we’re speeding towards the studios in Jae Joong’s car. We’ve gotten a little carried away and I was now late for a radio show.
“What time is the show?” Jae Joong asked as he overtook the car in front of him.
“We’re supposed to go on air in about 15 minutes.”
“Is it one of those shows that’s gonna be broadcasted live on the web?”
“Yep.”
“Then you’d better start doing your own makeup. You wouldn’t have time when you get there.”
I rummaged through my bag, dug out my little makeup case and started putting on my makeup. At a particular traffic light, Jae Joong braked a little too hard, causing me to draw a line up my forehead with my eyebrow pencil.
“Yah!” I squealed and started rubbing my forehead to get rid of the line. “Thank god it’s not waterproof, or it’ll be hell to clean off.”
“Mian,” he laughed and dug up a packet of wet tissues from the compartment in his car. “Nawa,” he said, and he started wiping the line away for me.
We arrived at the studios just in time. I gave him a quick kiss on the lips, jumped out of the car and started sprinting up towards the studio.
“Where were you?” hyung almost yelled when he saw me.
“Mianhada…” I smiled, and I quickly slipped into the room and plopped down in the chair beside Skye.
“You’re so gonna get it from hyung after this,” Skye whispered, and I stuck out my tongue at him.
“Hello Sierra,” a familiar voice came from in front of me, and my hairs were standing on the back of my neck.
While rushing in, I’d been oblivious to everyone else in the room, and the microphone and other equipment were in the way, that I didn’t notice Darren sitting at the table, right across me.
“Stay calm, nuna,” Skye whispered.
I guess he could sense that I wanted to scream.
I’m lying on the bed, with Jae Joong’s arms around me and my head on his chest; he’d decided to spend the night at my place.
“I missed you,” he said as he stroked my hair.
“I find that hard to believe,” I said, pretending to be indifferent, but my heart was practically bursting with joy.
“I told myself everyday that I wouldn’t call you, but my fingers itched to dial your number.”
“Then why didn’t you?”
“My pride got in the way?” was his reply.
I gave him a wry look, and he just smiled. He knew that the line was overused, especially in songs, but he used it anyway.
“Shoei’s going to Japan, and Skye to Taiwan,” I said.
“I heard.”
“I’m gonna be alone here, for at least a month.”
“Want me to move in and keep you company until they get back?”
“Would you? What would the guys say?”
“They’d understand.”
“We’ll see.”
“And when Skye and Shoei return, it’ll be our turn to leave the country.”
“Where are you going?”
“To Japan, for a few months.”
“It’s not going to be on and off, like for you last album?”
“No. We’ve been neglecting our Japanese fans, so it’s going to be a long stint, this time. We’re going to participate in a lot of shows and host our radio program like we did for the 2nd album.”
“What am I supposed to do while you’re gone?”
“I’ll try to visit you whenever I can. You can come over.”
“I wish,” I sighed. “We’ll have S-Cube’s single to promote with Hee Chul, and the special single Yun Ho and I are doing.”
“Yea… he will definitely be traveling back and forth. Come to think of it, I should’ve taken the project; me and my stupid pride.”
“Yea…”
“You don’t have to be so supportive, you know,” he smirked, and I giggled.
“What made him volunteer to take the project?”
“I told him that I didn't want it, and that we’d probably fight if we had to work together, then I just walked out, and he had to handle the producers for me.”
“See how much trouble people go through for you,” I poked him in the ribs, making him jump.
“Araso… I’m the bad guy. I make life a living hell for everyone.”
“Glad you know. You’re truly a devil, disguised as a beautiful guy,” I said.
“Beautiful? That’s what I love to hear,” he grimaced.
“Take it or leave it,” I said.
“It depends,” he grinned mischievously, and tightening his arms around me.
“Depends?”
“On what you’re giving out,” he smiled suggestively.
“Yah… p’yeont’ae!” I exclaimed and smacked his arm.
“I didn’t do anything,” he complained, pretending to be hurt.
“You were thinking it,” I pointed out.
“No I wasn’t,” he said.
“Yes you were,” I replied.
“I missed our little squabbles,” he said, out of the blue.
