Mr. Ex

11. Jealousy

"PD-nim? Aren't you too cruel?" You protest while following Choi PD around.

Unlike you and your frowning forehead, Choi PD with his wide mischievous grin deliberately avoids you. The other day you come up with a horror theme idea for halloween special episode in Tokyo, that Choi PD quickly agrees to -- but you never expected him to appoint you to be the one to manage the property inside an old and dark abandoned warehouse.

"Just hide the key then come back." He shooed you away, unable to contain his laughter at his frustrated face.

"Oh come onnnn. You should've told me sooner when they were setting the cameras inside." You stomped your feet, staring at the silhouette caused by the lights which make it even scarier.

"I get it, I get it!" Choi PD ended his laughter with one sharp inhale, pointing at the warehouse. "There are still people checking at the cameras, you punk. Now get inside and hide that key."

"You're not lying right, I'll hit you for real if you lie. People say my punches hurt, okay." You showed your fist to Choi PD.

The clanking sound echoed everytime you step on the emergency stairs, climbing up to the second floor to get inside. The metal door makes a creepy creaking sound when you push it open. Luckily Choi PD didn't lie, there were still three camera crews inside. The problem is that they all work in one particular room while you have to hide the game key on the other side of a dark hall.

Walking cautiously, one step at a time--surprised by even the slightest gust of wind--you stop in the middle of the hall to look out the window. Jeonghan was sitting with Jun and Seungkwan. But that's not what caught your attention, it's actually Rena who was also present right next to Jeonghan.

For a moment you feel like you've lost motivation to finish your task. The feeling you had at that moment is unclear but somehow you are experiencing dejavu. It feels strange and familiar at the same time.

You don't have any particular problem with the people around you--yet when Rena makes Jeonghan laugh, you can't help but get annoyed.

"Eyyy.." You laugh at yourself. Reminding yourself that you have no business with anything going on with Jeonghan anymore.

After observing their interaction for a little bit more, you decide to continue with your task. The fear that you previously felt is no longer there. Even your footsteps become louder. Somehow the annoyance makes you want to hide the key in a tricky place--by tricky, you mean in between pile of boxes.

"Did you hide it properly? Can we start now?" Choi PD asked as soon as you return.

"Oh, I hide it rrrreally well." You emphasized the r letter, a bit of sarcasm in it--if anyone could notice.

The members are divided into some groups, but the numbers are not consistent. It depends on how they want to split it up--some lose the bet and have to go alone, others are a bit too crowded. It's their way, you give them freedom as long as they have fun. Although you must admit, you also have fun riding on the satisfaction you feel when the first group failed to find the key.

"Whoa, aren't you going too far? Hide it in there?" Jeonghan protested after he came out of the old warehouse. Sweat on his forehead, still panting after being chased around.

"Well, Wonwoo's team found it." You handed him a bottle of cold water at the snack station.

"If he doesn't knock on the box, the key won't fall into his sight." Jeonghan protested again, drinking half of the water in two big gulps.

"Luck is on his side, then?" You took a bite of a chocolate bar. Jeonghan was about to taste some before you gave his hand a light slap, "This is mine. Take yours over there." You pointed at the table full of snacks.

"Geez it's just one bite." He again, protested. "Besides you sure you going to finish all of it? Look at the calories."

"Do I look like I care about calories? Especially right now." You deliberately bit again, "Yoon Jeonghan!" You punched him lightly in the shoulder when he took the chocolate from you.

"What's stressing you, seriously?" He raised a brow while munching on the chocolate bar. When you tried to take it back, he raised it as high as he could.

"What do you mean?" You heaved sigh, already giving up.

"You obsess over sweets when you're stressed." He replied, "Were, at least. Back then." His voice became smaller.

Jeonghan wasn't wrong though. Now that he mention it, you can sense that you're not being yourself—easily get annoyed over something. You run your fingers through your hair--the way your fingers are tangled indicates you haven't brushed your hair properly, which is also a bad sign because brushing your hair is one of your obsessions.

"Okay, maybe it's the deadline." You took a deep breath, exhaling through your mouth, "I should sleep early then, I guess."

"Sleep will relieve your tiredness, but not your stress." He crumpled up the foil wrapper then tossed it straight into the trash bin. He has not lost his sporty touch, you thought.

"What do you suggest then? A meditation session with Minghao sounds good, honestly." You groaned a little while walking back to the set with slow steps.

"Pft, meditation-" Repeated Jeonghan while laughing softly, "No, I mean, come have a drink with us."

You stop walking to look him straight into his slightly hooded eyes, resting your hands on your hips.

"So like, you're asking me not to die due to diabetes because kidney failure is better?"

"You moron." Jeonghan's laughter is way louder this time, "The members are good in playing drinking games. You'll love it, I guarantee."

"I dunno, I'm used to drinking alone." You rubbed the back of your neck. If Jeonghan remember your obsession over sweets, you're a little bit confident he also remember you were never really good at group activities.

Jeonghan raises his shoulders, "No pressure."

"But," You couldn't help but to ask the question you've had on the tip of your tongue, "Will Rena be there though?"

When Jeonghan nods, you can feel the same irritation as before slowly taking over you. Not wanting to stand out too much, after years of practice, you managed to hide your displeased face.

"If you wanna come, just tell Joshua and they'll pick you up."

"Shua?" You asked, afraid to mishear the name.

"Yeah, I wouldn't make it on time. I've promised Rena to pick her up."

"Oh," You answered shortly, but then quickly add, "Whoa- You don't need to clarify anything, it's not like I want you to be picked up by you." You put on a disgusted face with the intention of joking.

In response, Jeonghan snorted as he raised his hand to grab your hair. You try to dodge but he manages to grab your hair faster.

"See you later, buddy." He said with a smile, then left you alone.

"Later, pal." You replied, sending him off.

You are momentarily reminded of the old days where you wished you could talk to your ex when you were lonely. Now when the universe grants your hidden wish, for some reason your heart actually feels heavy. You think you'll be fine at first, as long as you can see him. Turns out it's not as easy as you think. It's hard to have the status of a friend--to be called buddy, and that's it.

The more you feel it, the more you're certain. Certain that you're secretly feeling jealous of your ex.