Catwalks and Heartbreaks

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Hyungjun takes his final bow after strutting the catwalk wearing the collections of a budding designer. He walked through the busy hallways, stopping to greet people on the way. He finally reached the chair with his name written on the back, sighing deeply as he slumped down. It wasn't his first time on a fashion show but for this show, he was extremely nervous. Everything he did now was like his first time. But a smile graced his mighty features when he saw the person approaching through the vanity mirror.
~*~
Hyunjoong decided it would be best to approach the Maknae of the once affluent Korean boy group when the thick sea of people backstage disappear. He knew the Maknae all too well-Hyungjun wasn't one to leave the backstage right away, he always lingered for a bit to breathe it all in.

When finally the crowd died down a bit, he decided it was time to make his move.

A petite woman walked in front of him holding a bouquet of the most beautiful flowers in her arms. She was always a kind creature who only thought of making other people happy. She loved taking care of other people that sometimes she forgets she needs someone to take care of her, too. She walked happily in her black stilletos making the once busy corridor her personal runway. HJ loved how her hips swayed in a very sensual way as she walked. Her black hair followed a certain rhythm as she turned to greet the people who called her name. And that voice that ringed and echoed through the hallways was no doubt hers and hers alone.

Hwangbo Hyejung was a walking poetry.

The Maknae turned excitedly as he saw one of his favorite Noonas approaching with a bouquet in hand. Although Hyungjun was a tall, chiselled man, he was still childish in many ways.

"Noona!!", he called out loudly, "You came, you really came!!!"

Hyungjun quickly got out of his chair, grinning like a fool and walking towards Hwangbo with his arms stretched out.

"So.. What do you think?", he asked Hwangbo as he flexed his muscles.

"You're a man now, young master!!", Hwangbo teased him as she handed him the bouquet.

"Chukahe", she added, patting his shoulder.

Hyungjun stood proudly with a wide smile, loving his Noona's compliments.

From where he stood, Hyunjoong smiled secretly. It was most fun for him to watch their interaction. Not one bit of Hwangbo and Hyungjun's relationship has changed.

He could still remember the third time he brought her to their dorm when they were still a group. It seemed like these two have known each other for years. They laughed and bickered a lot about the smallest of things. They were playful. He recalled how happy he felt that Youngsaeng, Jungmin, Kyujong and Hyungjun easily felt comfortable with his girlfriend. Heck, they almost instantly fell in love with her the moment she volunteered to feed them Ramen in Japan even if it only was for the TV show.

But his stomach was in knots as he watched Hyungjun wrap Hwangbo’s small frame with his muscular arms and held her in a tight embrace. It seemed like his blood pressure skyrocketed when Hyungjun lifted Hwangbo off the ground to complete the bear hug.

He froze on that very spot and felt nauseas. 'What is this?!', he asked himself.

Hyunjoong thought he heard someone call his name, so he looked up.

Hyungjun finally noticed his Hyung lurking a few feet from where they stood.

"Hyunjoong Hyung", the Maknae called out, as he gently put his Noona down. "What a lovely surprise..", he continued.

Hyungjun motioned for his Hyung to come closer, oblivious of how uncomfortable Hwangbo might be.

Hyunjoong had no choice. He walked slowly, conscious of the growing tension between him and his former girlfriend.

Things did not end pleasantly between them. The misunderstandings and hullabaloo of being top stars in the industry did not help at all. Their schedules did not allow them to patch up the damage that was slowly eating them up alive and swallowing their relationship in whole.

It ended quickly, but oh so painfully. As he took steps towards where Hyungjun and Hwangbo stood, the memories of how they ended their relationship played inside his head. He could still see hwangbo’s face that gloomy morning. Her eyeliner smeared all over her face, and the tears continued to flow unendlessly. He could still hear her muffled sobs. They argued so badly that morning, they need not come up with a decision, it just came naturally. It was hasty and stupid and immature, but he brought it up anyway.

And so, it ended in the most horrifying and devastating way with her walking out of the room leaving all her belongings behind, walking out of his life forever.

"Oh, chukahe maknae!", Hyunjoong greeted his former member, "You did well!"

Taking a deep breath, Hwangbo turned to face him. A phony, forced smile pasted on her face. She tipped her head forward, acknowledging his presence. She looked everywhere but never into his eyes, not even once.

"I was the best there, wasn't I, Hyung?!", the Maknae joked after sensing the obvious tension between his Hyung and Noona. He always wanted them together, at the rate their relationship was going. Hyungjun really thought he'd see those two in front of an altar, exchanging rings and promises, but he thought wrong. He tried to bring them back together, so did Kyujong, but they failed. They hurt each other's pride, not to mention just how truly stubborn they both were.

