"... yes, see you tomorrow! Byee"
James just finished a phone call.
"I guess I need to make a decision very soon.." James needs to make an important decision on which agency he will sign. He dials in another number to talk to someone...
*ring ring*
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.
.
"James oppa!!"
"huh?" James is confused that it was a different person who answers the call.
"Yeri?",
"Yes!"
"Oh.. uh.. annyeong..." James is still wondering why Yeri answers Irene's phone.
"Irene unnie is in shower..." Yeri tells him,
"Oh, I see.. that's why hehe."
"Do you want me to give it to Irene unnie?" Yeri asks and she has a smirk on her face.
"What? No no.." James replied and after that he heard a commotion on the other side. "Give me that!"
"Hello James?.., unnie is still in the shower. But I guess she is almost done.." Wendy intercepts the call from Yeri. "Haha oppa thinks I will really give it to Irene unnie..." he heard Yeri's voice.
"Yah, go away!" Wendy scolds Yeri and told her to knock it off. "James mianhae..." Wendy apologizes.
"Don't worry noona, anyway I think I should call later..." he was cut off by Wendy, "Irene unnie is done...".
"James...", he finally hears Irene's voice.
"Annyeong~~ I called at a wrong time hehe mianhae.." James feels shy.
"Aniyo~ it's fine. Anyway, what's up? something wrong?" Irene is actually curious because it is her that is always the first one to call but this time it was James.
"Nothing, I just want to check if uh... if you're doing okay..." James replied.
"Is this about the agency?" Irene knew exactly what he is thinking. "heh.. you got me.." James felt embarrassed.
"Well, what else it could be.. and besides you're the one who call first this time so it means you want to talk about something.." Irene said as she sits in the living room and drying her hair with a towel.
"You two sounds like you're in a relationship.." Yeri said loudly as she walk passed by the living room. "Yah!" Irene throws the towel at her and Yeri barely dodged it, she run away and head to her room.
"haha is that Yeri?" James asks as he heard what Yeri said. "Yes, don't mind her.." Irene picks up the towel she threw.
"Anyway, did you talk to Seolhyun?" Irene asks, "Uh you know she is in FNC ent. so she will strongly suggest it. So she isn't much of a help really.." James laughs as he explains. ".. I didn't knew this will be that hard. I really have to pick one soon.." he added.
"Yeah, especially when you are surrounded by people who has different opinions." Irene replied. "How about you noona.. which one you recommend?" James ask her,
"Me? uh...." Irene thinks for a couple of seconds before answering, ".. well FNC Ent. is good that's maybe why Seolhyun is insisting it and they have a number of comedians as well. Mystic is the same plus Janghoon oppa and Kyunghoon oppa is there. Then UAA, is a famous agency and Song Hye Kyo unnie, you know..",...
For the past few days James is in some news articles regarding the rumours that UAA is looking to sign him and that they are also expanding their roster, making him the first comedian/entertainer under the said agency. The news spread even more when UAA released a statement confirming the rumours. And adding oil to the fire, Song Hye Kyo openly said in a short interview that she personally recommended James to her company and at the same time, she is also helping the young comedian in his agency hunt.
"Yeah, because of Hye Kyo noona's statement I've been hearing my name in the news.." James said, "anyway, so what about S.M.?" he asks,
"Hmm.. Ho dong oppa, Soogeun oppa and Heechul oppa, that's three of the cast from your show is in our agency" Irene replied,
"They are actually pushing me to choose S.M. so the four of us will be in the same agency.." James commented.
"Right, also you've already became friends with a lot of S.M. artists so you will not have a hard time.." Irene said,
"That's true. And besides we can also be together more often if I choose S.M.," James replied without even realizing what he just said.
Irene became flustered and slowly blushing at what James said,. "w-what did you say?" she timidly asked. And only at that moment when it finally sink in to James' head what came out from his mouth.
"Eh?... wait.. noona.. not together, not like that. I-I mean.. w-we can see each other m-more often by not disturbing your schedules.." James stuttering as he tries to rephrase what he said.
Irene giggles and said, "I understand..", she is smiling brightly on the other side of the phone.
James is hitting his head and shouting to inside his head 'Paboya'.
