Love Bites and Letters Chapter 7
Love Bites and Letters
Chapter 7
“Foolish heart, hear me calling. Stop before you start falling. Foolish heart, heed my warning. You’ve been wrong before, don’t get wrong anymore.”
Jonghyun is going to cut Jessica’s throat and throw her stupid head to the Han River. The evil ice princess only revealed who will be his partner ten minutes before the meeting. Of all the beautiful girls in the world, why it’s the-girl-whose-face-is-plastered-everywhere, Summer Choi is going to be his partner? He is definitely not impressed with this girl.
True, she’s gorgeous and hot but she’s not a patriotic person. His sudden pledge of patriotism may seem idiotic but that’s what he feels. Is this Summer Choi really willing to endorse CJ Olive Young, a LOCAL product?
“Why do you dislike her that much?” Jessica cries out, exasperated at her negative reaction.
“I don’t know!” He bangs the meeting room’s door open. “There’s just something annoyingly familiar-“
“YOU’VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!!!!”
Jonghyun jumps in fright immediately after hearing that loud screech. That screams sounds so familiar. Bewildered, he looks at the two women sitting by the conference table and gawks in shock, Summer Choi staring at him with an oddly furious expression on her face. Jonghyun frowns at the hostility he’s sensing from her. Does this woman dislike me too? Well, the feeling is mutual. He shakes his head and looks at the other woman. He instantly smiles at the familiar face.
“Seo Joohyun!” He greets her warmly and walks towards her.
“Ahnyonghaseyo Oppa.” She greets back, glancing worriedly at the tall girl standing beside her.
“You know each other?” Jessica asks incredulously, not even hiding her shock.
“Of course!” Jonghyun beams proudly. He stands beside Joohyun and puts an arm around her shoulder.
“She’s a childhood friend. Yes Sica, I happened to be neighbors with the famous pianist known as Seohyun.”
“Aigoo…” Joohyun groans in mortification.
“She was actually my first love.” He continues cheekily. “Ouch!”
“Oppa!” Joohyun elbows him in the stomach then bows in embarrassment to an unimpressed Jessica.
“Wow…scandal.” Jessica comments sardonically, rolling her eyes at Jonghyun.
Jonghyun throws her a murderous glare before grabbing Joohyun into a friendly hug. But this was cut short as Summer Choi slaps his hand and forcefully drags Joohyun away from him. He immediately gets irritated by what she did.
“What’s your problem tall person?” He demands rudely.
“Excuse me!” The latter spats furiously. “This girl has a boyfriend pale boy. She’s off limits!”
“For your information Giantess, I am only her friend. I have no plans on stealing her from her boyfriend. And are you deaf? I said she was my first love. It’s already in the past!”
“Good! Besides, she’s out of your league Bloodsucker!”
Jonghyun eyes bulges out at the insult, his jaws already dropped to the floor. What are they, fifth graders? And why is this Summer Choi is extremely menacing towards him? He looks at his manager for help but his evil manager only gives him a wicked smile. She clearly enjoys the bickering. He huffs and turns to Joohyun, prodding her for a possible explanation.
“Why is she breathing down my neck like a fire breathing dragon?”
“Ahm….” Joohyun opens her mouth hesitantly. He didn’t miss Summer Choi sending a warning glare at Joohyun to shut up.
“Tell me Seohyun, is Ms. Choi this rude to her countrymen?” He demands. Jessica’s eyes almost bulge out from its sockets, mutely screaming “WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU YAPPING ABOUT?!”. Jonghyun totally ignores his troll manager.
“Does Miss Choi prefer foreigners? Well, she can go back to London and look for her giant co-worker there. I don’t want to work with rude people.”
“I definitely do not want to work with you!” Summer Choi spews angrily. She glares at his friend irately.
“Why the hell he’s here?!”
“You see….uhm…..Unnie….”
“He’s going to be your partner for the CJ Olive Young cf.” Jessica willingly provides her, clearly ignoring the angry look from Jonghyun.
“Traitor.” Jonghyun mumbles.
