JUST THE TWO OF US (English ver.)

Chapter 1

Today is my first day as a staff member of MONSTA X for their two concerts in Paris
It's almost time, I hurry. One last glance in the mirror, take my "STAFF" badge, put it in my new black bag from Saint Laurent and get out the door like a streak of lightning, and call an UBER.
In the UBER, I send a message to my aunt to tell her I'm on my way.
And 20 mins later, I'm in front of the concert hall.  I thank my driver, pay my way and head into the building.
At the entrance I find my Jullyane, I greet her and we head for the lodges.
- They are still in the lodge, the rehearsals begin in 10-15 minutes, she explains. It is good that you're here early, you'll be able to know them a little more.
On the way to the band's room, we meet the group's manager. I respectfully greet him and introduce myself, in Korean of course.
- I'll leave you with him, he'll take you to the group lodge, say Jullyane before moving away.
I smile at him and resume my walk with the manager.
- So you're going to be a bit like a translator/interpreter for the members, is that it? the manager asks.
- Yes, I confirm.
After a moment, he stops in front of a door and says:
- That's the boys' room, come on in.
The manager speaks first.
- Let me introduce you to Ilona Belluci, she will be your translator/interpreter during these 2 days In Paris. She will be with you during rehearsals and almost all the time.
Then he tells us that he can't stay and lets us get to know each other. Once the manager leaves, everyone gets together. And we start talking. I admit that I am a bit intimidated by them. They are all so charismatic and impressive- I think I even blush.
Suddenly, one of the members sitting on the couch gets up.
- Come and sit down in my place, he says.
- No, It's Okay Jooheon. I don't want to disturb, I answer, embarrassed.
- I insist, take my place.

Seeing that he really wants to, I sit on the couch.
- Well ... now we can talk more comfortably, he concludes. But, How do you know our names ?
- Pleased to meet you Jooheon, I reply with a big smile.  In fact, my best friend is a huge fan of yours so she've already told me everything about you all.
I look at every members. My eyes stop on the maknae I.M. He looks surprised,, that I know his name.
- Nice to meet you too , he says with a broad smile.
I greet the other members just as warmly.
- Tell us a little more about you Ilona, ​​encourages the leader Shownu.
- Of course. So, hmm... as you know, my name is Ilona Belluci. I was born on July 18, 1995. I'm Franco-Italian. I have a little sister, 5 years younger than me, Juliette. Our parents don't worry too much about money, I say jokingly.
- Do you work in Paris?, asks Hyungwon.
- Yes, but in 2 months, so in July, I'll move to another country to work.
- Far from France?, asks Minhyuk curious.
- Pretty far, yes.
  During the next 10-15 minutes, we keep talking while they get ready. They explain me what's gonna happen today, the rehearsals , the break at noon, then today's rehearsals end at 4 pm and that they're free to do whatever they want until 7 pm.
   We are in the middle of a tourist conversation about what I'll have to visit if I come to Korea when a STAFF member tells the guys to get ready to go on stage.
I had already seen this concert hall backstage but I'd never seen it empty, it's huge!
I see my aunt with the manager, I join them.
- Ha! There you are! Are you okay with the band? , aunt Jullyane asks me.
- Yes, very well, we laughed a lot! And they are great, I reply.
- That's great then!
- Yes!
I turn my head and see I.M coming towards us.
- Hey, noona, can you come, please? he asks me.
- Yes of course, but please don't call me "noona", it bothers me a little. Just call me Ilona, ​​I say, embarrassed.
- Got it.
- A problem?, I ask.
- Not for the moment, says I.M. We just want you to stay with us and tell us what you think of the first song.

- Of course, I don't move.
They go on stage, check their pickups, then start the 1st song: Beautiful. I'm impressed, they are really talented!
Throughout the song, Changkyun looks at me often. I must say that I can't take my eyes off him, I'm kind of captivated by him
Once the song is over, they come back to me.
- So?, Asks Jooheon. How were we ?
- Frankly ... I loved it, the choreography is perfect, and of course the song is insanely good, I say.
- Thank you, we appreciate it, says Shownu gratefully.
- You're welcome. That's the truth. But even if I don't think I'm in the best position, I have a tiny remark to make, I add.
- Don't be afraid, your remark could help us, encourages me Minhyuk.
- Well then, towards the middle, some of you seemed misplaced, compared to the choreography that I had already seen before.
At that moment, a man approaches the circle that we formed, without us realizing it.
- This young lady is right, Hyungwon you were too far left and Wonho you were too far away, he tells the group.
I turn my head surprised.
- By the way, I'm one of the choreographers of the group, he says greeting me.
I greet him in return.
- Welcome, Miss Bellucci, he answers with a smile. Guys, let's solve this little problem.
Members follow him, but Kihyun stops and comes to see me.
- Uh ... Ilona?, He says
- Yes Kihyun, a problem? Do you want me to bring you a bottle of water? A towel?
- No no, don't worry, he reassures me. I was just about to ask you to sit in the middle of the VIP seats, so you'll have a better view, in case you have other remarks. And also for us to have a vision of our choreography seen by the fans ... I mean where the fans will be.
- Of course, with great pleasure , I say with a broad smile. I would love to.
Kihyun seems more than happy with my answer.
- Thank you, and you know, you don't have to be formal with me, he says with a wink.
So I go to the VIP seat and sit right in front of them.

