Kiss & Clientele

Chapter Three

Chapter 3
With the end of the work week drawing to a close, the van was nearly silent.  The eight exhausted members, and one frazzled manager, waited patiently for their driver to return.  After a hectic day of rehearsals and pre-production preparations, they worked late into the night filming a performance video.  When the final cut was called at 1:45am everyone rejoiced at the prospect of going home.  15 minutes into their commute the van blew a tire, setting them back another hour.  It was all out of her control, but Nora felt immensely guilty.  She had spent the last six days working alongside these guys, witnessing firsthand how demanding their jobs were.  With Felix asleep on her shoulder, she stared at his temporarily angelic face.
   Over the span of a few days she had seen him half dressed more times than she could count on one hand.  Wednesday, she was running ahead of schedule and informed them via text that she was coming over with coffee.  Entering the apartment was a shock of its own, with their bare walls and limited furniture.  She had expected it to be disheveled like every college dorm or frat house she'd spent time in, but not like this.  A unit as successful as them, earning millions of dollars for HYPE, should have a well furnished space to live in.
   Seungmin led her to the kitchen to drop off the drinks before giving a tour of the apartment.  It was fairly clean, but small like her own.  She loved all the storage space these units provided.  To her right there was a blue curtain half dangling off the rod.  Unable to make out what lay behind it, she asked her guide.
"What's the curtain for?  The pantry?"  Shaking his head no, the vocalist explained that the company converted the dining room into a third bedroom.
"Jeongin and Han share that room."  He pointed out, leading her away from the area.  The tension between them had been palpable.  Whenever she addressed him, whether it was for a lunch order or trying to work on the schedule, he would ignore her.  Lee Know always stepped in and helped her retrieve the information she needed.  If he did opt to respond, it was always bitter and biting.  She wanted to chew him out and give him a piece of her mind, but things had greatly improved with Changbin.  After their conversation, they had been able to maintain a cordial, if not friendly, relationship.  She didn't want to risk souring what they had developed, and getting along with 7 out of 8 members wasn't bad.
   Turning to depart, Nora nearly ran smack into the bare chest of Lee Felix.  His sunny blonde hair was still wet, slicked back to display the structural art that was his face.  Leaning against the doorframe, he smiled devilishly as she stared dumbfoundedly at the droplets of water resting on his abs.  Seungmin just stood back and wilted in secondhand embarrassment.
"Good morning, Ms. H."  Faking a yawn he stretched, rippling the abdominal muscles beneath his skin.  His body was nothing short of statuesque.  "You look nice today," he continued, "and you always smell so good."  Her defenses were more than lowered, they were obliterated.  Heat rose from the base of her throat and up to her face, tinting even her ears in a pink hue.  Unannounced, he pulled her into him.  Only slightly taller than herself, their heads rested perfectly next to one another.  She felt him breathe her in, the rise and fall of his chest sounded every internal bell and alarm.  The shared connectivity of their bodies sent a surge of desire through her.  It felt nice to be embraced, and Nora really wanted to stay there for a moment longer.  However, Halston was in control and pulled her from the warmth of his touch.
   Disconnecting and backing away, Felix's thousand watt grin was easy to see.  Truthfully, it could have been seen from space as big and bright as it was.  The cafe colored eyes flickered with that spark of getting away with something.
"Good Morning, Mr. Lee.  Though it's wonderful to see you up and at'em this morning, let's try putting on some clothes next time?"  Her voice, full of sarcasm, delighted him somehow.
"I am wearing clothes, Ms. H."  Gesturing to his pants, she once again beheld the stone-work of his physique.  "Pajama Bottoms!"  When she looked back up at him, he began to wink before noticing her look of unamusement.
"We're leaving in 20, please go get dressed."  It was a soft command, but when he obeyed she had to hold back a smirk of her own. 
   Looking down at Felix, Nora ignored her better judgement and let him sleep.  If he tried to use the moment against her, she could easily say he was too heavy to move.  When he wasn't making passes at her, he was incredibly thoughtful and helpful.  He seemed to be able to improve the mood of the group.  During her observations, she had become aware of just how good he was  at aiding two specific members, Chan and Changbin.
