I could see the restlessness in Zoey's eyes when she stepped out of her room. It looked like she hadn't slept at all. And she wasn't the only one who looked that way. Christine, who was sitting right next to me yawned so loud and her eyes looked like they could close any minute now. I looked at Christine then at Zoey who joined us at the table and sat next to Lee. She also ended up yawning.
Looking at what happened yesterday when I left YG for the hotel with Daesung, Zoey had gone to meet Derrick's brother to give him the teddy bear. And the funny thing is, the others had also gone with her. Could she have told them what was going on? It looks like it or else Seungri, TOP and Christine wouldn't have said they were going out on a drive around the city with her. If they knew what was going on, Mike and Daniel must know about all this too.
I turned to look at my two brothers who sat across the table. They looked normal and perfectly fine. They didn't seem to look as tired as Christine and Zoey were. Maybe it's because I knew what the girls were up to.
Last night, I was watching TV waiting for the others to come back. I was all alone. Lee and Collins were still at YG. The other Toxins soon arrived a few minutes before supper and when I asked them how their drive went their response wasn't what I expected. They tried to sound okay saying the drive went fine but they looked like something had just gone wrong and they looked scared, especially Zoey. She looked troubled.
I didn't ask any further but instead, ordered for our supper to be brought up to our floor. Everyone was willing to eat their supper, except Zoey who said she had something to do in her room. She asked Christine to help her out and Christine who was tired from dance practise and probably hungry, said she would help though she looked like she wasn't up for it.
What would those two be up to? I didn't have to bother myself with that question. I already knew. Derrick's brother must have realised that the teddy had no diamonds and that it had been switched for another. My brothers who always told me everything never said a word regarding Christine and Zoey's behaviour or said anything about the teddy bear.
I had supper with my brothers while Zoey and Christine seemed to be busy in Zoey's room. When I went to check on them to tell them that their supper was getting cold, Zoey's room was in a mess. Her clothes were everywhere and there were her things lying around on the floor. When I asked them what they were looking for, they said they had lost something and they needed it urgently. I asked no more and left them to their business.
They even ransacked Christine and Lee's room. Lee was furious when she got back and found her room in a mess. She asked what the two were up to. They didn't give her a straight answer. They told her the same thing they told me. Lee was irritated and Collins laughed when he went to see what was going on.
Christine and Zoey asked me if they could search my room. I told them I had no problem with it. If they thought they were going to find the teddy in my room, they were sadly mistaken.
When they found nothing in my room, they checked the boys' room as well and also found nothing. They had slept really late last night and adding onto their fatigue from dance practise, they were awfully tired.
"Did you two find what you were looking for?" Collins asked Christine and Zoey as he brought the cup of coffee to his lips.
"No," said Zoey. She sounded really tired.
"Well, you two look exhausted. I wonder what you could have been looking for that you had to stay up all night."
"It's just something I lost, Collins. I need it urgently."
"I could see that," said Collins with a smirk. "You shouldn't be so careless, Zoey."
"I'm not careless. I have no idea where it is."
"Zoey isn't the only one who has lost something around here," said Lee.
"What did you lose?" Collins asked.
"Remember that small teddy bear that was sent to The Toxins? It's missing too."
"It's missing?" Daniel asked, with a surprised look on his face. I looked at my brother with an eyebrow raised.
"Well, ya. It was under my pillow the day I went to the mall with Sam. When I checked on it in the evening, it wasn't there."
"Maybe someone took it," I said taking a bite out of my toast.
I looked at Mike and Daniel who quickly looked down at their plates. I could see Mike look at Zoey through the corner of his eye. Zoey was staring else where and I could feel Christine fidget a little next to me.
"Seriously? You're worried about a teddy?" Collins asked not believing what he was hearing. "It must have dropped under the bed or something."
"It's Mr Teddy, Collins," I said, looking at him. "We all care about its whereabouts."
"Do I? A teddy is lost and Zoey also lost who knows what. But they will all turn up eventually."
"Hopefully," said Daniel, giving Collins a nervous smile.
I hid my smirk with my cup of coffee raised to my lips. If only they knew where the teddy bear was.
The day I went to the mall and came back with Collins to the hotel, I had called Derrick and told him about his brother and Zoey. Since Zoey hadn't given away the teddy yet, I had an idea of switching it with another so that I could know what the teddy had inside.
So, with Lee's help and without Christine's knowledge, we ordered for a small teddy bear after looking through some toy sites to see which store sold the exact type of teddy bear Derrick's brother sent us. After finding it, Lee bought it. As soon as it was delivered, Collins was the one who took the package since he planned on going out. By coincidence, he met the delivery man on his way to the elevator. Then he bought the package to me in my room.
Yesterday in the morning, when Zoey went to the bathroom, I snuck in her room and looked around for her purse. She had left it on the lamp stand. I took out the teddy and swapped it with the one I bought. At that point, Zoey had had the wrong teddy the whole time.
