As The Petals Fall

Lover's Embrace

Jasper looked down at Hayoung, his eyes full of affection for her. “We'll need to come up with some sort of plan on how we're going to navigate this relationship.”

Feeling overwhelmed by the intensity of his gaze, Hayoung blushed slightly. “We'll figure it out together, Jasper.”

He gently pulled back his arms, stopping to hold her shoulders, still maintaining his gaze. “Meet me at the front of the building tonight at 8 pm, and we'll go to that soup shop I took you to last time. We can make our plans there.”

Hayoung nodded in agreement, eager to spend more time with him and solidify their connection. “Okay Jasper, I'll be there.”

Jasper turned to walk back to the creative offices but stopped a short while, turning around and running back and picking up Hayoung up in his arms for one last fleeting moment of bliss. 

Hayoung gasped in surprise and delight as he swept her off her feet, holding onto him tightly as he spun her around in his arms. Time stood still as she basked in the warmth of his touch, feeling alive and cherished.

He squeezed her tightly before gently placing her back on her feet, his hand sliding down her arm till their fingers lingered on eachothers touch. “I'll see you tonight, okay?”

As their fingers parted, she felt a flutter of butterflies run through her body.  “See you tonight, Jasper.” She said, her eyes lighting up with anticipation. 

As Jasper headed down to the creative offices, he couldn't help but beam, his smile larger than it had ever been. As he stepped back through the cafeteria, he passed by Saerom, who caught his expression and laughed.

Jasper, noticing her laugh, stopped and  approached the table once more.  

Saerom gently placed her pen down and looked up at Jasper, still trying to hide her own giggle.  “I take it by the look on your face that things went well with Hayoung?”

Jasper, unable to hide his smile, nodded in agreement. “more than well actually” 

She smiled warmly. “I’m happy to see that things worked out for you two”

Jasper nodded to her, his smile still bright before continuing on. “Thanks Saerom,I should get going to the creative offices. Have a great rest of your day.”

Saerom watched him leave, a thoughtful smile crossing her face as she played out the scene of them confessing in her head like a movie. She returned to her task, her fingers moving deftly across the papers scattered before her, but her mind wandered back to the two love birds, and she chuckled to herself. 

As Jasper walked into the creative offices, he caught sight of Nam-joon and headed over to his desk. 

“Hyung, I took your advice and confessed.” Jasper said, his tone bright and positive.

Nam-Joon was too engrossed in reviewing some documents on his desk to hear Jasper approaching, but in hearing his voice, he looked up and smiled warmly. “Ah, Jasper, congratulations! How did it go?”

Jasper laughed, unable to contain his giddyness before falling gracefully back into his chair. “She said she's falling in love with me.” He said, spinning his chair in a circle as if caught in some lovers daze.”

Nam-joon looked over at him and shook his head, laughing. “wow, looks like she's not the only one in love.” 

Jasper leaned back in his chair, gazing out the sunny window, as he watched a couple of small birds dancing in the trees outside. “No, i guess not.” he said, a soft smile playing on his lips as he recalled the euphoric feeling of her in his arms as he spun her around. 

As Jasper leaned back further in his chair,  he started to come back down to earth, a little reality check prodding at the back or his mind.  “Hyung, I know for her sake and the fans we are going to have to keep this a secret. Do you have any advice?.” 

Nam-Joon leaned back thoughtfully. “My advice would be to figure out a cover story, a perfectly logical reason that you guys would need to spend time together. Maybe a side project or something?.”

Jasper thought for a moment, and then a light bulb sprung out of his head.  “Maybe I can help her with her solo project. That way, people would just assume I'm there to help write songs as a collaboration or producer.”

Nam-Joon nodded “There you go, that sounds like the perfect cover.” 

After a short conversation with Nam-Joon, Jasper turned back to his work, finalising the album cover and contents for the fromis_9 album "love in spring." As he clicked through his screen, he took note of the gentle flutters still flapping around his heart, and he wondered if Hayoung had the same lingering butterflies.

In the practice room, Hayoung moved fluidly through the choreography, her movements precise and calculated. Despite the whirlwind of emotions she experienced earlier, she managed to maintain her concentration, fully absorbed in perfecting every step and gesture.

Maybe it was Hayoung's eager anticipation to spend time with Jasper, or the way time slowed down every time she imagined being lifted up into his warm embrace, but the practice seemed to drag on forever Finally she glanced at her phone and was relieved to see that it was 7:45. 

As she finished wrapping up her last few minutes of rehearsals, she gave her fellow group members a friendly wave goodbye before rushing into the changing rooms, her mind already turning to the evening ahead. 

As Hayoung finished getting ready, she grabbed her things and stepped out into the darkend hallway, ready to meet Jasper outside. As she began to trail the halls towards the parking lot, she suddenly realized a shadowy figure walking up in front of her. Her heart began to race as her eyes met his darkened silhouette, and she struggled to take another step forward. Her palms grew sweaty, and she swallowed nervously, her mind racing with anxiety. “Is that...? She said under her breath hesitating, hoping against hope that she was misidentifying him, but deep down, she knew who it was - Geun-woo.

He walked up to her and, with a smug sinister look oh his face, spoke his voice sharp and divisive. “I heard what happened to you that night. You should be more careful walking the parking lot alone.”

She frowned slightly, feeling uneasy under Geun-woo's intense stare.  “I can take care of myself…”

He smirked with an evil twinge to his smile.  “It's a shame they didn't catch that guy. Who knows if he'll try it again.”

She froze up in place at his words, unable to speak as the terrror of that night flooded back into her memories. 

Suddenly, a tall bright figure stepped up beside her and smiled as he looked down at her. “You ready?” Jasper said the gentle positivity of his voice shattering her fear as his words knocked her out of her daze. 

Hayoung blinked, surprised by the sudden appearance of him, and then, as if finding refuge in his strong caring presence, she relaxed, breathing out a sigh of relief. she thought to herself  “a coincidence doesn't bring just anyone to my rescue - it brings the person I am currently most fond of.” 

She smiled softly up at him in an attempt to wash away any lingering fear and anxiety. “Yes, I'm ready”

Jasper chuckled, further easing her tension with his light heartedness despite knowing how difficult it must have been for her. 

“For a moment, I thought you had forgotten about our writing session. Jae-Joon is waiting outside for us.” He said, gently placing a hand on her back to encourage her body to further fight the fear and move. 

She smiled weakly, taking comfort in his gentle guidance.  “Of course, let's go, Jasper.”

Although Jasper wanted to make Guen-woo feel the same pain he caused Hayoung, he pretended like he did not exist and walked right past him. 

Hayoung followed alongside Jasper, deliberately ignoring Geun-woo, focusing instead on the upcoming evening. The thought of spending time with Jasper filled her with excitement and hope, and she pushed aside the unease caused by Geun-woo's words.