I sighed and snuggled closer to him when he said that. I missed how he’d make my heart skip a beat with his disarming smiles and comments. It’s been so long, and you’d think the magic and mystery had long disappeared, but Jae Joong always made the effort to keep it alive.
People always say that relationships tend to become drab after you’ve seen everything there is to see about a person. We’ve seen each other in the morning, dragon breath and all, we’ve seen each other dressed up in our finest, we’ve seen each other in our most comfortable states, and yet… it has diminished nothing. He would always be beautiful to me, and he’d mentioned often enough, so was I to him.
“Why do you think I’m beautiful?” I asked him.
“Why?” he smiled. “Why this question now?”
“You’d always told me I’m beautiful, but I’ve never asked you why.”
“You call me beautiful,” he said.
“That’s different. It’s so obvious and the whole world knows that you are beautiful.”
“Don’t you think the world thinks the same of you?”
“Do you?”
“I think so,” he laughed.
“So why? Sure I have high cheekbones and pretty good skin, but my face isn’t cute like most of the conventionally pretty girls.”
“Your eyes,” he smiled.
“I don’t even have double eyelids,” I said.
“Correction; you didn’t. But you do now,” he reminded me.
“Oh, right. I’d totally forgotten about my surgery,” I smiled sheepishly. “What about before?”
“It’s not about your eyelids,” he said. “It’s the expressions you make with your eyes. Don’t you see them in your photos?”
“I’ve never really noticed.”
“In every photo you take, your eyes stand out. Your eyes portray such depth of expressions.”
“I never knew,” I said, a little awed by his poetic explanation.
“Now you know,” he smiled. “And you are beautiful. Your whole face goes with your eyes. Your face is not just made up of your eyes you know. And another point to note; SM is hardly going to sign an ugly girl. So I don’t get why you are not confident about your beauty.”
“I just feel out of place sometimes. I’m not cute or sweet.”
“Precisely,” he said as he hugged me. “You’re a unique beauty. If the whole world sees it, it’s time you did too.”
“I guess so,” I sighed.
“And you’re not fat,” he added, smiling knowingly.
“I’m gonna kill Shoei,” I growled.
“He didn’t tell me,” Jae Joong said.
“Then who did?”
“Not telling.”
“I’m gonna kill Shoei,” I repeated, and he laughed.
“Come on. Bed time. It’s late.”
“Omigod,” I yawned as I looked at the clock. “It’s almost 5am.”
“Yes…”
“I’m gonna be dead tomorrow.”
“Wanna call in sick? We could run off for the day.”
“Hyung will kill me. I’d better not.”
“If it ever gets too much, be sure to take a break. I don’t want you to get sick. I know how it’s like, going for events and meeting the schedules even when you’re sick. But I don’t want you to do it.”
“You don't want to, but it’s necessary for us to survive. This is a very short career if you don’t push hard while you can.”
“I know. But you have me,” he smiled. “I’ll do the pushing.”
“Whoever said I was going to depend on you,” I said, poking his chest. “I can take care of myself, thank you very much.”
“But I want to take care of you,” he said.
“In due time,” I smiled, and I leaned up to kiss his lips lightly. “Good night,” I said.
“Good night,” he replied, kissing the top of my head and then reaching out to turn off the bedside lamp.
3 hours later, Skye was banging on my door and screaming bloody murder. I stretched leisurely and turned onto my side to look at Jae Joong who was sleeping on the futon next to my bed. He was rubbing his eyes, awoken by the mayhem Skye was making.
“Nuna! We're late!” he yelled.
“I’ll get there myself,” I finally found my voice to reply.
I was so tired, and when extremely tired, my throat would feel scratchy and dry.
“How are you getting there?”
“Jae Joong will take me there,” I said, and I was met with a brief moment of silence on the other side of the door.
“He’s here now? In your room?” he finally said.
“Yes,” I smiled.
He was probably surprised that apart from having made up, we were so intimate again.
“That was fast,” he laughed.
“Yea… get going. Tell hyung I’m having diarrhea or something,” I said.
“Araso,” he said, and I could hear him bound off towards the front door. “Jae Joong hyung’s gonna take her,” I could hear him tell Shoei, and the rest of their conversation were inaudible.
