We arrived at TS Entertainment within a few minutes. I never imagined that it was so close to the doughnut shop.
We stood outside the gates of the building and were allowed inside by security. The building was four or five storeys high. Yong-nam continued to lead the way till we went inside.
We were in the reception area and there were two female receptionists at their desk. Yong-nam greeted one of them while the other was currently on a phone call. Yong-nam talked to the free receptionist and as soon as they were done, she turned and smiled at us welcoming us to the agency as she spoke in English.
"Thank you so much," said Lee. "We're really happy to be here."
"If you need any help, we're here to assist," she said.
"Come on," said Yong-nam, "the others must probably be wondering why I've taken so long."
Yong-nam led us to the elevator a few feet away from the desk. He pressed the up button and we waited for a few seconds til the doors flew open. Just before we stepped in, Zoey held us to a stop as she stood in front of us, blocking the way to the elevator.
"Wait a minute, everyone," she said.
"Huh, what is it?" Yong-nam asked.
"We aren't more than the maximum number of people for the elevator to hold, are we?"
"Oh, brother," Mike muttered as he stared at the ceiling. "Not this again. The elevator is going to close if we don't go in."
"We're seven, Zoey," I said. "Don't worry, the elevator will hold us just fine."
"Okay, just checking," said Zoey with a smile. "You remember what happened last time, right?"
Us Toxins would never forget the day when the five of us and the other five BigBang members got squeezed up in the elevator back at YG. There was barely enough room and it was at that point when we thought we would plummet to our deaths.
"Okay, since there's nothing to worry about," said Yong-nam, "should we get going?"
"Yes, please," said Daniel.
We all went inside and the elevator doors closed before us. Yong-nam who was closer to the elevator buttons, pressed one of them and the elevator started to move upwards. As soon as it did, the soft melodious elevator music started to play.
"Mmm," Lee looked up at the speaker atop the elevator roof. "It's not every elevator that you jump in that plays music."
"I like it," said Daniel. "It feels kind of soothing."
Soon the elevator came to a stop and the doors flew open. In front of us stood a long carpeted hallway. Yong-nam stepped out, leading the way as usual. He told us where we were; the recording studios.
"I hope they are still around," said Yong-nam. "Sometimes they like to move around."
"Are they recording or something?" I asked.
"Ya, something like that. But they were trying to work on lyrics for their song."
Looks like we weren't the only ones struggling with lyrics today.
"We were also working on writing our song back at the hotel," said Zoey, "we needed some motivation, so that's why we came to buy doughnuts."
"Sweet things also lift your spirits, huh?" Yong-nam asked as he smiled at Zoey.
"Kind of. But they really work on Sam here," Zoey pointed her thumb at me as I walked behind her. I rolled my eyes. That's so not true. Well..., maybe with chocolate.
"Doughnuts aren't really my favourite, you know?" I said as I looked at Christine beside me. She quickly noticed my eyes and flushed a little.
Zoey might like chocolate dip doughnuts, but Christine "loves" doughnuts. During our school days, she sometimes wouldn't take the school bus home just so she could buy doughnuts at the nearest store.
"I get what you mean," said Yong-nam.
We soon stopped by one of the doors down the hall and Yong-nam knocked with his free hand. For a second, no one answered.
"Is anyone in there?" Daniel asked.
"They should be," said Yong-nam as he knocked on the door again.
It took a few seconds till the door finally opened. Daehyun was the one behind it and his eyes weren't fixed on us as he seemed to be engaged in some conversation currently taking place in the room. But soon afterwards, his eyes focused on us that he did the unthinkable.
He screamed.
The door shut quickly in our faces. Well, that's weird. Everyone of us in the hall, looked at each other with puzzled looks. Did Daehyun just do that? I could understand if he were a girl, but a guy....? I'm finding it a little hard to believe.
"What just happened?" Zoey asked as she looked wide-eyed at the door.
"Daehyun, what's wrong with you?" came a voice inside. "Who's by the door?"
"Sorry, sorry, you won't believe who's here," said Daehyun, sounding shocked beyond belief.
The door opened again and this time, it was Zelo. He gasped and I thought he might shut the door in front of us like Daehyun, but he didn't.
"OMG, it's you!" Zelo said with so much excitement. "Now I see why Daehyun screamed like a girl."
"Hey, I didn't scream like a girl," said Daehyun as he came to stand right next to him.
