MINHO'S POV
My mind was in disarray, a whirlwind of emotions crashing through me as I processed the revelation about Soojin's songs.....Standing up abruptly, I felt the urge to call her, but a wave of conflicting feelings held me back. "What do I even say to her if we meet... that I've been listening to those songs not knowing they were about us... that I missed all the signs...I feel like such a fool," I muttered to myself, torn between the desire to reconnect and the decision we made to move on from the past and start afresh.....
Back in my photo studio, the weight of it all settled in. "But still... I just have to see her," I whispered, grappling with the longing to bridge the gap between our past and present.
Just then, my colleague's unexpected question cut through my thoughts. "Are you Soojin's first love?" he asked, leaving me stunned by his knowledge. How did he find out? I turned to ask him, and he showed me a news article on his phone screen.....SPOTTED: SINGER KANG SOOJIN OUT ON A DATE WITH A MYSTERIOUS MAN...COULD IT BE THE FIRST LOVE? the article read, I took a closer look at the photos and it was when we went to the fried fish restaurant...and then some at the beach...
"Who took these? I asked in shock..." So it really is you...woah you dating Kang soojin!" Jinyoung exclaimed as I scoffed..." Now I really need to call her.." I thought that my self as I immediately stood up with a mix of shock and anxiety clouding my mind and decided to give her a call.
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SOOJIN'S POV
" SPOTTED: SINGER KANG SOOJIN OUT ON A DATE WITH A MYSTERIOUS MAN..COULD HE BE THE FIRST LOVE?" Mr song read our loud as he scoffed.." These guys are really desparate to write articles..." Who is the guy in the photo?" He turned and asked me.." A friend..." I replied.." Well Iam definitely not sure Iam going to just write " a friend" in the statement..." He replied.." That's Minho friend..those photos were taken at the fried fish restaurant where we were having dinner.." I explained.." How many time shave I told you to be careful..Iam not close minded I know that singers like you can date but sweetie...do you have any idea how dating rumours have affected many artists...soon it will just be about your relationship and not your music and Iam sure you don't want that do you?" He asked.." No...I don't.." I replied.." Well we need to come up with a solution then.." he added.." How about I write a statement telling them that it's a friend..." I asked..." Yah so you can give them other excuses to write wierd articles? No please ill handle this one...just make sure you refrain from meeting this ' friend ' for now..." He said as he turned to leave when my phone rung and it was Minho calling.." I'll take this with me.." he said as he grabbed my phone.." You can't do that...you can't take my phone from me.." I said.." Well I have too...untill we get this cleared up one way or another.." he replied as he left...
After a while, I came up with a way to contact Minho..this wasn't only going to affect me but him as well so I had to help him out..." Thanks alot Nana.." I said as I used Nana's phone to call Minho..." Hey!" I said.." Hello.." he replied.." Well it's soojin..I couldn't use my phone so I called from another..how are you..I hope you haven't had any people come up to your work place to disturb you.." I said..my voice filled with worry.." Nah Iam good..I was actually more worried about you..I hope this hasn't affected you as much.." he said.." It's nothing I can't handle..." I replied.." Well Iam glad you okay...my team will fix this soon..so don't worry.." I said..." Don't worry about me..take care of yourself..." He replied as I hung up.
" Here you go..." I said as I handed the phone over to Nana..." Soojin!" She called out..." Are you really not dating him?" She asked..." Why are you suddenly curious?" I asked.." It's nothing you just seem more worried about him than yourself....." She replied..." He's my friend Ofcourse I'd worry about him..." I replied.." How is it going with Mr song...has he come up with a solution?" I asked.." Not yet..but Iam sure he will..he always does..." She replied.." How is the online reactions?" I asked.." Mixed..some are curious, some are angry..I guess it's the fans that believe that you belong to them and only them and some are just still curious about your first love.." she replied.." Well...Uhmmm you should get home and have some rest...don't spend the night fighting with people in the comment section.." I said as she smiled.." I'll try.." she replied..." if there isn't anything else that you want then I'll leave.." she said as she turned to leave.
