Eric Nam: The American Maknae: Book 2

Comforting Seohyun

April 2015

"OHNYGODOHMYGODOHMYGOD!!" Eric Nam panicked as he quickly locked himself in the bathroom to dial up the phone.

"Come on... Pick up babe..." Nam was on edge as the reality of his situation was hitting him. Just earlier he ate a nice dinner with his supposed "wife". He could tell how excited she was to be Eric's "wife" in fact she was over enthusiastic.

It made Eric realize to the moment when Sooyoung confessed to Eric and Changmin's warning.

"Just know there are girls amongst our agency who share an interest in you."

He once again cursed himself for not realizing it. Compared to Sooyoung, Seohyun's affection for him was even more obvious. He reflected on all the times Seohyun was being overly affectionate.

"I'm such an idiot for not knowing... I should have known Seohyun had these feelings for me. I should've told her the truth when I had the chance. She has to have known about me and Ailee, in fact everyone at SM knows. I don't understand why she's so casual about this? I can't make the same mistake..." Eric snapped out his nervousness hearing the phone finally pick up.

"Eric? Are you here?" Came the voice of Ailee. She sounds very concerned by the sound of it.

"It's me babe, but don't be so loud. I'm sort of not at the dorms." Eric said softly so Seohyun wouldn't wake up.

"What's going on Eric? I'm confused. You promised me another date and then I saw you take a wedding vow with one of SNSD girls. This is not making any sense!"

"I promise this isn't what you think! I didn't know this was going to happen until I received a call. I promise I didn't do it intentionally. I was roped into it by MBC I swear!" Eric calmly explained.

"This is going to be a problem Eric... What is going to happen to us? Does she even know about our relationship?"

"I genuinely hope so Ailee. Everybody at SM knows about my relationship, you even met some of them. I don't understand why she's so casual about this!"

"She probably has a major crush on you. You told me one of the girls tried to seduce you. The question is what are you going to do? Are you going to tell her?"

"I don't know... I don't have a lot of opportunities to be private. The camera finally stopped rolling just a while back. If I tell it to her on camera I risk creating a major scandal and the last thing I want is you getting caught in middle of a scandal. Just trust me on this Ailee. I promise to God I don't have any feelings for her!! I just need to find an opening and when I'll do I'll tell her. It shouldn't take too long hopefully. I'm really sorry for putting you in this Ailee. I waited too long, I should've told everyone about us sooner..." Nam said with a heavy heart.

It was filled with a lot of stress and worry. He didn't know what to do, he doesn't want to hurt her feelings but he knows he can't lie to her.

"You don't need to apologize after all it wasn't your fault. I known for so many years. I can tell when you're being genuine. Promise me you tell her and break things off. It may end up exposing our relationship but at this point my reputation doesn't matter. I'm more worried about you. I know how easily worked up you get, don't lose sleep over it. Call me whenever you have the time that's all."

"I'm so grateful to have a woman like you Ailee. I love to death, really." He gave a kiss on his cellphone so Ailee could hear it.

"I love you too Eric... I want to kiss you, I'll miss kissing those lips."

"I'll miss yours too. I have to hang up because they get suspicious." Eric said before ending the call with his girlfriend. He then opened the door gently to see if there were any camera present. Thankfully they weren't present so Eric placed his phone aside laying right next to Seohyun.

She was asleep by the looks of it.

"Some things never change with her. She still sleeps like a little monk." Eric thought fondly. It was like watching her from her debut era all over again. She was SM's baby after SNSD debuted. Before Seohyun, Nam himself was the SM baby. They were often paired a lot together as the maknae duo. It was that time they became really close.

"It was so many years ago. We were so young back then. It's unbelievable that we're the seniors now. With Yeri now hosting M Countdown with me I realize how much time has passed. A few more months it's ten years as a group." Nam had mixed feelings at his age. He wasn't thirty yet but he was getting close.

He then saw Seohyun open her eyes. She yawned the same way she has always done. Rub her eyes cutely while looking at him.

"I didn't realized you were back oppa. I was waiting for you but then I got tired. The camera crew already left by the looks it. Is something okay?" She asked with such innocence that it was too adorable.

"It's just so hard to tell her...I feel so guilty... I'm okay Seohyun-ah. I'm still processing things right now. I wasn't expecting to get roped in here with you but here we are."

"It's understandable. I'm feeling a little nervous myself." She sat up. Her eyes looked like they were filled with worry.

"It's hard to really tell you without feeling embarrassed... To tell you truth... I have always admired you. You are someone who is very special to me... I love you oppa, genuinely. For so many years I have seen you perform out there with such enthusiasm that you inspired me to do my best. I wouldn't have gotten this far without you. I want to understand how much you mean to me." Seohyun let it all out.

"It was just as I suspected. She does have feelings for me. What have I done to earn your love? I'm not worthy of your admiration..." Eric then felt Seohyun kiss him around the lips area. He was caught off guard that he unintentionally opened his mouth. He could feel her tongue clash against his, in a sudden panic he pushed her away.

"Did I do something wrong oppa? Is it not how you show affection?" Seohyun blinked.

"I think you're going in a little too headstrong Seohyun-ah!! We've just gotten married. Let's take some time to get to know each other. Those types are done when two people already are familiar with each other. I know we're close friends, but let's take our time with this." Eric said calmly. He didn't want to hurt her feelings, but he wanted to put a barrier for now.

"I understand oppa. I knew I was going headstrong in this. I'm so embarrassed... I just really wanted to show how much I love you." Seohyun blushed with regret.

"I totally get it and I'm very flattered. Let's take it one day at a time Seohyun." He held her hand gently. It was smaller than his and soft to touch. Seohyun was a girl who always took care of herself. She was the responsible member after Taeyeon.

And so for the first night Eric slept next to Seohyun but with a little distance. She was still very close to him barely touching.

"Lord Jesus I've come to you. I don't know to do Lord. This girl that I basically watch her grow up confessed her love to me. I don't want to break her heart but I don't want to lie and hide like last time. Just give me the courage and patience to be with her until I find that moment. Thank you Lord Jesus for hearing me. I pray that she finds a man of her own who will love her. Amen..." Eric gave a genuine prayer to God to calm his nerves. He was going to play pretend for now, but he will tell her, eventually...