The loud and continuous buzzing on the bed's nightstand woke Soohyun up. He stirred and groaned after feeling some weight on his chest. He opens his eyes to a brunette sleeping on his chest, soundly. Massaging his temples after a major hungover overtakes his person. A little bit too much, Soohyun, the twenty-five-year-old, stated to himself.
After dropping off JiU, he drove away back to his apartment for a change of clothes. And soon after, he left for his favorite club. Welcoming his freedom within the contract, he signed with JiU. The first time he sets foot in the club ever since putting his plan into motion two weeks ago.
His phone continues to buzz, and it only worsened Soohyun's pounding head. He shifted slowly to the side, so the lady on top of him stays asleep. He grabbed his phone and noticed JiU's name on the caller ID.
"Hello?" His reply came out like a croaking frog.
"Kim Soohyun-ssi, " JiU's tone sounded a little annoyed. "You just woke up? I've been knocking your door for 30 minutes."
"Oh, sorry, I'm not home right now, " massaging him temple to ease the pain away.
"Well, you need to back home now, " it sounded almost like a command that Soohyun is too lazy to question.
"Why?" Groaning the question out of his throat.
"This is the day of our engagement announcement, " Soohyun could almost hear her growl from the tone.
Shit, the only word that comes to his mind.
"I... I'll be there soon, " shutting off his phone, then gently removing the lady off his chest. Soohyun grabbed and almost blindly searched the hotel room for his belongings.
Sometimes I should watch how I drink, his hand on his head as he stumbled to the bathroom. Rinsing his face with cold water, a portion of his life returned. Soon after, he is outside the hotel room and on his way to the elevator. Shaking his head and slowly regaining his bearings until he reached the elevator.
The elevator music sounded a little too loud to his liking. He was covering both ears while the elevator descends to the parking lot—the longest journey to his car.
He gets into his car and drives off the parking lot. With his shades on, Soohyun drives out the hotel and onto the road. Since his head cleared slightly after the cold face washing session, he speeds back to his apartment.
Upon his arrival, JiU was already waiting with her shades resting on her forehead. Her arms crossed, and her right foot impatiently tapping on the floor. To Soohyun's banging head, the tapping seemed to get louder, the closer he gets to his door.
"Good morning, to you too." Soohyun, with his shades, greeted her. He gives her a smug of a smile, and clumsily opens the door to his apartment.
"I know I said that there is freedom on our agreement to go anywhere we want, but please exercise consideration," JiU tried to sound calm despite being annoyed earlier.
"My bad, it won't happen again," Soohyun observed her ready-to-go get up of a blue one-piece dress that compliments her perfect figure. And to make it even better, she has a white blazer draping and covering her bare shoulders.
"Isn't that dress a little too tight?" Soohyun, somehow, couldn't help himself looking at her.
JiU frowns at his statement and looks at the man quizzically. "Well, no, it is a perfect fit, why?" She perked an eyebrow.
"Nevermind." Soohyun waves his arm off and walks to his bathroom to take a shower. "I'll be out in ten," peeking his head out his bedroom door before heading inside to his bathroom.
Under his shower, Soohyun has the chance to gather his wits. However, his mind chose to replay the moment where he studied JiU's dress and how perfect she looked in them. She might as well kill someone since that look was too incredible, Soohyun chuckled to himself.
Trying to stay true to his word, Soohyun exited his bathroom 3 minutes before his promised time to JiU. He hums in thought for a second before entering his walk-in closet.
Sure enough, around four minutes later, Soohyun heads out his bedroom to meet the waiting lady. His outfit compliments her own. He wears one set of navy blue tux and pants, accompanied by a dark blue t-shirt underneath and a navy blue tie to complete the look. He did not forget to put on one of his expensive cologne for finesse.
"How do I look?" Soohyun puts on a little show for JiU as he spins around for her.
JiU observes the man up and down. "You look late," just like a knife through butter, her comment is as flat and lacking the utmost sincerity.
