Chapter 130: AM 07:05

Okay... I don't think I can update twice a week anymore, but I will try my very best to update every Wednesday from now on ^_^ Hope this chapter isn't too crummy. I couldn't find any other title to adequately describe this chapter other than this song by Lee Min Woo :P

Enjoy...

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[Sierra’s POV]

Jae Joong and the guys left yesterday. I woke up this morning and it hit me quite hard that I wouldn’t be seeing him for the next 3 months. I was awake since 6 am, staring at the ceiling, wondering what I was going to do on my own while Jae Joong was away.

“We’ll be back soon,” Jun Su smiled at me before they left yesterday.

I wasn’t allowed to see them off since this trip was highly publicized and they didn’t want any incidents between me and the fans happening at the airport. I was only able to see them off at their apartment before Skye drove me home.

“I’ll see you soon,” Jae Joong whispered as he hugged me and kissed my hair on the side of my head.

I hugged him back fiercely and we stood there in each others’ arms for almost a minute, the other guys busy loading the van while we were saying our farewell.

“Take care of her,” Jae Joong said to Skye before boarding the van.

“I will,” Skye said as he waved.

“I’ll see you soon,” Yun Ho smiled, before closing the door.

“Okay,” I replied.

Yun Ho was scheduled to come back to Seoul at intervals because we were still promoting our single. We have a few live performances scheduled and also some shows to appear on even while they are supposed to be in Japan.

“Bye!” the guys yelled as the van pulled out.

“Let’s go,” Skye said as he put an arm around me and led me to his car.

The ride home was a silent one, on my part. Skye chattered away, trying to distract me from my thoughts as he drove but all I could muster were sounds of agreement to his questions.

“You can’t stay like this for the next 3 months,” he said.

“I won’t,” I sighed. “I’m just gonna wallow today and I’ll be fine tomorrow.”

“You sure?” he asked.

“Ne… stop being a nag,” I smiled weakly.

“I am somewhat unconvinced,” he said, but laughed anyway.

I dragged myself out of bed at 8am to wash up. I had a reading to attend for the drama, then a dance practice for S-Cube’s next album.

I dressed casually, pinned my hair back and decided I didn’t need any makeup today.

“I’m going out,” I said as I walked past Skye and Shoei in the living room.

“See you at practice,” Shoei said.

“Right,” I replied as I slipped on my shoes.

“You need a lift?” Skye asked me.

“It’s okay. Someone’s here to pick me up,” I said as I opened the door.

“Okay, bye… have a good day,” Skye said.

My transport took me directly to the studios. The pilot won’t be shot until next week, and we’re having some reading sessions now just to familiarize with the characters and the rest of the cast. When I arrived at the building and got out of the car, I saw Darren leaning on the wall by the main door, casually puffing a cigarette. I closed the door, took a deep breath as I straightened myself up, then walked towards him.

“I know what you’re about to say,” he smiled as I approached.

“What?” I asked.

“Singers shouldn’t smoke,” he said.

“I wasn’t going to say anything,” I replied. “What someone does is his own business.”

“True,” he smirked, and tossed the cigarette away after one last puff. “Shall we?” he said as he opened the door, gesturing for me to enter first.

“Komapda,” I said, and I walked in.

“You’re speaking very casually,” he said, in a tone that sounded like he found it humorous.

“I shouldn’t?” I said, raising a brow at him.

“You may,” he said. “You are older,” he winked.

“Trust you to remind me that,” I smiled wryly as we entered the elevator.

“Didn’t mean to hit a weak spot,” he laughed.

“Don’t worry,” I replied. “You didn’t.”

“So… your lover boy shipped off yet?” he asked.

“Yes, Jae Joong has gone to Japan,” I replied.

“3 months of freedom for you then,” he said.

“Call it what you want,” I said.

“You’re still mad about that incident?” he asked me.

“What incident?” I said, pretending I didn’t remember at all.

“Twaeso…” he laughed softly.

The doors of the elevator opened at our floor, and we walked out together.

“Annyeong haseyo!” the receptionist perkily greeted as we walked past the front desk.

“Annyeong haseyo,” we replied.

When we arrived at the room where the reading will take place, the rest of the cast and the acting coach were mingling and chatting while sipping refreshments.

“Ah… the stars!” the producer joked when Darren and I walked in.

“Annyeong haseyo,” I smiled.

“Coffee?” he asked me, gesturing to the refreshments table.

“No thanks,” I said. “I’ll just have some water.”

“Darren?” he said inquiringly as he looked at Darren.

“I’ll have some coffee,” he said and he walked over to the table with the producer.

“Sierra onni,” a female voice called out, and I turned around to find Yuk Hee behind me. “Remember me?” she asked.

“Yuk Hee, right?” I said.

“Ne,” she smiled. “How are you?”

“I’m fine,” I replied. “I heard from Skye that I’ll be working with you.”

