The Rhythm- 8/?
Title: The Rhythm
Chapter: 8
Rating: PG
The rest of Toni’s week passed peacefully, and she finally had her lessons with the other SHINee members. They went by relatively uneventful. She learned that Key loved to gossip and Jonghyun thought he was the shit. Each member had something about them that made the lesson memorable and fun.
The day finally arrived that she had promised to go to dinner with Onew. Even though she didn’t want to, she couldn’t help but primp for it as if she had someone to impress. She put on the new dress she had bought (not for the occasion of course, that was merely coincidental), straightened her hair to the point that it was smooth and silky (which never happened because it was generally a frizzy mess), perfected her make-up, and made sure she smelled her sweetest.
Even she didn’t know why she was going through so much trouble. Maybe it was something like she could meet her soulmate on the way to the store and she wanted to look her best, or maybe it was because whenever she thought about Onew now, she could feel her heartbeat quicken and remember how nice she had felt being wrapped in his arms. She hadn’t had an honest to goodness kiss in a long time. Sure, she had kissed Taemin on that infamous night, but it wasn’t the same as when she had kissed Onew. Taemin’s kiss had been one of raw passion…not to say that Taemin wasn’t a good kisser. Nothing like that. It was just…you could tell. Onew knew exactly what he was doing, and it was made painfully obvious.
‘It’s just dinner to make up for being such an asshole before,’ she told herself.
‘Yeah, but-‘
‘No buts!’ Her inner Hitler screamed at her. Toni shook her head.
Since she had moved to Korea she had been having inner arguments a lot more often, probably because she didn’t have any close friends there, but she needed to break the habit. It wasn’t normal.
Toni sighed and headed out the door, waving goodbye to her growing collection of honeysuckles next to the door. It never failed that every morning there would be one waiting at her doorway. It made her day a little brighter and always made her think of Taemin. She still didn’t know what she was going to do about him because she wasn’t completely sure how she felt about him. She seemed to have forgotten the fact that he was seventeen.
Toni left her apartment a little early because she found out it was even easier for her to her lost in Korea than it was back home. Usually she didn’t worry about it, since she actually liked just wondering around and finding amazing spots she never would have given a second look if she hadn’t gotten lost in the first place.
She didn’t have time for leisurely strolling and window shopping today, however, but of course she still managed to lose her way on one of the streets. She regretted her decision to not call a cab and let them take her straight to the restaurant. Damn her determination to overcome any weakness she had.
She hated having to do it, but she got out her cellphone to call Onew for help. She could almost hear his smile through the phone as he tried to keep himself from laughing. She felt some of that rage and annoyance at him bubbling up. She stopped it with the image of him apologizing so sincerely and then doing something silly like writing his number with pen and paper when every other person in the civilized world would have just told her the number while she put it in her phone. For those silly things she could forgive him for laughing at her.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
When Onew pulled up at the place Toni had told him she was, he was stunned into silence. He had come there with every intention of teasing her for being such a dunce, but upon seeing her that became the last thing he would even consider doing. She was wearing a floral print dress, but not the kind you normally think of when you hear floral. This dress was anything but the dowdy kind he usually saw the women in his family wear (the older women being the only ones he had seen even bother to wear a floral print dress). It was a gorgeous mid-thigh length white dress, with tiny pink flowers and green leaves all over it. It was cinched at the waist, showing off her dynamite figure, and the straps were off the shoulder, laying gently on her arms and meeting in the center to form a sweetheart neckline that showed off how beautiful her neck and collarbone were. It was the first time he had seen her hair straightened, the long caramel colored locks blowing softly around her face. She had pulled it back, pinning a strand from each side down. Her make-up was immaculate, and the outfit was made complete by a pair of mint green flats that brought out the tones in the dress.
‘She’s perfect.’ Was the only thing Onew could think. Until that very moment, he had decided that he was going to be just friends with Toni. Until that very moment, he had decided she wasn’t worth it, and that whoever she decided to date or screw was her business. Until that very moment, he wasn’t serious. Things got real the moment he pulled up next to her and she smiled warmly at him, with the wind making her hair and skirt slightly billow out.
If there was anyone else on the street, he didn’t see them. It seemed like all passing eyes were on her. She just stood there waiting for him to pull the rest of the way up, completely oblivious. Did she really not know how beautiful she was?