"Just go with the one who you like the most. I'm pretty sure you already made a choice and you are just asking second opinions whether you will go for it or consider the other options.." Irene tells him.
"Noona, are you a mind reader or something?" James laughs.
Irene and James talks for the rest of the night until Wendy caught them again staying late.
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The next day...
"Araseo, I'll see you later. bye~", a beautiful woman sitting alone waiting in a table inside a fancy restaurant. Moments later a younger man approached her table.
"Mianhae noona~" the younger man politely gives her a deep bow.
"haha it's fine, have a seat.." Song Hye kyo smiled at him.
"I'm really sorry noona, I'm not familiar in this neighborhood.." James explains why he is late.
"It's okay don't worry, come on let's order first.." Song Hye kyo handed the spare menu to him.
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.
Meanwhile...
"Irene!"
Irene look behind her to see who's calling her name.
"Oh, Heechul oppa.." Irene bows to Heechul,
"Do you have a second?.." Heechul asks, "Sure, what is it?" Irene replied.
"Did James mentioned to you which agency he will choose?" Heechul asked her,
"Aniyo.." Irene shakes her head.
"I see..." Heechul's phone rang seconds later. ".. anyway thanks, I guess I have to go. Tell me if he already decided, okay?" Heechul walks away and answers his phone. "Hello, I'm on my way. What? Dahyun wants to meet James?.. he will love that...".
Irene heard what Heechul is saying before he enters the elevator...
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Several minutes later...
"Noona please let me pay for the lunch today.." James is begging Song Hye Kyo.
"Aniya~" Song Hye Kyo is waving her finger to him.
"Please noona.." James continue to beg but Song Hye kyo keeps on saying no.
"... okay noona, at least let me pay for the drinks.. pleaseeee!" James tries again,
Song Hye Kyo sighs, "Araseo~".
"Yes! Kamsahamnida!" James pumps his fist.
"You look happy.." Song Hye Kyo giggles. "Because you finally let me pay for something.." James replied.
"Here's your desserts, enjoy!" a waitress interrupts them by serving their desserts.
"mm... It's really delicious.." Song Hye Kyo takes a spoon of the gelato they have.
"wow~ so this is what it tastes like.." James is loving the gelato. "huh, what do you mean?" Song Hye Kyo asks, "oh.. I never I had gelato before, this is actually my first time eating one, hehe" James shyly replied.
"Really?" Song Hye Kyo is really surprised, James just nods at her. "Well let's eat more gelato.." Song Hye Kyo added and smiled at him.
"Anyway, is that your final decision?" Song Hye Kyo asked him.
"Yes noona, I'm sure.." James gives her a smile.
"Araseo~ I'm happy for you.." Song Hye kyo said to him.
"Thank you again noona for everything. All of these wouldn't be possible because of you" James sincerely thanked her.
"Aigoo, I didn't do anything special.." Song Hye Kyo takes another spoon of gelato. "But noona, because of you the top tier agencies called me.. I owe you big time.." James replied.
"Aniya.. just continue to do well especially on your show and that's enough for me.." Song Hye Kyo tells, "araseo.. I will do my best noona, promise!" James replied.
"I will be watching you.." Song Hye Kyo points her spoon and laughs a him. "By the way, you said you are going out later with Mina..?" she asks.
"Yup.." James replied while taking a spoon of gelato,
"Are you dating her?" she asked and James almost choked on the gelato. Song Hye Kyo is giggling while handing him some tissue.
"*cough* not you too noona.." James is wipes his mouth.
"What? She is really cute.." Song Hye Kyo is still laughing.
"We're just friends noona" James replied. "Then why are you going on a date with her?" she asked. "It's not a date, we're just having a dinner like normal friends do." he explains, "Noona you knew I'm doing that with Seolhyun too but you're not saying anything" he added,
"I knew you guys are best friends. But Mina,.. you were so sweet to her when she was on the show and you two look cute together.." Song Hye kyo commented, "of course she is a guest and my first seatmate on the show" James replied.
"Araseo~" Song Hye Kyo giggles, "although I won't be surprised if one day you will be in the news dating someone famous. You are already surrounded by pretty girls.." she added,
"That won't happen noona.." James answers back. "Why not?" she asked, "Good looking girls are meant to be with good looking guys. Look at you and Joongki hyung for example, the most good looking celebrity in Korea..." James explains.
