Melodies of Motion

Chapter 16

Sierra checks my hair and makeup so that it is perfect. Nancy is ensuring that none of the stones have come out. There's a knock at the door.

"The press is waiting for you Miss," a staff member says.

I sigh and Sierra nods. I go to the door and Derek is waiting. We walk to the side of the hall to a large room that has been converted into a press room. As soon as we enter we are blinded by flashes. We walk to the front of the room that has a large DanceSport banner. The President of the US DanceSport is at the microphone.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, Derek and Sylinda." he says. The press and audience clapping.

"Sylinda, Sylinda, over here please." I am blinded again by flashes.

"Derek, how does it feel to win tonight?" asks a reporter.

"It feels amazing. Sylinda and I practice very hard for one of the toughest competition circuits in the business. We are thrilled that the judges and the audience feel that we are deserving," says Derek, ever so truly humble.

"Sylinda, how in the world did you do that routine? It was flawless," a female reporter asks.

"Luck," I laugh and so does everyone else. "Seriously I practiced, even when I should have rested. It helps also having a supportive dance partner and friends." I say the last part and look at my crew in the back.

"Derek, can we get a picture of you and your wife please," says a reporter. I step to the side. Knowing I am going to have to take my picture, alone again. That's when I feel an arm snake around me. I turn to see Hyunjin and he smiles at me.

A reporter notices and shouts, "SYLINDA!! Can we get a picture of you and the gentleman!!!" I am about to tell him it will be just me when I feel Hyunjin guide me up front with his arm. What the fuck is happening.

"Holy Shit," a reporter says loudly. "That's Hwang Hyunjin....from Stray Kids." The room lights up from the camera flashes. I can't think. What are the guys gonna say! What's his label going to say?

Sensing my tension, Hyunjin leans his head next to mine and whispers, "Relax."

With that he turns my body to him, lifts my chin with his finger and kisses me. Time stops. The realization of what this man has just done hits me. When we separate I smile up at him. Resting a hand on his chest. We turn back to the press, me leaning into him and his hand on mine that's still resting on his chest.

"Sylinda how long have you been dating Mr. Hwang?"

"Why did you keep this a secret?

"Over here please for a shot."

"Mr. Hwang, when did you know you wanted to pursue Sylinda?"

"I have," Hyunjin begins softly and the room goes quiet. "always been fascinated with Sylinda's dancing ever since I saw a video of her at a DanceSport competition 5 years ago. I guess you could say I have been a fan from afar. Then seeing her here in LA allowed me to get to know her. She's everything I had hoped for and more. Very glad to now call her my girlfriend."

I have been slipped drugs. I can't believe what I am hearing. 'He's been a fan for 5 years.' This explains so much.

I come back to earth and luckily I am smiling, my facial expressions don't give anything away. I look at the boys and they are elated. But I am worried about one man, Chan. He's smiling big and gives me a thumbs up. I exhale loudly. I notice Hyunjin is looking at me in a way I haven't seen before. He brushes my cheek with his knuckles and gives me another kiss.

"Sylinda, what's next for you!"

"I will be in LA for another week. Then Derek and I will be heading to Seoul for international competitions," I say.

"And Stray Kids will be happy to show them both around our beautiful country," Hyunjin says.

I look over to see Derek and Hayley with BIG smiles on their faces. The President of DanceSport thanked the reporters for their time. He has his staff escort all of us out of the room. 

_______

Everyone is in my dressing room and people are popping bottles. I am in the changing room with Hyunjin, and the door is locked. I have changed into a sparkly blue halter dress and platform heels.

"I have been secretly in love with you for 5 years," he says. "I would watch your performances and would be in awe of how flawlessly you danced. I am sorry I didn't tell you. I didn't know if you would think differently of me," he sighs and leans against the door, head down.

I walk to him and raise his head with my finger. I look him deeply into his eyes, contacts are now gone. "Hyunjin, I could never think badly of a man who literally puts me first every time, without fail. You see me and you have so many layers to you. I can't believe I am saying this after a week, but I am falling for you."

He looks at me and pulls me close. "Say that again," he says softly.

"I said, Hwang Hyunjin, that I am falling in love with you." I kiss him passionately. He sighs and releases me, knowing we have a crowd on the other side of the door. He kisses my nose and moves us away from the door. He opens it and the cheering starts. Felix comes up to me and hugs me tightly.

"Awww this makes my heart happy for Hyung. You two are the cutest together. And you're coming to Korea!!!" Felix says.

"Oh Noona, you looked beautiful. I cried when I saw you come out onto the floor," I.N. says, hands to his face.

Changbin grins at me and fist bumps me, "Told you you would kill it."

Han goes full-on baby girl, crying and leaning on Lee Know's shoulder, "I AM SO HAPPY, I COULD CRY!" Lee Know rolls his eyes and hands Han a tissue. He smiles at me though.

Seungmin is laughing and comes up to hug me, "FINALLY, Hyung told you. We have heard your name for 5 damn years. 'Oh, Sylinda won this award. Check out this Instagram post of her after winning.' If he didn't tell you soon I was going to rat him out. HA!"

Chan walks up shaking his head. Here it is. The company is going to kick him out of the group. Or ban me from contacting any of them. I panic and hold my breath, hugging Hyunjin tighter. He sees that I am stressed.

"Hey, hey," Chan says. "You're good. I knew Hyunjin had feelings for you even though he had never met you. Everyone could tell that you two instantly connected when you met. I called the Company and told them that a relationship was starting with one of the members. If it gets out or announced, under no circumstances would things change with any of us. We are grown-ass men and we should be allowed to have relationships."

I release Hyunjin and wrap my arms around Chan. He puts me in a bear hug, laughing. "What, did you think I was going to let you two get separated by the Company?" he asks. Then laughs.

"Well, I honestly didn't know what would happen," I say. "This is a first for me. I am just happy that the Company is not going to interfere. Oh my god, Stays. What about your fans? Are they going to be pissed?"

Felix has his phone out. "Actually, you two are trending, in a good way. A lot of fans are happy for Hyunjin and you too. People are posting videos of you at the concert too. Listen to this, 'OMG I met Sylinda at the LA concert. She was singing along to all the songs. You can definitely tell here that she was feeling Hyunjin in some kind of way. Jinnie kept stealing glances too.' Others are talking about how it makes sense that Hyung would be with another professional dancer."

"See," Hyunjin says. "There's nothing to worry about, baby."

I take a big breath and let it out. I look around at my boys and say, "Then let's fucking party!"