Eyes On You | Hwang Hyunjin

7

I stand in front of a full auditorium, note cards in hand. Hyunjin stands at the other side of the presentation screen. Despite us wearing professional 'business' attire, I can't help but feel anxious in front of a crowd. Not to mention my mummified hand that really stands out.

Throughout our presentation, girls smile and blush when Hyunjin speaks; but when it's my turn, people either stare at my hand or look disinterested. Some guys at the front did pay me close attention, but it felt more creepy than encouraging. Thankfully, it was over in a flash.

The last presentation finishes, and we exit into the halls. I walk to the nearest restroom to splash some water on my face.

"Seriously? Wrapping your hand? Now that's low, Yuna." I turn toward the voice and see a familiar face. I think her name is Ahin.

"I'm sorry?"

"Don't play dumb, pretending not to be an attention-seeking brat. You shouldn't even bother, Hyunjin could see right through that desperation," she says with a disgusted face. "Just do yourself a favor and stay away from him." I press my lips together to prevent a laugh from escaping.

"Listen, Ahin,"

"It's Abin."

"Right. You see, I really wish I could. But..." I apologetically frown through my teeth, "I don't think I can." I mean, I'm not lying after all. I start to walk out, her following me.

   "Oh, you little-"

   "Hey Yuna." Hyunjin walks from around the corner, a charming smile on his face. "How's your hand feeling? The ointment I put on it should have kicked in by now." Abin's jaw was practically on the floor. "C'mon, we worked hard. Let's go celebrate," he takes my free hand and starts walking to the parking lot. Trying to control my heartbeat is easier said than done. I could feel a pair of eyes pointing daggers into the back of my head, but who cares.

We approach a black Corvette as he reaches for the keys. "Wait a minute. This is your car?"

"Yep," he turns to me. "Close your mouth babe, you'll catch flies."

"Call me that again and I won't be the only one with an injury." He lifts his hands in surrender.

"Okay, but you're paying for lunch." At that moment my stomach makes a loud growl.
"Fine, you win."

The drive to wherever we're going is smooth and fast. Hyunjin has one hand on the wheel, the other on the armrest. When we arrive, he effortlessly parallel parks. To say that I'm impressed would be an understatement.

My phone begins to ring, Chan's name appearing on the screen. "I'm sorry, do you mind if I take this? It's my cousin. He's been going through a divorce and needs help with sorting some paperwork." If I've learned one good thing over the years from training, it would be how to lie on the spot.

"Sure, I'll grab us a table and you can meet me later." Hyunjin closes the car door and enters the restaurant.

"What is it," I say, answering the call.

"Well hello to you too then," Chan says sarcastically. "Are you alone?"

"Right now yes. Let me guess, is Felix tracking me again?"

"Incorrect. It's Jeongin."

"Go figure," I say with a chuckle.

"We know you're in his car because you took the train this morning, and not everyone can casually drive at that speed. Now make it quick."

I start looking around the car for anything useful. Good thing for tinted windows. I look into the cafe window and see Hyunjin enter the restroom. I start to pick up the pace, assuming he'll return if I'm taking too long. Plus, men pee fast so I need to hurry.

The glove compartment clicks open with a pull. "Car insurance, used napkins, etc," I say out loud. I empty an unlabeled envelope.

"Chan, I think I hit a jackpot."

"What is it?"

"Park Seongwha. Jeong Jaehyun. Lee Minho. Lee Juyeon." The papers messily spread on my lap. "They're certification IDs," I say while quickly taking pictures of them. Each one has 'Golden Closet' in cursive print at the bottom. I make sure to put them back in the right order.

"That's weird how those would be in his car," Chan says in my ear.

"Yeah, but they're just copies of the originals," I say closing the compartment. Looking into the cafe again, Hyunjin walks out of the restroom and toward the entrance.

"He's coming, gotta go." I hang up and meet him by the front.

"You ready?" He asks. With a rather straight face, I nod.

"Yeah."

*Time skip*

Looking through my recent photos, I walk toward Chan's office. The lunch went fine, we just talked about how the presentation went and other school bits. However, my mind keeps replaying one specific moment.

"I think they really liked our presentation," I say, "but mainly when you spoke. I wish I had that kind of confidence." I sip my drink.

"Hey, don't cut yourself short; you did a great job. Those guys at the front would say so too," he shrugs.

"God, no." I cringe.

"I mean, I don't blame them." For a minute, none of us say anything.

"I'm just curious," Hyunjin says, "since you don't seem to take a liking to them, what type do you find attractive?" Reading his eyes, I can tell he's actually wondering.

"Well for one, guys who are humble and don't drive sports cars." Hyunjin sheds a fake tear and I laugh.

"Nah, I really appreciate when someone is genuine. A guy who has his own passions, but also cares about the people around him. Someone who puts their blood, sweat, and tears into what they love is very attractive." I softly smile. "Well since you asked, you should include your own preferences," I attempt to match his confidence by looking into him, but his glance serves me wrong. He casually rests his chin on his hand, leaning forward.

"I appreciate a girl who doesn't take shit from other people. Of course, don't treat them harshly, but don't allow others to walk over them. Someone who is smart enough to put energy into better things. That type of inner beauty is always a turn-on for me."

If he wasn't a part of an enemy gang, I would say that Hyunjin is a decent person. Any girl would be lucky to have him.