The Request (1): Jung Jenna

The Bouncer let Jinhyun enter the club. He was at Hunnam's most posh club, which was a hotbed for celebrities. As soon as he walked in, the loud music boomed in his ears. The dance floor was lively as groups of people grooved on it. Celebrities forgot about their images once inside this club and let themselves loose as they danced the night away. There were also private rooms for them where scandalous deals took place. 

Paparazzi and journalists were completely forbidden to enter this club. There was heavy security inside and cameras were confiscated. The metal scanners were very thorough and could detect even the most well hidden cameras. Furthermore, every guest was required to hand in the phones at the entrance. The receptionist took the phones and kept them categorized in a heavily guarded safe. 

Despite the shady dealings going on inside many of the rooms, Jinhyun steered clear of those. He was given many such offers but he turned them down. His fame was big enough so he was not affected by their threats. The only reason he visited the club was because of its top notch security which gave him privacy and he never did anything illegal or immoral so it was not a crime nor a scandal to visit it. 

He spotted Jenna, sensually dancing with a rising idol. She was one of the leaders of a top girl group and one of Jinhyun's oldest friends. With straight black hair and a moonlike face, she was considered one of the most desirable female celebrities. Her catlike eyes were often the talk of the town and her numerous relationships always made headlines. Even after the disbandment of her group, she remained a media darling. 

Jinhyun and she dated briefly as trainees but their relationship was not progressing beyond holding hands. Finally, they decided to simply remain friends. When she heard that he was back in town, she had immediately called him up. He held discussions about signing her up with his company and she was excited at the prospect. 

Jenna spotted him and waved at him. 

"Move aside, dear," she pushed her date aside, who was perplexed at her attitude. Ignoring his pleas, she went up to Jinhyun and hugged him. 

"Jinjin!" she exclaimed. "How have you been buddy?" 

"I'm great!" he replied. "Let's grab a drink?" 

She nodded and accompanied him towards the bar. 

"Two Vodka on the Rocks please," she ordered. The bartender prepared the drinks and she handed Jinhyun's glass to him. 

"Now I know you said no but my stylist is really cute," she claimed. "She's pretty and smart and-" 

"Not interested," Jinhyun refused flatly. "I told you. I don't have time!" 

"Bla bla," she mimicked him. "Oh come on! You're not getting any younger. Just settle down with someone!" 

"You didn't settle down," he pointed out, taking a sip off his drink. 

"Yeah, but I date around," she shrugged. "So that one day I can find the perfect guy for me. But you don't even try. Unless…" 

She looked at him seriously. "Are you gay?" she asked. 

Jinhyun choked on his drink. 

"I'll be glad to set you up with a guy too," she went on. 

"What are you, my mom?" he said, feeling annoyed. "And no, I'm not gay. In fact, currently I am interested in someone." 

Jenna's eyes brimmed with excitement. "Oho!" she exclaimed. "So my virgin friend has someone he likes. Who is it?" 

"She's…my neighbor," he said. He could not give away too much about Cherry because he himself was confused in what she was. So he decided to omit a lot of the information. 

"Is she pretty?" she asked. 

"She is." 

Jenna noted the hesitation in his voice. "But…?" she probed. 

"But for some reason, she dislikes me," Jinhyun admitted. 

"Is she a hater? A lot of celebrities have them." 

"She's not a hater," he said. "It's just that…" 

He took a deep sip of his drink. "She's rude. Her tongue is sharper than a knife and whenever we meet, we keep on arguing and she can really annoy me-" 

"Hold up," Jenna snickered. "Did I hear that right? Jinhyun. The eternally patient and calm Jinhyun got annoyed by a woman? This is major news!" 

"Ha ha very funny," he said sourly. "Yet… I can't help but be drawn towards her. My eyes keep going towards her. I tried to stay away but something keeps on pulling me towards her. The way she smiles when she eats sweets. Her eyes soften up when she's thinking deeply. Her quiver when something distresses her… "

Jenna was astonished by his words. Was this really the Jinhyun who would not be affected even if a girl danced nude in front of him? 

"Jinjin," she started. "You're a big masochist." 

Jinhyun rolled his eyes. 

"You're in love with a girl who doesn't like you," she stated. "That's classic masochism." 

She flashed him a teasing smile. Jinhyun was annoyed at her assumption. 

"I don't know if it's love," he said. "I just never felt like this way for someone before."

Jenna was now curious about this mystery woman. If she could have Jinhyun fall for her this badly, then she must be something. 

…. 

Cherry was at her shop. Even though it was nighttime, she received a very strange request. She was studying the picture in front of her.

Right across her, sat a mousy haired woman in her late twenties. Her once pretty face was lined and there were some white hairs on her head, making her look much older than she was. 

"She was my groupmate," the woman said. "We were part of a popular girl group."

"What did she do?" Cherry asked. 

"She ruined my life," the woman said bitterly. "Not only did she seduce my fiance, but also trapped me in a Ponzy Scheme. I lost all my money in it! She pretended to be my friend and backstabbed me." 

The woman began to cry as she remembered the way she had lost her house, her career and everything she owned. 

"Give me your hand," Cherry said. The woman extended her hand. Cherry touched it. The memories of the woman's plight ran through her mind. Even though she seemed to be telling the truth, a person's memories are not always fully reliable. Cherry will need to look for more proof. 

One memory stood out. Cherry let go of her hand. 

"This woman…Jung Jenna," she said. "She is friends with Shin Jinhyun?" 

"Yes," the woman sniffed. "They used to date as trainees. They're very close." 

Cherry sighed. Of all the people, she had to cross paths with him again. That too to punish a close friend of his. 

"Looks like history will repeat itself," she mused.