   As the leader, Chris had the tendency to over-do everything.  Over-work, over-think, over-stress...he was one of the most selfless people she had ever met, but at what cost?  He looked after the other members as if they were his siblings.  Sometimes even taking on the role of dad or counselor.  However, there really wasn't anyone for him to turn to when things became too much.  Changbin, on the other hand, was a pistol.  He was wildly energetic, boisterous, and had no problem with confrontation.  If a thought crossed his mind, he spoke it out loud.  Most of the time his intentions were good, but there was an explosive anger that could be easily provoked.  Nora had personally witnessed him lash out at a paparazzi who had managed to breach security at the HYPE office.  Trying to ask invasive and derogatory questions, she literally had to pull the hot-headed rapper away.
   Lee Felix was able to care for them both.  His ability to discern and diffuse tense moments was unlike anything she had ever seen.  When Chan became a tidal wave of stress, Yongbok was the solid shore he could crash on.  On difficult days like today, it was common to find the two outside or in a quiet place.  The leader would be rattling on while the other listened intently, offering affectionate gestures as needed.  Similarly, when Changbins anger began to spiral out of control, the golden boy was there to hold him steady.  A simple hug or touch could bring him out of his rage, and into a more docile state. 
   Warm puffs of breath rhythmically hit her arm.  It was something that would normally be a bother, but right now Nora was happy to endure it.  When the van came to a stop behind the apartment, she was relieved that this hellaciously long day had officially ended.  As everyone began to exit the vehicle she told them goodnight and to enjoy their day off tomorrow.  Chan, with Felix by his side, stopped.
"Ms. Halson,"  the sleepless leader bashfully began, "would you want to come over tomorrow for dinner or something?"  The invite fully caught her by surprise.  Both of them watched as her head craned back ever-so-slightly and her eyes grew big.  Scrambling, he blurted out his reasoning.  "Everyone is going to visit family or has other plans, but we dont or cant because Australia is far and we know you're also far away from home and -"  As he nervously rambled, she took a moment to think things over.
   It was true, she was alone in Seoul, a 14 hour flight away from home.  Her position at HYPE did not make it easy to find time to get out and meet new people.  But, would getting involved with her clients jeopardize her career?  They spent more time together than apart, and it wasn't like they didn't have dinner together frequently already.  She'd never allow herself to admit it, but she craved that familiar feeling of kinship.
"That sounds nice, actually."  Chan went silent, the both of them looking astounded.  "Just text me sometime tomorrow afternoon and we'll go from there."  Just before going their separate ways, Felix paused at her door.  Facing one another, it was easy to see that he was tired.  His normally bright eyes were half-closed, and his entire body seemed to have sunken inward.
"I hope you sleep well, Ms. H"  Even his half grin was charming, but she was not to be swayed.
"Get some rest, Mr. Lee.  I'll see you tomorrow."  Reaching out, she patted him on the shoulder before turning to unlock her door.  When he caught her by the wrist, she turned and peered back at him alarmingly.  "What are you doing?"  Her words were intended to be a warning shot, but sounded more like panicked unsurity.  Releasing the grip on Noras wrist, his fingers found their way down to hers.  Lifting her hand, he bent slightly to kiss it before skittering off to his home.  It all happened so quickly that she had no choice but to try and proceed as normal.
   5:54am glowed from the clock on the stove as she entered the kitchen.  Popping two Tylenol PM, she rested against the counter while studying her phone.  Chan was right, nearly everyone was spending their day off visiting with family.  Everyone was instructed to text her when they headed out.  Hyunjin, Lee Know, and Changbin had even requested overnight leave.  Nora approved it under the agreement that they would arrive on time for their 10am meeting on Monday.  Confirming that everything was in order for the day ahead, her body gave way to exhaustion.  The last ounce of energy she possessed was used to take off her clothing and fall into the loving embrace of the bed.
Changbin [8:00am]: Yooooh Wallstreet!
Changbin [8:00am]: Going to the gym before I leave.
Lee Know [10:05am]: Heading out.
