That recording session is quite exhausting for Tamara Kim. Whatever she do, even if she pushed herself too hard, still she fails to make it perfect. As the number female popstar of the country, the expectation is heavy, perfection is always a the top priority. But she's feeling stiff and cannot pull out the string from emotions that needed feeling. She pulls the headphones out of her ears and sighs in exasperation.
"Mr. Nam, I need a break. This isn't working right now."
The music director thinks for a while and signaled a go. She was delighted for the sudden halt. Her much needed strength is served by coffee and she needs to get one fast.
"I think I came at the right time. How are you, cutie? Let's go? Coffee's on me."
Tamara jumped in exhilaration. That visit was unexpected but long overdue. She went out fast to embrace the man. It's been months since they last bonded.
"Jackson! Why, you idiot! What are you doing here?!"
"I don't know. I just suddenly miss you," Jackson chuckled back.
"Stop it, you bonehead! But seriously, what's wrong this time? Because you're running to me everytime you're in trouble. What is it this time, huh? Did you get someone pregnant? Answer me, you, crazy yank!"
"What the hell? Where did that came from?!" Jackson quips.
"I know you're in trouble. Even if you won't tell me, I'll find out soon enough. When are you growing up, you moron?!"
Jackson laughs and shook his head in disbelief. "Why are we even having this kind of conversation? This is not why I came to see you."
"Then why are you here?" Tamara asked. Her eyebrows raised in confusion. "Oh, I know! You're going to give that song, right?!" she excitedly exclaimed.
Jackson again shook his head, this time, amused. "No, brat. Write your own song. I needed that one for our next album."
Tamara hit him hard in the arm. "You greedy bastard! Giving it to me will make my life easy. It's a bit rough right now. And you don't have the slightest idea how draining this is for me."
"Oh, really? You're talking to someone who works just like you too," Jackson jests. "You'll get by, Tam. I know you. Maybe you just lack the needed drive."
"Tsss. What about you? You're not even inspired but you write excellently. That's talent, Jackson. I wish I could write my own songs. I hate to admit it, but sometimes, I envy you. You just have it all."
"Oh, c'mon! There's nothing to envy about me, Tamara. My life's a mess, you definitely know that," he opposed. "Here, take this. I came here to clear my head out and give this to you personally. We're burning ourselves hard for the upcoming concert and I feel so worn out," he said as he hands Tamara the free VIP pass.
"When is this?"
"In ten days. I'm expecting you."
Tamara clicks her tongue before saying another word. "I can't promise. But I'm sure this will be a blast. Of course, it's you and the guys. But what pisses me off right now is, my break time is almost over yet my coffee is still sailing in waters. Are you treating me or not?"
They looked at each other and busted out laughing. Despite the burden he's carrying, Jackson looks at the laughter as his temporary sanctuary. Tamara is his sweet escape, his comfort from the storms that whip. Their platonic love is so solid no one could ever break. And there's nobody he trusts more than Tamara Kim.
After Tiffany held him tight in her hands, everyday is hell for Jackson. Tiffany created a ghost that ignites his worst fears. He's afraid and in survival mode the same way as if a predator has got him in the neck and is waiting for his gruesome death. Jackson wanted to let the worry out because it's weighing him down, so massive he wanted a disclosure, but turned coward the moment he faces Tamara.
And from right there, he gets to realize, good friend may not always be able to be there for him, nor save him from every storm, for there are times this universe sets solo challenges for everyone. Tamara has her battles to face. While he has his own monsters to take.
_________________________________________________________________
"It's a long and tiring day, isn't it?"
Suzy jumped to her feet hearing a familiar yet unexpected voice. She was startled for the sudden meeting but was elated when she saw him again. But it's a little bit different this time, she didn't stalk him, Alex purposely went to see her. Her heart flutters she could've jump in intense thrill, but chose to stop her weakening knees.
"Alex! What brings you here?" she smiles and acts casual as possible.
Alex sighed and returned a more beaming smile. "I don't know. I guess I miss coming around here that's why I took a little stroll. Why are you out so late?"
"Well, it's time for inventories. I stayed a little late because I need to finish the reports. How's Shin, by the way?"
Alex stops for a while. The very reason why he wander around is because he's a bit beaten by what happened the other day. He don't want to think about Shin but he's doing some things that's still making him think about her. It feels like he's walking in a broken pathway, trying his best to remove the sharp flints as he went, only to find that he still arrives to the memories of her.
"She-- She's fine. Yeah, I guess. I managed to give her a part time job the other day. She's still on a hunt for a stable paying job. I have no doubt she'll get one soon," he almost stuttered.
"That's good news! I've been worried for her. I'm glad she's getting by," Suzy happily replied. "I'm sorry, Alex, but I need to catch the bus. Let's see each other around again next time, okay?"
"Do you want me to walk you to the stop? Or a dinner, maybe? I'm kinda hungry."
That sudden, uncalculated last inquest just came out of impulse, and Alex was appalled for the words that came out of his mouth. Suzy's eyes flickered in great excitement, as he realized, it was too late to take it back.
"Sure! Where to?" Suzy shrieked in immense joy, without thinking straight.
"Anywhere. Your call."
