Tessa returned from Manila a few days ago while Soonyoung and his bandmates were completing their Asian tour in Singapore.
She reported back to work immediately on the day she arrived back in Seoul.
Workaholic much?
On top of her desk on that first day back was an unassuming brown box. It was huge enough to fill her whole table.
Inside the box was the most adorable life size plushie of a bichon. Tessa searched the box for a note or the sender’s address. There was no note and the sender’s address was the Hybe building. Even more suspicious was the sender’s name: Kim Jimin.
Despite the obvious attempt to hide the sender’s identity from prying eyes, the plushie itself was a dead giveaway.
She stared into the plushie’s glass eyes. “There’s only one person in the entire universe who would send me this.”
It seemed to her like someone was not going to give up so easily. She had hoped that their conversation at the Conrad hotel would be enough to deter him from his goal.
Apparently not.
A few hours later, he sent her an iced caramel macchiato with a puppy drawn on the front of the container.
Smart. He had found a way to send her gifts without people realizing she was being courted. On the surface, it seemed like an ordinary coffee rush. But Tessa knew what it was.
The choice of flavor was definitely a nod to the drink he was sipping at the time of their discussion.
Tessa debated on whether or not she should call Mingyu and ask him to stop.
But she decided against it.
Besides, she had already told him face-to-face that she was not interested. How would a call change his mind?
Tessa cradled her head in her hands. This looked to be the beginning of a problem. She hoped she was wrong and that this was just a one-time thing.
She sipped her iced beverage and quietly tucked the bichon plushie back into its box and stored it under her desk while she decided on where to donate it.
A few days later, the gift-giving continued. On some days, it was just a coffee and on others, well, it was more stuffed toys than she could ever hope to have in her life. The boxes on the wall were stacking up.
Tessa retreated into her brain for a few minutes and searched for solutions.
Obviously, the most mature approach would be to talk it out with Mingyu. He needed to know this was not acceptable.
As a back-up plan, she also thought about talking to Soonyoung. She knew he would be understanding about the whole situation but she did not want to trigger any kind of misunderstanding among the members.
Soonyoung and the rest of the members, Mingyu included, would be returning from Singapore tomorrow. She missed her boyfriend and really wanted to spend some time with him.
However, this whole Mingyu situation would not be a good thing to keep from the self-proclaimed tiger. Tessa knew a call to action was in order.
She checked her watch. It was currently 11pm. Normally, she would be at the practice room with the trainees.
Tonight, she felt like she wouldn’t be bringing good energy with her if she went to check on Group A.
So here she stayed, wondering what the heck she should do.
All things considered, this was not much of a problem. Yet.
Probably best to nip this whole thing in the bud, though.
A few more minutes passed with Tessa sitting at her table in silence.
Suddenly, an idea struck her. She took out her phone and created a GC in Kakaotalk. She proceeded to add Junhui, Wonwoo and Vernon.
Next to Soonyoung, these were the ones she had formed a closer bond with above and beyond the others. Yes, she was close to everyone in the group however these three were the ones she was comfortable sharing her concern with. She knew that they would never talk about all this outside of their GC.
Also, she reasoned with herself, Wonwoo knew Mingyu like the back of his hand. He would be able to give her some perspective on Gyu’s mindset. Vernon, as he had said that night in Manila, was the type of person who could read a room. He did not say much but his attention was definitely activated. And Junhui, well, he was brilliantly observant. Like Vernon, he knew how to gauge people.
It was still 10pm in Singapore right now.
Tessa guessed that they were about an hour or two away from the end of their concert. Aju Nice was a few songs away from being played over and over again.
Be that as it may, Tessa started to type in the GC.
Pledis_Tessa: Hey guys! I realize that you’re all still in the middle of a concert right now. But I really, really, really need your guidance. I’ve been sitting here and wracking my brain but I swear I can’t come to a decision.
Pledis_Tessa: Before I say anything, can I request for this GC to be kept private among the four of us please? You’ll understand what it’s about once we start conversing.
Pledis_Tessa: I’m aware that you’re going straight to the airport after the concert so there may not be much time before you return to Seoul and I have to face everyone involved.
Pledis_Tessa: I’ll eagerly await your response. I super trust you three with this. Will be waiting on pins and needles 'til you guys see this.
Tessa stood up and grabbed her stuff. She went straight to the parking lot and drove home.
She was soaking in her tub when she heard a notification on one of her phones. Quickly, she reached for it and saw a message from the GC.