Hyunjin [11:33am]: Leaving, see you tomorrow!!!
Chan [1:15pm]: You're welcome to come over anytime.
Chan [1:16pm]: We'll start getting dinner ready around 4.
N. Halston [2:02pm]: Sounds good.
N. Halston [3:50am]: Coming over, you guys good?
Chan [3:53pm]: Yeah, I think so.
   Having only been awake a couple of hours when she headed over to the boys apartment.  Most of that time was spent deciding on the appropriate attire for their small gathering.  She was still their boss and couldn't show up completely as herself, but wearing a suit seemed too stiff for the occasion.  After much debate, she chose to pair dark jeans, a white tee, and leopard flats with a long camel cardigan.  After the strenuous day before, there was no willpower left to fuss with hair or makeup.  Foregoing her normal routine, she pinned the espresso colored tresses into a low messy bun.  The only beauty products she applied were a light foundation, blush, mascara, and a berry lip stain. Looking at herself one last time in the mirror, she actually recognized the person staring back.  Halston had mostly faded into the background, allowing Nora to shine.
   Knocking politely on the boy's door, she abruptly heard Chan shout for her to enter.  Cautiously opening the door, she found him on the couch immersed in a video game.  The vision reminded her of an ex from college, except he was wearing pants.  He was laid back, legs wide open with the controller against his abdomen.  The room was filled with the sounds of grunts, the clinking of weapons, and pulsating action music.  Paying her no mind, he grumbled into a headset.  None of the rant was understandable since he animatedly spoke in Korean.  It wasn't until after he lost the match that he acknowledged her presence.
"Hey Ms. H, sorry about that, I only have one round left. Please help yourself to the coffee in the kitchen."  As the game resumed, she found her way to the only other room she'd seen in the home. 
   Sitting on the counter was a brownie.  Perfectly saran-wrapped, it sat atop a note.  The handwriting was legible, but scratchy.  Right away she noticed how every time the letter "y" was used the tail wildly looped, sending the tail flying over to the right.  It read:
Ms. H,
We ordered coffee and made sure to get one for you.  It's in the fridge.
Hopefully I got the right thing (:
-Felix
Upon trying it, the drink was absolute perfection.  It was her first coffee of the day and she unabashedly gulped it down.  Halfway through, the half-hung curtain peeled open.  Jisung staggered in wearing sunglasses to rummage through the refrigerator.  She had not expected to see him and dug for her phone to reference the schedule.
"Han, are you not going to see your family today."  Not having noticed her, he jumped.
"Aigoo, when did you get here!?"  He practically yelled at her, his voice stabbing away at her.  He barked at her like she had intruded.
"Chan and Felix invited me over."  Halston took control, making her response concise.  Pulling out a bottle of juice, he stepped back to glare at her.  It didn't cross his mind that she couldn't see his look of disdain through the glasses.
"Oh."  Releasing the fakest sigh she had ever heard, he continued.  "It would have been nice to be informed of this."
"Bro, you were totally informed."  The strong "r" sounds paired with the sonorous pitch came from behind her.  There was no doubt in her mind who it was.  Turning back to say hello, her sight was filled once again with his glistening body.  This time, however, there were no PJ bottoms to reign in her imagination.  All that kept him overed was a towel.
   When he put his arm around her, she had been too gobsmacked to refuse it.  The smell of his body wash engulfed her senses with notes of sandalwood and mint.  Seeing Yongbok so at ease with the manager thoroughly annoyed Han, causing him to retort.
"When did you two get so friendly?"  Nora stepped away from the golden boy, flushed with light frustration.
"When did you start wearing sunnies indoors?"  The two started bickering when Felix bounded forward, snatching the glasses from him.  A bulbous, red bump covered his upper eyelid, causing the eye to droop.  The quarrel came to a halt, and the aussie doted over their friend.  "Are you okay?  That looks like it hurts."
"I does not feel great, and I'd rather not have this conversation while you're nearly naked."  He grouchily grabbed the glasses and put them back on.
   Nora, having been an avid makeup enthusiast since the age 10, knew good and well what was wrong with his eye.  She continuously had styes in high school due to poor skin care habits.  She knew they hurt and would get worse if left untreated.