The set of circumstances went fast paced and Alex couldn't retake it anymore. Those invite was supposed to be given to someone else, but unfortunately, because of the affliction that's taking him down, he gave it to the other person, someone else that's way beyond his category of beauty.
Suzy is beautiful, no doubt. Her beauty is striking that any man can give her a single glance. The way she smiles lights up a whole room, it's vibrance is overwhelming, yet her joyous nature is something that will knock everyone off their feet and be dead for the powerful mix of charms. But his stupid heart was blinded by his overflowing love for somebody's else, even if that love is unrequited, still he goes to love and hurting more. Alex only sees one woman and that's Shin.
"There's a newly opened ramen house in the next block. Wanna try it out?" Suzy excitedly asked.
There's no wrong for being free, at least for that quick amount of time. The smell of ramen will surely soothe his hurting heart, and the hot taste of it, he wish to strike his head and divert the affection to some other things or to someone. But surely not, Suzy.
Alex meet Suzy's delighted stare, and he's right once more, those smiles are like sun rays beaming in the naked blue sky, so hard not to pay the grin back. "Sure. Lets go!"
________________________________________________________________
Her breath is still and steady as she stares warily on the door. Her body is in fight motion, she stood there in the cold and it wasn't a pleasant coldness. No matter how warm the blood in her veins, her face got frozen just the same. And there's her feet who wanted a run, it is the kind of chill that will make her walk faster and brace her head against the wind.
Shin is anxiously holding the strange card with one hand. She brought herself in the address and exactly on the right house. She's reluctant to press the buzzer for the fear of the unknown covered her to become stiff. She didn't know what push her that day to make such a crucial decision. Behind those close doors, something unspecified is waiting. Either it can make or break her. Mrs. Jeon's offer isn't trusting and it's not bad to be cautious.
Shin placed her shaking fingers in the buzzer and with the remaining strength that she has, she pushed the dinger as she let out the deepest sigh. That deep sigh feels like a reset button for her overwhelming emotions, allowing a response to think logically. She fixes her eyeglasses up as she waits for someone to open the door but it took a while for someone to answer it.
Standing there and waiting patiently, she couldn't help herself to get amazed by the sight. The place is not ordinary and absolutely not for the low orders. And the house behind those strong steel barriers that's standing mighty and tall was born of an architect's plan. Shin was weak not be be awed.
The door suddenly clicks open and her mind rushed in a panic mode. There's a man, as tall and mighty as the house, greeted her with a wide smile. Shin bowed her head down to accept the greeting. She then force herself to speak and fighted back the stutter.
"Anyeonghasseyo. Mrs. Stefania Jeon gave me this address for a job. Are you, in any way, my boss?" she nervously asked.
Shin saw the man smile and nods his head, she felt relief. The job wasn't a scam and somehow Mrs. Jeon stayed true to her words.
The man opened the door wide to let her in as he hurriedly speaks. "Oh, I get it. You're the new...", he stops and his eyebrows bumped in confusion. "But you're a girl. That's strange.", he hushed.
"W-What?", Shin was more confuse than he is.
"Nothing. It don't concern me at all so...", the man shrugged his shoulders and speaks again. "I'm sorry, Miss, but I can't accompany you here for a little more. I just needed this music sheet. Wait here. Your boss will be out soon."
The man rush out of the house and didn't even glance back. Shin was left alone as she breathes shakily, and her confusion rises even more, like an anxiety in a different cloak. To rest her fidgeting hands, she chose to stay uptight and surveyed the whole house with her sight. The place is lavish and the owner, even if the identity is still unknown, is obviously wealthy.
In it's walls, it's apparent that there lives a man. It's a modern house that Shin only sees on dramas and magazine covers. The striking materials such as glass, steel and concrete emphasize clean lines and it's large windows paves way to natural light to brighten the whole room. But what intrigues her more, is the open room on the far corner from where she stood, array of guitars were aligned, and some were hang on the walls. She tried to take a closer peak but was stopped before she could reach the edge.
"Who are you? And who sent you in?"
Shin could not be more at a loss for words for the sudden calling. That incredibly solid, deep voice was so very easy on the ears, yet it had a way of igniting someone's internal engine, like it's so easy to fall in love that fast before you can have the chance to process the feeling. What a lucky human to possess that kind of voice that is.
Even if her back was turned, it was the most dominant and powerful voice she'd ever heard, and for a while she came to think, she had heard that voice before.
Shin was caught in a situation where it's normal have anxiety. She paced back to meet the man, fighting the overpowering nerves. "Anyeonghasseyo. Mrs. Jeon sent me to---"
She was cut short by the appearance that greeted her. It's as if she was moved by a strange notion and left her immobile. In that flight of steps stood a man, looking straightly at her as if his stares were arrows sliding through her souls, with his eyebrows collide in bafflement. Shin literally felt her heart jumped in alarm. Her firm disposition had suddenly melt down. She shamefully curled from the man's deadly stares.
But that bumping eyebrows is utterly familiar. Shin's vision is a bit unstable without her glasses on, but she trusts her ability of sight when she's wearing them. Suddenly, the spur of unpleasant memory caught her off guard.
One scorching hot day, the set of signal lights operating in sequence, those arrogant, powerful stares and the abrupt misdemeanor he gave her was enough for the amazement to be wash away and how quickly the enmity to pull through.
"You?!" Shin exclaimed in disbelief.
...