“Why him of all people?!” The Giantess demands at his manager.
“What’s wrong with me?” He argues back, completely insulted. This girl seems to hate him so much. They just met today and she dislikes him already. He definitely doesn’t like her back!
“You know what? Let’s forget this project. I don’t want to work with bratty people.” Jonghyun declares loudly. He spares a glance at the rude Giantess.
“I think you’re having a period that’s why you’re so frisky.”
“BASTARD!”
“What in the world is happening here?”
Everyone immediately looks at the door. Jung Yonghwa, President Han and the representatives of CJ Olive Young are standing by the door, looking curiously at his ongoing verbal war with the Giantess. To his surprise, Yonghwa is not least surprised or shocked seeing Seo Joohyun again. His cousin just flicker his eyes briefly at the two women, nods at Jessica then sits on a chair opposite Joohyun. He watches like a confused kid as Pres. Han, Jessica and the representatives take out chairs and sit as well.
“Can someone explain to me what’s happening?” He questions stupidly.
“We’re having a meeting Jonghyun-ah. You can sit down too.” His boss tells him tolerantly but Jonghyun remains standing.
“We’re having a meeting with this frisky brat?!” He shrieks in horror. He turns to Yonghwa desperately.
“Yonghwa, you knew about this meeting with Joohyun and that person?”
“I have a name!”
“Shut up you giant!”
He looks back at Yonghwa expectantly.
“Uh-huh.” Yonghwa nods lazily.
“I’m not just a that person! I am Summer Choi.”
“I am not talking to you rude Giant!” He dismisses her rudely. Summer Choi didn’t hesitate to throw her Chanel bag at Jonghyun. Good thing he dodges in time.
Pres. Han gives an apologetic smile to the alarmed representatives while glaring at Jessica to do something. She immediately stands up to do some damage control. Lee Jonghyun and Summer Choi are very much ready to slash each other’s throats.
“Who wants coffee?” She asks in an unusually high pitched sweet voice.
“Americano for me.” Yonghwa says nonchalantly, glancing at Seohyun briefly. Joohyun immediately looks away. Jonghyun observes that his cousin is acting offhandedly of the sudden reunion.
“Can I have a chamomile tea instead?” Joohyun requests from his manager. Jessica nods as she notes it down in her Ipad.
“Hyunnie!” Summer Choi raises her voice at his friend, outraged.
Wait! WHAT?! Hyunnie? Only her older sister calls Joohyun like that. Unless she’s-
The realization hits him like a speeding bullet. He slowly looks back at Summer Choi, his head shaking in disbelief. His face is a mixture of shock, bewilderment and a hint of doubt.
Summer Choi refuses to look at him, slack jawed and tensed. This person couldn’t be her.
Impossible.
He’s sure that he will definitely recognize that person at first sight. The conference door unexpectedly opens and a tiny blond girl barges in, sweating and panting.
“MS. SOOYOUNG!!! YOU’RE PHONE IS HERE!!!”
No way.
# ---- #
Seohyun can feel his stare. She’s tempted to cower and hide under the table just to avoid the compelling pools of his. But no, she won’t let him. She’s not the young girl who gets tongue tied at the mere sight of him. She’s a grown woman, successful pianist and has blossomed in her looks. She will not lose her cool especially in front of him. No, she is a professional and whatever liaisons she and him are going to have, it will only be for work. Nothing more, nothing less. She takes a deep breath and meets his gaze squarely, confidently.
“I am not the naive girl you’ve disregarded before.”
# ---- #
He’s the master of hiding his feelings. People have a hard time guessing what’s he’s thinking or feeling as he always puts on a mask of blankness, poker face. Colleagues and reporters are most of the time intimidated by his lack of expression. Is Jung Yonghwa angry? Is he feeling well today? They can only guess for he will never tell or for better word, will never show to them.
Whenever their band wins an award; a slight smile, a dignified clap or a direct speech and ends his show of gratitude with a bow. With these, he earned a reputation of a “cool genius”. He has successfully maintained the public’s focus to his music rather than his private life. Besides, his private life is normal and often times lonely anyways.
