The Rhythm- 7/?
Title: The Rhythm
Chapter: 7
Rating: PG
Warning: This is just half of what I have written, so do not think it's short...I've just been typing for over an hour and I'm tired =_= I'll finish typing up the rest today and post it up, maybe as chapter 8? XDDD
Note: Words in bold are spoken in English (unless I forget to put them in Bold, but you get the picture) and italicized words are thoughts.
‘Are you alright?’ Minho asked Toni for what had to be the twentieth time. She gave him a small smile and reassured him again that she was just a tired mess from the long flight and trying to settle in. She lied.
The truth was that she was still shaken up from the mistake that she had almost let herself repeat yesterday. She shook her head quickly, trying to disperse the thoughts that were buzzing around in her head like a swarm of hornets. She could still feel Taemin’s warm breath on her face, his plump lips against hers, and the way her head was still spinning from his kiss.
Minho could tell she was upset, but he wasn’t sure what he could do for his newfound friend. Suddenly, he remembered their conversation from the plane ride.
‘Toni-ssi, we never did set up a time for that basketball game.’ Toni looked up at him, her thoughts suddenly clear again, and she focused on what he was saying.
‘Are you saying you’re up for the challenge?’ Her eyes regained their spark and Minho smiled in confirmation. Toni’s body tensed up as if she was ready to race him to the door, and that made Minho burst out in laughter. Toni laughed too. They ended their tutoring session early and practically raced to the nearby neighborhood basketball court that he had told her about. Toni was able to forget about what may have happened if Minho’s text message hadn’t interrupted her kiss with Taemin. She was able to relax and have some fun, even if it was for such a short time.
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Toni had work again the next day, this time with the members she hadn’t worked with yet. That made one thing very clear: she would definitely be seeing Onew.
She tried to push that thought out of her mind while she got dressed. She hadn’t gotten much sleep last night, partly because she was terrified she would oversleep again, and partly because of the worry she had just pushed out of her mind. She hadn’t seen Onew since their bathroom tryst, and that was just the way she liked it.
She sighed at the jumbled mess her life had become and made her way out the door. She was surprised to find a flower vase similar to the one from yesterday awaiting her in front of the door. No matter how she tried to, she couldn’t fight the smile that seemed to plaster itself to her face and refused to leave.
She was still in a good mood when she got to work. She was there probably an hour earlier than she needed to be, and her tired eyes were cursing her for that. She went into the tutoring room and sat down at the table to wait for whoever it was that she was tutoring first. She had to work around their schedules since they were all so busy with various activities that she wasn’t even sure who it would be showing up for each session. She couldn’t stifle a yawn, and decided that maybe a small nap wouldn’t hurt. She set the alarm on her phone for 45 minutes later to make sure she was up and prepared for her tutoree before they showed up. She laid her head down on the table and let sleep overtake her.
She awoke suddenly not long after that. She didn’t know how much time had passed, but she felt like something was off…it felt like someone was watching her.
‘You’re up?’ She heard from across the room. She turned her attention to where the melodious voice had been coming from and saw none other than Onew standing there. She automatically went into fight mode and Onew noticed this.
‘Relax tiger. I’m not going to try anything.’ She still looked suspicious. ‘Don’t worry. That time I had had a few drinks on the plane and I guess I was trying to test you. I don’t really know myself why I did that. When I drink I tend to…act like a different person? Anyways, I’m sorry because it seems like most of the interactions we’ve had have been after I’ve had a few. There any way that we could possibly start over? I’d want to treat you to something to make up for everything.’
Toni wanted more than anything for this offer to be true. While she would fight to the death with anyone who actually started a fight, she wasn’t very comfortable with conflict when it came to serious matters. Sure she would pick fights when it came to small things, but not something like being on such bad terms with a coworker. She wanted to believe him, but she wasn’t sure how much she could trust him. One thing about Onew though, was that he had always been completely open with his intentions for her. He had never hidden his distaste for her, and oddly enough she felt like that made her able to trust him.
