“Baekhyun, where were you again last night?”
I have just woken up to Chanyeol cooking breakfast in my house which was a really weird picture.
“Why are you cooking? Where’s mom?” I poured myself some coffee and sat at the table.
“She went to the grocery store. She asked me to cook. Answer my question politely and I won't put poison in it.”
“Do you even know how to cook?” I mused carefully watching how he flips the pancake like the amateur that he is.
Chanyeol would occasionally cook for us in the dorm. He isn’t really bad, but he isn’t really good too.
“Of course I know how to cook. Your mom even taught me a new recipe. I can’t wait to cook it for all the members when we get together again”
“So you two are bestfriends already?”
“You could say that. But I think she likes to adopt me”
“Imagine the chaos you could bring." I laughed as he did. "When is your family coming back?"
“You feel threatened that you're kicking me out already?" He placed the pancake in front of me then he grabbed a fork from the drawer.
I reached for an apple and threw it to him which he easily caught while laughing.
“I think 2 days from now. I’m not sure. I’ll just call them later"
I started eating the food he made for me. I tried my best to avoid telling him that it tasted good.
"Hey. You didn’t answer my question. Where were you again last night? Why are you always out anyway?”
Last night.
I only wanted to stroll a little last night because I couldn’t contain myself from delight. The last time I felt like that was that time when we were going to debut. There was so much excitement.
I didn’t expect to see Angel there especially with that face. Her eyes were being forced to close. Her teeth were gritting in anger.
After last night I felt like I already know her a lot. I understood everything including the letter she left. Everything she said and everything I heard makes me want to protect her even though I know I don’t have that much time. It still pains me to think that she almost killed herself.
My voice has done me a lot of good things, but what it did for Angel is what I’m most thankful of right now.
“Spacing out again Baekhyun” Chanyeol said while hitting me with a spoon.
“I went to the park. For fresh air” I kicked him away forcing him to back up to the sink.
“With whom?”
“Why do you think I was with someone?"
“Why would I not think that you were? If you ask me I think you have been spending some time with a girl whose name is probably Angel"
“How did you?" I gasped.
"I knew it was a girl. Guys don't just space out or stare blankly if it wasn't for a girl.
“I don’t do that.” I argued. I didn’t know I do that. I just think a lot lately.
“You do. And I can see you. Enough with the chit chat. Get a shower and we are heading out."
"Why do you know her name?"
"That's because of the most obvious reason, I saw it on your phone. Your most recent log. I sent her a message, you might want to check that out"
“WHAT! WHAT DID YOU SAY?” This guy better not have sent anything stupid to Angel or his head is the only part of him going back to the dorm.
He only laughed at me.
I hurriedly went to my room and took my phone. There’s a message from Angel that says ‘Ok. See you’. I opened the conversation: ‘Good morning Angel. Are you busy? Let’s meet at the park at 9:30. I want to introduce you to Chanyeol’.
I ran back to the kitchen. “Really Park Chanyeol?"
He sipped from his coffee and pointed at the wall clock.
I looked at the time 9:08 am. I ruffled my hair
I hurriedly went back to my room to fix myself. I am a little bit annoyed with Chanyeol but I’m also thankful for what he did.
At least I’ll see how she’s doing.
---
It’s almost 10. We have been in the park for 30 minutes now but still no signs of Angel.
“It’s been 30 minutes Baek. Can you text her? Maybe she can’t find us. Should I remove my scarf?” Chanyeol said as he laid his head back. We are again all covered up. There were more people here than we initially thought and we didn't want to make a mess.
“No. Do you want to die here? She’s not here yet.”
“How do you even know? This park is so big"
I rolled my eyes. “That’s because I know what she looks like and I haven't seen her yet”
I looked in front of me and saw a girl being flustered. I looked at her closely.
She’s here. She’s really a lot prettier in daylight. I think she was looking for us. And I can’t just go reveal myself with all these people. I can't call her because people might recognize my voice.
I smiled as a brillant idea crossed my mind.
Should I test how much she recognizes my voice?
I took a deep breath and began to softly hum a song.
“Great. That is exactly what we need right now" Chanyeol rolled his eyes at me.
I looked at Angel. She heard me and now she’s searching for my voice
I continued a little louder.
I saw her look on our way. I smiled though it can’t be seen.
She started walking towards us with a smile on her face.
“I am so sorry it took me long. I just had to take care of a situation at home” she started mumbling.
I looked at Chanyeol and he was confused. "Are you lost Miss?" He asked.
Angel frowned and I hit Chanyeol’s arm “Hi Angel. It’s okay we just got here ourselves."
Chanyeol looked at me surprised “This is her?” he asked. I nodded my head and signaled him to introduce himself.
“Ahh. Hello. I’m Park Chanyeol. It’s nice to meet you” he said as he bowed his head. Angel did the same.
“Hi I am Angel Hughes. It’s finally nice to meet you Park Chanyeol” she smiled.
Chanyeol was elbowing my side and he’s already hitting hardly. “Please excuse us Angel” I said as I dragged Chanyeol a little further from her.
“What is wrong with you? It hurts.” I hissed.