Song Hye Kyo shakes her head, "aigoo, just like what Shinyoung said to me..." James looks straight at Song Hye Kyo while she is talking, curious what Shinyoung said. ".. you really have low self-esteem. In case you didn't know you are also a good looking guy." she said to him.
"I'm not noona.." James replied,
"Yah, you are probably the most handsome and good looking comedian in Korea, didn't you see the articles I sent to you....." Song Hye Kyo is now kinda nagging him like a big sister. "I saw and I read it, but I don't really believe it noona.." James replied, "Aish~ you're the only one who is saying that. You didn't realize you are hanging out with beautiful idols, good looking to good looking.. pshh" Song Hye Kyo rolls her eyes, James is just laughing at her. All of a sudden James' phones rings...
"A video call?.. uh noona excuse me for a moment.." James said to Song Hye kyo. "Sure.." she replied,
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"Oppa! Annyeong!~" Mina greets him first with a bright smile.
"Annyeong!" James smiled and wave at her through the phone's camera.
"Oh? Where are you oppa? That looks like a fancy restaurant.." Mina notice the beautiful background.
"Um yeah, this restaurant is nice. I'm having lunch with uh... well she is friend of mine.." James explains and he hesitated whether or not to tell that he is with Song Hye Kyo.
"She? ohhhhhh~~ oppa are you on a date?" Mina giggles as she cutely teased him.
"What? aniya~~ we're just friends and she has a boyfriend" James replied but Mina continue to tease him. "Oppa show me your girlfriend!!" Mina is having fun teasing James. "She is not my girlfriend, I don't have a girlfriend.." James retorted. "Come on oppa! I won't tell anyone!" Mina is giggling. James and Mina went back and forth.
Song Hye Kyo who is listening to them can't help but to laugh. She then signals James something and gesturing him to turn the phone around. James got what Song Hye Kyo is trying to say him..
"Aish.. do you want to see her?" James asked her and he is trying not to laugh because he knows that Mina will be shocked to see Song Hye Kyo.
"Yes! Yes!" Mina sound excited. "Araseo~~" James then slowly rotate the phone to landscape and hold the phone in an angle where it can be seen that he is sitting across Song Hye Kyo.
"oh!...." Mina looked closer on her phone then her jaws dropped and her eyes grew big after seeing the actress. "Mina annyeong~" Song Hye Kyo wave her hands and smiled sweetly to the young girl.
"Omo!!" Mina gasps after finally realizing that it was the real Song Hye Kyo. ".. annyeonghaseyo~~" Mina politely greets her and it looks like she is tearing up.
"Yah, are you crying ?" James laughs at her.. "Ani.. OPPA WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME YOU ARE WITH SONG HYE KYO UNNIE!!" Mina cutely yells. James and Song Hye Kyo is laughing at her.
"See I told you she is not my girlfriend.. you know who is her boyfriend right? Joongki hyung" James asked her and he now the one who is making fun of Mina. Song Hye Kyo lightly slaps James' shoulders as she became shy with the mention of her boyfriend.
"Is he there too?" Mina asks, "Aniyo, but we're meeting him later.." James replied.
"Okay, mianhae for disturbing you oppa.." Mina suddenly felt shy and apologetic. "It's okay, why did you call by the way?" James asks, "Oh, I just want to ask if our dinner later is still on.." she explains. "Of course! Hye Kyo noona and I will just need to go somewhere then after that I'll come and pick you up.." he replied.
"Okay see you later oppa!" Mina said, "Araseo~ say bye to Hye Kyo noona." James gives the phone to Song Hye Kyo.
"Mina-ya~~ you are so cute~~" Song Hye Kyo compliments her first. Mina blushed and felt shy,.. "ah.. kamsahamnida unnie! I'm a fan.. you are so beautiful unnie~~" she shyly replied to the actress. "haha gomawo~ I hope we can meet someday~" Song Hye Kyo said to her. "Me too, bye unnie.. nice to meet you~" Mina happily said to the actress. "Byee take care".
"Mina.. I'll call you later if I'm on my way, okay?" James said. "Yes, oppa!" Mina replied.
"Araseo~ bye bye" James then ended the video call.
