I Have a Wish

The red carpet was laid and the crowd had gathered around it. They were actively cheering for their favorite actress, who was stepping down from her car, wearing a shining white gown.

She fixed her dress and walked ahead, flashing a heartwarming smile to the crowd as they clicked her pictures. Her hair was sleekly tied up in a bun, revealing her face. Her red lipstick represented her boldness and strength as she walked ahead.

Boyoung was there for a Press Conference to make a formal announcement of their new Project - Miracle. After walking down the red carpet, she reached the conference hall and took her seat on the stage.

While she took a sip of water from her glass, the crowd started cheering once again outside the hall, she knew Inguk had entered.

A smile crept on her face as she saw him walk inside the hall. He was wearing a black tuxedo with his hair gelled up. She instantly got reminded of the time they had attended The Baeksang Awards as presenters.

As Inguk got on the stage, she adjusted her chair and he dragged the chair next to her.

"Inguk-sshi, wait," said a crew member who was managing everything.

"Yes?" Inguk asked politely.

"Please sit there" he showed him another seat. "Leads will sit there"

"Oh, I see," Inguk said giving an awkward look to Boyoung who was furious. It was tough for her to hide her emotions at times like that.

She gritted her teeth as he walked away. Of course, he had done a few shows and movies after Doom at Your Service, but this was the first time they were together again but not as leads. This time, she was there as the production head and not as his female lead.

The crowd cheered once more as Min Ji as she walked in. She was wearing a green knee-length dress and kept her hair open. She had cute eyes like Boyoung and a bright smile. Boyoung admired her as an actress, but since the last few days, she had not been liking her for some reason.

Min Ji waved at Boyoung and stood next to her.

"Omo, You look beautiful" she complimented.

"Thank you" Boyoung bowed as Min Ji walked towards her seat next to Inguk.

Boyoung took her glass of water and gulped all of it down her throat. Inguk watched Boyoung getting tensed as Minji sat next to him.

"Hi," Minji said shaking hands with him.

"Hello," he said, still a little bothered about Boyoung.

As the conference went on, Boyoung carried herself well but her heart was having a tough time accepting the fact that Inguk had to be with Minji all the time. She didn't know why it was so difficult to watch him pose with another actress in front of her.

"People are excited to know that you're the VP of Star Infinity and the Production Head of this project," said Soohyun who was standing next to her while they were getting ready to leave.

Boyoung wasn't focusing on what he said and Soohyun knew it well. He smirked and waved his hand in front of her. 

"Boyoung?" he called out. 

"Yes," She said coming out of her thoughts. "You were saying?" she asked.

"Umm, nothing. Congratulations on the project" he smiled. 

"Thank you," she said, looking back at Inguk and Minji.

Soohyun looked where her eyes were and he knew she was jealous. 

"It's weird, isn't it? Seeing him with another woman?" he cleverly asked while Boyoung was constantly looking at them. 

"It is," she said unknowingly, but soon realized her slip of the tongue and glared at Soohyun. " I mean, seeing him with another female lead is weird because ..." 

"I know that's exactly what I meant" Soohyun pursed his lips trying not to laugh. 

"We should go," Boyoung said rolling her eyes and walking ahead. 

The Star Infinity team headed back to the office first and then went home. Boyoung immediately got into Inguk's car and shut the door. 

"Hi, you look exhausted," he said while starting the car. 

"I am, a bit," she said taking a deep breath.

"You should take some rest, we have to leave for the trip tomorrow"

"It's not a trip, It's work," she said looking out of the window. 

"Okay Ma'am, why are you mad at me?"  

"I'm not."

"You are" 

"I'm just tired!" she opened her eyes wide and stared at him. 

"Okay! Fine" he shook his head.

"Could you just drop me at my parent's place?" she asked resting her head on the seat and shutting her eyes. 

"Sure, but why?" he asked, getting worried if she was really angry at him for some reason. 

"I have a terrible headache, need Eomma's home remedies," she said. 

"I see, I hope I'm not the reason for that headache," he asked. 

"No, you're not. Don't give yourself so much of importance" she said sternly without opening her eyes. 

