CHAPTER 23
Gee was smiling at the two. She put her arms on their shoulder.
Gee: hey, why don't we have lunch together here next day off? Let's invite Maya, Leo, Se Ju, senior Sean, Mr. Zhang and senior Yibo over? You two will cook for us?
The two looked at her then they smiled.
Yuna: Why not? (smiling)
Moru: Sure
Gee: (smiled even wider) alright! Haha
Gee and Yuna sent Moru off. They waved at each other, then Yuna and Gee were happily walking back to the elevator. Yuna suddenly remembered about how Gee and Yibo cleared their misunderstanding.
Yuna: Hey Gee, where did you and senior Yibo go this morning? I saw you two were good again?
Gee: (turned to Yuna with a wide smile) Yeah! Haha we went for an ice cream again before he went to his work.
Yuna: (smiling) im so happy for you two, but how did it happen?
Gee: (smiling wider) you know what..
They reached the elevator. Yuna pressed the button.
Gee: im so glad that senior Yibo wasn't the person I thought of him, I thought he's really a cold hearted one, but Se Ju and the others told me that he was helping them out during those days.
Yuna was smiling at how Gee was so excited and proud while she was telling her about him.
Gee: I'm really glad that I got to know him.
Gee looked at Yuna and they both smiled.
Night came.
Gee was laying on her bed, she was smiling looking at the cap and face mask that Yibo put on her that morning. It was placed beside the skin care products Yibo gave her. She also remembered what Yibo told her.
Gee's flashback…
Yibo: About our rematch…
Yibo: let's just do it some other time.
Yibo: Just continue on what you are doing right now but don't do it just for the sake of getting close to me. Do it for yourself. (he was saying it but not looking at Gee)
She was holding her chest as she was feeling her heart beating fast.
The training week started again.
Leo, Se Ju, Maya and Yuna were waiting for her outside the piano room. They all smiled at her, she smiled back and they all went in together to their Chinese language training on the third room from the piano room.
After their language training, they went separate training rooms for their vocalization training and dance training. Se Ju, Gee and Leo are sitting next to each other. On the female training room, Yuna is sitting with Maya and her friends while Emma was sitting alone because she was being ignored by her friends after the evaluation.
Their training for that was finished but they were all gathered in the stage room by Ms. Kim and the other trainers. They are all sitting while the trainers are standing in front. Yuna, Gee, Leo, Se Ju, Maya and her friends are grouped together while Emma was still alone. Gee noticed it, she felt a little sad looking at her.
Ms.Kim: Trainees, we would like to tell you that the next individual evaluation will be held next week.
Everyone were surprised most of them felt relieved.
Ms.Kim: As you all know, this coming Friday is the 27th anniversary of AMPM Entertainment Company. There will be events and activities were all talents, staffs, administrators, trainers and including you trainees will have to join. And on Friday there will be AMPM Ent's Night.
Everyone got excited and curious. Even the trainers were also excited.
Ms.Kim: But we would like to remind you that during the event, we are still under the rules. We are still prohibited from bothering the AMPM Ent's talents. Recording and uploading them on social media is not allowed.
Some of the male and female trainees were sad about it.
Ms.Kim: The schedule of the events and activities are to be posted tomorrow at the office building, but we will be announcing the ones you are scheduled to participate. Do you have any questions?
The trainees were looking at their fellow trainees but none were raising their hand.
Ms.Kim: If none, then you are all dismissed.
Everyone stood up and went to the doors walking their way.
Gee was still looking at Emma who is walking alone. Leo put his arms to her shoulders.
Leo: hey bro! Why are you looking at her?
Gee: (turned to Leo) Nothing
Yuna was looking at her as she was still looking at Emma.
After their training the next day. They are gathered again in the stage room. This time it's Kite who is speaking in front.
Kite: There will be sports events tomorrow, we will be participating in the volleyball event. It's trainers V.S trainees.
Emma was listening attentively.
Kite: Sean and Yibo will be participating tomorrow so that means, its gonna be five on five only. Is anyone of you who would like to participate for the trainees' team?
Emma raised her hands excitedly that made everyone surprised but they seemed to be not interested that no one was raising their hand. Gee let out a sigh then she raised her hand. Emma was shocked she was containing her emotion. Yuna was looking at Gee then she also raised her hand, then Se Ju followed. Leo shrugged his shoulder then he raised his hand. Gee was so happy looking at her friends. Emma's friend were just looking at Emma who was keeping her emotion and acting tough. Ms. Kim and the other trainers were smiling looking at them specially to Gee who was smiling at Emma.
Kite: Alright so its settled then, let's have a good match tomorrow. The loosing team will treat the winners (smiling) oh and for the rest who are not participating in the match will have to be there , I hope you would also cheer for us.
Female trainee: Of course! I'll be cheering for you senior Kite!
Female trainee: I'll be cheering for senior Yibo and senior Sean!