I rolled off the bed, onto the futon and landed on Jae Joong.
“Oof!” he exclaimed. “Yah… twaeji,” he said as he hugged me. “You almost squashed me flat.”
“Mwo? Twaeji?” I said, and I slammed my body on his for good measure.
“Aahh…” he half-laughed and yelled at the same time. “You know… this isn’t the best way to kill me. It’s too obvious.”
“Who cares?” I said as I leaned down and started to nibble his earlobe. “As long as you’re dead,” I whispered in the most menacing, yet seductive, voice I could muster.
“If you wanna get to the studios on time,” he murmured, the tone of his voice conveying his state of pleasure to me, “I suggest you stop doing that.”
“Make me,” I said, and he grabbed my face and pulled me towards him for a toe-tingling kiss.
Half an hour later, we’re speeding towards the studios in Jae Joong’s car. We’ve gotten a little carried away and I was now late for a radio show.
“What time is the show?” Jae Joong asked as he overtook the car in front of him.
“We’re supposed to go on air in about 15 minutes.”
“Is it one of those shows that’s gonna be broadcasted live on the web?”
“Yep.”
“Then you’d better start doing your own makeup. You wouldn’t have time when you get there.”
I rummaged through my bag, dug out my little makeup case and started putting on my makeup. At a particular traffic light, Jae Joong braked a little too hard, causing me to draw a line up my forehead with my eyebrow pencil.
“Yah!” I squealed and started rubbing my forehead to get rid of the line. “Thank god it’s not waterproof, or it’ll be hell to clean off.”
“Mian,” he laughed and dug up a packet of wet tissues from the compartment in his car. “Nawa,” he said, and he started wiping the line away for me.
We arrived at the studios just in time. I gave him a quick kiss on the lips, jumped out of the car and started sprinting up towards the studio.
“Where were you?” hyung almost yelled when he saw me.
“Mianhada…” I smiled, and I quickly slipped into the room and plopped down in the chair beside Skye.
“You’re so gonna get it from hyung after this,” Skye whispered, and I stuck out my tongue at him.
“Hello Sierra,” a familiar voice came from in front of me, and my hairs were standing on the back of my neck.
While rushing in, I’d been oblivious to everyone else in the room, and the microphone and other equipment were in the way, that I didn’t notice Darren sitting at the table, right across me.
“Stay calm, nuna,” Skye whispered.
I guess he could sense that I wanted to scream.
Wednesday, 23 May 2007
Chapter 88: My Little Princess
After sitting for over an hour at the sushi bar, and drinking almost a gallon of green tea, we decided to take a walk. The airport was pretty busy, and people were pretty much loitering around since the flights were all delayed. We bumped into a few fans, signed a few autographs and took some pictures, and by the 2nd hour, we were in the lounge with the rest of the crew, slouching on the chairs and feeling extremely bored.
“Here,” hyung said as he handed out some files to Skye, Shoei and I. “The plans for your upcoming projects. All of them will commence next week, and probably in the 2nd or 3rd week, you guys will regroup for the launch of the ‘Waiting for You’ single, with Hee Chul.”
“They’re really fast,” I murmured in awe as I flipped through the file. They had the songs, MVs and everything planned out already.
“The management wants to capitalize on the current hype that you guys are attracting. So it has to be fast,” hyung explained.
“So I’ll be back in Tokyo by the end of next week,” Shoei asked.
“Yes. And sometime the week after, the 3 of you will need to attend a web interview, via conferencing; Sierra from Korea, Skye from Taiwan and Shoei from Japan. But if Skye happens to be back in Korea at that time, then Shoei will be the only one calling in from abroad.”
“Sounds fun,” Skye said.
“Omigod!” I squealed. “This is what Yun Ho and I are doing?” I looked at hyung.
“Yea. What’s wrong?”
“I love this song.”
“What song?” Shoei asked.
“‘Ice Box’ by Omarion. We’re going to do a cover, but there will be little changes to the lyrics cos it’s going to be sort of a duet.”
“This is going to be your title track, and more than half of the MV will be of you and Yun Ho dancing.”
“Understandable, since Yun Ho is a great dancer, and for once, I’ll be doing hard core dancing,” I smiled.