"Okay! Got it." he chuckled and took a turn. "So when will you pack for tomorrow?" he asked. 

"I did already, the suitcase is there in my room. Just bring it with you" 

"Sure, always at your service Miss Park" he teased. 

Her lips curved into a smile and she let out a soft giggle. 

"You know, when I was a kid, I would cry all day if I got hurt while playing, or if I had a fever or anything" Boyoung looked at him and smiled, reminiscing her childhood. 

"Hmm, I can imagine that very well" 

"Not kidding, it was impossible to stop me from crying and screaming," she laughed. 

"Wow," he chuckled

"But my Eomma, I loved her a lot. She would simply kiss me, and I used to feel healed " Boyoung smiled, getting a bit emotional. "Aren't mothers amazing?" she exclaimed looking at Inguk. 

"They are, " he said taking a deep breath, but Boyoung could see a bit of sadness in his eyes.

"What happened?" she asked

"I'm not sure if I have been a good son," he said hesitantly. That was the first time Boyoung had seen him doubt himself. She always knew that he loved his mother beyond anything, but he never shared what made him feel that he had not been a good son. 

"Umm, Oppa, why would you say that?"

"Nothing, she loves me a lot and I have to stay away from her all the time," he said. 

Boyoung knew what he was saying made sense and it was a common problem, but she also knew that he was hiding something. 

"Trust me, no matter what the situation is, you are a good son. Don't ever doubt that, okay?" 

He pushed the brakes and looked at her. 

"Okay," he said. 

For a few moments, they kept looking at each other as if he was trying to share his pain with her and she was ensuring that she was there for him no matter what. 

"Why are we waiting?" she asked, still looking into his eyes.

"You're home," he said with a smile. 

"Oh, okay, sorry." 

"Bye, Good night," he said. 

"Umm, Good night, take care," she said before getting down from the car. 

Inguk watched her get inside safely before he drove off. 

~

Next afternoon, the Star Infinity team had to catch an hour-long flight to reach their destination, the Anmyeondo Island. Boyoung and her sister Hayoung had been waiting for Inguk and Soohyun for quite some time, but with no luck. The girls were wearing casual T-shirts and jeans and carrying a small backpack.

"I'm sure he took hours to get ready again," Boyoung said gritting her teeth. 

"Eonnie, you seem to know him so well" Hayoung chuckled. 

 "Unfortunately, he's my best friend and I live with him," Boyoung shrugged. 

"Gosh, you two are so weird" Hayoung raised her brow. 

"What's weird? I'm weird?" 

"Both of you are weird" 

"Who's weird?" said a female voice, making the sisters look to their side. 

It was Min Ji, dressed in a floral casual gown and long shrugs. She had a fancy handbag and suitcase with her. Boyoung was not the kind of woman who would ever compare herself with others, but she felt a pang of jealousy seeing Min Ji dressed well with makeup on. Boyoung had never been the one to bother about the opinion of others, but whose opinion was she suddenly concerned about? Well, she didn't want to think about that. 

"Wow,  I can't believe I am meeting you, I love your dramas," said Hayoung shaking hands with Min Ji. 

"Oh, Hi, nice to meet you" she replied politely. 

"She's my younger sister Hayoung," said Boyoung introducing her sister to Min Ji. 

"Wow, she's as beautiful as you are," said Min Ji with a smile. 

"Thanks" Boyoung smirked. 

"By the way, where's Oppa has he not arrived yet?" asked Min Ji. 

"Oppa?" Boyoung almost screamed as if blaming her for saying something wrong. 

Both Hayoung and Min Ji looked at her with confused faces. After a few seconds of awkward silence, Boyoung realized she had caused it. 

"Ah.. umm... I mean, Oppa? He's on his way" Boyoung said clearing her throat. 

"Okay, and where's your luggage, we are going for a few days right?" Min Ji asked changing the topic. 

"Oppa is bringing it," Boyoung said proudly. 

"He is?" Min Ji asked.

"Yes, we live together in the President's Villa," Boyoung said smirking. 

"Oh, you do? He never told me" Min Ji was surprised. 

"Well, it's his personal matter why would he -" Boyoung was interrupted as Hayoung hit her with the elbow. 