‘Whew!’ She exclaimed once she got inside. ‘I’m so so so so sorry!’ She lowered her eyes, clearly embarrassed at getting so desperately lost. ‘I’m fine if I’ve been to the place before, but when it’s a place I’ve never been before, it usually takes me a while or help from someone to find it.’
Onew just sat there in silence. Was he angry? The longer the silence continued, the more awkward she felt. He must be annoyed that he had to go so far out of his way to pick up a grown ass woman who got lost like a child. She didn’t know that he was having an inner freak out, afraid he would say something stupid or do something to make her hate him again.
A few more painfully long minutes passed. Toni had had enough. She turned to him, her temper flaring up suddenly. ‘Are you mad or something? I said I was sorry, isn’t that enough?! Gosh. Next time I’ll just call a freaking cab instead.’ The last bit was mumbled under her breath, but still loud enough for him to hear.
‘That’s not it!’ He said hastily.
‘Then what is it?’
‘I was just…surprised. I didn’t expect to see you looking like that…I thought it would just be the same Toni I had been seeing, but you look really different. I was just surprised.’ He repeated.
She was taken aback by his outburst. She didn’t know whether she should be flattered or offended.
‘Is…that a good thing?’
‘Yes. Not many people surprise me.’
‘I’m jealous.’ She said, turning from him in favor of looking out the window. ‘They always shock the hell out of me.' Onew didn’t know who was the cause of the sigh that followed those words, but he felt a small prick in his chest from knowing he wasn’t the one she was seeing as she gazed out into space.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The restaurant was as nice as she thought it might be, and she was glad she had put in the extra effort. Everyone turned to look when they entered, and that’s when reality hit her. Onew was a mega star, internationally known, and it wasn’t okay for him to be seen out on the town with just anyone. There was sure to be talk.
Onew noticed how his partner had started fidgeting and he could feel her discomfort. He placed his hand on her forearm in a sign of reassurance. He expected her to jump back in shock from the sudden touch, but instead she looked relieved.
‘I know the owner here. They’re used to dealing with celebrities, so don’t worry about it. I wouldn’t do anything to make you uncomfortable.’ He told her, as if reading her mind. She smiled back at him and nodded, but didn’t say anything. While she had convinced herself this wasn’t a date, she knew that was what it must have looked like to an outsider. For the briefest moment, Taemin flashed through her mind. Toni had never been bothered by what people thought of her, but this was a different situation entirely. One wrong step with this man and lives could seriously be affected. It was frightening.
But…she was already dressed and out, so they would just have to deal. She shrugged off her inhibitions and decided that she would have fun no matter what.
They didn’t have to wait long before they were taken to their table, a very private booth in the back away from prying eyes. Toni got embarrassingly excited when the menu was brought. Names of foods she had only ever seen on shows before were suddenly laid out in front of her. She squealed her excitement when she got to what seemed to be a staple in Korea: soju.
Onew couldn’t hold himself back anymore and he finally burst out laughing. ‘You can get whatever you want. I’m treating you remember? Plus, you warned me already so I brought my wallet.’
She shot him that smile again and shook her head. ‘I don’t think a place this nice is right for me to have my first bottle of soju.’
‘FIRST?!’ Onew gasped, nearly unhinging his jaw from surprise.
‘Yeah. I never had anyone to go with me, so I just never went. I wasn’t lying when I said this was my first time eating Korean food. I’ve been living off ramen and what I can microwave since I got here.’
Onew’s eyes remained opened wide, and he stood up suddenly.
‘What are you doing?’ She asked, a confused look on her face.
‘I want your first taste of Korea to be the real Korea. Come on.’ He grabbed her hand, leading her out of the restaurant and down the street. They stopped at a small shop on the corner. ‘Wait here,’ he told her entering the store. He picked out a few things and quickly bought them. When he came out, he was in full on disguise mode. He’d bought a beanie and the typical celebrity mask, and was ready to take a scenic walk.
Toni burst out in laughter when she saw his appearance. She laughed to the point of tears before finally composing herself. Onew stood there, the part of his face that was still visible growing redder and redder by the second.
‘I’m sorry,’ she gasped, clutching her sides that had begun to ache. ‘Oh God. Is this real life?’ She took a deep breath and finally finished laughing. ‘Sorry, it’s just like something I would read in a manga or see in a drama. The whole thing is so surreal.’