“Yes,” she replied. “I got a lucky break and landed a part on this series.”

“What’s your role?”

“Some girl in the office. Probably the 3rd party,” she giggled. “I guess I look the part.”

“Hmm,” I smiled, trying not to blurt out that I couldn’t agree more.

{Girls on Top: Episode 1, Scene 1}

Ho Young – Darren
Maya – Sierra

“Hi, is this seat taken?” Ho Young said as he gestured to the empty spot beside Maya.

Maya looks around and sees that there are actually empty tables around her. She looks up at Ho Young and smiles.

“It is, but since the restaurant is full, I’m sure my friend wouldn’t mind you having her seat for awhile,” she replied.

“Thanks,” he laughed as he sat down.

“No problem,” Maya said as she turned to her food and book again.

“So is your friend coming back soon?” he asked as he started eating.

“I’m not sure. Should I be worried if she doesn’t?” she raised her eyebrows at him.

“That obvious, huh?” he laughed. “No… I pretty much harmless. No hurry for her to get back here.”

“Good,” she smiled briefly and ignored him again.

“So where are you from?” he asked her.

“Where are you from?” she asked back innocently as she pushed up her glasses.

“South Korea,” he replied.

“You don’t sound South Korean,” she remarked.

“Really? What would a South Korean sound like then?” he asked.

“You don’t substitute your ‘f’ with ‘ph’,” she said.

“Is that your general impression of Koreans,” he asked, “that we can’t speak English without the Korean slang?”

“Of course not,” she smiled. “I’ve just not met one who didn’t.”

“Well… I spent some years in America, if that helps quell your curiosity,” he smiled.

“I see,” she said.

“So where are you from again? I didn’t quite catch your reply,” he said.

“That’s because I never gave you one,” she pointed out.

“Ah… so?”

“I’m Chinese,” she smiled. “Take a guess.”

“That’s like me saying that I’m Korean and asking you to take a guess,” he looked at her, trying to sound offended.

“I can’t reveal my nationality,” she said in a stage whisper.

“Why not?” he whispered back. “Are you being followed?”

“I guess so…” she said, still whispering.

“By who?”

“This fella… I think he’s Korean, and he just sat down in front of me,” she finished, and started giggling.

Ho Young slapped his own forehead and pretended to fall back and faint in his chair.

“I guess you’ve given up?” Maya smiled and started standing up.

“I was that obvious huh?” he smiled.

“Well…” she contemplated for a moment, tapping her finger wistfully on her pouted lips, “kinda. Bye…” she said, and started to walk off.

“I’m Ho Young!” he yelled after her.

“I’m leaving,” she replied, without turning back, as she continued walking away.

{End of scene}

Everyone clapped when our reading ended.

“That was very smooth for a first reading,” the coach said. “The both of you have definitely practiced hard.”

“Komapseumnida,” Darren and I said as we bowed.

“I can picture the audiences going crazy for more once the episode goes into commercial after this scene,” the producer said. “This is definitely going to be a huge success.”

“I wouldn’t count on it yet,” Darren smiled. “But Sierra and I will definitely do our best.”

“The both of you definitely have screen chemistry. Did you rehearse together before this?” another producer asked.

“Aniyo,” I said. “This is the first time I’ve read with Darren.”

“Then she must have gotten Jae Joong to stand in and rehearse with her, didn’t you, Sierra?” one of the other actors joked.

“You’ve got me there,” I smiled, and the room laughed.

The rest of the morning up till lunchtime was spent reading and discussing the plans for the shoot of the pilot episode. When I returned from one of my toilet breaks, I saw Yuk Hee cozying up to Darren.

‘Birds of a feather flock together,’ was all I could think of as I walked back into the room and took my place in the activities.

[Darren’s POV]

“So you’re practically a trainee, except that you haven’t been for any training,” I said to Yuk Hee.

“You can say that,” she smiled. “But I am being trained at the moment.”

“And you’re the female lead in my band’s next video,” I said.

“Seems like it,” she said coyly.

I sneaked a glance at Sierra to find her taking her seat with a disapproving expression aimed at me and Yuk Hee.

“Do you know Sierra personally?” I asked Yuk Hee.

“I’m a friend of Skye’s,” she said. “Why?”

“Nothing,” I said.

Something from Sierra’s expression gave me the impression that either Yuk Hee was bad news, or it’s just because she’s still mad at me. But when I look at Yuk Hee, the glint in her eyes tells me that she’s not as simple as she looks.

Yuk Hee must have some strong connections to be able to debut in the business so easily, but she sure isn’t letting on what her connections are. Maybe I can coax it out of her during our MV shoot. She may prove to be a useful ally, or even a deadly foe. I’ll need to figure her out soon.

In the meantime, I’m enjoying watching Sierra trying not to squirm during our interactions in front of the entire room.