Chapter Text
Songhwa's head is throbbing in pain. Well, who wouldn't? She drank last night until she passed out as her friends threw her a simple party as a celebration for having the chance of scoring a one-on-one interview with the one and only Taylor Swift. Everyone loves 'the' Taylor Swift. The celebration was actually late since the interview happen two weeks ago but she was busy, and her friends too, so they only had a chance to celebrate it last night.
This day is supposed to be her free day, but her boss decided to ruin her rest day. Her colleague who was assigned with this schedule had a family emergency situation and her other colleagues has their own assigned tasks.
Without much choice, Songhwa left her friends at her apartment and texted Minha to take care of their things before they leave. She was called in for work and has no choice but to go as it was a direct order from their CEO.
While on her way, she can't help but feel dizzy and she can feel the severe headache. Going out without eating breakfast nor drinking hangover meds sucks. She doesn't have spare time for that as she was running late, and she only read the text of her boss after she woke up because she felt thirsty. Imagine the panic she felt thinking she already missed the flight for her assigned task.
She's on her way to the airport now and the traffic is not helping at all. She only has half an hour before the flight of the actor that she was supposed to cover will land. She's doing a little background check about the actor since this one's a short notice. She's not much familiar with the actor though. She thinks that he is not that popular.
Everything is not just going according to her plan. She's experiencing severe headache, her stomach is acting, she's hungry and she feels dizzy. God this is the worst hangover she ever experienced. She feels so sick.
To console herself, she pat her own shoulders and chanted "you can do this". She just have to take photos of him, ask some questions then she's done. She can go back home and rest and sleep. What could even go wrong this time? She did some breathing exercise to lessen her worries and even prayed for her not to puke inside the airport and in front of everyone else.
When she arrived, she only has five minutes left before the flight she was waiting will land. But when she went near where the other reporters were also waiting, she was surprised to see many people who are waiting for the actor. Mostly were girls—teenage girls to be exact.
She did not expect this at all. Lee Ikjun, she was not familiar with the actor although she has heard his name before. She did not know that he was this popular. She never bothered to search more about him not until this morning while she was on her way. She has read some articles written about him but mostly about his top works as actor, about his reputation, about his hobbies, and about girls.
She was preparing her camera when she heard the loud screams of the girls around her which made her closed her eyes. The loud shouts were not helping at all. It just worsens her headache and she felt like everything is spinning.
She inhaled deeply before she positioned herself. But when everyone caught glimpse of the actor, everyone lost it. She started taking photos of the actor and tried get a lot of decent shots. She's doing her best to make the most out of it despite the pain she feels inside. It is actually killing her now.
But when the people suddenly started pushing each other with force, she can't help but feel annoyed. She sighs. This won't do. If only she knew that this actor is a big shot, she should have brought a camera with a bigger lens.
In her five-year career as a journalist, she witnessed a lot of fans going crazy with their idols. But this one is different. This one's the craziest. God, why would they even be this crazy for some man who will surely never notice them?
She closed her eyes and inhaled sharply before she pushed herself through the sea of fans surrounding her to get a closer and clearer shot of the actor's face. If she's lucky, she could ask a question but then fate decided to say no. If she thought this day couldn't get any worse, well, she's so wrong about it.
She should have expected this knowing that her day did not started right. She felt herself being push around and the next thing she knew, she was already lying down on the floor while her camera flew few inches away from her.
She felt dizzy with all the pushing and screaming, but she saw how the actor gave her an annoyed look before she finally fainted and lost her consciousness.
Lee Ikjun's fans were so mad, and they are causing uproar on the internet. Songhwa woke up in the hospital and she is now on her way to her apartment after making sure that she was fine.
She saw the texts from her CEO, and everything is not looking good. He scolded her a lot and voiced out his disappointment towards her. Well, he was right though, she just made a name after that Taylor Swift interview and now she's entangled with this mess.
She insisted on going and reporting to him right now, but her boss made it clear to report tomorrow. He wants her to be in his office first thing in the morning tomorrow. She doesn’t have a choice but to agree. She was also ordered not to check her name which is now on top of the trending list.