Everyone were laughing.
Male trainee: I'll cheer for Ms. Nana!
They had a laugh before they were dismissed. Gee ran after Emma when she saw that she's still walking alone. Yuna and the rest were just looking at her as she was approaching Emma.
Gee: Emm- ah hey! (smiling)
Emma turned her head and was surprised to see that it was Gee smiling at her.
Gee: I'm guessing, you love volleyball? (still smiling)
Emma: (keeping her reaction) s-so?
Gee: haha I knew it!
Emma: W-Why are you still talking to me? You're supposed to hate me too right? After those things I have said to you? (still trying to fight her emotion, tsundere mode xD)
Gee: (puzzled) oh that? Haha why should I? Is there a law stating that we should hate the people who annoy us? Hahahaha
Emma turned her head looking at her with confusion and shock.
Gee: Ah by the way, I saw your friends, why are you leaving them?
Emma: (looking down, still keeping her emotion) I- Im not leaving them, after what happened I know they hate me now.
Gee: Did they told you that?
Emma: No, but I know they do
Gee: Hmmm did you apologize to them?
Emma: I…
Gee: Why don't you talk to them?
Emma: What if they doesn't want to talk to me anymore? (melt down)
Gee: What if they don't?
Emma just gave her a look, then she look down and sigh, then she lift her face up.
From a distance, Yuna and the rest were just watching the two as they were talking while they are all heading to the elevator.
Leo: that dude is weird, he still even wants to talk to her and help her after those rumors she was trying to spread about us.
Yuna: Emma seems to reject and hate her but look at how she melted down talking to he-him
They were looking at Gee and Emma who are still talking.
On the hallway, Yibo was walking who just came from his work that day. He was also watching them as he walks. When they are near the elevator. He throw something to Gee. The two were both surprised but Gee was able to catch it. She smiled wide when she knew that those were her new favorite, three chocolate energy bars.
Gee: Haha thank you senior Yibo (waving at him with chocolate bars on her hand)
Yibo just gave them a look. Emma was looking away feeling guilty. Yibo smirked shaking his head then he went inside the elevator. Gee pouted her mouth as she got confused with his reaction. Emma let out a deep breath then she ran away. Gee was surprised and confused she tried to ran after her but Yuna and Leo stopped her. She was surprised looking at the two.
Yuna: Give her sometime Gee
Gee: (looking at Emma with worried eyes) okey…
The volleyball event is scheduled at 2:00 pm in the afternoon in AMPM Ent's open ground located in the center of the compound. The weather that day was not really hot because the sky was covered with clouds and there were tall trees in the center ground. The whole place was decorated with banners with the company's official color concept, light green, white and skyblue hanging in the trees, posts and everywhere.
Artists, administrators and all the employees working at the company are wearing their respective uniform for the event that week with balloons in their hands. The volleyball net was already fixed and the officials for that event are already standing in their places. The two teams were already warming up for the event. Emma was warming up aalone and far away from them but Gee went to her smiling as she continues doing the warm up routine that made Emma surprised.
Yibo and Sean were observing her. Yuna, Leo and Se Ju looked at each other and decided to go to the two that made Gee smiled even wider.
After the warm ups. The teams gathered together to have a meeting and prepare themselves for the match.
The trainer's team: ( shouted in sync) let's go! (raising their hands)
The trainees were all shocked and the crowd watching the event cheered for them.
The trainees' team were overwhelmed looking at them but she smiled and gathered her teammates.
Gee: Its seems they are used to working together but we can't just let them overtake us!
Emma: why did you even joined when I'm the one who stupidly volunteered myself when I know everyone hates me.
Yuna: we don't hate you, you just annoy us fussing about how we can pass the evaluations and the rankings because we are related to one of the board members and to senior Yibo and Sean.
Emma and the rest were surprised looking at how serious Yuna was. Gee was blinking her eyes repeatedly looking at Yuna. She seems to get what Gee was trying to ask her.
Yuna: Im sorry, but it's the truth.
Gee was even more shock but she understood Yuna looking at her. Emma was seemed to realize something but she took a deep breath trying to be tough and was about to say something when Leo suddenly spoke.
Leo: ah everyone, I think we should focus now with our match? (smiling) let's win this game!
Gee and Se Ju smiled. Gee stretched her left hand to the center with followed by Se Ju, Leo then Yuna. The four were looking at Emma waiting. Emma was hesitating but she put her hands then Gee put her other hand on top of her that startled her, she looked at Gee who was smiling at her. Emma's face was turning to red so she looked away then Yuna put hers followed by Leo and Se Ju then they raised it and they released it in the air while shouting.
Trainees' team: Fighting!
Their fellow trainees cheer for them by waving their long balloons accompanied by a scream.
Trainees: Go Batch 26!
That made Gee's team smiled and feel more energized.