Unless…….
He watches her squirm on her seat while stubbornly directing her gaze elsewhere and rather than meet his stares. He makes a slow inspection of her face. She has matured handsomely. Her lips looks fuller as she pouts, she slightly lost the fats under her eyes but her cheeks are still as chubby as ever. And her eyes became more sparkly than ever.
Change was good to her. She has grown even more beautiful.
He also notes the way she carries herself; ladylike and confident. He smirks softly. Well, she isn’t that confident. He was tempted to laugh when she saw him entering the room earlier. He knows she’s already expecting him but it still didn’t mask the widening of her eyes and the nervousness she intricately tries not to show.
He drums his fingers quietly as he thinks of ways to approach her. Should he be friendly? Or just act civil as he interacts with her? He slightly raises an eyebrow when he notices her taking a deep breath. Is it that burdensome for her seeing him again? His restless fingers stilled when she raises her head and looks at him straight in the eye. The confident girl act is back. Her gaze seems to even challenge him. He rests a hand under his chin. He tips his head slightly to the left, an amused smile forms on his lips.
If she wants a staring contest, then he’ll gladly give her that.
Good thing she’s a sight to behold. This meeting won’t be boring after all.
# ---- #
“Summer, the contract has already been signed.” Daniel Henney, Sooyoung and Joohyun’s American manager informs her through the phone calmly. Sooyoung wants to throw the phone to the window when he tries reasoning at her current situation.
“Shouldn’t I have a say to this?!” She demands hysterically. She paces around in her suite, stomping angrily.
“Sweetheart, I thought you trusted me on my decisions? I asked you if want to have a chance to work in your home country and you said YES!”
“But you could have told me that it’s going to be that of all people in Korea, my partner is going to be that freaking vampire!”
“Summer, are you having early Alzheimer’s? I clearly told you that it’s going to be one of the members of a Korean rock band.”
“You just told me a guy from a band called CNBLUE!”
“That time, it was still unclear which member it will be. I specifically requested you to research more about them for me because I was very much busy. My hands are full here.”
“…………………….. I forgot.”
“And whose fault is that?”
“Mine.” She admits grudgingly. “But I was busy too!”
“Summer……You’re giving me an unnecessary headache. I don’t know what your issue with that guy is but please, Choi Sooyoung, be a good girl and just do this one peacefully.”
“I can’t.”
“You must! I have to go. I still have a meeting and I need my coffee. If you still have problems, tell your PA but don’t scare her! She’s still new.”
“But-“
“Bye Summer. Have fun!”
Sooyoung glares dejectedly at her phone. She throws it on her queen sized bed and grabs the huge popcorn bowl from the coffee table. She bullied Sunny earlier to buy her popcorn. The tiny girl refused at first, saying it will ruin her diet but when Sooyoung threatened to fire her, she immediately obeyed.
Screw diet! She’s upset and she will eat all the sinful food available.
She is engrossed on angrily stuffing popcorn inside her mouth when the door opens. She glares at her traitor sister who is smiling timidly by the door. She continues to ignore her sister as Joohyun approaches her bed, carrying a take out plastic bag. Her sister plops on the bed and then smiles sweetly at her.
“Unnie!” Joohyun coos adorably.
“Hmp.”
“Look unnie, I’ve bought you dukbboki! You were craving for them, remember?”
Sooyoung watches Joohyun taking a huge disposable bowl from the bag. The smell of the spicy sauce immediately wafts inside the room once Joohyun opens the lid. The smell immediately teases her nose. She frowns as Joohyun happily takes a fork from the bag and begins picking rice cake pieces from the plastic bowl.
“Traitor.” She mumbles bitterly.
She placed the bowl of popcorn beside her and crosses her arms on her chest. Joohyun immediately stops eating and looks guiltily at her.
“Mianheyo unnie.”
Why didn’t you tell me you are going to work with Jung Yonghwa?”
“Because I know you will react like this. You’ll make a huge a fuss about it.”
“Of course! That blind guy made you cry. I don’t like him.”
