Black Rose ~ A Taemin Fic Pt. 2

Chapter 22

     The many camera flashes nearly blinded me at this point. They don't stop getting as many pictures of Taemin as possible outside the SM building. He takes my hand after saluting, pulling me out of the car and hooking his arm in mine. I grab his bicep for security as I shield my eyes from the camera.

     'I hope they don't see my red cheeks in those pictures.'

     I stuck to a simple pair of black dress pants with a white tank top that had Taemin on his knees in the car. Even there, our kisses were hurried, full, and open-mouthed. In his uniform, he just felt stronger, bigger–

     'Jesus, snap out of it.' I press a hand to my cheek the second we enter the building, the
cameras now behind us. We follow the guards to the elevators and down a few halls. I don't necessarily know our plan, but it doesn't matter as long as I'm with him.

    When we enter the dressing room, staff are already filming Key, Minho, and Onew as they go frozen at the sight of their youngest. Key immediately starts complaining, laughter echoing throughout the room. I hang back as Minho goes up to hug Taemin, his eyes smiling at me as he does so.

    The staff are even smiling and laughing as the members all hug and roughhouse with each other. "I assume you brought Yuki to tame you?" Key jokes, my head shaking as I gush with grins.

    "No, I brought her so I don't accidentally kill you the next time you pick on me." Onew is the first to go shocked and touch Taemin's newfound arm muscles.

    "When did you get so fit?" They all joke, poking and prawning as if he were a specimen.

    The filming goes well. Pictures of Taemin's dismissal are already going viral globally with the hashtag: the king of K-pop is back. I couldn't agree more. Our next visit is Baekhyun, who is also at work in a practice room. When the two meet, they immediately hug, Baekhyun jumping up at down like a child.

    The room of dancers laugh at him from the mirrors, but the content is great. I lean against the wall, watching the two converse and give the cameras what they want. Glancing to the girls, I see one in the front, her eyes like a serpent as she stares at me and drinks from her water. I roll my eyes at Sohyun, happy to be behind a camera where no one will see it. She grins before looking back up at the two men.

    "Oh, is this your b-side performance practice?" Taemin asks, waving to the girls. Sohyun is the only content one in the group of giggly girls. She shows him a clean smile, one that makes my mouth twist.

    Baekhyun nods. "I asked Yuki to join, but I knew you'd be back so she'll be busy later as you start to prepare new music, huh?" The cameras finally pan to me as I slowly shake my head. Taemin, to my surprise, lowers his mask as he approaches me and presses a quick kiss to my head. The gesture is small and means nothing to us, but the audience eats it up.

    "So cute," I hear Sohyun say sarcastically. I choose to ignore her and be good for the cameras.

    Manager Won slips in then, his smile big for Taemin's welcoming. He even gives the singer a quick hug before signaling to turn the cameras off. Leaning close to us, he says, "I know it's sudden, but we'd like to hold a quick meeting about your upcoming comeback. We want to start whatcha got as soon as possible."

    Taemin pauses once before bowing and following after our boss. Quietly at his side, I say, "I didn't know you made prior preparations." He glances down at me, brows furrowed. I go taunt. "What–"

    "I don't know what he's talking about either," he admits, stepping into the conference room where twelve producers, staff, and managers sit waiting for us at the table. Upon arriving, Taemin salutes and they all stand to bow. I bow slightly before following the lead of a bodyguard who sits me on Taemin's right as he takes the head spot.