There's that feeling.
The feeling of nerves that you get before you have news given to you, or you do something big.
The first few seconds as 6pm rolled around was nerve wracking to say the least. 6:01 on the dot my Skype received her call.
"You're good, let's do this." I gave myself a little pep talk before pressing accept call.
I was greeted by Rachel's face, with an unfamiliar man dressed in semi casual business wear next to her.
"Hello Rae, I'm Rachel we spoke on the phone before, this is my colleague Jackson." I smiled and waved at Jackson politey.
"Pleasure to finally talk to you, sorry for the lateness." I replied.
"We'll read over the general contract and we've sent over a copy to you as well it should be there by tomorrow, if all is well we're hoping to fly out and sign it by the end of the week."
We talked for a good half an hour about the contract before hanging up. Its damn official now.... itll be sent out to bookstores and available online by the end of the summer.
I never expected for someone to think of my writing as good enough to publish. It was mostly a side thing or hobby I had growing up. Reading was what I did instead of messing around as a teen, which probably enhanced my nerdy status.
I changed into my regular chill pjs and walked out of my room to see Yun and Lishi playing cards (with Lishi destroying him) and Seohyun making plum tea, her favourite. They all turned and looked at me expectantly, and I think my large smile gave it away because Lishi got up and gave me a big hug.
"Everything went well didnt it? I told you you're a good writer." She said squashing me. Aggressive positivity by Lishi, gotta love it.
"It went awesome. We have to do some finalisations on contracts next week when they fly out and after it's full steam ahead."
Yun gave me a thumbs up and a nod, the usual bare minimum enthusiasm showing from him.
"Congrats, maybe you could get better coffee then." Yun lifted his mug taking a sip with a grimace.
"Hey you have your own apartment, get your own coffee if you dont like ours." Lishi said laughing. He has to have something to complain about, but he kinda reminds me of someone.
I whipped out my phone to text Jaehyun the good news. It still boggles my mind that we made it official today, I thought it was going the opposite and we'd just end things there and then. But Jaehyun is now my boyfriend... I dont think I'll ever get used to saying it.
(Due to weird app difficulties from switching to android the text pictures from the previous MH&S arent available ;-;)
Rae: Goooood news!
Jae: I bet I have even better news~
Rae: ooh tell me!
Jae: Snowfall was a hit! So much that we're getting nominated for awards~
Rae: that's amazing!
Jae: what's your good news??
Rae: my book deal has gone through, we're just signing contracts soon!
Jae: That. Is. AWESOME! Celebrate 🕺🎉
Rae: well I have cookies 😂
Jae:..... chocolate?
Rae: triple.
Jae: on my way, Minjae is coming too since we just got haircuts together.
Rae: ooh hot new look, hurry before lishi finishes the cookies 😂
I put my phone away and walked over to the kitchen to make myself some tea, exchanging gossip with Seohyun. I haven't had much time to spend with her, I hope she's not mad. Our schedules are busy over the summer, with her company being set to release a new VR game Cities of Ash in a couple weeks. It's part of a huge series that lately got real popular because one of our senior groups have been promoting it.
"Jaehyun and Minjae are coming over in a bit, anyone want to invite anyone else before I get started on dinner?" I said poking my head out of the cupboard as I grabbed some pots.
"No thanks, I'm heading out in a bit." Lishi's words had me stand up so fast I hit my forehead on the cupboard. Ouch.
"Who. What. When. Where. How." I fired off grabbing her arm. From that tone this isn't a simple heading out.
"Oh it's nothing Minho invited me to their debut celebration dinner, you guys can come too if you want he said its fine..." I couldn't stop the big grin on my face spreading and I could see the 'oh no' look on Lishi's face.
"Hold up so did he say it casually or was it like.... with meaning?" She smacked my arm.
"It was just a casual invite, although he did say he wanted to get to know me after." I squealed, almost not believing it. Minho and Lishi, theyd be so good together.
