Counting Stars (In A Relationship With EXO Kai)

12 | Perhaps

I had a shoot with SHINee Taemin today. He had visited Aroma a few days ago with Jongin, but that time we both had no idea what the future held. A photoshoot. With the legend himself. For W Korea. It was a big thing for me.

I was glad that my popularity was sky rocketing. Money was good, and my parents could fulfill their needs and Ae-Cha could have all the things she wanted. Life was nice again.

"Okay. So we're going for the first shot," Director announced.

Taemin bowed to me as I bowed back shyly. Gosh, was it even possible for me to keep a straight face with him by my side? The person in charge gave us a general direction of how to pose and what's the idea they're trying to portray through the camera. Understanding their vision was the only way we both could do our jobs in the best style possible.

"You ready, sunshine," He teased and I gave him a look. "The name actually suits you," he murmured against my ear as we took our positions.

"Oh yeah?" I stood against Taemin and he laughed lightly before wrapping an arm around my shoulder. He was behind me and when we were set, we both stopped playing around and represented our intense self to the camera.

"Good going." Camera shuttered as Taemin adjusted his hand and I also maintained my head posture for them to get the best shot. "Yes. Yes. Next pose."

I stepped beside Taemin and he stared into my eyes, cupping a side of my face. Since the shots were to be released in a black and white format, I could only pray for his fans, because this Taemin was hot. His intense gaze burned into mine as I placed my hand over his and lowered my head.

We took a few more shots, but it almost took as an hour. They announced a lunch break and then I had to change my dress into another one for the next shot. I and Taemin headed to my green room and I pulled out a chair for him.

"Mum sent a separate lunch box for you." I opened the boxes one by one and sat on my chair. "You were really something out there."

"Well talk about yourself. Sunshine? I would say sunburn!" He exclaimed, laughing. "If you weren't Jongin's friend, I would have fallen in love with you today."

I threw a candy on him. "Ask me out then, Oppa. I might say yes."

He chewed. "As I said if only you weren't my best friend's friend."

"Why? Did Jongin warn you against dating me?" I raised my brows and sipped water, but choked on it when Taemin nodded. "You're not serious."

"I am." He shook his head and chuckled. "I guess he doesn't trust anyone to not break your heart. It's alright. You're special to him so it's understandable that he's protective of you."

Jongin didn't have to worry about others. Only he could break my heart.

"So, you were actually serious about courting me?"

Taemin smirked. "Who won't be? Have you seen yourself? Plus point, your mum is a cook. How about you marry me? Then I'll get to eat a delicious meal every day for free!" His eyes widened in awe as if he just had realized his genius self.

"Oppa, you shouldn't sacrifice yourself for a free meal. God, idols and their obsession with free meals." I rolled my eyes. He only grinned. We finished our lunch together and then he left to change his clothes. I too changed into a summer dress and went out to the set.

Taemin and I stood side by side this time, and held hands as we smiled. This one needed to be a cheerful shot, a nostalgic summer vacation. In the next one, we had to lean our heads against each other and close our eyes. It was a romantic one. We again changed clothes and moved to the next.

I got free from the work around 7pm. I wanted to sleep in my bed and get a lot of rest, but I knew Jongin was waiting for me at Aroma. So I headed there first after taking a shower and freshening up.

"Is it always going to be like this?"

I pouted as Jongin poured soju in my glass. He chuckled when saw me sulking. Well. I couldn't help it. We both were having a pre birthday party because he won't be there on my original birthday celebration. Exo had a schedule that week in China. Talk about the fate.

"Cheer up, you're turning 20!" He clinked his glass with mine. "Hey, don't be like that. I would have come to you if it was possible. You know that sunshine."

I hummed, and sipped the drink slowly. "Still, I'm allowed to sulk. I'm entering my twenties and my friend won't be there for the celebrations. Don't ask me not to be bothered by it."

Jongin shook his head, smiling. It was amusing to him, I guess. "I promise you, I'll be there on your 21st birthday."

"21st birthday? Next year." I stared at the glass. "Well 2015... still a long way to go, but I'll hold on to that promise. It's supposed to fun, right? Turning 21."

"I'll let you know since I'll turn 21 before you." He grinned and I smiled. "How was it? With Taemin?"

"He's cool." I mused then looked at him. "Oppa told me that you asked him to not date me. What are you? My older brother. Geez. Imagine dating SHINee Taemin." I glared at him, but he only shrugged.

"I didn't want you both to break up after a few months and then it's me who would be in the middle of you two. My two friends hurting each other and I'm supposed to take a side," Jongin grumbled. "I would rather not have that kind of drama."

I tried to keep it in, but I laughed anyways. "How come you are thinking of something like that? Woah, Jongin you've a wild imagination."

"Beats me."

We went out to take a walk, and saw Taemin was there with my mother, smiling. What he was doing? His eyes moved to us and he waved. "I wanted to thank your mum for lunch. Also..." He walked to me and pulled me away from Jongin.

"What are you doing?" Jongin sighed.

"You mentioned the past week that you've a camera. Where is it?" Taemin asked. I pulled my camera out of my bag and handed it to him. He was acting giddy. What was going on? "Here, Kai. Click our picture together." He threw the camera in latter's direction.

Jongin caught the camera before it hit the ground. Then Taemin pulled me by his side in front of the restaurant. "What? Why should we click a picture? Didn't we click enough today?"

"Ssshhh.." Taemin hushed me.

Jongin stared down at the camera and then lifted his head to stare up at us. He moved to the other side and Taemin put his hands into his pockets, standing a step away from me. I also brushed my hair back and looked at Jongin. The camera flash almost blinded me, but I kept my smile in place.

Taemin left with my camera. I and Jongin watched him. "What do you think he's gonna do?" I asked.

Jongin sighed. "I guess I've an idea, but let's see."

It didn't take long to figure out Taemin's intentions. Next month, our photos were released by the magazine, and they took internet by storm. I thought many fans would be jealous and would curse me, while there were some of them, majority liked Taemin and me together. Especially our matching model gazes, as they called it.

After a week of the photoshoot, Taemin posted our picture together on SNS, and thanked me for inviting him to my mum's restaurant, that he enjoyed the food. Aroma changed over night afterwards and before I knew it, we had to hire staff for help. Even if we had invested money in the restaurant business, we didn't have a rush of customers, but Taemin changed it.

I didn't know though. If it was for the best or the worse.