บท 20: २०

"Jogiyo, why is this still here? Please take care of this." Wonwoo stared at the busy bee, who has been running around since he had seen her. The shoot had come to an end yet she was still running around asking others to fix this and that.

"Mwoya?" Seungcheol asked taking a seat beside Wonwoo. He groaned something about weather being too hot but was not paid attention to. "You keep staring at her." Seungcheol said finally gaining Wonwoo's attention.

"Ani. I was just looking." Wonwoo denied averting his eyes to other side, where he saw Mingyu and Vernon approaching.

"Same thing. You've been staring at her for quite a while now." Seungcheol said narrowing his eyes at his dongsaeng's behaviour.

"Whose been staring at whom?" Mingyu asked as both he and Vernon joined them.

"Wonu, at that lady." Seungcheol said nodding his head towards Rumi who was now carrying a large box by herself while a man ran behind her. "You both know her, right?" Wonwoo's ears peaked in attention.

"We do." Vernon nodded his head. "We met her when we went out for dinner, it was fun." Vernon explained nodding to himself as if revisiting the memories. "Waeyo, what about her?"

"It's nothing. I think I've seen her before." Wonwoo replied this time.

"Of course, you must have not only seen her before but must have heard of her." Kim Jungho, their makeup artist piped in handing each them a bottle of water.

"What do you mean?" Seungcheol asked looking up at him.

"You haven't heard? The lady Casanova?" He asked whispering the later part. All four of them shook their heads. Kim Jungho looked left and right before motioning them to lean in. "That's Rumi Raikar aka Lady Casanova. She has created her own harem since she has joined the company. The range goes from staff to idols, both male and female included." He explained eyes pointed at Rumi, the four followed the direction of his eyes; there stood Rumi now surrounded by group of ladies, giggling and locking their arms with her.

"Wah. When did this happen?" Mingyu muttered staring at her. Kim Jungho suddenly snapped his head towards Mingyu, almost startling him. "Mwo? Mwo? Mwo? Why are you looking at me like that?" Mingyu asked leaning back.

"Aren't you one of them?" He asked staring Mingyu then slowly turning his head towards the ladies gathered around Rumi.

"De?!" Mingyu exclaimed backing away. "Aniyo!" He shook his head vigorously. "Hyung, jinja. It's nothing like that." Mingyu said looking at his brothers for help. Seungcheol narrowed his eyes.

"You better not." Seungcheol warned. "Like someone else. She doesn't look like a good person."

"Hyung, jinja!"

"You too." Seungcheol said turning towards Wonwoo, who furrowed his eyebrows in confusion, why was he being dragged into this.

Fate was really playing it's cards that day. Mingyu made himself smaller as he had the voices approaching nearer. Seungcheol had already taken the role of protective father as he saw them approaching.

"Rumi-sii where were you trying to run huh?" Ha Ji won one of the from the team dragged Rumi along with her. Rumi cried mentally, all she thought was thar she had just show her face and go, she never thought she would've to work her ass off and then attend this after dinner. Why do these Korean have such obsession with after dinner and things?! Nobody wants to eat with their colleagues after spending their whole day with them. They just want to go back home. I want to go home! She mentally cried.

"Ji won-sii, listen I have to-"

"There's nothing you have to do. Come on. After working the whole day, everyone deserves a drink." Ji won dragged and pushed her down on the only empty seat which unfortunately was beside Mingyu.

"Ah hello." She whispered somewhat feeling assurance of seating beside someone familiar. Mingyu meekly greeted back wishing the ground would swallow him whole. He felt three pairs of eyes already staring at him, or were there more. He glanced up at Seungcheol directly siting across Rumi, while Wonwoo on his right and Vernon who was sitting on side of the long table. Rumi bowed towards them in greeting.

"Come on. Come on. Let me pour you a drink." Ji won said holding the bottle of soju. Rumi hesitantly held up her glass. Just looking at the transparent liquid gave her a headache. Yesterday's liquor was still churning in her stomach.