"Oh my god I'm so happy for you!" I exclaimed giving her a side hug. She laughed and pushed me playfully.
"Hey its not like he asked me to marry him, calm down. And what about you and Jaehyun what happened earlier in the practice room?" Lishi asked curiously making me choke in air.
"Oh well.... hemighthaveaskedmetobehisgirlfriendandisaidyes." I rushed out. She blinked for a moment.
"He said what now?"
"He asked me to be his girlfriend and I said yes." I repeated slower this time. Lishi gasped and started squealing too.
"About time he asked! I need to go but you are going to give me a full detailed essay about this later." She did the 'I got my eyes on you' motion with her hand and then left, making sure to grab a cookie for the way.
I love having her around. One of the best friends I could've asked for. Yun simply lifted his cup in acknowledgement and continued drinking his coffee.
"I'm happy for you Rae, I hope you get everything you deserve." Seohyun said with a smile. Aw, odd phrasing of her words but how nice.
It wasn't long before I heard a 'knock knock' on my door.
"Hello I think you ordered 2 handsome men!" Minjae burst in and exclaimed as soon as I opened the door.
His hair was now a periwinkle blue colour and noticeably shorter from his previous mullet like hairstyle. Behind him stood my boyfriend (never gonna get used to saying this) with his hair a shining off white colour that just make him.... glow. He surprised me by giving me a peck on the lips in front of everyone.
"I missed you." Jaehyun grabbed my hands pulling them close.
"I missed you too." I replied giving his hands a welcome squeeze and a smile.
"Ew no PDA!" Minjae said pouting in annoyance. I laughed at his words, he really was different after he gets used to someone. Hes no longer as shy or timid around me.
"I second that motion." Yun mentioned looking up from his computer. Minjae turned surprised by Yun's words. Oh right he hasn't met Yun.
"Oh hello I'm Kang Minjae nice to meet you!" Minjae held out his hand which Yun thankfully shook politely.
"Song Yunseok, likewise." He replied and went back to making his coffee.
"Hes an old family friend now living next door, don't mind him. I made fajitas and spicy chicken skewers." As soon as I mention food they all lit up.
"I'm tired and I ate a lot of snacks earlier so I'm just gonna head to bed." Seohyun suddenly announced leaving to go to her room before we could say anything. Oh. Alright she must be tired.
The boys just shrugged and I brought out the food. Yun even joined in for this one, but as he was eating he looked depressed. Oh boy I wonder what's wrong with him, hes like a rock half the time.
"So Rae what's up with the whole book deal?" Minjae said in between scarfing down his food.
"Its all sorted and should hit the shelves by the end of the summer!" My enthusiasm made them smile.
Minjae had to pick up his cousin so he had to leave early, and Yun went back to his room silently. So it was just me and Jaehyun leaning against each other on the couch. We were watching some random drama, cuddled up with a fluffy blanket.
"Enjoying yourself baby koala?" Jaehyun asked with mild amusement, cause I had my legs wrapped around his.
"Very, you're a good pillow." I reply snuggling closer. He laughed and kissed my forehead.
After a while I needed to pee, so I got up and headed to the bathroom. Whilst doing my business I heard Seohyun's voice outside the door talking to Jaehyun. Being the nosey little girl I am I place my hands on the door and try to listen.
"So Jaehyun you and Rae got serious huh?"
"Yeah just today. But I've liked her for ages." My heart melted at his response and I had to hold myself back from going 'awww'.
"So why'd you go for a black girl."
Hold up. Where is she going with this....
"Excuse me?" I could hear the confusion in Jaehyun's voice.
"I mean you could've gotten with any girl you want. Just curious." She sounded innocent but something was off.
How in the hell does she think asking stuff like this is okay? What kinda friend... I quickly flushed and exited, seeing Seohyun sitting real close to a VERY uncomfortable Jaehyun. Once he saw me he jumped up and walked over to me and kissed my cheek.