Kpoppapi: Hey, Tessa! Mwo hae? (What's up?)
Pledis_Tessa: Vernonie-oppa! Is the concert over?
Kpoppapi: Aju nice is still playing 🤣 But I snuck a peek at my phone.
Kpoppapi: Let me go tell Junnie-hyung and Wonwoo-hyung discreetly to check KaTalk.
Pledis_Tessa: Kamsahamnida, Nonie-oppa! 💜
A few minutes later…
Every1_woo: Annyeong, Tessa! Logging in.
文俊辉: Wo lai le! (I’m here)
Pledis_Tessa: Hi everyone! How are you all doing?
Every1_woo: Happy and sad at the same time. Happy to have wrapped up the concert tours but also sad about it. Interacting with Carats like this is absolute food for my soul.
文俊辉: 👆 What he said.
Kpoppapi: Agreed. The energy is insane. Would be really awesome to have another concert for your fellow Filipinos, Tessa.
Pledis_Tessa: Don’t worry! Let’s look forward to the next concert tour. Or possibly look at a second visit to Manila. I'll talk to my dad about it.
文俊辉: Always.
Kpoppapi: Agreed. Again.
Kpoppapi: But that’s not why we’re here, is it?
Pledis_Tessa: No, it’s not.
Every1_woo: We’re here for you, Tessa. Feel free to speak your mind.
Pledis_Tessa: Kamsahamnida, Wonu-oppa. (Thank you, Wonu.)
Pledis_Tessa: So this is the situation….
Pledis_Tessa: You already know that Soonyoung and I have been together for a few months now.
文俊辉: Go on…
Pledis_Tessa: I’m just going to come out and say it…
Pledis_Tessa: I think Mingyu may be courting me.
文俊辉: Wait… What????
Kpoppapi: Uh… As in, SVT Kim Mingyu???
Every1_woo: So you’re the girl in his dreams???
Pledis_Tessa: Ne, Wonu-oppa…(Yes, Wonu.)
Kpoppapi: Just a point of clarification.. That’s different from ‘Girl OF his dreams’, right Wonwoo-hyung?
Every1_woo: Like he dreams of her.
文俊辉: You knew about this???
Every1_woo: Don’t roast me or anything, Jun-hyung. But a few months ago, Gyu told me about some dreams that he’s been having about this girl that he feels was his wife in his past life. He felt so strongly about it too.
Every1_woo: Out of the blue, he just stopped talking about it. I figured he realized he sounded ridiculous or something close to it. Not that I thought he was. Ridiculous, I mean.
Every1_woo: I understood that he believed whole-heartedly in the notion. So I just supported him. It’s not every day that Gyu pushes his agenda. We know he's a chill dude. But this..
Every1_woo: Let’s just say he believed in this with every fiber of his being.
Kpoppapi: What was the last thing he told you, hyung?
Every1_woo: He said he finally saw her face and he knew why he dreamt of those things. I think he also said that his path was clear now.
Every1_woo: I didn’t understand what he meant by it. At least not back then.
Kpoppapi: Sounds like he decided to act on his dream? Even if I have no idea what the dreams are about.
文俊辉: Neither do I.
Pledis_Tessa: The best way I can explain it is that we dreamed the same dreams. It felt like we were reliving our past memories or we were being told who we were in the past. We never could see our faces until one night when we finally did.
Pledis_Tessa: You guys heard of Deuk-im and King Jeongjo right?
文俊辉: No but I can google it later. Just in the interest of moving this conversation along. I don’t want to hold anything up. Time constraint and all that.
Kpoppapi: So let me get this straight. Gyu-hyung thinks you’re both reincarnations of two historical figures?
Pledis_Tessa: 😔 Ne, Nonie-oppa. (Yes, Nonie.)
Kpoppapi: What do you think?
Pledis_Tessa: I think he may be right.
Every1_woo: Wow…..
Pledis_Tessa: Regardless of that belief, I have no interest in extending that story. Whoever we were in the past, we had our chance. In this life, I am Tessa and I love Soonyoung.
文俊辉: Okay, so what I’m understanding is that Gyu wants you and him to continue your love story from the past? Regardless of Soonyoung’s feelings?
Pledis_Tessa: Apparently, Junnie-oppa. He’s been sending me gifts every day since I got back from Manila.
Every1_woo: I noticed him checking on his delivery apps while we were here in Singapore. I get it now.
Pledis_Tessa: Help, jebal! Eotteoke? (Help, please! What do I do?)