"Gamsahamnida." Rumi awkwardly smiled back thanking her. Ji won smiled and turned away. Rumi quickly placed the glass down away from Ji won sight and let out a sigh. "Kuthe adkavlas re deva. (What trouble you've put me into?)" Rumi muttered looking up at the ceiling. The four boys who had been conscious of her presence followed along looking up wondering what the hell was she talking. "Ah." Rumi noticed the boys staring at her, she again bowed her head in greeting. The guy sitting across her seemed really scary the way he was staring at her and the other on his side, well he had undistinguishable look in his eyes.

"Yah." She poked her elbow in Mingyu making him jump in surprise. Rumi gave him a look for his reaction. Why is he so jumpy? Mingyu straightened his back and slightly leaned in to hear what she has to say. "Why are your friends giving me the weird eye?" She asked smiling at both Seungcheol and Wonwoo.

"It's not only them." Mingyu whispered back. As he stated, it was not only his band members but half of table were looking at her. Jangmi-sii? What is she doing here? Rumi thought as she noticed Jangmi-sii among the crowd giving her an eye from across the table, she smiled greeting her. "I need to leave." Rumi muttered trying to get up when Mingyu grabbed her hand pulled her back down. "You can't just leave like that." Mingyu whispered-shouted meanwhile attraction more attention due their proximate position.

"Why can't I-"

"Mingyu-ya." A stiff voice interrupted. Mingyu immediately dropped her hand turned towards his older brother in attention.

"What? What is going on-" Rumi was again interrupted by Ji won. "Why haven't you finished your drink yet?" Rumi opened and closed her mouth by the time Ji won had reached and handed her glass back to her. "Come on, finish it! One shot!" Soon everyone on the table started cheering again leaving Rumi no choice but to gulp down the transparent liquid.

"Joha!" Ji won cheered patted Rumi back. Her glass was filled again. "By the way, I have heard you have gained quite admirer at the company."

"De?" Rumi looked at her with furrowed eyebrows. Ji won smiled urging Rumi to empty the glass again. Rumi pressed her lips before sipping on the soju.

"Ah, you don't have to be modest Rumi-sii. Everyone here has heard about rumours." Who is he? Rumi asked herself when one of the guy on the table said laughing out loud. What was so funny about it? And what rumours? Rumi's eyes met Jangmi's who had an accusing look in her eyes. What? She turned to look at the other only familiar people. Vernon, who was focused on food in his bowl while Mingyu avoided any eye contact.

What was happening here? "What rumours? And admirers, I don't have any." Rumi replied with little shake of her head.

"Oh come on!" A lady booed. "Yesterday only you were confessed to in the elevator. I saw that." Cheers were heard at that. Confessed? When did that happened and how come I don't remember something like that? "Gu Hwa-sii, is quite handsome, you know how many ladies were left heartbroken after yesterday. I am one of them!" The lady cried overdramatically before gulping her own glass of alcohol.

"What? Gu Hwa? There's nothing like that-" Rumi shook her head denying everything.

"Heard you brutally rejected him." Ji won said from beside. "Was it because you have eyes set on somebody else?" Before Rumi could deny anything Ji won was already at guessing game. "Hyun-sii? Or it Jihoon-ah, Hoshi? Females idol are also asking around for you. Is it someone from them? Or is it Mingyu?" Mingyu choked on his food hearing that. Rumi quickly handed him water and started patting his back.

"Ji won-sii, I think there is some misunderstanding here." Rumi stiffly said getting annoyed at their nosy asses. Why were they so interested in her life? "There's nothing going on between me and the names you have taken." The tone of her voice silenced the whole table, clearly a warning was passed. Back off before I lose it.

"Aish. You don't have to be so angry Rumi-ya. We were just teasing you." Ji won said grabbing Rumi hand. Rumi glanced at it and then back to her.

"I'm not angry but don't you think it's uncomfortable for me and the names you've wrongly taken? Ji won-sii I understand that you trying to tease me and I am okay with that but the names you have taken. They are idols. A small mistake can cause a scandal."

"Yah waegurae..." Ji won lightly bumped her shoulder with Rumi's. "We all are family here. Who's gonna cause a scandal here. Right, yeorobon?" Ji Won asked hearing the affirmative shouts. She turned to Rumi with a look of triumph on her face.