"Han, you probably have a stye. Per protocol, I have to take you to get it checked out."  Chris sauntered in, catching the tail end of the conversation.  After filling him in, he insisted that they go on.  Han didn't protest, but he looked anything other than happy.
   In Noras car, he couldn't stop looking at the manager.  Something was different about her, and he couldn't put his finger on it.  Whatever it was, it pulled him in like a magnet.  Forcing himself, he stared out the window and focused on the melody coming through the speakers.  The beat was fun with a 70's type of groove.  He found himself bobbing his head along with the flow.  It was smooth but energetic and he got lost picking apart the different nuances.
"This is so good."  He stated absentmindedly.
"He's even better live.  I saw him play Terminal 5 just before I moved."  The window lost its appeal as his focus was drawn back to her. 
"Who's the artist?"  When it came to music he couldn't hold himself back.  She gave him the slightest smile and it brought that simmering heat back to his stomach.
"Amine, I assumed you'd already heard of him."  She turned the volume up slightly as it turned to another song.  "This one is a favorite of mine."  They listened together, and from the corner of his eye he caught her mouthing along.  It was unexpected, seeming out of character for the business woman.  He also found it to be impressive and made it that much harder to avert his gaze.
   Just as they had begun to talk about different performers, their conversation came to a halt.  Arriving at the private practice, Nora began the check-in process as Han took a seat.  He watched as she used a handheld device to translate.  She could have just asked me, he thought.  It was amusing to hear the sentences the contraption came up with, though.  Paperwork in-hand, she returned to him and sat down in the adjacent seat.
"You could have asked me to translate for you."  His voice was noticeably more friendly.  Just the docile tone of it erased some of the tension held between them.
"You're not feeling well.  Besides, I need to start learning how to function on my own here."  Handing him a clipboard, he flipped through the documents and releases.
"My eye is messed up, but my mouth works just fine."  He joked, signing the places that had been highlighted on each form.  A stunted chuckle tickled his ear.  Did she just laugh?  Behind the protection of the sunglasses, he sneakily peeked at the manager.  Mouth covered by her soft, delicate hand she squinted with delight.  "What?"  He shakily asked, now giggling himself.  "What's so funny?"  By now she had slumped forward, back and shoulder moving in tandem with her laughter.  Something about it sent his heart rocketing into his throat, pulsing hard against his adams apple.
"What you said!"  The gradual hysterics caught the attention of others in the waiting room.  Feeling the burn of their glaring, she regained control of herself. 
"It's true, I can't see clearly but I can speak."  When Nora realized he was smiling back at her, she felt a squeezing sensation within her chest.  The expression caused his whole face to light up, even with the dark sunglasses hiding his expressive eyes. 
   They both studied one another, caught in some kind of fog.  For a second, everything around them became a haze.  It dawned on Jisung why she looked so different to him.  All her harsh edges seemingly smoothed, she had traded her perfectly smooth hair and dark makeup for something more relaxed.  Perhaps he was reading into it too much, but right now she seemed more comfortable in her own skin.  When a nurse called his name, time leapt back into action.  He had expected the manager to join him, but she remained behind.
"If you need me, have a nurse come get me."  The soothing voice he had heard used with Hyunjin reappeared.  The gentleness of it sent his heart fluttering.  "Fighting!"  She quietly encouraged before he disappeared from sight.
   Over the span of an hour things between them felt different.  Or was it just her who felt that way?  They hadn't known each other long, but all week he had been standoffish and rude.  Back at the apartment he acted like it aggravated him to even interact with her.  They had spoken more in this short amount of time than they had all week, and he even laughed with her.  It would also be self-negligent not to admit that he was crushingly handsome, even with the infected eyelid.  Reflecting back on the way he smiled at her, she felt optimistic about things moving forward.
   Pressing send on an email, she looked up upon hearing the click of the office door.  A pretty, young nurse escorted Jisung from the exam area.  Even from where she was seated, Nora could clearly makeout the beige medical eyepatch.  Possibly more obvious was his disapproval of the apparatus.
