PTS - Ch 2
Part Time Steady
Chapter 2 :: Nichkhun the trouble cleaner.
***
NICHKHUN
Tugs. Tugs.
And the music beat goes on like that. Everybody were enjoying the party, and I'm glad to see them in this situation.
"Boss, another shot?" Hwang ChanSung, the bartender asked me half smiling. I guzzled up the martini on the shot glass and slammed it against the wood counter.
"No thanks, I will drive tonight. I cannot manage to get drunk." I pressed my lips and smile.
“Ahhh. I see. Then, drive safely boss!"
I nodded, he bow his head and walked to the other side. I rotate my head from left to right and sigh wearily. I'm tired. I guess I have to leave now.
I spun my chair around and ready to step my foot on the ground when I saw three set of eyes staring at me. I looked at my right, and then I saw Ryeo Won grinning at me.
I smiled at her, but my eyes flickered wide as I felt my chair vibrating, or was it because she's moving her chair beside me?
Definitely yes. Why? Coz I felt her left hand groping around my... my... tight... ow, ow, ow shit... s-s-stop.
“Taecyeon, this is my boyfriend, Nichkhun-shi.”
What... the... hell?
My jaw dropped down and I believe everybody glanced at us and Taecyeon blinked his eyes twice.
Ryeo Won look at me with her eyes getting squinted--rather pleading. It was a tacit action.
"Nichkhun"
I stare at her and her facial expression really shows that she desperately needs my help. Who could refuse that face?
I exhale loudly and... Let the games begin.
I wrap my arms around her shoulders as I cupped my face to her. "My Ryeo Won is really funny. Heh~" I let out a chuckle and it harmonize with Ryeo Won-- and the sound was absolutely bizarre. "Yes she is... Ryeo Won is my girlfriend... Aren’t I the luckiest guy?"
Slowly, I felt Ryeo Won loosen her tight grip on my thigh and she was hugging me. "Yah~ Khunnie, stop it, you’re making me embarrass."
"Aww, don’t be, hon. Heh~" Then I gave her swift peck on her cheeks. Suddenly, her cherry aura turned
serious. Ryeo Won look at me with wide eyes.
She slap me on my chest and smiled again. "Haha~ Nichkhun, why are you kissing me on the public? You’re making me nervous."
"Then why are you telling them that I am your boyfriend?" I ask almost making it a hum; we laugh again as we still hold each other’s arm.
"Ehem!" Somebody interrupted, it was Taecyeon. We both looked at him and Ryeo Won tightens her clutch on my waist this time.
"Hah! Of course, I am Jeong Ryeo Won's boyfriend."
"That's true!... you--re my boyfriend. Hehe~"
"Wow! I didn’t know you have a boyfriend. So when did you start dating each other?" He asked. I shot daggers at Ryeo Won. She was wiggling her eyebrows at me, one at a time. What the heck.
"Ah. Ah. Since this afternoon. Haha. Isn’t it sweet?" Ryeo Won alleged immediately, and cuddles me closer that I sniffled on her hair (which smells the same and good. Just like before.)
I heard someone gasp (which jolted me to reality). Oh great, Ryeo Won! You could have said we started dating each other yesterday, to avoid this bushwhack to this people!
"I didn’t know that." Taecyeon touched his chin with his thumb.
"Well, love comes in surprises!" She giggled again. "Right, Khunnie?"
"Oh yes! BIG SURPRISES!" I look at her with a smile as I try to make my eyes bigger. Ryeo Won's eyes got chinkier. She jumps out of her seat and I stood up in front of our guests. "Anyway, it’s nice meeting you, Ok Taecyeon, Ryeo Won's EX BOYFRIEND." I stretch out my hand and he shook it. I bow in front of Ms. Eun Hye. "We'll be leaving, see you next time. And enjoy the party!"
I held her wrist and dragged her outside not knowing whether she bid her farewell to them or just play rudely.
________________________
Neither of us spoke when I was driving, I bet there are lots of things running inside her mind. I wanted to help her sort it out therefore I decided to take her on a peaceful place... at the Han River.
I parked my car on the river bank and still she’s not taking. Silently and swiftly, she went outside and lay down on the hood of my car. While I just stay here, apparently for one hour-just watching her back.
“Nic-Nic” I laugh and shook my head. It’s been a while since I heard her call me that.
“Hmm?”
“Are you mad coz I put you on an extreme pressure?” My shoulders shrug as I chuckle. I went outside my car and lay down beside her. I was looking at her face. Her pretty face. She didn’t change and I’m glad things remain the same.
“No. But I got flabbergasted that I didn’t know what to do or say.” She laughs. Both of us do. "Besides, I’m used to it."
She glared at me and slaps me on my chest. "Yah~ what do you mean by that?! You mean, I’m the trouble maker and you’re the trouble cleaner?"
"Definitely correct."
