When I Saw You | Haechan

VI | smile for the camera

↝✧↜↝✩↜↝✧↜

"J-jiwoo?"

"Surprised to see me?"

"What are you doing here?"

"Looking at your ugly face. What do you think I'm doing?" I stepped closer to him, wrapping my arms around myself in an attempt to block the cold winter air, "I just came to see the view," I leaned on the railing.

"... I mean here, in this casino."

"Oh... I'm just here for my parents, I don't really like this sort of event. How about you?"

"I... uhm-"

"Hey, let's go inside, it's really cold and I don't have a jacket... oh and I want you to meet someone!" I turned to him and instinctively grabbed his hand as I hurried him through the glass doors and back inside the hall.

The warmth of the building embraced me. Only then did I realize what I was holding.

I looked down at our hands and panicked as I felt the heat rapidly growing on my face. I shot a glance at him; he was almost as red as me... I immediately let go of his hand and we broke eye contact looking everywhere but at each other.

That's when I remembered. Jaehyun! I left him alone!

I shot my eyes across the room until I spotted him. Luckily, he wasn't too far from me. To my surprise, he was talking to Yejin.

I gestured at Haechan to follow me and we walked over to them.

"Yejin! Jaehyun!"

They turned to me, each flashing a kind smile.

"Sorry for disappearing haha..." I scratched the back of my neck.

"It's okay, I met your friend, she kept me company"

"Yeah Jiwoo, why didn't you tell me you had such a handsome friend?" Yejin wiggled her eyebrows at me.

Didn't she have a new guy she liked just a week ago? What happened to yoga guy?

"Haha.... what?" I laughed awkwardly at her as my eyes drifted nervously back and forth between hers and Jaehyun's.

"And who is this?" Jaehyun added.

"Oh, this is Haechan! The friend I told you I thought I saw. Haechan, this is Jaehyun, it's his first time here and I guess it's yours too... I had never seen you in one of these events before..." they did a handshake, then I introduced the girl in front of me, "and this is my best friend, Yejin, she actually lives in our building too, she's one floor below you," they shook hands as well.

"Nice to meet you Haechan, I've heard a lot about you," she said with a smirk.

"No... no, you haven't!" I raised my eyebrows at her and pierced my lips.

"All good things I hope," Haechan replied with a giggle, looking at me. "Nothing but!" She replied.

Shut it Yejin, I've barely mentioned him!
I could feel myself getting flustered again.

"You all seem to be very close..." Jaehyun spoke up.

"Oh, we're just neighbors-" I said.
"Yeah, we are-" overlapped Haechan, barely making my answer audible.

Awkward...

I looked at Haechan puzzled. What? Since when are we close? He looked so confident though... he had a certain sparkle in his eye, it mesmerized me.

Jaehyun didn't look very pleased with his remark. I hope he doesn't get the wrong impression.

"Haechan!" A blonde male came towards us, "a-ah... good evening, I apologize for stepping in like this," he lowered his voice as he spoke again, "what are you doing here? We need you in the front."

Haechan quickly nodded, "I have to go now, it was great to meet you all." He turned to me and winked, "See you later."

He turned around and left hurriedly with the blonde boy.

This is the third time he makes me blush tonight. Why am I letting him get to me this easily? Snap out of it Jiwoo!!

↝✧↜↝✩↜↝✧↜

All of a sudden there was a commotion by the entrance, "what's happing?" I asked the two next to me, but neither seemed to know.

We decided to get closer. The sight didn't surprise me. It was only the richest, most spoiled, but also surprisingly nice, Seo Johnny.

Cameras flashed all around him. Being the son of celebrities must be tough. I know I'd hate to have a camera in my face every step I took.

Then it occurred to me that one of those faces seemed a little too familiar... no way! Is that why he's here?

↝✧↜↝✩↜↝✧↜

As the night went by, and I sat at my parents' table to eat, I kept hoping for him to show up again.

"Family photo?"

"Of course! Jiwoo look at the camera honey," my mother demanded.

I hate photos. I always end up looking like a potato.

I looked up, locking eyes with the photographer in front of me. He showed a small, awkward smile before snapping the picture. Then quickly moved on to the next table.

"I have to use the restroom, excuse me," I stood up hastily reaching him before he continued with the next group, "Haechan... can I talk to you?"

"What is it?"

I pulled him to the side, "so, you're not a guest... you're working?"

"Yeah... look I can't talk right now, I don't wanna lose my job."

He tried to walk away but I held onto his arm, "You'll be fine. It's my parents' gala, I'm sure they won't fire you for talking to me."

He looked down at the camera in between his hands. I recognized it from his coffee table. "So this is why I had never seen you in a place like this before, huh?" I asked.

"Why? Disappointed I'm not part of your world?"

I glanced at him from the corner of my eye as I faced forward. A little smile appeared on my face, "More like excited. This world is so boring. To be honest, I was a little disappointed when I saw you in the balcony. I thought: 'well, there goes another interesting person in my life.'"

I saw him smiling shyly at me, "I'm glad to know I was wrong."