‘Well, this is real life for me. If I want to go out for a drink with a friend, this is what I have to do.’ His words were sharp with a bitter edge to them. She had never really thought about it before. It must feel like being a prisoner in a bigger cell, or an animal on display.
‘Alright, I’m sorry. It must suck. Still taking me where we were going?’ She flashed him her sweetest smile, making certain he couldn’t stay upset.
‘Yeah, I guess. It’s just a couple of blocks down. Are you alright with walking?’
‘Sure. I wore the perfect shoes for walking and I could use the exercise. Just make sure not to let me fall too far behind. You know I get lost too easily. Plus, if something catches my eye on the way I have a tendency to just wander off…’ She bit her lip, hating that she had to lay her flaws bare.
‘Right. That’s a problem that’s easy to fix.’ He told her, reaching out his hand. She looked at it as if it were something poisonous. ‘I’m not going to hurt you. Don’t think anything of it. I’m not trying to get in your pants; I just don’t want to get separated.’ He continued holding his hand out for her until she hesitantly took it, flustered by how he seemed able to read her mind.
When their hands clasped, she felt a warmth travel from her fingertips to the tips of her toes. Toni got confused by that. Onew had been the bane of her existence and now suddenly he could make her heart race? What was this? What about Taemin? Was she really this fickle? Was this the kind of woman she was?
Toni felt a pang of guilt towards Taemin and she didn’t know why. She wasn’t with him, this wasn’t a date, and he was a child while she was an adult. She could do what she wanted. But still…he kept lingering in the back of her mind.
She looked up from her thoughts and finally realized where they were going. Her breath caught, and she felt the same excitement she had felt when she first set foot in Korea.
It was plain, just one of the outdoor food booths. A tent was set up and tables with plastic chairs were placed inside it. It was the scene she had always imagined when she thought of Korea: settling underneath the tarp with a drinking buddy and plates of kimchi, ricecakes, and soju sitting around her. If this really were a manga, her feet would have been over her head because she had fainted from happiness.
This wasn’t a manga, however, so the only thing that gave away her excitement was how tightly she suddenly squeezed Onew’s hand. She couldn’t see it because of the mask he was wearing, but he was beaming. So this was the kind of girl she was. It wasn’t an expensive restaurant that impressed her, but a place that was generally known for drunken visits past midnight or school children spending their pocket money. He loved piecing her together with every bit he found out.
They took seats opposite each other and the very first thing Onew did was yell ‘Ahjumma, one bottle of soju please!’ Toni’s eyes lit up. ‘Are you sure you can handle this?’ Onew asked, turning back to face her.
‘I can handle my liquor thank you very much!’ She couldn’t. She was a lightweight who liked to think she wasn’t-the worst kind of drunk. Onew ordered some side dishes and sat down to enjoy the show. Toni had seen him drunk, but he had never seen her to that point.
Around shot number three was when he could tell it was affecting her. That was about the time that her speech became slurred and her eyes glazed over. She got really giggly and extremely talkative. Onew, on the other hand, was still stone cold sober after shot three. Unlike her, he actually could hold his liquor.
‘YA! Are you listening to me?’ She leaned over the table and grabbed his chin, turning his face to hers.
‘Aish! I’m listening, I’m listening. You were going on and on about this good guy friend you had in high school.’ Anyone passing by with a curious ear could hear the exhaustion in his voice, but Toni was just glad he had been listening.
‘And we get another shot for that one!’ She giggled, filling her glass and gulping it down before Onew could stop her.
‘Kaaaaaaa.’ She said after finishing her drink. ‘I saw that in a show once and always wanted to try it. I’m so glad I came out with you! I was really torn about whether I should or not, ya know, since you’ve been the biggest possible dick in the world to me. But ya know, you’re not so bad after all.’ Toni completely forgot that she should be speaking in Korean, and when she drank her accent became a lot thicker. At this point, Onew understood about ¼ of what she was saying.
‘Onew, are you listening?!’ She practically screamed. Onew noticed that some of the people around them had started looking-a few of them chuckling here and there.
‘Toni, you can call me Jinki.’
‘Why would I do that?’ She asked, wondering where this had come from. Onew was stunned. He was used to people just knowing things about him, so meeting someone, especially a girl in the industry, who didn’t know even his real name was something foreign to him.
‘…because it’s my real name. Only my friends and family get to call me that, so you should feel lucky.’