“Unnie, that’s all in the past now.” Joohyun answers her reasonably.
“Then why were you so nervous all throughout the meeting?” She counters.
“D-deh?!”
“See? I say Jung Yonghwa still has an effect on you.”
“But I have a boyfriend!”
“So?”
But her sister was never smart for nothing. She successfully turns the tables towards her and makes her scramble for reasonable answers.
“You were very much affected by Jonghyun Oppa too. Do you have any idea how the two of you looked earlier in the meeting. You effectively portrayed the quote ‘If looks can kill’.”
Sooyoung wants to interrupt but her sister is on her rapper mode.
“You were throwing murderous glares and bicker like little kids having cooties. If Oppa was nothing to you, you shouldn’t have been rude and just act professional.”
She sometimes hates having a smart ass sister.
“I didn’t know it was him! I was not prepared. Oh my God Hyunnie, we have to act as lovers in the cf. It’s revolting!”
She starts to panic as she thinks of the upcoming filming with that Lee Jonghyun. She steals the fork from Joohyun and eats the dukbboki rapidly.
“Actually Unnie….” Joohyun confesses while trying to control her giggles. “You and Oppa were really cute arguing. I saw one representative mouthing to Pres. Han that the two of you have chemistry.”
“Oh yes. We have chemistry, physics and even invented the famous C4 bomb. We literally explode when we are near to each other.”
“Seungho Oppa told me a quote before. The more you hate, the more you love.” Joohyun teases her more, giggling louder.
“Yah Seo Joohyun! What is that panda boyfriend of yours teaching you?!” She shrieks loudly. “That sounds so cheesy!”
“Lots of things!” Her sister tells her proudly. “My Seungho Oppa is very talented. He can-“
“Please! Stop with the boyfriend praise! Can’t you at least sensitive? Hello? Single person here!”
“Unnie.” Joohyun starts her Miss Know It All lecture.
“You’re single because you never allow guys to woo you. You always say this guy is cute or that guy is hot but never let them to pursue you. I think……………you’re just afraid to get hurt.”
This is why she sometimes dreads having a one on one talk with her sister. Joohyun know her too well. They may not be related by blood, they are sisters through and through. She heaves a sigh of defeat and looks at her sister for help.
“I’m afraid Hyunnie. I’ve worked so hard to become like this, confident and successful. Men keep on saying I’m beautiful, hot and that I’m their ideal girl but do they like me for who I am or the are just talking about supermodel Summer Choi?”
She suddenly gasps and grabs Joohyun’s hand worriedly.
“What if……What if they will see an old picture of me? That fat Choi Sooyoung? Will they still like me? Or they just sneer in disgust and say “Fat and ugly” like…..like-“
“Not all men are like Jonghyun Oppa.” Joohyun pats her soothingly. “And Jonghyun Oppa has changed…..I think.”
“You think?! He called me a Giantess! He’s still mean to me! And now he has evolved into this really rude person!”
“Well, you called him a Bloodsucker. That was rude too.”
“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!” Soooyung screams in defeat.
Joohyun just keeps on giggling at her. She rolls her eyes and throws a pillow at her sister. Joohyun dodges it swiftly, grabbing the bowl of dukbbokki and stands up from the bed. Sooyoung calls her when she reaches the door.
“I’m going to give let you have some peace of mind. Don’t stress too much. Shooting will start next week already. And don’t be too hard on Sunny. She just had a slip of the tongue when she shouted out your real name.”
And with that, Joohyun closes the door and leaves her to reflect over her problem.
Stupid Daniel Henney for accepting this offer. Stupid Sunny for blurting out her blasted name. Stupid her for agreeing on coming back here and stupid Lee Jonghyun for being back in her life.
No matter how many years have passed, that insecure and hurt fat girl is still living inside her. Even if she left him looking cheerful and happy, it was all a lie.
Because deep inside her heart, that Lee Jonghyun…….
“I still hate you.” She whispers lifelessly.