But Songhwa is a stubborn woman. She instantly checks the internet and searched for her name. Reading people cursing her and calling her names did not sit right with her.
She was on the verge of crying and thankfully, she arrived safe and sound at her apartment before she creates another mess. She doesn’t want to be included on news as a crazy woman who cried so loud and weep inside a taxi while disturbing an innocent man.
When she was inside her apartment, Songhwa can't help but to throw her bag in frustration and shout all the words she has been keeping inside her.
"Why did this have to happen?? All these troubles just because I did not eat breakfast and experienced the worst hangover ever?? I don't deserve this shit!!" She shouted at the top of her lungs and dropped herself at her sofa.
She then checked her phone after she felt the vibration of it indicating new text messages she received. Thinking it was her boss, she instantly reaches out for it and checked only to see her friends' worried messages.
"Girl, don't read the comments, you understand?? Just sleep it off and get some more rest. Don't mind them. They don't even know anything."
She can't help but smile after reading Gyeoul's message because she is sure as hell that she is even more pissed than her.
"Babee~ I've seen the news. How are you feeling?? Forget about those vultures, not even one of what they are saying is true anyway. See you soon!"
Yoksii~ Seokmin is really the best man out there. I am so glad to have him as my best friend.
"I'm sorrryyyyyy!!! If only I woke up early and made you breakfast, then this wouldn't have happened, and you will not faint in front of everyone and embarrass yourself like that. Well, on the bright side, you didn't puke on anyone kekeke~!! Unniieee!! I am really sorryyyy!! Please forgive meee!! T.T"
Now she felt better. She can't help but laugh after reading Minha's text. This girl is really crazy. What's more crazier is she can hear her voice while reading her message. She shakes her head in amusement.
"I really don't understand why everyone are coming at me like I did a serious crime and killed someone. He is not even that hot and he just looks like any other men. As if he will date any of them. Acting so possessive and protective and all. I am not a criminal, and I am also a victim here. I doubt his condition was worse than mine. I don't deserve this. I am innocent."
Songhwa murmured while she continued reading some of mean comments about her.
But what she saw after she refreshed her phone shocked her. She was left speechless while reading the tweet of Lee Ikjun again and again.
"Did I worry anyone? As if. I am okay yeorobun! I didn't get hurt. Not even a scratch. Don't worry too much! And please, no bashing. Let's spread only good vibes."
Attached were four photos of him zoomed on his face. Well, she can't hide the admiration because he indeed looks so good.
Okay she is taking back her words, who said that Lee Ikjun looks like any other men? He's cute and he looks good. Though not her type and not enough to make her think he's hot.
Just then, her phone rang. She was startled and when she saw that it was only numbers, she hesitated to answer. She doesn’t usually answer calls that she doesn't know who. Her number that is being called right now is her personal number which only few people know. She did not answer it, especially now that she is in a mess right now.
Answer my call.
Who are you?
Why are you calling me?
Hmmm.. Let me think..
Don't play pranks on me. I am not in a good mood.
I don't take calls from strangers.
Then how about someone you hit by a camera?
Do you take calls from them?
Minha-ya please stop this!! This is making me even more anxious T.T
Minha?
Uhhh.. Gyeoulie???
Gyeoul?
You know what..
Just answer the call and you'll know.
Her phone rang again, and she was hesitating to answer it. What if it was one of the reporters? Or what if her friends are pranking her? But they are worried, and they know she's anxious right now, so it doesn't make sense.
The ringing stopped. But it rang again. She's panicking deep inside, and her hands were clammy. She's an avid hater of phone calls, and she even hates texting and prefers video calls if she can't meet up with the people she's talking to. She hates the feeling of not knowing what the other person really feels and not seeing their facial expressions. Only hearing them talk without seeing them face to face drowns her in her anxiety.
She sighed and gave up. Knowing full well that the caller will not give her a break, so she answered on the tenth call. Before she can even speak.
"Finally!! This is actor Lee Ikjun, by the way."