Work Affairs. Chapter 2.
Chapter 2: The Plan.
I walked down the stairs, quickly surveying the room. I could see everyone sitting around the table, an irritated look on their faces. Onew flicked his gaze at me, the most obvious look of admiration scaling across his face.
He mouthed the words "Thank you." as he pleaded with the manager, his hands motioning, pointing in my direction.
"See, see. I told you they would be right down!" he said, breathing the hugest sigh of relief as Manager-sshi angled himself toward me.
"Well, there goes my chances of slipping in unnoticed." I thought to myself. I joined them slipping into a chair at the dining room table. I buried my head in my hands, trying my best to avoid Manager-sshi's eyes that were now burning holes. I felt the chair next to me sliding, soon being occupied by Jonghyun. I could sense his eyes cutting at me from my peripherals. Manager-sshi spent the remainder of our time briefing us on our schedules. Not that I was listening, honestly. I was far too wrapped up in thought and, besides, who could concentrate with: Jonghyun's constant eye-narrowing, Minho's concise looks of worry, Onew's scrutinizing eyes, and Taemin's clueless daze? Not I. Before I knew it, everyone was pushing out from under the table, dispersing in seemingly different directions while I remained. Puzzled.
"This is why you listen, Key." I thought to myself, as a figure hovered over me, peering down.
"Just the man I wanted to speak to." he said, grinning.
"And run when you have the chance." I added to my previous thought.
"Yes, Manager-sshi?" I asked, hoping to end this before it started.
"I know I've spoken to you regarding this before, but I just felt the need to repeat myself -" I sighed under my breath.
"Jonghyun is now with Shin Se Kyung."
"I'm aware." I interrupted.
"Good, and you remember everything else we discussed, as well, right?" he continued.
"Yes." I answered flatly.
"You sure?" he clarified.
"Don't patronize me." I scoffed as I slammed my hands on the table and stood erect.
"I said I understood. Now leave me alone." Manager-sshi had been against Jonghyun and I's.. flirtatious behavior, I suppose. Since pre-debut. Jong had been around for as long as I could remember. We had met even before SHINee and, even then, possessed an extreme friendship that only amplified with time. He became even more against it when Jonghyun's skinship became more obvious, giving us conflicting schedules to intentionally separate us and doing practically anything he could to sabotage. Despite what he thought, Jonghyun and I never planned on going public (not that we were exactly in a 'committed relationship,' either) and, as far as the fans were aware, we were just fanservice, bromance, 'best friends,' or all of the above. To be honest, I wasn't quite opposed to the idea of isolation. Detaching myself from Jong was good, on occasion, and I found myself in need of more personal time than ever before since this entire dating incident. Even though Jonghyun and I had already consulted, and he assured me everything would be okay, I wasn't so sure I believed him anymore. Everything surrounding their so called relationship was very hush hush.
"I just wish it wasn't so damn hard to resist him." I said to myself, massaging the bridge of my nose between my two fingers. I grabbed my phone from the coffee table at the corner of the room and headed out the door to the van, now waiting outside, and joined the gang. I could feel Manager-sshi's smile broaden at the sight of my backside. I had given him just the reaction he wanted, but I didn't care.
"Today should be simple." I thought to myself.
"Do whatever it is Manager-sshi has organized and avoid Jong as much as possible." Or so that was the plan.
I didn't know how to feel. Hurt? Betrayed? Used? Those were just a few that came to mind. I couldn't believe I trusted him, even now. I just needed time away from him and that's exactly what I was receiving. Or at least by everyone else except for him.
"Good morning, umma!" I heard being called out in a very familiar and happy tone. I turned to see Taemin's smiling face as he hugged me and rested his head on my shoulder.
"Umma, are you okay?" he asked, his voice lowering.
"Taemin, didn't I tell you not to ask Key such questions!?" another voice shouted, entering the van.
Taemin poked out his lips, pouting a bit, as he normally does, before saying "Oh, right, sorry, hyung!" I had already known Minho had told him something. Or rather, warned him. Minho had accumulated this protective atmosphere around him in the time I've taken to get to know him. He always had a tendency to steer people away from me when I wasn't at 100%. Even though I would never admit it, I really was thankful for that.
"Sorry about that, Key." Minho said in such an apologetic tone that I almost felt bad.
