The hard work started early on Monday morning. They were all at their spots, ready to proceed with the August schedule.
Ye-Jun had arrived early. He had back-to-back meetings. Noelle had been afraid of their encounter, but there was none. He just ignored her.
Ok, I can live with that… Better than being attacked, isn't it?
Dan-Bi had been with them since the morning. She was discussing with Chloe and Ye-Jun his appearance at the awards. It was awfully close. August 7 was just next week.
Noelle was watching them arguing over suit options presented. Ye-Jun seemed to disagree with more bold combinations. He favoured classic suits.
Chloe seemed to insist on trying something that would stand out. Like a yellow jacket…
Not yellow… It doesn't suit him well.
Sang-Jun was on the phone all morning. He was talking with the media. She heard him arranging two interviews. He also had scheduled an appearance at a live TV show on the weekend.
He sounds so smooth when he speaks with other people. Is this his trick?
Mi-Suk was totally freaking out. She had so many posts to prepare, she was yelling at whoever called her name: "She's not here!"
If Mi-Suk loses it, I'm dead meat…
As for Noelle, she was orbiting around, following a few orders. But she didn't look necessary.
They were all working together for so long, the team operated like a well-oiled machine. They were so in sync that one could anticipate the other's every move.
She only felt that she was getting in their way.
Noelle didn't have much to do. Her thesis was… Well it was over. She had written everything.
She wished she could only have an interview with him.
There was a list of questions she had prepared. They could help her with a more insightful conclusion. Lately she had added a few more questions -and they weren't related to his work.
But it wouldn't happen. Chloe said she didn't want to push him over something like that.
"Noelle!" It was Chloe's voice.
She darted up and went into her office.
"Which one do you prefer?" she asked, showing her two tuxedos.
Dan-Bi was staring at her expectantly. Ye-Jun… Well, Ye-Jun was looking at the floor, arms crossed over his chest, tapping one foot nervously.
Oh, why are you asking me about something like this?
"I really don't know anything about fashion…" Noelle tried to warn them.
"I'm not asking your opinion fashion-wise, but from a woman's perspective. Which suit looks more attractive to you?" Chloe asked.
Noelle's cheeks flushed in a heartbeat. Did Chloe know what she was asking from her?
"I… I really don't know…"
"Hey sweetie. Just think as simple as that; which suit would you rather see your boyfriend wearing?" Dan-Bi tried to help out.
But she didn't. It made it worse. Her stomach became a knot. These suits would be worn by Yeong Ye-Jun, not her boyfriend. Yeong Ye-Jun was not her boyfriend…
My ears are red, aren't they?
Ye-Jun's leg hadn't stopped tapping for a second. She felt glad she was not the only one agitated in that room.
Since there was no way out, she looked at the suits. Ye-Jun's conservative opinion had prevailed.
The first was an almost-black tux. The crisp white shirt and small silk bow tie looked traditional and important.
The second option was a midnight blue tuxedo, so dark it almost looked black, until the light hit the fabric and revealed a rich, deep navy hue. Sharp black satin lapels that gleamed against the fabric provided the necessary elegance.
For her, there was no question. The black one was strict, business-like. But the midnight blue? It was hypnotic, the color of a stormy ocean night. It was Ye-Jun.
"I would say the dark blue one..." Noelle whispered, unable to look away. "It's more…alive."
Ye-Jun's leg stopped moving.
What did that mean? Did he hate her selection? Or had she surprised him?
Dan-Bi smiled satisfied. Chloe raised her eyebrow.
"Thank you Noelle. I'll let you know what else you can help with," Chloe said.
Noelle walked away, wondering why they hadn't asked Mi-Suk's opinion as well.
_______________
As Chloe promised, Ye-Jun wouldn't get a breather until his birthday.
Around noon he was supposed to start demo sessions for his new single. Noelle heard from Mi-Suk that Chloe was trying to convince Ye-Jun about this song for months, but he had strongly refused. Now, she had managed to make him change his mind.
"Sweetie, we need to take photos. Let me show you some settings on the phone," Mi-Suk told her.
The good thing that happened because of the pond incident was that Chloe bought for her a brand new phone.