"I look like a pirate."  He moped, handing her the appointment summary.  Rising from her seat, eyes still scanning over the paper, the long strap of her bag snagged on the arm of the chair.
"You don't look like a pirate, Mr. Jis-"  Stumbling forward, the downward trajectory was stopped when Han embraced her with one arm and released the strap with the other.  It was smooth, effortless, and made her blush.  As he held her in the middle of the doctor's office, a few of the waiters applauded the save.  With the sunglasses gone, she could tell he was making direct eye contact with her.  Their bodies were so close together that she could smell hints of bergamot from his aftershave.
   The attention they received tore them apart and sent them dashing out the front door.  Encapsulated by the safety of the car, she turned to him.  Mid-way through fastening his seatbelt he paused, noticing her attention.
"Thank you."  The words came out rushed and breathy.  Unknowing what to do or say after such a scene, she followed suit.  Once buckled, they both remained face-forward and borderline speechless.
"It was nothing, really."  He said, knowing it was untruthful.  When he reached out to keep her from falling, it was instinctual.  The act was normal for him.  It was the embrace that was not.  With their bodies pressed in on one another, the air around them felt like an electric fence.  Popping and sizzling with the intensity of the moment, its sound warned from going any further.  Otherwise, he could have stayed like that for hours.
   En route to the apartment, the screen on Noras dash lit up.  Call From Bang Chan, it read.  The call alert blared through the nearly silent car.  Pressing a button on the steering wheel, she answered.
"Halston speaking."  She slipped into work mode easily.  Han, too, picked up on the change.
"Hey, just wanted to check in.  Everything going okay?"  Hearing the concerned voice of his friend, he could help but want to joke about it.  Whispering, he urged the manager to play along.
"Tell him it's bad!"  She momentarily looked over at him like he was a mad man.
"What? No!  That's mean."  She playfully scolded.
"Uh, hello?  Ms. Halston?"  Chan grew anxious on the other end.  Deeping his voice, Jisung cut in. 
"This is Dr. Choi, I'm afraid we have some upsetting news regarding your friend."  Nora, not knowing what else to do, swatted at his arm.  Stop it, she mouthed with a bridled grin.
"What?  What happened? Will he be okay?"  In the background they could hear Felix responding to the fretted tone.  Suppressing the urge to laugh, Han continued.
"We believe he'll make a full recovery, but he will never be the same."  Unable to stop him, the manager focused on the road before her.
"Is there anything we should know or look out for?"
"Oh yes, yes..."  Taking a second to think, he quickly resumed with an indeterminable accent.  "Watch for signs of swashbuckling, hornswoggling, and excessively hunting for booty!"  Unable to withhold the laughter, he ended the call from the screen.
"They were worried about you!"  Pulling into her assigned parking space, Nora fussed.  Having heard her actual reprimands, he could tell this was different.
"Were you entertained, Ms. Halston?"  Shifting his gaze, he could see her shirk.  "I think you might have been."  He smirked.  Without a word, she unbuckled and exited the vehicle.  Proceeding to the building, he ran after her.  "Wait, wait! I was just kidding!"  Stopping just shy of the door, she whipped around.  The expression on her face was difficult to read, but did appear to be in his favor.
"You have a lot of nerve for a guy in an eye patch, you know that?"  She snapped, throwing a hand on her hip defiantly.  "I have one thing to say to you!"  Stamping her foot, he knew he had messed up.  Refusing to show it bothered him, he came in closer.  It wasn't until they were toe-to-toe that he responded.
"Say it then."  His voice, gruff and obstinate, send chills down her spine.  Up until the very moment she spoke, she kept her composure. 
"Arrrgh you serious?"  The gist was up, and Nora could no longer contain herself.  The look of disbelief on Han's face provoked the loudest, ugliest cackle she had ever released.  She took off, throwing the door open and jogging through the lobby of the building. 
   I can't believe she got me like that.  The cloud of shock was lifted, prompting him to go after her in a sprint.  Just as the elevator doors were about to shut, he threw his arm in between them.  While opening, he saw her settled in the back corner.  Playing coy, she pretended not to notice him.  The upturned corners of her mouth indicated otherwise.