Last night when the others had gone on their so called drive and Daesung had dropped me off at the hotel, I waited for Derrick to show up since I texted him soon after practise to meet me at the hotel to get the teddy bear. I gave it to him as soon as he showed up. He told me he would find out what's in the teddy and tell me in the morning.
As I ate my breakfast, I felt a little anxious. I really wanted to know what was in that teddy bear. I know doing all of this was risky, especially when I know that the person Zoey is dealing with is dangerous. Luckily, nothing happened to her or to the others.
Lee and Derrick didn't like the idea of switching the teddies because they were scared of what Derrick's brother would do. But I had no choice. If I didn't know what was going on without bringing Derrick's brother to justice, I felt I was letting him get away with everything. So, I had to play my cards right and take the risk. If anything ever did happen to Zoey last night, I was going to blame myself entirely.
But just as I had expected, nothing bad happened. Derrick's brother did what I thought he would do. Give Zoey time to find the actual teddy bear with the diamonds. Now, it was my turn to be in control. I had an idea of what to do next. But I couldn't do anything till Derrick tells me what his brother has been up to with that teddy.
As soon as I had finished my breakfast, I got up from the table and excused myself. I left the dining table and went to my room. I got my phone that was lying on my bed and immediately I did, Derrick called. I stared at the ceiling with relief. Finally!
"Morning," I said as I answered the call.
"How is the lovely morning?" Derrick asked.
"Fine. I'm anxious though," I said as I sat down on my bed. "What did you find out?"
"Well, you won't believe what was in the teddy."
"What is it?" My heart started to beat so fast.
"There were diamonds, Sam."
"Wow. Seriously?" My eyes bulged out in surprise.
"Yes. Looks like he's involved in diamond smuggling."
"That's a surprise."
"Not to me. I have always known that my brother has been up to no good."
"Well, at least you know that your brother isn't good at all."
"So, what are you going to do? Have any ideas?"
"I thought you would come up with one since you didn't seem to like my idea yesterday. Which worked out pretty well, by the way."
"I know. I was thinking you would have a better idea since yours went smoothly."
"Good. I think I have a plan, but that will mean involving some of my friends too."
"Do you think it will work out? It's dangerous."
"I know. But if they find out that I'm involved in something dangerous that they were unaware of, they would help out no matter what."
"Okay then. If you say so." I could hear that Derrick sounded a bit worried.
"Do me a favour. Bring the teddy to Caribbean Bay."
"Why Caribbean Bay?"
"We will be shooting some parts of the music video there. I'll tell you what time to do so."
"Okay. I hope whatever you're planning will work out."
"Hopefully. All I need is your brother's phone number."
"You want Jehan's phone number?" Derrick sounded surprised. "But why?"
"Your brother's name is Jehan?" It was my turn to get surprised. "Wow. Now that's a true French name."
"Don't change the subject, Sam. Why do you need Jehan's phone number?"
"Because, if I want my plan to work, I'll need to call him at some point."
"What are you getting at Sam? Are you trying to blackmail him since you have the teddy?"
"Not really. I need to end this once and for all. And right now, I can't tell you what I'm up to."
"You're very mysterious." Derrick sounded amused. "I like it."
"Thanks." I blushed as I smiled. "Some people find it annoying."
"I find it very amusing. So how are you going to get his phone number? I don't have his contacts here in Korea."
"Zoey's phone, of course."
"And how are you going to do that without her knowing what you're up to?"
"Leave that to me. You just bring the teddy and I'll tell you what else I would need."
"Whatever you wish, your Highness."
"Hey, stop mocking me," I laughed. "I'm not a queen, you know?"
"Says the person who is acting like she is in control and also wore a crown the other day."
"Oh." I remembered the crown Seungri had made for me and that we had posted pictures of me with the crown on my head.
"Okay, I'll see you at Caribbean Bay."
"Thanks, Derrick."
I could picture Derrick smiling. "It's nothing, Sam. I'm here to help."
I smiled and cut the call. I got myself ready when Collins called down the hall telling some of us in our rooms that it was time to go.
I took my white leather jacket that was lying on my bed and put it on over my white t-shirt with B.K initials on the lower end of my t-shirt in gold. I wore blue faded tight fitting jeans and white pumps.
I had my phone in my pocket and I walked out of the room. As I stepped in the hall, I heard whispering behind me and I could see Christine and Zoey talking silently to themselves. When they saw me, they stopped what they were doing and just looked at me. I looked back at them.
"Is something wrong?" I asked.
"Uh...., nothing, Sam," said Christine. "We were just talking about something."
I nodded my head and turned towards the elevator. Mike and Daniel were waiting for the doors to open with Collins and Lee. I went to join them. Christine and Zoey followed.
We were all seated in the car a few seconds later and were driving to YG. Collins said we would first stop by there and check out on somethings. We were to meet the others there and go to Caribbean Bay. The make up and the video crew were also going to be there to prepare the set.