“Is that really her? She’s doesn't look like a Korean? She’s so beautiful”
“Back off”
“Protective already?” he mused as he looked at Angel.
"No. I'm just telling you that she is an important person and whatever thought is going through your head, erase that"
He smirked. "I just said she's beautiful. You don't have to be so jealous"
I felt my face redden with embarrassment while Chanyeol suddenly laughed. “I bet she'll love me. I can see us being very close." He skipped back towards Angel leaving me with a strong feeling of possesiveness. I've never been this annoyed of Chanyeol before.
I walked back to where the two were and Chanyeol was already leading her away from the park gently pushing her back. I had to run to catch up with them.
“Where are you going?” I shouted and Angel looked at me. She stopped and waited for me to catch up.
“Don’t run Baekhyun, you would trip. We’re going to eat at a restaurant” she said as I was getting near them.
“Don’t be too slow hyung. Maybe next time you won’t catch up anymore” Chanyeol said as he winked at me.
I feel like killing someone.
We arrived at the restaurant with Chanyeol and Angel walking side by side while I was walking at their back. I looked like a third-wheel.
“Angel you order first” Chanyeol said as he gave her the menu. "Get anything you like. Don't worry Baekhyun will pay."
“Uhh. I’ll have what you guys want” she answered shyly.
“Chanyeol doesn't eat normal food" I uttered.
She laughed and looked at me “Then I’ll have what you want Baekhyun” she said. Chanyeol glared at me and I only laughed at him.
Our orders arrived soon and we started eating. Angel and I had steak while Chanyeol who has been on a diet for our comeback had salad.
“Hey Angel. You’re not Korean are you?” Chanyeol mumbled in between his chews.
“Actually I am. I am 50% Korean because my mom is Korean. I’m also 25% Filipino and 25% American” she wiped her mouth with the napkin. "I'm a complicated mix" she laughed.
“That explains why you are very pretty” he smiled to her. Is this guy actually flirting with her?
I saw her blush and nod her head “Thank you” she said.
“Have you been here long?”
“No. It’s just been almost 2 weeks. I’m just having my vacation here.”
“Where do you live then?”
“Philippines.”
“Oh. We were there a few months ago. Did you see us?”
I saw Angel look down and upset “I did, but I did not have the chance to get closer"
We were all silent for a while when Chanyeol shoots his head up like he remembered something.
“Can I ask you something?” he asked.
“You've been asking since a while ago". I laughed at her response.
“Back at the park, there were a lot of people. Baekhyun and I were all covered up. Even if I have been with Baek for a long time, I wouldn’t really recognize him with all these clothes covering him”
I looked at Angel and I felt like she already knew what the question was. I didn't really want her to feel uncomfortable whenever I'm around her.
I hit Chanyeol. “I told you your neck attracts attention!” I teased him to divert the topic.
“I’m not talking to you!” he said as we started to have a staring contest.
I was about to say something when I heard Angel let out a breath “It’s his voice” she said clearly. Chanyeol and I looked at her. “I found you both because I heard his voice.” She said as she looked at me with a smile on her face. I can’t help but smile at her too.
“He was just humming. It was a really soft hum. How does that work?"
“I don’t know." She shrugged. "Maybe because it’s not only my ears that can hear him.”
My heart skipped a beat. I don’t know what she meant with what she said but I can’t help but be flattered. I saw Chanyeol look at me curiously.
“How do you know she’ll see us when you use your voice?” he asked. "Do you both have some telepathy going on here?"
“I’ve experimented on that” I smirked.
“I bet that makes you feel good." He rolled his eyes. "You know Angel, you should really listen to me rap."
She giggled. "Sure. I'd be down for that"
“If you are from the Philippines, then how did you two meet and become friends?"
She looked uncomfortable again and I can’t help but hit Chanyeol for making her feel that way. “Stop making her feel uncomfortable Chanyeol.” I scowled at him.
“I was just asking” he argued.
“Some things are for personal knowledge only. You don’t have to ask her about everything and don’t push it when she doesn’t want to answer.”
“Fine.. Another question Angel” he turned again.
Angel looked up and looked at him. “Hmmm?”
“Actually it’s not a question. It’s more of a request?”
Now what is he up to? I swear I’m going to send him back to the dorm naked if he makes her do something stupid.
“Can you sing for me? Just a verse or a line or anything that’s comfortable with you” Chanyeol beamed. I looked at him and his face was really soft and curious.
“Sing? Uhh.. I’m not really good at it” she shyly said.
“What are you up to again Chanyeol?” I asked but he just shook his head.
“I feel like you can sing. And I can feel you are good at it.”
I didn’t understand what he said but when I looked at Angel she seemed surprised.
“Okay” she said as she took a deep breath.
“Even if I wonder through strange places, even if I get lost, I will follow my heart.
I can’t deny you.
Lead me, to the place you live, take me with you.
Oh, I’ll follow if it’s at the end of the world.
Please don’t escape from my vision, don’t disappear even when morning comes.
