Min-ho
Where are you?
I'm texting her. I need to talk to her, otherwise I'll go crazy!
Her last act left everyone stunned, both by her decision to leave and by the intensity with which she sang our song.
When she left, it was as if the lights had been turned off, so much so that Seo Joon himself gave me a push and told me to follow her.
But I know she doesn't want that, I think I understood her message correctly: she doesn't want to be connected to me in any way!
And that makes me sad. But at the same time, it fills me with love for this girl's kindness.
Another fan would have thrown herself into my arms on stage, but instead she chose my friends rather than raise suspicions about us.
I wanted to slap those ten bastards who did this to her, one by one, but something in my heart tells me she doesn't need to be defended; she can do it on her own.
Perhaps, after months, I've seen a side of Jade I didn't know: that of a self-aware woman, and she's won me over even more.
While idle discussions and chatter ensue all around, I wait with a lump in my throat for her to reply to my message, but it remains unanswered.
I sigh when Jon-Ho asks me if we're leaving, so we say goodbye to everyone and agree to meet up again in the next few days for the finale.
I don't feel like it in the slightest, but I have to resist; it's just one episode.
I'm about to leave when Ari calls me loudly and runs toward me.
"Coach! Are you leaving without saying goodbye?"
He and his teammates join us, telling me they're staying at the residence for the night, but that the next day they'll be flying to the United States.
"It was a pleasure meeting you guys, I sincerely hope you find your artistic path," I say to them, saying goodbye.
"Our participation in this talent show has given us so much; we've learned dance styles and rigorous discipline that will help us do well in the future. We can only thank you all for this," Ari adds, hugging us. "I hope to see you again."
I glance behind him, hoping to see Jade materialize, but nothing.
"She told me she has to see some of her relatives and that she'll leave before today's episode airs. She wants to be outside when the news hits that she's leaving the show, so as to avoid the media hype," she whispers as she says goodbye. "I had hoped that you two..." she sighs and winks. "Never mind, Coach, sometimes dreams just fall apart."
With a smile, she walks away, leaving me pensive and sad.
"Our car has arrived," Jon-Ho tells me, nodding and opening the vehicle door.
We climb aboard and set off.
As Seo Joon comments on what happened this evening, my phone beeps.
I look at the notification and my heart stops beating.
Jade.
I open the message, pressing myself against the door so I won't be discovered.
Send me your number, we can talk this time, he texts.
I quickly dial the numbers and wait for the call.
Text me when you're alone so we can talk. If you want, of course.
His international phone number follows.
I smile and relax against the seatback.
Seo Joon notices my mood and asks the driver to take me first.
I touch his arm to thank him, and a few minutes later I'm home.
I don't send the message to Jade, but I call her right away.
Three rings and she answers.
"Is that you?" he asks in an uncertain voice.
"Yes," I reply, letting my breath out. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," she confirms, her voice betraying a smile. "Where are you?"
"At home. You?"
"I'm going to Incheron. I have a flight in two days, so I'll take advantage of it to get some sleep and buy some presents for my brothers."
"But weren't you supposed to go to your relatives?" I ask, puzzled.
She laughs sadly.
"I told Ari so I wouldn't go with them. I need some peace and quiet right now… I don't have any relatives I can go to."
Her tone is full of bitterness that hits me.
"Come to me!" I say to her impetuously.
A long silence follows.
"No," she finally replies, sighing. "I can't ruin everything I've done by creating more gossip."
I don't let her leave like this, without even seeing her.
I can't.
I don't want to.
"Jade, I need to see you, talk to you. Don't leave without giving me the chance, please!" I'm begging her, hoping she won't say no again. "If you don't want to come here, I'll meet you wherever you want!"
More silence, and I know she's trying to resist my call.
"Please," I whisper again, clutching my phone.
I hear background noises, a few words, as if she's covering it, and after a few moments, her voice comes back clearly.
"I got out of the taxi. I couldn't see you knowing someone knows I took that car. Where can we meet?" she asks.
My heart starts pounding as I reply:
"Send me your location, and I'll pick you up!"
I quickly put on my shoes and am about to grab the motorcycle keys, but I remember she has her suitcase, so I grab my car keys and run to the garage. I start the car, quickly checking her location in the chat. I enter it as my destination and, at a brisk pace, I exit the garage and hit the road. It's not far; I'll be there in ten minutes.
And I see her, standing next to a bus stop, wearing a hat that hides her face, sunglasses, and a long braid dangling to one side.
I stop in front of her, open the door and the hood. She gives me a curious look, shoves her suitcase in the back of the car, and climbs into the passenger seat.
Only then does she take off her glasses, give me an amused look, and smile.
"Are we hiding again, Coach?"
"For real, this time!"
I burst out laughing, restart the car, and make the return trip.
When we arrive, I see her curiously examining the surroundings, from the garage to the elevator, the hallways, and the door to my apartment.
I type in the code and let her in, stepping aside.
I'm thrilled to know she's here; no one has ever come here except Seo Joon.
It's my refuge, my nest, my happy place.
I feel strange watching her walk slowly. She takes off her shoes, asks permission to come in, and gazes at the many lights flooding the ceiling and the windows that cover the entire wall.
"It's very beautiful here," she says in a thin voice.
I seem awkward, as if being here makes her feel intimidated, so I ask her if she'd like a drink.
She shakes her head and approaches me.
She looks at my face, my hair, and raises a hand. She touches it, letting a strand run through her fingers, then caresses my cheek all the way to my chin.
She smiles.
A very sweet smile I've never seen before.
She slips her hands around my waist and hugs me tightly, resting her face on my chest.
I feel an intense sensation flooding me, so I hug her and hold her close.
We remain still for a very long time, until she pulls away, taking a step back.
"So you're real," she says, drowning in my eyes.
I also felt like it was a dream, like I'd been living a fairytale that wasn't real, but instead she's here with me and I can't let go.
I simply nod, before leaning toward her and pressing my lips to hers.
Her reaction is like waking up, starting slowly and then wrapping her arms around my neck, claiming me and responding with all her being.
I feel myself sinking into her mouth, it's as if I can feel her body in every pore of my skin. A sensation of warmth spreads throughout me, while a delicious scent envelops my senses.
I kiss her with all the passion I have, leaving her breathless.
She separates from me with her mouth swollen and a deep red, and I'm glad I was the one to do this to her.
"I suspect you really like me," she says, laughing.
"I'm crazy about you, it's different," I confirm without the slightest shame.
She shakes her head, takes my hand, and drags me to the couch, pulling me down to sit next to her.
"You said you wanted to talk to me, but as usual, when I see you, I don't understand anything anymore," she apologizes, assuming a composed posture.
Did I already say I like seeing her in my house?
I nod with a smile and regain my composure.
"What happened at the contest? Why did you leave?"
I see her sigh and twist her fingers.
"Is this about me? Has someone made insinuations about us?"
"I don't think they found out about us, they just thought you sponsored me to keep me on the program. But that wasn't what made me make the decision, but something related to my family," she replies flatly.
"Is it serious?"
She stares at me for a long moment, a look that seems to bore into my soul, and then she shakes her head.
"Do you want to know who Lee Yeona is?"