‘Jinki….Jinki….’ He couldn’t help but feel happy. ‘I don’t wanna. If it’s such a big deal, I want to keep it like that. How about this? I’ll call you Jinki, but only when you’ve done something really good or really bad. Okay?’ She had turned serious.
‘I guess that’ll work.’ He was disappointed but a little excited. This meant that it would be slightly easier to figure out what she was thinking.
‘Aigoo…’ She suddenly laid her head on the table. ‘Onew, I like soju.’
He had to laugh. He had thought for a second there that something might be wrong. His worry proved to be for nothing. This woman was so interesting.
‘Onew, I think it’s time for me to go home. What do I do? I don’t think I remember the way…’ In the face of this sudden dilemma she looked to be almost at the point of tears.
‘Don’t worry. I’ll make sure you get home alright.’
‘But you’ve been drinking too! You can’t drive! Don’t be a goose!’
He chuckled. ‘It’s alright. I’ve already called for a cab.’
‘Really?!’ He nodded. ‘You’re my hero!’ She jumped up from her side of the table and went next to him, giving him a huge hug and laying her head down on his shoulder. That was another bad drinking habit of hers: she didn’t know personal space. Onew wasn’t complaining.
They sat like that until the cab got there then they pretty much just relocated to the cab. Toni was in that state of drunkenness where she needed someone to help support her weight, her eyes now heavy lidded and mumbling whatever random thought popped into her head.
‘Want to know a secret?’ She whispered into his ear during the ride. He looked at her and nodded, leaning closer to her lips so she wouldn’t have to strain to pull herself up to his head.
‘Don’t tell Onew, but I snuck shots when he wasn’t looking~’ That would explain why she was falling down drunk from four shots. She shrieked out in laughter. ‘It’s funny because YOU’RE Onew!!’ She clapped her hands in a fit of giggles. ‘Oh, that was fun.’ She settled back down on his chest and he wrapped his arm around her like it was the most natural thing in the world. She snuggled up to him, inhaling his scent. He smelled wonderful, like a mixture of soap and the way fresh flowers smelled after a rainfall. She felt herself falling into it, and before she realized it they were at her apartment building.
Onew practically carried her into the building. They reached her apartment and he knew that her trying to unlock the door was a lost cause, so he did that too. When they entered the apartment, they were met with the vase full of honeysuckles.
‘Those are pretty.’ Onew commented. Toni looked around for a moment, trying to figure out what he was talking about.
‘Ah! The flowers! Yeah, they’re from a secret admirer. I think I know who it is though. A little boy who’s trying to fit into shoes that are too big for him. He can’t handle me....it’s nice though.’ She stumbled her way to the flowers, as if they both didn’t know who she was referring to. ‘These are almost like the ones we have back in Kentucky. It makes me think of home. I miss it.’ She zoned out, gently holding one of the buds between her fingers. ‘I’m going to bed. If I don’t I’ll just be an emo kid, and no one wants that.’ She started to make her way to the bedroom but tripped over her feet. Onew caught her in the knick of time and decided he’d better help her there as well.
‘I’m fine, I’m fine,’ she told him, pushing him off her once they got to the bedroom. She went to the closet, turning her back to him and yanking her dress off above her head. Onew saw what she was doing, blushed, and averted his eyes. ‘What’s this Onew? Since when are you so shy? Isn’t this what you wanted all along?’ He scolded himself. While he was struggling inwardly, Toni put on a small nightgown and sauntered over to him.
‘Onew-ssi~’ She planted herself in front of him. ‘You know that you’re an amazing kisser, right? What are you going to do? Are you sure you can make it home alright? Would it be better if you stayed here?’ She looked up at him, batting her eyelashes invitingly. Just seeing her in that nightgown tested his self control, but he couldn’t, not like this.
‘Toni, I think you should head on to bed. It’s been a long day and you’re drunk. You don’t really want to do this…’ He pushed her arms off him, kicking himself all the while. She looked up with fire in her eyes.
‘Fine. Just go home then.’
‘Toni, I-‘
‘Jinki, you need to leave.’ She turned around and went over to her bed, getting into it and pulling the covers over her head.
‘Toni…I had a really good time with you tonight. I’ll text you once you sober up. Goodnight.’ He closed the door and once on the other side of it, he cursed himself for being such a gentleman. The whole way home he thought of her eyes looking up at him, so tempting and so beautiful. He could still smell her on him and he loved that. He never wanted to let go of that scent.
