One
Two
author's note: i started this chapter thinking, they should pick up where they left off. and to the audience, mt. halla was where they left off. so here, a scene at mt. halla
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Three.
Hwangbo was catching her breath feeling really old. She worked all night last night and barely caught the first flight to the island. She only slept 30 minutes for the last 72 hours, and the last meal she had was 8 hours ago. She was surprised to see a WGM van at the airport to pick her up. The assistant PD explained to her that they will shoot on top of Mount Halla . Hwangbo was confused, but she figured she'll get an explanation from her Dongsaengs later. The crew and the director asked her to rest or eat at least, but she did not want to have people wait for her. She was sweating and taking rather deep breaths. Sweat trickled down her forehead and moisture started to form on top of her nose. Finally, she reached the top just in time for her call time. Letting out a big sigh, she scanned the area for traces of people and familiar faces. There were a few she recognized from the old crew, but none of the celebrities were there. She immediately dug though her bag for her phone. There are at least 6 voice messages.
1st message: Manager
You'll be filming with Kim Hyunjoong for We Got Married today and the next two days there in Jeju. You and Mr. Kim will be Gain and Jokwon's guests. Gain and Jokwon chose the both of you among all the other previous couples.. I'm sorry for the late update, the President thought you would not take this project if your opinion was asked. He also mentioned that this will help since the promotion for R2song has ended. I'm really sorry Hyejung
2nd message: Manager
Have you arrived yet? Inform me once you're on top of Halla.
3rd message: President
Hyejungsshi, I was the one who made this decision when the WGM PDs offered. Do not be cross at your manager.
4th message: Gain
Unni, I am really sorry to have tricked you at the We Got Married Dinner. We knew you would never agree to this. I was hoping to spend this vacation with people we knew. Please do this for us just this once, Unni!
5th message: Jokwon
Noona, it's Kwonnie. Ga-in and I are really sorry. We'll explain everything when we see each other tonight or tomorrow. Sorry, Noona.
6th message: Seo Inyoung
You have to tell me everything that happened and will happen. Go for it Unni!!
Hwangbo sighed and then closed her flip phone. From the very start she knew there was something fishy going on when she was invited, most especially when her devious friend, Inyoung, was involved, but she agreed and hopped on the 1st flight to the island anyway. She shook her head, thinking how naïve she could be sometimes.
Just then, out from the misty clouds, a familiar form appeared. Kim Hyunjoong.
As Hyunjoong was walking, someone was frantically scrambling for her phone while trying to catch her breath, Hwangbo Hyejung.
"Buin", Hyunjoong whispered, a smile started to form on his lips. He was already expecting her, especially when the DSP President really took the time from his busy schedule to call him after the We Got Married Dinner about Gain and Jokwon's invitation. He even listed a few advantages of the TV appearance. When he started stating the advantages one by one. Hyunjoong knew he had no choice, but to go to Jeju Island .
Unconsciously, Hwangbo was staring blankly at the person a few feet from her.
It was awkward just like before. It was even registered on TV. Hwangbo was not talking much, too conscious of the words that might come out of her mouth. Hyunjoong could not seem to think of an approach. The PD decided to leave them alone for awhile. It started to drizzle anyway, so they could not film outside.
The pair found themselves alone in a makeshift tent that the crew set up as Hwangbo's dressing room after the PD explained what he wanted to film that day and then left.
There was only intense silence inside. It's been many months since they last saw each other, and they could not believe they were back to where they left off.
Hyunjoong's heart was thumping while he sat there. It was the exact same reaction he had when the DSP President and SS501 manager made the announcement. His mind went blank then a stream of thoughts filled his mind. His heart suddenly felt like it was being torn open revealing how much it missed that one person. When he saw her fumbling for her phone earlier, he wanted to grab her, kiss her, tell her he missed her. But part of him wanted to run away. He remembered how they could have been, how they should have been. He remembered how sparks flared even after they made their dramatic exit from the show, how happy she made him feel, but things sometimes fall out just like that, without a reason, sometimes, without an explanation nor a word. And it was his fault, in the middle of the courtship, he felt cold feet. He was unsure, and he left just like that. It was not even about the age gap, the fans, their companies, not even their family and friends. He just became unsure. They have avoided each other since then.
Hwangbo sat there. Exhausted. Worried. Trying her best to control her temper. She started remembering what he has done to her. For a few months after the show, they were something, something more than just friends. They dated. They waited for each other until taping was over. They went out with common friends. They sent each other the sweetest nonsensical text messages. They talked on the phone until dawn. Heck, they even kissed. But one thing kept on hitting Hwangbo in the head, hoping she'd wake up, they never said they loved each other, even if they felt it deep down inside. She could not help but blame herself for expecting and hurting when all those they did together suddenly stopped. It did not help that their friends were always asking about the other and reminding her how they were perfect for each other. She busied her hands with something to do to avoid remembering whatever it was they had.
"Are you hungry?", Hyunjoong asked still unable to look at her.
Hwangbo shook her head without lifting it, then went on to reading something.
"How have you been---------", he tried to initiate the conversation but got confused as to how to address her, "Noona?"
"Hmmm, exhausted but still fine.... have to work", she mumbled after giving him a mindless smile.
He was ready to give up on small talk when someone from the production team came inside the tent, "I'm sorry Hwangbo, Hyunjoong, but it looks like we cannot proceed with the filming. It's getting late and the rain has not stopped. The PD said it's best to just go down.", the assistant caught his breath, "Please pack up now"
They were left alone again. Without saying a word, Hwangbo stood up, gathered pieces of her belongings, arranged them in her bag, and left the tent without even looking back afraid that if she meets his eyes she would be in a daze as she was before and start falling again.
Hyunjoong stood there watching her retreating back feeling guilty. From the way she acted, he thought she was angry at him and she had every right to be angry.
The path going down the mountain had been slippery. It took much more energy trying to control herself from slipping, but Hwangbo was tired and her legs were about to give up on her. "Just a few more steps", she kept reminding herself.
A few more hours into the trail, Hwangbo suddenly felt faint, but being the non-diva that she was, she had to fight it. "Mind over matter", she chanted silently trying to ignore the fact that she has been sleepless, has not eaten nor drank water, and was beyond tired. Hwangbo tried to avoid a large puddle of water, but her world spun out of control and blacked out within a matter of seconds.
Hyunjoong was just a few steps behind her trying not to be a nuisance to Hwangbo, "Perhaps, it would make her less angry", but he wondered why she was in such a hurry to get down. He saw her swerve a bit, but she kept walking anyway. Just as she was trying to avoid a large crack filled with water, he saw her sway a bit and eventually loose her balance. He tried to reach for her, but he suddenly felt too far behind. Her frail body fell a few flights, leaving her with wet and muddy clothes. Hyunjoong along with the crew behind her ran like crazy to catch Hwangbo, but they were too late..
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