The bad thing was that its camera was state-of-the-art. She was now able to take the high resolution pictures Mi-Suk needed - no way she could skip helping her out now.
When the time came, she followed Sang-Jun into Studio No. 3. Ye-Jun was already there, for two hours now, preparing.
NT2 was equipped with extensive recording facilities. Many studios were available for the artists. Fully professional. Ye-Jun didn't have to leave the building.
It was the first time she would hear him sing without hiding. While taking photos of him.
I can do it! I'm up for the challenge!
For some reason, she felt he wouldn't make it easy for her.
"This is Seok, our recording engineer. This is Noelle, she's helping out Mi-Suk," Sang-Jun introduced her to a laid-back looking guy sitting in front of that console with a million buttons and switches.
She shook hands with him smiling, while thinking of how unimportant the introduction made her look - and feel.
Just helping out Mi-Suk…
"Noelle is new in the company, and this is the first recording she is watching. Help her out if she has any questions," Sang-Jun continued.
Maybe I was too quick to judge…
"Sure thing! Glad to help out. So, we have tested all sound systems so far -everything works fine. Ye-Jun has warmed up and is ready to roll. I have a feeling, though, we'll be here for a while…" Seok said.
Ye-Jun stood alone in the vocal booth, headphones pressed tight over his ears. He was looking at a bunch of papers in front of him -probably lyrics and notes.
Sang-Jun went to the window and tapped the glass, making Ye-Jun glance over. It was like watching someone wake from a heavy slumber. A wave of sympathy hit her; he looked so drained.
When Ye-Jun realised who was there, he gave a short nod and a hurried smile. Sang-Jun gave him a thumbs up in return, then stepped back and pointed a finger directly at… her.
Why? Why do that?
Ye-Jun followed the direction of Sang-Jun's finger. Straight to where she was standing.
His eyes widened in surprise. And then, they darted away. Soon he was looking at his papers again.
Noelle had instinctively raised her hand to wave. She immediately regretted it. Her hand was now suspended in mid air, trembling a bit.
She snatched it down, wishing she could disappear.
Seok talked to his microphone: "Ye-Jun, I am ready if you are."
He gave him a thumbs up without looking.
Seok pressed some buttons and Ye-Jun started moving his head along the rhythm.
In the control room, the recording engineer watched the levels. Sang-Jun leaned on the console, arms crossed.
Ye-Jun started singing. Noelle couldn't hear a thing. Neither the music, nor Ye-Jun.
"Should I put on headphones?" she asked Sang-Jun.
"Oh, sorry. No need," and he reached over and tapped a couple of buttons on the console.
Instantly, the room filled with the music and Ye-Jun's voice.
So he knows how to operate the soundboard too? Of course he does. Mr. Know-It-All…
Well, he was a former band member after all…
The song progressed but everything seemed wrong.
The melody was plain and rough. The lyrics sounded ridiculous. Ye-Jun's voice was flat.
When the first take was completed, Sang-Jun asked her: "What do you think?"
Noelle shook her head from side to side. "It doesn't sound very good, does it?"
"It's awful!" Seok interjected.
"Hmm… Exactly. And he knows it," Sang-Jun said.
While Seok walked away to check some cables, Noelle went closer to Sang-Jun. She had to ask.
"Then why is he recording it?"
He cast a sidelong glance in her direction—looking impossibly handsome as always.
"Well… It has something to do with you…"
Noelle's breath was caught. She couldn't make sense out of that.
"Me?"
"Yeah, you," he said with a strange smirk. "He is paying the price for his fixation."
Noelle's whole body chilled. How on earth was she connected to this atrocity? She felt a burden lingering on her chest.
"Ready for take two!" Seok announced.
She returned to reality and took a step back.
"You have some pictures to take. Better start collecting them," Sang-Jun reminded her, tilting his head toward the window.
She looked at the window and the guy who was suffering inside.
She slowly walked towards the glass. Ye-Jun noticed her standing there. When their eyes met his narrowed, as if trying to solve a riddle.
The weight on her mind must have been reflected on her face more than she could imagine.
She lifted her phone and took a picture.