CHAPTER 9: Testing

 BELLA POV.

I was thinking about what to do, but unluckily for me, Juana already took her seat.

A crazy girl for real.

Should I move? No. Say Hello! And smile. That was the worst idea. Smile at who? Ho-seok?

You need to see the way his eyes were fixed on me. Silently judging me. If eyes were to be a bazooka, then I would've been on the judgment throne by now, before proceeding to hell; cause a bad bitch like me goes to hell.

Wait! He cringed so bad it showed on his face.

I fidgeted with the silky short black gown I was wearing. I thought I would be courageous to face him, but right now, I'm living under my shadow.

I need a savior. Savior, please!!! I clocked my jaw, and lucky or should I say unfortunately K25 spoke and I regretted it immediately.

Must he talk? Was all these necessary?

"Kathryn! It's nice of you coming here. Congratulations on your wins." He smiled at me and I managed to fake back a smile.

How can I forget to let y'all know how being a weirdo is K25's favorite kink.

When was the day PAA was host and here, yes; your supposed CEO is congratulating you.

K25 and unseriousness have something in common, both aren't serious.

Juana realizing how muddled I was, quickly dragged me out of the door since it looked like I was stuck, and I fidgety budged.

I swiftly brushed past Juana to go take the empty seat closer, when K25 signaled to me to sit beside Ho-seok.

I wanted the ground to open its fucking mouth and swallow me but bitch refused.

I was in an air-conditioned room but I was sweating like a Christmas goat.

Sitting beside Ho-seok means death by staring.

I numbly moved and placed my ass on the chair, saying I was seated is exaggerating because I could feel my ass hitching in discomfort.

"Ho-seok....K25 cleared his throat..."This is Kathryn Howard my signee and most Awarded Artist of the PAA, you know her right? K25 chuckled.

"Nice meeting you Kathryn Howard..." I heard Ho-seok's voice echo in my ears, his hands stretched forward for a handshake. it was like a fucking mockery. With the sudden rush of adrenaline through my veins, I could feel goosebumps spreading on the surface of my skin, the lingering peculiar chilly breeze blocking my windpipe as I nervously held out my quivering hand to respond.

I could hear my heart leaving its pericardium, the pounding heartbeat like it was about to explode, everything happening around me like a ticking time bomb.

My shivering hand which was hanging mid-air patiently waiting for a handshake whilst still silently praying I never get to touch him. Nobody understood what was happening and immediately he grabbed my hand, it looked like there was a glitch from the parallel universe, the world seemed to stand still for a moment and images flooded my brain.

I blacked out.

FLASHBACK.

"Hello.... Bella...how are you? My name is Jung Hoseok"...he said, stretching his hand for a handshake which I returned with a smile, I couldn't leave sight of his beauty, seeing the way his lips curved up in a smile.

"Beautiful girls care a lot about their face...Hope you know, Bella?

He said, bringing out a packet from his side bag." come closer".

I leaned closer as he applied the medicated tape on my face, bringing my face closer I began to admire his facial features, his small cute Adam's apple shot out as he stretched to apply the medicated tape on my face, his cuteness was hypnotizing making me to gulp loudly. 

He looks stunning.

This was my first experience with him.

FLASHBACK END.

I held strongly onto his hand just to balance myself. Nobody understood what was happening to me. Not trying to exaggerate, maybe Ho-Seok might understand. No! He must be happy seeing how uncomfortable I was.

It has been five years, fucking five years yet his touch was still the same, still have that fairy magic on me. I want to keep holding onto him, just touching him soothes my soul and calms my worries, but no, never.

"I'm Kathryn Howard." I quickly pulled my hand away, and kowtowed immediately, trying to overcome my nervousness. I could feel his eyes towering over me.

Even though I'm not a soothsayer, I know what is going on in that mind, he must have cursed the living hell out of me.

"Still pretending? He whispered, his voice full of regret, just to spite me.

I acted like I didn't hear a thing. Thank goodness! That should be my first Oscar-winning award.

"You know Kathryn is a talented lady, gentle and outstandingly well-mannered." K25 started blabbering and I wanted to shush him up. This was the time I wished I had some magical power just to numb his mouth instantly.

Sometimes K25 tongue loves rambling miles.

All these weren't necessary, please stop!!! I cringed mentally, my fists clenched.

"Outstandingly well mannered!!! That's too big of a word for someone like her." I heard Hoseok spitefully bashed me, but I wasn't surprised or should I say I was a bit pain.

Yes!!! It was a painful remark since it's coming from him and thank you K25 for refusing to zip up.

K25 and the rest exchanged glances, sensing that something could be off but I was quick to butt in, making everything looks like it was a joke when in my heart I know it wasn't.

"I will condone anything here, but not even a single insult from you Mr Kang Hoseok." I sternly gritted my teeth with a fake laugh, and he scoffed.

"At least you remember the name." He smirks and I lost it. His voice was huskier than before and unbelievably warm.

He is still that confident mothefucker

It took me tons of self-control to gather my thoughts back. Do I need to remind you that he is still my estranged fiance, my allegedly Ex? It hurts me each time I refer to him like that, but there is nothing I can do about it, somethings are just not meant to be, regret won't change anything I just need to be stronger.

Relationship is like a business, you gain some and lose some.

The meeting kicked off but just like a lost sheep, everything being said in that meeting was like watering stone, or should I say was like water dropped on the cocoyam leaf. I was being robotic, faking a smile when there should be, faking cheering when needed. I just want everything to end because right now, I can't feel myself.

