THIRTEEN

(Seorin's POV)

  It was day of the fashion show. Everyone was rushing around setting up the runway and doing last minute checkups. I was so busy, there wasn't even time to breathe. But it was also good in a way, since being busy kept my mind from what happened the day before.

  Whenever I saw Sehun, a wave of unrecognizable emotion swept through me. I was flustered, but also mad at him for playing around like that. Most of all I felt confused, mixed with a little bit of hurt. I didn't know what he felt for me and what I felt about him. Would he have kissed me if we weren't interrupted?  Or was it really a joke?

  I sighed and pushed all the frustrating thoughts away. We were running another rehearsal at that moment. The models walked up and down the runway, while the production team coordinated the lighting and the sound system. We were having a full dress rehearsal later. 

  Sehun was backstage waiting for his turn and I was standing at the back of the hall, holding the bubble tea he told me to bring. Someone came and leaned on the wall next to me. It was Ji Hun. He watched the runway silently for a moment. Then he turned to me.

"I got you something for your birthday," he said holding out a small box.

 "Thank you," I said with a smile and took the box. Inside was a chain with a gorgeous silver pendant carved into a rose. It gleamed softly in the dim lighting. "It's beautiful."

  "I'm glad you like it," Ji Hun said "I was going to give it to you yesterday, but... um.. you were..." His voice trailed off and he cleared his throat uncomfortably.

 I looked up, my face flaming. "Nothing was happening- I swear. He was just being annoying and playing around. There's nothing between us."

  Ji Hun studied me silently. I couldn't read the expression in his eyes. Is he mad?? But why? Shortly he said, "If you say so."  There was an awkward silence.

 "Thank you again for the gift," I said, trying to break the silence "It's very pretty."

  "Like you,"

  "What?" I asked, wondering if I heard him correctly.

  "No I was saying that she looks like you," Ji Hun said quickly pointing at one of the models on the runway. She was tall and elegant- the total opposite of me.

  "I think its time you got some spectacles," I said with a laugh. Ji Hun cracked a smile at that and ruffled my hair, almost subconsciously. A sudden shadow fell over us.

  "How many times do I have to call you?" asked Sehun me while glaring at Ji Hun. "Are you deaf?"  I felt my heart turn at the sight of him.

  "What do you want?" I asked, averting my gaze from his. Sehun gave an exasperated sigh and grabbed my arm.

  "I want my assistant to stop flirting and do her job," he said as he started dragging me away. 

  "I wasn't-" I started protesting but Sehun only tightened his grip on my arm and started walking faster. I gave Ji Hun an apologetic smile and he waved back, his face unreadable. Sehun let me go in front of the dressing rooms, ignoring everyone who was staring.

  "Can you be any more annoying?" I grumbled, rubbing my arm where he gripped me. Sehun shrugged. "Why did you call me?"

  "I wanted my bubble tea," he said.

  "So you could have just asked for it. Why did you drag me all the way here?!"

  "Just because," he said with a smirk. I rolled my eyes at him, annoyed.

  "Well, go get one for yourself," I smirked back "I'm drinking this." I brought the straw to my lips just as Sehun pushed my hand away. The door behind me opened and I watched the bubble tea sail out of my hand and through the air to land on the PM with a splat!

  I bit my lip as the PM went red in the face. "PARK SEORIN!!!" he thundered furiously, the bubble tea dripping down his head.

  "Mianhe mainhe," I apologized frantically. "I didn't mean to do it. It was an accident."

  "DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH THESE CLOTHES COST?!" he yelled "I HAD THEM TAILORED SPECIALLY FOR THIS AND NOW YOU RUINED IT!"

  "I'm so sorry," I said bowing continuously. A crowd had gathered around us.

  "DO YOU THINK YOUR SORRIES WILL FIX MY CLOTHES?" shouted the PM. I winced.

  "I'll pay for them sir," I said "Tell me how much, I'll pay-"  Suddenly Sehun stepped in front of me.

  "It was my fault," he said "I caused the bubble tea to fall. Please don't blame Seorin."

 "You don't have to take the blame Mr. Oh-" the PM started but Sehun held up a hand.

  "It was my fault. I will pay for your clothes to fixed," Sehun said pulling out his wallet "How much?"

  "Haha you don't have to pay Mr. Oh," said the flustered PM  "I'll get one of the guys to take this to the dry cleaners." He looked from me to Sehun. "You care about Seorin a lot don't you?"

  I went red. Sehun looked at me sideways and gave me tiny smile "She's my assistant. Of course I care."

.  .  . 

  "Seorin-ah aren't you getting ready?" A-yeong asked me. It was nearly time for the fashion show.

  "I'm ready," I said. A-yeong looked me up and down incredelously.

  "Don't tell me you're going like that!" she said.

  "Why not?" I asked, looking down at my ripped jeans and black shirt.

  A-yeong rolled her eyes. "Its a fashion show! All sorts of fancy people are going to be there," she said "We need to look presentable."

  "But I am presentable!" I protested "Besides, I didn't bring anything to change into."

  "I told you, it's a fashion show. If there's one thing we have in abundance, its clothes!" she started dragging me towards the female dressing rooms. Inside, it was chaos. Models were busy getting ready and stylists were rushing around doing makeup and hairstyles.

  A-yeong pulled me towards a rack in the far corner. Various types of clothes were flung over it. "We can choses from here," she said "They aren't using these for the show." She started riffling through the clothes and after a second, I joined her.

  "What about this?" A-yeong asked suddenly, holding up a slip dress with a very deep v neck.

  "There is NO WAY I'm wearing that!" I said. 

   A-yeong shrugged and put it back "I was just asking," We searched for few more minutes and I came across a cute, black halter dress.

  "How is this?" I asked and A-yeong's eyes sparkled.

  "Omg that is PERFECT!" she squealed excitedly and dragged me towards the bathroom to change. "Put it on!"

  I changed and stepped out, feeling a bit self conscious. The dress fitted me perfectly. It reached just above my knees and I liked the way the skirt swept when I walked. The back was open and my hair tickled me whenever I turned my head.  I did a little twirl and A-yeong squealed and gave me thumbs up.

  "You look gorgeous!" she exclaimed "With a little bit of makeup, you could steal the hearts of all the boys here."  I laughed and rolled my eyes at her. 15 minutes later, we were both ready. A-yeong was wearing a forest green Empire waist dress and she looked awesome. As I didn't bring any jewelry with me, I put on the chain Ji Hun had given me.

  We went to hall where the fashion show was being held. The PM had allowed everyone who was not needed backstage to sit at the back of the audience. The hall was bathed in soft lighting and there was upbeat music playing. People were filling the seats and the 2 of us found seats near the back.

 Presently, the runway flooded with bright lights and the CEO of our company stepped onto it to give a small introductory speech. Once he was done, the fashion show officially began. The crowd clapped as the models started to catwalk down the runway, in time to the music.

  And then it was Sehun's turn. He stepped onto the runway and my heart skipped a beat. I had seen him doing his routine 3 times already- 2 normal rehearsals and 1 dress rehearsal, but there was something awestriking about him just then. He gave out so much confidence that he dominated the whole show. The way he held himself, the way he walked, the way the lights hit him- everything made him shine so much it almost hurt to look at him.

  Sehun strode to the end of the runway and posed. He lifted his eyes and fixed them on me. And all the way at the back, I could do nothing but hold his gaze helplessly.

.  .  .