"What's going on here?" came Yong-guk's voice and we heard footsteps approaching the door.
"Hey, Yong-guk," greeted Zoey when he finally came into view.
"Zoey?" Yong-guk couldn't believe that we were all there standing by the door. "The whole lot of the Toxins are here."
"Including me," said Lee, as she gave an embarrassing smile.
"This is Lee," said Zoey. "She's our manager's assistant, but she's more like our friend."
"Where are your manners?" came Himchan as he joined the others. "Let them in."
"Oh, ya, sorry, about that," said Daehyun as he, Yong-guk and Himchan moved away from the door. Zelo drew the door wide open.
"Welcome to their humble abode," said Yong-nam as he stepped inside the room first.
"Hey! Are you making fun of us?" Zelo asked.
"Am I?" Yong-nam gave Zelo a smirk.
As we entered the room, I noticed that the place looked busy. There was the recording room on the other side of the room and the sitting area looked a little messy with papers all around and Young-jae was picking up some of the mess.
"I hope we didn't come at a bad time," I said.
"Nonsense, you guys couldn't have come at a better time," said Young-jae as he threw away the crumpled papers in the waste bin located at the corner.
"I guess you're right," said Zoey as she went over to the cream coloured comfy couches and making herself comfortable.
"I'm glad you're all here," said Yong-guk. "We didn't get to meet Daniel and Mike last time."
"Ya, we weren't around back then," said Mike. "It's really nice meeting you all."
"Same here," said Zelo as he came to stand in between my two brothers. He's way taller than the both of them and I tried not to point it out.
"Please, sit down," said Daehyun as he came towards Christine and me, held each of our hands, and dragged us to one of the couches next to the one Zoey sat.
Christine giggled as she sat and so did I. "You didn't have to drag us here," she said.
"Hope you don't mind," said Lee, as she sat next to Zoey with the box on her laps, "we brought some more doughnuts."
"Wow, really?" Himchan asked as he sat across from us. "I was wondering what you and Sam were carrying in there."
"That's how we met, actually," said Yong-nam as he laid the box he was carrying on the table.
"We mistook him for Yong-guk at the doughnut shop," said Christine.
"People mix us up pretty easily," said Yong-guk as he smiled.
"Well, these things aren't going to eat themselves, are they?" Christine asked. "I say we dig in."
I gave Christine a look after placing the paper box on the table. It seems her craving for doughnuts hasn't disappeared after all.
"I second to that," said Zoey.
"Ya, I'm in the mood for something sweet so badly," said Young-jae as he knelt near the table.
"Wait a minute," I said as I looked at the B.A.P members in the room. "Where's Jongup?"
"I thought everyone had forgotten about me," came a voice from the recording booth.
Everyone's eyes turned towards the booth and out he came.
"Hey," I greeted him. "I'm glad I realised you weren't here. We would have eaten all the doughnuts without you."
"I'm glad you noticed," he said. He blushed as he scratched the back of his head.
"Okay, now that we're all here, let's dig in," said Lee.
Everyone else standing found themselves seated around the table and we started to chow down on the doughnuts.
"So, you guys are working on a song, huh?" Zoey asked. Her first doughnut as usual, a chocolate one.
"Yep," Young-jae answered.
"And it's not going so well," said Yong-guk.
"We've all been there," said Mike after swallowing his first bite, "it's hell when you can't seem to figure out the right lyrics."
"We're going through the same too," said Christine.
"Mmm, really?" Zelo gleefully asked.
"We were actually supposed to do it as a group," said Daniel. He had just finished his first doughnut and stretched out his hand for another. "I mean, the whole BTW. But the others didn't show up."
"And we were left to write the song all on our own," I said, slowly eating my doughnut.
"Looks like we're all in the same boat then," said Daehyun.
"Totally," Christine and Zoey said at the same time.
"What song are you guys working on?" Mike asked the B.A.P members.
"Oh, it's just one of those inspirational songs," Himchan answered. "And what of you?"
"A sad heartbreak song that's supposed to be sad but actually sounds fun," said Daniel.
"Huh?" Jongup and Daehyun gave us confused looks.
"Ya, it sounds complicated but when you get to hear it you'll understand."
"Mmmm, now I'm curious," said Young-jae. "Do you think we can hear it?"
