Kiss & Make Up | Lee Jeno

19.

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"Wait—so you've been a makeup artist for three years now?"

"Yes, Jeno," Areum replied with a laugh, jotting notes on her clipboard while inspecting products. "This is the third time you've asked me that."

"I know, but you've worked with SM before?" he pressed, clearly puzzled as he walked around in circles, trying to piece the information together.

"Yes," she said, glancing over her shoulder. "I also already told you that—several times."

He settled into a random chair in the corner of the storage room, crossing his arms. "Then how come I've never run into you before? It doesn't make sense."

Areum shook her head, amused. "Guess you weren't looking very hard."

Jeno said while looking her way. "Trust me, I would've known about you."

Returning to her work, Areum shrugged. "Well, I just worked with girl groups before. I only recently got promoted to an actual makeup artist last year. Before that, I was just an assistant. No one really noticed me."

Jeno tilted his head, studying her with his eyes, her back turned to him. "I would've noticed you."

Areum let out a small laugh, shaking her head without looking his way. "You think so? I bet if you hadn't helped me out that day in the studio, we wouldn't even be talking right now."

"Maybe not," he admitted, "but now that we are, I'm glad it happened." His voice explaining, making her pause for a moment. "I mean, running into you wasn't exactly something I had planned, but I'm definitely not complaining."

Areum's hands stilled as she placed another product on the shelf. "You're really being a sweet talker today, aren't you?" she teased, though she could feel her heart racing.

"Just being honest," he replied, leaning back in the chair with a grin. "If that day hadn't happened, we'd still be strangers. And I'd be missing out on the person who apparently had me as their lock screen."

Her face turned warm and she covered it with her hand, groaning and throwing her head back. "Can we not bring that up again?"

"Oh, we're absolutely bringing it up again," he laughed. "Who knows? Maybe it was fate."

"Okay, calm down there buddy." Areum let out a chuckle as she faced him, "How about we stop talking about me and actually start talking about you."

Jeno raised his brow, "You sure you don't know everything about me already? I mean you are my number one fan."

Areum rolled her eyes, "I know just the basics and pretty much what every other fan knows." She smiled, "We're friends now right? Talk about something I might not know."

That smile.

Jeno couldn't help the smile spreading across his face at her curiosity. "What do you want to know?"

"Hmm..." Areum hummed thoughtfully, her eyes narrowing playfully. "I don't know, just... anything."

He leaned back, crossing his arms. "Alright, well, I was born—"

"April 23, 2000," she interrupted, grinning. "Told you, I know the basic stuff already."

Jeno laughed, shaking his head. "Then I don't know what else you want me to say. I'm a pretty boring guy. Just regular stuff, nothing all that interesting."

Areum raised her brow, a spark of wonder in her eyes. "Have you ever dated anyone?"

Jeno blinked in surprise before breaking into laughter. "You're really asking that? That's a bold question."

She shrugged with a grin. "What? You said to ask anything."

He leaned forward, giving her a teasing look. "Alright, since we're sharing... Yeah, I've dated before. But nothing serious in a while."

Areum looked intrigued, surprised actually. "Why not? You're literally everyone's type. There's no shortage of people interested, I'm sure."

He gave a modest smile. "Guess I haven't met the right person yet." He shrugged, his eyes glinting with something unreadable as he glanced at her. "But what about you? Any secret admirers?"

Her brows jumped up as the question shot back to her. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

Jeno smirked. "Oh, I would."

"I mean... yeah," she admitted, avoiding his gaze. "I've dated a few people."

"A few?" Jeno teased, raising an eyebrow. "Didn't peg you for the player type."

She gasped, playfully defensive. "I'm not! It was only three... well, four if you count middle school."

Jeno laughed. "Relax, I'm kidding. I've been in three relationships too. Didn't exactly go as planned, obviously."

Areum gave a knowing nod. "Yeah, my last boyfriend was kind of an ass."

"Which one?" he asked, leaning in with interest.

"My last one. We broke up maybe five or six months ago." She said, recalling some old memories.

Jeno's expression softened, his voice gentle. "Sounds like you're better off."

Areum gave him a small smile. "I think so, too. And here I am, talking about it with you."

Jeno grinned, raising an eyebrow. "Are you hinting at something? Don't tell me you're trying to be all flirty now—"

"Oh, stop." She laughed, holding up her clipboard in mock threat. "I will absolutely throw this at you."

He chuckled, holding his hands up defensively. "Please don't. I've got a schedule after this, and I'd prefer not to show up with a bruised face."

Areum gasped, glancing at the clock. "Oh my gosh, I totally forgot you actually have schedules. You've been here all day!"

Jeno gave her a warm smile. "No worries, I'm not in any rush to leave." Then, after a pause, he added, "What time do you get off, anyway?"

Areum glanced at the clock with a sigh. "Three more hours. I'll be here for a while." She looked over at the shelves that still needed restocking, feeling the weight of the long day ahead.

Jeno stood, straightening his jacket. "If I finish early, maybe I'll stop by again. But I'll text you either way, okay?"

Areum nodded, giving him a soft smile.

"And this time, you better answer," he teased, raising an eyebrow. "No more leaving me on seen."

Areum laughed, holding up her hand. "I swear, I'll respond. You've got my full attention this time."

Jeno looked at her, his gaze lingering. "Promise?"

"Promise."

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🫣🤔🫣🤔
AHEHEHEHEE
okay, they're bonding :)
my little babies are gettjng closer I LOVE IT.

guys, 127 tour. wtf. i have no money.
SM LET MARK AND HAECHAN REST OH MY GOSHHHH.
They seriously need to work on the artist management because they're just hurting their idols themselves 😭