The first one to serve was Gee. Gee took a deep breathe, let the volleyball bounced on the floor two times, then she throw it up in the air and she hit it with her right fist. She was able to hit the ball successfully. The team members standing in both sides has prepared themselves to respond to the ball as the ball floating in the air signaled the match has begun but everyone's game face was slowly turning into confusion following the ball going to the very side of the field still floating in the air as it hit the post on the left side of the field then it bounce back to their team's side.
Everyone was shocked. Gee bit his lips then she smiled scratching her head.
Gee: Hehe sorry guys, I dunno how to play volleyball (smiling wide)
Everyone couldn't believe what they have witnessed and heard. Yibo smirked shaking his head then it slowly turned to a laugh, the rest of the trainers including Sean was also laughing looking at her scratching her head.
Yuna: (trying to keep her laugh) Gee
Leo and Se Ju were also trying to keep their laugh.
Leo: For real? (burst to laugh) This is the second time you shocked me bro.
Emma: (confused and trying to understand what's happening looking at Gee) Are you stupid or what? You don't know how to play volleyball but you volunteered yourself in joining (tsundere mode) Why did you even – do that? (melted her anger)
Gee: (smiling) Because I know you will make us win.
Emma: (startled trying to keep her emotion) stupid! (she smiled)
Everyone from their team and their fellow trainees were laughing and shaking their head, the other people were confused and were shacking their head. Se Ju, Leo and Yuna were messing her hair up while smiling and shaking their head looking at her. While on the trainers' side, Kite was laughing covering his mouth looking at Gee and the other trainers.
Kite: He was the only one who raised his hand to join her though he doesn't know how to play volleyball?
Sean and Yibo looked at Kite with surprise on their faces then turned to look at Gee smiling and shaking their heads.
The game resumed as senior Yibo did the serve from their team. It was a good serve but Leo was able to respond to it. Sean and Kite blocked it but Emma was able to counter it and she successfully got them a point. Gee was smiling wide looking at her. Emma was about to smile but she stopped herself as she felt her face was blushing.
Now it was her turn to serve. She looks and gave an impression she's like a professional volleyball player as she walks to the serving point. She dribbled the ball three times, took a deep breath throw the ball in the air and she ran to hit the ball. Everyone were astonished the way she served the ball. It was a clean serve. The trainers' team was not able to respond to it. Gee and the rest were very proud of her they rushed to her and gave her a high five, Emma was blushing but still acting tough when she responded to them. The trainers' team were impressed and looking at them. Emma's friends were smiling watching them and the rest of their fellow trainees as they cheered for them.
Then the next serve was given by Emma again that made the trainers' game face turn on seriously. Sean was able to respond to it but it went up high turning it to go outside so the points went to the trainees' team. The game went on.
After an hour, the game was finished. The trainees' team won with 2 points, 22-24 most of their team's points was earned by Emma. The trainers' team congratulated the trainees' team. Everyone were cheering for the winners. Their fellow trainees were all cheering for them. Gee gave a high five to Emma.
Gee: See? I knew you would make us win (smiling)
Emma smiled back at her then the other trainees went to congratulate them.
Gee was so happy looking at her team mates cheering as they won, when she suddenly remembered a scene from her past. It was when they won a dance competition. They were jumping out of happiness, Jake was approaching her with a wide smile on his face and their mother was also walking towards them.
While she's remembering it, she was just standing staring at her friends for a couple of seconds when Yibo suddenly appeared from behind messing up her hair that made her snapped back. She was surprised but smiled wide at him.
Gee: senior Yibo!
They were smiling at each other when Leo suddenly put his arms on her shoulders so she turned to look at him and he put her arms to his shoulders too and Se Ju followed. That made Yibo smile turned to a glare to Leo and Se Ju then he looked away. When Gee turned to look at Yibo again, he has turned his back and was walking away. She was just looking at his back as he walks away.
After that event, they all went to the cafeteria, along with the other trainees. While Ms. Kim is talking to someone from her phone, the trainees and trainers were putting all the tables into a long one and putting the chairs.
When Gee noticed that Emma was still alone, she walked towards her but she stopped when she saw that Emma was trying to get close to her friends. Emma took a deep breathe and released it then she went to them and bowed apologizing to them. Gee smiled watching them. When she saw that the three seemed to reconcile as the two lifted up Emma's head then they hugged each other then she turned her back to go to her friends when she bumped to someone. Gee was surprised to see it was Yibo, she smiled at him and followed him on putting the chairs. Gee was smiling while arranging the chairs together with him. Yibo looked at him and smirked in secret.
When the chairs are all prepared the girls were sitting on the left side, Yuna and Maya are sitting together with Maya's friends then Emma with her friends. Yuna and Maya smiled at each other when they saw that Emma is with her friends again. Leo and Se Ju were sitting together. They left a vacant seat for Gee. Gee was about to go to them when Yibo grabbed her from her collar.
Yibo: You'll sit beside me.