Ten

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It's fifteen minutes before the concert starts, yet Haein's seat is still empty.

"Eonnie, they will see you."

Jisoo quickly turns around and she finds Jennie. She was peeking behind the camera from the upper side of the stage to see the VIP seats. Hundreds of audiences already filled the area and they will create a fuss if they see Jisoo. She slowly closes the curtain and smiles bitterly to Jennie.

"He's not here yet?" Jennie asks.

Jisoo shakes her head.

"Not even a text after the last time you saw him?"

"Nope." She answers as they walk side by side back to the make up room.

"I will seriously punch his pretty face."

Jisoo bursts into laugh. "Ah so you do think he's handsome huh?"

"He won't be anymore after he receives my punch."

She giggles. "Thank you Jendeuk-ah."

"Just pay me by performing well, alright? Just focus on yourself, Eonnie."

"I will. Nothing to worry about." Jisoo makes sure she sound confident enough to Jennie.

The concert starts with Blackpink performance. It feels suffocating to see that empty chair from the front. She could still focus on her moves and didn't forget to sang her part, luckily. Then Jisoo peeks again from the same place only to find the same empty seat again, and again. It's halfway of the concert when Rose sings her solo. She finally gives up on waiting. Jisoo takes a deep breath when the claps sound weak and the the lights are turned off. The introduction music of 'Waiting for My Love', a melodious piano sound, plays.

In love there is a language, the one that floats beautifully fills the soul.

The stage gets super bright when Jisoo starts singing. She wears a long-white dress and a flower crown, looking so beautiful it makes the audiences cheer loudly.

Missing the story of two of us, which can never be forgotten.

She gets carried away by her own song, which reflects her love life so much. Jisoo closes her eyes when she enters the climax of the song.

If this longing is still yours, I have a question for you. How long must I wait, I'm waiting for you.

When Interlude comes, Jisoo opens her eyes and lower her microphone. She is supposed to go to the other side of the stage on this part, yet she stands still when she finds out that the seat she has been watching is no longer empty. Haein is there, watching her performance. For a few seconds they make obvious eye contact, with hundreds of eyes watching them live.

***

After Blackpink last performance at the concert, her manager told her that Haein is waiting for her in one of the waiting rooms. Jisoo gets mixed feelings when she sees him. Haein is wearing the cap she gave, combined with a white hoodie. He smiles awkwardly to her.

"Excellent performance. I know you would do well. And you look pretty as always." The way he said it sounds like it's a dialogue from a script, it feels stiff. "I don't know where to start, actually."

Jisoo still can't look straight at him, so she stares at her own shoes.

"I was late... like really late. I was super conflicted. I don't think saying sorry will suffice."

Silence is still how Jisoo reacts to his statement.

"Still, I'm really sorry. I crossed the line when I acted on my own. You're right. No matter how big the consequence is, I should've discussed it with you."

Jisoo finally lifts her face when Haein strokes her cheek gently.

"It's okay if you can't forgive me, or if you still need some more time. I'm ready to start over whenever you're ready. If you still can accept me, of course."

"Don't say that, Oppa." Jisoo pulls Haein's shirt. "You're here. That's enough proof for me."

Haein lets out a sigh of relief. He is trembling. "Thank you."

"Jeez, you just acted tough, didn't you?" Jisoo hugs him.

Haein wraps his arms around her body, buries his face on Jisoo's small shoulder. "I thought I was gonna lose you."

They let go of the hug when someone knocks on the door. Saerom appears behind it.

"Uhm, is it a bad time to interrupt? Sorry, it's kinda urgent." He says.

"It's okay, Oppa. What is it?" Jisoo asks.

Saerom starts with a very heavy sigh. "Haein-ssi, your name is trending in at least twenty entertainment news platforms. Don't even ask about social media. Your dating rumor with Jisoo is trending everywhere, it even beats today's concert trend. Your pictures are very clear this time... not only from reporters, but fans taken as well. I'm afraid I can't defend you two anymore."

Jisoo glances at Haein's tense face, then she holds his hand. Haein looks at her as she tighten her grip.

"Don't worry, Oppa. We're in this together this time."

***

As the night comes, Jisoo is starting to lose her confidence. Their dating news gets so much attention, it causes pros and cons from netizens all around the world. Jisoo is even too afraid to look at her social media now. No wonder Haein was in dilemma before. Her boyfriend is fully aware of this upcoming situation, yet in the end he decided to risk it all and came to the concert.

"Coffee milk, Love?"

Jisoo receives the mug from Haein. It feels warm. "I usually only drink the cold-ready made one. Now my baby made it for me. Thank you!"

Haein smiles shyly. "I hope it suits your taste."

They drink in silent. The TV is on, they are watching a new released Disney movie. It's raining a little outside.

"Oppa... I'm sorry. The hate comments, all pointing at you."

"Why are you sorry? I don't even read them." Haein kisses Jisoo's head. "So the meeting with the companies, is it tomorrow?"

Jisoo already stop drinking her coffee. One of her hand is holding the mug while the other hand grips tightly into Haein's fingers. She just nods to answer.

"You're afraid, aren't you?" He takes both of their mugs and put them on the table. "Don't worry. I've made up my mind when I decided to come to the concert. I won't give up on you. Never again."

Jisoo feels a bit reliefed when she heard it. She jumps to hug him and Haein body fell on the sofa. He laughs when Jisoo showers his face with kisses, then at the same time they stop messing around with each other to think again. Haein keeps patting Jisoo's head, who is now laying on his chest.

"How did you do it, last time? Settle things up?" Jisoo asks.

"Well, it's a long story. The no dating policy applies only on your side. So my company back then acted more like a defense team for me. At first they explained the original penalty for you, but we discussed it further, until we reached the agreement. In the end, they agreed for the fine we offer."

"So... in conclusion, you bargained, and money won?"

"Sort of," Haein sounds sleepy.

He gently puts down Jisoo's body next to him and cuddles her as if she was a pillow. Jisoo is still busy thinking.

"Oppa, I think I have an idea."

Haein is not answering. Jisoo hears a soft snore instead.

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