Birthday Surprise

author's note: a happy one for my favorite Korean star's birthday, despite the HK scandal.

:) ;) :D ;D >:( :( :o 8-) ??? ::) :P :-[ :-X :-/ :-* :'(

It has been a long week, a long month to be exact. Rehearsals, shoots and guestings have been taking most of her time. She usually cleaned her house and did the decorations all by herself, but now, it looked dusty and lifeless. Now, she just comes and goes. Sometimes, she falls asleep in her van until her road manager wakes her up.

She hurried after the concert last night and hopped to a plane. She reached Seoul at 1:15am. Finally, she was at home. All clean and shiny, but really tired. It did not even take a minute before she fell asleep. There was a reason why even if she was so tired, she still chose to go home, but all reasons faded when fatigue hit her.

There was a loud buzzing on her door. Her bedside alarm clock said it was still 4:10am. Hwangbo started to mumble to herself and forced her tired body to get out of bed. It was struggle walking in a straight line when her head was still hazy, and she could even barely open her eyes. She could not feel the pain on her shoulder after hitting the door, then her closet and then her TV case. Hwangbo opened the door after finally managing to keep her eyes open. Junjin and Andy, in party hats, stood in front holding a birthday cake. Minwoo, Hyesung and Dongwan were behind them with a cardboard cutout of Eric. They all fell silent when they saw Hwangbo.

HYEJUNG!! Junjin was the first to speak.

Hwangbo looked confused.

YA!! Junjin said trying to point out what she was wearing. Hwangbo understood right away, so she shut the door without thinking twice.

AISH!!! was all she could utter in embarrassment. She stared at herself in the mirror still stunned. She felt her cheeks starting to turn red and hot. She was only wearing her old high school shirt with wholes in the wrong places, and worse she was wearing nothing but panties underneath.

She started to turn doorknob, now, in her track suit. The boys were still quiet until Minwoo broke the silence, I THINK I SHOULD MARRY HWANGBO..

WITH A BODY AND FACE LIKE THAT, YOU COULD NOT ASK FOR ANYTHING MORE, Hyesung added.

FROM THE START, YOU KNOW, SHE WAS MINE, Dongwan said. He was known to have a crush on Hwangbo.

YAH! THE THREE OF YOU, SHUT UP!!, Junjin said in a very authoritative voice.

BUT YOU COULD NOT DENY IT HYUNG, SHE'S SMOKING HOT!!, Andy unexpectedly chimed in, but what was most unexpected to Hwangbo was Junjin's reply.

He said, IF SHE WAS NOT MY BESTFRIEND, I COULD HAVE GONE OUT WITH HER A LONG TIME AGO..

They all laughed, but Hwangbo suddenly opened the door, I CAN HEAR YOU, YOU KNOW!

She let the boys in.

SORRY, Junjin said feeling embarrassed.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Dongwan greeted and gave her a hug as he entered the apartment as if nothing happened. Junjin shot him a warning stare.

They were her beloved Shinhwa boys minus Eric. They knew each other for a long time now, and they have always been really good friends. Hwangbo was like the seventh Shinhwa member.

When the sun finally shone, the boys managed to drag her out of the house. It was her only Sunday without work, but she could not resist her boys. All month long she's been feeling empty and glum inside. It was like part of her was missing, and she knew exactly what was missing.

The boys brought her to a Birthday party organized by her fans. It was also a charity mission which she loved doing. All six of them left the party at 330pm, and the boys brought Hwangbo to the salon where she was glammed up and forced to wear a silver sequenced strapless gown which according to Dongwan he chose himself. They all headed to a nearby hotel where celebrity guests awaited Hwangbo's arrival. Everyone was in black and white, and the decorations where all red. It was perfect. On stage, there was a band playing her favorite songs.

Hwangbo was smiling from ear to ear, as Hyesung whispered, YOU LIKE IT?

Hwangbo nodded and gave him a hug, then Minwoo, Dongwan, Andy, and lastly her best friend.

IT'S EXACTLY WHAT I TOLD YOU ABOUT, YOU REMEMBERED EVERYTHING, she said hugging him tighter.

OF COURSE, he answered and gave her a wink.

Her closest friends and people she worked with were there-the Moohan girls, the Chakra, Shin Aera, Ho Dong, Kyung Lim, Myung Su, MC Yoo. Even idols, like DBSK, SuJu, 2PM, Bigbang, BEG, KARA and the Wondergirls. Ryu Shi Won gave her a special message since he was busy in Japan. Kangta and Kyungrok sang her a song. Seo Inyoung and Jewelry sang her hit songs. The party was the best.

In a quiet corner near the stage, Hwangbo found herself alone. She was eventually lost in a sea of celebrities.