"Yah~" She held my hands together and tickles me. Then she pouted. "I cannot remember I did such thi---"
"Junior year, Kim Junsu. The class representative. You'd argue with him because you said he's giving the wrong direction for our chemistry experiment. IN the end, we made your way, then when you placed your 'own' chemicals, it created a fuzz inside the laboratory that we have to used the extinguishers... you were scared, that I have to bail you out. So I lied, and told them that I was the one who did it!"
"I never asked you to do that for me!"
"A-A-ah..." my throat suddenly became dry. I don’t know what to say coz definitely she's correct. "But it was on my own will!"
She sat on the hood, perhaps she got excited on the story she wants to tell. "Still, it’s different on the thing you are hinting! But, when you got detention that time, I went to help you out with your community service! And... and... HISTORY exam! Park JaeBum!"
"The Seattle kid?"
"Oh." She nodded her head.
"Oh. No. No. No. Don’t turn the table, this conversion is about you."
She smirked and continued. "He accidentally gave you the leakage for the exam, and you were caught by the proctor. Instead of having Park Jaebum sent to the principals’ office you were the one who went there. It was my first time to see your erratic behavior. I couldn’t calm you down. All of the sudden you're speaking English, Korean and Thai at the same time. Then you were so angry that you slammed your fist on his table, he got frighten and wanted to exp---"
I hastily cover her mouth and laugh. I pulled her shoulder with my right arm and hugged her from behind. Shortly she lower her head and started to quiver and the atmosphere became despairing.
I lean my forehead on the back of her head then she removed my hand and held it. "After all those years... I... I thought... I was all over him... bu-but whenever I would see him, I... I feel hurt... and I want him back again.”
I frowned. "Jeong Ryeon Won."
She turns her head around and our faces were centimeters away from one another. Her eyes flash wide and my heartbeat were uncontrollably unstable.
I couldn’t stare at her eyes. Instead I moved backward and knock her forehead.
"Ow..." she glares, complaint and rubs her forehead.
"I did not help you back there to say such futile things to me. See, Taecyeon's have move on already, no more Ryeo Won on his life, there’s nothing left for you."
"I know! I know! But why do you have to hit me on my forehead?"
"It’s a wakeup call, okay?"
"Fine... Fine..." She lay down again and I mimicked her. She was staring at the vast, velvet night sky with replete of stars whilst I stare at her. "I'll try to forget and resist him."
I smiled faintly and look at her. "Ryeo Won..."
"Hmmm?"
"Can I ask something?"
She faced me and our gazes met. "Sure..."
"That day... Why didn’t you come?"
Her lips formed a curve as she glance at the sky and back to me.
------------------------------
RYEO WON
The succeeding days were chaotic. All eyes were at me. Even at the lobby I could already hear their murmurs and I could already see their glares.
I wanted to push down my face inside my bag. I could die from the humiliation I’ve started.
By the time I reached my floor, it was the same picturesque. But it was the worst; I started to tremble every time they glared at me.
I couldn’t even look upward. I huff. Way to go Ryeo Won.
"UNNIE!" I got startled. I turn around and saw Gu Hara, the intern assistant of Nichkhun.
"Hara. Why?"
She beamed at me whereas the stuffs she's holding onto almost fall off from her jam packed hands. "Is it true that boss and you are dating?"
Hearsays, gossips.
"Err, yes. But I think we have to discuss something really important... so if you'll excuse me."
"Okay... Don’t worry unnie, I support you two! Fighting!"
I let out an unearthly chortle, than I was force to say, "Thanks." I grinned at Hara and awkwardly, I made my exit.
---
As I plan for my perfect escape, I hastily went to Nichkhun's office that I almost knock down his door.
"Nichkhunnie!!"
"Oh, Ryeo Won."
"I have something to tell you." I confess.
"Fantastic! So do I."
"I think we should sto---"
"Great! I really think we should continue this. My grandma had already found out about our secret.."
I gasp. Oh no. No. Not gummy. Scared and worried was written on my face. I tried to smile at him but it seems my eyebrows were wrinkled and my eyes were twitchy. "How did she found out??"
I started to be in hysteria.
"I don’t know! I don’t know!" he said perplexedly. He wiped his face from his forehead down to his chin.
I'm scared. I’m always scared of gummy. I remember when we're in high school, every time I would go to Nichkhun's house, it seems like she wants to bite of my head off.
"I'm scared..."
"Don’t be, okay? Besides Gummy is old enough, I don’t think she could be still grumpy towards you."
"How I wish... So what is your plan?"
"You trust me right?"
"Of course, I do... What’s with your question?"
I feign a loud laughter. Then I swallowed hard. The silence, his soon to be answer makes me anxious. Of course I do trust Nichkhun. "All we have to do is act like a real couple. That's all."
Awed.
That word can summoned the way I feel.
"Fine... I'm going back to my office." I turn my back on him and held the doorknob. But I got stopped by him when I heard him said,
"AND." Loud enough, and really annoying. "I don’t want you near Taecyeon again."
"As if he wanted to see me."