When we came to YG, there was a hustle and bustle around the place. The make up artists and those dealing with the wardrobe were up and about, getting things ready and packing things in the delivery trucks outside.
While people were busy packing, we went upstairs and this time we went up to Yang Hyun-suk's office where we found the BigBang members with their manager.
"You're here," said Yang Hyun-suk who was sitting behind his desk.
"Yes, we are," said Collins.
"Are you all ready for the video shoot?" Yang Hyun-suk asked as he turned to look at us.
"Ya, we're," I replied, enthusiastically.
"This is going to be so much fun," said Seungri as he came to stand close to me and put his arm over my shoulders.
"I know." I gave Seungri a smile.
"I'm excited too," said Mike.
"We all are," said Yang Hyun-suk as he stood up from his chair. "Speaking of which, you guys better start heading there."
"I was thinking we should all go together," said Taeyang. "The Toxins and BigBang, I mean."
"Awesome idea," said Collins. "Yang Hyun-suk and I already thought of that. That's why you will all be going in a luxury tour bus."
There was a sudden mix of emotions in the room as some of us turned to look at Collins, then at Yang Hyun-suk, while others did vice versa.
I on one hand, was very surprised. Not in a good kind of way. I looked at Collins, then at Yang Hyun-suk. One thing I wasn't looking forward to was riding in the sane vehicle with both G-Dragon and Zoey. Riding along with Zoey in the same car as we came here to YG was more than enough on my part.
I could see Zoey also looked surprised and not the good kind either. She probably didn't want to be close to G-Dragon or me either.
As for G-Dragon, he didn't seem so moved by the whole thing. He looked really cool about it. I wish I had that demeanour of his right now.
"This is going to be so much fun, indeed," said Christine, who sounded really excited.
"I call dibs on sitting next to Sam!" Seungri said so loudly.
"What's your problem?" Daesung asked irritably.
"He wants to be close to Sam, that's what," said TOP.
"Anyway," said Yang Hyun-suk, completely ignoring Seungri's outburst, "there will also be a camera crew with you all day today when making the music video."
"Wait. You want to film the making of the music video?" I asked.
"Yes," Yang Hyun-suk and Collins replied at the same time.
As far as I know, making a film about how the music video came to be was quite common in the k-music industry. A lot of artists mostly groups do that almost all the time. I see most of those videos on YouTube. We never really did that in the U.S, only if you wanted to. Mostly those videos weren't released anyway.
It was quiet clear that the Korean music industry was different from ours. They even made video or picture teasers of music videos that are to be released. Kind of like those movie trailers for upcoming movies. I bet that was a technique to make the fans anticipate of what was bound to come in the music video.
"That sounds awesome," said Taeyang. "I bet the fans would like to know what goes on with you, Toxins."
"We're crazy, that's what," said Daniel.
"Ya, very true," said Collins, as he rolled his eyes. "And very annoying."
"Here we go again," Zoey muttered loud enough for everyone to hear.
I smiled at Zoey's response. Looked like despite all the bad things that were going on, she still had the habit of talking back.
"Looks like your bus is here," said Lee, whom I hadn't heard say a word in a while. She was looking out the window.
"Wow, seriously?" Daniel asked as he joined Lee by the window.
"Looks like it's time to go," said Daesung.
"Okay, guys, you can go ahead," said Yang Hyun-suk. "We will see you downstairs before you leave."
The two groups all walked out of the office, leaving behind the two managers and Lee. We were heading towards the elevator. As for me, Seungri still had his arm wrapped around my shoulder.
As we walked down the hall, I turned around to look behind me and I could see that G-Dragon at the corner of my eye walking side by side with TOP, behind Taeyang and Christine. For a moment, I thought that he was staring at me. He was looking the other way when I looked at him. I shook my head as I turned to look forward. Maybe I was just imagining it. It didn't matter anyway.
When we reached the elevator, we got inside and something really funny happened.
I was at the back of the elevator with Seungri and Taeyang when Mike accidently stepped on my foot because he had been pushed by Zoey as she was getting into the elevator.
"Ouch!" I exclaimed as I tried to hop on one foot but there was no enough room. I held on to Seungri's shoulder for support.
"Sorry, Sam," said Mike as he tried to turn and look at me. "But could you please stop moving around? You're pushing me."
"Sorry," I said, as I tried to put my foot down.
I soon realised that we were all in the elevator. The ten of us. We were all squeezed up and the doors were closed.
"Okay, this is ridiculous," said G-Dragon who was standing close to the elevator buttons. "Why are we all in here?"
Daniel who stood in the middle of the elevator tried to move around but doing so with difficulty.
"Guys, have we ever been like this in the elevator before?" Daniel asked. "Like, the ten of us?"
"I don't think so," said Zoey, who stood in front of Mike, next to G-Dragon, close to the wall on the right.
"There is no space to move around," said Taeyang who stood next to Seungri.
"Gosh, this is when I've realised that this elevator is too small!" Christine squealed as she was squeezed onto the elevator walls to the left with Daesung next to her.