There was awkward silence as all three of them stood there. And somehow, Hyungjun felt like he had to say something before it gets more awkward.

"Noona brought me flowers. Isn't she beautiful, Hyung?", he blurted out, then feeling stupid afterwards.

Hyunjoong stared at Hwangbo--her hair was tied in a messy ponytail, her make-up light, she was as always glowing like a goddess divine.

'Yes she is indeed..', he thought to himself.

"Stop staring at her, Hyung..", Hyungjun leaned forward and whispered to Hyunjoong, "And please, close your mouth, your drool is all over the floor..."

Hyunjoong blinked then realized how intently he was staring at her.

"How have you been, Bu--, Hwa--, Hyejung Noona?", he finally had the guts to ask her.

Hwangbo tried to look up, but she just could not dare look him in the eyes. Six months have passed but the pain was still there.

Before Hwangbo could find the words to answer his question, someone called out her name causing her to turn around.

"Hyejungssi!!", the voice called again.

"I'm here..", she answered.

The man walked confidently towards Hwangbo then snaked his arms around her waist and held on to her tightly. He kissed her on the cheek then her mouth as if no one else was there. When he was done, he finally acknowledged the other people's presence.

"You did well, Hyungjun! Congrats!", Bae Yongjoon told Hyungjun, who was frozen not only because there was a superstar in front of him but because of what he just witnessed.

"Hyunjoongssi, it's been a long time since we saw each other. How's work coming along? Still a pretty busy guy, huh?", Yongjoon asked Hyunjoong, who was as shocked as his Maknae.

"This guy is bringing in the dough for Keyeast..", he proudly told Hwangbo, completely unaware of the tension and frigid atmosphere.

Of course, he was unaware of what transpired between his talent and his now girlfriend because the relationship was kept a secret, revealed only to Hwangbo and Hyunjoong’s closest friends.

Hwangbo smiled faintly then nodded.

Hyunjoong felt like his heart was about to explode with jealousy and anger. His boss and the only love of his life were in front of him, holding each other’s hand. The pang of regret dripped like blood in his veins. It was the meanest surprise he had ever gotten in his life.

He looked at the perfect couple, his boss and the ex-girlfriend that he still loves so much. Then what ifs, if only's, should haves, could haves and would haves hit Hyunjoong like a bullet train. Right then and there, he felt like he was beaten to a pulp. His face became pale and lifeless. Now, he was only left with his what ifs.
~*~
Hwangbo swallowed the lump forming on her throat. She tried to look at Hyunjoong’s face, but ended up looking elsewhere. She couldn't do it. She could not dare herself to look at him again. Although what they had ended six months ago and she should have moved on by now, the pain was still fresh. All her fears started popping like mushroom now that he was here and her new boyfriend was standing right beside her.

She knew this day would come but not this soon. She had not expected the same kind of pain and hurt to affect her so much and make her so uncomfortable now that she is face to face the man she once loved so deeply.

She did not realize this then but now she knows that her love for Kim Hyunjoong is so much greater compared to what she has now for Bae Yongjoon and perhaps any other man she will love in the future.

As she stood there, holding another man's hand facing her one great love, she held her tears in. She couldn't move nor breathe.

'I can't cry!!', she kept repeating to herself, 'I won't cry..'

She held on to Yongjoon’s arm tighter as if using it for support. She knew she had to escape and the man beside her was her only way out.

"Well young lads, I and my lovely lady here have to go now. I have to feed her and keep her happy and satisfied.", Yongjoon said, then reached out his hand for a handshake with Hyungjun.

"It was nice meeting you!", he said to Hyungjun, then turned to Hyunjoong, "I'll see you around in the office. We need to discuss a new project..", he told him.

Hyunjoong nodded and watched as Hwangbo and Yongjoon link arms, turned, then walked away.

Hwangbo was finally able to breathe.

Hwangbo caught a glimpse of Hyunjoong’s face. There was a sad look evident on his face. Something only she could see. But she had to stay strong and move on.

She walked away from him for the second time, but this time she promised herself never to look back. She kept walking further away from him until she knew he was no longer in view. When she turned around, Hyunjoong was no longer there. She had to move on and forget about her Shillang.

A tear was threatening to spill out from her eyes as the elevator door closed, but she quickly whisked it away in one motion.

'Big girls don't cry', she reminded herself. 'I will not cry anymore...'