Dance With Me

Chapter 51:

I sat on the floor near the mirror and watched him dance for the longest time. Then he walked up to me and motioned for me to join him. He offered his hand and I took it. He helped me up and instantly brought me close to his body. He gave me a lopsided smile as he wrapped his arm around my waist. Looking deep into his eyes I found myself forgetting about everything that had happened in the last 24 hours. I wanted to be here with him. We moved slightly to the rhythm of the music, just enjoying being so close together. Then all of a sudden the door to the studio opened and a figure, surrounded in shadow, walked in the door.

I instinctively jumped back from him as I heard the footsteps on the studio floor.

"You're fine, Raven. Don't be alarmed." The shadowed figure's voice spoke calm and soft.

"Bang PD? Why are you here so late!?" Hobi questioned his senior. Mr. Bang walked into the light and a small smile showed on his face.

"I've been sitting in my office going over things. I am trying to figure out how to counterattack this blackmail business. I saw you two come in the building from my office window." He looked at us with a sincerity that I'd never seen from anyone in such an important position.

"Let's sit down and talk, if you guys have time." He motioned to the floor and we sat cross-legged next to each other, across from him.

"There are things that I haven't mentioned about this whole issue. Things I've found out just today." The older man looked at Hoseok and then looked at me. "Raven, what all do you know about Choi Hei-Joo?" I kind of laughed and they both looked at me. Embarrassed, I stopped laughing.

"I'm sorry. I don't mean to be disrespectful. She's just really about gotten on my last nerve lately. Um.... as far as what I know about her - I know she wants Hobi. She thinks I stole her spot next to him? She came all the way to America to tell me that much. Outside of that and the fact that she hates me and has paid/bribed/blackmailed someone to hurt me, personally I don't know much." Mr. Bang nodded his head. "Oh! I think Jin mentioned something about her dad being a CEO of a big cosmetics company?" I added. He nodded again, confirming my statement.

"Do you think that is who blackmailed us?" Hoseok asked. Mr. Bang looked thoughtfully for a few minutes.

"I'm not sure. Namjoon said he found out Mr. Yoon was bought out by CEO Chang's secretary. So far there doesn't seem to be any connection to CEO Chang." He thought for another minute, carefully choosing his words. "When we first received the blackmail letter it was just that they would go public with your relationship if we didn't do what they wanted. Though the only thing they wanted from us at the time was to start assembling the girl group we were talking about starting next year. Now they are saying that we have to place Chang Hei-joo in one of the positions, or they will go public."

I looked up at Hobi, knowing where this was going.

"So that's what she meant last night?" I said softly to myself. I mentioned to Mr. Bang what had happened in the alley and what she said about being around Hoseok all the time while I'm gone to Busan. Hoseok seemed a little apologetic towards me, though I'm sure he was still upset about me putting myself in harm's way.

"So she broke her toe?" Mr. Bang chuckled at me a little. "That's some luck. Well you bought us some time at least. We aren't ready to announce that we want to start a girl group yet. We wanted our new group to have the attention they deserve during their debut." I looked at Hobi with a smirk on my face. Knowing what I did ended up being a good thing made me feel validated in my actions.

Mr. Bang continued. "We had planned to announce the girl group in the fall, after the boys debut in July. Looks like we may have to move their debut up a little if promising her a spot doesn't end the threats."

"Will they be ready?" Hoseok seemed genuinely concerned about his dongsaengs.

"I'm not sure. They seem pretty solid now. They practice almost as much as you guys did. But I'm more worried about their mental readiness."

"I'm sorry, sir." I began. Guilt began to wash over me again. "I feel horrible for causing all of this trouble. I tried to go to Busan early, but Hobi won't let me go." There was another small chuckle.

"We'll work this out. You two were doing what I asked, being careful and making sure the fans were cared for first. I understand you were being very selfless in that aspect, Raven. Everything was just fine until Hei-joo got involved. None of this is your fault. And we will figure something out. I do have a question though. And you neither one have to answer now. I want you to think about it." We both looked at Mr. Bang with wide eyes. He smiled and continued.

"What would you guys think of going public with your relationship?" Hobi and I stared at him. Forgetting all of my formalities, I let words slip from my mouth again before thinking properly.

"Wait, what?" I covered my mouth as soon as I said it. "Oh gosh. I'm so sorry, Mr. Bang. I just -" I looked at Hobi. "I just wasn't expecting that." Mr. Bang smiled at me.

"Yes, well. It is not the normal lifestyle of idols, but these are special circumstances. I saw an outpouring of support the last time this came about. Of course there were other things said that weren't supportive, but a lot of it was. I think, or should I say, I hope the k-pop world is changing a little. That's not to say, were you to decide to go public, that things will be easy. They most certainly will not be easy. It very well may be detrimental to the group as a whole, but especially to Hoseok. But then it also may not affect the group at all. The one person it will definitely affect is you, Raven. So I want you and Hoseok to talk about this, think it over, talk to your members, Hoseok, and get their suggestions/thoughts. There is no need to make a decision now. We can buy some time with the broken toe, but inevitably something else will be demanded. And I do not want to see you all go through that."

"But, but...." I didn't know what to say. I couldn't get any words to form in my mouth. "I can't do that to Hobi, sir. I can't risk what he's worked for his whole life."

"Raven," Mr. Bang tapped my knee. "There is no reason to make a decision now. Just think it over. Both of you. Besides, you'll be gone to Busan for at least two more semesters. There is no rush."

He got up from the floor and we followed suit.

"Thank you, sir, for thinking of us. We will work hard to come up with a solution." I bowed to him out of respect.

"Thank you, Raven. Sometimes I worry about Hoseok. Everyone always expects him to always be bright and sunshiney. But we all know that is impossible, even for him. I know, from what he has told me, with you, he will be okay." I looked at Hobi who mysteriously missed my "just what HAVE you told him?" glare.

"I'm going to get going. Hoseok, don't forget you have a schedule tomorrow. You probably need to get some rest as well."

"Yes, sir." Hobi said to Mr. Bang. "And thank you, sir." We both bowed to him again as he left us standing alone in the studio.

Once the door shut behind him I looked over at Hobi and found him looking at me. Looks of shock, then amusement covered our faces almost identically.

"What the what!? What just happened!? I thought dating was a no-no!? I've seen fans petition for the removal of a member for getting married. Am I dreaming this?" I held my arm out to him. "Here, quick! Pinch me. Wake me up." Instead of pinching me, however, his hand grasped my forearm and he pulled me to him. His lips crashed on mine in an intense kiss. He pulled back after several long minutes and touched his forehead to mine. The smile on his face was as big as I had ever seen him smile, I think. I smiled back at him, his lips only an inch from me.

"I'm gonna say after that, I'm definitely awake." He snickered slightly and I joined him. Then his lips were on mine once more and everything seemed right in the world again. At least for a little while.