"Only eight people could fit in an elevator," I said, my foot still throbbing in pain. "But sometimes, all that depends on the size of it."
"Sam! Can you please stop hopping around?" Mike asked. "You're pushing me."
"And pushing me," said Zoey as she twisted her head to look angrily at me.
"Sorry, guys," I said, still holding on to Seungri. "It's not my fault that Mike's got a huge foot the size of a boulder."
"Hey!" Mike sounded annoyed.
"Are we close to the ground floor yet?" Daesung asked.
We all looked at the elevator monitor and realised that we hadn't moved at all. We then turned to look at G-Dragon who was standing by the elevator buttons.
"Oh, ah..." G-Dragon scratched the back of his head. "I didn't press the button to the ground floor."
"JI-YONG!" We all exclaimed at him in the small space of the elevator. Then we all started muttering angrily at him.
"Sorry," said G-Dragon as he winced.
"Great," said TOP. "We have been here for a minute and you still haven't pressed the button to the ground floor."
"Not a minute. I feel we have been here for hours!" Christine exclaimed.
"Before we all run out of air, do us a favour and just press the button already," said Daesung.
"Okay, eish. I said I was sorry," said G-Dragon as he turned to the buttons and pressed the button to the ground floor.
"Finally," said Daniel in relief as we all felt the elevator start to move.
"I feel it's moving too slow," said Zoey. "What if the elevator can't stand our weight and we all crush to the ground?"
Everyone turned to look at Zoey with horrified looks on our faces. Mike suddenly kicked the back of Zoey's leg.
"Ouch!" Zoey exclaimed.
"You don't joke about plummeting to our deaths like that!" Mike warned her.
"Mike's right," said Taeyang. "Don't give us a heart attack even when we know we aren't going to die today."
"If I were close to you, I would have pulled your ears," said Christine.
"Ya, well you aren't my mother so I don't see why you have to do so," said Zoey. Then she winced in pain. "You really hit me real hard, Mike. Sam's right. You do have a boulder for a foot."
"It's not my fault we boys have big feet," said Mike.
"Ya, you tell her, Mike," encouraged TOP with a smile on his face.
"At least that proves that guys have big feet," said Zoey.
"Not all guys," said Daesung corrected.
"Are we there yet?" Christine asked.
"Almost," said TOP as he was standing in front of the doors and looking up at the level monitor above him.
"Zoey, can you please stop moving around," said Mike. "You're pushing me backwards."
"It's not my fault my leg hurts!" Zoey snapped.
"Here we go again," said Daniel.
"Careful, guys," said Seungri. "If you push around too much, you might just hurt Sam again."
"Zoey is the one pushing. Not me," said Mike.
"If you really care about Sam too much, why don't you just lift her in your arms instead?" Zoey asked Seungri.
"But that would finish up all the little space in here," said Daesung.
"My point exactly."
"When is this elevator drama going to end?" Taeyang asked looking up at the roof of the elevator as though in prayer and hoping for something to happen.
The elevator suddenly stopped moving and a "ding" sound was heard. The doors flew open and those in front of me almost stumbled their way out except G-Dragon, Christine, Seungri, Taeyang and I.
"Phew! Now that's a relief," said TOP.
"I thought I was going to die in there," said Zoey, waving her hand close to her face, fanning for air. "I couldn't breathe."
"Are you guys okay?" asked the receptionist as soon as we all got out of the elevator.
"We're fine," I said as I turned to look at her.
"Let's not do that again," said Daniel, who was breathing in deeply.
"Noted," G-Dragon and I said at the same time. We looked at each other for a brief moment and then looked away.
"How's your foot?" Daesung asked as he looked at me.
"It's okay. Nothing to worry about," I answered.
"Isn't anyone going to ask how my leg is?" Zoey asked.
"How's your leg, Zoey?" Christine asked.
"For goodness sake, not you," said Zoey, looking rather annoyed and irritated.
Everyone stared at Zoey and she in turn, stared back at each one of us.
"What?" Zoey asked as she shrugged her shoulders.
TOP laughed. "What's the matter with you, today?"
"She wants attention," said Christine rolling her eyes.
"No, I don't," said Zoey folding her arms.
"Then you wouldn't have minded when Christine asked how your leg was," said Daniel.
"You guys just don't get it." Zoey shook her head.
"Ya, we do," Christine and Mike said at the same time. The two started to snicker.
"So not funny," said Zoey, frowning.
"Ummm, guys," G-Dragon called out to us.
He captured our full attention. We all looked at G-Dragon, and then we turned to what he was looking at.
The camera crew.
And the camera was pointing directly at all of us.
At that moment, we all just froze.
"Are they filming this right now?" I asked Seungri, my eyes not leaving the camera lens.
"It looks like it," Seungri answered.
"This is going to be fun," said the receptionist as she took out her phone and took pictures behind her desk.
"Wait, are we rolling right now?" Zoey asked.