"You're right, umm, I'll just go and meet the others," Min Ji said walking away. 

"Why did you hit me?" asked Boyoung staring at Hayoung. 

"Eonnie, you were sounding rude" 

"I was just stating the fact" 

"You sounded possessive, you can't be like that, he's just your friend right?"

"So what?" Boyoung suddenly felt vulnerable. 

"Are you going to behave this way if he has a girlfriend?" Hayoung asked. 

"She's not his girlfriend," Boyoung said sternly. 

"Eonnie" Hayoung rolled her eyes. "You're impossible," she said. 

Before they could argue further on that, Inguk and Soohyun entered the waiting area. 

"Here's your suitcase madam," Inguk said as he walked next to her. He wore a white T-shirt with a navy blue blazer and ripped jeans. He had kept his hair casual, falling on his forehead while he was wearing black shades. 

"Thank you," Boyoung said taking the suitcase from him. 

"How's your headache?" he asked.

"I'm fine now" 

Boyoung greeted Soohyun and introduced him to her sister. 

"She's Hayoung and she's in love with you since Abyss," said Boyoung chuckling. 

 "Eonnie" Hayoung gritted her teeth. "I'm a huge fan," she said shaking hands with Soohyun. 

"Nice to meet you, and thank you very much" he smiled. 

Hayoung pursed her lips and blushed. 

"Have you forgotten me completely?" said Inguk teasing Hayoung. 

"Ah No No," she said hugging him. 

"Let's go, we need to board," said Boyoung guiding them to the boarding area. 

~ 

As they landed on Anmyeondo Island, they were taken aback by the breathtaking beauty of that place. It was a secluded area with a huge beach and surrounded by forest. Their hotel was close to the beach so they preferred to walk and enjoy the sand on the way. Their luggage was already taken care of. 

Inguk was walking with Soohyun and Hayoung while Boyoung was walking ahead of them. Her shoes were off and she was enjoying the feeling of water hitting her feet as she walked. Inguk left Soohyun with Hayoung and joined Boyoung. 

"You seem to be enjoying the beach," he said taking off his shoes and walking barefoot. 

"Huh, don't copy me," she said chuckling.

"Doesn't this place remind you of Jeju?" he asked as they walked ahead. 

"Hmm, a lot," she said looking at the waters. 

Inguk kept looking at her as a few locks of her hair fell loose from her bun and hit her face. He still wondered why she had to tie her hair up all the time. 

"What are you thinking?" she asked, knowing it well that he was staring at her.

"Um, I was just wondering what you were thinking" he replied. 

"Well, I was thinking about the blue Queen Conch Shell," she said. 

"What's that?" 

"It's a very rare shell found here, usually such shells have a pink shade but this one looks blue" she explained. 

"Wow, I didn't know that" 

"My Eomma used to tell me about it. She said it takes hours to find it on this huge island"

"Oh, don't they sell it here?" he asked.

"No, it is said that the shell must be found by the person who wants to either own it or gift it to someone" 

"Wow, that's interesting" Inguk nodded. 

"Yes, that's what the people here believe in"

Inguk kept looking at her shining eyes, he could tell how excited she was talking about it. 

"You know, I have a wish," Boyoung said looking at him. 

"What is it?" he asked sincerely. 

"I want to see it once, when I have enough time, maybe I'll search for it" 

"We can search for it together" he offered. 

"Sure, if we have time" she shrugged. 

They smiled at each other, knowing that time was something which they hardly had for themselves. 

~ 

The team had settled in the hotel by the evening and they were waiting for the dinner to be served. The entire restaurant was booked for them and they had taken their seats. 

Boyoung was seated with Hayoung and Soohyun, while two chairs on their table were still empty. She was waiting for Inguk who had been away for a long time. He went out with Min Ji and some of the team members for a screen test and the two of them didn't return meanwhile the others came back. 

"Eonnie, why don't you order something?" Hayoung asked as she and Soohyun had already placed an order for themselves. 

"No, Oppa doesn't like eating alone," she said lost in her thoughts. 

"Well, he can eat with Min Ji," Hayoung said. 