What a bitch. If you all were really a family then I wouldn't have been in this shitty situation in the first place. Family? More like backstabbing greedy asses. Rumi scoffed angrily gulping down remaining alcohol in her glass. She needed alcohol if has to stay among these nosy people. Her empty glass was refilled again. Rumi looked up, the guy who had been glaring at her earlier, now was filling her glass. "Thank you." He nodded and held his own glass as both of them clinked it together before emptying it down their throats.

"Gwenchana?" Mingyu asked from beside her. Rumi smiled and nodded her head. "You don't have to worry about it. This is common here. Things will calm down and they will forget about it in few days." Mingyu said reassuring her.

"Yeah, hopefully they do." Rumi smiled; while on inside she was screaming. Where was Hyun when he was need? Her saviour, her knight in shinning armour. He was supposed to be here. Rumi scanned the restaurant looking for him. Someone tapped her shoulder. Hyun! Rumi turned around with big smile on her hoping to see Hyun but was greatly disappointed. Rumi furrowed her eyebrow staring at the guy in question. The guy bowed and handed her a key.

"Hyun-sii asked me to hand these to you." He said before leaving. "Just great! Now, he's not only coming to save me but I have to drive myself home too. Has he forgotten that mu driving license is suspended." Rumi muttered to herself solemnly staring at the key.

"Are you not going to eat anything?" Seungcheol asked looking at Rumi who was sadly looking at the keys in her hand. "Drinking on empty stomach in not good." Seungcheol said trying serve her the cooked meat from the pan.

"Ah! Rumi-sii can you eat meat?" Someone from the table asked making Seungcheol stop. "You people are vegetarian right?" Seungcheol looked at Rumi for answers, who smiled. "Aniyo, all Indians are not vegetarians. So, ye I can eat meat." Seungcheol nodded and put the piece of meat in her plate. Rumi smiled in gratefulness.

"Maja. But, isn't it sinful in your religion to eat pork. What is it called...?" The guy trailed of looking for the word.

"Haram." Rumi answered as she popped piece of cook pork in her mouth. The look on his face was hilarious. "It's for Muslims. I am not Muslim." Rumi replied giving him a tight-lipped smiled. The guy looked away embarrassed. "Serves you right, smartass." A chuckle was heard from her right. Vernon laughed and held his fist for fist bump. Rumi winked bumping it. "I can't leave now, can I?" She asked Mingyu who nodded stuffing his face. She would definitely come off as rude person if she leaves now. It wouldn't have matter but she has to maintain some good image in company for her mission. Mission? It was already going into drains. She was supposed to keep a low profile yet here she was getting infamous.

Rumi groaned taking the bottle of soju and pouring herself a drink. "Drink away the problems." She muttered to herself whilst gulping down glass after glass. Completely forgetting that she has to drive herself home. "Pee." She said dizzily. Holding Mingyu shoulder for balance she clumsily got up.

"Will you be okay?" Vernon asked worried about her. Rumi smiled and giving him a thumbs up before turning and walking off. "She's drunk again." Vernon said thinking about their first meeting. Hope she doesn't wonder off to some else's table again.

"Hyung, why are you suddenly nice to her?" Mingyu asked Seungcheol who was busy cooking the meat. Few minutes ago he was glaring at her probably drilled a hole or two and now he was cooking meat for her.

"I was mistaken. Then again rumours are rumours, I shouldn't have believed them." Seungcheol said serving Mingyu the cooked pork belly. "And she defended my members so that's a plus point." Seungcheol smiled showing off his dimple.

"Wah, you are quite easy to impress aren't you? A true leader indeed." Mingyu commented shaking his head. Something buzzed on the table. "Why did she left her phone behind?" Mingyu complained realizing it was Rumi's phone that was buzzing. It stopped for few seconds and started buzzing again. Mingyu turned around to see if she had returned yet. "Why isn't she back yet?"

"Pass it to me. I am heading to washroom too." Wonwoo said getting up dusting his pants.

"Hyung, gachi-gaja. (Let's go together)" Vernon said getting up himself. Wonwoo nodded as both of them headed towards the washroom. Her phone was still buzzing with calls. "Must be important. The person keeps calling." Vernon said looking at the phone in Wonwoo's hand.