The man behind the camera gave a thumbs up. We were filming and it looks like they might have captured all that had happened from the time we stepped out of the elevator.
"Well, the fans are going to love the first part of this film," said Taeyang.
"Tell me about it," said Mike.
"Doesn't matter," said Zoey as she flipped her hair and smiled at the camera. "What matters is entertaining the fans."
"Wow," said Daesung as he smiled at Zoey. "What a change of character."
"We don't call her the drama queen for nothing," I muttered.
"I see that now," said G-Dragon.
"Let's go to the tour bus outside," said Daniel.
We all went out of the lobby and found a big black tour bus waiting for us in the parking lot. The camera crew followed behind us the whole time.
"This is awesome," said Daniel in awe as we approached the bus.
"Totally," said Zoey.
"Shall we go in?" Christine asked.
"Wait!" came Lee's voice behind us.
We all turned and we saw Lee coming towards us with a wide flat purple paper box in her hand. For a moment, I thought there might just be one huge giant pizza in there. Or even a cake.
"What's this?" G-Dragon asked, when Lee reached us.
Lee opened the lid of the box and in it were delicious coloured looking rice cakes. Lots of it.
"Yum," I said as I looked in the box. "These are rice cakes, right?"
"They sure are," said Lee.
"I've always wanted to eat these," said Christine.
"It looks like a rainbow in there," said Daniel.
"Lovely," said Mike.
"Who sent these?" TOP asked.
"Your darling managers of course," said Lee.
"They are not poisonous right?" Zoey asked.
"Come on, Zoey. Why are you even asking that?" Lee asked.
"Collins knows that my favourite colour is pink and that I would obviously pick the pink coloured rice cakes. So maybe he put something in them."
"This is what we call paranoia," said Seungri, staring at the camera and pointing at Zoey.
"I hope you weren't saying that to the fans, Seungri," said Zoey, looking at Seungri.
"No, I wasn't." Seungri smiled.
"You guys better get going," said Lee.
"Aren't you coming with us?" Taeyang asked.
"Oh, no. I'll be with your managers."
"Okay, I will take these rice cakes," I said taking the box from Lee and putting the lid back on to the box.
"Alright, you guys have fun now. The managers will come down and have a word with you before you leave," said Lee as she turned around and headed back into the building.
"Let's go," I said, heading towards the door of the bus and the driver inside had the door automatically opened for us to enter.
I got into the bus first and the interior design of the luxury tour bus made my mouth drop that I stopped on my tracks and had blocked the way into the bus.
The bus had luxury white leather seats that lined up on both sides of the bus and even at the back of the bus. Above the seats at the back was a flat screen TV. An the roof of the bus was covered in bright tiny blue lights with a nightly blue background embedded, in the roof illuminating the whole place in different shades of blue like they do in the club. The floor was carpeted with a white fluffy carpet with black wavy lines on it.
"Sam, what's wrong?" Taeyang asked as he came into the bus right after me.
"Wow." Taeyang was also caught looking in awe just like I was.
"Ummm, guys, can you please move, we also want to see," said Christine.
"Oh, sorry," I said as I moved in further into the bus with Taeyang behind me.
"OMG! This is awesome," said Zoey as she followed behind Christine into the bus.
"These guys are just spoiling us," said Christine, as she looked up at the night sky roof.
"Nah. I've been in better luxury buses," said Zoey.
"Now that's a lie," said Mike as he enters the bus. "Wow, it's looks like a club in here."
Zoey and Christine sat on the left side of the bus on the fancy leather seats and Mike followed. Taeyang sat on the right while I stood by the little bar that had a small shelves filled with wine glasses. There was a cabinet underneath where drinks of all kinds were kept. I put the box of rice cakes on the small polished wooden counter near the bar.
"Wow, we are going to party today," said Seungri as he came in the bus.
"We're going to party alright," said TOP as he followed Seungri with Daniel behind him.
"I don't know," I said as I looked up at the nightly lit blue roof. "It looks like we are looking up at the sky at night, full of stars."
"I feel that way too," came G-Dragon's voice.
I turned to look beside me and G-Dragon was looking up at the ceiling and then he turned to look at me.
It felt weird looking at him under the luminous blue lights around the place. For a second, there I felt caught in a moment staring at G-Dragon. It felt like I was staring at him under the midnight sky.
I couldn't stop staring at him and he couldn't stop doing so with me. Just as I was about to say something, the lights above turned off and replaced by normal lighting from the bulbs.
"Found the switch," said Daniel who was kneeling over the seats and had flipped the switch on the wall.
I looked away, feeling myself blush. G-Dragon went away and went to join the others on the leather seats to the right.
"Looks so much better," said Christine. "It's like we are in some luxury living room. Now for those rice cakes."
Christine eagerly stood up and came to me by the counter where the rice cakes were. She opened the box, took one and bit into it.
"Mmmmm, Zoey, you should come and try this," said Christine, as she smiled. "They are delicious."
"Let me try one," came Daesung behind me and reached for a rice cake in the box.