I really miss the relaxation I had back in Xiying...I haven't been back a day and my life is already filled with noise and chaos.
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The next morning, I was woken up my Mr song who asked me to go over to his office for a meeting..." Can I have my phone back?" I asked as he took it out of his drawer and gave it to me.." Don't worry I didn't check it...and Iam sorry I took it.." he said as he handed it over to me..I checked it and found lots of messages from Minho and one that caught my eye from Dr Park: « TODAY IS DR RYAN'S LAST DAY IN HAN CITY...I THINK THAT WE SHOULD MEET UP WITH HIM AND DISCUSS YOUR HEALTH...» it read....after some thought I wrote back and asked him to schedule a meeting for the three of us at 7 pm.
" Did you get a solution?" I asked Mr song who placed something in front of me.." what's this?" I asked.." it's a contract for your special participation in the variety show " let's meet now" " he said..." wait I thought you said that I couldn't participate in this since they weren't paying me enough and that they were feeding off of my popularity?" I asked.." I still believe the same..but it's the only thing that could divert everyone's attention from those pics of you and your friend.." he said.." elaborate?" I asked.." Well let's meet now is a variety show were they get two strangers to spend the day together...like sort of get to know eachother....." He explained.." Iam going to ask the director of the variety show to issue a statement saying that those pictures were you and your friend participating in the variety show..." He explained.." But we not strangers.." I replied.." Yah but does every one else know that? No..." He replied.." What happens when every one wants to watch that episode of the show then?" I asked.." Oh you are going to record the episode of the show..both you and your friend.." he replied.." look I have no problem doing this but Minho has got work to do..we can't wrap him up in this drama.." I replied.." Well it's the only way ..I have the statement ready and so doesn't the director of the show....this could help him re gain his peaceful life without having crazy fans dig up important information about him...this is for the food of both of you...so convince your friend to sign the contract and join the show and shoot that episode of the show with you..." He said..." Take some time to think of it...but we need to release the statements today." He added as I sighed.
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MINHO'S POV
" Woah check out the comments on this post about you and soojin.." jinyoung said as I pushed the phone out of my face.." I thought that Kang soojin had hug standards in men but I guess she's just like all the other girls.." he read as I clenched on my jaw.." Can you focus on work and stop reading those useless comments?" I asked as he chuckled.." I made that one up..why are you so angry.." he asked.." By the way have you thought about the offer I gave you..?" He asked.." which offer?" I replied.." Are you kidding me..the offer to have your photographs placed up during David cho's photography exhibition?" He asked.." Oh..I jave thought about it.." I replied.." And?" He asked.." it's a good opportunity..." I replied.." And?" He asked.." And I..." I said to reply but was interrupted by my phone ringing..." And?" Jinyoung asked as I quickly walked out to talk to soojin who was calling.
" Can we meet?" She asked," Iam not sure we should be meeting considering how that could continue to affect you on what's already happening.." I replied.." I know but I need to discuss this with you in person so how about I send you an address and let's meet for a few minutes.." she said.." don't worry this place is my secret hand out spot.." she said as I agreed to meet up with her.
" And?" Jinyoung asked as I picked up my bag..." And let's talk about this later.." I replied.." Where are you going?" He asked.." I'll be back in a few.." I replied as I quickly left.
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" Hey uncle Chen.." soojin said as we entered what seemed to be an underground restaurant.." Hey soojin..are you here for the usual?" He asked.." Nah..we just have a little meeting in the cubicle..." She replied as she led my way to the cubicle where we sat to have our talk.