Oh, your walk is the walk I dream of,
you are my one and only beautiful butterfly”
I smiled. I knew she has it in her. She sang beautifully, and that was the song I sang to get her attention awhile ago. I knew I wasn’t mistaken when I heard her sing a line, I knew she’s a singer by heart. I like it, I like this part of her, I like it a lot.
I looked at Chanyeol and he was still looking at Angel with awe. I smacked his head “It’s over” I said.
He began clapping his hand “Were you a singer at the Philippines? That was beautiful. Now I understand what this person said to me” he said as he began tapping my shoulder.
Angel looked at me confused and I felt embarrassed.
“Thank you, no I’m not a singer back there. And I don’t really sing that much” she smiled as she shifted her gaze from me to Chanyeol. I frowned
“I think you should do it more often.” Chanyeol said.
His phone suddenly rang and he took it out “It’s Suho hyung” he told me. “Please excuse me Angel, I need to take this” he said to Angel as he went out to answer the call.
“That was a beautiful performance there” I told Angel as she continued eating.
She looked at me and smiled “Thanks. That’s also another favorite song.”
“Yeah. I didn’t know you also know that song. I thought you wouldn’t hear me awhile ago.”
“I heard you the first time. It’s just that it was soft that I couldn’t point where it was coming from”
“How are you doing? Are you okay now?” I asked her. I know it wasn’t really good for her last night.
“I’m fine. It’s nice of you to text me and asked me to come with you guys. It gets my head off those stuff.”
Now I think I have something to be thankful for Chanyeol again.
"That's good"
"Uhh.. What was Chanyeol saying awhile back?"
I started to feel embarassed and uneasy....
“Yaaah Baekhyun” Chanyeol half-shouted as he was coming back to the table. “Suho hyung called.
Saved by the giraffe
“Yeah I know. You said that awhile ago. What did he say?” I asked.
“He was calling you but he said you wouldn’t answer it.”
I took my phone out and true enough there were several missed calls from Suho hyung
“It was on a silent mode. What did he say?” I asked again
“He said he’s coming here tomorrow to check on us”
“Ooooh. Coming to see if we are still alive. That’s really nice of him” I said. This is really typical for Suho hyung. Checking on the members every now and then.
---
We finished eating and were heading home. Chanyeol and Angel were walking together again and were talking about something I can’t hear. Angel keeps laughing that it makes me upset.
“Chanyeol. Let’s go back. I forgot something.” I said as I pulled Chanyeol away from Angel.
“But…” he argued.
“Can you excuse us Angel?” I asked
“Of course, I can walk home. Take care you guys” she said as she walked away. I dragged Chanyeol away.
“What did you forget?” Chanyeol asked. I didn’t answer him.
I took out my phone and started typing a message
To: Angel:
I’m sorry about that. I just really forgot something. I didn’t mean to let you go home alone.
It’s really eating my guts to let her go like that. But it’s better than what I was seeing awhile ago. After a while my phone beeped and I opened it
From: Angel:
That’s okay. I just forgot to say thank you to Chanyeol for the day. He’s really nice.
I frowned
To: Angel:
Yes he is.
I looked at Chanyeol dialing something on his phone. I heard a faint ring when it was answered.
“Hey Angel. It’s me Chanyeol. Are you home?” He knows her number? Sneaky giraffe.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t able to walk you home. Yes. I think Baekhyun’s jealous.”
What?
“Yes. Let’s hang out soon again ok? Bye” and he ended the call.
“How did you know her number?” I asked Chanyeol as he placed his phone back in his pocket.
“I asked her awhile ago. You’re not just the one who can have it right?” he smirked.
“That is so sly” I rolled my eyes.
“Are you jealous?” he asked.
I didn’t answer because I don’t know. But if I don’t answer, he’s going to tease me again
“No I’m not. I’m just concerned that you might do something to her like you always do.”
“I’m not going to do that to her. She’s a very special girl”
“Yaaah.” I smacked him. I don’t like him saying these things.
“See you are jealous.”
I just kept silent. “Don’t worry about me. If I don’t have Cassandra I would have really like her as a girl. She’s beautiful and she sings really good.” He looked at me “Don’t let anyone drag her away like that hyung. In real life no one is going to wait for you. You have to know what's yours”
Why is Chanyeol suddenly this deep..
I don’t have forever to stay beside Angel, I don’t know if something is going to happen but I like to think there is.. I nodded.
“So that’s what you meant with the voice pulling you. Now I understand.”
“Yeah. It’s really special.”
“Even if she met you earlier than me, I bet after today she likes me better than you already” he smirked. "Want to check it out?"
He really doesn’t know anything. He still didn’t get it. “Bring it on” I smirked
Chanyeol took out his phone and dialed Angel’s number again. She answered it after a few rings and Chanyeol placed it on a loud speaker.
“Hello Angel” he said
“Hi. Did you forget something?” she asked
“No. I just want to ask you this last question..” .
I am really confident. I know Angel is going to pick me over Chanyeol. There is no use making her choose.
“Do you like Byun Baekhyun?”
I froze. No. That wasn’t supposed to be the question!
“I uh….”
This feeling is like watching suspense movies, only this is a lot nerve-wrecking.
I heard her take a deep breath.
“I don’t”