I felt a little awkward when I felt his arm brush against mine when he was reaching for the rice cake. I could feel Daesung so close to me and that made my heart beat a little faster. When he took a rice cake from the box, I thought he would take it into his mouth. But instead he did the opposite.
He brought the rice cake close to my mouth. For a moment, I was a little confused. I raised an eyebrow as I looked at the rice cake in front of me.
"What the heck.....Daesung....," I wanted to turn my head and look at him but that was a no go zone. If I did, I was afraid I might end up kissing him since he was so close.
"Eat it," said Daesung as I saw him smile through the corner of my eye. "Or you don't like it that I'm the one feeding you?"
I opened my mouth to say something but quickly closed it again when I figured that I had nothing to say. I blushed. I didn't expect this, not from Daesung. I continued to look at the rice cake.
"Come on, Sam, eat it," said Christine. She giggled. She obviously noticed that I was blushing. "That's if you think they are poisonous just like Zoey."
I would have given Christine a frown, but I was blushing too much to do so. I took a deep breath as I bit into the rice cake, Daesung was holding up in front of me. I had my eyes closed as I chewed on the cake. I chewed on it slowly.
"Yum," I muttered to myself as I savoured the flavour. "This is so good."
"Told you," said Christine, finishing her rice cake.
I turned to look at Daesung. Luckily, he gave me a little space. I smiled at him.
"Delicious isn't it?" Daesung asked.
"Ya, so tasty. For a moment, I felt different," I said. "Like I was some place else."
"Here you go," said Daesung as he lifted the rice cake he had been holding and he lifted to my mouth. I took the whole rice cake into my mouth.
I could see G-Dragon through the corner of his eye staring at me. I even heard him clear his throat. He took a rice cake from Christine and looked away.
"Let me taste them," said Mike as he also came to get one.
"Wow," said Mike immediately he took a bite out of the rice cake.
"Pass them out to everyone, will you?" I asked as I looked at Christine.
"Okay," said Christine as she took the box in her hands.
Before Christine could carry the box away, I took one rice cake and held it up for Daesung to eat it.
"Your turn," I said as I brought the cake closer to his mouth.
Daesung smiled at me and said, "okay." Then he took a bite out of the rice cake.
"I should learn how to make these," I said.
"I can help you with that if you want," said Taeyang as he got a rice cake from Christine.
"That will be awesome. You can also teach me how to cook some other Korean cuisines too."
"I also want to be part of that cooking class," said Christine as she turned to look at Zoey to give her a rice cake. "What do you think, Zoey?"
"You know I hate cooking," said Zoey rolling her eyes. "You and Sam are better off without me."
"I'm not surprised," said Mike.
"I see that you're all enjoying the rice cakes and planning on making a buffet," came Collins' voice.
I turned around and coming into the bus was Collins and Yang Hyun-suk. The camera men had been around the whole time and I completely forgot that they were even there.
"I see The Toxins are enjoying the rice cakes," said Yang Hyun-suk, looking at Zoey who already had another rice cake in her hand.
"I've just realised that you guys are the best managers ever," said Zoey her mouth full of cake.
"I thought you didn't want to eat those," said TOP. "Said they were poisonous."
"I had a change of heart." Zoey took in the whole rice cake into her mouth.
"So, you guys have fun," said Collins. "We might come later on. We will meet you at Caribbean Bay."
"Having fun is our priority," said Seungri.
"Ya, no doubt about that," said Yang Hyun-suk, giving Seungri a grim look.
That almost made me laugh and so did the others. Just as the managers were about to leave the bus, Collins stopped and turned around.
"Oh, Sam," said Collins. I turned to look at him. "There is something in the bus you have to find."
"Like what?" I asked.
"You'll figure it out when you find it," said Collins with a smile. He turned around and left the bus. The door closed behind him.
"What do you think he meant by that?" Daesung asked as he looked at me.
"I don't know," I said as I looked at Daesung, then around the bus.
"Maybe it's some kind of present?" TOP asked.
"We'll have to look for it to find out," I said as I walked further heading to the back. "If I remember well, Collins once hid something from me that one time we went on tour in the bus." I looked at the seats at the back of the bus. "And he hid it under a compartment right under the back seat."
"Wasn't it that time he hid your notebook when we went on tour in New York?" Zoey asked.
While I was facing the seat, I smiled to myself. Zoey remembered. I was a little surprised that she had remembered the day I thought I had lost my notebook and went crazy, just looking for it. It really meant a lot to me that she remembered. She was one person who never remembered moments when it really mattered.
"Ya, it was," I said.
"I remember that day," said Mike. I looked at him and he was staring up at the ceiling, obviously remembering. "That day was so funny yet a little tragic."
"Why do you say that?" G-Dragon asked. I was surprised that he had asked that question.
"You should have seen the look on her face when her notebook went missing," said Daniel. "She was terrified and kept on telling herself that she could never have lost her book because she was always so careful with where she puts it."