# ---- #
Joohyun goes directly to her room after talking to her unnie. Poor Sooyoung unnie. She can see how troubled her older sister is. She sighs as he props herself on the loveseat near the window. She absently feeds herself with dukbokki while observing the traffic outside.
The truth is, she is not that confident meeting Jung Yonghwa again. She is a bundle of nerves and wants to tell her unnie about her worries but witnessing Sooyoung very much stressed, she decides to comfort her unnie and keep her troubles to herself. How she wish Seungho is here, he will definitely ease her worries.
The phone suddenly rings. She grabs it eagerly, not bothering to see the caller id.
“Oppa!” She greets excitedly.
“Uhmm….Seo Joohyun-sshi?” The voice on the other line asks her uncertainly.
She gasps and immediately looks at the caller id. It’s an unknown number and definitely the voice is not her Seungho Oppa.
“Jung Yonghwa-sshi?” She asks in disbelief. “How did you get my number?”
“You gave your number to my manager, Jessica Jung. I got it from her.” He answers matter of factly.
“Oh…..” Of course, pabo Joohyun! “Okay.”
“I’m calling because I want to apologize in behalf of my bandmate, Jonghyun. He was rude to your sister. I’m very sorry about that.”
“Ahniyo. I have to apologize too. Unnie was also rude to Jonghyun Oppa.”
“Those two always fight. They still haven’t changed all these years.” Yonghwa says fondly. “Well, Sooyoung definitely changed physically but she and Jonghyun still bicker with each other.”
“Actually…..It’s Jonghyun Oppa who bickers while Sooyoung unnie pretends she’s deaf.”
“Ha! You’re right!” Yonghwa laughs. He laughs naturally now, she notices. It suddenly becomes quiet when she didn’t talk further. Sensing the awkward atmosphere, she decides to end the call.
“You have changed.” Yonghwa tells her gently, like a warm purr to the ears.
Red flag. Her brain instantly alerts her that the conversation is heading to something……inappropriate for a woman who has a boyfriend waiting for her from far away. Resist Joohyun. You should behave properly. Don’t go swooning because of a single phone call.
“…………………………….Kahmsamnida, Yonghwa-sshi.” She answers her best to sound nonchalantly. “I-“
“So….How are you?” He inquires conversationally. Joohyun nervously bites her nails. Now he wants to chat. She must entice him to end the call.
“I’m good.” She answers shortly, almost hurriedly. “I have to end this call Yonghwa-sshi. Someone important is planning to call me.”
“Oh….okay. Goodbye Joohyun….sshi. See you next week.”
“Deh.”
She didn’t wait for him to drop the call first/ she pushes the end button and flings her phone to the bed, as if she’s disgusted with it. She dumps the bowl of spicy rice cakes on the table then pulls her hair in frustration.
Homecoming is stressing her so much.
“Oppa….” She calls out sadly.
#----#
“She’s avoiding me.”
Yonghwa laughs while shaking his head in wonder. He can hear from the tone of her voice she’s nervous and agitated talking to him. Well, he’s not expecting she’ll talk to him in a friendly manner. They didn’t part ways nicely to begin with.
He was such a fool back then. It must have been difficult for her summing up the courage to confess him. But he was such a douche bag then, too choked up on his rejection that he shouted at her. He even took it negatively when she tried to console him.
He was wrong and he can only blame is himself and his misplaced emotions. He fell in love to the wrong person. Ahni, he was mistaken and poured his feelings to the incorrect one.
And now he must find a way to break the thick wall between them and apologize.
Then…..do what it takes to put everything in its rightful place.
#----#
Joohyun makes it sure she is mentally, physically and emotionally prepared for her next meeting with Yonghwa. She has to be prepared. Unlike Jonghyun Oppa and Sooyung Unnie who were given a grander scale production for their CF, she and Yonghwa has a less fuss, private and (it’s just her observation) intimate quiet session together. Since Yonghwa will solely produce his solo album; the directing, recording and editing will all be done by him.
It means it is only him and her inside the studio, much to her chagrin.
“Don’t worry, Miss Seo. You are in good hands.” Pres. Hand tells her happily.
