09. Taemin (1/2)
(OST- Brave by Tawgs Salter)The articles came out rather fast. ‘Lee Taemin and Son Naeun are awkward?’ ‘After We Got Married Taeun couple proves their faux marriage was just that.’
Considering what we went through together this didn’t appear fair. SM kept a tight lid on the subject giving me clear instruction to not respond. ACube Entertainment seemed to have been brave or maybe foolish enough to post a response:According to the writers of the show that scene was impromptus. There was nothing on the script saying for them to formally greet each other on television. Naeun didn’t expect to say hello to him then and there like that so that is why it was awkward.Now the situation was starting to get more out of hand. I had fans leave comments in my fan cafe saying our marriage on the show was a hoax since the two appear to not be in contact. But their company didn’t have to say anything.As I was being driven to the studio for next week’s filming I thought about how Naeun was feeling. She had received cold treatment from people in the past. That disastrous date in Myeongdong was a great example of that. If only I could make sure she didn’t see those comments on the articles.“Were you talking to me Taemin?”I blinked. Minoh hyung our manager was watching me in the rear view mirror. “I just heard you saying something so I wanted to make sure.”“Oh sorry,” I said to him. “I guess I was expressing thoughts aloud.”He nodded and then chuckled. What was going on? “Hyung,” I started. “Why are you like this? What was I talking about?”
“You were saying that you hoped she wouldn’t be online for a while and that you felt bad for not pretending to greet her without any awkwardness.”I had been caught. He would know if I wasn’t being honest. Nodding I agreed with him. “Yeah I guess I have been thinking about what happened last week. She was put in an awkward place.”
“You both were,” he corrected me.
“I am fine since we are not to say anything.” That was the given instruction. “But for her… I know she must be getting unnecessary hate for it again.”He chuckled again and I sat up more in my seat. “Hyung what are you—“
“—relax, I’m just happy.” Oh I’m sure you were hyung!Ω
In the judges chairs I spun around as the makeup artist went to get some new branches. I glanced at Bomi who was getting the bright scarf tied in her hair fixed.
“So when does Naeun come?”
I noticed her raise her eyebrows slightly like she was confused. Because she had her face turned slightly away from me I couldn’t be certain. The scarf was tied neatly and so she gave me focus.
“Why do you ask?” Seeing me with the same face as hers was just before her mouth went into a slight ‘o’. “Oh, so you weren’t informed.”
“Informed about what?”
“She’s really busy with the drama so she won’t be the MC for two weeks. They’re getting Rainbow’s Woori to do it.”
Wasn’t she starring in a ballet show at the moment? A lot of the past girl groups had split or disbanded. Rainbow had gone their separate ways; the oldest member was having a baby soon with her husband of two years.Disappointment could not be concealed. I wore it like a pair of large sunglasses. “I see,” I nodded as well. “I guess it can’t be helped.” That didn’t stop me from being suspicious. What if it was just an excuse to keep her and I apart for a few weeks to ensure the rumours die down?She peered at me, her face in a smirk. “Ah, I think I see.”
“What do you see?” I asked keeping mine as straight as possible which was hard.“You must still like her.”How could she assume that!? I was shocked. She sat there with a rather smug smile. Unable to hide the embarrassement I just put a fist to my mouth, hoping my cheekbones would not rise.Even so my mood was rather down for the show. It also didn’t help that I had to get rid of one of my own dancers due to some sloppy moves in the middle of the performance. There’s nothing quite as depressing as having to pick one of your own, apologise and tell them they are leaving. Especially when they burst into tears in front of the audience.On the way home I went through my phone to check upcoming schedules. I paused at one which was scheduled for next Thursday, ‘Concert Special at 7pm.’“Hyung,” I heard a murmur from Minoh as he was playing with his phone. “This concert, have they got the confirmed list yet?”