Kim Minjeong
It was late in the evening when I decided to call Ning to meet up on our usual cafe.
Coincidentally she told me that she was nearby and will be there in no time.
And surprisingly, she really is.
Ning was already there, waving over me with that knowing smile.
I slid onto the cozy corner of my favorite spot.
"Hey, spill it-what's up with Karina? You looked kinda off today," she teased as I sat down.
I shrugged, sipping on my drink -That she ordered without waiting for me.
"Honestly? It was... unexpected. I thought we'd just keep avoiding each other forever, but then she actually said something. Like, talked to me for real."
Ning raised an eyebrow. "Wait, what? Karina started the conversation?" She scoffed. "That's new."
"Right? She told me my shots were better than she thought. Said she was surprised. Tried to play it off like she wasn't being nice, but that was definitely something."
Ning grinned, "As she should. She almost lost a fan."
She put her hand on her chest, dramatically.
A smile tugged on my lips.
"So, what'd you say?"
"I just played it cool, thanked her and stuff. Didn't really know what to expect... but it wasn't this." I admitted, swirling the ice in my glass.
Ning leaned back, eyes gleaming. "Sounds like there's more going on there."
"Maybe. I mean, she's still Karina - pretty, elegant, and a total pain in ass sometimes. But today? She felt different."
She smirked, "You've got her all figured out now, huh?"
I rolled my eyes and laugh. "Nope. That's the thing. I'm more confused than ever."
We sat there for a little longer, catching up about her life.
Like we always do. Family things.
And as for me and Karina, maybe things were finally starting to shift, and somehow, just maybe, I was ready to see where it would go.
~
Or...maybe not.
The set for the music video shoot were bustling like usual. Staffs rushing around, lights flashing and camera's being checked.
But somehow, Karina was making it all feel off today.
Yes,I expected that she wasn't gonna throw,or snap at me or anything.
At all.
She was now... ignoring me. Totally silent treatment, but without a single harsh word. Like I didn't even exist.
Earlier, I greeted her 'Good morning Ms.Yu'
and damn, she just walk passed me.
I'd try to catch her eyes while setting up shots, but she'd look right past me or focus on her phone or something else entirely.
I also noticed that she seemed a little tense-her jaw was tight, and she kept running a hand through her hair like she was restless.
After wrapping up a few takes for the teaser, the director asked me to look for Karina because he needed her to check out some of the footage I'd taken earlier-wanted to get her opinion, see if she liked what I'd captured.
I spotted Karina's manager near the equipment carts and headed over.
"Yoona-sshi, have you seen Ms.Yu around? I wanna show her some clips for her approval." I asked.
She glanced at me, then nodded. "She mentioned she was heading to the ladies' restroom a little while ago. Probably needed a break."
I thanked her.
I made my way toward the ladies' comfort room, figuring Karina might still be there.
But just before I got there, I saw someone up ahead.
That costume's familiar.
Yes. That's
-Karina, marching her way to the...wrong direction?
For a moment, I just stopped there, caught off guard. She looked tense, maybe even a little rushed. I debated whether to call her out, but something held me back.
Instead, I watched as she disappeared, leaving me standing in the hallway.
The parking lot? Did she forgot something in the van?
Why didn't she ask her manager to tagged along with her?
Should I follow her?
Aish!
~
Yu Karina
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck!
He's back...
He's fucking back!
The guy I was trying to avoid, the one who kept showing up no matter how many times I told him to leave me alone.
He hadn't taken no for an answer. Not once.
I hurried through the studio halls, heart drumming crazily in my chest. Every step echoed louder than the last as I made my way toward the exit-toward the parking lot.
I shouldn't be here. I didn't want to be here.
But he was waiting.
My hands were shaking like crazy, and I felt the sting of tears threatening to spill out my eyes in any second. I swallowed hard, blinking them back, but the fear inside me felt heavy and raw.
I pushed open the door and stepped into the cold night air, my breath shaky as I tried to steady myself.
"Karina," I flinched as his voice came from the shadows.
I tried to swallow the lump in my throat.
"Y-Yeonjun-sunbaenim..." my voice came out like a whisper.
I barely had time to react when he suddenly pulled me into a tight hug.