“And I honestly cannot imagine Jae Joong doing this song,” Shoei said.
“You’re right. It’s more Yun Ho’s style. Did they change it in the last minute?”
“I think they did,” hyung said.
“At least they had the sense to,” Skye said. “They probably had a ballad in mind.”
“There is still going to be a ballad,” I said, as I scanned through the next few pages. “And also a MV for it?”
“Yes. The MVs might be released in the repackaged versions of the single.”
“Wow… this is shaping up to be a huge project.”
“It is,” hyung said. “This is really put you in the spotlight, and you’d better be ready for it.”
“Haha…” I laughed nervously. “I hope I am.”
We finally arrived at the airport in Seoul after an eternity of waiting. It was already long past midnight, and that meant less crowds. As we walked out of the arrival hall, I noticed a familiar face waiting for us.
“What took you guys so long?” Jae Joong said as he walked towards us.
“The flights were postponed for a bit because of a storm,” Shoei explained, as I was standing there, speechless.
“Sierra?” Jae Joong said as he looked at me, and I continued to stare at him.
“We’re gonna leave first. Why don’t you take her home, hyung?” Shoei said to Jae Joong, and he walked off with Skye and the rest of the crew.
“Sierra,” Jae Joong said, as he reached out to take my hand.
“Don’t touch me,” I said softly, and he didn’t.
“Let’s go,” he said, and started walking towards the car park.
Since everyone had left, and I couldn’t well make a scene in public, I followed him quietly.
“Mianhae,” he said as we drove slowly out of the parking lot.
“Is that all you want to tell me?” I said.
“I’m really sorry. Please forgive me.”
“How many days has it been?” I asked him. “How many days since you walked out and totally ignored me?”
“Cheongmal mianhaeyo,” he said as he took my hand.
“No,” I said as I pulled my hand away fiercely. “You can’t just come back and expect me to forget everything. You think you can jerk me around like that?”
“I wasn’t…” he said.
“What? What weren’t you doing?”
“I just freaked out, okay?” he said.
I suddenly noticed that he wasn’t taking me home.
“Where are you taking me?”
“We’re going to resolve this tonight,” he said.
“You think it’s only going to take one night to resolve this?” I said in my sternest voice.
“Maybe we can’t resolve this tonight, but as long as you’re willing to give me a chance, I’ll make it up to you. You don’t have to forgive me now, and however long it takes, I will prove to you that I will never hurt you again.”
I was silent after his little speech, trying to digest everything he’d said, what he’d just promised me. He was willing to work it out between us, but how long would it last? How long before he allows our insecurities to break us apart again?
We drove up to the hillside where we always came to talk and just spend some time alone. I used to come here with Yun Ho, and now with Jae Joong. So many memories were shared at this same spot, and so much heartache, but here we are again, back where we were, and could we be back as we were?
“Sierra-ya,” Jae Joong whispered as he turned to look at me.
“I’ve had it. I can’t take this anymore. Its bad enough I feel insecure, now you’re insecure too?”
“Why can’t I be?”
“You’re Kim Jae Joong. When do you need to feel insecure? There are hordes of girls waiting for you. You just need to pick.”
“But none of them will love me because I’m Kim Jae Joong from Chungnam. They love be because I’m Yong-ung Jae Joong of TVXQ.”
“I didn’t know you from back then either.”
“But we’re both in the same boat, walking the same path. You know how it feels to live this life, and that is why I believe in your love.”
“Then why do you treat me like that if you believe in my love?”
“I… because Kim Jae Joong from Chungnam isn’t as confident as Yong-ung Jae Joong of TVXQ. I’m not confident of my true self. I’m only confident when I am in my persona with TVXQ.”
I sighed loudly. He was right. As Sierra of S-Cube, I’m confident and sexy, but as Sierra, the 20 something girl from Malaysia, I’m a nervous wreck, and an emotional junkie. I can’t blame him for having the same insecurities as I did. We just had to work it out somehow.
“It still hurts,” I said.
“Arayo… mianhae,” he said.
“This is the last time?” I said as I looked at him, tears started filling my eyes. “I’m so afraid, Jae Joong. I’m afraid that this would happen again, and the next time, there might be nothing left of me when it’s over.”