"You got me.  I'm man enough to admit it."  He gasped, catching his breath from the run.  Landing on their floor, she continued on without a single word.  She didn't need them anyway, for he followed her like a puppy.
   Once Chan and Felix had been apologized to and appropriately updated, they huddled around the coffee table for dinner.  When she saw the spread her heart ached with homesickness.  The Aussies had prepared steak with mashed potatoes and asparagus, a nod to their homelands. Tears began forming behind her eyes, and she promptly tried to blink them away.  Excusing herself, she hopped over to her apartment.  The 3 boys remained behind, nervous that something had offended her.  Returning a few seconds later, she had a bottle of Soju tucked in her arms.
"Please don't tell the others."  She sneakily whispered, kicking off the special meal.  As they ate and drank, stories were exchanged until long after the soju bottle had been drained. 
   Feeling warm and content, Nora didn't hesitate to chime in with her opinion when Han suggested a movie.  Despite Felix's best efforts, the two had gradually gravitated toward one another.
"You only ever want to watch scary things."  He whined, his head resting on the manager's shoulder.  The mention of a horror film drew her in closer.  It had been her favorite genre for as long as she could remember.
"Oooh, I could really go for a good slasher or psych thriller right now."  Her response was animated and bubbly, reminding the guys of their first dinner together.  In her tipsy state she had unconsciously locked Halston away and allowed herself to be Nora.  Jisung listened closely every time she spoke, fawning over the southern drawl.
"Have you ever seen A Tale of Two Sisters?"  His enthusiastic response solicited eye rolls from the unenthused Yongbok. 
"Dude, I watched that movie with Kang several years ago! It's intense!"  Chan intercepted, proceeding to rattle off details in Korean so as not to spoil anything for their American guest. 
   While the two discussed the movie, Nora played with Felix's hair.  Her soft hands felt good against his scalp.  Somehow he had managed to charm his way into laying his head in her lap.  It shocked him, but he wouldn't let the opportunity go to waste.  He obviously thought she was attractive, but it was in the same way that he found Hyunjin or Changbin attractive.  They were good looking people who he enjoyed flirting with.  He relished in their affection and attention, but wasn't really interested in anything past that.  So when he noticed how frequently Han glanced at her or how intently she watched him as he spoke, he knew something was up.
"I think I'm going to call it a night."  He abruptly interjected.  Sitting up, he detached himself from the manager and stood to his feet. 
"It's only 7:30!"  The leader beckoned with concern stretched across his brow.  The other member volleyed back and forth between the two.
"I know, but I want to play a game or two on my PC and turn in early."  He smiled, reassuring Chan that everything was okay.  "You guys should definitely watch that movie with Ms. H."  When he looked over at her it was almost hard to believe that it was the same woman from the night before.  Down to a plain t-shirt and jeans, she was nearly unrecognizable.  Yet somehow she appeared more confident now than she ever did on the job.  "I think she'd enjoy it."  Everyone wished him goodnight before he made an exit.  The remaining three, still gathered around the table, looked at eachother curiously before Han broke the faceoff.  Nudging Nora, he jested.
"When you get all scared and freaked out don't say I didn't warn you."  Without thinking, he winked at her and grinned nefariously. 
"Did you just wink at me from behind your eyepatch?"  She fired back at him jokingly, returning the nudge. 
   Once they had cleaned up their dinner mess, the trio plopped down on the structured sectional.  The living area was dark and illuminated only by the glow emanating from the Seoul skyline outside.  Seated closest to the window, Nora looked out at the burning city lights.  A seat down, Chan fumbled with the remote while Han coached him from his right-hand side.  Rustling around, she caught their attention.
"Are you uncomfortable?"  The leader asked as she burrowed into the side of the couch.
"Oh no, I'm great."  The response was polite, but dishonest.  Not having noticed he left, Han returned with a light blue comforter.  Handing it over, she nestled within its warmth and thanked him.  Burying herself in its downy goodness, she caught his scent within the fabric.  The familiar notes of citrus, bergamot, and musk filled her senses for the second time that day.