"Ya, I remember she went back and forth in the dressing room looking for it," said Christine. "She almost tore the whole room apart."
"I had never seen her so agitated and upset all at the same time," said Zoey. "It was scary."
"I'm trying to imagine it but I just can't," said Taeyang as he looked at me.
"Don't even try," I said as I looked at Taeyang. "Zoey's right. I'm not a pretty sight to see when I'm angry."
"But do you think Collins has something hidden in the compartment?" Seungri asked.
"I'm pretty sure," I said. "Could there be any place around here to hide anything?"
The others all looked at each other and murmured that I was right.
So, I knelt down on the soft fluffy carpet and reached for the wide compartment drawer under the seats. It opened like a regular drawer and when I rolled it open, in it was a guitar.
"A guitar?" I was puzzled when I took it out and pushed the compartment drawer back in place. I stood up and looked at it.
"Why a guitar?" Daesung asked.
"I don't know," I said as I sat down on the seats at the back and settled the guitar on my lap.
Daesung came to sit next to me and surprisingly, Seungri also came and dropped himself on my other side.
"You weren't kidding, were you?" I asked when I turned to look at Seungri.
"I did say I was going to sit close to you," said Seungri, looking at me.
"That's Seungri," said TOP. I could see the irritation on his face.
"I think we can start off now," said G-Dragon, calling out to the driver at the driver's seat of the bus since we had all settled down.
The engine's bus roared to life and I could feel the bus start to move.
"This is going to be an exciting trip to Caribbean Bay," said Christine as she positioned herself on the seat to look outside the window.
"Well, at least it's not the first time we will be going there," said G-Dragon.
"Last time we didn't really go there together," said Mike. "We just met there."
"But now we can," said Zoey who had the box of rice cakes close to her. "And this time, we are really going to have fun."
"Ya. Last time we had to play cops and robbers," I said as I slowly started to pull the strings of the guitar.
"Oh, ya," said Mike getting another rice cake from the box. "Zoey, G-Dragon, Daniel, Christine and I were the robbers having a good time."
"While some of us had to play cop and bring you back to YG," said Daesung.
"We should do that again," said TOP. "Despite chasing you guys around, it was kind of fun."
"This time we will switch," said Seungri. "We will be the robbers and Zoey with the rest will be the cops."
"Mmmmm, that sounds like a great idea playing that game all over again," I said as I turned to look at Seungri. "So smart."
"Thanks."
"No way," said Zoey with her mouth full of rice cake and shaking her index finger in the air. "I still want to play the bad guy. I'm good at it, you know?"
"No doubt about it," said Daniel. "You're the drama queen after all."
Zoey took a little bow. "Thank you."
"Well, I'm done playing bad," said Christine. "I think I'll join the good guys."
"I'll still remain on the bad side," said G-Dragon.
"Yes!" Zoey punched the air. She looked quite happy. "Oh." She realised that everyone was looking at her and she felt embarrassed as she looked away putting a rice cake in her mouth.
"Then I'll join the robbers," said Seungri.
"I'll play cop," said Daniel. "You wants to switch?"
"I'll switch," said TOP.
"Anyone else?" Taeyang asked.
"I think I'll play robber, thanks," said Mike.
"I don't think I want to switch either," I said as I slowly started to pull the strings and the tune became louder this time. "I think I'll remain one of the good guys," I said in a sing song voice.
"And we will still be one of the bad," sang Zoey, following my tune.
"Oh, no, guys," said Daniel shaking his head at me and Zoey. "Not now, not again."
"What's wrong, Daniel?" Daesung asked.
"They are doing it again," said Mike. "Sometimes, these two like to talk but as though they are singing a song. At the end if it, it will end up like a real song for sure."
Christine: I see nothing, nothing, nothing wrong with that.
"See what I'm talking about?" Mike pointed out but also in a sing song voice. He covered his mouth immediately.
TOP laughed. "I see nothing wrong with that. It sounds kind of fun."
"Ya, but at the end of it all, we might all end up singing out our conversations," said Daniel.
"I don't see the problem, we haven't done this in a while," I sang. "You know you can't beat us so join us."
"You know you can't beat us, just join us," Zoey and Christine sung, this time their voices slightly going high.
Daesung: I see no harm, this is kind of fun.
Taeyang: I'm loving this, let's do it for a while.
"Not you too," said Daniel.
Seungri: You know you can't beat us, just join us.
"You know you can't beat us, just join us!" Daesung and Taeyang sung.
"Gosh, am I the only normal one here?" Daniel asked blocking his ears.
Me: C'mon bro, I know you want to sing along!
"Oh, no I won't," said Daniel.
Christine and Zoey: Oh, yes you do!
TOP: I know it's crazy but this is kind of cool.
G-Dragon: This is weird and doesn't make sense, but I'm doing it too.
Mike: Oh my gosh, not you GD.
G-Dragon: I couldn't help it but I had to try.
Me: Don't mind about it you are quiet good.