Chapter: 8
Rating: PG
The rest of Toni’s week passed peacefully, and she finally had her lessons with the other SHINee members. They went by relatively uneventful. She learned that Key loved to gossip and Jonghyun thought he was the shit. Each member had something about them that made the lesson memorable and fun.
The day finally arrived that she had promised to go to dinner with Onew. Even though she didn’t want to, she couldn’t help but primp for it as if she had someone to impress. She put on the new dress she had bought (not for the occasion of course, that was merely coincidental), straightened her hair to the point that it was smooth and silky (which never happened because it was generally a frizzy mess), perfected her make-up, and made sure she smelled her sweetest.
Even she didn’t know why she was going through so much trouble. Maybe it was something like she could meet her soulmate on the way to the store and she wanted to look her best, or maybe it was because whenever she thought about Onew now, she could feel her heartbeat quicken and remember how nice she had felt being wrapped in his arms. She hadn’t had an honest to goodness kiss in a long time. Sure, she had kissed Taemin on that infamous night, but it wasn’t the same as when she had kissed Onew. Taemin’s kiss had been one of raw passion…not to say that Taemin wasn’t a good kisser. Nothing like that. It was just…you could tell. Onew knew exactly what he was doing, and it was made painfully obvious.
‘It’s just dinner to make up for being such an asshole before,’ she told herself.
‘Yeah, but-‘
‘No buts!’ Her inner Hitler screamed at her. Toni shook her head.
Since she had moved to Korea she had been having inner arguments a lot more often, probably because she didn’t have any close friends there, but she needed to break the habit. It wasn’t normal.
Toni sighed and headed out the door, waving goodbye to her growing collection of honeysuckles next to the door. It never failed that every morning there would be one waiting at her doorway. It made her day a little brighter and always made her think of Taemin. She still didn’t know what she was going to do about him because she wasn’t completely sure how she felt about him. She seemed to have forgotten the fact that he was seventeen.
Toni left her apartment a little early because she found out it was even easier for her to her lost in Korea than it was back home. Usually she didn’t worry about it, since she actually liked just wondering around and finding amazing spots she never would have given a second look if she hadn’t gotten lost in the first place.
She didn’t have time for leisurely strolling and window shopping today, however, but of course she still managed to lose her way on one of the streets. She regretted her decision to not call a cab and let them take her straight to the restaurant. Damn her determination to overcome any weakness she had.
She hated having to do it, but she got out her cellphone to call Onew for help. She could almost hear his smile through the phone as he tried to keep himself from laughing. She felt some of that rage and annoyance at him bubbling up. She stopped it with the image of him apologizing so sincerely and then doing something silly like writing his number with pen and paper when every other person in the civilized world would have just told her the number while she put it in her phone. For those silly things she could forgive him for laughing at her.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
When Onew pulled up at the place Toni had told him she was, he was stunned into silence. He had come there with every intention of teasing her for being such a dunce, but upon seeing her that became the last thing he would even consider doing. She was wearing a floral print dress, but not the kind you normally think of when you hear floral. This dress was anything but the dowdy kind he usually saw the women in his family wear (the older women being the only ones he had seen even bother to wear a floral print dress). It was a gorgeous mid-thigh length white dress, with tiny pink flowers and green leaves all over it. It was cinched at the waist, showing off her dynamite figure, and the straps were off the shoulder, laying gently on her arms and meeting in the center to form a sweetheart neckline that showed off how beautiful her neck and collarbone were. It was the first time he had seen her hair straightened, the long caramel colored locks blowing softly around her face. She had pulled it back, pinning a strand from each side down. Her make-up was immaculate, and the outfit was made complete by a pair of mint green flats that brought out the tones in the dress.
‘She’s perfect.’ Was the only thing Onew could think. Until that very moment, he had decided that he was going to be just friends with Toni. Until that very moment, he had decided she wasn’t worth it, and that whoever she decided to date or screw was her business. Until that very moment, he wasn’t serious. Things got real the moment he pulled up next to her and she smiled warmly at him, with the wind making her hair and skirt slightly billow out.
If there was anyone else on the street, he didn’t see them. It seemed like all passing eyes were on her. She just stood there waiting for him to pull the rest of the way up, completely oblivious. Did she really not know how beautiful she was?
