Maybe?

Chapter 9

Going to repeat what I say every time but thank you so much for the reads, votes and comments. Anyway, back again with another chapter so hope you like it. 

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Joy POV

I can feel myself getting too involved, perhaps even to the point of falling in love with him again but I'm not allowed to. I'm prevented by the contract that both Sungjae and I signed. But I liked it way too much when he placed his hand on my thigh and took control slightly.

I know what I have to do now, I need to distance myself from him in order to stop the feeling spreading otherwise I'll be in too deep. When we're alone, I'm going to have put up a wall so I don't get hurt again.

Sungjae POV

We held hands up until we got to the car when Joy dropped it suddenly. It seemed so easy for her to switch from a couple one minute to almost strangers the next. I went to grab the door to pull it open for her but she quickly rushed inside and put her seatbelt on. This photo is going to be harder than I thought if she's going to act cold towards me. I walk to the other side of the car and get in.

I start the car and we make our way towards Han river. A couple of days earlier I had gone there to look for somewhere to take Joy on a date. I wanted it to be out in the open yet private enough where no-one would notice us because as idols, we don't get to go out in public often and I wanted Joy to experience it even for just a short while.

"People are going to recognise us here especially with the recent news and it'll make a big commotion." Joy says without looking at me as she continues to face away from me and towards the window.

"Don't worry, I found a beautiful place that's hidden slightly between a few trees. Hardly anyone goes there."

"It's not worth the risk." She says nonchalantly.

"For you, it's worth the risk." What did I just say? I mentally punch myself but out the corner of my eye I see Joy slightly turn her head to take a glance at me and I see her cheeks have gone red again. Maybe that line wasn't so bad then?

We pull up into one of the furthest spaces away from everyone else and we instantly put on our hats and masks. I look over to Joy and notice we're matching again which makes me chuckle slightly. Joy stops after putting her hat on and turns towards me.

"Isn't it obvious that we're famous if both of us are wearing hats and masks?"

"Everyone wears masks these days so it's fine. Damn, you're a bigger wuss than I remember." I nudge her slightly and chuckle but she doesn't laugh with me and keeps a straight face.

"I'm just being cautious, that's all."

"When did you hear of anyone having fun whilst being cautious? Come on, get out of the car already." She pulls her hat further down on her head and pulls the mask up. I go around to the back of the car and get the things out that I prepared earlier which includes a blanket and picnic.

"So, you had this all planned huh?" She looks briefly at me and turns to head to the river leaving me to wonder why she's being so cold to me all of a sudden?

I run ahead of Joy and lead her to the opening between the trees and it seems even more beautiful than when I came here before. The sun is shining through the tree branches producing scattered rays on the grass. I look round to Joy and can tell she's smiling behind her mask but in a second, it's gone and my heart breaks with it.

"I guess this is alright." What more can I do to impress her?

I unroll the blanket, placing it on the grass with the food. I sit down and place the camera recording behind us hoping to get a good screenshot to use as a photo. I pat the place next to me, inviting Joy to sit. She rolls her eyes and sits as far away as possible whilst still remaining on the blanket.

"Right, I've had enough of this. What's the matter?" I say sitting up and crossing my arms.

"What do you mean? Nothing's wrong." Joy says whilst not looking anywhere in my direction.

"If you're going to attempt to lie, at least do it whilst looking at me." This causes a sigh to come from Joy and she looks down towards her hands on her lap and now I can tell something is really wrong. I turn towards her and take her hat off which reveals small tears forming in her eyes. "Sooyoung-ah, I can tell instantly when something's wrong with you. We may not have talked for a few years but that doesn't mean I forgot about you. I remember everything, especially the way you act when something is bothering you so spill it."

"Fine. We need to stop whatever we're doing." She stays looking at her lap.

"Okay, but that might be a problem. I don't know if you heard in the meetings, but we're under a contract so we have to continue this supposed relationship." Another sigh escapes her mouth and a tear drops from her eye.

"I'm not talking about that, I'm talking about the real us. I can't be the only one that felt something developing between us again." The real Sooyoung is showing now. Not the over- confident, sexy idol who can have anyone she pleases that she showed me days ago. This is the vulnerable, young woman who has fears like anyone else.

"Yes, I did feel something even from the first time I saw you again despite what you did to me all those years ago. But I don't see why you're crying about it, it's a good thing isn't it?" She turns to me now with a mix of anger and shock.

"You're so naive! It wasn't my choice to cut you off, I was forced to by the company and I've had to put up a wall against you ever since to stop myself from falling again. But I can't do it anymore, it hurts too much." Joy begins to break down in front of me and I can now feel tears forming in my eyes. I reach to touch her cheek and pull our heads together, placing my forehead against hers.

"I shouldn't have believed that you were the type of person to do that and for that I'm sorry. But that's in the past and we're older and more mature now, I really believe that we can maybe be together for real." She closes her eyes and we remain in the same position for a few seconds before I feel her pull away.

"We can't...I can't." She gets up abruptly and leaves without another word; leaving me alone with nothing but an uneaten picnic and a camera that I forgot recorded the whole thing.

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Hope you guys are still enjoying the story and please be patient with it. Don't worry! Again, I enjoy reading all your comments so keep them coming.