"Must be." Wonwoo replied. Another phone rang. It was Vernon's phone this time. "Ah, I have to take this. You go ahead." Vernon said making a U-turn leaving Wonwoo alone for rest of the journey. Wonwoo shrugged his shoulder continued making his way towards washroom. There was sharp turn which led to an alley where washroom was situated, Wonwoo scanned the area around looking for phone's owner if they might miss each other, but she was nowhere to be found, so Wonwoo entered the alley thinking she might be there. But he never thought that he might encounter such scene. There was the owner of the phone against the wall.

"Jangmi-sii...please stop." Rumi cried trying to push away Jangmi who had attached herself to Rumi's torso. "Ugh." Rumi's drunken self tried her best to push Jangmi away without hurting her but she was hellbent on devouring her neck.

"I won't let you go!" Jangmi argued. "What is so good about those man huh?!" Jangmi asked finally pulling back a little. "Tell me! I can do anything for you! I can be better than those asshole men!" She cried at top of her lungs.

"Yes, yes you can Jangmi-sii but you are drunk right now. Let's talk when you are sober, hmm?" Rumi calmly said trying to negotiate. It seemed like Jangmi was giving it a thought. Taking the opportunity, Rumi pushed herself off the wall trying to escape from between wall and Jangmi but the moment she was about to step aside, Jangmi pushed her against the wall again. Rumi's back harshly collided against the wall making groan in pain.

"No! We talk right now!" Jangmi cried grabbing her shirt's collar. Rumi was done with peaceful negotiation, the pain in her back was killing her. Clenching her jaw in pain she held her hand up ready to knock her out when she saw a figure in corner of her eye.

"Wonwoo-sii. Help me." Rumi cried out meeting his eye. The guy looked like he was about to turn away and leave. "Please." She begged. As if hearing the immense plead in her voice, Wonwoo quickly ran to her recuse. "Jangmi please let go of her." Wonwoo grabbed one of Jangmi's arm to pry her away but was shrugged earning a slap. "Shit, are you okay?" Rumi asked worriedly.

"I am fine. I am fine." Wonwoo assured fixing his glasses. "Jangmi-ya let go of Rumi-sii." Wonwoo said as he again grabbed her arm, this time both of them. Jangmi had circled them around Rumi's waist.

"Ahhh..." Rumi cried in pain alerting Wonwoo who worriedly looked at her. "She's digging her nails in my back!" Rumi cried.

"Mianhe! Mianhe!" Wonwoo apologized letting go of Jangmi's arm. "What should I do?" Wonwoo asked accepting defeat.

"Should I just knock her out." Rumi said through pain.

"De?!" Wonwoo looked at her in question. Rumi shook her head asking him to forget it. "I will try to loosen her grip. When I say now, you pull her off, okay?" Wonwoo nodded carefully hearing her instructions.

"Okay." Rumi said removing her hand from Jangmi's shoulder to moving it to her back. Placing them between her waist and Jangmi's arms, she pushed them down fairly loosening the grip. "Now!" Rumi screamed. Hearing the signal, Wonwoo pulled her off successfully. "Ah." Rumi sighed in relief. Wonwoo glanced at exhausted Rumi and then at Jangmi who had lost her consciousness.

"What is going on here?" A voice asked making them snap their heads towards it. It was Vernon who had returned, taking in the scene in front of him.

"Yah, Vernon-ah-" There is a phrase in Hindi 'Nazar hati durghatna ghati' meaning lose focus can cause accident. Just like that once unconscious Jangmi had pushed Wonwoo away and grabbed Rumi's collar. To prevent Jangmi from repeating the episode Wonwoo, in reflex had grabbed Jangmi-sii collar and pulled her back. Jangmi's grip was not stronger like before. It slipped and grabbed right onto between the two flaps of collar.

"Joahae! Rumi-sii..." Tak-tak-tak-tak-tak. There was silence apart from moans and groans from Jangmi who now once again laid unconscious in Wonwoo's arms. Rumi, Wonwoo and Vernon silently stared at fallen soldiers, the defeated ivory-coloured buttons saluted before taking their last breath on the floor of the restaurant.