"Ahh...," I hesitated. I looked over at Lee who sat across and her eyes also found mine. "I guess so...."
"Great," said Yong-nam. "Maybe if they get to hear it, Yong-guk may help you out a little."
"I like the sound of that," said Mike. "We should also hear theirs and we might do the same."
"Ha, feels like a trade," said Jongup as he took a bite out of his doughnut.
"Are you sure you'll have enough time for that?" Lee asked.
That's right. We had agreed that we weren't going to stay here long. I also shouldn't forget about the other program. Maybe now was the perfect time to tell the other Toxins about it.
"Lee's right," I said. "I don't think we've the time."
"But can't we compromise and stay here the whole day?" Zoey suggested.
"That sounds like a good idea," said Daehyun. "It will be great if we all help each other out."
I took another doughnut from the box, wondering how I'm going to break it to the others that we had plans tonight. But as soon as I straightened up to say something, Lee said:
"Well, now that I think about it, you guys staying here to help each other out doesn't seem like a bad idea."
I looked at her, and I am glad that no one noticed the look on my face. The others around me muttered happily to each other. I raised an eyebrow at Lee wondering what she's getting at.
"Oh, you think so, Lee?" Zoey asked full of excitement and stars in her eyes.
"Yep," Lee replied with a smile on her face. "And if you manage to make a tremendous amount of progress by the evening, you might just receive a reward."
"A reward?" Mike and Daniel asked.
"What reward?" Christine asked.
"I better not say, just be done before 4:30 PM," said Lee and she soon stuffed her mouth with a doughnut.
"Aren't you supposed to be here with us?" I asked.
Lee quickly swallowed. "One thing's certain, I'm neither your bodyguard nor your babysitter. Oh.., don't worry about Collins. I'll just tell him you preferred to work alongside B.A.P for now."
I gave Lee a look and I knew why she's doing all this. We tire her out a lot, so this is her only chance to get us out of her radar at least for a few hours. Who knows, she might just find herself at a massage parlor, relaxing. She's taking advantage that she knows about tonight.
"You shouldn't worry about them, Lee," said Yong-nam as he smiled at her. "If they cause any trouble, I'll be sure to handle them."
"Really? What are you going to do?" Daniel asked as he gave Yong-nam a grim look.
Himchan and Jongup both shook their heads as Jongup said, "you don't want to know."
"I believe you, Yong-nam," said Lee as she smiled back. "I doubt if they would give you any trouble, that's if they will be serious about receiving that reward."
"I really wish you could just tell us," said Mike.
"I'll spoil everything for you. You just do your best and that won't be an issue."
I sighed. Everyone's falling for this except me. Now I wish I didn't tell her about Daesung's invitation.
"It's settled, then," said Yong-guk.
"It's settled, indeed," said Lee as she gave us a wide grin.
I sighed again. Maybe I should just ruin this for her by telling the others about tonight. But..., staying here and working on our song with B.A.P didn't seem like a bad idea. Who knows, we might get the lyrics we need and we also get to help B.A.P with theirs.
"We'll do our best," I said.
"Yes, I know you will," said Lee as she smiled at me.
We continued on our doughnut feast and as soon as we were done, Lee decided to leave.
"Well, I sure had a delightful sweet course with you, B.A.P," said Lee as she stood up from her seat.
"We all did," said Daehyun.
The rest of us also stood to see Lee off. She walked to the door and I followed her.
"It's a pleasure meeting you, guys," said Lee as she turned to look at everyone else in the room.
"The pleasure is ours," said Himchan.
"I'll escort you to the elevator," I told Lee.
"Oh, you don't have to. But if you insist, then okay," she said and turned to look at the other Toxins. "Be on your best behaviour, guys."
"Of course, we will," said Christine. "You don't have to worry about us."
"I really hope so. Come on, Sam. See you next time, B.A.P." she waved at the B.A.P members and they also did the same.
Lee and I walked out of the room. When we were a few feet away from the door, I asked:
"Why didn't you just tell them about tonight's program?" I asked.
"Oh, I just did that for fun," said Lee.
"No, you just did that because you wanted us out of your hairs for a while." I gave Lee the I-know-your-plan look.
"Wow, you really know me that well." She chuckled. "But you can't deny it; leaving you here to work with B.A.P may be just what you need to make progress on the song."
"I'm not denying it," we were nearing the elevator now. "Why didn't you just tell them about the invitation?"