‘Alright, we can start over.’ Onew breathed a sigh of relief. ‘But about treating me…’ He waited in anticipation of her no. I mean, it was obvious. There had been so much strife between them, there was no way in hell that she’d-
‘I have expensive tastes, so make sure you bring your wallet.’ She beamed a smile at him, happy that she had one less headache to worry about. Onew was a little surprised. He had seen her smile when she had been talking to Taemin, Minho, even the CEO, but this was the first time it had been just for him. His heart skipped a beat and he suddenly felt nervous. He vaguely remembered their bathroom scene and what she had felt like in his arms. He had to focus all his energy on maintaining his cool façade. It failed miserably when he tumbled to the ground while trying to take the seat next to Toni.
As he had trained his body to do, he subconsciously made a show out of the fall and then laid there flat on the ground, covering his face to hide his embarrassment. His ‘ssangtae’ had started out as him trying to find a funny way to hide the little bit of clumsiness that he was prone to. It had become a habit now, and for better or worse this was how he made people laugh…even if it did make him look like an idiot in front of a girl he might possibly like.
‘Oh my god! Are you okay?’ Toni was at his side before he could even really process what had happened. ‘Are you alright?’ She grabbed his hand, pulling him up into a sitting position. She underestimated her strength and ended up pulling him dangerously close to her face. Her breath caught, and this time it was her turn to remember their airplane rendezvous.
She stood up, abruptly trying to widen the distance between them. She still extended her hand, however, and helped him to his feet.
‘Thank you for not laughing.’ He said, awkwardly trying to regain his long forgotten composure.
‘That’s nothing to thank me for. I’m clumsy, so I know how much it sucks to fall and have someone laugh at you. I’d rather we just forget about it and get started with the lesson.’ Onew was astonished. Toni had an air about her that was different than any other woman he had met before. She didn’t play games or try to win him over by pretending to be what she thought he wanted. He was tired of the same pretty girls that had nothing more than their bodies to offer. As much as he didn’t want to admit it, he was both nervous and excited about taking Toni out later. He chided himself. He hadn’t felt like this since high school.
‘Toni, you don’t have to try so hard with the English with me.’ He told her ten minutes into their lesson.
‘Why?’ She asked, amused at what his answer would be this time.
‘Because I’m fluent in English.’ He smiled, proud at her surprise. It was he who got the real surprise when he saw her eyes fill up with tears. ‘What’s the matter? Did I say something wrong?’
‘That’s not it.’ She said quickly. ‘It just feels so nice to hear English again. You’re really good at it!’ She told him, wiping her eyes.
‘Thanks. It was my best subject in school.’ He beamed.
‘Why are they making you get tutored then?’
‘I’m not sure they know how good I am at it. Plus, it’s something the big boss commanded, so no questions are to be asked.’
They sat there in silence for a few seconds while Toni thought about what he said. She had read things online, stuff like he was a demon and that he did awful things. Toni had always seen him with a smile though…except for their meeting after what happened with Taemin. She still got chills from remembering how cold his eyes were. Other than that one time, however, the CEO had been nothing but nice to her.
‘Well, I guess I’m not really necessary for you then. Hmmm….I wonder if we should still practice it? There has to be some that you don’t know.’
‘How about this? Since you miss speaking English so much, why don’t we just use this time to talk? We’re starting over again anyway, and this would be a nice chance for me to show you the good side of myself.’
Toni thought for a second and then nodded her head in agreement. She smiled. ‘That sounds like it would be fun.’ She leaned closer to him and lowered her voice to a whisper. ‘Is fun allowed here?’
He picked up on her joke and decided to play along, letting her see him not being an asshole for once. He whispered back, ‘Only when no one is looking.’ They shared a laugh and made plans for later on in the week when Onew would treat her to authentic Korean food.
‘Alright, we’re all set then. So…should I pick you up or…?’ He left the sentence hanging, waiting to confirm that she was thinking the same thing he was.