Soohyun's once exciting countenance wavered and turning into a frown. "I'll call for Yoochun," he walks passed her for his phone.
Though it may be a short and unwanted response, JiU was honestly impressed by how great Soohyun cleans up. But, she chooses to keep it professional and only said what needed to be said.
"He's already downstairs," Soohyun pointed out, vaguely trying to hide his slightly upset tone.
"Then let's be off." Just like that, the two couple made their way down to the lobby through the elevator.
They walked hand in hand through the big apartment lobby, and all eyes glued to them. The two young CEOs didn't notice how much of an impact they made just by walking through the hall of the apartment. Admiration, jealousy, curiosity, and want was all plastered on the faces of their spectators as they walked past to the front.
Yoochun's eyes couldn't help to hide his expression as he watches his boss along with his lady. 'Wow,' a soft comment leaves his lips before he opens the car door for them to enter.
"Thanks, Yoochun-ah, " Soohyun pats the young driver's shoulder and joins JiU inside the car.
"I'll be doing most of the talking," JiU begins in a whisper as she leans towards Soohyun, "But if ever you are asked, I'm sure you know enough of what to say."
"Come on," Soohyun replies in the same whispering tone, "Have a little faith."
As soon as they arrived at JiU's company, the photographers and every media in the country swarmed the car with flashes from their cameras or torching their mics around, waiting for the couple to make the appearance. And just as fast as the reporters and media, the bodyguards shoved away any obstruction from their employers' car. "You ready for this?" Soohyun offered her his hand.
"Yeah," she replied by taking his hand.
Soon after, the young couple becomes the source of all flashes of cameras, the bombardment of questions, and the center of attention. With such a crowd, the bodyguards nearly struggled to keep a path wide for their bosses to walk through. And as all this transpired, JiU holds her hand tight on Soohyun. She has never liked the center of such attention, but this time with Soohyun, she feels a little more comfortable.
They finally made it into the company's lobby. The bodyguards continued their job to guide their CEOs to the temporary podium, in the middle of the almost concert-like hall.
The interview commences as soon as everyone gets onto their respective seats. Everything went well underway and according to plan. Of course, there were some bold reporters or journalists that asked equally daring questions. But all went well.
"JiU-ssi, Kim Soohyun-ssi, " a reporter raises his hand slightly.
"Yes, the ahjussi in a white vest, " Soohyun points at the man, "What's the question?"
"Would you mind me getting a picture of you two together?" He sounds calm and relaxed as he asks, so Soohyun complied.
JiU, although not liking the skinship, agrees to take a pictorial with Soohyun. With her back slightly leaning back to Soohyun's chest, his arm around her waist, and a smile to boot, the photographers took the photo to immortalize such a moment.
JiU's discomfort was almost relieved, but it was too soon to think so. The same man that asked earlier raises his hand once more. "Could we get a picture of you both kissing?" It was that moment Soohyun labeled such a reporter as one of the overconfident ones.
"This is ridiculous," Soohyun shakes his head at the question, "I'm gonna tell him off." Just as Soohyun was about to respond, JiU stops him.
"What is it?" He looked puzzled as his eyes fell on hers.
"Let's do it," JiU looks Soohyun right in the eyes with no ounce of doubt in her tone.
"Are you sure?" By this point, Soohyun's eyes widened.
"Did I stutter, Kim Soohyun-ssi, " and there it is again, her confident facade that brought a smile on Soohyun's lips. "Besides, what better way to confirm it's validity than making a public point on national coverage.
"Alright, " Soohyun's hand gently pulled JiU close by the small of her back, eyes gazing into hers. JiU mirrored his gesture by looking at him and putting one hand on her cheek.
One last look at each other, the two newly dubbed 'Power Couple' leaned closer as their lips locked. The camera flashes intensified as such a moment transpired before them.
For the first time, Soohyun felt different kissing a girl. His stomach seemed to somersault, and his heart is pounding faster than anticipated. This time, he wasn't the only one feeling that way.