Kpoppapi: You probably already tried this but I still have to ask, Tessa. Have you tried talking to him?
Pledis_Tessa: We talked the night before I left for Seoul. I was very clear that I was not interested in extending Deuk-Im and Jeongjo’s tragic past.
文俊辉: And he still sent you gifts?
文俊辉: I admire his persistence, NGL.
Every1_woo: But it puts Tessa in this difficult situation. I’m sure she wants to tell Hoshi-hyung. He would definitely understand her side.
Kpoppapi: We can’t predict how Gyu would react when Hoshi-hyung confronts him about it. Though I can guarantee you all Hoshi-hyung will want to speak to him.
Every1_woo: Gyu won’t back down. I can tell you that much.
文俊辉: Soonyoung will definitely have a word with Gyu.
Kpoppapi: That, to me, would be the only card you can play Tessa. Let them handle it like men. Let them talk it out. You don’t have to worry about a situation that you didn't create.
Every1_woo: I agree.
Pledis_Tessa: You guys don’t think that there may be a chance that telling Soonyoung will create some sort of disturbance to the team?
Pledis_Tessa: It wouldn’t be in anyone’s best interest if someone created an issue from within.
Every1_woo: Tessa, I’m going to be very blunt.
Pledis_Tessa: Please feel at ease, oppa.
Every1_woo: I don’t think this issue is going to break us. It is a tricky situation, for sure. But if we handle this the right way, it won’t be a problem.
Every1_woo: The thirteen of us have seen each other’s lowest points. We’ve been there for each other through it all. And I mean, everything.
Every1_woo: Even if there’s a misunderstanding, we still have to be together for the next few years. Remember we are all under contract. Whatever issues we have, we will work them out.
文俊辉: Worst case scenario, Gyu will just keep pestering Tessa and all his efforts will be in vain. Hoshi and Tessa seem to be in a good place right now. It’s hard for me to see things differently.
Kpoppapi: Soonyoung-hyung has loved Tessa since we were trainees. He won’t give her up.
Every1_woo: Gyu is going to argue that he’s loved her longer.
文俊辉: Wait, what do you mean by ‘since we were trainees’? Hoshi already knew her back then?
Kpoppapi: He did. She didn’t.
Pledis_Tessa: Whoa there, Nonie-oppa!
Pledis_Tessa: Anyway….. Even if Gyu-oppa would push that argument, given the tragic past, does he not see that we may not be meant for each other? Five children and only one lived past the age of three? Two miscarriages, One baby death and the other one dying in my womb?
Pledis_Tessa: I literally died of a broken heart from all the deaths of my children. Why would I want to risk continuing that in this life?
Every1_woo: Medicine and technology are better these days, though.
Kpoppapi: Hyung….
Every1_woo: Just saying! I think we can all agree that I’m the best person to speak for Gyu in this group.
文俊辉: Be that as it may, the lady clearly does not want anything romantic with Gyu. I vote that she tells Soonyoung so he and Gyu can talk it out like men.
Every1_woo: I second that vote.
Kpoppapi: The ayes have it. And not a moment too soon. We’re preparing to get into the cars.
Pledis_Tessa: Thanks for your guidance, oppas. I appreciate it more than I can say.
文俊辉: We didn’t do much. We just reinforced what you already knew you should do.
Every1_woo: Let’s all join Soonyoung-hyung when he goes straight to Tessa from the airport. Maybe that will deter Gyu from sending her gifts. I mean, if that's okay with Tessa.
Kpoppapi: Can’t wait!
Kpoppapi: Although… Erm.. Wouldn’t you want to have some time alone with hyung, Tessa?
Every1_woo: Hansol, she’s Tessa Han. Her house is literally a mansion. Privacy won’t be an issue. Even if we bring the entire team, we wouldn’t hear a peep from them.
Kpoppapi: I’m not sure what you mean, hyung *wink wink*
文俊辉: Does that mean we’ll get to sleep at the Han mansion?
Pledis_Tessa: I insist on it!
文俊辉: Won’t Soonyoung wonder what we’re up to?
Kpoppapi: Au contraire. I think he would love the idea of us all hanging out together.
Every1_woo: Leave it to me. I’ll think up an excuse.
Every1_woo: See you soon, Tessa!
Kpoppapi: Hopping into the van in a second. Closing the app. See you, Tessa!
文俊辉: Be there soon, Tessa!
Pledis_Tessa: Take care all! Please be safe. See you!