.
"Mianhae noona~" James apologized to Song Hye Kyo,
The actress is giving him a look and scoffs.. "just a friend.., you are even going to pick her up..".
"Ahh noona.. not again.." James whined and Song Hye Kyo laughs at him, "haha araseo I'll stop.."
After they finished their desserts Song Hye Kyo and James leaves the restaurant and went to their other appointment before meeting Song Joongki in the other part of the city.
.
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Several hours later..
Currently 9:50 pm..
"Unnie do we still have yogurt?" Yeri asked their leader who is currently ironing some clothes.
"I think there's still some.." Irene turns off and puts the iron down before going to check the fridge. "Can I also have one.." Joy who is sitting in the living room heard them and follows them to the kitchen
"Unnie why are you not talking to James oppa?" Joy asks, "Yeah, at this hour you two are already talking.." Yeri added,
"Oh, he is having dinner with Mina.." Irene replied as she opens the fridge and look for some yogurts.
"huh?" Yeri and Joy look to each other. "Mina? Twice or AOA?" the two girls asked their leaders. "Ani.. Gugudan.. I.O.I.." Irene replies to her members.
"Unnie are you okay..?" Yeri asks their leader. Irene looks at her confused, then seconds later she figured out what her members are thinking, "It's not what you think.. besides why would I get mad or jealous, I'm not his girlfriend.." Irene explains, "oh, we still have some yogurts.." Irene found the yogurts. She opened them and gives it to her members.
"But you have feelings for him.." Yeri said, "huh?!!!" Joy got startled at what Yeri said.
"What?!" Irene got surprised.. "Ani.. I-I don't have feelings for him.."
"But Wendy unnie and Seulgi unnie said th--", Joy stopped Yeri from talking by putting a hand in her mouth. "hehe don't listen to her unnie.." Joy laughs nervously.
"I-I like him sure.. " Irene starts speaking softly, "because he is kind, sweet, and he is kinda cute too.. but it's not like what you-----" she didn't realized the words that came out from her mouth, she unconsciously said those things but it was too late. She look at Joy and Yeri who is just staring at her blankly. "A-Aniyo... I-I don't have feelings for him.." Irene is embarrassed and she quickly left her two members and went back to ironing some clothes.
"A r a s e o ......" Joy and Yeri mutters and they remain awkwardly standing in their place.
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.
Meanwhile..
"Oppa let's order another plate of Mandu.." Mina tells James,
"What? we already ordered 2 plates of Mandu.." James surprised at Mina's appetite.
"But it's so good..." Mina cutely pouts and gives him puppy eyes. "haha araseo~ steamed or fried?" James asked. "Steamed!" she excitingly replied.
"You know what, we should do a mukbang, I mean it's just the two of us but it looks like it's good for five people.." James points at the food in their table. Mina is giggling while her mouth is full. "Yah, stop giggling while your mouth is full you might choke.." James tells her and puts a glass of water near her. "Oppa stop making me laugh.." Mina tells him, "I'm not doing anything.." he replied.
"Oppa..." Mina swallows the food in her mouth, ".. I thought we will never have this dinner.." she said to him. "A promise is a promise. But mianhae that it took so long.." James tells her.
"It's fine oppa, I know you are busy these past weeks.." Mina said then takes two big bite of Galbi and it's now stuffing in her chubby cheeks. "haha hey slow down, we're not in a hurry.." James laughs at her. ".. you were busy too, by the way when are you guys going to release your next album?" he asked. "mm.. probably February or March.." Mina replied.
"Oppa did you already pick an agency?" Mina continue to munched down the galbi.
"Yeah.." he replied,
Mina stop eating and looks up to him, "Really? which one?" she asked.
"That's a secret, for now.." James winked at her, "Ahhh~ tell me!!" Mina whines. "You'll see in a couple of days. I don't want to tell until it is official." James explained to her.
Mina frowns and pouted then she proceed to go back eating. "haha gwiyeowo~" James laughs at Mina who became busy eating in an instant.
"Yah~ haha! don't inhale the food.. give me some..". James went back to eating.
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About an hour later...
"We're home.." Seulgi and Wendy just arrived in the dorm.
"Did you guys had dinner already?" Irene asked her tired looking member.
