Killer Concepts

Leo Part 3 TRIGGER

           The scene at the airport was the usual chaos of fans and reporters. Leo plastered a tired smile on his face and tried his best to play his part. He smiled and waved, feeling his energy depleting, sucked away by the crowd.  N stayed at his side, silently supporting and encouraging him. By the time they got back to the dorm all Leo wanted to do was collapse in his bed and sleep. After a quick check of his room that nothing had been disturbed while he was gone, he did just that.

            The next day was an off day for the group. Leo took himself down to one of the practice rooms located in the dorm building. He still needed more time alone to replenish his energy. He went straight to the piano. He had a song he wanted to work on.  He found playing the piano soothing and energizing. Unfortunately, the practice piano was seriously out of tune. He placed a call to the maintenance department in charge of the equipment and they promised to send a tuner over immediately.  The other practice rooms were already in use so Leo decided to just sit and wait.  

           Leo sat in a corner of the room working on his lyrics as he waited for the piano turner. He was surprised when the turner turned out to be a woman. Even in scruffy work clothes, she was beautiful. Her face was slender with a high bridged nose separating large dark brown almond shaped eyes. Long, silky black hair cascaded down her back from a high ponytail with a fringe of bang covering a high forehead. A hint of lip gloss accentuated a small pouty mouth an inviting pink. Leo felt instantly attracted. He couldn't take is eyes off her until she looked in his direction. He instantly dropped his head, shyly hiding his face on his knees.

           Kim Hyun Joo's heart jolted when she recognized who was sitting there. She was a huge VIXX fan, a Starlight through and through and Leo was her bias. When she heard about the call from Swordfish records for a piano tuner, she had begged her boss to let her take the call. She had only hoped to get a glimpse of one or two of the members. To walk in and find Leo of all people sitting in the same room as her sent her heartbeat into overdrive. Kim Hyun Joo took a deep breath to steady herself. Quietly greeting her idol, she went to work on the piano. She knew from videos and interviews how shy and introverted Leo was off stage and didn't want to do anything to alarm him. She was content to bask in the glow of his presence, occasionally sneaking glances in his direction.

          "Would you mind trying this out for me?" she asked when she was finished. Nodding, Leo got up and shuffled over to the piano, eyes glued to the floor. Sitting at the keyboard, Leo ran through a series of scales to test out the piano's tone. He segued into the new song he had been working on. Kim Hyun Joo listened excitedly.

          "Is that going to be Vixx's new song?" she asked.

          "Emm, not exactly." Leo stammered, keeping his eyes on the piano keys. "The company is thinking about producing a subunit with me and Ravi. I'm thinking this will be our first song."

           "Wow! You and Ravi? I can't wait" Kim Hyun Joo enthusiasm was rewarded with a shy smile from Leo. Even thought she could feel herself fangirling all over the room, Kim Hyun Joo kept a tight rein on her demeanor. She had her professional reputation to maintain. The company she worked for was on call with too many entertainment companies for her to risk flirting with any idol. Holding tightly to every ounce of professionalism she could muster, Kim Hyun Joo smiled brightly as she bid Leo goodbye and left.

          After she left, Leo sat tinkling at the keyboard and letting his imagination wander. He regretted not getting her name but that didn't stop him from fantasizing. He also came up with a plan to see her again.

          A few days later Leo chose a different practice room and after some strategic sabotage, reported the piano in need of attention. He also suggested that they get the same person as last time since that person had done such a good job. His prayers were answered when Kim Hyun Joo came to do the work. He greeted her with a warm smile.