   Chan somehow managed to doze off halfway through the movie.  Though he had seen it before, it was still too interesting to turn away from.  She loved the concept of the disturbed sisters returning home to attempt a normal life with their new step-mother.  Unsettling things begin to take place in the home under the suspicion that it may be caused by the spirit of their late mother.  Pressing pause, Han patted the leader's leg in an attempt to wake him.  When he groggily opened his eyes, he was encouraged to go to his room.  The suggestion went uncontested as Chan practically sleep-walked out of the room.
"Is it weird that seeing him sleep made me happy?"  Nora said, straightening up.  Viewing Hans face in the orange light of the television made him somehow look older.  Just like herself, it seemed that there were two versions of him.  She was well acquainted with his performance persona.  He was energetic, espressive, and a bit cocky.  In reality, Han Jisung was an introvert who preferred nights in with take out over an evening out on the town.  Seeing him like this somehow made her feel more connected to him.
"It's not at all. Anytime he sleeps calls for celebration."  He whispered.  "Speaking of..."  Attempting to be quiet, he cautiously tiptoed to the kitchen.  She could make out the opening of the fridge and then the clanging of silverware.  It was taking longer than she anticipated, but when he re-entered the room it became fully apparent why.
   In each hand was a plate adorned with a slice of cheesecake, each one had a little candle poked in the center.  Sitting down beside her, he lit the candles.  Picking her plate up, she watched the tiny flame flicker.  Han watched her in the same way.
"What's this for?"  She asked.
"Yours is to celebrate surviving your first week with us."  It dawned her then that she was still their boss, even on days off.  The realization made her feel slightly panicked, but she did her best to ignore it.  "Mine is to celebrate Chan getting some sleep."  Together they blew out the candles and began to take their first bites.  Letting the cold, creamy cake melt away in her mouth, Nora couldn't help but think of New York.  She truly did miss all the familiar sights and sounds, but today had shown her that there might come a time when she didn't long to go back.
"This was really sweet of you, Mr. Jisung.  Thank you."  Leaning forward, she saw his eyes dart to her mouth as he inched closer and closer.
"You don't have to call me that."  His voice trailed off, his focus being elsewhere.  She should have been stopping him or making an effort to keep him from advancing, but she was frozen.  The words sat just behind her teeth refusing to come forward.  When his thumb swiped at the corner of her mouth she realized that her worry was in vain.  Relief was the expected feeling, but the twinges of disappointment struck her as odd.
   Suddenly, the front door popped open followed by the lights turning on.  Seeing the two so close, barely inches apart, made Changbin stop in the doorway.
"Did you two kiss?"  He gawked, the reaction peeling Jisung away from her side.  "Hannie,"  he dragged his name out, "did you kiss Wallstreet?!  Why are you wearing an eyepatch?"  Each time he asked, his voice grew louder.
"Changbin, shut up.  Chan is asleep!"  He growled through clenched teeth.
"Then answer my question."  His voice was just shy of a yell.  "Did you kiss?!"
"No. We did not, Mr. Seo.  Please lower your voice."  Throwing his bags down, he sat down next to her and studied her intensely.  "What is it?"  She asked aggravatedly.
"Halston, you look different.  You're kinda cute, you know?"  She stood, resuming his prior position by the door.  Grabbing her jacket and purse, she tried to ignore his comments.  Going on and on about how he could see why Han would kiss her and how if she asked nicely he might kiss her too, she cut him off.
"It's good seeing you too, Mr. Seo.  I expect you to have this much energy throughout our busy day tomorrow."  She looked over at Han, who looked every bit as worried as she felt internally.  "I'll see you both in the morning.  Good night."  Behind her, she could hear Binnie grumbling over her leaving so abruptly.  She couldn't make sense of her own logic, other than the nervous pounding in her chest.  It acted as an alarm, wailing for her to get out and to get out now.  All she could do was hope that the moment remained in the confines of the dorm.  She braced herself for the worst, dreading tomorrow's meeting with Mr. Kim.  If word manages to get out, she will be granted a trip home much sooner than anticipated.