𝓑𝓪𝓫𝔂𝓫𝓸𝔂 {H W A N J O}

여덟~8

Then the manager cleared his throat nudging the man next to him with his elbow. He cleared his throat. "Now to address the elephant in the room, Miss Ahn Hwayoung here." The man gestured to a woman sitting two seats down on her phone. I felt a pit in my stomach as she looked up at me and I sensed something wrong. "We were looking for new ways to publicize your group and some controversy wouldn't be the worst idea. So with that Youngjo, this will be your 'girlfriend'." The man made finger quotes as he spoke those dreadful words. 'girlfriend.'

Woong Pov

'Girlfriend?' "You'll need to take her out on dates in public, hold her hand, hug her, maybe kiss. Whatever you need to do to sell it." The man right next to her piped in, "She's a rising model and it should be good for her career to be seen with you, and hopefully, it will bring ONEUS some new attention as well." I felt a hand on my knee and I looked to my left to see Dongju giving me a worried but reassuring smile. I admit it did make me feel a little better, but only for a second as I turned back to look at the beautiful girl in front of us. She had now set down her phone and was paying full attention to the conversation.

"A girlfriend? Is that really necessary?" Youngjo asked with a hand rubbing the back of his neck. They all talked about logistics and details as I fell deep into thought. 'All of these stupid highschool-girl-like feelings, the blushing, the embarrassment, the nerve, everything was all for nothing. All for this to happen and him to be swept away. She's beautiful.. Who wouldn't fall for her eventually after going on a bunch of dates, hugging, holding hands, and-' I was pulled out of my thoughts by Dongju's squeezing hand on my thigh. "Ungie, do you need a second?" He whispered in my ear and I crumbled at the thought of escaping this situation.

Dongju read me well as he stood up and dragged me with him, stopping in the doorway for a second. "We'll be right back." He said simply before closing the door and storming down the hallway. We made it to the bathroom and Dongju instantly pulled me into a hug. "I'm so sorry Ungie." He said softly, bringing me to reality: my heart was shattered.

I fell into the taller but younger man's chest instantly unleashing a waterfall of tears. I had no idea how attached I was to even the idea of being with Youngjo. Now I'd probably never get a chance. I cried for what felt like hours as Dongju just stood there, holding me and rubbing circles on my back. Eventually though, I got myself together, sniffling and whipping my face with a nervous half-chuckle. "Here," Dongju gave me a soft smile as he grabbed a paper towel, patting away the tears and trying not to mess up my makeup.

"You'll be okay Ungie.. I don't know if this will make you feel any better but when they told Youngjo, he looked right over at you. Like he was seeing how you felt.. or maybe he wanted you to be his girlfriend." The maknae smiled warmly with a light poke on my shoulder. "Just keep your head up okay? This is being forced on him, the guy even said girlfriend with air quotes."

I nodded before sighing and turning to the door. "We should go back, huh?" I said softly before turning to look at my reflection. 'It doesn't really look like I was crying does it?' "Yeah, let's go," Dongju said with a soft hand on my shoulder. I walked next to the maknae as we made our way back down the hall. As we got closer and closer to the door I heard everyone talking. We walked back in, sat down, and thankfully, no one really questioned our absence.

Youngjo Pov

Woong and Dongju came back after about 10 maybe 15 minutes, and my heart dropped as he came in. At first, I just noticed he didn't look like himself but then I noticed his slightly puffy and reddened eyes. 'No. Why would he cry? Besides I could just be imagining things.' I glanced up at the girl, quickly looking away as I made eye contact with her. I've always hated the idea of this. Dating someone who knows me as Ravn, not Youngjo. If you get what I mean. She's pretty and all but.. no one could make me stare the way Hwanwoong does... 'I don't know what to do.'