Mr. Ex

1. Paths

Running to your new workplace with a cup of iced americano--which you only have a bit left because you spilled almost all of it after your alarm decided to play a prank on your first day--that's why you've been rushing since morning. Your hair is still a little tangled, you haven't even had enough time to do a full face makeup--just a little bit of this and that. Thankfully you have managed to put on the new clothes you've bought for today. The way your slightly oversized white shirt is paired with the black velvet skirt clinging to your body makes you feel better. Not forgetting the little black ribbon that you tie around your collar as an accessory.

You are supposed to meet HR in front of a building where several buses are parked, apparently they are in dire need of help so you are asked to help immediately - at least that's what she said.

"Hi, good morning! Sorry, am I late?" You immediately bowed to apologize as soon as you find the right place and person.

"No no, you're just in time." The HR glanced at her watch with a slightly concerned look, "Whoa- Are you okay? You look a little pale."

"I'm fine, just forgot to put my lipstick on." You lie. You've worn it before but you turned pale after running from the station, not wanting to get stuck in traffic.

The HR laughed slightly before calling out to a middle aged man who looked busy walking around, "Choi PD-nim!"

The man known as Choi PD face lit up as he made his way closer.

"This is Y/N, she is the person I mentioned before. She will help you as your assistant."

You gracefully bowed and shook his hand. Choi PD heaved a sigh of relief, giving you a hint to guess that the workload must be heavy.

"Nice to meet you Y/N. So I'm sure you've been informed about the job and the idol group you'll be working with?"

"I beg you a pardon? Idol group?" You look at the HR & Choi PD back and forth, "I was told that I'm going to be working in the creative department--like, for the concept and everything?"

"Oh shoot, did I not tell you there's a slight sudden change for that?" The HR hit her own head with the rolled up newspaper she was holding. "I'm so, SO sorry, too many things going on lately. But don't worry, no major changes."

And just like that the HR left you in Choi PD's care. Choi PD briefly explained that what you're going to do will still be the same, you're still required to be creative in shaping a whole concept. The difference is, instead of doing it for a paper proposal, you'll be doing it for a variety show. Apparently Choi PD's assistant got into an accident and need a long time to recover. Meanwhile the teaser for the show has been released, all preparation has been made, this idol group's fans around the world have been expecting it for months. Which is why it's impossible to postpone the show. Choi PD mentioned it's impossible for him to lead everything alone, he urgently need a hand.

"Oh, great." You gave a wide smile although deep inside you're already in tears. Right now it feels like you have a globe-worth burden right on your shoulders.

"I know this must be really shocking to you but I've reviewed your achievements on your CV, I'm sure you'll get through this." Choi PD gave your shoulder a gentle pat, followed by a thick--like crazy thick--papers for you to read.

"We're still waiting for the boys to arrive. In the meantime you can read about the already planned episodes." Choi PD gave another reassuring smile before he left to join the crew.

"I'm so.....SO fucked up." You whispered to yourself.

Looking around, you didn't even see a proper place to sit and read. All the crews are busy moving things around, loading some stuffs into the car and mini buses. In only less than ten minutes you've been told to move out of the way a couple of times.

"Okay Y/N, you've got this. It's ride or die." You told yourself although the option to die doesn't sound that bad, honestly.

While wandering around you saw from the corner of the street, a coffee truck slowly made its way closer and parked not too far away from the busy location. You're a hundred percent sure things are going to get busy around the truck in no time, so before it happens you quickly jog your way there and dragged two empty stools. One for you to sit, the other one for you to put on the papers Choi PD gave you.

"Seventeen? What, are there like seventeen members in the group?" You mumbled softly while flipping through the front pages.

The moment when you're absorbed into what you're reading, it feels like you're in your own world. Even though it's noisy, it doesn't bother you anymore. But by bit, slowly but sure you're starting to get a grip of the concept of the Going Seventeen show itself. Taking notes and perfect understanding that it's bound to be a variety show that involve the members in a lot of activities like games, challenges, etc. As someone who have been a big fan of entertainment stuffs, you feel more confident about it now.

You grab a pen from your purse to list down a lot of options you yourself would like to do if you were the one who's gonna do it. After that, you cross check it with the already planned idea written on Choi PD's papers. That easily helps you to eliminate some options and focus on developing the new ones.

"So they've done mafia game, escape room game..." Even your writings has become messy, it happens when your head works faster than your hand, kind of hard to keep it beautifully written.

You like it, a lot, that adrenaline rush you're feeling when you're doing something right. The feeling of achieving something.

It keeps on going--until--everything stopped.

Your brain stopped thinking, your hand stopped writing. The only thing that's still going is the way your eyes keep blinking while staring at one page that contain the profile of Seventeen members--including their pictures.

You've learned that--no, there are only thirteen members instead of seventeen. You've learned what's the meaning behind the number seventeen. And you've also learned that one of the members turn out to be someone you know--probably way too much.

"Yoon Jeonghan?" You exhaled in disbelief, even rubbing your eyes to check if you're hallucinating or not.

Yoon Jeonghan was your ex boyfriend long time ago, way back before you both finally lost contact for years. A lot of things have changed--yet at the same time the more you look at his picture--the more you have to admit he's really the same Yoon Jeonghan you used to date. He's now more mature, his hair is longer and undeniable he's still very charming in your eyes.

After confirming the person you'll be working with was no other than your ex boyfriend, you instantly stood up in disbelief. Apparently that surprised someone who's getting a coffee from the truck.

"Fuck that scared me-" cursed that person with no intention to insult you.

"Sorr-" you were about to apologize when you saw Yoon Jeonghan, in flesh, standing right in front of you.

He looks so good in his oversized light cream hoodie, followed by a green vest and a hat.

He looks confused at first, but then his eyes also grew wider the exact same way as yours when you saw him.

"Y/N?" He called almost inaudibly, in disbelief.