‘Onew-ssi, no need to be nervous,’ she giggled. ‘I’ll meet you there. It’s not like it’s a date or anything.’ His face fell but he tried to hide his disappointment. She wasn’t thinking the same thing he was, but at that point he would take whatever he could get.
‘Okay. This is my number. If you get lost or anything, just give me a call and I’ll help you find your way there.’ He handed her a small piece of paper he had just written on, said he would see her then (since they didn’t meet again that week), then he left. Toni sat down in her seat again and tried to process what had just happened. She replayed the lesson in her head and went over everything that had been said and done. She couldn’t be happier that something she was so worried and stressed over was now something she could maybe look forward to. After all, she was in a strange place-she could use friends.
Speaking of Korean friends, Toni thought of Taemin for the 4000th time that day. She was annoyed by how under her skin he seemed to have gotten. She was feeling like a teenage schoolgirl again. She wanted more than anything to avoid Taemin, but then there was that tiny part of her that loved that feeling; that small piece of her that was encouraging her to try to find him, that wanted to talk to him, to feel his skin against hers, to ask him what made her so special out of all the women that wanted to be with him? Then there was that larger part of her that would scream at that small part, kicking the hell out of it. She could hear her brain screaming at her heart. ‘ARE YOU STUPID?! DO YOU WANT TO JUST STAB YOURSELF IN THE CHEST RIGHT NOW AND GET IT OVER WITH?! UGHHHH. You said you weren’t going to do this again, and now here you go, falling all over this guy you just met. If you’re going to fall in love again, how about you do it with someone who isn’t going to hurt you? Someone you actually stand a chance of being with? Someone you can have a future with?’
Toni stopped her inner monologue by remembering the promise she had made that she wouldn’t fall in love again…with anyone. Taemin was a fun time, but that’s all it was-a one time fun fling. No way would she fall in love with him…right?
As if he was conjured from her thoughts, Taemin walked into the tutoring room.
‘Noona, I’m so glad you’re here! I was hoping you would be, but I wasn’t sure.’ He walked over to where she was sitting and pulled the chair that was sitting next to her even closer than it already was, sitting down next to her. He gave her a peck on the cheek and pulled back with a smile, seemingly proud of himself. Toni’s mouth flew open at his brazenness.
‘Taemin,’ she started, preparing the same lecture she had given him at least half a dozen times. He cut her off.
‘Noona, why do you pretend you don’t want me?’ Her head snapped back from the sudden bold question. ‘It seems like you think if you say it enough times it’ll be true. It won’t. I know you want me just as badly as I want you. We’ve already proven that once, so why are we tiptoeing around it now? Come on noona~’ He put his hand on her knee, touching it lightly before tracing his fingers along her thigh. He looked up at her, his eyes trying to convince her just as much as his hands were. ‘Can’t we pick up where we left off yesterday?’
It took every bit of resistance Toni had in her to push his hand off her leg and stand up to leave, she did want him, God how she wanted him…she wanted to throw him down on top of the table and take him right there…but she couldn’t do that. She couldn’t throw away everything she had worked so hard for for one moment of mind shattering pleasure. She wouldn’t let herself.
‘Taemin, I’m sorry, but what almost happened yesterday shouldn’t have. I’m sorry, and I don’t know why I keep letting myself get into these situations with you…’ She frowned, seeming to get lost in wondering about why she does that.
He looked up at her, making sure he locked his gaze with hers. His eyes darkened, turning into black orbs before he finally spoke again.
‘Ok Toni.’ He stood up, his eyes never leaving hers. He leaned closer to her, lowering his head until he was level to her face. ‘But don’t keep me waiting too long…even I don’t know what will happen.’ With that he turned on his heels and left the room, leaving her there to consider his warning and try not to freak out over him actually saying her name instead of the standard noona. How could he change so drastically in the span of a day? She didn’t know who exactly she would be talking to whenever she saw him. He could seem so adult and then at other times he was just like a child. He could be sweet one moment and then frustrating the next. Innocent and then insanely seductive. He was impossible to figure out, and she didn’t know what he was really like, what kind of person he was. That was something that both intrigued and terrified her.