“Mianhae,” he said as he gathered me into his arms, and I started sobbing from the relief I felt when he held me.
He kissed the top off my head and stroked my back as I cried, all the time whispering that he loved me, asking me to stop crying. I cursed myself for being so weak. Just days ago, I told myself that I wouldn’t take him back, that I will not back down so easily, and within half an hour of his presence, I’d caved in.
“I won’t do it again,” he said. “I believe in you. I believe in us.”
“You say you do,” I sobbed, “but do you mean it? Do you believe it?”
“I will, I will,” he said. “We’ve been through so much and I’ve been such an idiot. I shouldn’t have doubted us.”
“You shouldn’t have,” I said as I pulled away, wiping the tears from my eyes.
“I know. Nan paboya,” he smiled weakly.
“Chintcha pabo,” I said.
“Nae… chintcha pabo,” he laughed. “You forgive me?”
“You asked for a chance, and you said the forgiveness can come later,” I reminded him.
“Yes I did,” he sighed. “I’ll wait for it then.”
“Correction… you will work for it,” I said, pouting.
“Araso, Sierra kongju,” he smiled.
I smiled back. He rarely called me his princess, only when he was trying harder than usual.
“I don’t think you’re a princess at all,” he once told me. “You’re too cool to be a princess.”
I guess he’s right. I don’t feel like a princess either. Princesses don’t need to go through such pain. But sometimes, I do feel like a princess, because he made me believe the fairytale I was living in.
[Darren’s POV]
I’d come to the airport to surprise Sierra, at the same time, crossing my fingers and praying that her band mates won’t pummel me for what I did more than a week ago. I hadn’t counted on Jae Joong to come around so soon.
I was walking to the arrival gates, after receiving a tip that their flight had been delayed and they’d just landed, and Jae Joong beat me to it. I guess I’ll need a new plan now, if they’d really reconciled. He really was a wuss. I can’t imagine a guy forgiving his girlfriend for cheating so easily. Then again, she didn’t exactly cheat. I was the one who ‘attacked’ her. I chuckled to myself at the thought of that night. I still can’t get their expressions out of my head.
As the two of them walked towards the parking lot, I observed them. They weren’t holding hands, and that was good news for me. Maybe they’re just keeping up appearances, since a huge breakup could be detrimental to their careers, or at least Sierra’s. Maybe I still have a chance at breaking them up.
I’d received another tip today. Sierra was going to collaborate on a special single with Yun Ho. Coincidence? I think not. I guess it’s just the management’s strategy to generate interest since people would be watching very closely, to see if this collaboration might rekindle something between the two. The media is probably waiting with bated breath for something to happen.
As I walked off, my plans foiled for the days, I felt someone tug at my sleeve.
“Oppa,” a little girl holding a piece of paper and a pen smiled up at me. “Can I have your autograph?”
“Sure,” I smiled and took the paper and pen from her. “What’s your name?”
“Jin Ju,” she replied in her cutesy voice.
“Here you go,” I said as I handed the paper and pen back to her.
“Komawo, oppa,” she smiled and skipped away.
I fished my phone out of my jacket’s pockets and dialed Nakata’s number.
“Where are you guys?” I asked them.
“At home. It’s almost 2am, hyung, where are you?”
“Nowhere special. I’ll be late. See you in the morning,” I said and I hung up.
I didn’t feel like going home tonight, and I knew just where to go.
“Oppa!” she smiled as she opened the door.
“Hey,” I smiled as I walked in and put my arm around her shoulders.
“You haven’t been over in weeks, oppa. Where did you go?” she pouted as we walked into her apartment.
“I’ve been busy. What have you been up to?”
“Training, as usual. I thought that SM’s schedules were tough, but DSP’s even tougher.”
“Sure it is. You’re going to debut in 6 months. They’re gonna work you hard to make sure you make their investment worth,” I said as I ruffled her hair.
“Well, at least after I debut, we can finally have more time together,” she smiled happily.
“Are the other girls asleep?” I asked her.
“Yea… what do you have in mind?” her tone changing from sweet to seductive.
“I don’t know,” I smiled as I ran my hand down her arm.