Boyoung clenched her fist and looked away. 

"I'm sure they are busy with something, both of them not attending calls" shrugged Soohyun. 

"I'm going to look for him," Boyoung said standing up. 

"But Eonnie, you don't have to" 

"Just have your dinner and go to sleep. I'll be back once I find him" said Boyoung walking out of the restaurant. 

She went straight up to her room, collected her cellphone and purse, and set off to look for Inguk.

It was dark on the beach but she continued to look around. 

"How can he just not show up!" she said to herself as she walked angrily on the sand. "Why won't he pick up my calls either! What's he so busy with" she fussed. 

As she walked further, she assumed she was going towards the town but hardly did she know that she was moving more into the forest areas. 

"What if he is actually with Min Ji? why wouldn't he just tell me?" she kept talking to herself, without bothering where she was going. The possibility of Inguk and Minji being together got the better of her. 

She kept calling him on the phone repeatedly but to no use. She didn't even realize that it had been a while and the battery of her cellphone was about to die. 

"Gosh, what now!" she said keeping her phone inside her pocket and looking around. 

That's when she realized, she didn't know where she was. 

"Wait," she said to herself and turned around. All she could see was the forest. 

"I- I need to go back," she said nervously, knowing deep down that she wasn't even able to recall how she got there. 

"Aaaaaahhh! Mr. Seo look what you have done!" she screamed, getting anxious about being lost in a forest on an unknown island. 

~ 

Soohyun and Hayoung waited impatiently at the lobby of their hotel. Boyoung's cellphone was switched off and Inguk wasn't attending their calls. Just after they reported it to the authorities, they saw Inguk walk in. He was alone and only had a backpack with him. 

"Inguk-ah," said Soohyun rushing towards him. "Where the hell were you" he shouted. 

"I - had some work, why?" he asked casually, not realizing how worried they had been. 

"You weren't picking our calls. Do you even know what time is it?" Soohyun objected. 

"My phone, Ah, I'm sorry I took my backpack but I left the phone on charge in my room" he explained. 

"Gosh! that's insane!" Soohyun said. 

"What happened?" Inguk asked. 

"Did you see Eonnie on the way?" asked Hayoung. 

"No? But - wait" his expression suddenly exploded into a distressed look. " You mean to say, Boyoung is not here?" he asked. 

"She left almost 2 hours ago looking for you" informed Hayoung. 

Inguk rolled his eyes and gritted his teeth. His throat suddenly went dry and he felt his heart racing.

"Did you call her?" he asked. 

"Her phone is probably dead," said Soohyun. 

"I am going to get her," he said ready to move out, but Soohyun stopped him. 

"Wait, we don't want you to get lost in the forest," he said. 

"Are you kidding me? She's out there alone! At this time! And you're telling me to stay here and wait ?" he said furiously. 

"No, I'm just telling you to take your cellphone with you," said Soohyun. 

Inguk thought it made sense and rushed to his room to pick up his phone and drop it in his backpack before he left to search for Boyoung. 

Hayoung was waiting helplessly in the lobby, praying that her sister was alright. 

"She's going to be okay," said Soohyun consoling her.

"Are you sure?" she asked with tears in her eyes

"Yes, Inguk won't let anything happen to her, I know," he said

 ~

Boyoung walked haphazardly to look for a way out. As the night grew deeper, she felt cold and uncomfortable. She hadn't eaten anything which made her feel weak as well. On top of all this, the anxiousness was killing her. Even after almost an hour of struggle, she wasn't able to find a way out which made her feel dizzy. Unable to understand what was happening, she panicked and hit a branch on the way, which made her fall down. 

She screamed as her neck got a jerk and she felt immense pain. Her eyes automatically welled up as she struggled to get up. With a lot of difficulties, she managed to take a few steps ahead and fell on her knees. 

"I can't do this anymore" she cried feeling helpless. She was sure there was no way she was getting out of there soon. 

But her reflexes kicked right back in when she heard a movement around her. The crackling of the branches made her alert that probably an animal was nearby. 

She stood up very slowly, preparing herself to run away in case her apprehensions were correct. As the sound got closer, she was almost on her toes and sweating even in the cold night. 

