Julia and Johnny were inseparable before he left Chicago to pursue his dreams. After six years of no communication, Julia finds herself in the same city Johnny left her for, but with someone else. Now reconnected through a mutual friend and jealousy...
When they arrived at the NCT 127 house, Julie was still trying to wrap her mind around the whirlwind of events. The car ride had been filled with small talk and laughter, but it wasn't until they arrived at the front door that the full reality of the situation sank in. They thanked the Korean Uber driver, who waved them off with a polite smile as they stepped out onto the front porch. The house before them was far grander than anything she had imagined, with sleek, modern architecture and an atmosphere of easy elegance. She could tell this place was more than just a house; it was a home where memories had been made, and where many more would be.
"Woah..." Julie muttered under her breath as she stepped inside, her eyes wide with awe.
The entryway was expansive, with a grand staircase that spiraled up toward the second floor, framed by a series of large windows that let in the sunlight. The walls were adorned with framed photographs of the group, capturing candid moments and performances, creating a welcoming and intimate atmosphere despite the lavish setting. Her gaze bounced from one room to the next, as Jaehyun and Jungwoo led her around, showing her the different areas of the house.
First, they took her to the spacious bathroom, with marble countertops and a giant bathtub that looked like something out of a luxury hotel. She was shown the kitchen, where the countertops gleamed under the soft glow of pendant lights. Everything in the kitchen seemed meticulously placed, from the shiny silver appliances to the selection of imported snacks in the pantry.
Then, they led her into the living room, where plush furniture created a relaxed space for the members to unwind after long days of practice. Julie couldn't help but smile at the array of plush cushions and soft lighting. Finally, they showed her the game room. It had an entire wall dedicated to gaming consoles, old-school arcade machines, and a shelf filled with games that ranged from classic to contemporary. There was even a basketball hoop set up in the corner for those moments when they wanted to burn off some energy.
But it wasn't until they reached their bedroom that Julie got a real sense of the personalities that lived here. The room was sleek but cozy, with a mix of minimalist décor and personal touches. A large bed dominated the space, but Julie's attention was immediately drawn to the carefully organized shelves of books, gadgets, and memorabilia from their travels.
As they stood in the middle of the room, Jaehyun turned to Julie. "You said your apartment is down the street, right?"
Julie nodded as she perched herself on the kitchen island. She was still processing everything. "Yeah, I'm not too far away."
Jaehyun raised an eyebrow, his playful grin appearing once again. "Do I hear sleepovers every weekend?"
Jungwoo gave Jaehyun a high-five, clearly entertained by the idea. "I think it's happening whether she likes it or not."
Julie rolled her eyes. "Do I hear me calling the police every time you step on the property?" she shot back, earning a round of laughter from both men. "Thought so," she added with a smirk.
Before the conversation could continue, the sound of laughter floated from the living room, filling the air with warmth. Julie could tell that the house was lively, and the members were likely home, sharing their usual banter. Instead of rushing toward the noise, they stood and waited as the newcomers approached.
Three more tall figures appeared in the doorway of the living room, their faces partially obscured by masks and baseball caps, but the familiarity of their expressions was undeniable. They were good-looking, each with a distinct charm. Julie's breath caught slightly as she took them in.
"What's so funny?" Jaehyun asked, looking at them with a raised brow.
The tallest one in the middle, who looked like he could easily be the leader of the group, pointed directly at Julie. "Who's the girl?"
"This is my friend Julie," Jungwoo said, pulling her a little closer to him as if to stake his claim.
"No, she's my friend Julie," Jaehyun chimed in, pulling her back to his side with a teasing smile. "Remember, the one I met through a video game?"
Julie, slightly amused by the back-and-forth, wiggled out of their grasp and extended her hand to each of the boys. "Hi, I'm Julie," she said politely, trying to shake off the tension of the playful bickering between the two men.
"I'm Doyoung, this is Mark and Haechan." Doyoung introduced them with a smile, gesturing toward the other two.
"You're not from Korea, are you?" Mark asked in English, his curiosity piqued.
Surprised at his English, Julie shook her head. "Nope, I'm American."
Mark's eyes lit up. "I knew it! I can always spot another foreigner when I see one." He switched back to Korean seamlessly, laughing lightly.
"Oh, are you from America too?" Julie asked him with a grin.
Mark chuckled. "Canada born and raised."
"Ahh, I see," Julie nodded, understanding now. "That's cool."
A mischievous glint flashed in Haechan's eyes. "Wait, do you not know who we are?" he asked, clearly intrigued.
"Prior to this meeting, no," Julie admitted with a shrug. "Jaehyun doesn't talk about you guys much."
At this, Doyoung, Mark, and Haechan exchanged a look that Julie couldn't quite read, before turning back to Jaehyun. She felt the weird sense again that something was being left unsaid, as if they all shared a secret she wasn't yet privy to.
"Julie's coming to the party with us tonight," Jaehyun said casually, slinging an arm around her shoulders as he pulled her closer. "No backing out now."
"Really? Well, I hope you tell her what to expect." Doyoung gave Jaehyun a sideways glance. "Come on, you two. Let's go get ready."
The three of them headed upstairs, leaving Julie with the two very tall men standing behind her. As soon as they were alone, she turned to face them. "Next time, let me introduce myself, idiots," she said playfully, hitting their arms in mock frustration.
"Yes ma'am," they said in unison, nodding their heads with exaggerated seriousness.
Julie smiled, shaking her head at the antics of the two. "Okay. Now, which one of you is taking me home so I can unpack and get ready for this party?" she asked, crossing her arms as she stood in the center of the room.
"I'll do it," Jungwoo said, grabbing his keys from the key hook on the wall.
"No, she's my friend so I'll do it," Jaehyun countered, bumping Jungwoo aside as he reached for his own keys.
"But she clearly likes me more, so I'll do it," Jungwoo shot back with a smirk.
"Should've just called an Uber," Julie muttered under her breath, facepalming as she watched their antics.
To be continued...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