" What place is this?" I questioned as I looked around.." it's an underground restaurant.. actually not many people know this place but for some reason it's always packed.." she explained.." How do you know this place? You also seemed familiar with the workers.." I asked.." I once worked here too..part time." She replied.." Really!" I exclaimed.." Yes really..I remember it was after I ran away from my dad's house....enrolled in a singing class and started working part time because I needed money to pay for my classes.." she explained as I was left in awe.." Wow..so much happened to you back then huh.." I said.." Alot..trust me...but that is a story for another day for now we need to talk about the viral posts about us.." she said as she handed me some papers.." what are these?" I asked.." well my manager came up with a solution for the rumours.." she said.." Okay that's good..what Solution?" I replied.." it involves the both of us participating in a variety show.." she added as my curiosity rose..." Okay.." I said signalling her to continue.." Well he is planning to write a statement...saying that the both of us were shooting for the variety show let's meet now...when those photos were taken...let's meet now is this variety show that has strangers meeting a spending a day with eachother.." she explained.."Uhmmm I mean it's crazy but then it doesn't sound bad.." I replied.." You sure you okay with it..like we have to shoot that episode of the show...won't it affect your work?" She asked.." Iam sure I can move my schedule around...plus this is going to help get your name out of the rumours so why not.." I replied as she smiled cheerfully.." So you in?" She asked.." Ofcourse.." I replied...." Is this for me to sign?" I questioned.." Well no.. atleast not now..they still have to review the contracts before you sign them..I'll call you and tell you when we shall be signing..." She replied.." okay..." I replied
" Well that's all I had to say..unless you have something to tell me..I think we should head out.." she said.." Actually there is something..." I said as I took a deep breath.." I watched your interview..the one in which you mentioned your first love.." I said as she sat back.." Iam sorry.." I said.." What are you sorry for?" She asked.." Iam sorry I didn't realise sooner that it was about us...the album..." I replied...
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" Hey uncle Chen.." soojin said as we entered what seemed to be an underground restaurant.." Hey soojin..are you here for the usual?" He asked.." Nah..we just have a little meeting in the cubicle..." She replied as she led my way to the cubicle where we sat to have our talk.
" What place is this?" I questioned as I looked around.." it's an underground restaurant.. actually not many people know this place but for some reason it's always packed.." she explained.." How do you know this place? You also seemed familiar with the workers.." I asked.." I once worked here too..part time." She replied.." Really!" I exclaimed.." Yes really..I remember it was after I ran away from my dad's house....enrolled in a singing class and started working part time because I needed money to pay for my classes.." she explained as I was left in awe.." Wow..so much happened to you back then huh.." I said.." Alot..trust me...but that is a story for another day for now we need to talk about the viral posts about us.." she said as she handed me some papers.." what are these?" I asked.." well my manager came up with a solution for the rumours.." she said.." Okay that's good..what Solution?" I replied.." it involves the both of us participating in a variety show.." she added as my curiosity rose..." Okay.." I said signalling her to continue.." Well he is planning to write a statement...saying that the both of us were shooting for the variety show let's meet now...when those photos were taken...let's meet now is this variety show that has strangers meeting a spending a day with eachother.." she explained.."Uhmmm I mean it's crazy but then it doesn't sound bad.." I replied.." You sure you okay with it..like we have to shoot that episode of the show...won't it affect your work?" She asked.." Iam sure I can move my schedule around...plus this is going to help get your name out of the rumours so why not.." I replied as she smiled cheerfully.." So you in?" She asked.." Ofcourse.." I replied...." Is this for me to sign?" I questioned.." Well no.. atleast not now..they still have to review the contracts before you sign them..I'll call you and tell you when we shall be signing..." She replied.." okay..." I replied
" Well that's all I had to say..unless you have some questions for me..." She asked.." No nothing..." I replied...
"Actually there is something..." I said as I took a deep breath.." I watched your interview..the one in which you mentioned your first love.." I said as she sat back.." Iam sorry.." I added before she could say anything..." Wait What are you sorry for?" She asked.." Iam sorry I didn't realise sooner that the album was about us..." I said.." I mean..I feel like a fool right now.." I replied.." it's okay..." She replied.." No it isn't..the songs could have been your only way to communicate with me...and maybe if U did see the signs then I would have come too you alot sooner...and we would have talked...but since I didn't..we had to waste alot of years...now that I think about it..it kind of hurts..." I said...." Look Minho we both agreed to close that chapter...closing if doesn't mean that we will forget it or that we won't be reminded of it..but rather it needed to end so as for the both of us to start afresh.....we are getting to know these versions of our selves so let's focus of doing that...I talked about you in the interview to credit you because it's true you inspired me to write that album..not to make you feel regretful for the past...." She explained with a smile.." Now come on....to starting afresh?" She asked as she raised her glass of water.." to starting afresh.." I replied as we tossed...
