SOOJINS POV
I woke up with a groan, the pounding in my head reminded me of the wild night Minho and I had just experienced. The memories were a blur of laughter, drinks, and a sense of freedom that felt so intoxicating.....As I blinked my eyes open, the first thing I noticed was the cramped space around me. I was in the back of the car, and more surprisingly, I was nestled in Minho's arms, my head resting on his chest. His warmth enveloped me, and for a moment, I forgot about the headache.
Panic surged through me, and I gasped softly, realizing the situation. I tried to pull away slowly, but his grip tightened around me, as if he was reluctant to let go. I felt my cheeks heat up—this was definitely not how I imagined waking up next to him. I attempted to wriggle free again, but then I noticed his eyes fluttering open. In a moment of sheer instinct, I closed my eyes tight, pretending to be asleep.
"Good morning," he said, his voice teasingly light, clearly aware that I was faking it. My heart raced at the realization that he knew I was awake.
"Good morning," I replied shyly, trying to sit up. But as I did, I miscalculated the space and knocked my head against the roof of the car. "Ouch…" I groaned, rubbing my head as embarrassment washed over me...." You must be wondering why we woke up here?" He asked as I nodded.." Well we didn't just have popsicles last night..you insisted that we have drinks too..I tried to reason with you but before I knew it we were drinking in some cans of beer..I couldn't drive us back considering I had a couple of drinks too so I tried to call for a designated driver but there was non in the area...I then decided that we should just sleep in the car and drive off the next day after we sober..." He explained...." Wow that's alot of information.." I replied as I looked around.." Don't worry..this place doesn't have many people coming to it..." He said..." Uhmmm you must be having a headache so how about we get some hangover soup...I can order it to go." He suggested..as I agreed.
" Mmmmmhhhh...now this is what you call hangover soup.." I said as I chugged down the entire bowl.." Nice right..she has the best hang over soup in the are.." Minho replied.." Shes making me want to drink everyday so I can have a taste.." I replied.." You shouldn't though..it isn't advisory to drink while you on medication.." he said to me with concern.." I know...I must have gotten lost in the moment.." I replied as his phone buzzed.." Oh my goodness..I almost forgot..!" He exclaimed as he started at his phone.." is something wrong?" I asked.." Well yeah..I have an interview later this afternoon... precisely at exactly 2pm.." he replied as I checked my watch.." It's 10...you should drive back home, freshen up and get ready." I replied to him.." Right...I'll drop you off first.." he suggested.." No..I can take a cub from here..." I replied..* Are you sure..?" He asked.." I'll be okay.." I said as I picked up my phone and wore a face mask over my face.." I should atleast call the cab for you.." he suggested as he stepped out of the car before I said anything and called a cab.." Make sure to text me when you get home.." he said.." Okay..good luck with your interview.." I said as I waved to him and left
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I reached home in a few minutes and as I stepped inside..my phone rung and it was Mr song who had called..I picked up and in a loud voice he screamed.." Happy birth week."..."Hey! That was loud" I exclaimed.." And how many times do I have to tell you that birth weeks aren't a thing.." I added.." They are to me and your fans.." he replied.." Will you be passing via the office today?" He asked.." Well I don't have anything planned out for today..so no.." I replied.." Okay..I'll then have Nana come over to pass you through the program for your fan meet on Thursday.." he said.." Fan meet!" I exclaimed.." Yes..the birthday fan meet you always have.." he explained.." Ohh...okay..." I replied as I quickly hung up before he screamed " happy birth week.." in my ears again...
« IAM HOME...AND GOOD LUCK AGAIN FOR YOUR INTERVIEW » I texted Minho.
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MINHO'S POV
I sat in the waiting room for my interview, nerves buzzing through me like electricity. My phone kept vibrating with messages from Jinyoung, my workmate and friend, who seemed more anxious for me than I was for myself. His texts ranged from encouraging words to playful reminders to breathe, but one message stood out among the rest. It was from Soojin, wishing me luck. A smile crept onto my face as I read her words, warmth spreading through me. Just as I opened my keyboard to reply, my name was called.
I took a deep breath and walked into the interview room, my eyes locking onto David Cho's. He was a renowned photographer, the very owner of the exhibition I dreamed of joining. As I sat down, he and the other interviewers greeted me with polite smiles, but I could feel the weight of their expectations.
"We've seen your photographs and read your CV, so in this interview, we aren't going to ask you much related to that. Instead, we want to ask you a simple question," one of the interviewers said, his tone serious yet inviting. I leaned forward, listening intently. "Why?" he asked. "Why photography?"
The question hung in the air, and I took a moment to gather my thoughts. Clearing my throat, I replied, "Why photography? I've actually never asked myself that. I mean, I've never really thought about it, but now that you're asking me, I guess I do have an answer. And I don't think it will be one to impress much." They leaned in, urging me to share my story.
"It was back then when a close friend of mine got a Polaroid camera for her birthday. She had no interest in taking pictures, so she gave it to me. I remember her saying that she gave it to me on one condition: I had to take plenty of pictures of her. I asked her why…And she said that since she wanted to become a famous singer she needed to practice for when she has red carpets, Uhmmm ad shoots and more..so I reluctantly agreed without knowing what I was bringing my self into..she made me take lots of pictures of her..those I found necessary and those that weren't...I remember feeling tired but then the more I did it the more I actually gained interest in it...before I knew it..I wasn't just taking pictures of her but also pictures of random things like a beautiful night sky or Sun set or sunrise and more...I guess when I look back..thats how I became interested in being a photographer..." I replied as they all stared at me with interest...." Interesting story...Mr Choi....but I would like to ask you one more question.." Mr David cho said as I carefully listened.." "What do photographs mean to you?" David Cho asked, and I could see everyone leaning in, curious about my answer. I took a moment to think, the weight of the question settling in.
