Mr. Lee

22

Hyori joined her at the table sometime later, the both of them conversing before Hyejin came along. Hyori had gone to look for Jungwon and Hyejin soon left to get herself some food, once again leaving Jaeje alone.

She noticed Keeho at the next table all alone herself and signaled to him once she caught his eyes. He looked both ways as if wondering if she was talking to him before coming over and sitting opposite her. 

"We both looked sad and alone, so let's be that together" she said which made him laugh. 

"Yeah well my people for the night are somewhere drunk off their asses and I'm the designated driver so.." he drifted off, shrugging. 

"My people are scattered, just waiting for them to cut the cake so I can leave, I've had my fun for the night" she replied, looking over everyone in the hall, spotting some of the guys. 

"Is your boyfriend also getting drunk somewhere?" he asks and she does a double take. 

"My boyfriend? you mean Heeseung" she asks and he nods in agreement. 

"I mean he has a reputation and seems to have been keeping an eye on you all night, that and he has been giving me the stink eye" Keeho tells her. 

"He's a baby in channel " she replies. 

"One who likes you" he retorts and she lets out a snort. 

"That much is obvious" she agrees. Keeho is about to speak up again when something catches his eyes, making him let out a groan. 

"My friend Theo just popped open another bottle of wine, I have to go, can I get your number?" he asks, already standing up. 

"I don't see why not" she tells him her number which he quickly saved in his contacts before bidding her a goodbye, probably for the rest of the night. 

Heeseung keeps an eye on Jaeje as the night goes on, not missing a chance to give Keeho the stink eye whenever he can. 

"Hyung look now but don't look now" Ni-Ki tells him, tugging on his sleeve. 

"What?" Heeseung asks the younger and looks in the direction he's facing to see Yumi.

"Oh shit" Heeseung panics and turns to try and hide, but it's too late. 

"Oppa how are you? long time" Yumi calls out to him, immediately wrapping her arms around one of his. 

"I'm fine Yumi, listen I'd love to stay and chat, but I have to go use the bathroom" he's quick to release himself from her grip, realizing what it must be like for Jaeje and keeping a reminder to apologize later.

"Oppa wait" Yumi follows him out the hall, somehow managing to have enough strength to push him to the wall. 

"I get what's happening" she says, nodding her head. 

"You do?" Yumi wasn't exactly the brightest light bulb. 

"You wanted us to get some alone time" she smirks and proceeds to wrap her arms around his neck, looking pleased with her answer.

"Gosh you are stupid" 

Jaeje soon stands up to go use the bathroom and mindlessly walks until she makes another turn, spotting Heeseung leaning on the wall with some girls' arms wrapped around his neck.

"Can you please leave? we were about to be in the middle of something" the bitch tells her and Jaeje doesn't hesitate to head back, her need to be in the bathroom long gone as she feels nausea creep on her, disgusted at the sight.

"Wait, Jaeje wait!" Heeseung calls out to her, prying the girls' arms off him

"Where are you go-" Yumi starts to ask but is cut off.

"You just shut up and fuck off" Heeseung raises a finger to her and begins to go after Jaeje, muttering curses to himself. 

"Hold on" he blocks her path, catching his breath. 

"Sorry for disturbing your little make out session, I just wanted to use the bathroom, which I might now need for a different reason" she forces out as she takes in deep breaths. 

"You have no idea how grateful I am you actually were there, but I was not at all trying to make out with her, she's an ex" Heeseung explains, trying to calm her down. 

"That doesn't make me feel better" she can feel her heart beat speeding up and can slowly feel the tears glazing her eyes. 

"Ok um-" she cuts herself off, covering her face with her hands to try and calm herself down, which of course never works. 

"Calm down ok?" Heeseung draws her in for her hug, wrapping his arms around her as she continues to take deep breaths. 

"I hated seeing that, I hated it the first time and I still hate it now" only now it felt more personal, like it was a literal stab to the chest instead of just embarrassment. 

"Look at me" he pulls back from the hug a bit and lifts her head up, making sure she's actually looking at him.

"I'm sorry you had to see that" he whispers to her, massaging her neck in comfort. 

"What does it matter, I have no right to be upset, but if you're going to allow me to use you then I'd rather not have those your side pieces around" she whispers back, feeling more drained than ever. 

"If that's what you want" this is the closest they've ever been and he would be lying if he said he didn't feel like kissing her in reassurance. He continues to stare into her eyes, waiting for her to tell him to move away, but it doesn't come. He leans in until their lips are less than inch apart.

"Let's go back" they aren't kissing but their lips still lightly brush each other's as Jaeje speaks, eyes still closed. 

"Ok" he answers and slowly backs away until they're completely apart. Only then does he notice her shivering. 

"You're cold, we should get you back home" Heeseung tells her. 

"They're about to cut the cake, we'll leave after" she passes him and walks towards the hall, Heeseung following behind.