Demon in Disguise

Junmyeon

A week after he moved into the neighborhood, news was buzzing about Kim Junmyeon -the handsome new neighbor.

"He isn't that good looking." Chen grumbles. He had knocked on her door one afternoon and offered to help her clean her house. "It's been half a year since since he moved here."

"Be quiet Chen." She chuckles as she dries Ai Hui. "He'll be old news pretty soon."

She gives the clean Ai Hui some food just as a knock comes from the door. 

"Oh, hello Junmyeon." Qiang was pleasantly surprised. The handsome neighbor had come to visit her. 

"Hello Qiang, are you doing anything today?" He gives her a smile.

"um.. does cleaning my house count?" What was he doing at her front door? Qiang didn't think she was anything special to have caught his attention.

Chen appears from behind her, "Hello Kim Junmyeon." His voice was stiff and he sniffed haughtily. Chen did not like that this handsome stranger was visiting Qiang, he didn't trust this man one bit. He did however, feel haughty about the fact that he was the first male to visit her and talk to her.

"Hello Chen." Junmyeon turns his attention to Chen, "I didn't know you two were a couple."

Chen was about to retort that they are indeed a couple - even though it was a complete lie, but Qiang beat him to it. 

"No, we aren't a couple. Sorry for the misconception Junmyeon." She chuckles nervously, "Chen came over to help me clean my house."

"Oh, you aren't?" Junmyeon's innocent face brightened, "I am sorry for interrupting but I was wondering if there was a coffee shop in town and if you would like to go with me."

"Oh... um..." Qiang did not know how to react to his sudden request.

Chen pursed his lips, he wanted to look that handsome-not-so-handsome man in the eyes and tell him that Qiang did not want to go on the date with him. She probably didn't know it but Junmyeon was asking her out on a date. He was feeling bitter inside at the fact that this man who just moved into the neighborhood three months ago had the guts to ask Qiang out on a date. He was well-educated, polite and handsome, qualities Chen didn't possess and it made him green with envy at the thought that Junmyeon had a much higher chance of being with Qiang.

"I'm still cleaning, sorry Junmyeon. Maybe next time." She gives him a half smile and apologizes.

"It's fine." He puts up his hand to make sure that she knew he wasn't offended. "I guess I'll get going then."

"Alright, bye." She gives him a soft smile, waving as he departs. 

From behind her, Chen gives him a smug look. Clearly satisfied.

"Bye." He waves at Junmyeon, closing the door for her. "Well, how nice to have such a handsome visitor at the door. Let's get back to work."

Qiang gives his back a weird look at the tone of his voice, but she chooses to not say anything. Chen doesn't like Junmyeon, she won't bring him up due to her new-found respect for Chen.

"So, Qiang." Chen says, tidying up her cabinets in her kitchen. "I thought about applying for a new job." Chen worked at a fast food restaurant. He found it to be quite boring, and he wanted to work alongside Qiang. "Doesn't the diner you work at have an open space?"

Qiang stops fussing with the pillows on the couch. "Yes it does. Why, are you quitting your job."

"We could be working alongside each other, wouldn't that be great?" Chen raises his voice in excitement, smiling widely. "They'll be in for a surprise once they see how much I've changed."

"Overnight." 

Qiang says under her breath. She still hasn't gotten over his new personality yet. She's still cautious around him because it could all be an act. 

Once satisfied with how the pillows looked she have Ai Hui some food.

"Would you like to go out for some lunch?" Chen asks. 

She gives him a blank look in surprise.

 "Or we can just stay here... with Ai Hui." His voice falters as he speaks. He didn't want to do something Qiang didn't want.

"No it's fine, yeah we can go out for lunch. You just surprised me with the sudden offer." Qiang gives him a small smile.

He lets out a breath of relief internally. "Great, let's go."

_____________________________

They had chosen a small diner. 

As Chen orders, the cashier glances at Qiang almost as if saying 'You fell for this guy?'

Everybody knew Chen as the low-life in town, the one who stays inside doing whatever he does behind closed doors and the one that goes out doing no good things. He will have to clear his name by himself, Qiang can't help him.

"So... what's your favorite color..?" Chen asks. His eyes were downcast and he nervously pushed his food around in his plate.

"Purple." Qiang smiles at his attempt to make conversation. "What's yours?"

"Blue. A bright baby blue."

"It suits you." Qiang comments. "You know, you should smile more, I quite like it."

Chen smiles bashfully and looks down at his plate. "If that's what you want."

"It's not what I want, it's what the world wants. I really like this new side of you."

"It's quite hard, honestly. Getting out of the my old habits and finding the real me."

"You've done well." Qiang looks at him proudly. "You've come a long way."

"You like this new side of me?" He looks up at her with wide, hopeful eyes.

"Yes, why wouldn't I?" Qiang gives him a questioning look.

Chen shrugs,"I don't know..."

They finish their meal in silence and leave the diner. 

"Let's go somewhere." Chen suggests.

"Where?" Qiang smiles at the warm wind blowing across her skin. The sun's warm rays made her look like she was glowing. Chen silently thanked God for letting him see this beautiful view.

"There's a place my.. old friends and I used to go to." He looks away from her as he unlocks the car.

She noticed his reaction so she tried to brighten up the mood by playing some muisc.  A song she used to like trickles out the speakers. "Oh, this song used to be my favorite."

"Damn, you entice me, I can't control myself because of all your expressions, full of a beauty and I dive in it, girl I'm so K.O." Qiang raps along to the music. It's been seven years but she still remembers the lyrics.

Chen gives her an incredulous look and she laughs, singing along to the chorus. "You're beautiful, don't we look good together? I always imagine it like this, you be, with me with me..."

Chen smiles at the goofiness of Qiang, it warmed his heart to see her so open with him. 

"Youre beautiful..." He whispers.