"Photographs to me are like time-traveling machines," I finally replied, and I noticed the soft murmurs that followed. "Time-traveling machines!" David exclaimed, clearly intrigued. I continued, "Yes, when you take a photo, you capture that moment. Time stands still at that moment. It could be a moment that made you laugh or cry or anything really. When you capture that moment and make it stand still, you can revisit it by revisiting that photo. It's like time traveling to the moment that photo was taken. So to me, photographs are like time travel machines."
As I finished, I caught David's smile. "This has to be the most unique reply I've heard to the question asked," he said, and I felt a surge of pride. It was nice to share how deeply I felt about photography...." Well thank you for taking your time and talking to us Mr Choi...we shall be getting back to you soon." They said as I thanked them and stood up to exit the room..the interview was more relaxed that I expected...and I did have a good feeling about what the results will be..but Ofcourse we can't be so sure.
" Is the interview done?" Jinyoung asked as I walked out of the building.." How did you know? Did you install some spy camera on me?" I asked Jockingly..." It is done.." I then replied.." How was it?" He asked.." No don't tell me over the phone..let's have a meal together and talk about it.." he replied with excitement....as he hung up before I could reply..." What the?" I questioned as a text came in from jinyoung with directions to where we should meet....
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SOOJIN'S POV
I sathere, lost in thought, recalling the moment I woke up this morning with my head resting on Minho's chest. The memory brought a smile to my face,
Suddenly, the doorbell rung, pulling me from my daydream. Nana jumped up with excitement lighting her face. "It could be the meal I ordered!" she exclaims, rushing to the door. I glanced at my phone, my heart fluttering as I thought, *His interview could be done by now.* I then picked up my phone, ready to text him, but just then, my heart skipped a bit as his name popped up....
" Hey!" I said trying to keep my voice steady..." Hey..." He replied..."Is your interview done?" I asked..." Yes... it was done a few minutes back," he replied..." Iam currently having lunch with jinyoung.." he added..." How was it?" I asked, genuinely curious, my heart racing as I waited for his answer...." It was good..interesting actually.." he replied..as we both kept silent for a while..." Do you want to have dinner together?" I asked..." Dinner?" He replied..." And you...how's your headache..I mean from the hangover?" He asked.." Well the hang over soup and a shower did the trick..I wanted to rest a bit but Mr song sent Nana to help me go through my fan meet program.." I explained.." Fan meet?" He questioned.." Yah...I always have a fan meet in my birth week..it's scheduled on Thursday..." I replied.." Right..your birthday is on Saturday...any plans?" He asked.." It's been a while since I've had plans for my birthday.." I replied.." Well I'll make plans this time round...let's celebrate together.." he replied as I felt my heart flutter from his words....
..." Okay..." I replied.." Okay then jinyoung is here..so let's talk again later.." he said as he hang up.." Soojin..let's eat.." Nana said as I headed to the dining room.
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It was finally the day of the fan meet, and everything felt electric. The atmosphere was buzzing with excitement as so many fans showed up, their faces lit up with joy. So far, everything was going great, and I could feel the warmth of their support surrounding me.
As I smiled at the excited faces in the crowd, one fan stepped forward, his eyes gleaming with admiration. "Hey... Soojin, I am a big fan..." he said, placing something in front of me to sign.
I glanced down and my heart sank. when I realised that it was a marriage certificate. "I am sorry, I can't sign this...." I said.." but if you have my album, then I'll give you an autograph," I added politely, hoping to diffuse the situation.
"What do you mean you can't sign it? It's a simple paper," he shot back, his tone growing more insistent. I felt a knot tighten in my stomach. "I just told you, sir, that I can give you an autograph on a paper or sign your album... that's it." My voice was steadied but I could feel the eyes of the other fans on us, sensing the tension rising.
Suddenly, he grabbed my hand, pulling me closer. "Let me go," I said, trying to pull away, panic creeped in. "Just sign the paper... come on, be a good girl," he insisted, his grip tightening.
Then, out of nowhere, I heard a voice cut through the chaos. "Which part of 'let me go' don't you understand?" It said and on looking back it was Minho.
A sense of relief washed over me as he stepped in. "Let her go," he commanded, pulling me away from the man's grasp.
The fan's face twisted with anger. "Who are you, and why are you intervening?" he demanded, taking a step forward. But before I could react, Minho threw a punch, and I gasped, a mix of shock and gratitude flooding me. "I didn't want to use violence, but you really are stubborn," he said, his voice calm despite the chaos.
I rushed to Minho's side as the man retaliated, throwing a punch back at him. "Minho!" I called out in alarm, my heart racing. Just then, security arrived, and the man was taken away, still cursing at me as he was led out.
As the dust settled, I turned to the other guests, my heart heavy with the abrupt end to what was supposed to be a joyful event. I apologized to everyone, trying to salvage the moment, but I knew this fan meet would be one I'd never forget.
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