"He wants to see you. I’m pretty sure…”
“Stop your imaginations”
AND!!!"
"WHAT?!"
"You’ll have to ask for my permission to everything that you'll do. Got it?"
"WHAT?! What am I, your younger sister?!"
"No... You’re my girlfriend." Without delay, my heart starts to pound double time.
I stood there like a frozen status. I couldn’t even move my feet. To make it worst, I could feel Nichkhun's presence really close to me.
"Ryeo Won..." The way he calls my names, sent shiver down my spine.
I could feel his hot breath penetrating at my earlobe.
It felt ticklish.
"Se-see you later." I said stuttering. Quickly, I dash outside his office.
As I stepped outside, I couldn’t tame my heartbeat. I couldn’t even catch my breath either. This is wrong. This is wrong.
---
Haggardly, I wiped my forehead. I could feel sweats running down my forehead down to my whole face. I could not even concentrate on what I am writing about.
Especially when I remember Nichkhun.
I guess I need some refreshment. I stood up and went to the vending machine. Whew. I started fanning myself.
Nichkhun. Nichkhun. Nichkhun.
---
"NOONA!" Lee Jinki, (or Onew) another apprentice cried out as we meet along the hallway.
"Onew, why?"
"Mr. Jang." he shrieks out. I grimaced.
"You mean, Jang WooYoung?" He nodded. "What did he do?"
"He said, I should photocopy this within 2 minutes or else... he would fail me."
I could feel my blood boiling and raising up to my brain.
"Who does he think he is?!" I slammed the bottle of the water into the trashcan and aggressively get the rim of paper from Jinki's hand. "Give me that! I'll show that Wooyoung who's the boss here!"
"Noona, it’s okay, I handle it."
I went closer to Onew and pinch his face. "Oh... our cute Jinki... don’t worry, noona can handle this. Okay? I'll photocopy them too."
He scratches the back of his head and his cheeks go rosy tint. "Thank you noona... I guess, Hara and I were correct. Nichkhun hyung is lucky to have you."
"Huh? You guys are talking behind my back?"
"No. No. It just happened." He defended his self as I took some steps forward. "Well, we heard that you guys are dating, and I think the two of you suits together. Both are nice, both are good looking."
I got bashful over his compliments. "You think so?" I asked drawing circles with my foot. "I mean, me and Nichkhun look better together?"
"OF COURSE!" He said haughtily. I grinned at him.
---
"Jang WooYoung!"
His eyes sparkled. "Yes? Mrs. Horvejkul?"
"Why are you scaring those interns?"
"I am not scaring them... I'm just... playing with them."
"It’s the same, idiot! I'm warning you, if I caught you doing that again... I'm gonna tell Nichkhun."
He smiled wickedly at me as he heard Nichkhun's name from my mouth.
"What?" I said, preventing my lips to smile widely.
"Nothing... so you guys are seriously going out?"
"Well... do we look like we're joking?"
"Err, we're just surprised. Coz it seems sudden."
"Nichkhun and I were childhood friends, so I think there's nothing wrong about that."
---
I stare blankly at the air... then slapped my face. Did I just ask Onew if I and Khun look better? Oh great. I am so out of myself for the past few days.
I closed my eyes and exhale loudly.
What the hell is wrong with me?
With my back facing the door, I heard it open with an eerie sound. "Uhmmm... I think, the other photocopy machine was broke so... I hope you won’t mind waiting, I'm almost done."
"I can wait..."
That voice. I gulped. I spun around and lean on the photocopy machine.
"O-O-Ok Taecyeon... Ugh..." Shoot. I’m stammering. The worst is I’m nervous.
Ryeo Won... Calm down. Inhale. Exhale. You promised to Nichkhun that you’re going to forget this guy who is standing in front of you.
He laughs. Oh my god. Oh my god. Why does the sound of his laughter makes me giddy? Eep.
Shut up Ryeo Won.
He went closer to me and touches my forehead. I could feel my breathing cycle altering rapidly with inhale and exhale.
"Hmm, you’re not sick... so..."
I slap his hand away from me and it seems like he was taken aback by my actions. But still he was smiling.
The truth is, I just don’t want him to be near me. "I am fine. You don’t need to worry about me." I put on a fake smile and divert my eyes to somewhere... some place where I won’t get hypnotized by him.
As quick as I wanted and can be, I started fixing those papers.
"Yah~ Ryeo Won... I was wondering, do you have some time tomorrow?"
"I have a meeting tomorrow." I bit my lower, of course I have time! But if I gave in, how could I prove to myself that I have move on and I am resisting this jerk?
"What about the day after tomorrow?"
"I have a seminar."
"Next week?"
"I have some training."
His facial expression became sturdy, perhaps he's growing impatient. He held me by my shoulder and bent and made me face him. .
"How about now?"
"Well... I... errmmm... Ugh..." before I could response normally, he immediately pulled my hands and drag me outside.
---
"Khun, 911."
052010
1.03am