Strangers ~ A Taemin Fic

Chapter 3

     "I-I can't believe...oh my god, I am so sorry, Taemin Oppa," I apologize, my Japanese accent coming out during my stutter. I see him smile once again, his hands continuing to hold mine. "H-how do you know my name?"

     "You're my backup dancer. Of course I know your name," he smiles, my eyes widening at the fact that he actually knew who I was and possibly my background. He notices my all of a sudden shyness, for he then asks, "you don't seem too pleased."

     "Oh no," I exclaim, quickly grasping my head from the unexpected jerk. "Sorry, I'm honored but I...I can't be seen here...with you."

     "And why's that?" He cocks an eyebrow. I took in his features: his perfect lips and facial structure. I wish I could look forever.

     "I..." I pause, releasing his hands and hugging my waist nervously. "I'm sorry to be rude to you, oppa, but..."

     "From now on," he interrupts, stepping a few steps towards me so he know towered over me once again, "you call me Taemin. Now may I drive you back to your dorm?" He asks, offering his hand once more in an attempt to help my dazed self home.

     Hesitating, I bite my lip in thought. "It's getting cold and you have rehearsal tomorrow. My car's waiting up front," he gestured his head towards the street packed with incoming traffic.

     Nodding my head, I lay my hand in his, allowing him to immediately hold it tightly for warmth. We walk around the building to where a beautiful, matte, black car was parked on the curb. "Y-you can drive your own car?" I ask, amazed at such privilege he had over me.

     "Well, I've been in the industry for over a decade," he chuckles, opening the passenger door for me. I climb in, the warm leather touching my exposed screen scattered with goosebumps.

     He shuts my door and walks over to his side of the car where he climbs in beside me. I couldn't help but feel like an outsider in his car that he worked years to buy. 'At least he's not in debt.'

     "What do you think?" He asks, starting up the car and connecting his phone to the Bluetooth.

     "Hm?" I reply, not understanding what he was asking.

     I see his thumb press a song before shutting it off and turning to face me. "The song: Criminal. You're my main dancer in the music video in 2 weeks so...what do you think of my idea?" He asks, pulling away from the curb and into rushing traffic.

     My mind went blank for a few seconds. 'How do you explain to someone how much something that they created means to you?'

     "It's...probably the best choreography I've ever learned and I've danced for a few years now," I smile, his lips spreading into a grin as his voice hummed through the speakers in a soft volume. "I'm excited for the costumes especially."

     "Are you now? I thought they were a bit pricey for you trainees so I was unsure about them," he replies, my head shaking in response.

     "I couldn't be in any more debt than I am now, so I'll just enjoy all of it now without thinking about the cost," I sigh, gazing out the window where I notice I was still slightly shaky. I was always shaky though. You can't go through what I've been through and not be always unsure of everything.

     We both grow quiet but I catch him glancing my way once before making a turn towards the dorms. "I'm surprised you're not nervous to be my main dancer," he smirks, changing the subject.

     "Oh no, I'm terrified," I release a shaky laugh, his jaw slightly dropping in confusion.

     "Terrified? You do realize what I am on stage is completely different to how I am in person, right? I mean, have you seen my MVs?" He chuckles, my head nodding as I try to hide my prominent smile.

     "It's...such an honor to dance with you. Although, I do tend to wish I was here earlier so I could dance with you to Danger, even though you ended up choosing all males," I admit. His eyebrows raise, clearly impressed by my response.

     "So...you're more of a "debut song" person?" He asks, pulling up to the dorms and putting the car in park.

     He turns his head towards me as I hug my arms to hide my shakiness. "Not all debut songs are great, but yours and SuperM's has to be my favorite. Don't tell anyone in Nct or Exo I said that though," I smile awkwardly as he lets out a laugh.

     "Oh you're cute. I'm glad to work with you, Yuki. It'll be exciting to show your talent in my, generally the same, music videos," he chuckles, my cheeks flushing pink at the compliment. It suddenly occurred to me why I was here and I grew serious.

     "T-Taemin...if you will, I beg you to not tell anyone what you saw tonight," I plead, clasping my hands as he too grew serious once again. "I...I can't afford to lose my job, as horrible as it sounds, or my position on the dance team. Don't mention Jun or my...my work...please."

     He nods his head immediately at my words, allowing myself to shakily release my held in breath. Tears slowly fill my eyes in fear of the consequences I could face in the future if this slips out. "Hey," he leans in, raising a hand and gently pushing a tear away from my cheek. The feeling of his soft thumb grazing against my skin sent jolts of electricity throughout my body. "I understand the struggle of being a performer...and I know what you must do to make sure you don't crash and burn."

     His words felt as if they were holding me in a hug. Even though it was something all idols had to deal with, no one ever talks about it because of the ugly truth behind the curtain.

     "I'll tell you what," he starts after my long seconds of silence, "why not come over to my place tomorrow. Don't you ever go back to that club, you hear me?" He says in a serious tone that made me want to nod in fear but steal shake my head in confusion.

     "I-I need to pay off my debt..."

     "I'll be paying it off for you, starting tomorrow," he cuts me off, removing his hand from the side of my cheek and seating himself back at the drivers seat. I took that as my cue to finally leave, so I do.

     'Lee Taemin is going to pay off my debt?'