"The fool is acting like it's his fault or something." I thought, before settling on saying:
"It's okay! Really! I'm feeling much better! I was feeling a little nauseous earlier this morning, but I'm okay now." I said before letting out a small laugh. Hopefully clearing some of the awkward air. It seemingly worked for the time being.
As soon as Minho entered the van, Taemin shifted, positioning himself, as close as humanly possible, next to Minho. He made sure to leave no space. I thought it was cute. The way my son -- albeit, a spoiled brat sometime -- was growing up so fast. I was truly happy at how he clung to Minho. Minho was such a great person.
"They look so cute together." I thought, a smile creeping in from the corner of my lips.
"Hell, I wouldn't even be completely opposed to them dating." I entertained the thought for a few moments before fluctuating my gaze out the window. I rested the palm of my hand under my chin and sighed under my breath.
"I just wish today could end alrea-" I began thinking -- admiring the view of the shrubbery and sky -- before my thought became disrupted by the van door slamming closed. I looked to see Jonghyun and Onew taking a seat across from us, quickly snapping my gaze back out the window.
"Avoid eye contact. Avoid eye contact. Avoid eye contact." I thought, repeatedly before succumbing. I very slowly turned my head to the side, reluctantly looking in Jong's direction when - it - happened. Our eyes met. I looked away. My eyes had never moved so quickly in my life.
"Shitshitshitshitshit."
I could just feel his beautiful brown, irresistible, puppy-dog oculars peering through that perfectly styled fringe of his.
"No, stop it." I thought as I realized myself thinking about him more and more.
"You have more important things to focus on." I lied. I knew Jonghyun was, singlehandedly, the most important person in my life, but you can't blame me for trying to convince myself otherwise, can you? There we were: me, Taemin, and Minho. Seated across from Jong and Onew. Before I knew it, we were already pulling up to the building I knew to be SM related. Time flies when you're trying - not - to look at someone. Who knew?
Onew, closest to the door, pulled it open.
I went to get up, but Minho gripped my jacket and pulled me back down.
"Hyung," he leaned in closer to my ear "this isn't our stop." I turned my head away from the window and gave him the most confused look I could muster up in my current state, but not before noticing the most generous narrowing-of-the-eyes from Jonghyun I had encountered. They exited the van together and Onew slammed the door behind them.
"What, why?" I said, stumbling over my words.
"They are going to prepare for their performance today." Minho responded.
"Performance..?"
"Hyung, this is why you listen! Yes, their performance! They are going to perform their duet 'Please Don't Go' together today."
"Ah~" I said, pouting my lips. A trait I now know Taemin inherited. It was understandable. I mean, their duet was gaining quite a bit of popularity and Manager-sshi really didn't need a reason to separate Jonghyun and me, so I suppose it all made sense.
"Yeah, and we're guest appearances on Star Golden Ball today!" Taemin added, smiling cluelessly. Poor boy.
"Sounds like fun." I said in the most unconvincing voice ever.
"Cheer up, umma! You will see the hyungs when they are finished!" Taemin continued. Minho immediately shooting him a sharp gaze.
That's right, that is why I wanted to go so bad, wasn't it? I had almost forgotten how hard it was to deny Jong.
"This is for the best." I tried persuading myself.
"This just makes my plan even easier." I further tried satisfying my aching mind. Despite how hard I tried fighting it, I missed him. I really, truly missed my Jonghyunnie.
I assume, at this point, my face was distressed from thought because Minho rested his hand on my shoulder. It was as if he was saying "Everything will be alright, hyung." Minho had a way of doing things like that. Saying everything you needed to hear without actually saying anything at all. Yeah, that sort of thing.
"I wonder if he was serious about everything he said this morning.." I thought, releasing another sigh under my breath.
A/N: Heh, yeah, finally chapter 2 is out. I'm not sure if this one is as long as the other one or.. shorter, but yeah. I tried a new writing style, as if you guys hadn't already noticed. XD It's weird, but I think I'll get used to it. What do you think? This one is a lot easier to follow compared to my other one, ne? I'm not completely thrilled with this one, but it will just have to do for now! I'm so sorry, I know it could be much better! >< School has really been consuming more time than usual lately~! I'll definitely be updating again quite soon. Hopefully within today. ALSO, SORRY FOR NO ALMOST-SMUT IN THIS ONE. T T;; I KNOW. This one is relatively boring! I will work harder to make it more interesting, guys~!