‘Whew!’ She exclaimed once she got inside. ‘I’m so so so so sorry!’ She lowered her eyes, clearly embarrassed at getting so desperately lost. ‘I’m fine if I’ve been to the place before, but when it’s a place I’ve never been before, it usually takes me a while or help from someone to find it.’
Onew just sat there in silence. Was he angry? The longer the silence continued, the more awkward she felt. He must be annoyed that he had to go so far out of his way to pick up a grown ass woman who got lost like a child. She didn’t know that he was having an inner freak out, afraid he would say something stupid or do something to make her hate him again.
A few more painfully long minutes passed. Toni had had enough. She turned to him, her temper flaring up suddenly. ‘Are you mad or something? I said I was sorry, isn’t that enough?! Gosh. Next time I’ll just call a freaking cab instead.’ The last bit was mumbled under her breath, but still loud enough for him to hear.
‘That’s not it!’ He said hastily.
‘Then what is it?’
‘I was just…surprised. I didn’t expect to see you looking like that…I thought it would just be the same Toni I had been seeing, but you look really different. I was just surprised.’ He repeated.
She was taken aback by his outburst. She didn’t know whether she should be flattered or offended.
‘Is…that a good thing?’
‘Yes. Not many people surprise me.’
‘I’m jealous.’ She said, turning from him in favor of looking out the window. ‘They always shock the hell out of me.' Onew didn’t know who was the cause of the sigh that followed those words, but he felt a small prick in his chest from knowing he wasn’t the one she was seeing as she gazed out into space.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The restaurant was as nice as she thought it might be, and she was glad she had put in the extra effort. Everyone turned to look when they entered, and that’s when reality hit her. Onew was a mega star, internationally known, and it wasn’t okay for him to be seen out on the town with just anyone. There was sure to be talk.
Onew noticed how his partner had started fidgeting and he could feel her discomfort. He placed his hand on her forearm in a sign of reassurance. He expected her to jump back in shock from the sudden touch, but instead she looked relieved.
‘I know the owner here. They’re used to dealing with celebrities, so don’t worry about it. I wouldn’t do anything to make you uncomfortable.’ He told her, as if reading her mind. She smiled back at him and nodded, but didn’t say anything. While she had convinced herself this wasn’t a date, she knew that was what it must have looked like to an outsider. For the briefest moment, Taemin flashed through her mind. Toni had never been bothered by what people thought of her, but this was a different situation entirely. One wrong step with this man and lives could seriously be affected. It was frightening.
But…she was already dressed and out, so they would just have to deal. She shrugged off her inhibitions and decided that she would have fun no matter what.
They didn’t have to wait long before they were taken to their table, a very private booth in the back away from prying eyes. Toni got embarrassingly excited when the menu was brought. Names of foods she had only ever seen on shows before were suddenly laid out in front of her. She squealed her excitement when she got to what seemed to be a staple in Korea: soju.
Onew couldn’t hold himself back anymore and he finally burst out laughing. ‘You can get whatever you want. I’m treating you remember? Plus, you warned me already so I brought my wallet.’
She shot him that smile again and shook her head. ‘I don’t think a place this nice is right for me to have my first bottle of soju.’
‘FIRST?!’ Onew gasped, nearly unhinging his jaw from surprise.
‘Yeah. I never had anyone to go with me, so I just never went. I wasn’t lying when I said this was my first time eating Korean food. I’ve been living off ramen and what I can microwave since I got here.’
Onew’s eyes remained opened wide, and he stood up suddenly.
‘What are you doing?’ She asked, a confused look on her face.
‘I want your first taste of Korea to be the real Korea. Come on.’ He grabbed her hand, leading her out of the restaurant and down the street. They stopped at a small shop on the corner. ‘Wait here,’ he told her entering the store. He picked out a few things and quickly bought them. When he came out, he was in full on disguise mode. He’d bought a beanie and the typical celebrity mask, and was ready to take a scenic walk.
Toni burst out in laughter when she saw his appearance. She laughed to the point of tears before finally composing herself. Onew stood there, the part of his face that was still visible growing redder and redder by the second.
‘I’m sorry,’ she gasped, clutching her sides that had begun to ache. ‘Oh God. Is this real life?’ She took a deep breath and finally finished laughing. ‘Sorry, it’s just like something I would read in a manga or see in a drama. The whole thing is so surreal.’