Chapter: 7
Rating: PG
Warning: This is just half of what I have written, so do not think it's short...I've just been typing for over an hour and I'm tired =_= I'll finish typing up the rest today and post it up, maybe as chapter 8? XDDD
Note: Words in bold are spoken in English (unless I forget to put them in Bold, but you get the picture) and italicized words are thoughts.
‘Are you alright?’ Minho asked Toni for what had to be the twentieth time. She gave him a small smile and reassured him again that she was just a tired mess from the long flight and trying to settle in. She lied.
The truth was that she was still shaken up from the mistake that she had almost let herself repeat yesterday. She shook her head quickly, trying to disperse the thoughts that were buzzing around in her head like a swarm of hornets. She could still feel Taemin’s warm breath on her face, his plump lips against hers, and the way her head was still spinning from his kiss.
Minho could tell she was upset, but he wasn’t sure what he could do for his newfound friend. Suddenly, he remembered their conversation from the plane ride.
‘Toni-ssi, we never did set up a time for that basketball game.’ Toni looked up at him, her thoughts suddenly clear again, and she focused on what he was saying.
‘Are you saying you’re up for the challenge?’ Her eyes regained their spark and Minho smiled in confirmation. Toni’s body tensed up as if she was ready to race him to the door, and that made Minho burst out in laughter. Toni laughed too. They ended their tutoring session early and practically raced to the nearby neighborhood basketball court that he had told her about. Toni was able to forget about what may have happened if Minho’s text message hadn’t interrupted her kiss with Taemin. She was able to relax and have some fun, even if it was for such a short time.
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Toni had work again the next day, this time with the members she hadn’t worked with yet. That made one thing very clear: she would definitely be seeing Onew.
She tried to push that thought out of her mind while she got dressed. She hadn’t gotten much sleep last night, partly because she was terrified she would oversleep again, and partly because of the worry she had just pushed out of her mind. She hadn’t seen Onew since their bathroom tryst, and that was just the way she liked it.
She sighed at the jumbled mess her life had become and made her way out the door. She was surprised to find a flower vase similar to the one from yesterday awaiting her in front of the door. No matter how she tried to, she couldn’t fight the smile that seemed to plaster itself to her face and refused to leave.
She was still in a good mood when she got to work. She was there probably an hour earlier than she needed to be, and her tired eyes were cursing her for that. She went into the tutoring room and sat down at the table to wait for whoever it was that she was tutoring first. She had to work around their schedules since they were all so busy with various activities that she wasn’t even sure who it would be showing up for each session. She couldn’t stifle a yawn, and decided that maybe a small nap wouldn’t hurt. She set the alarm on her phone for 45 minutes later to make sure she was up and prepared for her tutoree before they showed up. She laid her head down on the table and let sleep overtake her.
She awoke suddenly not long after that. She didn’t know how much time had passed, but she felt like something was off…it felt like someone was watching her.
‘You’re up?’ She heard from across the room. She turned her attention to where the melodious voice had been coming from and saw none other than Onew standing there. She automatically went into fight mode and Onew noticed this.
‘Relax tiger. I’m not going to try anything.’ She still looked suspicious. ‘Don’t worry. That time I had had a few drinks on the plane and I guess I was trying to test you. I don’t really know myself why I did that. When I drink I tend to…act like a different person? Anyways, I’m sorry because it seems like most of the interactions we’ve had have been after I’ve had a few. There any way that we could possibly start over? I’d want to treat you to something to make up for everything.’
Toni wanted more than anything for this offer to be true. While she would fight to the death with anyone who actually started a fight, she wasn’t very comfortable with conflict when it came to serious matters. Sure she would pick fights when it came to small things, but not something like being on such bad terms with a coworker. She wanted to believe him, but she wasn’t sure how much she could trust him. One thing about Onew though, was that he had always been completely open with his intentions for her. He had never hidden his distaste for her, and oddly enough she felt like that made her able to trust him.