I would have liked to have dinner with you today but I have an important appointment...so rain check?" She asked.." Rain check.." I replied as I said my goodbyes to her as she left.
SOOJIN'S POV
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" Dr Ryan is in there..let's go.." Dr Park said as I followed her Into one of the restaurants private rooms..." Here we go.." he added as we walked in.." Dr Ryan this is Kang soojin...and Kang soojin this is Dr Ryan..one of the best specialists and researchers of temporalis swellum.." he said as we shook hands.." Have a seat.." he said to me as I slowly sat down...." Would you like to have something?" Dr Park asked as I politely declined.." Okay then let's start.." he added as Dr Ryan passed his eyes into what seemed to be my health reports...I stared at him with worry to the point that I took note of every expression he made as he passed his eyes through my papers..." Ms Kang soojin..right?" He asked as I nodded..." I have gone through your reports for the passed few days and even had a chat with Dr Park and we both believe that you should get the surgery..right now your situation hasn't become very critical but the more you delay the more risks.... temporalis swellum is a rare medical condition..and so not many people in the world are aware of how fatal it is...just like many illnesses out there it attacks in stages...stage one...stage two and then the final and once you get to the final stage then you can't even get the surgery... As the swelling progresses, it leads to memory loss, auditory hallucinations like hearing ringing in the ears, cognitive decline, and ultimately, the cessation of brain function, resulting in death....I don't intend to scare you but I thought I'd be more straight forward for you to understand the gravity of the situation.." he explained
As Dr. Ryan spoke those words, I felt a mix of anxiety and fear swirling inside me. The weight of his words settled heavily on my shoulders. The urgency in his voice was palpable, echoing the seriousness of my condition....." Your condition is still at a stage where surgery can be conducted...but soon..." He added... "How soon are we talking?" I managed to ask, my voice barely above a whisper, my heart pounding in my chest....."As soon as possible," Dr. Ryan replied, his tone unwavering...." If you agree to the surgery..then we first put you into some medication...for something like three weeks to four..this medication is strictly supposed to help temporarily stop the swelling...and it's affect....while you under go this treatment..dr park here will make sure to observe you through some scans to tell the progress ...and after the medication you will schedule a date and undergo your surgery..." He explained
" I heard from Dr Park that the surgery has a 5 percent survival rate..." I said softly.." It does but that survival rate also depends on how critical your condition is..as I have explained for you...the more you delay the more the risks....he explained..." Have you ever performed such a surgery before?" I asked inquisitively.." I have actually met five patients like you with the same condition...and yes I have managed to perform a surgery on 3/5 of them.." he replied.." What about the other two?_ I asked.." The other two had already reached the final stage...in that stage a surgery would be even more risky....plus the patients themselves decided to not go through with it...I guess out of fear and uncertainty..." He replied...." Ms soojin...you are in the earlier stages of temporalis swellum...you can be saved..but the decision remains in your hands...." He said.." We the doctors are meant to guide you..you choose what you want to do...so take a few days to decide...I'll be going back to the US tomorrow but will keep in touch with Dr Park...in case of anything.." he said as I rubbed my fingers together nervously...
Dr. Ryan's reassurance that my condition was not yet beyond repair offered a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness. The choice laid out before me was clear but daunting – a risky surgery or the looming threat of increasing swelling. Time seemed to stand still as I grappled with the weight of my decision, knowing that each passing moment could tip the scales of fate.
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As I sat back home...many thoughts ran through my mind...and before I knew it..I grabbed my phone and called Dr Park.." I'll do it...the surgery.." I said to him as he asked me to stop by his hospital first thing tomorrow morning....I was never one to avoid risks so why be scared this time.