While the rest of the crew frolicked at Jonghyun and Sooyung’s test photo shoot in a studio in Insadong, Joohyun is left standing stupidly inside Yonghwa’s very own studio that is built inside FNC. She observes the expensive and up to date equipments inside the room. She winkles her nose at the abundance of gold inside the room. Her eyes lit curiously seeing an acoustic guitar placed on one of the gold bean bags. She picks the guitar sits on a rotating chair placed in the center.
She gingerly cradles the guitar and struck a chord.
“Woah…”
It totally feels weird, very different from playing the piano. She strums again and her nose scrunches in discomfort. The guitar strings are giving a weird sting on her fingers. She looks at her hands and pouts. She only strummed for a few minutes but her fingertips are red already.
“It’s because you are not used to it yet.”
She abruptly shots up from her seat and whirls around to face Yonghwa, still holding the guitar tightly to her body. She sees his lips twitching as he continues on watching her. She suddenly feels conscious and slightly uncomfortable at his unwavering stare.
“Good morning Seo Joohyun-sshi.” He greets her pleasantly while entering the room.
Her eyes blink nervously when closes the door. She suddenly feels trapped, almost claustrophobic once they are enclosed in the room, alone. Yonghwa didn’t notice her discomfort and is looking much at home in his studio. She sees him putting a brown paper bag and two huge tumblers on the nearby table. She didn’t get the chance to look away for he suddenly turns around and looks at her again. Yonghwa laughs softly while approaching her.
“You seem to have an attachment to my guitar.” He points out to her teasingly.
She gasps and then looks down. She is still holding his guitar. Drat her for picking it. Well, she didn’t know it was his. She raises her chin proudly. She’d rather drink those dreadful coffees than admit to him that she’s very much interested to play the instrument.
“It seems like I have to learn to play this one in order to understand whatever piece you’re composing.” She answers coolly.
She wants sew his mouth the moment they form again to an amused smile. She is starting to hate it. It’s like he’s mocking her it affects her composure. It’s infuriating!
“So……..” Yonghwa says mischievously. Why suddenly so playful with her?
Her eyes widen in surprise when he walks fast towards her then abruptly stops in front of her. They are standing very close to each other, face to face. He gives her a lopsided smile then takes a step forward, his lips lightly brushing her nose. Shocked, she hastily steps backwards but the back of her knees bumps to the rotating chair. He moves forward again but this time, she is forced to sit on the rotating chair while glaring at him.
“Are you flirting with me?” She asks crossly.
She cranes her neck backwards when he bends his upper torso, his face alarmingly close to hers. He braces his (she can’t understand why she still notices those details) muscular, no, strong arms on the chair’s backrest, trapping her head and smirks down at her.
“If that’s what you think. Do I look like I’m objecting?” He teases her more.
He suddenly pushes the chair backwards, until it hits the equipment behind her. She is miffed that Yonghwa placed her in a position where she is trapped; equipment at the back, a table on her right and a wall on her left. Before she can push him away, Yonghwa grabs a seat and places it in front of her. She frowns further when he sits on the chair and grabs the guitar from her.
“Let me teach you how to play a guitar, Joohyun-sshi.” He winks at her charmingly.
“Don’t forget to breathe Joohyun and remember, RESIST.” She fervently screams in her head.
To be continued.
Author’s Note:
Hello beautiful people! Merki is back with an update. :D
Recent updates with my life:
a. Had my second vaccine shot. What’s my illness? S-E-C-R-E-T. Mehrong! ;p
b. I am taking baby steps out of my bum life. (excited)
c. I very much like the drama Queen Inhyun’s Man.
d. Merki has been hit by the EXO fever. (Thanks to baby Joy.) I know, most of you don’t like them but I’m sorry guys. Luhan, my baby owl slash raccoon, is just freaking adorable. >.< Plus he has a lovely voice. Try listening to What Is Love Chinese version. (I am still doing my best to recognize the other members. I am making progress. :3)
I will leave you a question. Give me a valid reason why JongSoo couple should end up as a couple in the story.
-Merki589-