Counting Stars (In A Relationship With EXO Kai)

17 | Square One

So far I had been successful with 'ignoring Jongin' mission.

It didn't require much effort from my side. I got busy with the web drama shooting, advertisement, my university work and modeling. He did try to make an effort to keep in touch with me, but one sided efforts could only last for a while. I won't say we grew apart since we still talked normally and as much freely as before. Just number of times became less and lesser than before.

I was in Paris for the fashion week. Acting was a choice. Modeling was my way of life for now. Dancing seemed like a far dream right now. The life I had imagined for myself was a far cry from the one I was living.

"Good work," I bowed, and made my way through the crowd of models and staff. Thankfully, my hotel room was nearby so I didn't have to travel much, and could hit the bed after doing my skin routine.

Taking a ten minutes drive, I was back into my room, changed and on my way to take off my make up when there was a knock on the door. I peeped through the door hole for security reasons. I have had a fair share of encounters with the psychos, so it was better to be safe than sorry.

Jongin stood on the other side. He was dressed up in his classic kidnapper's clothes. That was what I called his baggy fashion sense. They looked good, but gave me a vibe that he was going to kill someone and hide himself afterwards. It was his eyes, that I knew too well, for I stared too long in them oftentimes.

"Sunshine," he whispered, knocking again, and I jumped back before unlocking the door. "Hi." His voice was hoarse.

I stretched my neck to see the left and right to the corridor before I pulled him inside. "Hey." His eyes had bags under them. I knew he hadn't been sleeping well. But why?

"We broke up." There was a pause. "Krystal and I."

I stared at him, trying not to be overwhelmed by my innermost reaction. Gosh, I felt bad for feeling happy
I was a bitch. Thorough and thorough. Shaking my head, I asked, "How did you get here?"

"Your believe in numbers. 111." Jongin lowered his head. "I just knew you would be in this room for your show to go well."

"Come." I pulled him to bed, and took off his cap as he shrugged off from his long coat and scarf. "I didn't read any news about it."

"We've not released any official statement yet." His eyes looked up, and I felt frozen under his gaze. "I don't know when to announce this. I mean, our relationship was reported by media. Our privacy was violated in the worst way possible. I just.. I think it's better to wait for someone else to poke their nose into our lives and report it to the world."

There was so much pain in his voice, and I wrapped my arms around him. Since I was still standing and he was sitting in bed, his head rested on my stomach. No one other than me knew how much Krystal and Jongin had struggled with privacy issues for the past years, especially during the whole dating period. Pictures were leaked. Private pictures and information, and what not.

"It's completely fine if you want to take time with the news." I ran my fingers through his hair as I stared at the wall. "Did you have dinner?"

"No. I just took a flight and came here. Your manager helped." He leaned back. "I needed you."

"And I'm here." I tried to catch his eyes, but he kept staring at the far end of nothingness. "I'm going to order dinner. We've got a whole night for talking and stuff. Shall I order wine?"

Jongin smiled finally, nodding. "Something stronger than wine."

"No." I chuckled, and rolled my eyes. I connected the room phone, and ordered dinner with a bottle of wine. I did my skin routine and then sat in bed, and saw Jongin watching the latest song of Blackpink. Playing with fire. I had forgotten about my laptop completely. "This group is good. Isn't it?"

"Hmm.." Jongin raised his head, in deep thought. "To be honest, I think Ae-Cha suits YG style more. Rapping. SM won't do her justice."

At first, I frowned at the change in topic but then realized that he was taking his mind off things. Until dinner maybe. "Yeah. Ae-Cha has that vibe. I wanted her to audition for YG, but she wants to debute with Miyoung under SM."

His lips twitched. "Taemin and I also wanted to debute in the same group once upon a time. We're still friends, same group or not, so I hope Ae-Cha gives YG a shot. It's a risk worth taking."

I hummed. "Others know that you're here? In Paris?"

"Suho knows."

"Jongin." I sighed. "You know very well that Junmyeon gets in trouble because of us every time. It has cost him everything. Even her."

He grimaced. "I know. I promise it's the last time. I just needed to get out of there. I needed you."

There was a knock on the door. Jongin went to the bathroom as I opened the door and received the order from the staff. I locked the door again. He and I sat on the couch as we ate silently. I could tell he was dreading the upcoming conversation. Jongin hated, hated, talking about intimate prospects of life. Intimate as in heartfelt talks. About himself.

Jongin was lying in bed, scrolling through the group chat. "Here." I handed him a glass of wine as I sat against the headboard in bed beside him. I sipped my drink, and glanced at him. "Did you break up with her?"

He shook his head.

"Did she break up with you?"

He again shook his head.

"Sunhee." He held my hand gently. "I don't want to blame anyone or myself for whatever that happened. I just want you to be here and tell me that life goes on. That's it."

"Life goes on," I repeated, and he chuckled. I smiled. "You're right. Whatever it was, it was between you and Krystal. It should always remain between you two."

Jongin squeezed my hand. "Thank you." He relaxed more and refilled his glass of wine. "So what's the plan after the show?"

"I'm planning on going to my grandma's. Ae-Cha visited last month. It's my turn." I relished in the taste of wine before turning to face him. "Why don't you come along? It would serve you a much needed break from all the constant shows and limelight. It's countryside. And, grandma loves you."

"I... Can Baekhyun and Hera tag along?"

I was taken aback by his quick question. Then it settled into my mind. Jongin didn't want his members to think that he was dating me after Krystal. Exo members already had their doubts about us, and it would certainly look odd for Jongin to accompany me after his breakup. I was his female friend and he had just broken up. Yeah.

"Of course." I smiled. "Also Baekhyun was complaining last time how they've not went on an official date yet. It would give them a brief chance too you know. To be happy among themselves."

Jongin smiled back. We settled in a rhythm then. The bottle of wine was empty now. The clock was struck by 3 am. I was drowsy. He was fighting his sleep too. Yawning, I took the glass from his hand and placed it on the table before covering him with the comforters.

It was a bit chilly at the time, so I pulled the comforter upto his neck and caressed his hair away from his forehead. "Jongin, good night," I whispered into the silence and straightened up.

"Don't go..." He tugged at my hand, and then his lips met mine, kissing me with abrupt, forceful passion that explodes my chest. A breathless moan left me before I could catch it. His lips brushed my ear, hot breath warming me. "I should have been with you."

My eyes widened. Holy shit. Jongin, my friend, was kissing me. Talking. Probably thinking that I'm Krystal. I pulled away and his head lolled to the side. His eyes were closed, and I took another step back. My legs collided with the couch as I sat down with a thud.

What the fuck just happened?