"Oh hey I was just gonna grab some water." Seohyun mentioned casually getting up. Though I noticed it.
She's wearing my nightgown.
"Alright then! Jaehyun and I are just gonna hang in my room so you can watch tv if you want." I replied with a raised eyebrow. She nodded and I pulled Jaehyun into my room who sighed in relief.
"Jesus that was awkward. Did you hear what she said?" Jaehyun flopped onto my bed and sighed.
"Yeah I did, what kinda questions were those." I shook my head. What a 180 turn, we were awesome literally 2 days ago.
"Well you're the only girl for me." He sat up with his signature cute smile. I got close and gave him a hug.
"I also heard you talk about how you liked me for ages... you're so cute." I grin as I pull away from him. His reply was to smirk and flip me onto the bed, him on top.
"I'll show you just how much I like you."
And the rest of my night made up for any annoyances that day...
Lishi's POV
I headed out and decided to catch a cab as it was a little bit of a distance to get to the restaurant Minho mentioned. I was a little distracted but I noticed we already passed the restaurant.
"Hey we just passed the restaurant can you pull back." I said to the taxi driver. No word from him. Oh hell no.
We made an abrupt stop and suddenly a man in a black suit came in signalling to the driver to continue which he did.
"What the actual hell is going on?" My heart was beating so fast and I was looking for ways to escape but saw none. Shit just my luck.
Then I noticed what he held in his hands that my heart stop.
He had a gun in his hand.
"Now Miss Iqbal, it's time for you to answer some questions of mine." He spoke perfect english with no accent whatsoever.
"First who are you?" I question with hostility. Probably not the best thing in the face of a gun...
"Ah no I'll be the one asking questions here. You know Miss Leven, who's protecting her currently?" Fuck hes after Rae.
"I don't know." Seems like my answer was wrong because he suddenly pointed the gun at my head.
"Now now I would suggest for you to be honest here. Useless people get killed." Like he wasn't gonna kill me anyways.
I backed up to the passenger door when I realised it wasn't locked and then the idea hit me. It was risky but either stay and get killed or try and possibly get killed.
"Look I'm serious I know nothing about Rae's life before we met." I blinked a few times which set off my eyes watering. He looked surprised for a moment that I'd started crying.
"Now stop crying and just tell me something." He started getting irritated and I rubbed my eyes in front of him with my large sleeve makibgs sure he didn't see my hand behind my back hold onto the passenger door handle.
"Okay I'll tell you something.... you're a fucking fool." And with that I pushed the door open and fell back out of the car, rolling away down a hill.
As I was rolling I heard some gunshots but the steep ness of the hill and the growing darkness of the night made it so he couldn't see me accurately. I ended up at a nearby road not too far from Seohyun's old place. I didn't take the familiar roads and weaved in and out of the side streets before I got to the restaurant. I looked in a random reflective display and holy shit I look terrible. My clothes were dirty and I had mud on my face. I saw a clothing store across the restaurant and ran in ready to change my clothes, thank God I could fit into korean clothes.
In the meantime I tried calling Rae but she didn't answer so I called Yun instead.
Yun: what's going on, your tracker went off completely.
Lishi: I had a track- nevermind we'll talk about that later but I almost got killed
Yun: WHAT
Lishi: my cab driver kidnapped me a guy in a suit came in and tried interrogating me about Rae. He held a gun to my head but I managed to jump out the car.
Yun: Fuck. Pretend everything is normal, stay around that group of boys. I'll send you a trusted car later myself. I'll tell Rae but dont worry I won't let this happen again.
I dont know what it was but the way he sounded so angry and upset made my previous distrust fade.
Lishi: okay... just make sure shes safe before I am.
Yun: *laughs* you're a good friend, dont worry I'm on it.
I hung up and got my new clothes. Finally dressed and cleaned up I sighed with some relief. At least I can count on Yun. My heart was still beating fast but it has significantly calmed.
This shit got complicated real fast.