Daesung: We should be doing this more often.
Daniel: Not when I'm arounnnd! Dang it!
Zoey: Well, it's about time. I'm glad you sang.
Daniel: I'm not going to forgive you. This is far from done.
Zoey: Ya, I know.
Christine: Damn, Zoey you're finishing up all the rice cakes.
Zoey: It's not my fault they are too freaking good.
Seungri: Let her have it all. It will do her some good.
Zoey: What do you mean?
Seungri: You know what I mean.
G-Dragon: It's starting to get hot in here.
Mike: I see what you mean. Zoey likes to eat too much.
Zoey: That's not true.
TOP: Look who is talking.
Mike: This is going to be fun.
Seungri: And the best is yet to come.
Taeyang: It's going to be fantastic.
Daesung: Too fantastic.
Daniel: Wow, fantastic baby!
At the end of it all we started to sing "Fantastic Baby". From there we sang "Sober" and other k-pop songs.
The funny thing about singing those songs, is that we The Toxins would sing out some of the words wrong but it didn't matter because we were having so much fun.
After singing "With You" by BigBang, I was laughing so hard more than anyone in the bus.
"What's wrong with you, Sam?" Daesung asked.
I wiped the tears from my eyes and said, "while we were singing the song, I couldn't help myself but laugh. I remember the music video and seeing you guys now is funny."
"That was a long time ago," said TOP.
"I remember that video," said Mike. "You guys have really come a long way."
"Ya, we have," said G-Dragon with a smile on his face.
"Guys," Christine called out to us as she looked outside the window. "It looks like we are here."
"What! No way!" Zoey positioned herself on the seats to look out of the window. "We're really here?"
Mike and Daniel were also looking out of the window and I stood up from my seat laying the guitar down. I went to join them kneeling on the seats and looking out the window.
We were at Caribbean Bay, alright. And the bus was already in the parking lot.
"Well this journey felt a little short," said Daniel.
"Tell me about it," said G-Dragon who stood right behind me.
"We are still going to have so much fun," said Daesung. "So, I'm not worried."
"Ya, we are," said Zoey, joyfully.
When the bus had parked and the engine had died down, we all got ourselves ready to leave the bus. Everyone seemed to be really excited that they started to leave the bus immediately. I went to the back seat of the bus to get the guitar and when I turned around, everyone had already left.
Just as I was about to leave, I noticed something from the corner of my eye. On one of the leather seats where Zoey and the other Toxins had been seated, was a phone. I went over to the seat and picked it up. It was Zoey's phone.
Now was the time to get Jehan's number. I quickly laid the guitar on the seats and took out my phone from my pocket. I turned the screen on Zoey's phone and unlocked her phone. She put up a screen pattern as her screen lock. Seeing her with her phone many times, I made the Z pattern on her phone. It was so easy.
As soon as I accessed her phone, I went straight to her call log. I felt going to her contact list was going to take a lot of time. Immediately I went to the call log, I saw the number I was looking for. Jehan's name came right up on the screen.
When I unlocked my phone and took down the number in my phone, I quickly tucked my phone away and I carried the guitar in my other hand. Just as I turned around to leave, a few feet away blocking the way out of the bus, stood Zoey.
I paused when I looked at her. She was looking back at me. I couldn't read the expression on her face and I was scared that she might have seen me go through her phone.
"I came to get my phone," said Zoey eyeing the phone in my hand.
"I was just about to bring it to you," I said as I walked up to Zoey and gave it to her.
"Thanks," said Zoey as she looked down at her phone.
"I had fun today," I said as I looked at her. "With all the singing."
"Ya, I had fun too." Zoey looked up at me and even though she was doing her best not to smile, her eyes gave her away.
"We better get going," I said. "The others must be waiting."
For a moment, Zoey didn't move or say anything. She continued to look at me and I could tell that she wanted to say something. Could it be that she was trying to tell me all about her and Jehan?
"Ya, we better get going," said Zoey as she quickly turned around and walked out of the bus.
I stood there motionless as I watched her leave. I didn't like to see that she was going through all this and she couldn't tell me. I am such a bad friend. I have known all along what's been going on and I'm silent about it. I didn't like seeing Zoey like this. I had to put an end to do this somehow now that I had the upper hand.
As I was walking out of the bus, I pulled out my phone and texted Derrick to bring the teddy bear. When I sent the message, I was standing at the door of the bus and just as I put my phone away, I looked up and TOP stood there in front of me.
"What's taking you so long?" TOP asked. "I saw Zoey come out of the bus. Did you two argue?"
"No, I didn't," I said. I thought for a while before I asked, "can you help me out with something?"
"Anything. What do you need?"
"Let's go, I'll tell you along the way."
I jumped down from the bus and walked alongside TOP towards the front gates of the water park. There weren't a lot of people around in the parking lot and there were a few cars too. The others had already gone in the water park.
I had to find a way to help Zoey out of the mess she was in and bring Jehan down. But to do that, I would need all the help I can get.