------------ A few hours later ------------

       The rehearsals went very well, I gave them my remarks, some tips. I helped make the Korean-French transitions, and I must say it was fun. But I especially enjoyed the show, it was amazing! The lights, the choreographies, the songs, the members, everything was incredible. They are very professional. I'm sure that the fans will love the show.
It is almost 4:30 pm and the last run-throughs are over when the group joins me in the VIP area.
- Wow! Guys it was crazy stuff! You must be exhausted.
- Glad to hear that you liked it, we did our best.
- After seeing you at the rehearsals, I'm more than confident for tonight's concert, you're going to put the public on fire - the fans will love it, I tell them confidently and serenely.
- I think I speak for the whole group, says IM. Your presence at our side during this day of rehearsals helped us a lot, so thank you.
The members bow. I feel very touched by what he told me and by the fact that they have all bowed to me. I feel indebted to them.
- I'm very touched. But it's me who should thank you. For letting me help you as much as I could, even if I don't know anything about K-pop, you've made me discover your world from the inside, I tell them while bowing myself at 90 degrees.
I stand up a little embarrassed.
- We have about 2 hours and 30minutes of free time, wanna go out?, says Hyungwon.
- Very good idea hyung, says Jooheon.
- Are you coming with us, Ilona?, Wonho asks me.
- Me? You want me to come with you?, I say surprised.
- Of course, we want you to come with us, confirms Kihyun.
- Well, I accept your invitation with pleasure, I reply with a huge smile.
So we all head for the exit after thanking and greeting the staff. At the hall, I see my little sister Juliette. Confused and surprised, I go to meet her.
- Hi Juju! Are you spying on me now?
It's always been like that between me and my sister. We love each other so much, we're very fusional and we love to tease each other. Sometimes, she tries to play at being a grown-up but I always know how to keep the upper hand- and my role of big sister.
- No, Mom sent me. And who are these 7 handsome guys you're with? she asks me suspiciously, turning her head towards the band.
- Why is mom sending you? And these "7 handsome guys" like you said are the members of the Kpop group that Aunt Jullyane asked me to help.
- She had to give some stuff to Aunt Jullyane as soon as possible, but she wasn't able to give it to her so she sent me instead of her, she explains. And where are you all going?
- Fine, but this is none of your business young lady.
- Please ! You know you can't hide me anything, big sis', she says with a mischievous smile.
She does have a point. I resign myself to tell her.
- Well, you're right, I say.
- YES!, She screams victoriously. So?
- With the members were going out probably, in Paris, I don't know exactly where. Because the rehearsals are over for today and they have to be back before 7.
- Aah, I see ... Can I come? she asks, sounding like a wounded kitten.
- Sister , you must be at least 1m30 to come in the van...I reply, teasing her about her height.
Since I'm taller than her, I'm always teasing her about that. She is 1m57 and I am 1m70. It's very funny.
- One day I'll catch you up sister. One day!
- That's it, one day, I say amused. Aunt Jullyane must be backstage. That's not all but they have to wait for me. We'll talk again later ...
Without waiting for an answer I turn on my heel and head towards the boys.
- Wait! Ilona!
​​I stop and turn around.
- You can at least introduce me to them, no? she says.
- I can do that. Come with me.
I beckon her to follow me. As we walk to join them, Juliet asks me in which language I speak to them. I answer her we speak in both Korean and English. She seems relieved She can't speak Korean.
- Guys, let me introduce you to Juliette, my little sister.
- Not THAT little, I was born on March the 2nd, 2000, she retorted, glaring at me. We're only five years apart.
- It's lovely to meet you, Juliette, said Changkyun with his BOSTON accent. I'm I.M.
The other members introduce themselves too. We all talk together for a moment before we split