ᴛʜᴀᴛ ꜰᴇᴇʟɪɴɢ ᴡʜᴇɴ [ᴇɴ- ᴘᴏʟʏ]

Chapter 11

My mother was curling my hair and giving me the same instructions, she gave me the day before. My kind of curling consisted only manual twisting of the existing loose coils and letting it airdry. That alone was enough to give me a complete curled hair style. When I had longer hair, I was really envious of my friends in school who could try out different hairstyles in their manageable hair. Mine only ended up in a frizz that did not even highlight all those braids. But I was comfortable with short coils. That continued until my mother taught me to embrace my natural curls. Now I took pride in my shoulder length coils that did not need any hair products.

"All done." My mother stepped back and admired her handy work.

I took one last look in the mirror. I had on a black tank and an off shoulder dusty rose top, paired with my black torn jeans and my pink sling back. And as usual, my blue rimmed harry potter like glasses topped it off. I took the money from my father. I didn't tell them the real price of the ticket because hell my eyes watered just by looking it up. But that's where my savings come in. I had equal to a month of my father's salary which on one knew about. I bid my parents goodbye and walked to the bus stop while listening to music. It was still 7 AM. I would take me an hour to reach Jubilee Hills. Then two hours to reach the theme park. When I board the bus, i saw there was no place left in the women's section. And as usual I walked to the back side where 2 seats were empty, each beside a boy. As soon as they saw me coming both of them picked up their bags from the empty seats while giving me a look of indifference. I sat in the one closest to me and heard a groan of annoyance behind me, making me smile a bit.

The guy beside me started to strike a conversation, "Are you new here? Never seen you before." Not going to lie, he was kind of cute.

"No I'm not. Its just my first time around this early." He nodded in understanding. In a normal day, I would've conversed a bit more but I had a lot of things in my mind then. He took the cue and did not talk to me again. but I did notice him giving a triumphant look to the guys behind me making it hard for me to keep in my giggle. I was sure they were strangers but they were still competing for some reason.

Within an hour, I had the Jubilee Hills bus stop and got down, waiting for the boys. I texted Jungwon that I was here. A song later, I get a text from him.

Jungwon

We're running a bit late. Could you please come over. Its room 712.

Location attached

I blinked at the map that was open in my phone. It was a 5 min walk from the bus stop. He wanted me to come over? To the hotel? To their room? I pushed down the bubbling suspicion that had grown in me since my childhood. This wasn't a random boy calling me over. This was Jungwon. I locked up my instincts and started following the map. My mind was on auto pilot and I didn't stop to think if I should do as told. I stared at the huge glass buildings. Offices, multiplexes, hotels and restaurants. I had definitely never been to this place before. In a few minutes, I was standing in front of the huge white hotel of 15 floors that didn't look any less than a palace. There was a whole garden with multiple fountains in front of it. The entrance door itself almost 15 feet high automatic sliding glass. I looked around at the people. Most of them had on 3 to 4-piece suits, pencil skirts, high end branded clothes. For the first time in years, I felt self-conscious. I looked at my clothes. So mundane. This place wasn't for me. Even if it was, I should be going to Enhypen's room like this irrespective if the invitation. I should've been thinking earlier and said no. I turned back on my heel deciding it was best to wait in the bus stop. However much time they take, I can pass some time in the nearby cafés. I had walked only a few steps when I heard someone call my name.

"Leah!"

I turned back. It was Jay. He was jogging out of the building. He had on a white polo shirt on with black jeans. Now that he wasn't wearing a cap, his black hair shone softly in the morning sun. And I kid you not, he looked hot AF. I gulped down the squeal at his sight, completely forgetting the overwhelming feeling from a few seconds ago.

"Where were you going? Didn't Jungwon tell you the room number?" He asked, confused.

"He did actually but I thought it might not be appropriate for me to come." I said honestly.

He smiled softly and hummed.

"Don't worry about it. Unless you're feeling unsafe around us." He raised an eyebrow making me suck in a breath.

"Oh no. No. Not at all." I shook my head.

"Don't fret. I was just playing. Come on now." He said and gestured me over.

For some reason, I did not feel as overwhelmed while entering the building with Jay beside me. My eyes must've popped out of my sockets. The chandelier in the ground floor was nothing less than majestic. It was crystal one almost spanning 10 feet in diameter.

"I know." Jay chuckled. "I had the same reaction."

I blinked as we stepped into the elevator. It was just the two of us there and it made me a nervous.

"So, what do you study?" jay started.

I looked at him. He was leaning on the corner with his hands in his pocket, his gaze on me.

"Umm, c-commerce." I mentally slapped myself for stuttering.

"Aaaah commerce..." he drawled. "Which year?"

"it's not degree. It's professional course. Chartered Accounts." I say with pride.

"Can I ask why you people are here?"

"Ask." He said playfully. He saw me sigh loudly.

"we're on a vacation actually before our world tour. We have a concert in Mumbai in a month." He said.

My mouth hung open in shock.

"You have a concert? In Mumbai? In a month?" I asked.

He looked at me for a second and went, "Oh its not announced yet. It's a surprise concert. Don't tell anyone." He said placing a finger on his lips. I nodded.

Talking to jay made me forget what was going on around me, literally. Because I did not remember stepping out of the elevator and walking through the corridor. We turned a left and there was the room. 712. But Jay led me to room 714.

"The maknaes are still getting ready. Sit in this room so you don't have to see anyone naked." He said almost too serious.

He opened he door and led me in. I always thought hotel rooms were a single room with bed or a small living room at most. But I was wrong. Because this place had a living room with a small kitchen and a corridor that must lead to the bedroom. And sitting on the couch in the living room, was Park Sunghoon.