‘Well, this is real life for me. If I want to go out for a drink with a friend, this is what I have to do.’ His words were sharp with a bitter edge to them. She had never really thought about it before. It must feel like being a prisoner in a bigger cell, or an animal on display.
‘Alright, I’m sorry. It must suck. Still taking me where we were going?’ She flashed him her sweetest smile, making certain he couldn’t stay upset.
‘Yeah, I guess. It’s just a couple of blocks down. Are you alright with walking?’
‘Sure. I wore the perfect shoes for walking and I could use the exercise. Just make sure not to let me fall too far behind. You know I get lost too easily. Plus, if something catches my eye on the way I have a tendency to just wander off…’ She bit her lip, hating that she had to lay her flaws bare.
‘Right. That’s a problem that’s easy to fix.’ He told her, reaching out his hand. She looked at it as if it were something poisonous. ‘I’m not going to hurt you. Don’t think anything of it. I’m not trying to get in your pants; I just don’t want to get separated.’ He continued holding his hand out for her until she hesitantly took it, flustered by how he seemed able to read her mind.
When their hands clasped, she felt a warmth travel from her fingertips to the tips of her toes. Toni got confused by that. Onew had been the bane of her existence and now suddenly he could make her heart race? What was this? What about Taemin? Was she really this fickle? Was this the kind of woman she was?
Toni felt a pang of guilt towards Taemin and she didn’t know why. She wasn’t with him, this wasn’t a date, and he was a child while she was an adult. She could do what she wanted. But still…he kept lingering in the back of her mind.
She looked up from her thoughts and finally realized where they were going. Her breath caught, and she felt the same excitement she had felt when she first set foot in Korea.
It was plain, just one of the outdoor food booths. A tent was set up and tables with plastic chairs were placed inside it. It was the scene she had always imagined when she thought of Korea: settling underneath the tarp with a drinking buddy and plates of kimchi, ricecakes, and soju sitting around her. If this really were a manga, her feet would have been over her head because she had fainted from happiness.
This wasn’t a manga, however, so the only thing that gave away her excitement was how tightly she suddenly squeezed Onew’s hand. She couldn’t see it because of the mask he was wearing, but he was beaming. So this was the kind of girl she was. It wasn’t an expensive restaurant that impressed her, but a place that was generally known for drunken visits past midnight or school children spending their pocket money. He loved piecing her together with every bit he found out.
They took seats opposite each other and the very first thing Onew did was yell ‘Ahjumma, one bottle of soju please!’ Toni’s eyes lit up. ‘Are you sure you can handle this?’ Onew asked, turning back to face her.
‘I can handle my liquor thank you very much!’ She couldn’t. She was a lightweight who liked to think she wasn’t-the worst kind of drunk. Onew ordered some side dishes and sat down to enjoy the show. Toni had seen him drunk, but he had never seen her to that point.
Around shot number three was when he could tell it was affecting her. That was about the time that her speech became slurred and her eyes glazed over. She got really giggly and extremely talkative. Onew, on the other hand, was still stone cold sober after shot three. Unlike her, he actually could hold his liquor.
‘YA! Are you listening to me?’ She leaned over the table and grabbed his chin, turning his face to hers.
‘Aish! I’m listening, I’m listening. You were going on and on about this good guy friend you had in high school.’ Anyone passing by with a curious ear could hear the exhaustion in his voice, but Toni was just glad he had been listening.
‘And we get another shot for that one!’ She giggled, filling her glass and gulping it down before Onew could stop her.
‘Kaaaaaaa.’ She said after finishing her drink. ‘I saw that in a show once and always wanted to try it. I’m so glad I came out with you! I was really torn about whether I should or not, ya know, since you’ve been the biggest possible dick in the world to me. But ya know, you’re not so bad after all.’ Toni completely forgot that she should be speaking in Korean, and when she drank her accent became a lot thicker. At this point, Onew understood about ¼ of what she was saying.
‘Onew, are you listening?!’ She practically screamed. Onew noticed that some of the people around them had started looking-a few of them chuckling here and there.
‘Toni, you can call me Jinki.’
‘Why would I do that?’ She asked, wondering where this had come from. Onew was stunned. He was used to people just knowing things about him, so meeting someone, especially a girl in the industry, who didn’t know even his real name was something foreign to him.
‘…because it’s my real name. Only my friends and family get to call me that, so you should feel lucky.’