"We do but I'm still hungry.." Wendy puts down her bag, "Me too.." Seulgi weakly said.
"I will cook ramyeon while you guys freshen up.." Irene head to the kitchen to cook for her members.
"Kamsahamnida.." the said in a weak voice as they head to their room.
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.
Several minutes later Wendy and Seulgi comes out from their room and head to the kitchen.
"This will be done in a few minutes.." Irene said to her members. "How's the recording?" she asked them,
"It's okay, I think the song came out well.." Wendy replied to her leader. "Really? that's good.. chukahae~~". Irene congratulates her members.
"Unnie.. are you done talking to James? you guys end the call early today" Seulgi said to their leader after she saw the time in the wall clock.
"We haven't talked yet.." Irene replied casually, ".. he is busy today I don't want to disturb him so much and," Irene looks at the clock, ".. he is having a late dinner with Mina. But I think its almost over." she added.
"Mina?" Seulgi asks Irene, "Gugudan.." Wendy answers for her. "Ohh.."
Wendy suddenly remembers something. "Ah!! Unnie!! I heard from Key oppa that he bumped into James earlier in S.M.".
"James was in S.M.?" Irene asked while getting bowls for her members.
"Yes, Key oppa told me when I ran into him in the elevator.." Wendy replied,
"Maybe that's why he is late. But what is he doing in S.M.?" Irene mutters while serving the ramyeon to her hungry and tired members. Seulgi and Wendy quickly digs in, they didn't really care that its still hot because of the cold weather.
"mmmrrghh..." Seulgi wanted to say something but she still have food in her mouth. "Yah, swallow your food first" Seulgi quickly chew and then swallows. "..unnie, if James is in S.M. earlier, is that mean he will sign with S.M.?" Seulgi said. Wendy and Irene looks at her blankly as they were thinking in their heads that it is a possibility.
"Omo! " Wendy exclaims. "Maybe.. I'll just ask him later or tomorrow when he calls.." Irene said.
Few seconds later Irene's phone made a noise, the notification sound means someone sent her a message. Since it's just the three of them who is awake and the dorm is quiet, the three of them heard the phone
"That's James!!" Seulgi yelled. "Don't yell, I know too.." Wendy lightly pushes Seulgi.
Irene went to the living room where her phone at. She reads the message for a couple of seconds before she made a call..
"Annyeong.." Irene greets him.
"oh.. noona, you're still.. awake?" James asked her.
"I was just finished cooking for Wendy and Seulgi.." Irene replied, "JAMES!! ANNYEONG!!" Seulgi and Wendy shouted from the kitchen.
"Yah, Joy and Yeri are already sleeping.." Irene scolds her members. "oops, mianhae~" the two quickly apologizes.
"haha noona say hi to them for me.." James tells Irene. "James says hi.." Irene tells her members.
"Is the dinner already over?" Irene asks, "Yup.." James replied. "Did you dropped her off safely into her dorm?" Irene ask him again, "Of course noona.. I'm actually walking home now.." James replied.
"What?! Why are you walking? It's cold outside and it's already late, it's not safe!" Irene sound worried as she starts scolding him. "Don't worry noona it's a safe neighborhood plus I need to walk because I ate a lot, didn't you know Mina inhales her food?" James explained. Irene giggles a bit, "Yah, don't be mean to Mina.. she just love eating. But I saw her post in her SNS and you guys really ate a lot of food.." she said.
"Yeah, she eats really well.." James commented, "Noona we should go there sometime.." he added. "I'd love to, I'll tell you once we had a day off before the comeback" Irene happily replied.
"Speaking of.. how's the album doing?" James asks, "It's almost done, we just need to finish recording one last song tomorrow." Irene explained. "Wow! Noona I'm excited for the album even though you guys let me listened to the title track.. but still!!" James is genuinely excited.
"Haha help us to promote it" Irene told him, "Oh you don't have to tell me noona, I will definitely!" James replied.
"How about you? Have you already decided on which agency you will sign?" Irene asked,
"Yup.." James replied, "I actually meet and talked to them today, and in a couple of days I will sign the contract and make it official.." he added.
"Really? Which one did you choose?" Irene sounded very curious on which agency James decided to go to.
"It's.."
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To be continued...