Lee didn't answer right away and we soon reached the elevator. She pressed the down button and turned to look at me.
"Sometimes you need to motivate people by saying such things," she answered. "It might not seem like it, but you saw how excited they were."
I didn't want to admit it, but Lee's right. They did seem excited, as if they already knew what the reward is.
"Ya, I get what you mean," I said.
"You'll see. The others will work so hard, the song will turn out great," said Lee as the elevator doors slide open in front of us. "It's good since you guys already have the idea. It will be more perfected this time around."
"Ya, I guess so. I better tell Daesung that the program is on, then."
"You do that." Lee walked into the elevator and she pressed the button to the ground floor. She soon looked at me and gave me a thumbs up. "All the best."
"Thanks," I said as I smiled back and the doors closed shut in front of me.
I made my way back to the studio room and just before I reached the door, I took my phone out and sent Daesung a message. As soon as I was done, I put my phone away and entered the room.
"Good, Sam is back," said Zoey.
Time stopped for a second. Just when Zoey said that, I knew something's up and I had to prepare for whatever it is.
"What is it?" I asked as time went back to normal and I closed the door.
"We were debating on whose song we should work on first," Zoey answered.
Just as I thought. What a bummer.
"You guys are discussing that?" I asked.
"I know, we're pretty fast, aren't we?" Zelo asked who was back to sitting on the floor.
"Too fast," I said as I slowly approached them. Everyone else seemed to be back to where they sat previously except for Yong-guk whom I found standing with pieces of paper in his hands.
I averted my eyes from him. "So, whose work are we working on first?" I asked.
"I suggested ours," said Zoey.
"But we objected stating that it should be ours instead," said Jongup.
"These guys were about to start arguing," said Yong-nam as he stood up from the floor and came to stand next to me. "So, I had to calm them down."
The corner of my lips went up into a smile. "Looks like you handled them pretty well," I said.
Mike scoffed with his arms folded. "Ya, you can say that," he said without a care in the world, yet I felt a hint of annoyance in his voice.
As much as I wanted to know what Yong-nam might have done or said to them, we had to deal with the main issue at hand. Whose song are we working on first?
"So, Sam," said Yong-guk, "which one is it going to be?"
"Wait, how come I get to decide?" I asked, sounding surprised.
"Because we know you'll make the right one," said Christine.
I raised my eyebrow. I hate it when I'm the one who gets to decide.
I scratched my head as I began to think. Both groups here are struggling to come up with lyrics for their song, so which should be worked on first? If I suggested ours, as much as B.A.P have us as their guests since we bought ourselves here, didn't seem bad at all. But B.A.P had the idea to offer us help with our song first.
"I've decided," I said as I dropped my hand from my head. "We'll work on B.A.P's song first."
"Uuh?" Daniel and Zoey looked at me with shock in their eyes.
"The fact that they are the ones who thought of all of us helping each other, I don't see why they can't have their song worked on first," I said as I shrugged my shoulders.
"Very wise decision," said Yong-nam as he smiled at me.
"Huh..., that's why she's our leader," said Daniel. "She's brought out a reasonable explanation and I agree."
"Ya, same here," said Zoey, admitting defeat with her eyes drawn upwards to the roof.
Mike and Christine didn't argue either. The rest of the B.A.P members smiled at me that I felt like looking away. Their smiles were suddenly making me blush for some reason.
"Okay," said Yong-guk, everyone's eyes turned to him. "We can start working on the song right now, but before that we have to take note of time since the Toxins aren't going to stay the whole day."
"I agree," I said and Yong-nam beside me looked at the time on his watch.
"I'll be your time keeper," he said. "And this is close to 11:00 AM. The Toxins leave this place close to 4:30 PM. So each piece of work has at least two hours and thirty minutes."
"Sounds good," said Himchan.
"Okay," said Daehyun as he rubbed his hands together in excitement, "things are about to get interesting."
"They sure are," said Mike. This time he looked ready for anything.
The whole room had a different atmosphere to it. I could tell everyone's excited and geared up. This would be a great experience for some of us. We, Toxins already worked with BigBang on our single. But now we get to work on two songs and with a different group too.
I turned to look at Yong-guk. His eyes found mine and he seemed to have read my mind as we both smiled at each other.
"Let's get to work," I said.
Those of us standing came to join the others round the table. And in no time, the work begun.