Unkind Fate: Jaebum

☑️ Chapter 14: Surprises

Today is the evaluation day. Everyone is seemed to be nervous but I told my team to just enjoy the stage and forget that we're getting evaluated.

We're all gathered backstage, waiting for our turn, when suddenly one of the production crew excused me for a moment.

Confused, I still followed him. "Is there anything wrong, sir?" I asked politely.

He shakes his head and instead, he pointed someone. JB was there, standing at the corner of the hallway with a paperbag on his hand.

He smiled at me. I bowed to the crew and went over JB's direction.

"What is it?" I asked, confused but at the same time relieved as I got to see him before we performed. It felt like he became my anti-anxiety pill.

He dragged me out to the emergency exit and went on the staircase. He pulled me down to take a seat.

He suddenly grabbed my foot. Out of surprise, I throw a kick. Not that hard but it makes him stumbled on the floor.

He screamed but later on laugh "That was hard huh"

I bit my lips and immediately ran to him. "Sorry", I apologized, gently giving him a massage on his arm which I just hit.

He held my hand, making it stucked on his arm.

He raised up his head, letting our eyes meet. What is this? I feel like we're doing a kdrama scene!

I feel like there's drum inside my chest. It keeps on rolling and pounding.

I know we're just friends although what I felt for him is more than that. But I don't want him to do these kind of things, making me confuse and giving me some false hopes.

He moves a little closer, making my eyes flutter with the little distance we have now.

I closed my eyes and hold my breath although I don't know why I have to do that.

*Flick*

My sanity finally came back when he flicked my forehead.

When I opened my eyes, a grinning JB is what I see.

"You're cute", he said, giving his eye smile.

I rolled my eyes in response.

He stood up and offered his hand to me, to help me stand up. But I rejected his offer. I stood up on my own which makes JB laugh even more. I'm pissed but more embarassed to what I did.

"I'm just borrowing your feet because I have something for you"

He knelt down in front me and successfully took off my shoe this time. He replaced it with a new one.

"Every step you take with these shoes will bring you closer to your dreams" he said while tying the laces.

I was left in awe, unsure of what to say and what to feel.

"Good luck to your performance. I believe in you!" he said, sincerely.

I couldn't help but hug him, "Thank you".

"Just take these shoes with you every performance. Use it whenever you go. But never kick someone with it!"

He laughed.

I rolled my eyes at first but later joins the laughter.

"Where did you buy this? This is actually the shoes I wanted", as I walked off the shoes.

He didn't answer and just smile.

"You saw me looking at this shoes on the store?", I asked, surprised with the idea that he actually bought the shoes I've been eye-ing.

He nodded.

"Ya! This is expensive. I can't take this", I said.

"My cousin got it in a discounted price. Don't worry about it. Just do well and that's enough for me"

I smiled, not knowing what to say. I'm just grateful to have him. It felt like I'm being spoiled by him. It was embarassing yet it felt good.

The shoes that JB gave became my lucky charm and he was right when he told it'll bring me closer to my dreams.

Our team got first placed, making us reached the level 2. I was also awarded as best performer in the singing category for the individual act.

Right after the awarding, we went out to celebrate our victory. And this time, we treated Lisa and her friends for watching us and giving some support.

It was indeed a good day!

But as soon as I came home, I suddenly felt down. Being at home feels so empty. I barely see my brother  nowadays because he often goes home late. Of  course, my parents are in our town, busy with our restaurant. So basically, I am just alone.

I texted my brother that informed him the good news I have but I didn't got a reply yet. I called my mom and was happy about it. However, our conversation didn't last long because there are alot of customers in our restaurant.

I throw off myself on the sofa when suddenly the doorbell rings. I was wondering if it was my brother but then it couldn't be him because it was still early.

When I opened the door, it was a chicken delivery.

"Ahjussi, you might be mistaken. I didn't order chicken."

"No, I am very sure this is the address." He checked his phone to confirm and yes, it was correct. "I'll leave it then. Someone might have order it for you."

And before I could asked the number who have ordered it, he went away.

Who could it be?

A few minutes after, my phone suddenly rings. It was JB.

"Chukhahae!", he said over the phone, enthusiastically.

"Thank you!! How did you know, we won?"

"Of course, I have my connections", he said, trying to sound cool but he burst out from laughing afterwards.

"Enjoy the chicken!", he said.

"It is from you?" I asked, surprised.

"Remember, you told me to buy you a box of chicken if you win the evaluation. I just keep my promise just like how you keep your promise that you'll do well."

It was actually a joke but he took it seriously. And the fact that he remembers it, is very surprising!

"I didn't know you'll actually buy me!", I said, too happy.

"Can I make a video call? I just wanted to check that you'll eat the chicken."

"Are you serious?"

"Yes."

And he made a video call just like that. It was the first time to have such conversation over the phone.

I thought he just wanted to make sure I will eat the chicken he had sent me. But our conversation keeps on going and ended up over night.

Are you the JB I used to know? I mean, you are not as thoughtful and sweet to me as you are before.

JB, you know what, you are full of surprises.