Hyebin had visited the CEO's office the next day to discuss the dispatch situation as they wanted to know everything despite dropping the sentence. Playing it off, Hyebin also said it was a fan gift and revealed that she also received a fan basket when she had gotten out of hospital. The CEO had warned her that next time she couldn't take them as they had to be searched for any danger but was happy to know that they were already being given gifts by fans.
On the way back from visiting the CEO, Changkyun had called her so she decided to walk to the nearest bus stop instead of getting a taxi so she could talk freely. Especially since it wasn't as crowded in this area at this time of day.
"Is Hwasa another competitor for your love?" Changkyun joked, referring to the dispatch post from the previous day.
"You're in the lead though," Hyebin teased, making him chuckle. "Thank you for the roses, I miss you so much."
"Those roses were a little too dramatic but at least you know just how crazy I am about you." Changkyun grinned. "I'm missing you too much. You're doing a radio show today right?"
"Yes?"
"That's great. I left you a gift at the broadcasting station. This one is a little more... subtle." He smirked, causing Hyebin to feel uneasy and curious. "I searched for your schedule and found out you were appearing on a radio show so I thought, why not surprise her."
"You keep surprising me with gifts," Hyebin sighed. "I feel bad about not being able to do nothing for you since you're on the move on tour."
"You already gave me the expensive necklace," Changkyun pointed out, reaching for it from under his top and staring at it with a smile. "This is enough for me. I want to spoil you and make you feel as special as you make me feel."
In the background a voice called out to Changkyun, telling him he has to go.
"What time are you heading to the station?" Changkyun asked quickly.
"I'm already here," She replied. "I'm hiding out in the bathroom again. What country are you in now?"
"I'll send you a picture and you can guess," Changkyun seemed to be acting quite mischievous. "I'll speak to you later, I gotta go."
Hyebin hummed, "Bye."
Hanging up, Hyebin hid her phone as usual and walked out to see her manager waiting outside with the group. Rushing over, the manager filled her in on what she had missed and continued to explain what is required of them. Despite it being to promote their sub-unit, the whole group were guesting on the show.
"Do your best and don't say anything stupid," The manager concluded. "Good luck!"
Nodding, they all walked in a line into a room. It was small but it was big enough to fit them in even with all the big equipment that surrounded them. Upon entry in the booth, they each chose their seats, although, the MC's kept trying to distract Hyebin, leaving her to sit at the end next to an empty seat.
After introductions and some small talk, the MC' announced a surprise guest and boy oh boy was it a surprise. A male entered the room with silver hair, which seemed freshly dyed since it had no roots showing. Hyebin became speechless as they all quickly stood up to bow for their sunbae despite him repeatedly telling them it was okay and to stay seated.
"Hello, My name is Im Changkyun." His deep voice greeted, his voice contrasting to his bright smile. "I.M. of Monsta X."
Hyebin wanted nothing more than to run up to him and hug him, then hit him and scold him for not telling her about him being back in Korea.
"Sit next to Hyebin, there is a spare sit next to her." The female MC pointed over at the seat, grinning in a teasing manner. "I'm sure many are happy to see this couple reunion again."
Hyebin couldn't help but to notice how tense and on edge Changkyun seemed, his attention averted somewhere else as he peeped around the room, observing it keenly. She tried to think back on if she had done or said anything to offend or upset him since he seemed so uninterested in her or the topic.
"Well, I'm happy." Changkyun appeared confident, knowing he was probably squealing inside like a child. "It's been a while Hyebin."
"Hmm," Hyebin hummed in agreement, suddenly tensing up at the skin contact initiated by Changkyun. Figuring it out, he was looking for cameras before so he could hold her hand under the table. Since they were in a corner, it made it harder for those observing to see whatever was going on under the table. Hyebin's heart still raced at the thought of being caught though. "It has."
"How do you two feel about your surprise reunion?" The Male MC, Johnny, questioned. "Hyebin's answers are quite short but she seems to be blushing a lot..."
"I'm just flustered at the attention," Hyebin lied, although, it wasn't completely a lie as she expected the show to be about her group not just her.
"And not because of your fake ex beside you?" Johnny laughed mischievously, deciding to change the subject since there was still much to cover on the cards. "Changkyun, what did you think about Hyebin's groups comeback?"
"I enjoyed it, I actually contacted Hyebin to congratulate her since they were doing well on the charts," Changkyun revealed.
"Speaking of comebacks, what about your group? I couldn't help but notice your hair colour seems new," Johnny smiled, looking over at Changkyun. It's a good hairstyle, don't you think Hyebin?"
"Oh-" Hyebin was shocked at the sudden call over to her again. "Yes. He looks handsome regardless."
Changkyun was beginning to blush at the unexpected compliment from Hyebin but continued to answer the question given by Johnny, "We're having a comeback in October once we finish our tour."
"Right," Johnny nodded. "I heard that you had just gotten off the plane from South America a few hours ago and immediately asked to come over as a surprise guest since you missed your former co-worker Hyebin."
"Ah really?" The female MC, Solar, sighed. "That's so heart fluttering. Hyebin's a lucky girl. I barely talk to my former co-workers since we're both busy but even the ones I do keep in contact with would never do this for me either."
"Really?" Hyebin looked at Changkyun, noticing how his makeup seemed thicker around his eyes, most likely to cover any bags from exhaustion. She was surprised he wasn't passed out from jet lag right now. "You must be really tired."
As Hyebin reached for his face, she remembered they were still in the public eye and played it off as a concerned friend.
"You shouldn't have came here, you must be so tired. I'm grateful to have a friend like you." Hyebin pouted, turning away shortly after to face the MC's and smiling as she felt Changkyun give her hand a squeeze in response to her words.
"Ah... Young love-" Johnny joked, changing the subject onto Youngji's newest acting project.
They talked for another hour before the show finished, then all took photos together for sns and chit chatted. While the others were engaging in conversations in their own little newly formed groups, Changkyun and Hyebin found themselves alone in the corner of the room, finally having a hushed conversation to themselves.
"I can't believe you didn't tell me you were in Korea," Hyebin scolded. "We talked on the phone moments before as well..." Hyebin lightly hit his chest, pouting. "And I can't believe you came over here after a flight. You must be exhausted."
"I'm sorry," Changkyun chuckled, the sound of his laugh giving her butterflies. It didn't feel real that he was right in front of her after all these months apart. "I wanted to surprise you. I'm only in Korea for five days before I head to Japan for the last of the tour. I couldn't do something normal and boring like turning up outside your dorms with a gift."
"Wait, does that mean that maybe we'll get some time alone within any of those five days?" Hyebin's eyes lit up as Changkyun nodded in response.
"I promise to make time for you," Changkyun gazed into her chocolate brown eyes, beaming brighter than the lights within the room. "I need to see you anyway so I can give you souvenirs. I got one thing from every place I visited."
"You're too good to me," Hyebin pouted once again, sighing. "I'd give anything to be able to hug you right now."
"What's stopping you?" He dared her.
"Right now... Everything." Hyebin seemed disheartened even just thinking about it. "But when we are alone together, there is nothing stopping me from loving you freely."
"I hope that alone time happens soon," Changkyun grinned, becoming cheekier despite being tired. The energy he felt just from seeing Hyebin once again was enough to keep him awake.
"Good work," The MC's came over, tapping them on the shoulder and filling them in on the plan.
"We're going to head out for some lunch, would you guys be joining us?" Solar asked, waiting for their reply. "The company is paying."
"Okay," The two agreed. Since they had already spent a suspicious amount of time together alone, Hyebin headed over to her group members while Johnny made chit chat with Changkyun.