I loved that she made an extra effort to dress up when I’m coming. That’s why I make it a point to call ahead so that she had time to prepare. Right now, she was wearing a spaghetti strap tank top that bared her midriff, and a pair of shorts that left nothing to the imagination.
“Let’s use the study,” she said as she dragged me towards it.
“You’d better pipe down this time,” I laughed softly as I followed her. “You almost woke the girls the last time.”
“I know,” she giggled. “The next morning, Shin Hae was asking me if I heard a sound the night before. ‘It sounded like someone was moaning…’ she said.”
“Yea… you do moan at lot,” I smiled as I pinched her cheek.
“Yah… appuh,” she whispered as we walked into the dark study and closed the door.
She flipped on the lights and we started moving the chairs out of the way. She opened the cupboard to pull out the spare futon.
“We don’t need that,” I said as I pulled her away from the cupboard.
“The floor’s hard,” she said.
“I’ll be your mattress,” I smiled, and I reached out to turn out the lights.
“Oppa, where are you?” she giggled.
“Come here,” I said as I pulled her tightly against me, and I kissed her, hard.
“Oppa,” she gasped between the kisses. “You’re so wild tonight.”
“That’s because you’re so hot,” I whispered.
“I missed you oppa,” she whispered as her hands did exactly what she knew I loved.
“I missed you too, Su Bin,” I replied, closing my eyes to savor the ecstasy she invoked on me.
“Saranghae,” she said, and I just smiled to myself.
“Here,” hyung said as he handed out some files to Skye, Shoei and I. “The plans for your upcoming projects. All of them will commence next week, and probably in the 2nd or 3rd week, you guys will regroup for the launch of the ‘Waiting for You’ single, with Hee Chul.”
“They’re really fast,” I murmured in awe as I flipped through the file. They had the songs, MVs and everything planned out already.
“The management wants to capitalize on the current hype that you guys are attracting. So it has to be fast,” hyung explained.
“So I’ll be back in Tokyo by the end of next week,” Shoei asked.
“Yes. And sometime the week after, the 3 of you will need to attend a web interview, via conferencing; Sierra from Korea, Skye from Taiwan and Shoei from Japan. But if Skye happens to be back in Korea at that time, then Shoei will be the only one calling in from abroad.”
“Sounds fun,” Skye said.
“Omigod!” I squealed. “This is what Yun Ho and I are doing?” I looked at hyung.
“Yea. What’s wrong?”
“I love this song.”
“What song?” Shoei asked.
“‘Ice Box’ by Omarion. We’re going to do a cover, but there will be little changes to the lyrics cos it’s going to be sort of a duet.”
“This is going to be your title track, and more than half of the MV will be of you and Yun Ho dancing.”
“Understandable, since Yun Ho is a great dancer, and for once, I’ll be doing hard core dancing,” I smiled.
“And I honestly cannot imagine Jae Joong doing this song,” Shoei said.
“You’re right. It’s more Yun Ho’s style. Did they change it in the last minute?”
“I think they did,” hyung said.
“At least they had the sense to,” Skye said. “They probably had a ballad in mind.”
“There is still going to be a ballad,” I said, as I scanned through the next few pages. “And also a MV for it?”
“Yes. The MVs might be released in the repackaged versions of the single.”
“Wow… this is shaping up to be a huge project.”
“It is,” hyung said. “This is really put you in the spotlight, and you’d better be ready for it.”
“Haha…” I laughed nervously. “I hope I am.”
We finally arrived at the airport in Seoul after an eternity of waiting. It was already long past midnight, and that meant less crowds. As we walked out of the arrival hall, I noticed a familiar face waiting for us.
“What took you guys so long?” Jae Joong said as he walked towards us.
“The flights were postponed for a bit because of a storm,” Shoei explained, as I was standing there, speechless.
“Sierra?” Jae Joong said as he looked at me, and I continued to stare at him.
“We’re gonna leave first. Why don’t you take her home, hyung?” Shoei said to Jae Joong, and he walked off with Skye and the rest of the crew.
“Sierra,” Jae Joong said, as he reached out to take my hand.
“Don’t touch me,” I said softly, and he didn’t.
“Let’s go,” he said, and started walking towards the car park.