I froze, "S-Sunbae... let go..." I murmured, pushing against him, but he wasn't budging.
"I missed you...Karina" he kept saying, over and over, like those words were supposed to change a thing, to make me feel warm but it didn't.
I pushed lightly against his chest, trying to keep calm, but inside I was screaming, uneasy, scared, desperate for space.
"Please...stop.." I whispered-begged, hoping he'd listen.
He didn't.
And before I knew it, I was already pressed on the wall, his lips against my neck.
I was totally caught off guard and tried to pull away, pushing him harder this time.
"Stop! Y-you said we're gonna talk about that!" I said, my voice shaking a little.
Instead, he just held on tighter, not paying any attention to what I was saying. My heart was pounding, and all I wanted was to get away from this disgusting person.
I kept pushing and twisting, trying to wriggle free from his grip.
"Fucking stop!" I screamed.
He stopped, eyes widened.
Finally, I managed to slip out of his hold. I took a step back, chest heaving, trying to catch my breath.
"Don't fucking yell at me and don't you fucking dare resist whore!" He burst out, all red. Ego stomped.
My patience snapped. But I contained myself.
"What? Cat got your tongue?" he laughed mockingly.
I kept my mouth shut.
"You are a total whore Karina, didn't you watch your own video? How you moan? How you-"
His cheek turned to the side.
Cause my hand slipped.
I slapped his fucking face.
Before I could say anything more, a sudden bright flash lit up the parking lot.
I blinked against the light and turned toward the source.
Camera still on mid-air, eyes locked on mine.
Kim Minjeong.
For a moment, everything felt frozen.
I should be relieved by now,
BUT HELL NO.
This was WORSE than what happened a while ago.
The first one to speak is the devil himself.
"H-how long have you been there?"
Minjeong started walking toward us, slow and steady, her camera where now hanging loosely around her neck.
She stopped right in front of Yeonjun, and I was now close behind her, feeling a bit safer now that she was blocking him.
Minjeong didn't miss a beat. With a calm, steady voice, she answered, "Long enough."
Yeonjun's eyes flickered between Minjeong and me, uncertainty creeping into his expression for the first time.
Minjeong stayed calm, her stance firm but unthreatening, like she was ready to step in if needed but wasn't looking for a fight.
He shifted uncomfortably, then muttered something under his breath before finally stepping back a few inches.
"Leave." Minjeong ordered.
The guy didn't back down at all. He took a step closer to Minjeong, towering her while smirking. "You think this is over?" He glaced at me. "I have that video. If I leak it, your career's done. Your whole life's gonna fall apart."
This piece of shit!
I was about to say something, to stand up for myself, but Minjeong cut in first, her voice low.
"How about your life? Aren't you scared for your own safety?"
The way she said that send chills through my spine.
Unfamiliar.
Dangerous.
Far from the her I know.
"What?!" He spat.
Out of nowhere, Minjeong reached out and took my hand.
I was surprised at first, but I didn't pull away.
Not in this situation.
Instead, I let her lead me, as we walk towards the exit door.
Before Yeonjun could say anything to stop us, Minjeong spoke again "I have my phone over there, recording the whole show." I feel her squeeze my hand lightly.
I look back, over my shoulder just to see his reaction.
Yeonjun's too stunned.
Speechless on his place.
Minjeong bent down, picked up her phone, and without another word, we headed back inside the building.
Once we were back inside, Minjeong kept holding my hand tight, like she didn't want to let go. We walked together slowly until we reached the ladies' comfort room and when she finally looked at me, for the first time in a while, I saw the worry in her eyes.
Without a word, she gently brushed my hair back and tidied me up, wiping off the smudged lipstick I didn't even realize was messed up.
Her gaze found mine, and with all the things that happened, she chose to stay with me, here, "You're not fine, it's okay to cry..." it was the gentlest voice I ever heard from someone.
She pulled me close, no hesitation, no doubt.
That warmth wrapped around me again, the same way it had all those years ago.
And I felt myself sinking, sobbing, heavily into her arms as I let those fear I felt vanished with my tears.
The deep aching kind of longing I hadn't allowed myself to feel in a long time.