Just when she was ready to take a step and start running, she saw the only thing she wanted to see at that time. Him. 

"Boyoung!" Inguk said with his eyes wide. 

"Oppa?" she said in disbelief. 

He opened his mouth to say something but instead took a moment to relax and take a deep breath. He didn't say anything but looked at her helplessly as if telling her how worried he had been. 

She froze where she was, unable to believe that he was actually there. Tears were rolling down her cheeks uncontrollably. 

Inguk dropped his backpack and extended his arms, as a cue for her to break from her stance and run towards him. She rushed to him and hugged him as tightly as possible as if her life depended on it. He let out a sigh of relief and wrapped his arms around her, resting his chin on her head. 

"I was so scared Oppa!" she cried. 

"It's okay, you are safe now" he whispered, caressing her head. He could feel her heart racing from all the trouble she had to go through. He was happy that he had found her. A while back he was nearly out of breath worrying about where she was. 

"It's all because of you," she said still crying. 

"I know, I'm sorry" he wasn't in the mood to argue with her.

"I hate you and I hate Min Ji" she whined like a baby.

"Ya! Why would you say that! " he said trying to break the hug, but Boyoung held him tight.

"Don't" she said. 

He sighed and hugged her back. 

"Why, what happened, I thought you hate me," he said chuckling. 

"It's so cold, I feel warm like this," she said.

"Ah, I see, wait... I'll do something," he said breaking the hug while she fussed about it. 

"What are you doing," she asked as he took off his blazer and wrapped it around her.

"I'll also light up the fire, I have a lighter," he said collecting some dry branches. 

"But why? Let's just go back then" she said tightening his blazer around her.

"It's a long way once we hit the road, and I don't want you to walk anymore. I'll inform Soohyun he will send a car" 

"Huh, okay," she said sitting against a nearby tree. 

As he lit up the fire, she simply sat and watched him, thinking how distressed she felt when he wasn't there with her and how glad she was to finally see him. 

"Here we go," he said as the fire lit up and he went to sit next to Boyoung. 

He immediately called Soohyun and shared their location with him so that he could send a car to the nearest road to pick them up. 

"Do you know how worried Hayoung was?" Inguk complained. 

"I'm sorry, I was just - not in my senses," she said. 

"Why? why did you have to leave alone?" he asked. 

"You were not picking up my calls" she complained. 

"So you'd just walk out at night in an unknown place?" he taunted. 

"Huh, Of course, while you were enjoying with Min Ji, I was worried for you and now I'm getting scolded." she rolled her eyes. 

"What?" he laughed. " What is wrong with you Boyoung, I wasn't with her," he said. 

"What? Really? But both of you went together with the team" 

"We did, but Min Ji went to meet a friend who lives nearby. She is with her manager" he informed.

"Oh, but - I thought - " Boyoung stammered, feeling a bit relieved that he wasn't with Min Ji. 

"I left my phone in the room, that's it," he said. 

"Umm... Okay, but where did you go for so long?" she asked. 

"Hmm, pass me my backpack I'll tell you" 

She picked his bag from her side and handed it over to him. He opened it and put his hand inside to search for something. 

"Close your eyes," he said. 

"What? Why?" she asked. 

"Just do it," he said sternly. 

"Fine" she shut her eyes and waited. 

Inguk smiled and took her hand in his and placed something on top of it. 

"Open," he said.

As she slowly opened her eyes, she was taken by surprise. She couldn't believe that she was holding a Blue Queen Conch shell in her hand. 

"Wha-" she could hardly speak. 

"Yes I found it," he shrugged. 

"You- " Boyoung felt a lump in her throat. It was that moment in her life when something had touched her heart. 

"I won't lie, I took some help from the localities, but I - " before he could finish, she kept the shell aside and hugged him. 

He could feel her head against his chest and he expected her to say something. But instead, he felt his T-shirt getting wet with her tears. 

"Ya, Boyoung don't cry, I thought you'd be happy," he said. 

"I am-" she said crying. 

"Ah, I see," he said wrapping his arms around her shoulders, hugging her tight. 

"Auch" she screamed as she felt a sharp pain in her neck. 