Everything was moving on smoothly until the devil struck again and K25 blurted out about me. I couldn't grab what he said but I think I heard"Photoshoots with Hoseok"

"Is he crazy or just pretending to be dumb?

I wanted to understand what he said so I made a dumb sign towards Juana and Sus chuckled, yeah!! She must be thinking I was going gaga since I kept acting weird lately.

"Kathryn, the promotion shoots practice kick off any moment from now with Mr Ho-seok, you and your PA and other executives should work hand in hand with Mr Ho-seok to make sure everything is done smoothly and perfectly....." K25 relayed or should I say blabbered with a smile.

"What's funny? Probably my death day. Not only did he bring me to the wolf den, but he also threw me in.

Please someone should tell me this is all a dream and I have wetted my panties.

Working with Ho-seok? Unthought that thought Bella!

I have 2 options now.

1.... Jump off the cliff and dieeeeee...

2.... Just die and re-die

I'm doomed!

I looked at K25, he looked so serious and was broadly smiling, and Juana also. I slowly shifted my gaze at Ho-seok but he was busy cross-checking his Android Tablet and focusing on it with his stylus, he was acting like I never existed but he was right. I never exist.

Then he slowly turned and our eyes met but I was quick to avert my face.

I tried to open my mouth but nothing came out. Even my throat had betrayed me.

Have you ever just stared at someone, like you want to talk to them but you don't know what to say?

The way I recoil when my insecurities are brought up, lol!!! I'd just go back into my shell and die there.

Everything was working hard just to mock me.

*************"

 HOSEOK POV

I know she was uncomfortably shocked seeing me, her pretense I know was as a result of her trying not to expose her real Identities. I don't want to get involved in her current lifestyle but still, our parts kept crossing.

I fucking hate all these. Just what is the universe doing in this chapter of my life? Having a controversial topic around my career because of my estranged fiancee, almost losing my career, and when I managed to build it back, I was still confronted by my past.

Just what is happening?

I don't want to have anything to do with her. It's okay if she kept denying not being Bella, I just don't want to have any business with her again. It's cleared she has already given up. It being five years, five good fucking years she ran away, destroyed my life only to build hers.

The love we once shared meant nothing to her, the promise of having each other's back was just a mere saying, she never valued them. She was just a wolf in sheep's clothing, hiding under the disguise of being an innocent girl only to ruin me.

I hate her. Everything about her.

I wanted to reject this contract but I couldn't because not only does the company's images need to be saved in the media's face now that I've made a public appearance. I don't want to have any horrible headlines attached to my name again.

Now I thought about it, I think I have to stop teasing her to avoid resurrecting old headlines because once the media finds out a likely resemblance between Rashford Isabella and Kathryn Howard, that means too much digging will be going viral, since she chooses to be Kathryn Howard, then I have to let her be, I won't force things again; but before then, let's give her the final test that proves she is Rashford Isabella.

"Okay! Thanks for your cooperation Mr K25...

"Kingsley! He corrected, extending his hands with a smile...."K25 is the Label, Kingsley is the man behind it...."

Everyone chuckled at K25's remarks of course except Bella, she was zombied.

"It's nice to have y'all in Hobified-Mind, let's make this honorable by having some refreshments, you know; energy wasted from talking needs replenishment..." I sprayed my hands in gestures and Kingsley gladly accepted.

"I will be the host then." K25 and the rest were pleased and gladly accepted my offer, but only Kathryn refused. It's all written over her. She wanted to ball out. Her conscientiousness might be troubling her.

"Oh, Kathryn! It's just a small chop chop... Kingsley began teasingly....."And besides it's been ages since I tasted Korean dishes, how about we enjoy this as a treat from Thee Hoseok.." He eyed me amusingly and I nodded.

The dish was served by the Korean foreign chief, just some random Korean dish, with other palatable side dishes. Everything was inviting at the same time scrumptious.

I watched as the executives started digging from their meals. It was an honor to have this lunch since we spent almost all of today just discussing how to have a successful promotion video shoot.

I picked up my chopsticks and looked at Kathryn who was finding it difficult to pick a meal.

"Not hungry? I asked her and regretted it immediately, I thought I said I don't want to have anything to do with her.

"I'm on a diet." She lied through gritted teeth and I scoffed. Of course, she will be on a diet. I stared at the table, picked up a small plate, and scooped some Gochujang honey shrimps, Gumbo, Raw fish makguksu, and one regular makguksu dumpling. All these were perfectly displayed at the table and I managed to pick up an ample in the plate and placed it in her presence.

I could feel her hands shaking as she managed to pick the chopsticks, realizing how using chopsticks would make the others question her, and I knew she was not in her rightful senses, hence the misbehaving.

"How will you explain to them about your perfect usage of chopsticks? I whispered in her ears and she quickly dropped it and picked up the fork, her eyes blinking nervously as she stared at me and then at the plate in her presence.

I know why she was hesitating, I just wanted to see her reaction, then she took a bite of the Gochujang honey shrimp and I regretted it immediately.

 FLASHBACK.

"Why don't you tell me you are allergic to shrimp? Hoseok raised an eyebrow at her, as he walked up to her bedside.

Her blood runs cold and then burns hot. She fidgets with the blanket, her breathing running to the back of her heart. She was taken slightly aback when he took her two hands into his.

"Why do you eat the shrimps, Bella? You sure like doing something crazy."

He said in a more sympathetic tone, which sent butterflies down her stomach. The proximity of their closeness gave her goosebumps and she stared at the ground.

" I'm sorry for picking it for you."

 FLASHBACK END.