Hidden: Strings of Fate

CHAPTER 36

I was still deep in thought when the lift broke the silence as it started to creak and grind. Finally!! It started to shudder. My hands unconsciously shot out at either side of me, grasping whatever was near me. I felt something curl around them but I couldn't comprehend what it was or why it was moving. I heard the lift start up again. The lights flickered a few times and then stayed on. The gentle hum of the lift generator suggested that it had started to work again. We all breathed out the breath we had been holding in.

"Honey," Wonshik whispered with his adorable smirk.

"Yes, oppa?"

"You can let go of my hand now." I looked down mortified and quickly released his hand. He chuckled. I had never been so humiliated in my life. I felt something squeeze my other hand and looked towards it. Leo was standing close. Very close. So, close that if it moved an inch more I'd be against his chest. I quickly urged my hand out of his and moved further away from him to the other side of Wonshik. 'Way to make thing even more awkward between us, Honey!' I thought.

We rushed out of the elevator as soon as it stopped on the 21st floor. First me, then Wonshik, Leo following shortly after. There was a bustle of noise coming from inside.

"Shall we go find out if we were missed at all?" I asked the two silent boys behind me. I looked towards Wonshik. He nodded with a cheeky grin; then looked towards Leo. He said nothing; his expression thoughtful.

As I was about to reach for the handle, the door flew open. It took a few minutes for the occupant on the other side to realise that we were standing at the door.

"Honey!!!" Hongbin bellowed, "you're back!! Are you hurt? There's nothing wrong with you is there?" Hongbin asked as he gave me the once over, tilting and twisting me so that he could evaluate my current state. Jaehwan dropped whatever was in his hand and came rushing to join Hongbin at the door. He enveloped me in a hug.

I managed to say "Oppa..! Let... me.... go," in a muffled tone of voice. He held me at an arm's length and said "do you know how worried I've been, young lady?" Wagging his right forefinger and resting his left palm on his waist, he continued with "what time do you call this?" He stood with his hands on his hips.

"Sorry, Ken-jumma." I said, apologising to one of Jaehwan many personalities. "My phone ran out of battery. That's why I couldn't phone any of you to tell you where we were," I explained.

"Oh ok, Honey. You're forgiven," he said giving me another hug. Then he turned his attention towards Wonshik and Leo.

"And you two... Where were your phones? Did they die and go to heaven too? Or were you just screening out calls?" Jaehwan started pointing at Wonshik and Leo. Leo shot him a death look. He instantly shut up.

"Don't you ever scare me like that again, Honey," I heard from the back of the two giants in front of me. I peered through the gap between them, then pushed past them and looked at the speaker.

"Oppa was scared...?" I asked innocently while tilting my head to one side. Hakyeon walked towards me and embraced me. "You know what I mean, Honey. Do you know how terrifying it was to wake up and find out that you were missing? I was about to call the National Intelligence Service!"

"Nice to know we were missed, right hyung?" Wonshik commented sarcastically while nudging Leo – he said nothing. "You can take care of yourselves, hyungs. You're not fragile." Hyuk stated. I didn't notice he was stood behind Hakyeon.

"Yah!" I punched him, "what are you trying to say? That I'm fragile?!" I accused.

"I didn't mean to offend you, Honey," he started, "I mean after all, you are a girl. Or at least supposed to be anyway. That punch really hurt, do you know that?"

"Yah!" Hakyeon slapped the back of his head. "At least think before you speak, Hyuk. Do you WANT to get killed?"

"Sorry, Honey," Hyuk apologised.

"It's ok, Hyukkie," I said while punching him yet again. "You were only kidding. Where's Min by the way?"

The boys looked at one another. "I have no idea," Hyuk offered up.

"Oh ok. I'm just going to go to put my phone on charge and wash up. You guys should probably do the same. By the way, you have no schedule today so just rest at home or visit family ok? Make sure you text me where you are so I know that you're safe. I'll see you later!" I reminded them as I made my way to the door.

"Arasso. Take care. And we'll see you soon Honey-ah," Hakyeon said as he escorted me to the door.

"Bye Honey-ah," the other members chorused.

"Oh, before I forget, Min said that there's apparently a surprise for you in the apartment," Hakyeon said in a questioning tone of voice just as he was about to close the door.

"I have no idea what she is talking about but I will surely find out what this surprise is when I go to our apartment," I reassured him, "I'm going now oppa."