‘Alright, we can start over.’ Onew breathed a sigh of relief. ‘But about treating me…’ He waited in anticipation of her no. I mean, it was obvious. There had been so much strife between them, there was no way in hell that she’d-
‘I have expensive tastes, so make sure you bring your wallet.’ She beamed a smile at him, happy that she had one less headache to worry about. Onew was a little surprised. He had seen her smile when she had been talking to Taemin, Minho, even the CEO, but this was the first time it had been just for him. His heart skipped a beat and he suddenly felt nervous. He vaguely remembered their bathroom scene and what she had felt like in his arms. He had to focus all his energy on maintaining his cool façade. It failed miserably when he tumbled to the ground while trying to take the seat next to Toni.
As he had trained his body to do, he subconsciously made a show out of the fall and then laid there flat on the ground, covering his face to hide his embarrassment. His ‘ssangtae’ had started out as him trying to find a funny way to hide the little bit of clumsiness that he was prone to. It had become a habit now, and for better or worse this was how he made people laugh…even if it did make him look like an idiot in front of a girl he might possibly like.
‘Oh my god! Are you okay?’ Toni was at his side before he could even really process what had happened. ‘Are you alright?’ She grabbed his hand, pulling him up into a sitting position. She underestimated her strength and ended up pulling him dangerously close to her face. Her breath caught, and this time it was her turn to remember their airplane rendezvous.
She stood up, abruptly trying to widen the distance between them. She still extended her hand, however, and helped him to his feet.
‘Thank you for not laughing.’ He said, awkwardly trying to regain his long forgotten composure.
‘That’s nothing to thank me for. I’m clumsy, so I know how much it sucks to fall and have someone laugh at you. I’d rather we just forget about it and get started with the lesson.’ Onew was astonished. Toni had an air about her that was different than any other woman he had met before. She didn’t play games or try to win him over by pretending to be what she thought he wanted. He was tired of the same pretty girls that had nothing more than their bodies to offer. As much as he didn’t want to admit it, he was both nervous and excited about taking Toni out later. He chided himself. He hadn’t felt like this since high school.
‘Toni, you don’t have to try so hard with the English with me.’ He told her ten minutes into their lesson.
‘Why?’ She asked, amused at what his answer would be this time.
‘Because I’m fluent in English.’ He smiled, proud at her surprise. It was he who got the real surprise when he saw her eyes fill up with tears. ‘What’s the matter? Did I say something wrong?’
‘That’s not it.’ She said quickly. ‘It just feels so nice to hear English again. You’re really good at it!’ She told him, wiping her eyes.
‘Thanks. It was my best subject in school.’ He beamed.
‘Why are they making you get tutored then?’
‘I’m not sure they know how good I am at it. Plus, it’s something the big boss commanded, so no questions are to be asked.’
They sat there in silence for a few seconds while Toni thought about what he said. She had read things online, stuff like he was a demon and that he did awful things. Toni had always seen him with a smile though…except for their meeting after what happened with Taemin. She still got chills from remembering how cold his eyes were. Other than that one time, however, the CEO had been nothing but nice to her.
‘Well, I guess I’m not really necessary for you then. Hmmm….I wonder if we should still practice it? There has to be some that you don’t know.’
‘How about this? Since you miss speaking English so much, why don’t we just use this time to talk? We’re starting over again anyway, and this would be a nice chance for me to show you the good side of myself.’
Toni thought for a second and then nodded her head in agreement. She smiled. ‘That sounds like it would be fun.’ She leaned closer to him and lowered her voice to a whisper. ‘Is fun allowed here?’
He picked up on her joke and decided to play along, letting her see him not being an asshole for once. He whispered back, ‘Only when no one is looking.’ They shared a laugh and made plans for later on in the week when Onew would treat her to authentic Korean food.
‘Alright, we’re all set then. So…should I pick you up or…?’ He left the sentence hanging, waiting to confirm that she was thinking the same thing he was.
