Jamais Vu

Chapter 5

Hoseok crouched down and helped Sunhee picking up some of the bread and the content from her tote bag that went out on the sidewalk. Sunhee was glad she individually packed the bread. She looked around. They were definitely blocking the pedestrian flow. Sunhee was collecting her things and didn't see Hoseok picking up a piece of paper near him.

"Money source - Loan shark? Sugar daddy?" his eyes went wide as he said it out loud.

Sunhee was aghast as she turned and looked at him. She snatched the paper from his hand before he started reading on the rich boyfriend part aloud. She shoved it into her bag quickly.

"That's a joke. None of your business," she snapped hiding her embarrassment. They hadn't seen each other since Hoseok passed his audition at the company that he told Sunhee about.

That was 8 years ago.

In her opinion, his move was the best decision he ever made and it paid off. He was now one of the group members of the most popular group in the world and he was definitely well-known. He's a member of Bangtan Seonyeondan, BTS. J-Hope, dance leader Jung, Sunshine.

"You're working in a bakery now?" asked Hoseok, looking at the bread basket Sunhee was holding.

"Yes, I am. Look, I'm really sorry for ruining your clothes. I can cover up the cleaning expenses when you're done," Sunhee really felt awkward at that moment. She couldn't just greet and treat him like she did 8 years back. Back then, she had the upper hand of being his senior and she could just do whatever she liked. The time passed. They were no longer trainees in the same agency and they definitely don't work in the same industry.

"It's okay, just a minor spill," assured Hoseok.

"That doesn't look minor to me," said Sunhee looking at the big stain on his shirt and jacket as she threw the coffee cup in the bin.

"It would come off," assured Hoseok.

"Are you sure?" asked Sunhee.

"Very," he said again.

"If you insist then, I'm sorry again," Sunhee bowed. That's one problem solved. "I'd better get going. Have a nice day," said Sunhee as she bowed to him and pivoted quickly, making her exit.

She knocked her forehead dumbly as she go. Have a nice day? Was that the best she could say to him after all these years? Sunhee shook her head. She can't be chummy straight away with him after all those years. They became close after the storage incident.

Close?

Sunhee laughed. The occasional waves as they bumped into each other at the agency, the usual how you're doing, where are you heading, and that's about it. It doesn't even merit as a proper conversation. The only time they had a proper talk was in the store room and that was it.

Luck was definitely not on her side as the heel on one of her shoes broke. She fell on the sidewalk for good this time and she cursed loudly as she fell. She pushed her hair back and huffed. How much worse can her day be?

"Sunbae!" exclaimed Hoseok as he went to Sunhee's side.

"It's okay. I'm okay," said Sunhee quickly as she scrambled up, taking her things and regaining her composure back. Her eyes immediately went down to her feet and took her broken shoe. "Just a broken heel, no problem. Break the other one and I'm good to go," said Sunhee as she broke off the heel and threw it in her tote bag. She tried to break the other heel but failed. Why do the actresses in the movies and dramas made it look so easy doing the deed? She tried again, and again but the heel won't budge. She's nearing meltdown especially with Hoseok there. She didn't need anyone to witness her misery then.

"Let me help," said Hoseok as he broke the heel in one go. He went down quickly and urged Sunhee to put the shoe on.

"Hoseok, get up. You're drawing attention," said Sunhee in panic as she slipped her foot in. You don't see any guy putting on shoes on a woman on daily basis unless it's a cheesy romantic movie. Plus he's an idol now. If she could recognize him under the ridiculously big sunglasses and bucket hat, his fans could too.

"You need new shoes," said Hoseok as he stood up. "Thank you for pointing that out Mr. Obvious," he continued quickly as Sunhee was about to say something.

"How... what?" Sunhee spluttered in surprise. How could he guess what she was about to say?

"It has been a while but I do remember you hating being pointed out the obvious fact," he explained. "Let me help you get wherever you want to go. I don't think there's any shoe shop nearby and walking in those shoes would hurt a lot," commented Hoseok.

"I'll be fine. I'm only going to that bus stop there," said Sunhee, pointing to a direction.

"Which is about 300 to 400 metres away?" Hoseok squinted to the said bus stop. "My car is nearer."

"Good for you. Have a nice day!" said Sunhee and walked as fast as her broken shoes could allow her.

"Noona, wait," called Hoseok, grabbing her hand to stop her. That definitely got her attention. He never called her that before despite her insistence. Was he doing it now just for her attention? "Let me drive you to where you're going. You still haven't grant the wish you owed me back then. The one that I won when the guard saved us from that room," he reminded her.

"You still remember that?" Sunhee asked him. She was honestly rattled. She remembered the lost bet. She had to grant him a wish.

"Yes, I do," he said.

"And what would that be?" asked Sunhee. She hoped it's not for her to buy him a new jacket. She could afford that Dior shirt and jacket but she would be depleting her funds for her future project in return. Every penny counts.

"I'll tell you after I send you," answered Hoseok smoothly.

"You can just text me," said Sunhee.

"You changed your number," he said.

Sunhee nearly groaned. He was right. She did have her number changed. "Er, Hoseok, I think people are starting to recognize you," said Sunhee as she saw people starting to turn and look at him as they walk. She shook off her hand that Hoseok was still holding. That would be enough to feed the gossip fodder if they were caught.

"Let's get into my car then," suggested Hoseok.

"Do you have to be this stubborn?" asked Sunhee.

"Chivalrous," he corrected. "Your feet would hurt like hell if you walk all the way there. I could carry you there but that would definitely draw more attention."

"That's going to ruin your reputation," warned Sunhee

"Or help me to boost it up by helping a damsel in distress."

"Fine," replied Sunhee in defeat. "Lead the way."

Sunhee gave him the address as he put into his navigator as they got into the car and buckled up for the ride.

"I know that strip," said Hoseok as he started to drive away. "That's quite a distance," he commented.

"That's right," nodded Sunhee.

"It's fine then. You can tell me what the 'sugar daddy' was all about along the way."

Sunhee's eyes went wide and looked at him in horror. She couldn't be more mortified than she already was at that moment.