Inguk immediately moved away and held her head. 

"What happened?" he asked sounding concerned. 

"I fell and hurt my neck," she informed. 

"Oh, is it paining a lot?" he asked, moving his hands down to her neck.

"Yes, Eh- " she sobbed like a kid. 

"You're still the kid you used to be" he laughed. 

"Ya! Shut up. It's really paining" she complained.

 "Okay, maybe you need the same solution" he chuckled leaning towards the left side of her neck, and much to her surprise, he planted a kiss on her neck. 

She gasped and clenched his waist as a cold shiver ran down her spine. 

Inguk himself didn't know why he did that before it actually happened. But he didn't give much thought to it and chuckled. 

"Is the pain gone now?" he said, still hovering near her neck. 

He couldn't see her face which was turning red. She pursed her lips and shut her eyes, not even trying to think straight at that moment. 

"No," she said. 

"Okay," he didn't think much either and planted another kiss on her cold skin. 

She trembled and tilted her head.  Her shoulder moved up in a shrug as she gasped for air, unable to understand what he was doing to her. She didn't want to think where they were or what was happening, all she knew was she didn't want him to stop. 

"Now?" he asked once again, expecting a playful yes from her, but whom was he kidding? 

"No," she said gulping in. She knew she had no control over what she was saying. 

That's when it struck him what was happening, his playful expression turned into a serious one and he felt out of breath and giddy. He realized how she was holding on to him on the waist and above all, how fast her heart was racing. For a moment he felt he might have taken a wrong step and the right thing to do was to pull himself back, but he didn't. He couldn't. 

He took a deep breath and held her shoulder with one hand and supported her neck with the other. He kissed her again on the nape. 

"Now?" he said in a husky whisper, gulping in. He knew he was on the verge of losing himself if she said No again. 

She didn't say it but shook her head against his shoulder. He knew her answer. 

He pulled her closer and started trailing kisses through her neck on one side, while he caressed it on the other side with his palm. 

She put her head down and rested her forehead on his shoulder, wrapping her arms around his waist. She felt fragile and shivered with every touch of his warm lips on her cold skin. The sounds and heat of his breath against her ear made her feel dizzy. 

He had kissed her before even on the lips while they were filming, but she was sure this was different. 

Inguk felt tickles in his stomach as his lips glided over her neck, he unknowingly put his right hand inside her hair and opened the bun she had secured on top. Her hair fell open, probably after a long time. 

She gasped and clenched her eyes, feeling a million butterflies in her stomach. He ran his fingers in her hair while kissing her near the ear, which made her feel relaxed and giddy.

Inguk took a deep breath inhaling the enthralling scent of her hair. It made his senses go numb. There was something attractive about her hair, her smell, her neck, and HER on the whole. 

Boyoung felt his nose hover over her ear and then into her hair. She shuddered and took deep breaths against his chest, praying not to come back to her senses ever. 

"Is it lavender?" he whispered against her ear, asking about the fragrance which was driving him mad. 

"It's - " she gulped in, "Jasmine" she replied. 

"It's insane," he said, sounding helpless as he was uncontrollably drawn towards it. 

They would have never stopped if Inguk's cellphone hadn't started ringing. He opened his eyes wide, realizing what he had been doing and he pulled himself away. Boyoung was shocked beyond imagination. She was unsure how to deal with the situation and kept quiet while looking away. 

Inguk got up and picked up his phone. It was Soohyun telling him to walk out to the nearest road where a car was waiting for them. 

"Umm- our car is here, let's go," he said with great difficulty, without looking at her.

"Oh-okay," she said, feeling weird. 

As Inguk guided her towards the road, both of them had the same thing in mind. 

What were they doing? Why were doing it? and were they just going to forget it as if it never happened?

*****************

A/N: Okay that was a long chapter 🥵 Let me know how it was 😁 I didn't get many comments for the last one, so hello readers? I'm upset 😭😰

Sorry for silly mistakes 🥴🤷‍♀️ There were many hints in this chapter for what's upcoming 😉 Let me know what you think, and please let me know if I'm boring you all, I'll stop right away 🤚

See You in the next chapter 😁