‘Jinki….Jinki….’ He couldn’t help but feel happy. ‘I don’t wanna. If it’s such a big deal, I want to keep it like that. How about this? I’ll call you Jinki, but only when you’ve done something really good or really bad. Okay?’ She had turned serious.
‘I guess that’ll work.’ He was disappointed but a little excited. This meant that it would be slightly easier to figure out what she was thinking.
‘Aigoo…’ She suddenly laid her head on the table. ‘Onew, I like soju.’
He had to laugh. He had thought for a second there that something might be wrong. His worry proved to be for nothing. This woman was so interesting.
‘Onew, I think it’s time for me to go home. What do I do? I don’t think I remember the way…’ In the face of this sudden dilemma she looked to be almost at the point of tears.
‘Don’t worry. I’ll make sure you get home alright.’
‘But you’ve been drinking too! You can’t drive! Don’t be a goose!’
He chuckled. ‘It’s alright. I’ve already called for a cab.’
‘Really?!’ He nodded. ‘You’re my hero!’ She jumped up from her side of the table and went next to him, giving him a huge hug and laying her head down on his shoulder. That was another bad drinking habit of hers: she didn’t know personal space. Onew wasn’t complaining.
They sat like that until the cab got there then they pretty much just relocated to the cab. Toni was in that state of drunkenness where she needed someone to help support her weight, her eyes now heavy lidded and mumbling whatever random thought popped into her head.
‘Want to know a secret?’ She whispered into his ear during the ride. He looked at her and nodded, leaning closer to her lips so she wouldn’t have to strain to pull herself up to his head.
‘Don’t tell Onew, but I snuck shots when he wasn’t looking~’ That would explain why she was falling down drunk from four shots. She shrieked out in laughter. ‘It’s funny because YOU’RE Onew!!’ She clapped her hands in a fit of giggles. ‘Oh, that was fun.’ She settled back down on his chest and he wrapped his arm around her like it was the most natural thing in the world. She snuggled up to him, inhaling his scent. He smelled wonderful, like a mixture of soap and the way fresh flowers smelled after a rainfall. She felt herself falling into it, and before she realized it they were at her apartment building.
Onew practically carried her into the building. They reached her apartment and he knew that her trying to unlock the door was a lost cause, so he did that too. When they entered the apartment, they were met with the vase full of honeysuckles.
‘Those are pretty.’ Onew commented. Toni looked around for a moment, trying to figure out what he was talking about.
‘Ah! The flowers! Yeah, they’re from a secret admirer. I think I know who it is though. A little boy who’s trying to fit into shoes that are too big for him. He can’t handle me....it’s nice though.’ She stumbled her way to the flowers, as if they both didn’t know who she was referring to. ‘These are almost like the ones we have back in Kentucky. It makes me think of home. I miss it.’ She zoned out, gently holding one of the buds between her fingers. ‘I’m going to bed. If I don’t I’ll just be an emo kid, and no one wants that.’ She started to make her way to the bedroom but tripped over her feet. Onew caught her in the knick of time and decided he’d better help her there as well.
‘I’m fine, I’m fine,’ she told him, pushing him off her once they got to the bedroom. She went to the closet, turning her back to him and yanking her dress off above her head. Onew saw what she was doing, blushed, and averted his eyes. ‘What’s this Onew? Since when are you so shy? Isn’t this what you wanted all along?’ He scolded himself. While he was struggling inwardly, Toni put on a small nightgown and sauntered over to him.
‘Onew-ssi~’ She planted herself in front of him. ‘You know that you’re an amazing kisser, right? What are you going to do? Are you sure you can make it home alright? Would it be better if you stayed here?’ She looked up at him, batting her eyelashes invitingly. Just seeing her in that nightgown tested his self control, but he couldn’t, not like this.
‘Toni, I think you should head on to bed. It’s been a long day and you’re drunk. You don’t really want to do this…’ He pushed her arms off him, kicking himself all the while. She looked up with fire in her eyes.
‘Fine. Just go home then.’
‘Toni, I-‘
‘Jinki, you need to leave.’ She turned around and went over to her bed, getting into it and pulling the covers over her head.
‘Toni…I had a really good time with you tonight. I’ll text you once you sober up. Goodnight.’ He closed the door and once on the other side of it, he cursed himself for being such a gentleman. The whole way home he thought of her eyes looking up at him, so tempting and so beautiful. He could still smell her on him and he loved that. He never wanted to let go of that scent.