‘Onew-ssi, no need to be nervous,’ she giggled. ‘I’ll meet you there. It’s not like it’s a date or anything.’ His face fell but he tried to hide his disappointment. She wasn’t thinking the same thing he was, but at that point he would take whatever he could get.
‘Okay. This is my number. If you get lost or anything, just give me a call and I’ll help you find your way there.’ He handed her a small piece of paper he had just written on, said he would see her then (since they didn’t meet again that week), then he left. Toni sat down in her seat again and tried to process what had just happened. She replayed the lesson in her head and went over everything that had been said and done. She couldn’t be happier that something she was so worried and stressed over was now something she could maybe look forward to. After all, she was in a strange place-she could use friends.
Speaking of Korean friends, Toni thought of Taemin for the 4000th time that day. She was annoyed by how under her skin he seemed to have gotten. She was feeling like a teenage schoolgirl again. She wanted more than anything to avoid Taemin, but then there was that tiny part of her that loved that feeling; that small piece of her that was encouraging her to try to find him, that wanted to talk to him, to feel his skin against hers, to ask him what made her so special out of all the women that wanted to be with him? Then there was that larger part of her that would scream at that small part, kicking the hell out of it. She could hear her brain screaming at her heart. ‘ARE YOU STUPID?! DO YOU WANT TO JUST STAB YOURSELF IN THE CHEST RIGHT NOW AND GET IT OVER WITH?! UGHHHH. You said you weren’t going to do this again, and now here you go, falling all over this guy you just met. If you’re going to fall in love again, how about you do it with someone who isn’t going to hurt you? Someone you actually stand a chance of being with? Someone you can have a future with?’
Toni stopped her inner monologue by remembering the promise she had made that she wouldn’t fall in love again…with anyone. Taemin was a fun time, but that’s all it was-a one time fun fling. No way would she fall in love with him…right?
As if he was conjured from her thoughts, Taemin walked into the tutoring room.
‘Noona, I’m so glad you’re here! I was hoping you would be, but I wasn’t sure.’ He walked over to where she was sitting and pulled the chair that was sitting next to her even closer than it already was, sitting down next to her. He gave her a peck on the cheek and pulled back with a smile, seemingly proud of himself. Toni’s mouth flew open at his brazenness.
‘Taemin,’ she started, preparing the same lecture she had given him at least half a dozen times. He cut her off.
‘Noona, why do you pretend you don’t want me?’ Her head snapped back from the sudden bold question. ‘It seems like you think if you say it enough times it’ll be true. It won’t. I know you want me just as badly as I want you. We’ve already proven that once, so why are we tiptoeing around it now? Come on noona~’ He put his hand on her knee, touching it lightly before tracing his fingers along her thigh. He looked up at her, his eyes trying to convince her just as much as his hands were. ‘Can’t we pick up where we left off yesterday?’
It took every bit of resistance Toni had in her to push his hand off her leg and stand up to leave, she did want him, God how she wanted him…she wanted to throw him down on top of the table and take him right there…but she couldn’t do that. She couldn’t throw away everything she had worked so hard for for one moment of mind shattering pleasure. She wouldn’t let herself.
‘Taemin, I’m sorry, but what almost happened yesterday shouldn’t have. I’m sorry, and I don’t know why I keep letting myself get into these situations with you…’ She frowned, seeming to get lost in wondering about why she does that.
He looked up at her, making sure he locked his gaze with hers. His eyes darkened, turning into black orbs before he finally spoke again.
‘Ok Toni.’ He stood up, his eyes never leaving hers. He leaned closer to her, lowering his head until he was level to her face. ‘But don’t keep me waiting too long…even I don’t know what will happen.’ With that he turned on his heels and left the room, leaving her there to consider his warning and try not to freak out over him actually saying her name instead of the standard noona. How could he change so drastically in the span of a day? She didn’t know who exactly she would be talking to whenever she saw him. He could seem so adult and then at other times he was just like a child. He could be sweet one moment and then frustrating the next. Innocent and then insanely seductive. He was impossible to figure out, and she didn’t know what he was really like, what kind of person he was. That was something that both intrigued and terrified her.