CHAPTER 28: Cupid Screwed Up Thou
BELLA POV
After hours of solo and duo photo shooting, Deji and his crew packed their cameras and bid their goodbyes.
The shoot was over so everybody went about their business. I knew Kayla brought Ha-na here, however, I was too swapped to interact with my daughter, that; I would make it up to her.
During the one-hour break earlier, I saw Ho-Seok and Ha-na interacting. It was a beautiful sight seeing him playing with her like that. I saw how much Ha-na was invested in whatever they were discussing which caused such bubbling laughter erupting from him.
I can see how much love he has for her just from the little time he has known her. From where I was sitting, I looked at Ha-na, and then at Ho-Seok. My heart broke at such little interaction. I had the urge to chip into whatever discussion going on between them, however; remembering some truth doesn't need to be told; and Hoseok might rupture my neck for interrupting his peaceful moment; and remembering him of a certain name. So I acted like Ha-na wasn't my flesh and blood. And it hurt so damn much.
Though the helicopter parent in me was pushing me to butt in, however; I didn't get the chance to decide before Kayla decided for me.
The door swung open, revealing Kayla and Nanny Roxa who came to get Ha-na and that was a huge relief.
My mind was replaying the whole day but this time, it didn't feel scary.
I went into the dressing room to change into another comfortable fit and then proceeded to remove my makeup. The day was already over.
As I was walking out of the dressing room to the parking lot, I saw Ho-Seok also leaving his own space. He has changed into another outfit of black sweatpants with a V-neck topper that exposed his biceps. He was holding his palm top, phones, and bottled water.
"Done staring? Take a picture it lasts longer." He stopped on his track.
I hissed and irritation lanced my face.
"I wasn't staring."
"Yeah, I believe you, Isabella." He said with a glint of mockery in his tone. The corner of his mouth covered up a fraction of an inch of anger.
Heat crept over my neck the way it had when I remembered I had my maths text the next morning during school days by then I'd spent the entire night writing love letters to my basketball crush and daydreaming about our married life and how many non-existent kids we were going to have.
I was about to tell him that he ain't that special for me to waste my stare on him when I suddenly felt lightheaded.
My stomach hurt and instant darkness clouded my vision. I waved my hands in a breezy manner, trying to grasp onto something for support, but the only thing I could hear was an echoing voice in my head. It was Ho-Seok.
"Hey! Are you okay?"
Ho-Seok was holding me. His hand was firm on my waist and the other gripping my shoulder.
"Yeah! Fine!" My breath caught in my throat.
"You don't look it to me. Here." He steadied me, then fastly uncorked his water and gave me.
I didn't have the energy to fight him off. For the first time in my life, I couldn't think of a single comeback. Instead, I took the water and emptied it.
Ho-Seok stared at me as I gulped the water, the annoyance evaporated from his expression and gave way to concern. Worried.
"Thanks! I feel better now." I tried to push back once I felt my head no longer spinning. I was suddenly, painfully aware of how close we were. His hand was still on my shoulder, considering the tightness in my chest; I hadn't thought I was breathing at all.
"As a matter of fact, when was the last time you ate?" He fixed his gaze on me
"WHAT? I narrowed my eyes, trying to detect any hint of sarcasm but he sounded serious.
"Did I fucking stutter? When was the last time you ate, ISABELLA? He questioned, suspicious stamped on every inch of his face.
"I had a good time with the girls during break," I said defensively, but he wasn't buying it.
"I'm not asking you what you drank, ISABELLA, when was the last time you ate?
A hum of electricity surged through my blood, so swift and unexpected that tender me speechless. To be candid, I've been so swamped with the photoshoot and its preparation that food was the last thing on my mind.
My mouth pouted which made my face curve into the pity feature and that answered his questions.
"Don't give me that expression, Bella. You know how unhealthy it is to skip food and how sick you get if you don't eat. Yet, here we are. For Christ's sake, take good care of your health, ISABELLA." Frustration curled his expression and I lowered my head.
I knew the universe was punishing me for the wrong I'd committed in my past life. That was the only explanation I could thought of for now I'd been subjected to my predicament.
"It was a mistake," I said flatly.
"A mistake is forgetting to lock your door when you leave the house. A mistake is singing wrong lyrics and missing steps during dance practice. Not skipping meals, Bella."
My stomach chose the wrong time to growl and that only proved Ho-Seok's point. He scoffed frustratingly.
"In fact, come with me."
He grabbed my hand but I struggled.
"Yah! Don't fucking touch me." But he refused and pulled me outside.
"Get in."
"Say what! Where are you taking me to?
"Really? You almost fainted. Get in. We're getting something to eat."
I scoffed and waved my hands in a mockery manner. "Never asked for a treat from you. Besides, Juana and Gabriel would soon be here with my coffee."
"Coffee? Really! You are unbelievable. Get in the car." He said with so much authority that made my cheeks blazed.
He smirked when he saw my blazed cheeks. He was enjoying my angry mood and that got the best of me.
"Well! Actually, I can handle myself."
"You see, that's your problem. You never listen but thank goodness I know how to handle your stubborn ass."
"Controlling much? I cupped my hip daringly, and that made him chortle bashfully. "Don't worry, it's nothing serious. I'm fine."
"I'm not asking you. Now get in the car before I pick you up and throw you in myself." A muscle ticked in his jaw when he slid his gaze briefly at the man standing and watching the whole drama before bringing it back to me.
The man hurriedly handed him his car keys, and gave me a slight bow.
I guess that should be his PA, cause he was the same guy at the Award show, and since the beginning of the photoshoot. The way he was always around Ho-Seok. Not giving him a breathing space said it all.
I rolled my eyes and he smiled pleasingly. I was just trying to be obedient because as far as I knew Ho-Seok, he wasn't kidding. He'd definitely thrown me inside the car and our close proximity wasn't what I wanted right now.
I got into his car and he closed the door before walking to his side and getting in as well, putting on both our safety belts, he looked at me and I hissed, rolling my eyes, and briefly averting my face.
"A leopard can never change its spot." I mumbled glaring at him which only made him chuckle.