Since everyone had left, and I couldn’t well make a scene in public, I followed him quietly.
“Mianhae,” he said as we drove slowly out of the parking lot.
“Is that all you want to tell me?” I said.
“I’m really sorry. Please forgive me.”
“How many days has it been?” I asked him. “How many days since you walked out and totally ignored me?”
“Cheongmal mianhaeyo,” he said as he took my hand.
“No,” I said as I pulled my hand away fiercely. “You can’t just come back and expect me to forget everything. You think you can jerk me around like that?”
“I wasn’t…” he said.
“What? What weren’t you doing?”
“I just freaked out, okay?” he said.
I suddenly noticed that he wasn’t taking me home.
“Where are you taking me?”
“We’re going to resolve this tonight,” he said.
“You think it’s only going to take one night to resolve this?” I said in my sternest voice.
“Maybe we can’t resolve this tonight, but as long as you’re willing to give me a chance, I’ll make it up to you. You don’t have to forgive me now, and however long it takes, I will prove to you that I will never hurt you again.”
I was silent after his little speech, trying to digest everything he’d said, what he’d just promised me. He was willing to work it out between us, but how long would it last? How long before he allows our insecurities to break us apart again?
We drove up to the hillside where we always came to talk and just spend some time alone. I used to come here with Yun Ho, and now with Jae Joong. So many memories were shared at this same spot, and so much heartache, but here we are again, back where we were, and could we be back as we were?
“Sierra-ya,” Jae Joong whispered as he turned to look at me.
“I’ve had it. I can’t take this anymore. Its bad enough I feel insecure, now you’re insecure too?”
“Why can’t I be?”
“You’re Kim Jae Joong. When do you need to feel insecure? There are hordes of girls waiting for you. You just need to pick.”
“But none of them will love me because I’m Kim Jae Joong from Chungnam. They love be because I’m Yong-ung Jae Joong of TVXQ.”
“I didn’t know you from back then either.”
“But we’re both in the same boat, walking the same path. You know how it feels to live this life, and that is why I believe in your love.”
“Then why do you treat me like that if you believe in my love?”
“I… because Kim Jae Joong from Chungnam isn’t as confident as Yong-ung Jae Joong of TVXQ. I’m not confident of my true self. I’m only confident when I am in my persona with TVXQ.”
I sighed loudly. He was right. As Sierra of S-Cube, I’m confident and sexy, but as Sierra, the 20 something girl from Malaysia, I’m a nervous wreck, and an emotional junkie. I can’t blame him for having the same insecurities as I did. We just had to work it out somehow.
“It still hurts,” I said.
“Arayo… mianhae,” he said.
“This is the last time?” I said as I looked at him, tears started filling my eyes. “I’m so afraid, Jae Joong. I’m afraid that this would happen again, and the next time, there might be nothing left of me when it’s over.”
“Mianhae,” he said as he gathered me into his arms, and I started sobbing from the relief I felt when he held me.
He kissed the top off my head and stroked my back as I cried, all the time whispering that he loved me, asking me to stop crying. I cursed myself for being so weak. Just days ago, I told myself that I wouldn’t take him back, that I will not back down so easily, and within half an hour of his presence, I’d caved in.
“I won’t do it again,” he said. “I believe in you. I believe in us.”
“You say you do,” I sobbed, “but do you mean it? Do you believe it?”
“I will, I will,” he said. “We’ve been through so much and I’ve been such an idiot. I shouldn’t have doubted us.”
“You shouldn’t have,” I said as I pulled away, wiping the tears from my eyes.
“I know. Nan paboya,” he smiled weakly.
“Chintcha pabo,” I said.
“Nae… chintcha pabo,” he laughed. “You forgive me?”
“You asked for a chance, and you said the forgiveness can come later,” I reminded him.
“Yes I did,” he sighed. “I’ll wait for it then.”
“Correction… you will work for it,” I said, pouting.
“Araso, Sierra kongju,” he smiled.
I smiled back. He rarely called me his princess, only when he was trying harder than usual.
“I don’t think you’re a princess at all,” he once told me. “You’re too cool to be a princess.”
I guess he’s right. I don’t feel like a princess either. Princesses don’t need to go through such pain. But sometimes, I do feel like a princess, because he made me believe the fairytale I was living in.
