Unkind Fate: Jaebum

☑️Chapter 4: Maybe, If Only

I am the 11th performer out of the 150 contestants. I didn't expect that there would be alot of people who are going to participate on this audition. I just came here trying my luck with no actual intention of winning. But for some reason, I wanted to do my best knowing that JB might be watching.

I didn't feel nervous or any pressure, considering the number of people who are watching. But when my name was called, I started trembling. Climbing on the stairs felt like a mountain to me. My knees were shaking as well as my hand.

When I reached the center of the stage, it felt strange. It is as if it was my first time seeing the crowd. I can't look at the people. I'm afraid they will judge me as soon as I start.

"Ms. Shin Hara, please introduce yourself"

I tried to look at crowd and began searching for my brother while I'm doing my introduction.

But a guy walking on the center aisle caught my attention and before he turned right to the audience seats, our eyes met.

As I've finished my introduction, the song suddenly played without any cue. I feel like I was going to faint out of nervous then suddenly, he smiled. JB smiled at me. My hands stop trembling. For some reasons, I felt so secured and reassured. 

I smiled back to him and began singing.

"I told you, you'll win!", my brother said nudging my shoulders after I get my medal and a big cheque of money, not the amount but the actual size of the cheque was really big.

"Whatever", I mumbled, trying to keep it cool but a smile suddenly left out my lips. Winning wasn't actually my goal but somehow I felt happy.

"Aren't you going to congratulate my sister?" my brother told JB.

"Chukahaeyo", JB said, giving me an awkward and shy smile.

It felt really awkward especially that my last conversation with him was not really  okay and my brother has no any  idea about it.

"Gomawoyo", I replied, almost a whisper, trying not to make any eye contact.

"Riah's right, you're good at singing."

I don't why he has to brought Riah up. But his eyes are telling me he misses Riah.

"Do you still have time, JB? Let's celebrate Hara's victory!", my brother said. "Don't mind the money, Hara will pay for our food."

"Excuse me?" my eyebrow just reached its peak.

I felt like I'm being ganged up by the two again. I remember during middle school how my brother and JB used to piss me off. Well, my brother was actually the one doing it and JB was like the mere audience. Sometimes he'll join in but I only throw punches to my brother.

I never had the chance to be close at him before. When it's only the two of us, it felt awkward. I always run away, afraid that he might discover I had a huge crush on him.

But when he became my bestfriend's boyfriend, we became close. And my feelings for him grew even more.

"Would it be too demanding if I'll ask for a chicken?" JB asked.

My brother is seated next to me and JB is seated in front of my brother. Judging his choice of seat, I think JB isn't comfortably with me yet. It was actually in favor of me because I was feeling the same.

We ordered some buldak, it was our favorite kind of chicken which literally means fire chicken. It served its name right because the grill is served at the table with a real fire underneath, allowing huge chunks of chicken covered in a thick spicy paste to be cooked. There's also melted cheese on top which makes it more savory.