Just then, Junjin approached her, ENJOYING?, he asked.

OF COURSE, YOU'RE THE BESTEST FRIEND EVER, she answered with a fake smile.

BUT SOMETHING...NO...SOMEONE'S MISSING, he retorted. He knows her all too well. Someone was indeed missing, and that someone was all she needed to be with right now. She buried her face on Junjin's chest and nodded. Tears started to flow on her cheeks.

Just then, Gaeun and Shinyoung entered. AIGOO, LOOK AT YOU. YOU SHOULD BE A COUPLE. YOU LOOK PERFECT FOR EACH OTHER, Gaeun quipped.

I KNOW, RIGHT? Junjin joked. WE WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT GETTING MARRIED IF WE ARE STILL SINGLE A YEAR FROM NOW. He was still holding her close to allow her to wipe her tears secretly. Shinyoung just laughed knowing it was too impossible.

As the night deepened, alcoholic drinks were being passed around. Each time Hwangbo passed by the tables, she was asked to drink a glass or two, and how could she refuse when it was her party.

She fell beside Andy and begged him to take her home. Junjin let Andy take her home knowing he could be trusted.

Andy made sure she was tucked in bed before he left.

Just as she was already deeply snoozing, there was another loud buzzing at her door. She pretended not to notice, but it was still buzzing 10 minutes later.

Hwangbo managed to get out of bed and drag her butt to the door. She did not even bother to check her monitor, thinking it was Junjin checking up on her.

She could not believe her eyes. She froze and went blank as the person spoke, AM I TOO LATE?

Hwangbo gazed up at him, and he gave her that smile that melted her heart from the start.

HYEJUNG? He spoke again.

She was mesmerized by his presence. He was in a tux, carrying several dozens of the most beautiful red roses. They have not had any communication for a month which was totally her idea. They kept this relationship a secret for almost a year now. They tried dating in public, but it caused a fiasco among the press and paparazzi which both their managements had a hard time pacifying. It was her idea not to communicate thinking she could take the pain and the longing.

Hyunjoong cut in her train of thought. CAN I COME IN?, he asked.

OF COURSE.

As she locked the door, Hyunjoong wrapped her arms around her from behind and hugged her oh so tightly.

I MISSED YOU, he whispered in her ears.

Just then, tears started welling in her eyes. That was the answer to all her questions. It was obvious that she was not the only one suffering. She faced him and rested her cheek on his chest. She could hear his heartbeat, slow and relaxed.

He lifted her chin. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BUIN, he said before kissing her passionately, and she responded to his every want and needs.

They were both nestled on her couch covered by a thick blanket. He stood up, got the cake and the roses he brought with him.

I KNOW, IT'S LATE, BUT YOU HAVE TO MAKE A WISH, he lit the candles.

BUT MY WISH ALREADY CAME TRUE, she protested.

THEN WISH THAT IT WILL BE FOREVER, he said. Hwangbo smiled and happily blew the candles.

HERE, he said handing her the roses, EACH ROSE REPRESENTS HOW MANY TIMES I THOUGHT OF YOU EACH DAY, he smiled wryly. There were 24 roses. I WANTED TO GET MORE, BUT THE STORE OWNER REFUSED TO SELL ME MORE ROSES. IT WAS ALMOST MIDNIGHT WHEN I BOUGHT THEM. THAT WAS AFTER I GOT OFF THE PLANE.

SO, WAIT, Hwangbo was confused, YOU ESCAPED TO BE HERE, DIDN'T YOU?

Hyunjoong nodded, then gave Hwangbo a kiss on top of her nose.

YEOBO, she sudenly blurted out, THANK YOU FOR MAKING MY BIRTHDAY SUPER SPECIAL.

Hyunjoong creased her forehead, BUT WHY WERE YOU WEARING A SHORT DRESS?, he asked.

Hwangbo started to laugh. I WAS AT A SURPRISE PARTY HELD BY THE SHINHWA BOYS...

YAH, DONGWAN HYUNG WAS THERE?, he asked without hesitation.

Hwangbo nodded her head, her smile teasing the jealous idol, AND MICKY, YUNHO, KYUNGROK, CHANSUNG, KIBUM, EUNHYUK...AND DID I MENTION THAT THE DRESS WAS CHOSEN BY YOUR DONGWAN HYUNG.

Hyunjoong was fuming mad now.

She quieted him down, HE MIGHT HAVE CHOSEN THE DRESS, BUT HE WAS NOT THE ONE WHO TOOK IT OFF FROM ME, before he could speak, Hwangbo pressed her lips on Hyunjoong's lips and caressed it with the softest, warmest, most passionate, most provocative kiss ever.