Off Camera

Chapter 20

Tee POV

This week has comprised of both sweet torture and immense pleasure. The torture is at the studio where I can't touch Tae or even act like we are together, but at night, I'm rewarded with pleasure like I've never known before.

Why did we wait so long to be together?

A small grin plays along my lips as I walk through the store. For some strange reason, I have decided to get Tae something special to commemorate our first big drama together, while secretly celebrating us graduating to boyfriend status.

I push my sunglasses up and walk through the mall, looking for something to jump out at me and scream Tae's name. Even though I've known him for years, I'm just learning about him from the boyfriend aspect, and I don't know anything about him besides his godlike body, but I'm eager to learn everything else as quick as possible.

My eyes wonder up and down the row of shops, but nothing stands out to me.

I stop in front of a jewelry store and scan over the various showcases of watches, rings, earrings, and necklaces, but once again, nothing stands out. The corner of my mouth slides down, and I take a deep breath. There has to be something perfect for him somewhere.

"Tee?"

I turn around and spot my friends, Copter and Bas. A smile tugs at my lips. "Hi, guys. Are you out doing something special or just looking around?"

The two of them flash big grins at me and nod. Copter's dimples deepen while his light brown eyes sparkle before he catapults forward and engulfs me in his arms. "I'm so happy we ran into you. OMG! What have you been doing lately? Are you finally filming that drama with Tae?"

My stomach flutters at Tae's name.

I chuckle and hug him back. "Yes, I'm filming the drama with Tae. I'm out shopping and trying to have some alone time. How about you?"

Copter releases his hold on me and steps back. Bas takes the opportunity and pulls me into a hug with him, too.

Copter shakes his head. His perfectly combed brown hair sways back and forth. "We didn't come out for any particular reason. We needed to get away, and the mall is the best place to hide."

I raise an eyebrow. I don't think this is the ideal place to hide, but I keep my thoughts to myself.

Bas releases me and steps back, shaking his head. Some of his dark short dark bangs drop down over his eyes. "Don't listen to him. He heard some big hotshot celebrity who he likes will be here. We have been walking around for over two hours, trying to find where the person is at, but haven't gotten anything yet except sore feet."

A faint chuckle spills from me. "I'm sure you have gotten more than only sore feet. Who are you looking for?"

Bas shakes his head and shrugs his shoulders. "I'm not really sure. I can't remember the name, but Copter can tell you all about the person. I think he has everything memorized." A sparkle shines in his dark brown eyes as he playfully teases.

His mouth opens as if he has more to say, but one sharp glare from Copter has him quickly closes it.

These two never change.

It has been close to a year since I've last seen them, but it feels like it was just yesterday.

I shake my head as a chuckle rolls out of me. "Shouldn't you know who you are looking for first, before coming out here?"

Waving his finger at his friend, Bas snorts and looks at Copter. "Ask him about it. He hasn't authorized for me to have too much information lately."

I knot my eyebrows together as I continue to stare at them. "I'm not asking, but I hope you will tell me if it is important."

Copter sheepishly nods as a pink hue spreads across his round cheeks.

A commotion a short distance from us pulls our attention. I shift back and forth on my feet, trying to look around the swarm of people to see who is in the middle, but I can't see anything.

Copter suddenly gasps when a man stands up and looks over the top of the crowd. He is tall and his short black hair is perfectly parted on the side and combed. Not a hair is out of place, and it shines under the fluorescent lights. His dark sunglasses hide his eyes, but the small grin which spreads across his face when he looks in our direction tells me he recognizes one of us.

Before I can figure out who he knows, Copter grabs our wrists and pulls us away from the growing crowd. He keeps glancing over his shoulder as we rush past the various stores. The man's smile widens, and he heads in our direction, ignoring the screaming girls wanting his attention.

Amusement dances across my face.

Bas grunts, "Copter, stop this! We have been walking around this stupid place for hours, and I'm assuming he is the person you had come to see. Why run away then?"

Copter presses his lips together and shakes his head. "He wasn't supposed to see me. I didn't hide fast enough."

Nothing he says makes any sense, but I silently let him pull me through the mall while I choke down my laughter at his insanity.

Bas wiggles his arm around, trying to break free. "Let go of me. I'm not your toy to drag wherever you want."

Copter ignores his pleas and pulls us around a corner and then into a small business. He dashes through the store towards the back. Where is he taking us?

He pulls us through a series of doors and finally stops in the back storage room. His eyes dart around the room, almost like he was hoping to be somewhere else.

His grip loosens. Bas and I wiggle our arms free.

I furrow my eyebrows and stare at my once sane friend, who now resembles a caged animal more than himself. He paces back and forth, and his eyes keep darting back to the door.

Bas shakes his head and takes a large step backwards. "What the heck has gotten into you today? Don't ever do something like this again. Do you even know whether we have permission to be in here? I doubt we do. They don't normally let outsiders or nonemployees into their storage room."

A young lady wearing a polo shirt with the store's name on it walks by and takes a few steps to the side out of arm's reach, trying to avoid us.

Copter waves his hand in the air. "Don't worry about that. We need to get out of here. He will find us and then I'm doomed."

I shake my head. Nothing he says makes much sense.

I look at Bas, hoping he has some answers, but he has the same confused look as me.

Ring...ring...ring...

I dig my phone out of my pocket. A smile explodes on my face when I see Tae's name flashing across the screen.

With a slight spring to my step, I slide closer to the door before I answer it. "Hey." My gaze slides back to my two friends, who are staring at me and curiously watching my every move.

I nibble my lower lip as heat rushes across my face.

His deep, husky voice instantly ignites desire within me. "Hey. Where are you? I miss you."

My stomach flutters, and my legs nearly buckle under me.

Keeping my eyes on my friends, I whisper, "I miss you, too."

Bas perks up and asks, "Who are you talking to?"

Published September 26, 2022