Back In Time || Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart FF || Discontinued

Chapter 20: Quicksand

Hana POV

My brother, Joongi, is the biggest darling in the world. I returned to my sorry excuse of an apartment to pick up some clothes to find it tidied up. I tried to call him up but he wouldn't answer. I can't blame him; when you have the amazing Ha Jin as a girlfriend, how can you let yourself be distracted by anything else?

The phone rang and it was Baekhyun.

"Wassup?"

"What is it?"

"What is with this bored tone? Aren't you excited to hear from me?" he complained in his cute voice. I could imagine this cutie pouting and I grinned.

"Ah don't complain. I've barely had an hour's sleep yesterday. I'm drained and I look like a panda."

"You've got dark circles? Puh-lease dramaqueen. Your latest instastory was hashtagged "bare face look"."

"Yah!" I said crosly, "Bare face look is a makeup look. You call yourself a celebrity when you don't know this?"

"Wow, you're a cheater."

"It is a bare face look. I just put on a bb cream that's all. Anyway, is that why you called me?"

"No. I miss you, sis."

"Well, right now, I don't miss your rude ass"

"Anyway, I need to buy something for my girlfriend"

"I have no advice to give. Your girlfriend and I have barely anything in common"

"Aish. No one is helping me out!"

"You don't need help."

"Oh. Hold up. Jonghyun-hyung wants to talk to you."

I froze and didn't say a word.

I heard his voice.

"Hello Hana"

Why was it still so painful? I couldn't reply. My entire body felt like it was stuck in place. My throat felt dry and my voice, stolen.

"Hello?"

I shook myself and cut the call.

I wasn't ready. I wasn't prepared. I wasn't strong enough.

Yet.

Tears stung my eyes. Angry tears.

No, I told myself, I will not ruin my makeup for a man.

I marched to my wardrobe and searched for the clothes I needed. The door bell rang.

It was my colleague, Vernon.

"Hey"

"Hey there. You took a while. I'm hungry"

"Got your favourite"

"Awesome. I'll be back in 10. Gotta pack a good deal"

"Need help?"

"Nope. Start eating. I'll join you later"

I packed my clothes faster than I'd expected and joined my colleague. I was really hungry and moody. So I ate without restraint.

"You're cute" he said.
I looked at him surprised but he was focused on eating too. A grin splashed over his face though.

He wasn't flirting. It wasn't that kind of compliment.
It was just a genuine observation.

"So are you" I said, "Curly hair, kind smile. You're everybody's kind of cute"
Vernon laughed. He laughed neatly. He would cover his mouth with the back of his palm and laugh when he ate.

"Sure" he said and rolled his eyes, "I'm the puppy cute kinda boy"

"Does puppy boy want a leash?"

"No madam! Not into that kink!" he said, "are you?"

"I think not."

"Boyfriend or girlfriend?"

"Preference or current status?"

"Both"

"I prefer men. Have none. What about you?"

"I don't know yet. I've never had a crush or been in love"

"What are you saying?!" I squealed in disbelief, "is that possible?"

"Well it is now" he smiled.

"Wow. This - this is"

"-unusual?" He helped.

"I was going to say new-" I said.

"-oh, that's - that's understanding"

"What did you think I was? A stuck-up brat?"

"Yup"

"Rude much? Does everyone think that way?" I said, shocked. I usually kept my naughty side away from work.

"No. I'm pulling your leg" he winked.

"Gosh that wink" I gasped, "Any girl could develop a crush on you. How is it that you haven't had a crush? No first love?"

"Nope"

"Seriously?"

"Get over it" he rolled his eyes.

We left for work as soon as we were done eating.

Somewhere between traveling together and working, I had developed a fondness for my fellow model-friend Vernon. He was kind and definitely a gentleman. And we also shared the same taste in music. Which made us each others' favourite car travel buddies.

"Hey. A friend is coming to visit me. He said you know him"

"Yeah? Small world. What is he here for?"

"He's going to shoot with us. I put in a word and showed them some pics of his"

"And they like him"

"Well, they are interested"

"What's his name?"

"Jeonghan"

I blinked and laughed.

"You remember" he grinned.
"Oh yes I do. Of course. We dated"

"Oh fantastic! It will make the shoot easier!"

"Why? What is the theme?"

"Jealousy"

"Who's going to be jealous of whom?"

"He is. Of us"

I laughed. This was going to be fun.

-Purple Poesy