[Darren’s POV]
I’d come to the airport to surprise Sierra, at the same time, crossing my fingers and praying that her band mates won’t pummel me for what I did more than a week ago. I hadn’t counted on Jae Joong to come around so soon.
I was walking to the arrival gates, after receiving a tip that their flight had been delayed and they’d just landed, and Jae Joong beat me to it. I guess I’ll need a new plan now, if they’d really reconciled. He really was a wuss. I can’t imagine a guy forgiving his girlfriend for cheating so easily. Then again, she didn’t exactly cheat. I was the one who ‘attacked’ her. I chuckled to myself at the thought of that night. I still can’t get their expressions out of my head.
As the two of them walked towards the parking lot, I observed them. They weren’t holding hands, and that was good news for me. Maybe they’re just keeping up appearances, since a huge breakup could be detrimental to their careers, or at least Sierra’s. Maybe I still have a chance at breaking them up.
I’d received another tip today. Sierra was going to collaborate on a special single with Yun Ho. Coincidence? I think not. I guess it’s just the management’s strategy to generate interest since people would be watching very closely, to see if this collaboration might rekindle something between the two. The media is probably waiting with bated breath for something to happen.
As I walked off, my plans foiled for the days, I felt someone tug at my sleeve.
“Oppa,” a little girl holding a piece of paper and a pen smiled up at me. “Can I have your autograph?”
“Sure,” I smiled and took the paper and pen from her. “What’s your name?”
“Jin Ju,” she replied in her cutesy voice.
“Here you go,” I said as I handed the paper and pen back to her.
“Komawo, oppa,” she smiled and skipped away.
I fished my phone out of my jacket’s pockets and dialed Nakata’s number.
“Where are you guys?” I asked them.
“At home. It’s almost 2am, hyung, where are you?”
“Nowhere special. I’ll be late. See you in the morning,” I said and I hung up.
I didn’t feel like going home tonight, and I knew just where to go.
“Oppa!” she smiled as she opened the door.
“Hey,” I smiled as I walked in and put my arm around her shoulders.
“You haven’t been over in weeks, oppa. Where did you go?” she pouted as we walked into her apartment.
“I’ve been busy. What have you been up to?”
“Training, as usual. I thought that SM’s schedules were tough, but DSP’s even tougher.”
“Sure it is. You’re going to debut in 6 months. They’re gonna work you hard to make sure you make their investment worth,” I said as I ruffled her hair.
“Well, at least after I debut, we can finally have more time together,” she smiled happily.
“Are the other girls asleep?” I asked her.
“Yea… what do you have in mind?” her tone changing from sweet to seductive.
“I don’t know,” I smiled as I ran my hand down her arm.
I loved that she made an extra effort to dress up when I’m coming. That’s why I make it a point to call ahead so that she had time to prepare. Right now, she was wearing a spaghetti strap tank top that bared her midriff, and a pair of shorts that left nothing to the imagination.
“Let’s use the study,” she said as she dragged me towards it.
“You’d better pipe down this time,” I laughed softly as I followed her. “You almost woke the girls the last time.”
“I know,” she giggled. “The next morning, Shin Hae was asking me if I heard a sound the night before. ‘It sounded like someone was moaning…’ she said.”
“Yea… you do moan at lot,” I smiled as I pinched her cheek.
“Yah… appuh,” she whispered as we walked into the dark study and closed the door.
She flipped on the lights and we started moving the chairs out of the way. She opened the cupboard to pull out the spare futon.
“We don’t need that,” I said as I pulled her away from the cupboard.
“The floor’s hard,” she said.
“I’ll be your mattress,” I smiled, and I reached out to turn out the lights.
“Oppa, where are you?” she giggled.
“Come here,” I said as I pulled her tightly against me, and I kissed her, hard.
“Oppa,” she gasped between the kisses. “You’re so wild tonight.”
“That’s because you’re so hot,” I whispered.
“I missed you oppa,” she whispered as her hands did exactly what she knew I loved.
“I missed you too, Su Bin,” I replied, closing my eyes to savor the ecstasy she invoked on me.
“Saranghae,” she said, and I just smiled to myself.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)